Chapter 17: Into the Storm
Konoha was excited, it was the day of the Chuunin exams. Merchants were happy due to influx of new people in the village, enabling them to sell much more. The shinobi were happy since most would be on leave to see the matches and the rest had their own ways of seeing them. Most however, regardless of position, were happy because of the first match. Hyuga Neji, the Prodigy, against Uzumaki Naruto, the Demon Brat. Out of these people, very few actually made bets on Naruto. Their names? Yamanaka Inoichi, Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Chouza, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Ichiraku family, Umino Iruka and Naruto's group.
People were going into the stadium, ready for the fight to begin. Neji, Shikamaru, Kankurou and Gaara were there, waiting for the rest, when the proctor arrived, signaling the begining. The two Kages sat on the booth waiting. Not a few civilians asked that Naruto be disqualified due to him not being there. In responce, Sandaime got up and silenced them.
"We shall wait for them. The fights have not started yet. If they do not come until their fight is due, they will be immidiately disqualified and punished for disrespecting everyone here. Of course that goes for all contestants. Understand? Good. Now, Proctor-san, explain the rules."
The proctor proceeded to explain the rules of the engagement, when ten minutes later, nine figures were seen walking towards the arena.
Coming from the shadows of the huge building they made many gasp at their appearence. First was Naruto, head held high in his new attire, reminding so many of the Yondaime, drawing cries of hate and blashphemy for disrespecting the man. Next was Shino, the hem of his overcoat lowered, his sunglasses on a pocket of his coat, revealing his face, that to many girls was rather handsome. The only reason Shino really wore the glasses was a minute hole between his eyes that was in fact an entrance for his insects. But since Haku told him he looked better without them... well he couldn't say no to Haku now could he? On the right of Naruto was Hinata, in her new beautiful combat kimono, drawing many looks of lust and jealousy from the people surrounding her. Behind them, Kurenai walked forward, her appearence making a certain smoking Jounin cough and hack, while almost having a heart attack. To the right of her, Zabuza walked in, the eternal feral smirk etched on his face, seen through the bandages, his Kubikiri Honcho resting comfortably on his shoulder, as opposed to the regular position on his back. Naruto had told him he looked even more badass and threatening like that. Next to Zabuza was Anko, her figure covered by a very, very tight black spandex suit that stopped just below the hem of her mini skirt, unzipped in the front just enough to reveal her new and improved cleavage. Oh yeah she had loooved her new ability to change her form, improving quite a few aspects of herself. On her back was a trenchcoat similar to Naruto's but her's had the kanji for Shake Charmer and a snake surrounded them. Behind them, the rear was covered by Haku, making more than a few heads turn, at least before the heavy death glare from Shino made them return to their seats. On Haku's right was Kiba, his new greaves and gauntlets covered by his clothes, consisting of black pants, a black muscle-T and a dark grey overcoat, much like Shino's. A large leather belt secured his trusty chained kama around his waist. Next to Kiba was Lee, who also changed his attire when Hinata and Tenten finally took him for a shopping spree. Instead now, he wore dark grey, almost black hakama pants and a white Haori with ripped off sleeves, opened in the front to show his muscles. His hands were still bandaged, though this time, the bandages covered the chest as well. His hair were also spiked back a bit (think Vergil's hairstyle in DMC). During the month, Hinata, Tenten and Haku had managed to make him trim his eyebrows, as well as learn to keep his eyes narrowed, loosing the bug-eyed look he had. Diagonally on his back, Lee's Quan Dao rested, drawing many eyes due to its size and apparent power. On the other side of Haku walked Tenten, wearing a long, green chinese dress that showed off her athletic build and drew attention to her legs, while a pair of scrolls rested quietly on her hips.
Needless to say many men, and women, found their mouths feeling dry when they saw the group enter. Sarutobi and Jiraiya laughed their asses in the inside. This is so rich. Orochimaru freaked out, it couldn't be! That brat was Yondaime's son? Orochimaru felt disgusted, almost dirty at the thoughts he had about the brat. Disturbingly enough the thoughts didn't stop...
Naruto, Tenten and Shino marched toward the center of the arena, while the rest of the group leapt off to join their respective peers. Hinata went to her gaping family, while Kiba and Haku went to the rest of the rookie 9. Sakura felt rather stupid at the way she had turned Lee, now that she knew that he could look good when he wanted... Lee meanwhile leapt next to his sensei, Gai, surprising everyone by the height and strength of his jump. Gai had never seen Lee jump that height with THAT much ease. Lee bowed calmly before his old sensei, before unhooking his Quan Dao and letting it lie on his shoulder as he took a seat. Gai... was doing an immitation of a fish, his mouth opening and closing, no sound coming out. Meanwhile a smoking jounin seriously wanted to play dead so that Kurenai, who was sitting next to him, would give him CPR. Zabuza and Anko snickered as Kurenai played hard to get. After all, she'd have to make sure he would cut smoking before going out.
The proctor chose to start the match, having everyone except for Naruto and Neji leave the arena.
"Give up Uzumaki. No matter how much you try to change, you will always remain the same. It is your fate to loose to me." Neji said, trying to tick off Naruto.
"Neji, can you seriously spout that crap, even after the beating Hina-chan gave you a month ago? I mean seriously, she gave you the match after beating you up. Do you know why? Cause she didn't want to fight me. Not because of your stupid fate crap you spout left and right, but because she didn't want to fight me. Weakings like you, don't have any chance against someone as strong as Hinata, or even me. After all, you're just a blind coward to us."
Naruto's rebuke hurt Neji more than he could believe. It not only revealed that Hinata had defeated him (he would never call a loss a beating no matter how severe it was), it also told him that Hinata gave him the fight because she didn't want to fight Naruto! Then this... this... commoner proceeded to call him a blind coward!
Neji bristled at the insult and chose to finish this mockery of a match. Charging his hands with chakra he sped to Naruto, believing he could end it. Imagine his surprise when Naruto shimmered out of there. He heard a snickering coming from his left and saw Naruto standing there, arms crossed, laughing, laughing and Neji's attempt.
"What? How did you do that?"
"Awww, Neji-chan, don't tell me you have never heard of the art of Genjutsu? I mean, its my worst skill, but I still managed to trick you."
"How? How could you trick my Byakugan? That's impossible."
"Heh then how did I do it? The answer lies in my chakra. Your chakra is like a gas, a mist. Most shinobi are like that. Mine and a few others have more of a liquid chakra. A gust of wind may disperse a cloud of gas, but its gonna have trouble moving a body of a liquid. If I focus, I can condence my chakra to the point its almost solid, further increasing the difficulty to pierce it. Now you'd think, how did I get the control for that. Simple, I worked my ass off and realized I could never use a genjutsu small enough for my body. I simply have too much chakra for that. Instead... I covered the entire stadium with a genjutsu. Every man, woman and child, every tree and speck of dust is my genjutsu. I could tear you apart right here, right now, but that's not my goal baka."
The stadium shimmered and Neji noted that there were very few changes, Namely Naruto being dislocated by a few inches. Naruto's lips curled upwards.
"I never said I changed everything. The best illusion is one that is close to the truth, yet isn't. I believe I have humiliated you enough in the area of genjutsu."
Neji was stunned. "Humiliated me?"
"Yup. I learned a lot about you from Hina-chan. I know of your obsession with that fate crap. So I thought to myself, how do I cure you of it? Simple I answered. I am going to break you down. I'm going to prove everything you believe in wrong. I am going to humiliate you completely. Then you'll realize there is no such thing as fate, only destiny and what you make of it."
Naruto's words enraged Neji who charged him, only for Naruto to raise an arm towards him and speak in a calm voice.
"Chakra Furashu. (Chakra Flash)"
A burst of intense chakra headed towards Neji, blinding him due to his Byakugan being activated. Neji screamed in pain.
"Ooops that hurt man, sorry. Hehe. That's what you get for being so stupid Neji, so dependent on one skill. I admit, your Jyuken is good, but without it you're worth shit. The technique I just used? Its a bloody D-rank and has sent you to the ground. Any gennin could use it and kick your ass like no tomorrow. Now get up you brat. Show me why you're the so called prodigy."
Neji got up after a few seconds, knowing full well Naruto spoke the truth, but still refusing it. After all his fate had never failed him before, it wouldn't now either. Seeing Naruto draw some shuriken and throw them, he got ready to grap them off the air, as he knew he could. When Naruto made a simple seal and said a jutsu though, things got more serious.
"Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. (Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique)"
The voice was as calm as discussing the weather over a cup of tea. However the hundreds of shuriken that covered the air forced Neji to quickly use his trump card if he wanted to be something other that skewered meat. The Kaiteneasily deflected the shuriken, sending most of them back at Naruto, who simply leaned back dodging them. Naruto chuckled.
"Oh this one's nice. Let's see if my ninjutsu can break it huh? Make sure to dodge this one!"
Naruto held both hands to the side as wind whipped around them. All Suna shinobi gaped at seeing a seal-less wind technique. One they didn't immidiately recognise at that.
"Fuuton: Dai Kaze Rin! (Wind Style: Great Wind Ring)" Naruto's arms whiped forward sending the dual rings of wind speeding towards Neji. Neji for his part chose to deflect them with his trusty Kaiten. He saw them hit the dome of chakra and his eyes widened when he saw the discs speed to him only slightly slower than before. He barely managed to pivot out of the way and avoid being tri-sected, instead getting a shallow cut on his waist and torso. A voice called his attention above. Looking up he saw a dropping Naruto throwing another two. Neji quickly Kawarimi'ed with a log, only to find another ring heading towards him. He couldn't dodge it this time. He couldn't move. Neji closed his eyes as his death came closer and closer. A branch fell on his head shocking his eyes open. The disc... had missed. Naruto looked amused.
"Hey, I can't kill Hina-chan's cousin now can I? That would bad don't you think? I think that now I have humiliated you in ninjutsu. Damn man, you could at least make me work for it. Shino is the weakest member of my team in combat and he at least makes me sweat to beat him. Not to mention his specialty is tracking not combat. Yours on the other hand IS combat, so why exactly do you suck at it so much?"
Naruto's humiliation of Neji didn't go well with many people in the stands. Fangirls started shouting at Naruto, who raised his hand in front of himself like a mic, while waving his arm as if presenting the fangirls to the world.
"Behold! The terrifieing, creepy beast known only as the... Fangirl! Here, live for your enjoyment, we have braved the dreaded Fangirl's territory to let you know of their habits!"
By that time, Neji had recovered enough to try charging at Naruto who dodged without even loosing his breath.
"The Fangirl's only enemy is another fangirl, even though they seem to procreate assexually when more than one of them is near a normal female human. When two fangirls meet in combat however, a fight of epic stupidity ensues, scaring all males away."
Neji was panting at the exhertion. His fighting style was never meant to outlast his opponent. Instead it focused on defeating the enemy in a few seconds, not minutes of combat.
Naruto continued unfazed. "And now, for your enjoyment, we present you, the Fangirl's prey, the one and only, the just as creepy... EMO BISHOUJOU! I mean bishounen! Seriously Neji what are you, a feminine boy or a tomboyish girl? I can never tell with you Hyuga, with the exception of Hinata-chan. I mean seriously, you all wear the same clothes, move the same way, speak the same way... I thought I saw a cult one day when I sneaked inside. I must say though, you Hyuga looked good in pink. I think it showed your true sexual allegiance."
Hinata was laughing her ass off while most Hyuga were almost berserk with the not-so-implied insult. Neji... Poor, poor Neji... he was being publicly humiliated and couldn't do anything about it.
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP DAMN YOU!" Neji charged blindly. Naruto of course dodged. The Hyuga style required precision and a calm mind. In his current state, Neji wasn't a threat to an Academy student.
Neji flailed wildly, trying to hit Naruto, wasting a lot of energy. Naruto suddenly kicked the ground and leapt backwards. Taking a more serious stance he continued.
"Alright Neji, its time to humiliate you in Taijutsu. Take a few deep breaths and calm down. I promise I won't use any active ability of my Kekkei Genkai nor any jutsu that require handseals. Ready yourself and give me your best shot."
Neji calmed himself down, taking a few deep breaths. He still hated Uzumaki, but this time it was cold fury. Taking up his stance he sprinted to Naruto. As soon as he was there, he took a strange stance that made most Hyuga gasp.
"You're within my divination." Naruto's eyes widened a fraction, but he quickly moved to dodge the incoming barrage.
"Ni sho!" (Two strikes!)
"Yon sho!" (Four strikes!)
"Hachi sho!" (Eight strikes!)
"Juuroku sho!" (Sixteen strikes!)
"Sanjuuni sho!" (Thirty two strikes!)
"Hakke Rokujouyon sh- AAAAHH!" (Divine sixty four stri-AAAAHH!)
The barrage assaulted Naruto as he sped up to dodge the attacks. Of course, to Naruto's reflexes, his hands moved in slow motion. Only the last two stages were any sort of challenge, so to humiliate Neji, he grabbed the offending fingers and... broke them.
Neji reeled back screaming. Naruto's face was grim.
"Maybe this will teach you something about actual physical pain. A long overdue spanking session."
Neji craddled his broken fingers in pain. "What would you know of pain Uzumaki? What would you know of the pain of the Hyuga clan? No pain compares to-"
"Oh don't give me that crap Neji. I know your pain and that accursed enslaving seal. I know all about it. Hinata-chan explained everything about you to me, from the seal to your father's death to protect the life of the current head. I know it. What YOU don't know about however is your burden. You think your tiny little seal compares to this?" Naruto lifted his shirt, revealing the seal on his stomach. The village didn't know what to think. Where was the brat saying.
"Let me explain to you the reason behind the seal, the lies you've been told and the bigotry and hate of this accursed village. Say Neji, do you know what happened thirteen years ago on October 10th? The Kyubi attacked and was subsequently defeated. Kyubi though was never killed, he couldn't be killed. He was only imprisoned. Where? Simple, no altar, no adult, no animal could keep the demon lord imprisoned. Instead, Kyubi was imprisoned in a newborn child, not an hour old. Me. Yondaime's last wish was for the village to see me as a hero. Of course they didn't. I reminded them of their loved one's deaths and they hated me for it. I forgave them for it a long time ago. What I will never forgive this fucked up village is what they did. Tell me Neji, how many times have you been beaten to unconsciousness? How many times have you been burned alive? How many times have you been poisoned? How many times have you been almost raped? I had shinobi trying to burn me alive at 3, I was given poisoned food to it, on my birthday people would come en masse and try to beat me to death. All because this fucking, retarded, bigoted village is too stupid to see in front of it. So it came to pass until five years ago. The bastards that reside in this place decided to kill me again. Whoop-de-doo huh? First they started throwing bottles and stones at me. Then they came with iron bars. Then came the fire. In the end, an idiot came over me, masked, with a big sword, charged with chakra and stabbed me right here on the seal." Naruto showed where the blow had landed.
"What do you think happened? Let me tell you. The seal used by Yondaime was powerful. Know why? Because Yondaime didn't make it. Yondaime summoned the Shinigami to make the seal, making it more powerful than any man-made seal. However, Shinigami-sama has a sense humor it seems. For all its power in restraining Kyubi, the seal is very vulnerable to outside sources. If the seal was left alone, I would have absorbed Kyubi's power, weakening him, until it would be easy to seal him in an item. Because of these assholes that I am unfortunate enough to be in the same village, that will never happen. Because these idiots interferred, the Kyubi will never be weakened or sealed in an item, forgotten for all of time. Want to know why? Because the Kyubi broke free. The idiots broke the seal."
Konoha gasped collectively.
"Kyubi could have gotten out and leveled this place and quite frankly, I would have laughed my ass off as you idiots would run around like headless chickens. However, Kyubi made a miscalculation. In his greed, he sought to devour me and torture me for imprisoning him. Funny that Kyubi saw me as the hero you fuck ups never saw me as huh? Oh the irony. But, as any Yamanaka would confirm, battles like the one Kyubi initiated with me, are fought in the mental plane, where size or strength is unimportant. What matters is the strength of one's soul. Luckily, some pieces of the seal remained, giving me an advantage. Still, I as an eight year old, malnutritioned, tortured, eternally alone child... I would have to fight Kyubi no Yoko to protect the village that sought to end me. Feel lucky you fucking assholes, feel lucky and praise Kami that I had a few people that I sought to protect or you'd have all died that night five years ago. You all owe your lives TO ME! ALL OF YOU! NOT ONE BELONGS TO YOURSELVES! YOU ARE ALL MINE!"
"I fought and fought. I won in the end. The result? I'd absorb the entire power of the Kyubi no Yoko. Every memory and shred of power would be MINE! Ultimate power, ultimate knowledge."
"Can you see Neji? For an instant I had it all, so why don't I any longer? Hubris. That's why. Kyubi's power and knowledge was never meant for a mortal, much less a child. The knowledge would drive me insane, the power destroy Hi no Kuni, before the Kyubi would be re-incarnated. So... I gave it back. After I killed the Kyubi I brought him back to life. However, I was still as a god there, while Kyubi was a mere animal. Before I gave him his power and knowledge back, I gave him something else. I gave him compassion, love, caring. I gave him the entire emotional spectrum of a human being. Kyubi was very sorry for his actions, but he is that Kyubi no longer, he is different, his soul hides no secrets any more. Any Yamanaka could mind walk and find the same thing inside me. A calm, gentle giant fox with nine tails and more knowledge than the entire shinobi nations together. But tell me. In all this story... did it occur to you... why was I chosen? Did you pause to think? To ask yourself, why Naruto, why not a clan member, since he would have had more protection. Let me answer that. My heritage."
The audience, both in the arena and outside was holding its breath. Some of the people that recognised what Naruto had been put through and were truly sorry wept.
"The asnwe lies in the first rule Yondaime made for future Hokage."
The jounin gasped as they remembered that rule.
"He said... 'Don't send anyone on a mission you are not ready to go yourself'... In other words, why would Yondaime use another's son when he had his own? The answe is that he DIDN'T! He used his own son. Gave his own son the burned and priviledge to keep the Kyubi down. Not to the Hyuga, not to the Uchiha but ME. Because Yondaime was my father. I am UZUMAKI-NAMIKAZE NARUTO!"
Konohas was floored. Most thought about what idiots they were and how they should repay Namikaze-sama for their idiocy. Others were truly sorry, understanding for the first time how stupid they were. Those that never judged Naruto were angry as hell for what the rest of Konoha had done. However a large amount of people still believed that Kyubi had corrupted the Yondaime's noble line and had to be killed.
"So Neji... still think I don't know pain? How about I share with you another secret. The Kyubi didn't have to be sealed in me. Shinigami-sama could have just as easily sealed Kyubi in himself. So why me? Simply because my father wanted his son to have an advantage. Do you understand now? My own father damned me in a hellish existence the likes of which you cannot begin to comprehend. My...village" He spat the word. "tortured me all my life. So want to know something? Screw you and Konoha. Until you idiots start thinking, screw you. Get this well into your mind Neji. There are people who have suffered way beyond your understanding and yet come out on top. You failed because you LET yourself fail. That's why Hinata kicks your ass any day. Because she will not permit herself to fail. Understand? Good. Now get your fingers looked at. While you're at it, here's a piece of info. The seal on your forehead... Hinata hates it more than even you do. Just something to think about."
As Neji was helped out of the ring, Naruto turned to the Hyuga clan. "I apologize for the gay jokes, but it is a form of combat too. However, I will never apologize for the pranks. Quite frankly, your clan security sucks. Make a better one and give me a challenge next time."
Naruto ignored Konoha entirely and simply leapt off, landing next to his peers that were preparing for their matches. Tenten and Shino greeted him calmly, inwards laughing about Naruto's humilitation of Neji. He had it coming a long time now. The next fight was announced as being Uchiha Sasuke versus Sabaku no Gaara. However Sasuke was nowhere to be seen.
Sarutobi got up and spoke in a commanding tone.
"Uchiha Sasuke has disrespected us all. Therefore he is disqualified. However, since so many lords have come to see the last of the Uchiha clan fight, his fight will be moved to the last spot. Uchiha Sasuke however will NOT be promoted in these exams. Additionally he will serve punishment for failing to show up on time for a mission. Am I clear?"
Many thought the old man was a tired, weak shell of his former shell. However when they saw him speak in that tone, even Danzou felt chills run down his spine. This wasn't Sandaime Hokage any more. This was Sarutobi Hiruzen, hero of three Shinobi wars and the God of Shinobi. The man who, in his youth could take on all three of the Sannin and spank them like nothing more than little brats. This was the man who's enemies ran from fear and his allies would follow to hell and back. The aura the man projected even had his old student Orochimaru reel back. Naruto's voice rose over the people of Konoha.
"YEAH! YOU TELL THEM JIJI! THE HOKAGE'S DEAD! LONG LIVE THE GOD OF SHINOBI! LONG LIVE SARUTOBI HIRUZEN!"
Naruto's group realized what he meant and quickly shouted "LONG LIVE THE GOD OF SHINOBI!", quickly drawing all jounin and most chuunin to shout the same with them.
The civilians were awed by the shout as the shinobi proved their loyalty. Gennin and chuunin around Konoha had that weird feeling, like walking into a room were the only other person inside was Sarutobi and every step they took, they got smaller and smaller, until they were nothing more than a spec of dust. It wasn't KI, it wasn't a genjutsu. It was the sheer presence of the man, who like a phoenix, reignited his flames from his own ashes.
Next to Sandaime, Jiraiya did something he never did before. He bowed, bowed to Hiruzen. Those that knew of the sennin were stunned by the action, but also they understood why he did it. Jiraiya never respected anyone for their position, but for their actions. It was he after all that went to the grave of the great Salamander Hanzou and openly mourned for his passing. This action showed the respect Jiraiya had gained for the man, the respect that came from Sarutobi overcoming his age and other troubles that came with it.
Meanwhile, the civilian council stiffled a cry of fear. They recognized that posture, those eyes, that tone. Party time was over and there would be hell to pay.
Meanwhile Gaara tried desperately to calm himself down. If he killed anyone, Naruto wouldn't fight him. Killing insignificant worms wouldn't be as fulfilling as fighting and devouring the blood of the Namikaze. He'd have to control himself until the Namikaze. Then... then he could go all out. He could enjoy the taste of his blood, the thrill of his fight, the sheer pleasure of confirming his own existence. The blood... the blood...
Gaara's siblings on the other hand were ready to piss themselves in fear, that look hadn't appeared on Gaara in a long, long time.
Meanwhile Sandaime made a single gesture, no more was needed really, and the proctor announced the start of the next fight, Kankurou against Shino, in which Kankurou gave up. Gaara seemed happier, one less boring match on his way to the Namikaze. The proctor next announced that Tenten and Shikamaru would fight. Tenten leapt down with an acrobat's grace, while Shikamaru... tried to quit. Keyword, tried. Naruto easily hefted him up and threw him in, making sure the lazy genius wouldn't get too hurt. Shikamaru managed to get his balance... somwhat... managing to not embarass himself too much.
"Aaaah... this is so troublesome... I can't fight a girl... I wanna look at the clouds... they're so free..."
Tenten scoffed at him. "Oh great my opponent is a coward, preferring to watch a cloud rather than protect his friends. The match is already mine. Proctor call it, he can't fight."
The proctor wanted to do it but he obviously didn't. Instead he allowed the match to begin.
Tenten waited, and waited, and waited... until she realized that Shikamaru had apparently fallen asleep at a point. She sighed in dismay. Taking out her scroll, she took out a few kunai. Quickly she tossed one on Shikamaru, aimed to hit him on his ass gently. Shikamaru dodged at the last second.
"Sheesh, you're not gonna let me sleep are you? Troublesome. Very well... let's do it. Mom's gonna scold me if I just throw the match."
Quickly making a few handseals, Shikamaru sent his shadow to attack Tenten. Tenten on the other hand, did the unthinkable. She charged forward, dodging the shadow at the last second, before spinning around and throwing her kunai. While she was turning, she concealed her hands making the handseals for the Kunai Kage Bunshin no Jutsu and whispered the name instead of calling it out with a shout.
The seven kunai flew and multiplied, becoming more than twenty flyiung projectiles, ready to skewer everything in a short range from the shadow user. Shikamaru's eyes widend before skillfully using Kawarimi no Jutsu to dodge. Tenten sighed.
"You're so weak and predictable Shikamaru. You're also foolish. You think your high intellect will help you do everything. It won't. Not against me. I am used to fighting against Shino, who is almost as smart as you while also being much more powerful. You are pathetic."
Shikamaru sighed. Shino was definitely in a higher level. Shikamaru did enjoy playing shogi with penalties, but sometimes, raw intelligence just didn't cut it. Sitting down on his classic handseal with the tips of his fingers touching, Shikamaru started thinking of ways to win. He didn't have time to sit though, because Tenten threw him a few kunai, fast enough to force him to dodge.
"You really think I'm going to give you time to strategize Shikamaru? When that's exactly what you're good at? Who do you think I am Shika? A stupid fangirl? Give me some respect damnit."
Shikamaru sighed, he needed time to make his strategy, time he wasn't going to get. His mind tried to work it out, but he couldn't without using his special stance. He sighed and tried to use a Kawarimi and Kagemane combo, attempting to catch Tenten from behind. Tenten saw it and threw a bunch of kunai, pinning Shikamaru painfully on the wall. Shikamaru sighed, he raised his right hand to quit.
"I can't beat her, she's too fast and skillful for me. Proctor-san I-"
Tenten seemingly teleported to Shikamaru and slapped him. She then stepped back.
"So every time something's hard you give up huh? What for? Because you ain't a combat type? So what. Shino isn't a combat type either, but even though he usually looses, he still fights me to the end. You on the other hand are useless. You're not even a man, you're half a man. What if I was an enemy Shikamaru? What would you do? Quit? I'd stab you in the gut and then go kill your friends. Friends that would die because YOU are too weak to fight for them. How would you feel if I killed Chouji?" Shikamaru's eyes widened. "You'd fight back wouldn't you? Then why don't you in this case. You coward, you're unfit for the name shinobi. You think this is all a game, a match of shougi. It isn't damn it, this is a simulation of a real life situation. A simulation you failed. You have no pride, you have no right to be here in the place of Kiba or Hinata. At least they would defend their comrades where you would give up. You're worse than scum. Get out of my face. Proctor call this farce of a fight. This weakling is just a liability."
Shikamaru ducked his head at the statement. He like many others knew what Tenten meant. He also understood what she wanted him to do. He looked at her and realized that she was right. It wouldn't matter if he was smart, without the strength to actually make a change, he'd be useless in a fight. He was weak. What Tenten however stressed, wasn't Shikamaru's weakness, but how his weakness would affect others. Shikamaru sighed, it was so troublesome...
The proctor gave the match to Tenten, as Shikamaru wouldn't even fight her. Tenten got her kunai, resealed them and leapt up to the competitor's box, where Naruto and Shino congratulated her. Naruto was especially happy, because she tried to do exactly what he had told her to. Namely force Shika to train under the threat of his friends dying. Naruto knew that, even though Shikamaru didn't share his own determination to protect his friends, it didn't mean he didn't want to. Chouji being Shikamaru's best friend, as well as being in the same squad, it meant that should Shikamaru surrender to an enemy, Chouji would get hurt. A dirty tactic perhaps, but an effective one none-the-less.
After the seriously anti-climactic battle between Tenten and Shikamaru, the proctor spoke.
"Since Uchiha Sasuke isn't here he is disqualified." Something that drew many calls of disapproval (to put it lightly) from the crowd. Sandaime got ready to interfere when Naruto, fed up with all that crap lept down to the arena.
"SILENCE!" The stadium grew silent. "How dare you act like such fools? What has Sasuke done to earn that respect? Nothing! He didn't show up, which for ANY of us here, would be immidiate disqualification. Hokage-sama was kind enough to provide him with a chance to fight, but he blew it. He chose to disrespect you in the worst possible way. What would you say if your children died or worse, because the shinobi you hired didn't show up in time? Would you still trust them? I wouldn't! Shinobi don't arrive late, nor are they early. They come precicely when needed. Uchiha Sasuke is nothing but a fool hiding behind his name. Besides, what is there for us to see about an Uchiha. We all know what they do, they just copy whatever their opponents do. Its not much of a skill, quite frankly its boring. On the other hand, we've got contestants here that are both more powerful, with more diverse abilities or even unknown kekkei-genkai like I have. An Uchiha can only copy what others do, like nothing more than a stupid monkey, a mockery of people that worked for their skills. Shino on the other hand, while an Aburame, has skills in many non-combat skills, Tenten can hit any target, any speed, any time, any angle. Gaara-san, has unique abilities, not seen before. As do I. Ask yourselves, who do you really want to see fight? A perpetually late shinobi who only copies his opponents in the hopes they loose to chakra exhaustion, or someone that can actually do something unique? In the end who would you trust your children to? A mentally unstable brat or someone who is a professional? Your choice."
Naruto turned around and jumped up again landing next to Tenten and Shino. He really hated when people said how awesome Sasuke was when the brat was just a jackass. He was no survivor of the massacre, his brother probably didn't want to dirty the blade with Sasuke's blood. Shino and Tenten were thinking on the same lines, they too hated the way Sasuke was treated, more like a prince than a person, hiding behind his family's name.
Sarutobi rose once again and spoke in that tone, commanding respect. "Be silent." It was not a shout, it was calm speaking. "Uchiha Sasuke has been disqualified. There will be a break for ten minutes before the second round begins, with Uzumaki-Namikaze Naruto against Sabaku no Gaara."
The Uchiha supporters pretty much shut up at the tone, while the proctor declared the break for the new round of betting. Gaara walked up to Naruto slowly.
"Why do you still protect Konoha, Namikaze?"
"Because Gaara... I have some prescious people here. People that saw me for me and not the beast within. I don't care about anyone else. But if someone, anyone, threatens these prescious people... I'll decimate them. Konoha can quite simply go fuck itself. However, as long as my prescious people remain here, I will protect it, because I'll be protecting them. It is simply that simple Gaara."
"I see... I look forward to crushing you and your 'prescious people' Namikaze. Their deaths will make your blood taste so much better to Mother."
Gaara turned around leaving a frowning Naruto and a seriously creeped out Tenten behind. Shino didn't show much emotion, he had seen Naruto loose it in Wave, not many things compare to that experience. Shino placed a hand on Tenten's shoulder calming her down.
"Do control yourself, Tenten. It is both unseemly and unneeded to act so. Naruto has everything under control."
Tenten calmed down and removed her hand from the seal she had subtly placed it on. A seal that pictured a black sword with a dragon coiled around it...
Time passed and Naruto's fight with Gaara was coming. Konoha was still trying to recover from Naruto's revelation. Most were either outright hostile, believing the demon had corrupted the line or ready to grovel in the hopes of gaining something from Naruto's heritage and inheritance. Naruto himself was almost swamped by fangrils when they found him, before Hinata showed up and explained to them that the territory was marked. The fangirls meeped for the most part, but when some advanced to Hinata, Naruto placed himself between them, giving them a clear message; don't touch her or else.
Hinata had also been looked upon funnily by her clan. Her father considered marrying Naruto into his clan via marriage, while Hanabi was shocked. When Hiashi told Hinata to 'court him into the Hyuga clan so the clan will grow stronger', Hinata almost executed the man, and would have done so if not for Kiba holding her back. It was quite the revelation for Hanabi, who until that time believed everything her father had told her, namely that Hinata was weak, Naruto was a dead-last demon and that the secondary branch was nothing but sub-Hyuga, used to dump failures. Hinata grabbed her little sister and took her to the side, explaining everything to her, showed her the many, many faults of the Hyuga clan. In the end, Hinata placed a burden on her little sister, Hanabi would change the Hyuga clan, but not alone. She'd have the Inuzuka, Aburame, Namikaze-Uzumaki and Sarutobi family at her side. Not to mention a Seal Master that would help them break the chain of hate in the clan.
Hanabi had a hard time accepting everything though, it was radical, too radical for her ordered mind. At least until Naruto came and joined the discussion. The poor girl almost blushed (Hyuga except Hinata don't blush), understanding why her big sister had such a crush on Naruto.
Soon came the time for the much awaited fight, Sabaku no Gaara against Uzumaki-Namikaze Naruto.
Gaara used a shunshin to get down, while Naruto landed near him, after having jumped all the way from the Hokage Monument. The crater was rather impressive. The proctor hurried to start the fight, as both combatants looked ready to tear the place down and, judging from their apparent abilities... they could.
As soon as the signal was given, Gaara's gourd exploded into motion, unleashing a torrent of Sand on Naruto. Naruto for his part, cut the joking and leapt back with lightning speed. Then he charged.
Naruto's true speed left people gaping, he zoomed faster than most chuunin could see, right into Gaara, slamming his fist into his stomach, only for Gaara to explode into sand and attempt to engulf Naruto, while tendrils of sand came from behind. Naruto leapt back and started running along the tendrils, leaping from side to side, a black and red blur, before charging the newly revealed Gaara. Gaara for himself readied a wall of sand and sent it crushing onto Naruto. Right before they collided... wind blew and tree leaves obscured vision, a pair of figures appearing within, back to back. The leaves were blown away to reveal Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Sasuke. The fight immidiately stopped as Naruto leapt away.
"Yo! We weren't late were we?" Said Kakashi raising his hand in a relaxed greeting. Half the stadium face palmed, while every dignitary began murmuring about the lack of respect and professionalism.
Naruto spoke, before the proctor. "Actually you were. Sasuke got disqualified for not being here, thereby disrespecting everyone as well as lack of professional behaviour. So yeah, take duck-butt out of here weakling."
Kakashi and Sasuke were shocked. Disqualified? But how? Sasuke was an Uchiha, an elite, he shouldn't have been disqualified. Kakashi turned to Naruto.
"I highly doubt that Uzumaki-san. I am sure Hokage-sama didn't disqualify Sasuke-kun. After all-"
"Its Uzumaki-Namikaze, learn it in one you retard. Then again you'd have known if you were anything close to a competent jounin you thieving fool. Now get out, I've got a fight to finish."
Kakashi was left stuttering, Namikaze? That was impossible! Turning to the Hokage, he tried to make a rebute. He didn't have the time because the old man rose to his full height, that aura of respect surrounding him.
"Naruto is right. Sasuke is disqualified and shall be accordingly punished for lack of professional behavior. As for you Hatake Kakashi. Since you are a jounin, I'd have expected you to know when to NOT be late. It seems your tardiness has spread to your brain as well as your feet. You are demoted to the rank of Chuunin and it will be written into your file. Oh and before I forget, you will give me a full list of every technique you have stolen over the years, including how to perform them and all details of how you have acquired them. Inoichi-san will then walk your mind to find any lies. If you miss even one technique your sharingan eye will be removed. Any techniques that belong to Konoha shinobi that have been copied by you or Sasuke, will also be removed if the owners do not wish you to know them. Attempts to use the sharinan to copy them again, will result in life time imprisonment as well as removal of the sharingan from the both of you. Am I clear?"
Kakashi and Sasuke just stared at Sarutobi, feeling the full weight of the power of the aged shinobi. Sasuke was almost ready to faint, not even Orochimaru had such a powerful aura. When Kakashi stuttered some more, in search of a rebutal, Sarutobi added his KI to the equasion, making both kneel.
"I said. Am I clear?"
Sarutobi's voice boomed in the shinobi's heads. So that was the power of a Kage, thought Sasuke, immidiately activating his Sharingan to try and combat it, his cursed seal acting up. Kakashi knew better than fight Sarutobi now, the old man was pissed. Nodding quickly he tugged on Sasuke.
"Come on Sasuke-kun, let's go." Sasuke pulled away from Kakashi, turning to Naruto.
For some reason, Sasuke knew it was Naruto's fault. Everything was Naruto's fault. Everything... He hated Naruto, he hated the dead-last, he hated his annoying smile, he hated the way he spoke and moved. He absolutely loathed him. Absolutely despised him. Sasuke turned to Naruto.
"Its your fault isn't it Uzumaki? Everything is your fault! Everything!"
"If you're talking about you being disqualified, then yeah both right and wrong. You were going to be disqualified anyway, but if you had been here before my fight with Gaara started, you could still have gotten to show off. Seems you fucked up big time didn't you? By the way, my name is Uzumaki-Namikaze, learn it unless you're too stupid to do something so simple."
Sasuke had stopped listening to Naruto at 'right', his mind echoing with Itachi's words. Hate... hate... hate... hatehatehateHateHateHATE!
Sasuke screamed, Orochimaru's seal activating, quickly he activated his sharingan, while lighting sparked on his hands. "I WILL KILL YOU!"
Before Kakashi could react, Sasuke had rammed his chidori through Naruto's chest and heart. Sasuke started laughing maniacally.
"Yes! YES! I HAVE KILLED YOU! WITH THIS POWER I KILLED YOU NARUTO! NOW I CAN KILL ITACHI! HAHAHA! I WILL KILL YOU ALL!"
In the stands, Konoha was stunned, was that their prince? Most looked at Sasuke, saw his maddened face as he laughed at killing everyone. More people stood with Naruto now. Sarutobi was pissed as hell but not that worried, he knew Naruto was fine. Hanabi was surprised when she saw Hinata giggle. Turning to her sister, she asked why she was laughing. Hinata giggled some more.
"Because Naruto-kun is such a great actor. That hit didn't come close to actually killing him."
Hanabi had just enough time to look back to see and hear Naruto cackle.
"Hehehe is that it teme? You done now?"
SPLAF!
That was the sound that echo'ed as Naruto backhanded Sasuke on one of the walls in the arena, leaving spiderweb-like cracks as Sasuke fell like a sack of potatoes. Kakashi looked and imitated a fish before asking.
"Why... why aren't you dead... you... you should be dead..."
Naruto cackled some more, this time sounind like an evil demon. "Aww you sound almost sad Hatake-teme. Yeah the duck-butt got a heart. So what? I got more than one. I also heal very fast. See?"
Indeed the wound had almost dissapeared, even the clothing repaired itself, thanks to the numerous seals on it. "That would be my Kekkei-genkai. Well the passive abilities I get from it. And I haven't even started. I said it before didn't I? Sharingan ain't got shit on me. To me and my clan, the sharingan is nothing but utter shit and so is just about every user of it, with ONE notable exception. An exception his own family exiled because he wasn't strong enough. Gotta love them don't ya? Especially when they kill their best friends and lovers for just a bit more power. Oh lookie, Hebi-teme's hickey is giving him a boost. He still looks like crap to me though."
Sasuke got up, cursed seal spreading all over him, another Chidori readied. Naruto mumbled 'here we go again' and waited. Sasuke charged.
Just before the chidori got slammed through Naruto, he grabbed it with his right hand and raised Sasuke in the air like an annoying five-year old brat. He then began squeezing the wrist, until with a sickening crack it was crushed. Sasuke fell down writhing in pain. Naruto turned to an annoyed Gaara.
"Gaara-san, you don't mind if I take out the trash do you? You can take care of Hatake-teme here if you want. I'd suggest not killing him yet though, he still has his punishment to receive." Gaara nodded before forcing Kakashi to a hasty retreat with his sand. Naruto looked at the downed Sasuke. "Now let's see what's the punishment for attempting to kill a fellow Leaf Shinobi? Ah yes I remember. Death. I'm not gonna kill you though, weakling. I am going to give you some punishment though. Nighty night jackass."
Naruto exploded with a punch to Sasuke's face, followed by three elbow strikes to the chest, a slam on Sasuke's nose by the back of Naruto's elbowing hand, a right cross punch on Sasuke's temple, a knee to the gut and a right uppercut. Sasuke collapsed on the ground, moaning in pain. Naruto made a 'camera' with his hands before targetting Sasuke and the exit to the medic bay. Getting an absolutely evil smile etched on his face... he kicked the downed Sasuke straight into it.
Turning to see the weird look Gaara sent him he said; "What? I got him there fast didn't I?" Konoha faceplanted.
Kakashi was trying to get things back on track, but between an unprovoked attack to a Konoha Shinobi, a pissed off Hokage and an angry jinchuuriki... it was hard. He still tried to chastice Naruto though.
"Naruto! What did you do to Sasuke! You almost killed him."
Those that knew Naruto, as well as Gaara, snickered. Naruto gave a foxy smirk. "But I didn't did I? Besides, it isn't like I really went at him. If I had gone serious on the prick, he'd be a smear on the walls now. I made sure not to kill Ms. Duckbutt, he ain't gonna move for a while though. Now get the fuck out of my fight Hatake-teme, I got one heck of a fight waiting and I don't want you messing it. Right Gaara?"
Gaara simply nodded, while the proctor escorted a shaken Kakashi out. As soon as the hindrances were gone, the fight started anew.
Naruto dodged countless tendrils of sand, moving like a blur to dodge and strike at Gaara. The blonde dashed, using the sand as a movable platform to get within striking position. Something that wasn't that easy, considering how Gaara's sand would move near instantaneously to defend, while also possessing the same advantage as Shino's attacks, namely offence being interchangeable with defence.
Eventually the blonde-topped, black blur landed in front of Gaara, one hand cocked back for a gut punch. The violent hit sent a shockwave through the sand as it tried to absorb the shock. Gaara actually grunted, being sent back. Naruto smirked and leapt back.
"Well, seems that I too can tear that armor down like Lee. Unlike Lee though, I have something up my sleeve." Naruto said before begining to change his form. He shifted the form of his legs, configuring them for fast bursts of speed, formed his arm blades, knowing his claws would have a hard time cutting through the sand, and lastly made a tail emerge from his tailbone, since he'd need it to hold the balance while running at full speed. The last motion he made with his hands was passing them over his heart, whispering something. As a result, the restraints he and Jiraiya had placed on his body were lifted. In just a few seconds Naruto's Kekkei Genkai was fully activated. Naruto smirked as Konoha and well, just about everybody in the stadium watched in shock. "This is my Kekkei Genkai, Mugen Shinka, Infinite Evolution. My DNA had become unstable due to this village's stupidity. However, with me being not only an Uzumaki, but a Namikaze as well, I managed to turn it into an advantage. The strongest Kekkei Genkai out there. Get ready Gaara. This fight has just began!"
Naruto charged ahead onto Gaara, his blades held at the sides, while his tail was trailing behind him, keeping the balance despite being almost parallel to the ground, a trail of dust following Naruto due to his insane speed.
Naruto's arm blades hacked and slashed at the flying sand, tearing open a path for him, a straight charge that left the Suna Shinobi staring in fear and awe at the event. Back at the stands Shino turned to Kankurou and Temari. "I hope you have said your farewells to Gaara-san. There are very, very few people that can face Naruto when he's like that." Next to Shino, Tenten was giggling insanely at the fight, feeling Muramasa's urge and desire to fight and cut as well.
At the Hyuga seats, Hinata let an evil giggle loose, scaring Hanabi who was sitting next to her. When Hanabi took a look at Hinata's face, the poor girl almost freaked out at the look of sheer anticipation and glee Hinata was displaying. Needless to say, when Hiashi saw that, he reconsidered ordering Hinata to do anything. It was the same look Hinata's mother had right before beating the ever so living daylights out of a Hyuga elder that dared command her to put the cursed seal on the unborn Hanabi. The elders sitting next to Hiashi felt the urge to meep, remembering that look very, very well.
Kiba howled together with Akamaru, seeing Naruto charge Gaara. That was what he had been waiting for, he wouldn't loose this show for the world. Next to him Haku considered cheering Naruto, but Shino would be jealous so she only allowed a smirk. Sakura and the rest of Konoha 12 were rather scared at the display, the bloodlust in the air cowering them.
At the jounin stands, Lee smirked before declaring that Gaara would loose. Gai tried to make a rebuke, but the confidence shown in Lee stopped him. Asuma of course did ask why he was so certain. Lee made a half smile.
"Because I have faced Naruto's full flames of youth. This... is just the begining. He hasn't even started using fuuton and Gaara knows it. Naruto's full strength... I went against it and trust me when I say, Gai-sensei, you'd have lost. I survived barely, mostly because of my new power. Watch closely. You'll see what I mean. Well if Gaara-san is strong enough that is. If he isn't... I'll have to fight Naruto-kun. Me, Tenten and Anko are the only ones who can take him on. But only as a team if we don't want him killed."
While the jounin were trying to recover from that, Zabuza and Anko laughed, rubbing their hands together in anticipation. Neither would say it, but they both loved sparring with Naruto. He was the only one that could push them to the edge. The rest of the jounin turned to Naruto who at that moment was charging at Gaara's motionless form.
Naruto had cut open a path to Gaara, raising his right armblade to the height of his head, readying an impaling motion aimed at Gaara's midsection. With a roar, Naruto's blade rushed forward, reaching insane speeds as Naruto's entire kinetic force was transferred into it. In a motion that could rival a Chidori, Naruto's blade rushed forth, impaling Gaara. An instant later Gaara's form collapsed, leaving a vacant coccoon of sand. A few feet further, Gaara's form emerged from the ground. As the form rose, a small cut on Gaara's midwaist bled some blood. What mattered though was the look on his face, the look of absolute madness. The voice that came from his face was filled with madness and hate.
"Blood... my... my BLOOD! Uzumaki... I will KILL YOU!"
Sand gathered and contorted, forming around Gaara's right arm, creating a monstrous extension. In the stands the people fell silent in shock. Gaara's siblings freaked out. It wasn't good, in fact it was very, very bad. If Gaara lost it, things would get messed real fast. In the stands, Kabuto was still wondering why Orochimaru still hadn't given the go for the attack. Orochimaru on the other hand was thinking about quite a few things. He'd get to see more of Naruto's fighting, which would be very good in case he had to fight him again. On top of that, Gaara would at least weaken Naruto, so his agents, or even himself, would be able to kill him. If Naruto wouldn't accept Orochimaru, then Orochimaru would destroy him. So, Orochimaru would wait and see, he'd wait for Naruto to get tired before striking. No matter Naruto's power, the hundreds of Shinobi that were ready to attack in an instant would kill Naruto, kill Yondaime's son, kill the one that defied his power. A cruel smirk made itself on Orochimaru's face.
On the other side of the arena, Hinata was busy looking at Naruto's ass when he dashed with his trenchcoat flying behind him. Her thoughts taking a perverse tone she made a giggle worthy of Jiraiya, once again startling Hanabi and Hiashi. Once again Hiashi's worst fears confirmed themeslves; Hinata not only was a near-perfect copy of her mother, she was also deeply in love with the Namikaze brat. On top of that, Hinata didn't seem so submissive any more, nor did she suck in Jyuken, like she used to. Fighting the urge to gulp, Hiashi took his leave to explain some things to Neji. It wouldn't do for him to keep such secrets, as Hinata herself repeatedly told him.
Meanwhile, Naruto seeing Gaara freak out, leapt away, making handseals. Drawing a bit of blood by pricking one of his fingers, he placed his hand on the ground.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu! Shizukani Taiyo! (Summon Technique! Quiet Sun!)"
From the smoke, eight tails emerged and as it dispersed, a house-sized fox revealed itself. A quiet, yet filled with authority, voice spoke.
"Greetings Naruto. What do you wish of me? I have a lot of research still left to complete."
The voice sounded like a person's own grandmother, yet strong, if not a bit... impatient. Naruto managed to somehow bow while dodging the humongous arm of Gaara, before replieing.
"This boy in front of me is Sabaku no Gaara, Ichibi no Jinchuuriki (Human Sacrifice of the One Tail). I could attempt to cut his youkai with Gogyo Fuuin (Five Elemental Seal) but I don't know his own seal. I need you to seal Ichibi properly Taiyo-sama."
"Very well Naruto. It is obvious you are unfit for that job, therefore I shall perform it for you. I need you to make Gaara draw out as much power of Ichibi as possible."
"Hai Taiyo-sama."
Naruto bowed once again, before dashing off, this time running across the walls. With no chakra. Leaping off, he drew his hands back before whipping them forward, setting loose a pair of wind jutsu.
"Fuuton: Dai Kaze Rin! (Wind Style: Great Wind Ring!)"
The rings cut through the sand tendrils, making an opening for Naruto. Naruto went right through the opening, landed on the ground with the grace of a panther and then like a panther too, he launched himself forward, drawing his claws in an instant. To most, Naruto simply disappeared and reappeared behind Gaara, leaving fresh slashes on the body of the Jinchuuriki.
More sand covered Gaara's body, stopping the bleeding while making him stronger. Naruto snarled. Annoying sand. Once again the torrents came, along with the crazed Jinchuuriki, forcing Naruto to momentarily retreat, before closing back in. Naruto somersaulted behind Gaara, mid-air making three clones. The clones prepared and fired an assault of Dai Kaze Rin, while Naruto formed his armblades before pumping immense amounts of chakra into his right blade. A huge blade of wind formed over the bladed arm, extending Naruto's reach. With a swiping motion, the blade cut through the sand. Gaara saw that and raised his arms in defence. In responce, more and more sand gathered to shield the red-head.
"Kaze Setsudanki! (Wind Guillotine!)"
"Suna no Tate! (Shield of Sand!)"
The two techniques collided, but in the end the shield held strong. Naruto's clones however, managed to sneak past by jumping over it, slamming their fists on Gaara's form. The force of the punch sent Gaara skidding along the ground as some of his armor collapsed. However it reformed not a second later, this time covering even more. Naruto knew that he was getting close to his goal, but that didn't mean he had to like it. Not to mention he was attacking someone else like him, someone who knew the pain of being a jinchuuriki. The explosion of sand quickly took out the clones as well as attempt to go after Naruto himself. However by that time, Naruto had already made his escape.
Once again the two Jinchuuriki collided, speed and strength going against endless torrents of sand. Meanwhile the summoned fox, was taking in everything but wasn't moving from her spot. Naruto had summoned her to seal Ichibi properly, not aid him in his fight.
Naruto charged again, this time using Kaze Setsudanki on both arms. The combined power may not have cut right into Gaara, but it sure as hell made a way to get there. Naruto's claws appeared again, chakra pumped into Naruto's legs and an instant later a new set of cuts showed themselves on Gaara. Naruto didn't settle for just the cuts though, as he immidiately unleashed a torrent of kicks, sending Gaara back with the force behind them.
Gaara's body slumped on the wall... He remembered all the other times he was attacked and betrayed... most important of them all his own uncle...
"I won't... I won't... I won't let my existence disappear! I WILL KILL YOU UZUMAKI NARUTO! YOU AND EVERYTHINH YOU HOLD DEAR! I WILL KILL EVERYTHING! MY EXISTENCE WILL NOT DISAPPEAR!"
Sand swirled around him and grew out of proportion, becoming something huge... a one-tailed Tanuki made out of sand. Blue lines marking it, it roared, shaking Konoha.
Back in the stands, Hinata smirked again, this time Hiashi and Hanabi questioned her sanity. They didn't know how much Naruto loved to fight a strong opponent. With an enemy like that Naruto would be finally able to cut loose, finally able to unleash all his pent up fury.
Kiba felt the urge to howl, the urge to fight and kill and hunt. He squashed it though and settled for letting a very feral smirk make its way to his face. Haku, being Haku, tried to make the scared Konoha Gennin calm down.
Tenten... was being restrained by Shino... Why? Because she wanted to fight the giant Tanuki. She screamed again and again, threatening to castrate Shino with a rusty spoon, causing the eyes of the other shinobi to bulge, a 'WTF?' expression on their faces.
Back in the arena, the fox summon called out to Naruto. "Naruto, knock him out now. I have all that I need to seal the tanuki away."
Naruto didn't need to be told twice as he leapt away to safety. He grinned at Gaara's terrifieing form, before digging his feet on the ground and placing his arms before him, palms open.
Kiba and the others recognised the stance. Lee laughed, drawing the attention of Gai. "Naruto-kun is finally getting serious. This is his most powerful attack."
Zabuza took it from there. "Yah, an attack so powerful it would make ya run for cover."
Anko giggled, giggled. "Heehee, my otouto's finally getting serious. This is so much fun!"
Kurenai smiled. "Asuma, pay attention. This is one heck of an attack. It's stronger than anything else I've seen till now. AND CUT SMOKING WILL YOU?"
Back in the gennin area, Kiba smirked. "Wahoo! Naruto's finally got his ass in gear! Hang on tight and pay attention! This is the power of a prodigy!"
Tenten stopped struggling, instead choosing to watch at the incoming power struggle mesmerized. Oh how she loved fights like that!
Around Naruto, wind whipped around him, making a small tornado with the debri flying around him. It began to gather on his arms, two violent distortions on Naruto's hands. To those with advanced sight, they would see a pair of drills, consisting of tens of helix-shaped wind blades. Kakashi was stumped. It looked much like a Rasengan spinning in one direction. Naruto started charging the jutsu, the chakra now visible to everyone with shinobi training. Even those that didn't have any though, were more than able to sense the building power.
In the stands, the gennin were asking Kiba what attack that was. Kiba smirked. "This is Naruto's most powerful Fuuton jutsu. Its name is..."
Back down in the arena, Naruto had finished charging. The stupid Tanuki had remained standing way too long. Time to even out the odds.
"Rasen... (Spiral)"
The winds whipped stronger.
"...fuu... (...wind...)"
Chakra gathered in explosive amounds behind the two drills as Naruto allowed them to touch each other.
"...ho! (cannon!)"
That was it. The chakra exploded, launching both drills forward. As they flew forward, they touched and the helix-caused drives caused them to twist with each other, making a scewdriver-shaped blast. The technique sped up to unimaginable levels, one huge blast of power. Then it struck.
BOOM!
The attack exploded on Shukaku's unmoving form,the resulting explosion of wind and chakra tearing the massive beast down as all sand was blown away. The blades released from the attack dug deeply into the surrounding walls, a testament to the strength of the technique's power. Wind rushed back to fill the place it was explosively sent away from, creating a vaccuum that was felt even to the most far-away stands.
A small figure dropped from height. Another figure blurred under it and caught the first one. Both landed safely, Naruto holding Gaara in his arms. The insane red-headed jinchuuriki bled for multiple cuts, just barely conscious.
"Why... why did... you save me... Uzumaki..."
"Because I didn't want to fight you in the first place Gaara. However you threatened my prescious people Gaara... The people that saved me from my own dark hell. The same hell this place threw me in. I know your pain, the pain of ultimate loneliness. I was... lucky I guess to find someone that appreciated me. You never had that did you? Gaara...I know that pain, I felt it too. Now though, I'm out of that dark hell. If you want, I'll help you as well. I'll be your friend."
"Friend? You would be my friend? Knowing what I am?"
"Nope. I know who you are Gaara. As do your sister and brother. Look at them. This is the feeling of sadness. Someone else's sadness about you. They feel sad because they care Gaara. They could have run and leave you to the wolves. But they didn't. They stood here. Give them a chance Gaara, a chance to prove that they do care."
"Uzumaki... I have... lost... You win. I thank you."
Meanwhile, the kitsune was readying herself. Approaching them she shifted into a more human form, since it would be easier to apply the pigments for the seal. Drawing a number of symbols around it, she placed her palm on it.
"Seventh Star Seal!"
A burst of light blinded all. When it went away, Gaara was unconscious, but with a peaceful expression on him. On the other hand, the kitsune looked angry.
"Damned humans, meddling with others. No wonder the kid was going insane. Hold him steady. Demonic Soul Imprisonement!"
The Kitsune-turned-human's hands glowed and sank into Gaara's stomach. In seconds she withdrew them, her hand holding a globe of light. Quickly she took a small pendant from a case on her thigh before placing the globe inside. The kitsune sighed before poofing away as Gaara's siblings arrived. Naruto handed Gaara to them and told them to go and hide. The reason? Let's have a small flashback.
Flashback - Moment of Sealing
"Seventh Star Seal!"
Orochimaru was many things, but being an idiot wasn't one of them. He knew when his pawns were out of his reach. Knowing he had just lost a great weapon, made him feel very happy at the reinforcements he had called. Giving Kabuto the go ahead signal, he waited for his loyal servant to perform the genjutsu.
In the stands, the people were too focused on the fight that had just ended to notice the Genjutsu. Even the ones that did, most of them weren't strong enough to fight it off. Kurenai quickly sent a burst of chakra as she cancelled all genjutsu in a 50ft radius, making a mental note to thank Kyubi. If it hadn't been for his training, she'd have died from the exhertion. Gai and Kakashi blurred into action ready to take down any and all enemies to Konoha. Lee on the other hand...simply got up and hefted his huge polearm on his shoulder before giving Kurenai a nod. Anko and Zabuza smirked at each other, silently agreeing to a small competiion between them before vanishing. Kurenai remained motionless for only a second before she too blurred into action.
Kiba thanked Kami Kureanai had taught him about Genjutsu. With her as a sensei, it was easy to break the sleep jutsu. Next to him Haku drew her blade, Hyoryu, and readied herself, her eyes growing cold. Naruto had been right. War would come to Konoha and they would be damned if they let their prescious people die from it.
Trusting Hanabi's life to Hiashi, Hinata drew her tonfa in one fluid motion as she jumped to higher ground to identify the attackers. What she saw scared her a bit. In the distance, at the gates, explosions could be seen. Activating her Byakugan, Hinata bristled with fury. Hanabi was alone. Her father had abandoned her. Her anger reached new heights as she saw shinobi heading for her little sister. With the a fury that would put a mother bear to shame, Hinata drew the blades of her tonfa before charging the scum that dared near her little sister.
Tenten shouted in victory, someone she could really fight! Next to her, Shino quietly drew his dual Kama, readying himself for combat, trieing in vain to remove thoughts about Haku's safety from his mind.
In but a few seconds, the stadium was filled with fighting, something the Suna siblings used to get to their brother. Even if he did act like a moster most of the time, he still was their little brother.
Flashback End
Naruto ground his teeth. He sometimes hated it when he was right. No matter. It was time to fight and kill, tear and rip. Shinobi drew their weapons and descended on their targets. Seeing a Suna shinobi move towards his Hinata... Naruto snarled and roared. Noone, noone touches his Hinata! Claws came to his hands and Naruto dashed.
A/N: Whoah this one's big. 16+ pages in Wordpad as opposed to my usual 8-9. Guess I'm just that awesome :D
In a sadder note, I won't be able to write and publish for a little bit, my parents and I are going on vacation so, for some days at least I'll be out. I am honestly so sorry.
I tried to get a chapter in Kage's Exodus as well, but I got addicted into this one and now I don't have the time to do it D:
Once again I apologize.
Someone asked about why Sandaime called Jiraiya-chan and Hinata-kun. No I didn't confuse them. He called Jiraiya-chan because he wanted to annoy him a bit (Ma and Pa toads also call Jiraiya like that if you noticed). He called Hinata-kun for a different reason. It showed familiarity, without it being too much. Not to mention that Naruto is rather... overprotective to say the least. You don't call Hinata-chan, not ever. Being possessive is a trait passed down to him from Kyubi, one that isn't too bad in my opinion. Next time you make a review with a question in it, enable me to send you PMs. I do so hate having to reply here.
Onto some things for this chapter.
Tenten's behaviour. Yep Tenten's bloodthirsty. What did you expect? She's got a demonic sword with empathic abilties and Anko, Zabuza and Naruto as senseis. She's not exactly evil or insane, far from it. She just enjoys fighting a tad too much. Not about killing, just the adrenaline of the fight. The whole let-me-go-I-wanna-fight thing was more of a game she and the others play. Just don't be surprised when the rest of the team get bloody. They are shinobi, killing is a fact of life and I'm not going to sugar-coat it. This is a mature fic, so blood, death and gore will be abundant.
STOP! JUTSU TIME! (Ok, ok I'll be good!)
Suna no Tate (Shield of Sand). A technique utilized by Gaara when threatened. He compresses the sand around him to form a wall tougher than steel. It protects him from only one direction though, so it doesn't come useful all that much.
Rasenfuho (Spiral Wind Cannon). A fuuton jutsu Naruto made thanks to Jiraiya's instruction in making a Rasengan. Naruto creates a pair of drills composed of wind blades in the form of a helix. Because of the alignment and spinning of the wind blades, when the drills touch, they spin as they rush forward, much like a corkscrew rush. The dual rotations included (the drills themselves as well as the rotation caused by the drills) increase penetrating power to insane levels. Thanks to an explosion of chakra behind the drils, they are launched forward at speeds that anyone without a Mangekyou sharingan (or similar ability) wouldn't even realize they are a projectile attack. Most believe this attack to be a beam thanks to the insane speeds. However, because Naruto needs time to charge the attack and its trajectory is too obvious, he rarely uses it, unless of course the enemy can't dodge it. Chakra Cost: S, Control: B (due to the cost required, it is actually easy for Naruto to learn it), Rank: S.
Seventh Star Seal: A sealing technique utilized by Shizukani Taiyo to seal the Ichibi properly inside Gaara. Any other functions of the seal are unknown.
Summon Details:
Name: Shizukani Taiyo (Silent Sun)
Tails: Eight
Abilities: Kitsune-Bi, Intelligence, Seals, Priestess
Bio: Smaller than the rest eight-tailed Kitsune summons, barely the size of an average five-tailed kitsune, Shizukani Taiyo proves that it isn't a matter of size, but rather skill. Showing talent in sealing and priestly skills from an early age, she has long since become an extremely powerful kitsune, who can fight almost on par with Kyubi if given enough time. There are only a few things that interest Shizukani Taiyo, or Taiyo-baa-sama as is more often called, and these are mostly teaching and acquiring more knowledge, especially on seals. That's why, when summoned, Shizukani Taiyo can get quickly upset if her powers aren't absolutely necessary. Shizukani Taiyo has white, rich fur with lavender streaks while her eyes are electric blue. In her human form, her skin is pearl white while her hair is lavender. In that form she also prefers to wear a lavender-streaked white kimono made of the purest silk. The only sign that denotes her as Kitsune is the fact that she still sports kitsune ears and tails in human form. While an old kitsune, she doesn't act or appear old. In fact she appears just like she was in her prime, something that has left many older kitsune scowling. Of course that only served to amuse her.
Motto: "Either give me something important to do, or let me get back to my research. you foolish brat!"
Today, on this 9/6/2012, I, Soulblazer87, do hereby leave this site, possibly forever.
I shall not update this, or any other story.
I shall leave them on, however. Should you desire to follow my stories, do so in my new site of residence: www dot yourfanfiction dot com.