(Welcome back.)
One night after having dinner with Ino at Ichiraku, Naruto returned home to the mansion finding his Foot ninja troops patrolling the halls, while Hun was by the stairwell leading up, "Welcome home master, how was your night?"
"Very good Hun, feel free to rest up for the night. You've earned it." Naruto said walking up the stairs.
"Arigato, Master." Hun replied.
Naruto made it upstairs and met his mom standing outside her room, "Mom?"
"Tomorrow's the day Naruto, how do you feel?" Kushina asked.
"A part of me is eager to await the finals tomorrow, yet I have a gut feeling tomorrow may bring chaos as well." Naruto answered truthfully.
"Well you go and rest up, you've got a big day tomorrow." Kushina said standing aside for him to go to his chamber.
"Goodnight mother." Naruto said giving her a hug before heading to his room.
Naruto entered his room, got changed, and plopped into his bed, "Tomorrows finally the day." Naruto said to himself but Kyubi decided to reply thinking he was talking to him.
"And you shall be fighting that Hyuga boy Neji."
"Neji is still the least of my worries. I'm more concerned about what Orochimaru is planning," Naruto replied, "I don't know what's going to happen, but we have to be prepared otherwise the village is going to be in for a collision of chaos."
"I know what you mean. I've been feeling it ever since we met him. Plus Gaara, it's no question he'll be willing to use Shukaku's power to the extreme, if Sasuke dies…"
"Don't even mention it," Naruto protested, "He may be an avenger but he's still my comrade." Naruto said as he laid his head back.
Soon he fell asleep, and slept the night away knowing tomorrow was another chance to prove to the village who he really is and not what they say he is. When morning came, Kushina woke up and came downstairs to see a bowel of ramen had been eaten and washed out. She smiled knowing that Naruto had woken up early and eaten, "That boy, he's too much like me." She giggled.
Naruto walked along the streets of Konoha, dressed in his Shredder armor with the sword of Tengu on his back. Accompanying him was Hun and eight foot soldiers. When they came by a corner Ino was there in her own Shredder armor with her sword hilted on her waist, "Ohayo, Ino." Naruto greeted her.
"Ohayo, Naruto-kun." Ino replied.
"Are you ready for this?" Naruto asked.
Ino approached Naruto and stood at his side, "I was born ready. Let's go." Ino replied as the two walked on followed by Hun and the Foot soldiers.
Throughout the village, tourists and Daimyo's from across the Land of Fire and other lands came to watch the Chunin finals. The entire stadium was full, with no empty seat at all, luckily Kushina managed to grab a seat across from Izumo and Kotetsu who were some of the Chunin judges. Up in the stands were Sarutobi and the arrival of the Yondaime Kazekage.
While amongst the competitors, Shikamaru and Shino noticed that Naruto and Ino weren't there yet, not even Dosu was anywhere to be found. Neji being the pompous jerk he is gave off a smug thinking Naruto wouldn't show because he was too weak. The new proctor who had a toothpick sticking out of his mouth looked among the challengers, "So far three haven't shown up, but rules are rules I have to start explaining now."
Before the Proctor could begin, they heard footsteps approaching from the entrance to the stadium. The genin and everyone in the stadium looked into the tunnel entry and saw two pairs of red eyes in the darkness, and coming into the light was who they knew was Naruto in his Shredder armor, someone else wearing a less muscular Shredder armor, Hun, and the eight Foot ninja.
The two Shredder's take a position in front of the new proctor, "And you two are?" he asked.
"I am Naruto Uzumaki; the one true Shredder!" Naruto declared.
"And I am Ino Yamanaka; the Lady Shredder." Ino declared as well.
The tourists and Daimyo's were in shock knowing all about the legendary Oroku Saki, but were surprised to see that someone else has become the new Shredder, along with a Lady Shredder accompanying him. Up in the stands Kushina smiled knowing her boy is more than ready, while Ino's parents smiled eager to watch their daughter's match. Up above watching them Zabuza and Haku smiled eager to enjoy some good matches.
"Hun." Naruto addressed.
"Yes Master?" Hun asked.
"Take the Foot ninja and guard around the arena until further notice." Naruto ordered.
"As you wish, Master Shredder." Hun answered as he motiond to the Foot Ninja who jumped from their positions and appeared in several areas of the arena's stands on guard duty. Hun bows his head to Naruto as he leaves the arena to get to the stands.
The proctor sighed in relief that at least two of the three missing ones has arrived, "All right listen up. I am the Genma Shiranui; proctor for stage three of the Chunin Exams," He began, "Before we begin I must show you all there has been an alteration in the final match ups." He said pulling out another tournament graph that had a small alteration. They looked seeing Dosu was dropped from the graph meaning Ino would end up fighting whoever won in the match between Temari and Shikamaru
Naruto was shocked to see that Dosu was dropped from the match, 'One of Orochimaru's own ninja dropped out, what's this all about?' he thought.
'I may have to fight wither Shikamaru or Temari?' Ino thought in confusion.
'So I may have to fight another girl? How troublesome.' Shikamaru complained.
Hun had met up with Kushina, "You nervous at all, Lady Kushina?" Hun asked.
"A little Hun. I'm worried about Naruto." Kushina admitted.
"You must have faith in your son, just as I believe in the Master." Hun replied and Kushina nodded knowing he was right.
Back down in the stadium, Genma continued, "Now listen up the contestants for the first match must remain down here, the rest of you are to wait above until your names are called. During the matches you are free to use whatever weapons you have, you can fight until you're opponent is defeated or forfeits the match. However I am allowed to step in and call the match as it sees fit if the match itself gets out of hand. And should any contestant fail to show up when they're called will be disqualified."
Naruto sighed as Ino gasped realizing that if Sasuke doesn't arrive by the time Naruto's match was over then he'd be eliminated automatically, "If all's said and done the contestants for match one stay here in the stadium." Genma instructed.
So all the other contestants, minus Naruto and Neji left for the balcony. Naruto and Neji stood on opposite ends as Genma stood between them, "The first match of the Chunin Exam Finals Naruto Uzumaki; The Shredder vs Neji Hyuga." He announced which got the crowds roaring with excitement.
"Is there anything you like to say before we begin?" Neji asked with distaste.
"Only this," Naruto began as he raised his spiked gauntlet and pointed it at Neji while his right hand grabbed the hilt of the sword of Tengu ready to draw it when ready, "Your doom will be at my hand!" he declared. Neji showed no emotion to Naruto's statement but rather frowned.
"If you're both ready you may begin!" Genma called thus initiating the beginning of the Finals.
(And that's the Finals beginning.)