I do not own Naruto in anyway shape or form.
talking: Ya' know
thinking: Ya' know
jutsu: Flying Raijin Jutsu!
Tailed Beast talking/slight possession: Damn you 4th Hokage
Tailed Beast thinking: Damn you 4th Hokage
Chapter 12: Preliminary Perils
7 squads were gathered in a room with a balcony down the length of the room, and two large hands forming the 'Ram' hand sign. The Jounin sensei's of all the squads as well as the Hokage, were standing on a small elevated platform in front of them. The 3rd Hokage began explaining the reasons for the Chunnin Exams, and how they came to be. How they are a substitute for war between allied nations. Before the 3rd could tell them about the 3rd and final test, Hayate Gekko appeared and asked to explain in his place. Once he was given permission, Hayate turned and explained to all the Genin that a preleminary round must be taken. Before beginning the preliminaries, Hayate asked if anyone wanted to quit now. Only one person decided to quit. Kabuto Yakushi quit, claiming to be to tired and injured to continue.
6 matches have been completed, and the participants for the 7th would be chosen soon. Sasuke was in the 1st match against Kabuto's teammate, Yoroi Akado. Despite having his chakra absorded, Sasuke came out on top with his 'Lion's Barrage'. Since Sasuke's curse-mark was sealed on te 3rd day of the 2nd test, he was permitted to watch the rest of the exams. And the 'Five Pronged Seal!' was taken off of Naruto, so his chakra returned to normal.
The 2nd match was between Shino Aburame and the Sound ninja Zaku Abumi. Shino made short work of him, by plugging his insects into Zaku's wind tunnels. The result being Zaku blowing his arms off.
Match 3, was Kankuro of the Sand against another of Kabuto's teammates Misumi Tsurugi. It looked like Misumi had the match one, wrapping himself around Kankuro. Unfortunately, Kankuro was hidden in the giant wrap. Kankuro made his puppet mimic Misumi's attack, wrapping itself around Misumi. Misumi gave up, not wanting to ave all his bones broken.
Match 4, Sakura vs Ino. The match ended in a draw, resulting in neither advancing to the finals.
Match 5, Tenten vs Temari of the Sand. Both were long range fighters. Tenten was a weapons specialist, but none of her attacks could penetrate Temari's 'Wind Style' jutsus. Temari added insult to injury to Tenten. Already having the match, Temari had Tenten land on the top of her giant fan wih he back. After a few insults toward Lee and his sensei from Temari and Gaara, as well as a warning of Lee's abilities from Guy the preliminaries continued.
6th match, Shikamaru vs the Sound Kin Tsuchi. Despite being under Kin's Bell Genjutsu, Shikamaru connecte his shadow to Kin's. Shikamaru's 'Shadow-Possession Jutsu!' cause Kin's Genjutsu to release. Shikamaru then had Kin knock herself out, by hitting her head against the wall behind her.
Everyone looked at the screen as it went through the names of the remaining participants. 'Naruto Uzumaki vs Kiba Inuzuka'. "Alright, it's finally my turn!" Naruto yelled.
"Wahoo! Looks like we hit the lottery, eh Akamaru?!" Yelled Kiba, beliecing that this would be an easy victory. "And this is my chance to show Hinata, that I'm the better than that loser!"
Down on the floor, stood Kiba with his faceing his teammates and Naruto in the opposite direction. Excited that he'd be able to show what he's made of, Naruto decided to taunt Kiba. "Heh, this is gonna be easy! You might as well give up now, Kiba!"
A vein buldged on Kiba's forehead, when he replied. "That's what I was going to say, only not so nicely!" The comment cause some of the spectators to sweatdrop, hearing such a lame comeback.
"Kiba's got this won. Sorry Kakashi, but Naruto doesn't stand a chance." Said Kurenai, with complete confidence in Kiba. "Sorry Hinata, but all I said was the truth."
*Sigh* "Your're wrong, Kurenai sensei. Naruto has got this won. But is he going to use that jutsu?" Thought Hinata. She decided not to cheer, in order to keep their relationship a secret.
"It's nice to have confidence in your student, but I'm afraid you're wrong. Naruto won't go down easy, if at all." Said Kakashi, knowing he was right. "But will Naruto use that jutsu, in front of everyone?"
"You seem pretty confident about that, Kakashi. Are you sure Naruto can back up your claim, my rival?" Asked Guy. Like everyone else he was curious, why he was so confident in Naruto.
"No doubt. Just watch for youself." Kakashi replied. With that everyone looked back down towards the combatants.
*Cough_cough* "Ready?" Hayate asked. Recieving nods, he began the match. "Begin!"
Kiba charged in on his own, earlier stating that he'd only need one blow to finish things. Although Naruto saw the attack coming with ease, took the blow anyway to gauge out Kiba's strength.
"HA! Told you, I'd end this in one blow." Kiba laughed.
"Hehe...hehehehahahahahahahaha. You call that an attack Kiba?! Man you're weak!" Naruto laughed, getting back up as if nothing happened. (Keep in mind, Naruto had a couple days rest. And doesn't have that damn seal on him, since Sakura told Kakashi about what happened when Naruto collapsed.)
"What did you say, twerp?! C'mon Akamaru!" Kiba yelled, recieving a *bark* in response. Once Naruto was standing up, Kiba threw a smoke bomb to keep Naruto from seeing any on coming attacks. Deciding to leave the smoke, Naruto ran outside. Only to get knocked back into the smoke by Akamaru, along with a loud *bark*.
Once the smoke cleared, Akamaru was seen next to an unconsious Naruto. "Good boy, Akamaru! Come here." As commanded Akamaru ran towards Kiba. But instead of jumping and licking Kiba, Akamaru bit him.
*Poof* "Hehehe, surprise!" Naruto yelled, his voice muffled due to Kiba's arm clenched between his teeth.
"He's an interesting one, it's not every day you see someone bite their opponent." Neji said, intrigued at what he saw.
"Of all the things he could've done, he bites him like a dog?! That idiot!" Said Sakura.
"Heh, no kidding." Sasuke said, adding in his 2 cents.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Thought the remainder of the participants, as well as the Jounin senseis.
Letting go of Kiba, Naruto returned the favor by jumping back and throwing kunai with a smoke bomb attatched at Kiba's feet. *Poof_poof* Another smoke bomb went off, right where Naruto's Shadow-clone was. When the Naruto closest to Kiba was in a mid-air backflip, Kiba exited the other side. Only difference is that he ended up *slam*ming against the wall behind him. His head hit just hard enough to knock him unconsious, before Naruto even landed. When all the smoke disappeared, all that could be seen was an unconsious Kiba, Naruto and his Shadow-clone standing with Akamaru's front legs in his hands.
Hayate went over to check on Kiba, to see if he could continue. "He's unconsious. The winner is, Naruto Uzumaki."
"Yahoo! Told you I'd win! Alright!" Naruto yelled, estatic over his victory. "Good thing I placed that seal on him when I bit him. Hee hee."
Up in the balcony, only a select few knew what really happened. "I should've known he'd hide that jutsu like that. He did the same thing in Wave. I gotta say, hiding a flashy jutsu like that in front of so many viewers is quite a feat. Haha." Thought Kakashi.
"H...how did he do that? Wait a second!" "Kakashi, you know how he did that. Don't you?" Asked Kurenai.
"Yes. But just because I know, doesn't mean I'll tell you. It's Naruto's choice who he tells, and who he doesn't." Kakashi answered.
"Is this the secret that Naruto told Hinata?" Looking towards Hinata, she noticed Hinata looking down with a smile. Kurenai took that as a 'yes', and she decided to talk to her about it later.
"There's no way that Naruto knows something that could take someone out like that so easily. But he did something. What was it?! And how'd he get his hands on something like that? Whatever it is, it's powerful. And I don't want to go against him if he has something that powerful." Thought Shikamaru.
On the other balcony, the Sand team were somewhat worried about facing Naruto. Or at least Temari and Kankuro were, Gaara seemed more excited than worried.
"What could've done something like that?! There's no way that's possible, right?!" Said Temari.
"No idea. And if I ever find out, I don't want it to be the hard way." Kankuro replied.
Naruto had gone back up to the balcony, and took his place with his teammates. "Good job, Naruto." Said Sakura.
"Thanks Sakura, you wanna..." Said Naruto, protecting his real relationship with Hinata.
"No!" Sakura yelled, turning down Naruto again.
"Not bad, loser. I could've done it better thought." Said Sasuke.
"Shut up, Sasuke!"
The electronic board starting randomizing the remaining names, catching everyone's attention. 'Hinata Hyuga vs Neji Hyuga'
Hinata was beaten and bruised, badly. She had some blood running from her mouth, and she was holding her torso from the damaged recieved. Neji had played mind games with her, in an attempt to have her forfeit the match. But Naruto's outburst gave Hinata the courage to fight. She gave it her all, but still could bearly touch him. Even then, Hinata continued to fight. She even said that her ninja way is to 'never go back on my word'. Impressing Naruto and the others.
At the moment, Hinata was on the ground. "Do you see now? It's pointless to keep fighting. You can't win." Neji taunted, knowing Hinata won't be getting back up.
"Hinata is unable to continue..." Hayate began.
"DON'T STOP THIS MATCH!" Yelled Naruto.
"Naruto, she's unconsious. Can't you see that?" Said Sakura.
"Oh yea, look." Naruto replied.
Everyone looked, and they couldn't believe what the saw. Including Neji. Hinata was on her feet, struggling to stay standing. She seemed to be clutching a kunai with a smoke bomb attatched in her hand for some reason, that no one but Naruto knew.
-Flashback-
It was the morning before the 2nd test. Naruto and Hinata were alone, near the Forest of Death. "Hey Hinata."
"Hey Naruto, how are you doing?"
"Good. And you?"
"I..I'm r..really nervous, about this test."
"Really? Then take this." Naruto handed her a kunai with a smoke bomb attatched. "The kunai has a seal on it that lets me use my secret jutsu. The seal will let me know when the kunai is in flight. So, I'll be able to help you out whenever you need it."
"Thank you, Naruto." Hinata took the kuni, and then gave Naruto a healing ointment before parting ways.
-Flashback End-
"Why do you continue to fight? From the time of your birth the responsibility of being the heiress has been forced upon you. You have always hated yourself for your own weakness, but people cannot change. That is destiny." Said Neji.
"That's not true. I can see that it's not just me suffering, but you as well. You're the one that's even more twisted up about the fate of the Main and Side Branches of the Hyuga Clan.
Enraged, Neji charged towards Hinata. Hinata dropped the kunai. *Poof_poof* Two smoke bombs went off. One from Hinata's kunai, the other where Naruto stood on the balcony. Neji didn't worry about the smoke, since he could see through it anyway. But what he didn't see was the foot that suddenly came from inside the smoke hitting him in the face at the last second. Neji flew in the opposite direction that he came, and landed on his back and continued rolling another few feet.
Hayate and the Leaf Jounin senseis(minus Asuma) attempted to stop Neji. They would've made it in time, but hey were beat to the punch...well kick. Once the smoke cleared, it was Naruto standing in front of Hinata glaring at Neji.
"How the hell did Naruto get down there before all the Jounin?!" Asked Ino, having difficulty believing Naruto's speed.
"He even beat the proctor, and he was the closest to stopping Neji then anyone!" Said Shikamaru. "Man, what a drag. I really don't want to fight him in the finals."
"But Shikamaru, you'd be able to catch him with your 'Shadow-Possession Jutsu! when he's still in the smoke right?" Asked Choji.
"No, not with that speed. I don't have enough knowledge to come up with a counter-strategie." Shikamaru replied.
Back in the arena, Naruto continued to glare at Neji. Neji had stood up, bleeding slightly from the left nostrol and lower lip. Neji was glaring back at Naruto, with is Byakugan active. Hinata had in the mean time, been taken away to the hospital "Why are you interferring with something that is none of your business, you failure?!"
"Who're you to play mind games with people?! The way you acted wa complete BULLSHIT! You're nothing but a coward that hides behind the lame excuse of 'destiny' and 'fate'! And as much as I want to kick your ass right now, I can wait until the finals. And you better pray that you don't face me! Because you'll recieve the beating of you LIFE!" With that Naruto went back to the balcony, only he stayed away from everyone else in order to calm down.
The last two matches were Rock Lee vs Gaara and Choji vs Dosu. Lee proved himself to be one of the most formidable participants in the Chunnin Exams, but he still couldn't get past Gaara's sand defenses. Gaara crushed the bones in Lee's left arm and leg, causing further injuries to the ones Lee already caused himself with the 'Inner Gates'.
Choji charged Dosu with his 'Human-Boulder Jutsu!', but didn't have the turning speed neccessary to hit Dosu. With just one attack from Dosu's 'Sound Amplifying Gauntlet', Choji was rendered unable to continue.
The advancing 9 Genin now stood before the Hokage and Jounin. With the 3rd Hokage telling them that in 1 month's time. The Genin then drew numbers from the box, that Anko Mitarashi brought to them. The drawings came as follows:
8: Dosu Kinuta
1: Naruto Uzumaki
4: Sasuke Uchiha
7: Temari
5: Kankuro
3: Gaara
9: Shikamaru Nara
6: Shino Aburame
2: Neji Hyuga
"Alright. Ibiki, reveal the table." Ordered the 3rd Hokage. Ibiki turned the clipboard around, for all the Genin to see who their opponent would be.
Match 1: Naruto Uzumaki vs Neji Hyuga
Match 2: Gaara vs Sasuke Uchiha
Match 3: Kankuro vs Shino Aburame
Match 4: Dosu Kinuta vs Shikamaru Nara
Match 5: Temari vs TBD
The Genin were then dismissed, until the final rounds.
I know it was a little short. But hey, I wanted a quick update for all you guys. Anyway please review, thank you.
