I don't own Naruto. Just thought y'all should know.

Chapter 7: Preliminaries

"Alright, the first match will be Uchiha Sasuke versus Akado Yoroi," the proctor announced. The Uchiha prodigy remained on the floor with a taller Genin whose face was covered by sunglasses and a cloth over his mouth and nose. Team Seven didn't bother watching Sasuke's match. After all, they didn't care if he became a Chuunin or not. They did pay attention when Sasuke performed his Shishi Rendan.

"Winner, Uchiha Sasuke." The dark eyes Genin sent a glare up to Naruto, as if daring him to do better. Asuma takes Sasuke away to nullify the curse seal.

"Next match up, Aburame Shino versus Abumi Zaku." The bug user and the second boy from the Oto team went down to the floor. Team Seven was too angry to really pay attention. All they noticed was that Zaku lost.

"Winner, Aburame Shino."

"Next, Tsurugi Misumi versus Sabaku no Kankuro." Misumi dislocated his joints and constricted "Kankuro." However, it was revealed that "Kankuro" was a puppet, as the real one emerged from the bandages. Misumi was quickly defeated by the puppeteer.

"Winner, Sabaku no Kankuro." Naruto, Shikamaru and Ino didn't care about that matchup.

"Next is Haruno Sakura versus Yamanaka Ino." Ino grinned and flipped down to the floor. Sakura hesitantly walked down the stairs.

"I've been waiting for this day," Ino hissed. The blonde girl didn't like the pinkette. Sakura looked slightly hesitant.

"Oh, do forfeit," Ino taunted, "Then you wouldn't waste my time!" Sakura became angry at Ino's words.

"I'm going to beat you!" Sakura shrieked. Ino grinned sadistically. The proctor called start. Ino immediately blurred toward Sakura. The pinkette couldn't keep up with Ino's movements. Sakura threw kunai and shuriken at the blur of purple and blonde.

"You won't beat me that way!" Ino taunted. Sakura became angrier. Suddenly, Ino appeared in front of Sakura and punched her in the stomach. The pinkette folded like paper and collapsed to the ground. Sakura started retching. Ino sneered in disgust.

"You're no kunoichi," Ino spat, "You're a little girl who's in over her head." With that, Ino launched Sakura up with a kick and leapt up after her. The blonde girl flipped and kicked Sakura's torso. The pinkette hit the ground with a large amount of force. The proctor called the match.

"Winner, Yamanaka Ino." Ino flipped her hair and leapt up to the balcony.

"Great job Ino!" Naruto called. The girl grinned.

"My pleasure Naruto," she said, "I've been waiting to do that for ages."

"Next up, Tenten versus Temari." The insane Genin didn't bother to pay attention to the match, as they didn't care about either of the participants. Temari defeated Tenten without so much as a scratch.

"Winner, Sabaku no Temari."

"Next, Nara Shikamaru and Tsuchi Kin." Shikamaru leapt down to the floor, followed by the sole Oto girl. Shikamaru smirked at the Oto girl. He started off by throwing senbon at the brunette girl. The girl returned the volley, but had attached bells to some of them. She didn't notice Shikamaru weave a few hand signs.

"Yaton: Akumu," Shikamaru declared quietly. Suddenly, Kin's eyes widened and she left out a piercing scream. Shikamaru didn't know what she was seeing, but he didn't care. He blurred toward her with a kunai in hand and multiple deep cuts on her arms and torso. The proctor looked like he wanted to call the match, but a glare from Shikamaru stayed his hand.

"You're one of Orochimaru's little pet assassins," Shikamaru growled, "Now you pay the price." He slit the girl's throat. Everyone else paled at what the brunette boy had done.

"Winner, Nara Shikamaru," the proctor stuttered. Shikamaru made his way up to the balcony, ignoring the stares.

"Next, Inuzuka Kiba versus Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto grinned savagely at Kiba. The two Genin made their way to the floor. The proctor called start. Naruto blurred toward Kiba and smacked him around.

"Our skill levels are so far apart that I could destroy you in one move," Naruto stated, "But I don't want the lecture." Naruto punched Kiba in the face. The dog-nin flew through the air and slammed into the wall. He slid to the floor, unconscious.

"Winner, Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto grinned as he made his way to the balcony.

"Great job team," Kakashi complimented, "You all made it to the finals." They just nodded.

"Next, Hyuuga Hinata versus Hyuuga Neji." The two Hyuugas made their way to the floor. They didn't pay attention to the match, and it was over quickly anyways.

"Winner, Hyuuga Neji." The male Hyuuga made his way up to the balcony as Hinata was wheeled out of the arena.

"Next, Rock Lee versus Sabaku no Gaara." The redhead from Suna and a kid with a bowl cut in a green jumpsuit. At first, Lee was almost unseen by the naked eye. After a short time, the insane Genin stopped paying attention. Unless there was blood and torture, they tended to lose interest quickly. They did notice when Gaara crushed Lee's arm and leg. The proctor called the match.

"Winner, Sabaku no Gaara." Lee was wheeled out as Gaara returned to stand by his siblings, who took a step back.

"Next, Akimichi Choji versus Kinuta Dosu." They idly watched as the Akimichi inflated himself, only to be punched by Dosu. He became wobbly and disoriented. The proctor called the match.

"Winner, Kinuta Dosu." The insane Genin seethed at the Oto boy. The boy felt their glares and turned to look at them. Dosu was unsettled by the glaring Genin.

"Alright, that will be all for now. You will have one month to train before the finals. Good luck to all of you," the Hokage said. The Genin were dismissed. Naruto, Ino and Shikamaru went over to Ino's house. Her parents were out.

"To making the finals and killing Orochimaru's minions!" they cheered.

That's a wrap! Please review!