Chapter 20:Awakening

Here it is:

Sasuke jumped over the railing to face Gaara. Sasuke did not know what to say of his relationship with Gaara, or Heiri for that matter. He was friends with them simply because Naruto was. He never saw them with out Naruto and reflecting on the subject he felt awkward to call them friends.

Naruto is really my only friend, besides this is a battle I must show no mercy because I shall receive none.

He waited for Hayate to start the match.

Gaara was thinking the exact same thoughts right before Hayate spoke in a raspy voice. "Begin," the examiner coughed out.

Sasuke was the first to move racing toward the red haired sand ninja. Sasuke slid to a halt as the top to Gaara's gourd popped off. He had never seen Gaara fight so he had to be prepared for anything. It was true that Gaara had fought Orochimaru in the forest, but all Sasuke could remember was Orochimaru's sickeningly pale face, cackling evilly.

Sasuke shook his head vigorously bringing him back to reality. Sand was pouring out of the gourd and though Sasuke knew Gaara fought with sand, he did not know how Gaara used it as a weapon.

Gaara smiled inwardly, Sasuke was unsure how to proceed meaning he had not asked Naruto for information about his fighting style.

Sasuke cursed he could tell what Gaara was thinking. He knew the instant where a ninja relaxes for half a second when they discover a fight will be easier then they expected.

Gaara realizing they were reading each other no matter how well they hid their thoughts the other would find it out let down the mask of blankness and decided to focus purely on the fight.

Sasuke cursed under his breath as the sand which had been almost swirling hypnotically shot towards him. Right about now he wished he had already unlocked the sharingan.

He sprinted to the side to dodge the sand and began forming hand signs. Then he spun shooting fire everywhere until it encompassed the arena.

Naruto used a protective earth jutsu to shield the viewers of the fight from the flames and by the time they could see what was going on. Sasuke was trapped in the corner holding out against the sand onslaught with fire jutsus and his Uchiha agility.

Gaara was slowly wearing Sasuke down as everyone saw and Naruto knew Sasuke was trying to figure out what to do.

Naruto was trying not to blink he was curious about this match up. Gaara will most likely win unless Sasuke gets extremely lucky. So let's see Sasuke, are you going to get lucky? Naruto was giving his undivided attention to the match so he didn't notice when a few people began to stare at his intense eyes.

Sasuke was getting tired. He rushed towards Gaara in what he knew would be his final assault. The young Uchiha dodged a stream of sand and then another. He was getting close to Gaara now, close enough to use a powerful genjutsu.

Only five feet away from Gaara he formed seals and unleashed the genjutsu. As soon as the illusion had been cast he jumped away to see if Gaara had been affected.

He smirked as Gaara stood dumbfounded. The justu he used was extremely useful. If cast it would keep the receiver in a trance for thirty seconds or until they received a substantial hit. The reason the jutsu was not used often was because you had to be within ten feet to cast it and chance that it would take affect was only 50 percent.

Sasuke walked toward Gaara. He had fifteen seconds left to use but he did not know what to do. He didn't want to kill Gaara so kunai would be good unless it was only to the arm or leg. But if he did not give up after a minor injury Sasuke knew he would lose. What if I knock him out in one punch? It'll have to be a pretty powerful punch but…

Sasuke had used five seconds to come up with what he would do and he charged. He had a kunai in his left hand to stab Gaara's arm and he had his right fist pulled back ready to punch Gaara in the head simultaneously, hoping to shock his opponent's body into losing consciousness.

But as Sasuke struck he knew he was in trouble. Gaara's face smiled for a split second and then the sand clone exploded in a smoky sandstorm.

Sasuke covered his eyes shielding them from the sand. He looked around a rage building in side him. Gaara was just as much out of his league as Naruto was. The black haired boy felt his pulse rising. It's not fair! Why is everyone so far ahead of me! I need to get stronger!

Gaara appeared behind Sasuke and raised a kunai to the Uchiha's head. "Surrender Sasuke-san."

Sasuke felt his heart stop. Everything slowed down and his thoughts which had been racing before were now slow and easy to understand. WIN!

Sasuke ducked down and spun kicking Gaara's feet out from under him. Naruto and Kakashi realized immediately what was happening- Kakashi because he had studied it, Naruto because he had heard the stories countless times.

Sasuke was awakening his sharingan.

Sasuke pulled out three shuriken and threw them from point blank range. Gaara's sand quickly knocked them away and lunged at Sasuke. Gaara pushed himself off the ground and opened his palm as wide as he could.

Naruto swallowed nervously. Gaara's inner demon was awakening and forcing him to lose control. Minato had told Naruto that as long as Gaara was with friends he would keep control except in rare circumstances where the demon used it's pent up energy to open the gate and make its container lose control.

Sasuke and Gaara are both losing control and unless this ends now it's going to get ugly.

Gaara and Sasuke's chakra began to rise. Gaara sent a huge hand of sand at Sasuke which Sasuke broke through.

Then after a few moments of such intense fighting which only three gennin could keep track of –those being Naruto, Heiri, and Neji- it was over.

Sasuke lay in a pool of blood and Gaara was fighting his inner demon in the corner.

Naruto and Heiri jumped into the arena and grabbed a hold of Gaara. He was not conscious they both knew that much. His mind was stuck between sanity and insanity waiting to see which part would control it.

Naruto put his forehead against Gaara's. Though he didn't know why Naruto knew it would help Gaara. The closeness of friends always helped. Naruto did not mind the blood that now matted the front of his hair. It was Gaara's blood it was known to him.

Medics rushed in and picked up Sasuke. Naruto knew his brother would be fine. His arm was damaged badly but it was not as bad as it could have been.

It's time to leave. Heiri and Naruto both knew Gaara needed to go lay down. Naruto slung Gaara's right arm around his neck and Heiri did the same on Gaara's other side. Naruto nodded toward Temari. Should would inform anyone who asked where they had gone.

Like Naruto, it was not the first time Temari had seen her brother in such a state.

The following Day

Naruto awoke with intensity. He jumped out of bed feeling a new energy pumping through him power that he had wanted for so long.

Today will be a good day. Naruto grinned.

After visiting his father and finding out who had won the fights after he had left he made his way to the training grounds. Though he felt guilty for not seeing Gaara or Sasuke he did not want to waste the power he felt.

As he marched to training ground 31, a training ground only a few people had access to which he had thanks to his father being Hokage he came across Jiraiya.

Jiraiya stood above a huge cliff giving him view to at least a hundred miles worth of land, "So Naruto you feel the same way I do, huh."

Naruto jumped the thirty feet to his sensei and the man he had come to think of as his grandfather.

"A new power has entered are world. It is not a power like the shinobi… in fact it is probably one that will seek to destroy the shinobi life." Jiraiya did not turn to face Naruto and let the wind brush about his face.

"Akatsuki?" Naruto asked. Lately he was being admitted into much of Konoha's classified information. Already he was scheduled to take the jounin test in six months and from there become the first member of a new sect of anbu.

"No, more powerful. It is a power that will lay dormant until it is forced awake. But who can say how long."

The old man paused. "Naruto the information given to us by Gaara about the Sand and Sound attacking our village has been confirmed. Itachi, yes Itachi, has been secretly supplying us with information. And Minato and I realize that soon if the Akatsuki strike the village will fall."

Naruto stepped toward the edge and looked down. So much information it's suffocating.

"Naruto," Jiraiya began, "I want to begin to show you all my secret techniques. I know I told you, you knew all of them but I had some secret ones even your father doesn't know. I plan to teach you all of them in the next four hours prepare for hyper training."

Naruto nodded and created two hundred clones. Jiraiya doesn't want to talk about the new power that has entered the world, but if he feels he has to train me I need to get ready.

The next four hours were the most well spent hours of Naruto's life. After Jiraiya had claimed that Naruto knew all his moves he just lack experience he set about what he dubbed would double Naruto's power in the course of a week.

Naruto lay panting on the ground exhausted, his chest inflating and deflating in rapid succession. To distract himself from the pain he quickly checked though all the things he would do in the course of the next week.

Well Jiraiya said I already know more techniques than most people do in their whole lives so first I have to catalogue all the techniques I know into that big scroll he gave me. Then I have to meet with Jiraiya every day for study of battle tactics, stealth, and knowledge of enemies (Ugh boring). I'll be meeting with Hayate for sword lessons and Gai-sensei for taijutsu training.

It almost seems like.

Naruto paled. Dad's preparing me for something and he'd only go this far if he thought I was in trouble. But… I can't let him worry I'll just have to train harder.

And so it began. For the next three weeks Naruto saw no one else besides Jiraiya, his father, Hayate, Gai and occasionally Anko.

Naruto knew some of his friends were worried but they wouldn't worry to much probably consider it preparation for the final chuunin exam.

Minato was the person who was worried the most. Naruto was training over twelve hours every day and though he was proud his son was becoming so strong the sacrifice seemed so great. The child Naruto was disappearing faster and faster.

The boy who loved pranks and ramen was doing whatever would help him get stronger so he stopped eating terrible all the time and started eating better.

Sasuke was also making huge progress with his training. His ambition of rescuing his brother seemed more realistic and as he wanted it more and more the closer it got.

Then suddenly the race against time was over and Naruto suddenly understood what he was training for as did Sasuke. They would save Itachi and they would protect the village. It's funny how realization can strike you at the most unexpected times like after dodging an uppercut from the fastest ninja in the village or hugging your mom before heading to the final stage of the chuunin exam.

Then as if plunged into a pool having forgotten how to swim Naruto and Sasuke began to reimburse them selves in the social scene.

Sasuke sat next to Sakura, Chouji, Ino, and Kiba. All had been eliminated the previous round. Sasuke felt a pang of jealousy as he waved to Naruto in the arena but the emotion was quickly swept aside as Sasuke began to look at the huge amount of people around him.

Naruto stood flanked by Heiri to his right and Gaara to his left. He stood very still trying to calm himself in front of the huge crowd. He wore an all black ninja suit with a katana on his back and one on his hip for a special sword style which he had a talent for. On the side opposite sat three scrolls one of which carried his fan.

Around, Naruto, stood the other contestants, all of whom looked extremely nervous. Of course he was nervous but not because of the fight. He knew he would win it wasn't cockiness that said so, but rather confidence that was back by logic. No, he was nervous about the invasion. He would have to kill allies, ninjas of the sand who he had met, all because Orochimaru had deceived them.

It made him steadily more angry the stronger he got. Strength should be used to protect not destroy.

He squeezed his hand into a ball tightening it more and more until he and the other contestants were asked to move to the observation room for the contestants who were not participating in a fight.

Naruto shifted his eyes to the other contestants. Among Naruto, Gaara, and Heiri were Kabuto, Sado, Shikamaru, Neji, Rock Lee, Temari, Hinata, as well as both of Heiri's teammates.

Hayate grabbed Naruto's shoulder as he walked up the stairs. "Naruto remember what I told you. Test your prey with weak attacks, but take it out with all your power when you know what it's capable of, never underestimate your enemy or you might get hurt even the best ninja get themselves killed when they aren't focusing.

Naruto nodded, "Understood."

Hayate made his way to the center of the arena. "Now for the moment many of you have been waiting for the last six months. The final round of the chuunin exam."

Minato watched the crowd for the balcony impressed. Beside Minato sat the Raikage and the Kazekage. The Tsuchikage sat on the other side of the Raikage not looking pleased to be in Konoha.

As Minato chatted passively and watched intently on the fight he began to notice a few things. The Tsuchikage had not spoken and Naruto was trying to defeat Lee without taking a single hit.

"Your son is very impressive Lord Hokage." The Raikage said, "I believe this is the first time I've seen him fight."

Minato smiled politely, "Yes and unfortunately most of the people who have bets on my son will not be happy. If everyone wins I believe you won't make any money. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if Rock Lee keeps the fight interesting. He is a very surprising young man."

Not long after the words had been spoken Naruto finished the fight and two new contestants entered the ring.

As Shikamaru and Temari fought, Minato began to feel a strange force. The tension in the room only died away when Jiraiya entered.

"So a pretty boring fight, huh?" Jiraiya laughed referring to Naruto.

"Not at all." The Raikage replied. "It may have been a mismatch but both fighters were extremely talented.

Jiraiya laughed again and swung an arm around Minato. "He's doing great isn't he. And think in just a few years he may be the most powerful ninja in the world."

Minato frowned. This isn't the appropriate topic to be discussing among four Kages. "Jiraiya have you been drinking?"

Jiraiya frowned, "Maybe."

The imposter Kazekage nodded to the Tsuchikage and quickly leapt up from their seats both tossing a significant amount of shuriken at Minato and Jiraiya.

Minato and Jiraiya had been expecting this and dodged the projectiles. The Raikaage meanwhile backed against the wall and began to form handsigns.

Then as both groups charged the Raikage sent his palm to the floor sending an electrical current through the room. "Well I could kill all of you right now but I will not, I am going to leave, as Konoha is about to become a battle ground. The jutsu's effect will end in about thirty seconds good day gentlemen."

Heiri began his fight with Neji just as the electric current disappeared. However, Hayate had noticed and put his hand to his ear to focus on the walkie-talkie that was placed there. "Lord Hokage what's going on?"

"Don't worry I have Jiraiya here. I believe the invasion is starting contact anbu captains three, six, seven, and eight and alert them of the situation they have already been given directions for the battle. Wait for further orders and continue the exam."

Hayate grimaced. You're acting too much like a great Hokage Minato. "Be careful."

Naruto was deeply in thought as he focused on his fathers fight. "It's begun," he whispered the words to Gaara.

Gaara nodded and shifted uneasily. Time would come in the battle where he would have to fight another sand ninja and he was not sure he could handle the task of forcibly taking out comrades. Growing up with Naruto he had felt betraying a comrade was worse than anything else.

Minato

Minato ducked under a graceful punch from the imposter Kazekage. I have to kill these men. I don't like it. But men like this can never be changed and are too dangerous to risk letting escape.

Minato reached into his shirt to grab a seal which he wrapped around the handle of a kunai. He almost smiled seeing the Tsuchikage's reaction. "You will not live to hurt my village again."

Jiraiya grabbed a seal of his own and slapped it on the wall. It was a seal that prevented anything from leaving the room. He and Minato would win, he had no doubt.

As Minato pulled his arm back to throw the weapon the Tsuchikage began tapping on the wall. Jiraiya immediately realized what was happening having seen the technique before. "He's signaling the attack."

"You're not as slow as you used to be Jiraiya." The imposter Kage said in a snake like tone.

Minato tapped the walkie-talkie in his ear. "Hayate stop the chuunin exam, escort civilians to the safe houses get anbu unit three to assist you, prepare for opposition."

Hayate grimaced. "As you wish, Lord Hokage." He moved to the center of the arena stopping Gaara and a lightning ninja.

"Excuse me for the interruption. However, the chuunin exam will be-." Hayate barely dodged an incoming shuriken and blocked the attacks of three ninja. He jumped back looking for help and realizing he would get none.

Every friendly ninja was occupied. The crowd had been put to sleep in a genjutsu and more enemies were filling the arena every second.

Hayate pulled out his katana slicing through an enemy only to realize he was being attacked from behind and there was no chance of blocking it.

He turned to see the enemy be kicked away by none other than Naruto. The blonde grinned, "Now I've paid you back for helping me learn how to use a sword".

Hayate nodded, "What's the plan?"

"Gaara and Heiri will help you out here. I'm going to make my way over to the Hokage while Lee, Neji, and the rest of the chuunin participants will go to the safe houses and guard there letting some of the guards

Neji snorted annoyed, but he understood he was injured from the exam and out of chakra along with the other chuunin hopefuls.

Naruto took out his swords and cut his way to the observation booth where his father battled.

Jiraiya formed two shadow clones and did what he had to do. Each clone formed a rasengan and charged.

Minato hurled his kunai at Orochimaru and then the Tsuchikage let loose. When all the techniques clashed the building was utterly destroyed.

Minato, Jiraiya, the Tsuchikage, and Orchimaru each stood on a different rooftop around them a world of chaos ensued. Fighting was everywhere, fires raged in sections of the village, screams could be heard as civilians were killed.

But amongst the madness a few fought for what they believed in. Minato and Jiraiya now given more space were gaining the advantage. They had fought together many a time and, like a fine tuned battle machine, they were wearing down Orochimaru who seemed not the least bit phased by the ordeal.

Naruto decided to take control of a square half mile taking down any enemies who came into his area.

Naruto grabbed his katanas and unleashed a few powerful wind-katana combination jutsus.

I can't interfere with the fight, I'd only get in the way. Naruto growled as he realized he was still too weak to help his father. He watched the fight for a few moments before going back to work. I should help by protecting the citizens of Konoha. Naruto continued to move through the area helping people get to safe areas and taking out enemies of Konoha. This continued until a giant three headed snake broke through the legendary wall that the first had made.

He would come back later for now killing that snake took the lead as most important on Naruto's to do list.

The blonde moved to intercept the snake and end the destruction of so much property.

The Arena

Heiri and Gaara had been the deciding factor that had tipped the balance for control of the arena. Hayate and Gai decided to stay in the arena guarding it from potential attacks, but for now the area was no longer a battle ground giving Konoha ninjas an opertunity to plan a course of action.

It was decided that anbu unit three, Kakashi, and Heiri with Gaara would move out and push the invaders back.

Unlike their Konoha allies Gaara and Heiri knew what they were going to do. They were going to join Naruto.

Naruto

Naruto dodged a swipe from the giant snake that killed a sand chuunin. He was tempted to call out Gambunta to deal with the… very large problem but it would use chakra he couldn't afford to waste. Instead his plan called for distraction, teamwork, and the genius of a professional prankster.

Two of the seven clones he created sent fire jutsus at the giant monster. Then dodging the powerful tail and throwing kunai attached with explosive tags at the monsters head. Meanwhile Naruto and his clones waited until the snake was tricked into moving to their position.

The snake reached out it's heads and gave Naruto and his clones the opportunity they were waiting for and two dropped onto each of the snakes heads. Each with a rasengan in hand and slammed the rasengan through the snakes skull killing it as soon as the chakra orb broke through the tough skin.

Naruto receiving the approval of three Konoha jounin moved back to his position. Naruto shook his head at how hard he had made that for himself. He could have taken out the snake in one swing, but he did not want to reveal any more of his techniques than he had to.

"Naruto!" Heiri shouted seeing his friend return from his encounter with Orochimaru's pet. Tossing several electrically covered shuriken at approaching ninja Heiri relieved Naruto of another fight.

Naruto greeted Gaara with a look of fierce frustration. "What has this village done to any one?"

Gaara could name a few things but decided not to comment. Naruto was not in a good state of mind.

Naruto turned to see his father send a rasengan through the Tsuchikage's stomach. Orochimaru used the moment to attack and moved to slit Minato's throat, but with speed Orochimaru had never seen Minato whipped his own kunai around tearing off the traitor's arm and then placing a seal on the snake sannin's back.

Orochimaru's blood spurted out everywhere even drizzling onto Minato's face. But to everyone's dismay Orochimaru began to laugh.

"You fool of a Hokage." Orochimaru smirked as he watched his blood meander down the Hokage's face. "You have taken from me an arm, but I have taken from you a life."

To everyone's surprise Minato fainted. Jiraiya grabbed Orochimaru by the collar. "What did you do?"

"Nothing, he cut off my arm and it just happens that my blood is filled with a nerve poison, lethal if it touches the skin."

Naruto paled as his father lay dying on the ground.

"That buffoon of a Hokage is as good as dead." The snake sannin continued his insane rant laughing more hysterically with each passing moment.

Naruto felt a change inside him. In an instant he stood before a huge jail cell where a massive beast was caged. Naruto did not speak he couldn't speak.

"Borrow MY power boy. Together WE can defeat that madman."

Naruto felt a lust for it and he stepped forward. "Give it to me! NOW!"

The beast obliged and Naruto felt as he had never before.