Naruto of the Homunculus

Chapter 11

Trace Carter is back again. This chapter marks the beginning of the preliminaries of the Chunin Exams. I've worked out who will win and lose already, but the next round is anyone's guess right now.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Fullmetal Alchemist.

Team 7 didn't have much to do while the other squads trudged through the Forest of Death, so they decided to wander the tower they were in. Soon after they arrived, Kakashi and several ANBU came and whisked Sasuke away. He was taken to a secure room where they checked his neck. What they found surprised them. When they checked Sasuke's neck for a curse seal, they found nothing.

"Sasuke," said Kakashi, "please tell me exactly what happened when you and your team encountered Orochimaru."

Sasuke nodded and recounted to Kakashi what had happened while they were in the Forest of Death. When he was done, Kakashi wasn't sure if he should be worried about his students, or proud that they had handled one of the legendary Sannin so well.

"Sasuke," said Kakashi, "Orochimaru will undoubtedly return to attempt to finish what he started in the forest. I think I'll begin teaching you some advanced Jutsu soon, to prepare you."

On one hand, Sasuke was excited to learn some new Jutsu, but on the other, he was worried about a future confrontation with Orochimaru. He decided to rejoin his teammates and rest from the encounter in the forest.

xXsceneXx

Over the next few days, the other Genin teams arrived at the tower. The first to arrive was the team from the Sand, and just as Kabuto's information said, the one known as Gaara had not a scratch on him. Naruto happily greeted Hinata and Haku when they arrived and they went off to train soon after. Eventually, the time limit for the 2nd exam expired and the remaining genin were called to the arena in the center of the tower where they stood before their Jonin sensei, the proctors, and the Hokage.

"Alright maggots," said Anko as she addressed the group, "first of all, congrats on passing the 2nd phase of the Chunin exams."

'Looks like there's still quite a bit of them left,' she thought as she looked over the group of Genin, 'looks like this year's batch might be pretty strong.'

"The Hokage will explain the next phase to you," said Anko, stepping back and allowing the Hokage to step forward.

"Before the third test begins," said the Hokage, "we will be holding a preliminary event due to the amount of participants this year. You will be paired off and will compete in individual matches to decide who advances to the finals. Starting now, you will be judged on your abilities as ninja. Even if you do not win your match, you may be promoted if you impress the judges enough. If any of you wish to withdraw at this point, please say so now."

"I withdraw," said Kabuto as he raised his hand.

"Genin 18, Kabuto Yakushi," said Ibiki, "you may leave. A Jonin will escort you out."

At this, a sick looking man wearing a Leaf ninja outfit then walked up as Kabuto was escorted out, "My name is Gekkō Hayate. I will be the judge of this competition. The screen will show the parings for the matches. Due to the odd number of participants, one of you will get an automatic pass to the next round."

The screen began to cycle through names until it stopped at two.

Sasuke Uchiha vs Kiba Inuzuka

The other ninja moved to the stands above the arena, leaving only Kiba and Sasuke in the arena. Kiba smirked as her stared down Sasuke, with Akamaru peeking out from under his hood.

"I don't care if you were the rookie of the year," smirked Kiba, "I'm going to knock that superior look off your face."

"In your dreams, dog boy," said Sasuke.

"Match START!" said Hayate.

"Let's go Akamru," said Kiba as he tossed a food pill to his canine partner, which was quickly snapped up and swallowed, "Ninja Art of Beast Mimicry: All-Fours Jutsu!"

Kiba went on all fours and his fingernails and teeth sharpened into claws and fangs. Akamaru then hopped on his back and Kiba made a hand seal.

"Man Beast Clone!" said Kiba, causing Akamaru to transform into a copy of Kiba.

"Having backup won't change the outcome," said Sasuke as his eyes changed to his Sharingan.

"Fang Over Fang!" yelled Kiba as he and Akamaru flew spiraling through the air at Sasuke.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes as they flew at him. To him the attack was moving in slow motion, making them easy to dodge. With short precise movements, he dodged the attacks of Kiba and his partner until they came to a stop.

"Sorry, but it ends here," said Sasuke as he locked eyes with Kiba, identifying the real one with his Sharingan, and his Sharingan morphed into three intersecting ellipses, "this battle is over."

Kiba then fell to the ground, trapped within Sasuke's Genjutsu.

"Winner: Sasuke Uchiha!" announced Hayate.

Medics carried Kiba off the field with Akamaru trailing behind the, medics. Sasuke left the field as the screen began to scroll through names again. The names stopped once again, revealing the next two combatants.

Zaku Abumi vs Shino Aburame

"Looks like it's my turn," smirked one of the Sound Ninja that had assaulted Kabuto before.

Shino said nothing as he jumped down into the arena.

"So you're the silent type," smirked Zaku, "sorry, but acting cool won't win this battle."

"Begin!" said Hayate.

"Slicing Soundwaves!" yelled Zaku, pointing his palms at Shino.

Blasts of air and sound shot from his hands at Shino. The blasts hit him and sent him flying with shredded skin and clothes, but the body turned into a splintered log in a poof of smoke.

"You should give up," said Shino from behind Zaku.

Zaku turned and was surprised and grossed out to see bugs crawling from Shino's clothes and skin.

"In your dreams, freak!" yelled Zaku, "Slicing Soundwaves!"

Zaku fired more blasts at Shino, but the bug user simply used the Substitution Jutsu to dodge out of the way each time. Finally, Shino stopped and turned to face Zaku.

"This match is over," he stated calmly.

"LIKE HELL!" yelled Zaku as he aimed his hands at Shino, "Supersonic Slicing Soundwaves!"

Zaku tried to blast Shino, but instead of a wave of sound and air shooting from his hands, his arms began to bulge until they exploded and were ripped from his body.

"I noticed that your sound attacks were emitted from small openings in your palms," said Shino, "I then distracted you until my bugs could plug the openings. Like I said earlier, this match is over."

"Winner: Shino Aburame."

Medic Ninjas came and carried Zaku's broken body off the field and Shino went to rejoin his team. Soon the next paring was on the screen.

Neji Hyuuga vs Yoroi Akado

"Looks like it's my turn," said a Leaf ninja wearing a purple veil and sunglasses as he jumped down into the arena, "you should give up now, Hyuuga."

"You underestimate me," said Neji, "This match will be over in an instant."

"BEGIN!" said Hayate.

"Byakugan!" said Neji, causing the veins around his white eyes to bulge.

Yoroi rushed at him, aiming a strike to his body. Quick as a flash, Neji lashed out with his hands and struck points on Yoroi's arms with his fingers.

"What did you do?" demanded Yoroi as his arms hung limp at his sides.

"I closed the Chakra Points in your arms," said Neji, "and now…"

Neji's hand shot out and slammed into Yoroi's chest, sending him flying into the arena wall.

"Pathetic."

"Winner: Neji Hyuga."

xXsceneXx

"Neji really is a genius," commented Kakashi to Asuma from their place in the audience.

"You got that right," said Asuma.

Hinata Hyuuga vs Kankuro

"Hey Kurenai," said Asuma, "do you think Hinata can take that guy?"

"Honestly, I don't know," said Kurenai, "ever since she got together with Naruto, she's been training with him and his other girlfriend in secret. I also know it involves the wraps on her arms and the second pouch."

"If she's picked up some tricks from Naruto, then we're in for an interesting fight," commented Kakashi.

To be continued…

Next time: The battles continue. Results of Training will be shown, and rivals will fight.