Declaimer: I own nothing in this fanfic, but my created characters they abilities and Jutsu and that is about all I own "Goes to corner and starts crying"
Writing: Italic: thought, Bold: Bijuu or summoning speaking.
"If you close your eyes, hatred will always be there. Like an apparition, it will expand."-Naruto manga cover
"Violence is not the answer. Instead it is a tool we use to draw conclusions and solve problems."-Unknown
Stepping into the large tower, Naruto and company couldn't believe how large the structure was on the inside. The three looked at each other and nodded as they pulled the scrolls out. As they opened the scrolls up, a blinding flash of light erupted from them. Shielding their eyes, Team 7 could only wait for the blinding light to die. As the light faded away, Naruto opened his eyes to see Yamato standing in front of him. "Well done," Yamato smiled at his team, "You all did remarkable." The stunned looks on the faces of his team made Yamato chuckle slightly.
"What were you doing in a scroll," Naruto asked finally recovering from his sensei's abrupt appearance.
"I wasn't sealed in the scroll, Naruto."
"Then how are you here?"
This time the question came from Suigetsu, who stood by with narrowed eyes. "A simple transference seal was used," Yamato answered with a simple look. "We monitored the entrance to the tower and whoever entered, the sensei of that team was giving the other half of the seal."
"So was there a point to this part of the exams," Haku questioned, but already having a feeling what it was.
Yamato smiled at his young student. "Why don't you tell me, Haku?" Yamato waited for Haku's answer, but that was when the doors opened once more. Turning towards the entrance, Team 7 watched as Sasuke's team stumbled into the tower. Naruto's eyes were immediately drawn to Sasuke. The boy looked better from the last time Naruto saw him, but the moment Sasuke locked eyes with him, Naruto knew he was in trouble. Sasuke's eyes seemed to radiate a deep and boiling hate, which refused to be contained. Other then that, Sasuke had his usually emotionless face.
"I knew you guys would make it through," Sakura praised with a smile on her face.
"Was there any doubt," Naruto joked, but kept his attention on Sasuke. "So how was your stay in the forest?"
"It was fine," Sakura said with her smile still present, "After you helped us, we kept to the shadows; until we met Kabuto." That was when Naruto and the rest of his team noticed the man standing behind Sakura.
"Hello," Kabuto said with a happy tone in his voice. "Sakura was just telling me how you helped them out with their attackers. I'm surprise that someone so small can be so strong."
Narrowing his eyes at the jab, Naruto smiled dangerously at the man. "Stick around I might just surprise you again," Naruto stated with an amused look glinting in his eyes.
"No doubt about that Naruto," Kabuto finished," Well, it's been fun, but I got to go find my team." Giving them a salute, Kabuto strolled off. They never saw the smile of treachery on Kabuto's face.
XXX
Sarutobi heard the sounds of pain coming from the hospital room. Opening the door, he found the doctors scattered around the floor holding various parts of their body. And standing in the middle of this carnage, Anko turned her eyes to the Hokage. Looking back to the bed, Anko appeared to be looking for something.
"What's wrong?"
"Where is my clothes?"
"Anko you are in the hospital after someone attacked you in the forest," Sarutobi explained, but knew it was unneeded. The look Anko sent him was one someone would send at someone who just explained how to breathe.
"I know that," Anko huffed, "I'm trying to get out of here so I can go and kill the son of a bitch who attacked me." The tone in her voice was all Sarutobi needed to hear. There was only one person that Anko talked with such venom at. That person was Orochimaru.
"Anko," Sarutobi began slowly, but his tone made it clear; he wanted answers. "Is he here?" Stopping her search, Anko turned and faced Sarutobi. She could never truly be angry with Sarutobi. He helped her after Orochimaru betrayed everyone and left her for dead.
"Yes," Anko answered plainly, "And he also gave me a message for you."
XXX
After all the teams arrived, Naruto was surprised by how few actually made it through. Out of them all he saw that the Suna and Kumo team made it through. At first Naruto thought Makaze was going to attack him, but the boy just gave him a look of that resembled a lost boy. Whatever was happening to Makaze, it was really bugging him. Gaara on the other hand looked at Naruto with a killer gleam in his eyes.
"This is going to get rough," Naruto moaned receiving a gentle pat on the head by Yamato.
"You can handle it."
Groaning slightly, Naruto's eyes began to wonder the room; until they fell upon Hinata. He hadn't seen since the incident with her team, but he was glad to see her okay. Smiling, Naruto felt a strange feeling come to his stomach, something he hadn't felt in a long time; nervousness. It happened ever time Naruto looked at Hinata, but this was something he kept to himself. Sensing someone staring at her, Hinata looked towards Naruto's direction, but the boy had already looked away. That was when Sarutobi entered the tower.
"Good evening everyone," Sarutobi said with a kind smile, one that you would see on your grandfather. "I hope everyone enjoyed our forest." Glares seared their way into Sarutobi. As the elderly Hokage sat down on his chair, the jonins vanished onto the balconies surrounding the forest survivors. "But it appears we have a few too many for the finals. So, we are going to have preliminaries." This resulted in an uproar, but it was quickly settled when the hokage raised his had. "I know you all worked hard, but the truth is we can't hold all the fights on one day. This way we can get this over with as quickly as possible. That way you can all return home sooner." This seemed to satisfy a few people, but that still didn't make any of them anymore happier. "So with that I turn it over to your proctor this evening, Genma." The man in question wore a simple Konoha flak jacket with a bandana tied on his head. He chewed on a senbon in his mouth as he gazed at the kids.
"Now listen up I don't like to repeat myself so listen well," Genma warned with a steely gaze in his eyes. "The rules are quite simple; you fight until you can't fight anymore or you die. It's that simple, but if I say that is enough, then that is enough." After looking through the crowd he saw no one disagreeing with the rules. "Now before we begin I would like to ask; is there anyone who wants to quit." This stumped everyone. Why would someone quit when they were so close to becoming chunin. The answer came in the form of Kabuto's raised hand.
"I guess I'm out," Kabuto said, an embarrassed smile on his face. "Damn, these nerves of mine. I could never get passed this stage. I guess there is always next year." Giving a nod, Kabuto departed leaving behind a confused group of Genin and a suspicious Hokage.
"Is there anyone else?"
Sakura stared at Sasuke, but Sasuke shook his head no. Looking down, Sakura just sat in silence. "Alright, let's get this show on the road," Genma announced turning towards the two screens on the wall. Names began to randomly fly across the skin until only two remained. "Sasuke Uchiha vs. Yoroi Akado." Grinning at his chance at a fight, Sasuke looked towards his opponent.
"Are you ready to feel the power of an Uchiha?"
"Quite cocky for a little brat," Yoroi stated as the others left the stadium floor. "I'm going to have to knock that nonsense out of you." Genma waited before swinging his arm down, singling the start of the match.
XXX
Standing outside, Kabuto waited the arrival of Orochimaru. The sound of crunching leaves entered his ears. Pulling out his kunai, Kabuto turned around ready to plunge the blade into his stalker, but instead found a frightened rabbit. Smiling at his own nervousness, Kabuto turned only to stare into the eyes of Orochimaru. Jumping away, Kabuto inhaled sharply from the sudden appearance of his master. Chuckling, Orochimaru lend against a tree.
"You are quiet jumpy today," Orochimaru said with that quiet hiss in his voice. "But don't worry there is no one here that can hear us." That did little to reassure Kabuto. Narrowing his eyes at his partner, a rather pleased Orochimaru smiled at Kabuto. "So how is my new body doing?"
"He is adjusting to the curse mark at a remarkable pace," Kabuto explained as he finally got his heart to slow down. "At this rate he might come to us earlier then expected." This brought a wide grin to the snake's features.
"That is wonderful news," Orochimaru exclaimed, "All we have to do now is let his anger drive him to us. Now, it's time we talked about Konoha's destruction." Kabuto's eyes narrowed slightly as he tried to figure out what Orochimaru meant. The answer came in the form of a coffin bursting from the ground. As the lid opened, Kabuto smiled at the person inside.
"This should be interesting," Kabuto stated with amusement. "But where in the world did you find the time to get her?"
"My dear Kabuto, have you no faith in me," Orochimaru's smiled even wider as the coffin vanished back underground. ""With her and the previous hokage on our side, there is no way we can lose." Nodding, Kabuto smiled as his master's laughter reverberated against the trees.
XXX
Sasuke's match ended with Sasuke delivering a series of kicks and punches, before finally kicking his opponent back to the ground headfirst. As three medic nins took Yori away, Sasuke was taking away by Kakashi. Looking back at the screen the names began to cycle once more, but when it stopped, Suigetsu looked towards Naruto with shock on his face. "Naruto Uzumaki vs. Banrai Hirameku (Flash of Thunder), please head down to the fighting floor." Turning towards his opponent, Naruto saw Banrai looking at him. Nodding at the same time, the two appeared on the floor at the same time. "Do you both remember the rules?" Giving the slightest of nods, the two never took their eyes off the other. "Alright then… begin!" Genma jumped away, but the fight didn't start right away. Instead, Naruto and Banrai stood as far as possible from one another, as if gauging each other.
"I don't know a lot about you, but I can say you are hiding your true power," Naruto stated with a smirk on his face.
"I guess you figured out my terrible secret," Banrai joked as his electric blue eyes sparked. "But what power am I hiding, that is the true question, Naruto."
"My guess is I'll find out sometime in this fight," Naruto said with a grin on his face. As the boy pulled out a kunai, Banrai did the same. The two disappeared, but collided in the center of the arena in a shower of sparks. The two blades struggled against one another in a fight of dominance, but before it could be decided, the two separated. Skidding across the ground, Banrai threw his kunai down. Slamming his hands together, the Kumo Genin went through hand seals. "Raiton: Kesshoumari (Plasma Ball)." Separating his hands, Naruto saw a small electric ball sparking in the boy's hand. Yelling to the heavens, Banrai threw the orb at the Uzumaki, but it dissipated before getting close. In confusion, Naruto stared at Banrai, but the boy still wore a proud smile. Suddenly the air around Naruto began to spark. Clenching his teeth, Naruto felt the electric current pass through his body. As Naruto looked up, he saw Banrai's elbow enter his view. Barely ducking under the elbow, Naruto quickly delivered a backward kick catching the boy in the back. Turning around, Banrai saw a spinning vortex of wind drilling its way to him. The impact was felt even in the ground. Falling to the ground, Banrai twisted his body and landed on his feet, but quickly dashed towards the Uzumaki.
"This is different then Makaze's fight," Naruto thought as he ducked underneath a punch, but got caught by Makaze's knee. As he was thrown back, Naruto caught a glimpse of Banrai in the air. Quickly making a chain of chakra, Naruto wrapped it around one of the stone fingers near the screens. Pulling himself to safety, Naruto watched as a bolt of lightning blast the ground he was in to pieces. Landing above the Jonin and the Hokage, Naruto observed the scene around him. "This is more precise then Makaze." Remembering Banrai's words about him not being anger at Naruto came to mind. Before Naruto could think anymore, Banrai decided to throw shuriken at him. Jumping off the finger, Naruto slammed his hands together. "Futon: Daitoppa!" Throwing his palm towards Banrai, Naruto shot a much more condensed version of his jutsu. Avoiding the attack, everyone watch as the attack drilled its way through the stone.
XXX
"This is getting pretty serious," Sai uttered in a dried tone. Suddenly a hand fell on Sai. Turning towards the hand's owner, Sai saw himself looking at Sakura.
"Don't worry; I'm sure the Jonin will interfere before it goes too out of hand."
Nodding his head, Sai returned his gaze back to the battle, but on the other side of Sai. Hinata was staring at Naruto with worry in her eyes. This wasn't lost on Kurenai. Ever since Naruto saved Hinata, she acted strange towards the blond. She knew why she was, but decided that this was something she needed to do alone. Placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, Kurenai smiled down at her student. "He is going to be fine." Her words got the result she wanted. Hinata's face softened slightly as she nodded. Turning back they watched the fight reach it's conclusion.
XXX
Landing across from each other, Banrai stared at Naruto in confusion. "You're not using it," Banrai stated with an amused and irritated voice. "That monstrous chakra of yours, the one you used against Makaze. So I wonder why you don't end this fight now."
"Because I don't use that unless I have no choice," Naruto answered, "Besides it's not like I want to really hurt you." Shrugging his shoulders, Banrai pulled out his kunai. Seeing this Naruto removed his Torikkusuta no Gai. The atmosphere around the arena changed sharply. It became a much more dangerous. The only sound came from Naruto's spinning blades. Naruto swung his arms releasing the spinning disks, but, to everyone's surprise, Banrai ducked underneath the blades.
"The weakness is so simply," Banrai chuckled as he charged, "Even if they travel faster then normal, they still travel in a linear direction." Turning his body sideways, Banrai slipped through the shuriken as they returned to Naruto. As Naruto caught them, Banrai swung his kunai down. Narrowing his eyes, Naruto clashed his blades against Banrai's over the two as a battle of wills began. Digging his feet into the ground Naruto shoved Banrai back. At the same time, Banrai and Naruto threw their respective weapons at one another. Catching the thrown weapons, the two continued to glare each other down. As the looks continued, Naruto suddenly smiled.
"You shouldn't hold on to that," Naruto spoke up as his right hand began to glow blue. Banrai turned his eyes to the blade only to see it begin spin. Gritting his teeth as the spinning blade bit into his shoulder, Banrai released the shuriken. As the blade reached Naruto's hand, he threw the other one. Seeing this, Banrai ducked underneath the blade, but that was when Naruto threw the other one. Leaping to the left, Banrai saw Naruto grin with a predatory gleam in his eyes. Naruto created a chakra chain, which Naruto wrapped Banrai in. Digging his feet into the ground, Naruto swung the Kumo boy into the wall under the balcony. As Banrai tried to get up, he found one of Naruto's blades pressed against his throat. "Do you yield?" Banrai turned his gaze up to the ceiling and then to the gash in his shoulder.
"Well, all things considering I could keep going," Banrai stated with a devious grin on his face. "But that would only get the both of us killed. So to answer you question, yes I yield." Naruto folded his shuriken, before helping the wounded boy up.
"That was fun," Naruto concluded with a smile of enthusiasm on his face. "Maybe next time you can actually show me the power you are hiding." Genma nodded his head as Naruto walked up the stairs to his team. Banrai on the other hand was being looked at by the medic team. Darui watched with a calculating stare as Banrai's eyes showed nothing, but amusement. Hearing a sound next to him, Darui turned to see Tsukino looking on with anger in her eyes.
"What's wrong?"
"He didn't do anything," Tsukino stated dryly. "He could've put up a much more decent fight, but instead he chose to lose. I don't understand." Darui had to admit that Banrai just flat out surrendering wasn't in his nature.
"Did this happen before," Darui questioned.
"Yeah in the forest," Tsukino stated with a startled look in her eyes. "We fought Doukaku- I mean Naruto's team and when Makaze was knocked out, he just gave them our scroll. Is he okay?" Darui didn't have the answer for that. Banrai surrendering was like water lighting a candle. It just didn't happen.
"Something is not right," Darui concluded, but kept it to himself. "I need to talk to him later." Just then the newest fight was about to begin. This time the combatants were Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka.
XXX
Standing alone in the darkness, Itachi stared off into the distance. Thoughts raced through his head. Images of his mom, his brother, and everyone else he left behind weighed heavy on him. Closing his eyes, Itachi allowed his mind to wander, but quickly awoke at the sound of approaching footsteps. Activating his Sharingan, he turned to face the newcomer. As a lone figure appeared, Itachi's eyes darkened. Kisame stood in front of him wearing that predatory grin. "Now is that anyway to greet your partner," Kisame stated, "Besides I'm bringing you our orders."
"And what are they," Itachi's eyes softened, but not by much.
"Our leader as located the Gobi's Jinchuriki," Kisame's grin said it all. They were assigned for its capture. As Itachi stood, he suddenly felt pressure on his right shoulder. Looking at it, he found Kisame's blade resting on it. "He also said anymore screw ups like on the bridge and he will personally deal with you." Itachi stood silently for a just a second before placing one hand on Samehada. With a simple push, Itachi removed the blade from his shoulder. "I hope you understand, partner." Itachi didn't bother answering; he just turned and walked away with his partner trailing behind him.
XXX
The fights ended quickly after Naruto's brawl with Banrai. Sakura and Ino's confrontation ended in a double knock out. After that it was Zaku against Shino. It ended after Zaku's arms exploded resulting in Shino's victory. Temari ended up winning after making Tenten fall on her fan, bending her back in a very wrong angle. The only other two fights that remotely lasted long were Shikamaru vs Kin and Dosu vs Choji. The results were in Shikamaru and Dosu claiming victory. Now they were watching Kankuro's battle with Misumi. As the battle commenced it looked like Misumi was about to claim victory.
"Give up or I'll snap your neck," Misumi's cold voice whispered into Kankuro's ear. Kakuro was surprised by Misumi's ability to dislocate his bones. At that point, by using chakra, Misumi was able to control his limbs. The result of this was Kankuro trapped underneath a mass of human limbs. Misumi tightened his grip as he saw Kankuro smile.
"You think you can kill me," Kankuro managed to turn his head enough to look Misumi in the eyes. "Please it'll take you years to reach my level." Fury raced into Misumi's eyes as he jerked his hands back. The sound of snapping bones filled the area. Looking towards the other Suna shinobi, Naruto saw that they had no concern on their faces. In fact, excluding Gaara, each had a small smile. That was when a small scream echoed off the walls. Naruto turned his head back to the fight and saw that Kankuro had turned his head in a complete one eighty, but that was when his skin began to peel off. Before Misumi could react, 'Kankuro's arms multiplied and wrapped around Misumi. Suddenly the wrapped figure, that Kankuro dropped when he got tied up, began to move. As a hand erupted out of the bandages, Naruto knew who was about to be reveled. Kankuro's smiling face came out of the bandages, with chakra strings tied to his puppet. "I warned you. Now let's see if your bones can still break." As Kankuro's fingers curled into a fist, the puppet tightened its hold. The sound of breaking bones reverberated around the area as Misumi screamed.
"I give," Misumi exclaimed to the heavens, but Kankuro didn't release his grip right away. Instead, he quickly made a fist successfully breaking every bone in Misumi's body, except for the neck. The puppet released it now broken prey.
"You'll live, but you won't be moving for a long time," Kankuro almost joyously announced. Everyone found that scene disturbing, even Naruto found it an unneeded demonstration. Clearing his throat, Genma looked at the screen and got ready to announce the next fighters. As the names cycled through, Naruto's eyes narrowed as the names appeared.
"Makaze Ningai (Outcast) vs. Haku Yuki," Genma yelled out. As Haku made her way down to the floor, Makaze stood unmoving. Confused, Naruto watched as Makaze looked around. "Makaze Ningai, please come down to the floor or face disqualification." Makaze still didn't move it was almost as if he didn't even know what was going on anymore.
Makaze finally made the first sign of life as he turned his eyes to the proctor. "I'm sorry," Makaze's eyes seemed have lost what little life they had. "But I quit." Nothing, but silence greeted the balcony as Makaze's words echoed off the walls.
Well, here you all go. I hope you all enjoy. Until next time.