Alright guys it looks like I'm back into the story. Hope you guys are finally ready for the preliminaries. You will finally get to see Naruto prove himself. Also the preliminaries are mostly unimportant to me. So I will only show Naruto's fight with Sakura and Hinata's fight with Neji. And yes I am skipping the writing portion and the teamwork section. Let the challenge begin!
Uchiha Hideout (a few months later)
Naruto awoke and went into the kitchen. He was extremely excited to learn the scroll teleportation technique. The preliminary exams were today and he really wanted to try out his weapons. Naruto waited in the main room and meditated while waiting for Itachi to wake up. After two hours Itachi still had not gotten out of bed. Naruto grew impatient and walked over to Itachi's door.
As soon as he went to knock on it, Itachi dropped into the hideout from outside. "What are you doing Naruto?" Naruto lowered his head. "Of course he comes back when I'm doing something I shouldn't." Naruto turned around and saw Itachi. He had changed clothes from his traditional black mesh shirt and pants and instead was wearing a red jacket and orange pants.
"What is with the weird colors?" Naruto asked. Itachi smirked. "Today is the day of the preliminary exams. I thought you would like to see bright colors to get you awake and motivated." Naruto eyed Itachi strangely and shrugged. "Well, I'm awake and ready to learn the scroll teleportation technique."
Itachi shook his head. "Sorry Naruto, we will have to save that for another time. I want you to have a full chakra reserve for the exams." Naruto was about to protest but stopped when Kurenai dropped into the hideout. "What are you doing here Kurenai-sensei?" Itachi turned around and looked irritated. "She was supposed to wait outside. This is my base you know?"
Kurenai shrugged it off. "I know but today I think you can make an exception." Naruto looked confused. "What's going on?" Itachi explained, "I thought it would be best if you had an escort to the exams, and Kurenai was delighted that I asked." Naruto raised his eyebrow. "Did you think I was going to run away or something?"
Itachi shook his head and hands. "No, no nothing like that. It's just that a lot of people know that you will be in the exams and…well, there might be an attempt on your life." Naruto's eyes grew big. "What do you mean?! I haven't done anything!" Itachi nodded. "I know, but word has spread of your…unusual talents, and some villages think that it would be unfair if you were to compete."
Kurenai stepped forward. "That's where I come in. My genjutsu is better than anyone's in the village and I can disguise you. Besides, what kind of sensei would I be if I did not make sure you were safe?" Kurenai grinned. Naruto shrugged and looked at Itachi. "What about my weapons?" Itachi frowned. "I'm sorry Naruto, I thought we would have time for it but it looks like you will have to do this without them."
Naruto sighed and walked over to Kurenai. Itachi spoke up, "Naruto, before you go I have something for you." Naruto turned around and caught some clothes. "What are these?" "Those," Itachi said, "are your new clothes. I thought you might like a change up from the orange." Naruto looked at Itachi with a cautious look and went into his room to change. When he came out he was clad in extremely light yellow-green clothing. His shirt was almost skin-tight half way down his arms yet allowed him to move freely, and his shorts, which were also skin-tight, came down to his knees.
"Ummm, Itachi-sensei?" Itachi turned. "I look ridiculous." Kurenai laughed. Itachi smirked and said, "They aren't permanent. Just use them for the chuunin exams. They will distinguish you from the other participants." Naruto sighed and walked back over to Kurenai. As he turned to leave Itachi said, "Good luck, Naruto." Naruto nodded and left with Kurenai.
Outside Hidden Leaf Village (Forest)
Naruto walked behind Kurenai along the road. "Sorry again for not telling you about Itachi, Kurenai-sensei." Kurenai shook her head. "It's ok Naruto, I understand. It was better that I found out the way that I did. It would have been hard to explain by yourself."
"Yeah…" Naruto said as he looked at his feet.
They walked along silently for awhile until Kurenai said something. "Naruto, about your weapons;" Naruto looked at her. "a hook blade and claw is a very odd combination for a novice swordsman. Have you learned to use them yet?" Naruto shook his head. "No, but I am hoping to train with them before the finals."
Kurenai decided to stay along the same subject. "How are you going to fight in the preliminaries?" Naruto shrugged. "I don't know, it all depends on who I fight I guess." Kurenai accepted that answer and as they came upon the gate they heard something. "What was that Kurenai-sensei?"
Kurenai shushed him and looked around. From behind them they heard someone shout, "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" They both turned around in time to dodge the fireball. Before Naruto could get to his feet, another fireball was on him. He rolled to the side and sprung to his feet. Naruto Formed a handsign but Kurenai stopped him. "No Naruto, I will handle this."
Kurenai faced the direction that the fireball came from and quickly formed four handsigns. "Ninja Art: Tenfold Tree Illusion!" Naruto saw that nothing happened but he obeyed Kurenai and stayed in place. The ninja shot more fireballs but his aim was off…terribly. His fireballs never landed within five feet of either Naruto or Kurenai.
"I know you are there Naruto!" Naruto's eyes widened as he heard a familiar voice. "Sasuke is attacking me?" Naruto couldn't believe it. Another fireball was shot. This one was heading straight for Naruto. "Naruto move!" Naruto did as he was told and barely dodged the fireball. Kurenai landed in front of him with Sasuke in her grasp. Naruto looked at him. "What the hell Sasuke!?"Kurenai shook her head. "Calm down Naruto, this isn't Sasuke."
"What do you mean Kurenai-sensei?" Kurenai looked at Naruto. "I mean this is an imposter. Do you know how to undo genjutsu Naruto?" Naruto nodded and made the handsign. "Release." The man caught in Kurenai's grip started to change form. His hair grew out and brightened. His face grew longer and a scar on his right cheek appeared.
"Who are you?" Naruto asked. The man squirmed to try to get out of Kurenai's grip but she held on tight. Finally he gave up and slowly replied. "My name is Yamura. I was planning on taking you out so I could compete in the chuunin exams in your place." Naruto looked confused. Kurenai asked, "That's impossible, your skills give you away as a chuunin already."
The man nodded. "Yes, but I did not want to compete to go up in rank. My purpose was to dispose of the kid called Gaara." Naruto looked confused. "Gaara? Who's Gaara?" Before he could answer, Naruto remembered. *Gaara is the jinchuuriki of the Hidden Sand!* The man looked at Naruto with a creepy face and replied, "Gaara is a ninja from the village hidden in the sand. He is a threat to the peace of the Hidden Sand Village and it was my job to take him out."
Kurenai held a kunai to his throat. "Who put you up to this?" Before he could answer his body faded away into sand which caught both Naruto and Kurenai by surprise. "He only wanted to kill Gaara. Why did he have to kill me in the process?" Kurenai shook her head. "I don't know, but now your cover is blown. It doesn't matter though. I can see the village gate."
Hidden Leaf Village (Front Gate)
When they arrived at the gate they were greeted by Shino and Hinata. "Naruto," said Hinata, "why were you in the forest?" Naruto sighed and scratched his head. "Well, um, you see I was, uh—," Kurenai interrupted. "He was training against wild animals. I told him he was crazy but he didn't listen."
Hinata ran up and hugged Naruto, which surprised everyone. "Naruto, you should be more careful." Naruto blushed and Kurenai laughed. After Hinata finally let go of Naruto they all walked to the large building where the preliminaries were being held.
Exam Building
Many people were already inside including Guy's team, Asuma's team, and even Kakashi's team, including Sasuke. Many other people were there including a sound village team with weird looking people covered in bandages. There was also a team from the Hidden Sand Village. Naruto tried to guess which one was Gaara but couldn't see well from where he was standing.
As Kurenai's team reached the balcony overlooking the arena, they greeted team Kakashi. Naruto eyed Sasuke and stopped when he came up to him. "Hey Sasuke. You look…different." Sasuke turned his head away and replied, "Shut up you snot dripping." That made Naruto angry since Itachi picked his outfit, but Hinata grabbed his arm and pulled him away before he made a scene.
Team Kurenai walked to the middle of the balcony and looked over the railing. Below them was the proctor who would decide the winner of each fight. He was a little sick as he was coughing every three minutes. Naruto looked around. He wondered who he would fight. The proctor addressed the competitors, "Alright everyone, in a minute the board above me will show who will be fighting in our first match, but first, I want you all to know the rules. You will fight until one of the combatants in unable to participate or forfeits. All ninja tools are acceptable as long as they were checked beforehand. If any ninja above genin rank interrupts the fight except me, then the genin that is being defended is disqualified. If another genin tries to interrupt the fight by participating, they too will be disqualified."
Naruto nodded and looked up at the board. The two slots for the ninja names were scrolling through the names extremely fast and stopped suddenly on the first two genin. The proctor announced, "Alright then, would Sasuke Uchiha and Shino Aburame please step forward." Shino dissolved into bugs and reappeared on the floor below. Sasuke jumped over the railing and landed across from Shino.
The proctor gave the signal to begin and immediately thousands of bugs flew out from Shino's coat. "Insect Cloud Jutsu." Everyone's vision was blocked from Sasuke and Shino. Naruto understood. "Shino wants to have a complete advantage by keeping his fighting style a secret." The cloud lingered on for about five minutes and a lot of metal sounds could be heard. A little while later the cloud of insects dissipated. Shino was lying on the floor and Sasuke looked mostly untouched. "What happened?" Said Naruto. No one knew what to say. The proctor declared Sasuke as the winner and then Sasuke left with a new girl who was standing by Sakura.
Naruto shook his head in disbelief. "Sasuke has gotten stronger than last time." The proctor looked up at the board and called out the next two names. "Neji Hyuuga and Hinata Hyuuga." Hinata gulped but after a few reassuring words from Kurenai she jumped down below. "Neji jumped down and looked at her. "You should just give up now." Hinata gasped. "Why?"
Neji closed his eyes and stated quite confidently, "I am already destined to beat everyone I fight in the exams, you cannot win." Hinata shook her head and said, "No, you can't." Naruto barked, "Don't listen to him Hinata! I believe in you!" Hinata nodded and lowered into her stance. Neji did the same and they both activated their Byakugan.
xXxXxXxXx Into the Storm by Blind Guardian xXxXxXxXx
The proctor gave the signal and Hinata charged first. She stuck at him low but Neji dodged. He struck at her left arm but she also turned her body out of the way. At the same time they both spun and said, "Rotation". Spheres of blue formed around each of them and they both were flung back. Both had a few scratches and Hinata was panting. She glanced at Naruto and looked for encouragement. "Come on Hinata, you can beat him!" Hinata nodded in agreement. She took her time and waited for Neji to strike first. He ran at her and they exchanged blows. Each time they struck each other, a small blast of chakra was emitted from their hands. It sounded like mini explosions. After about 100 clashes of chakra, both Hinata and Neji were panting. Neji knew that there was only one thing to do. He closed his eyes and when they opened Hinata became frightened. His Byakugan had increased in strength and she knew what would come next. She knew what she had to do. "I give up." Neji hesitated. "What, you can't Hinata!" Naruto said as he was almost over the railing. Hinata turned around and looked at him. "It's okay Naruto. If I let Neji hit me with that then I might as well be dead." Naruto was trembling. "She can't just give up like that." Hinata looked at him with kind eyes. "Naruto, if you fight him, then beat him for me ok?" Naruto nodded and the proctor raised his hand. "Neji Hyuuga is the winner by forfeit."
xXxXxXxXx End song xXxXxXxXx
Both Hinata and Neji went back to their places in their teams. Naruto glared at Neji and then turned to check Hinata's wounds. "You sure are protective of her Naruto," said Kurenai. Naruto blushed. "I'm, it's just that…" Naruto was lost with words. "He just wants to make sure I'm ok." Kurenai accepted that but giggled as she turned to look at the proctor.
The proctor looked at the board and called forward the next two genin. "Sakura Haruno and Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto felt Sakura flinch as her name was called. Kurenai looked over at Naruto. "Naruto, I know that you can beat her easily, but go easy on her. We don't need to lose any genin." Naruto nodded and jumped, performing several back flips on his way down. Sakura took the stairs and was looking pretty fragile.
"You can do it Sakura," said Kiba her teammate. "He doesn't look that tough." Sakura nodded but still looked nervous. The proctor looked at both of them and then looked up at the balcony. There was an unfamiliar ninja next to team Guy's genin. He was tall and wearing a long black coat. It was open in the front and he could see red and orange clothing. His face was also covered. He dismissed it for now and gave the signal for the battle to start.
xXxXxXxXx Down With the Sickness by Disturbed xXxXxXxXx
Naruto ran at Sakura. He raised his fist and swung at her face, but slowed his fist just enough for her to dodge. She moved out of the way and even though he was slower than normal, everyone was amazed at his speed. He swept her legs and she landed on her butt. She quickly regained confidence and dodged away from Naruto's next kick. She was ready to fight now. She charged and Naruto and punched him square in the nose. Naruto made himself fly back several feet before landing. "Come on Naruto you can do better than that!" Hinata screamed as Naruto got up. "I know, but I need to make a show." Naruto looked at Sakura. She was stronger than he gave her credit. But it was nothing and he charged at her. She tried to punch him in the gut but he jumped high above her. He made a few handsigns and chakra surrounded his first finger. He used gravity to pull himself towards her at an alarming rate. He held out one finger and said, "Single Pronged Seal." He touched her head and several things happened at once. Sakura flew backwards instead of down even though Naruto hit her from directly above. Also, Naruto landed as though he was as light as a feather. Everyone was staring in disbelief. Even the proctor's jaw dropped as he thought, "That kid can use fuuinjutsu?!" Naruto pretended to dust himself off even though he wasn't dirty. Sakura groaned as she tried to stand. She felt completely drained. "What was that?" As she stood up her legs wobbled, but she managed to stay standing. She tried to move towards Naruto but her legs gave out as she fell to the ground. She was unconscious.
xXxXxXxXx Song End xXxXxXxXx
Naruto looked back at Hinata and gave her thumbs up. She smiled and returned the gesture. After the proctor declared him the winner, Naruto turned back to Sakura and touched her head with one finger. "Reverse: Single Pronged Seal." The seal on her head shattered and she regained consciousness.
Naruto helped her up and then jumped back to his place next to Hinata. She hugged him tightly and muttered a "thank goodness" and then released him. A couple more fights took place. A fan girl Temari beat Ten-ten from Guy's squad. Lee was beaten by the man with the gourd called Gaara. Lastly, Kiba defeated the other sand guy called Kankuro.
As they were all getting ready to leave the proctor called out, "You there, the one in the long black jacket." The man turned around to face him. "Who are you and what are you doing here?" The man turned to Naruto and looked at him. This gave Naruto a chance to see who he was. "Itachi-sensei?!" Itachi then turned back to the proctor. "I was simply watching the matches."
The proctor shook his head and was wary. "I don't believe you; show us your face." Itachi took a step back but his way was blocked by Guy. Itachi looked around for an escape but knew that there was a better option. He jumped down to the areana, losing his cloak in the process.
Everyone except Kurenai and Naruto gasped. Itachi looked at the proctor and said, "If you must know, I am Itachi Uchiha. I was simply here to evaluate how well my student fought." The proctor was more than shocked and even more nervous. Cautiously he asked, "And who is your student?" Itachi turned to Naruto. Naruto looked frightened.
Itachi shook his head. "I am merely here as a condition of the exams. All sensei's of each student must be present. I have trained Naruto." At that moment every eye turned to Naruto.
Awww too bad guys. You are going to have to wait until the next chapter to find out what happens. I know I'm evil but I am truly surprised that I got back up to 3000 words. I hope you guys review!