Chapter 05 Chunin exam's conclusion.
*Konoha Hospital: two days after preliminaries*
Kurenai stood outside of Zoro's hospital room. Hinata had been released the day before so she only had one student to worry about. She looked thru the window of the door and what she feared came to sight. Anko was still present. No matter how many times she apologized, Anko wouldn't accept it. It had gone as far as Anko going to the Hokage to get Zoro transferred. The boy was stronger than most, everyone knew that, but Anko was being over protective of him. Kurenai took a deep breath and opened the door.
"You…." Anko snarled.
"Anko, I'm just here to see my student. I'm not here to fight you." Kurenai said.
Anko took a step forward only to be stopped by Zoro. "Anko, I need to speak with her." He said. Anko looked at the green haired swordsman and then stormed out of the room. Kurenai let out a sigh of relief.
"Zoro, I'm here to tell you your opponent for the third part of the exam." She said. Zoro looked at her intensely. "It's Gaara… But I need to tell you what he did to Rock Lee." She said. To her surprise a smirk formed on his face.
"Him huh? When is the fight?" He asked.
"In about a month, but let me tell you…" Kurenai tried to say but Zoro had walked past her and towards the door.
"In a month huh, I better start training then."
Kurenai bit her lip. She wanted to help the boy but she knew nothing about swordsmanship and Zoro showed no skills of being any type of proper ninja. What help could she be. She walked out of the room to chase after the boy only to be met by Anko once more.
"There's nothing more you can do for him now." She said. "But the same goes for me…"
"Anko, I just want you to know I wouldn't put Zoro in harm's way on purpose." Kurenai said.
"I know… He's too stubborn for his own good." Anko said as she watched the boy walk down the hallway and out of the hospital.
"But I'm not taking the blame from you either. He could have died out there even if he doesn't want to admit it. You could have put a stop to that and that is something that I will forget any time soon." She finished as she walked away Kurenai after Zoro.
*Team Eight Training ground*
Zoro was alone. "Orochimaru…" He thought. He had heard stories of the rogue Sanin but never thought he would be pushed so far. As he thought of the snake ninja his back started to hurt. He rubbed the small of the back and the puncture wounds had been healed and where no longer present on his back. Even though it was to protect someone he cared for, a scar on the back is a swordsman greatest shame. He would deal with him one day, but now he had to look towards the immediate future. Gaara of the sand. The sand ninja let out a murderous vibe he hadn't felt since his fight with Das Bones. He would have to get his head in the game. He might have to use that skill against him. He looked over all of the equipment he would be using over the next month. He would be ready for Gaara, Orochimaru, and anyone else who stood in his way.
*Yamanaka Compound: A week and a half later.*
Ino tended to one of the many flower gardens on the grounds of her family's land. Her usual kept hair had dirt in it and her face was soiled from working in the garden yet she smiled as she watered he flowers in the nice Konoha weather. Ino truly enjoyed this.
"Ino." She heard her mother call from across the garden.
"Yes mother?" She answered.
"There is someone waiting for you outside the compound." She said.
"Who is it?" She asked.
"Why don't you come and see." Her mother said. Ino's mind wandered. Who could it had been. She had made up with Sakura after the preliminaries so it had to be her. Ino walked past her mother who had only a huge suspicious smile on her face.
"Mother, it's just Sakura you should have let her in." She said as she walked out of the gate.
"Yo Ino." A manly voice called.
Ino cringed. She turned to see Zoro standing there. "Z-z-z-zoro!" She screamed as she ran behind the door. "What are you doing here!"
"Kurenai made me take the day off from training. So I thought that I'd come to keep the promise we made at the tower." Zoro said.
Ino quickly remembered what the two had discussed at the tower in the middle of the forest of death. "Where's Naruto." She asked as she stared daggers at her mom who covered her mouth to keep from laughing.
"I don't know. I went to his apartment and he wasn't there. So it seems it will be just you and me….. you and me…. you and me…" Zoro said. Well he didn't say that last part three times but it seemed so to Ino.
She inwardly squealed. "Wait right there!" She said. "I'll be back in a flash!"
"Ok." Zoro said. Ino ran inside quickly cleaned herself up and made her way to the waiting swordsman.
As the two walked down the busy street she silently cursed. They've been walking down the street in total silence and it was beginning to eat at Ino. Naruto was the one who usually broke the silence. She would have to do it this time. Ino looked at the swordsman and he looked back at her. The words she thought she owned escaped her as her cheeks turned crimson as their eyes locked.
"Your hair." Zoro said. "You cut it."
Ino snapped back to reality. "Oh yeah, you weren't there for my fight." She said. "I cut it to use my technique on Sakura. It worked but we ended it with a tie." She said.
"I like it better that way…" Zoro said. Ino looked at the swordsman with a surprised look on her face.
*Flashback 30 min earlier*
Zoro and Anko had left Naruto's apartment. Ever since they couldn't find the fox whiskered boy Anko had been acting like a giddy school girl. "Soooooo Zoro. You still intent on keeping this promise with Ino?" She asked.
"Yeah, I promised. Since I can't train today might as well do it." He answered annoyed by the hyper active lady.
"Then it's a date!" Anko said. "Now Zoro you can't treat this like any other outing!" She said her eyes sparkling.
"Why not. This is just a meeting between friends." Zoro said.
Anko balled her fist and hit him in the head. "Stupid boy, don't you recognize that girl's feelings!" Anko said.
Zoro glared back at her like she was speaking a different language.
"How she is always trying to be alone with you and how she is kind of hostile towards Hinata?" Anko explained.
Zoro once again said nothing.
Anko let out a heavy sigh. "Stop." She said as she put her arm around the boy. "I'm gonna teach you something that you can and will use throughout your life. And if I find out that you didn't use my teachings today. I'll make sure you pay." Anko said in a voice that sent a chill down Zoro's back.
*End flashback*
"Thank you." Ino said voice still shaky from the surprise of the moment.
Zoro could feel her eyes on him. 'I feel like an idiot.' He thought.
Ino grabbed his arm and started to pull on it. "Come on Zoro I know the perfect place we can go!" She said.
The pair went all over Konoha catching up on lost time. While Ino was having the time of her life Zoro's mind wandered back to his training. He was training like he usually does but something just didn't feel right. He looked down at Ino she was speaking to him but no words left her mouth. This was the longest he purposely waited before a fight. His fights usually were meet and then fight to the death, the only thing that was like his other fights was that he knew little to nothing about this Gaara. He should be training right now. His gaze returned to the blonde haired girl who just smiled as she walked beside him. 'Maybe I could take it easy just for today.' Zoro thought as Ino grabbed him and began leading him around again.
*Later on: Top of the Hokage's Monument.*
'Maybe I can take it easy….' Zoro thought. Still he couldn't believe what he was doing. He felt so out of place. He was letting this girl get her way and lead him around by the nose. No girl since Kuina had done this to him.
'Kuina…' His mind wandered as he put his hand on the Wado Ichimonji. The last thing he had to remind him of her beside the promise.
"You've never told me the story behind your swords." Ino said bringing him back to the present. "You've said that there's history behind them. I want to know."
Zoro was hesitant to tell the blonde girl. This whole day had thrown him off of his game. He looked out towards the now setting sun.
"Come on." She pleaded.
Zoro took a deep breath. He picked up the Shusui "The Shusui was given to me by a great samurai after I defeated him on a huge ship called thriller bark. He told me that he was ok with me being its master and died." Zoro then picked up the Sandai Kitetsu, "I bought this one, the Sandai Kitetsu, at Loguetown. The owner wasn't going to sell it to me at first because it's cursed." He finally came to the white hilt of the Wado. "Wado Ichimonji… This was given to me by a rival before she died… On this I swore to become the greatest swordsman ever…"
Ino stared at the swordsman as he told her about each of the swords. The sun put him in an alluring light. She could feel his resolve. She had just seen a side of him she had never seen before. She inched closer to the swordsman. 'Maybe I can steal one kiss…' She thought.
But all of a sudden Zoro's head snapped up and he quickly put himself in front of her.
"What a touching story." A sarcastic voice called out. And out of the tree line walked Uchiha Sasuke.
"Sasuke…" Zoro muttered.
"You're the last person I'd expect not to be training right now. Or is it you think you are already powerful enough to wipe the floor with everyone remaining in the chunin exam." Sasuke said.
"Zoro lets just go." Ino said as she began to pull on the swordsman arm. But he didn't budge.
"Zoro, I have an odd feeling if you wasn't here I'd be fighting Gaara and not stuck with that stupid puppeteer." Sasuke said. "But no matter, after I wipe the floor with him, it'll be me vs. you or Gaara. I'm personally hoping that you get the same treatment as he did to Lee."
Zoro's face contorted into one of silent anger. Ino had told him about what went down after he was taken away. Naruto's fight, Hinata's unnecessary injuries given to her by her own cousin, and Gaara's overwhelming power against Rock Lee and the injuries he had received.
"Ino step back." Zoro said.
"Ha did I anger you." Sasuke said the Sharingan activating. "We can start where we left off." Sasuke took a real familiar stance.
"That is…" Zoro said, but before he could say anything Sasuke disappeared from his sight. Sasuke connected with a kick to the side of Zoro's head sending him sliding across the ground. Zoro quickly got back to his feet. He drew the Wado and Sandai and rushed the Uchiha. Sasuke dodged every one of his attacks with a speed he didn't know Sasuke had. After one of Zoro's slashes Sasuke slipped past his defense. 'I'll finish this with the Shishi Rendan!' Sasuke thought. As Sasuke went for the kick Zoro blocked the blow with the Sandai.
"If you're gonna steal someone's moves, make sure it's not from someone I've trained with!" Zoro yelled. And with the blunt side of the Wado, he struck Sasuke across the chest sending him barreling into a nearby tree. Sasuke grabbed his chest in obvious pain. He felt no blood but what was that! He looked at the swordsman take a stance no look of worry on his face. He was going against the Sharingan. The bloodline limit that struck fear throughout the ninja world. With a yell the two rushed each other again. Sasuke seemed to be getting hit by more and more blows from the swordsman. Kakashi had told him that the power of the Sharingan combined with Lee's speed and technique he'd be unstoppable! Sasuke jumped back and summoned a Fuuma Shiruken and threw it at Zoro who easily deflected it.
"Come on Sasuke. Where's all of that confidence you had." Zoro said.
Sasuke could feel his rage building. The cursed seal started to stir on his back. He had to shut this guy up. He brought his hand down and lightning started to form around it. Zoro looked on.
'A final attack.' Zoro thought.
Sasuke rushed towards Zoro. "Chidori!" he yelled as he rushed towards Zoro.
Zoro put both of his swords forward "Nigiri Hirameki!" Zoro yelled sending the air projectile towards Sasuke. Sasuke's eyes widen and he redirected himself out of the path of the attack and past Zoro. Zoro looked on surprised. With Sasuke's speed and the speed of the attack he shouldn't had been able to anticipate an attack of that manner. Sasuke came to a stop a few yards away from Zoro.
"You won't get an attack of that manner past the Sharingan." He said pointing to his eyes. The two boys prepared to go at it again.
"Stop it!" Ino called out as she put herself in front of Zoro placing her hands on top of his. "Why are you two even fighting like this? Zoro, Sasuke. I know you too aren't friends but you are both Konoha ninjas. You both heard the Hokage! This is how we show the other villages our strength! If they see us fighting like this…"
"Shut up! This is between me and him" Sasuke said as he pointed towards Zoro. "I hate him! Almost as much as I hate another. As long as he is here I won't be ready to face my true target!"
"She's right Sasuke." Kakashi said as he appeared by the Uchiha's side.
"Kakashi… thank goodness." Ino said as she let a sigh of relief out as Zoro sheathed his swords. Kakashi looked at Sasuke's back and he could see evidence that the seal had started to spread.
"Come on Sasuke. Your training is nowhere near finished. You two should leave too before more people come to investigate."
"Zoro!" Sasuke called as Ino and Zoro walked away. "You'd better not lose to Gaara. I'm the only one allowed to defeat you!"
*Near Yamanaka Compound.*
Ino and Zoro had walked back in complete silence. She had tried to get Zoro to calm down but the swordsman remained quiet. Zoro's mind flared as he thought about the ability that Sasuke had just shown him. This Sharingan could pose a problem to him. Ino looked at Zoro. She could see that his mind was now purely focused on his little fight with Sasuke. The whole day was ruined by the fight. Ino couldn't even believe she actually like the Uchiha at one point.
"Well here we are…" Ino said.
Zoro looked up and sure enough he was in front of the huge gates that lead to her compound. "Ino… I'm sorry that it ended like that…" Zoro said.
She shook her head. "It's alright. I've know you long enough to expect stuff like that." She said with a smile.
"Look. I'll make it up to you. After the exam we'll hang out again." Zoro said. "Just you and me."
"I'm gonna hold you to that." Ino said.
"Well later." Zoro said as he started his way back.
"Zoro." Ino called out.
"What."
"Gai, if you're so worried about the Sharingan talk to Gai. He's Kakashi's rival, he'll know how to counter it."
"That busy body huh." Zoro said. "Thanks." He said as he started his trek home.
*Next Day*
Clouds shrouded the morning sky as Gai went on with his morning routine. Not as upbeat as he usually was, Neji took Tenten and told him that he didn't need him for his training, and Lee was….
"Hey Gai." A voice called to him breaking him from his stupor. He looked up to see Zoro.
"Ah Zoro, how are you doing this morning?" Gai answered.
Zoro noted the lack of his usual demeanor. "Ok." Zoro answered. The older ninja nodded and continued on. "Wait, Gai I have a question." Zoro said.
Gai looked at him quizzically.
"What's your secret? How do you combat the Sharingan?" Zoro stated.
Gai was caught off guard a little by the question. He looked at the amount of determination in his eyes. 'He must have faced off against Sasuke…' Gai thought. "Ah you came to me because I'm the eternal rival of Kakashi." He said while hitting his chest and a little bit of his usual attitude coming out.
Zoro nodded.
'No hesitation.' Gai thought. "I still have a student in this exam. Why would I show you anything? Maybe I think Neji would have an easier time against Sasuke than you."
"So you won't train me because you think if I make it past Gaara and Sasuke, I'll defeat Neji? It's true, I'll make him pay for what he did to Hinata, but this isn't about that."
"Oh you're worried about Sasuke's Sharingan? That's so unlike you." Gai said.
Zoro grimaced. It was true. He had never been worried about an opponent's technique before. But something that could read and steal techniques just didn't sit well with him.
"So is this a no." Zoro said.
"Sorry." Gai said as he walked away.
"Tch." Zoro replied. "Looks like I'll just go about it the usual way."
*Konoha Hospital Lee's room*
"Really? Zoro ask you for help?" Lee asked.
"Yeah, I turned him down though." Lee propped himself up in his bed.
"The Sharingan even has a warrior like Zoro worried. I guess fate just doesn't help hard workers like us." Lee said as he put his good hand on his bad leg.
Gai went into a little panic. "It's not like that Lee. I-I-I just don't want to stack the cards against Neji." He said trying to brighten the spirits of the young boy.
The room grew uncomfortably quiet. "I understand how Zoro feels. The feeling of having something you trained so hard to do stolen and possibly used against you is unnerving."
Lee finally said breaking the silence. "I think you should show him instead of just sitting here with me."
Gai looked at his student. The usual fire in his eyes was gone. 'Is he just trying to get rid of me…?' Gai thought. "You really think I should Lee?"
Lee only nodded before lying back down. Gai mentally kicked himself. He didn't think Lee would take it like this. He had to show Lee that with hard work anyone could defeat a genius. He would train Zoro but on his terms.
*Team Eight Training grounds.*
Sweat dripped from Zoro's brow as he finished doing his warm up exercises. He started to walk towards his swords when a swirl of leaves appeared in front of him.
"Yo! Zoro!" Gai said as the leaves subsided.
"Gai? What are you doing here?" Zoro asked.
"Here to show you how to counter the Sharingan." Gai said. A slight grin formed on Zoro's face. "But under one condition." Gai added.
"What…?" Zoro asked.
"You must train with me for one week!" Gai yelled.
Zoro thought back to every time he saw Gai and Lee. His face dropped. "No way…. No way!" Zoro yelled crossing his arms in an X.
"That's the only way." Gai said.
Zoro grimaced. "Fine…" Zoro said.
"First put these on." He said unraveling a set of weights. Zoro took them from Gai and put them around his ankles. "Now put this on." Gai said as he pulled out a green jump suit.
"Not in 100 years." Zoro said.
"Alright…" Gai said disappointment clear in his voice. Zoro walked around a little.
"These things are light. What's the point behind them?" He said pointed to the weights.
"Ah hold on." Gai said. He kneeled down and did some hand signs then placed his hands on the weights. Random seals formed on them. "Now try to walk around." Gai said. Zoro lifted up his leg. He instantly felt the difference. He struggled to keep it up.
"Ha. These weights react to the chakra inside your body. They'll always put a great amount of resistance." Zoro moved around a little bit to get use to the feeling.
"What are these for?" He asked.
"For the next week you're going to train like Lee and me. We both wear them." Gai said lifting up his ankle warmers showing the same weights. "Also this will help your speed." Gai said.
"Speed?" Zoro asked. "Why do I need to work on my speed for? I'm pretty confident in that area."
"You're fast for someone who is a pure swordsman." Gai said. "But if I'm going to show you my technique to defeat the Sharingan we need to get your base and reaction speed up."
Zoro looked at the green clad jounin. "So what's the plan?" Zoro said.
"Well it's time for warm-ups!" Gai yelled.
"That's ok I've alrea..."
"We're going to run 500 laps around the village! Let's go Zoro!" Gai said as he started to run.
"Gai wait…" Zoro tried to protest.
"You're falling behind Zoro! If you fall behind we'll have to do 500 more!" Gai said.
Zoro let out a sigh and started running to catch up with Gai.
For the following four days Gai treated Zoro like Lee and the pair trained intensely. Zoro could feel himself improving, but the only problem he had was that Gai forbade Zoro from using his swords. Then on the 5th day.
"Ok for the next three days we're going to work on my anti Sharingan technique." Gai said.
"Finally." Zoro replied. "So what's the secret?"
"You don't look at their faces." Gai said pointing to his.
"Huh…." Zoro said. "It can't be that easy."
"It's not in the heat of battle." Gai said. "You can learn a lot about you opponent by looking at their facial expressions, if he's hurt, afraid, confident, planned movements. A seasoned fighter knows this. But when fighting a Sharingan user one second of eye contact could spell death. I'm going to show you the basics on how to judge your opponents intentions and movements by looking elsewhere on their body."
"Heh Gai, don't underestimate me. I can already do that!"
"Ok then Zoro! Draw your sword! We are going to fight!"
Zoro drew the Wado and took a stance.
"And since you already know this technique there's going to be a penalty if you look me in the eyes." Gai said as he took his usual Strong Fist stance.
"Ok!" Zoro said as he rushed the Jounin careful not to look anywhere near his face. Gai expertly parried all of Zoro's slashes.
"KONOHA SENPU!" Gai yelled unleashing a flurry of kicks at Zoro. The swordsman blocked each of the kicks but the shear amount of power that Gai put into them pushed him back a couple of feet.
"Not bad Zoro! Let's see how long you can keep it up!" Gai yelled.
The two continued to traded blow after blow.
"Hmph not bad." Gai said. 'He hasn't even twitched wrong. If only he'd had gotten here a little earlier then maybe you'd been on my team.' Gai imagined himself, Lee, and Zoro all in their green tights doing their signature nice guy pose.
"Stop imagining weird stuff!" Zoro said as Gai had a big smile on his face. "If you won't snap out of it… Sanjuroku Pound Ho!"
The attack hit Gai square in the chest sending him crashing into a tree. "Heh nice attack! How did you know I was open?" Gai said as he picked himself up.
"Because you had that stupid grin …on …. your… face."
"Heh so you did look."
"Cause you were…."
"Zoro! Penalty time!"
*Streets of Konoha*
Anko walked down the street with multiple bags full of food and first aid items. Lately Zoro had been coming home battered and bruised demanding food.
"Who does he think he is ordering me around?" Anko yelled surprising a couple of villagers passing near her. She started to walk back to her apartment when she saw small crowd forming laughing at something.
"I'd never thought I would see a serious kid like him doing something like that." One villager said.
"I know! I wish I could capture this moment." Another one said in response.
Anko walked over and pushed through the crowd and what she saw made her drop her bags. Zoro walking on his hands while wearing that weird getup that Gai wears.
"Come on Zoro 40 more laps!" Gai yelled not too far ahead of the embarrassed swordsman.
"Yes Gai!" Zoro yelled face red as the sash around his waist. Zoro looked into the crowd and saw Anko with her hands over her mouth. 'No… anyone but her…' Zoro thought.
She walked over to Zoro and began to walk beside him.
"Not a word Anko…" Zoro spat.
"What makes you think I would say anything about… this?" Anko said with a big grin on her face. "Oh I know! I'll go find Hinata, Kiba, Naruto, and Ino! They'll want to see this!" Anko said running off.
"Hey wait a sec!" Zoro protested.
"Ah Zoro! You fell behind! 30 more laps added to the total!" Gai Yelled. Zoro's eyes burned with rage. "
Yes Gai!" He yelled as he started to plot what he would do to get back at the snake woman.
*Forest of Death 1 day before the exam*
Kurenai waded through the dense forest towards her wayward student. 'Zoro …' she thought at her mind trailed off. She was kind of hurt that he would go to another Jounin for assistance instead of her. She knew that Gai had the experience edge on her with fighting the Sharingan but that's beside the point. What was even worse, he disappeared after training with Gai. No one knew where he was. Even Anko came wondering if the green haired kid was staying with her. So she had confronted Gai about it earlier due to him being the last person to come in contact with him and it didn't help her relieve any of her fears… just increased them.
****FLASHBACK*****
"Ah Kurenai it's great to see you." A downtrodden Gai said as the two watched Lee's futile attempts to do some kind of training exercise. "So what brings you here?"
"I'm looking for Zoro. You where the last person he had come in contact with." Kurenai said.
"I haven't seen him since our week was up. He's a fast learner. He quickly grasped my anti Sharingan technique in two days." Gai said.
'Two days?' Kurenai thought. "Zoro had said it would take three. What did you do with the final day? You didn't show him your gates technique did you." She asked voice growing serious at the thought of Zoro strength and fighting style combined with that technique. It sent chills down her spine.
"No." Gai said. "He asked me to fight against him for real to test something out. Just in case he had to use it in the upcoming exam…." Gai said as his voice trailed off. "Kurenai that kid is something else. I'm glad that we found him first and not some other village like the mist or cloud."
Lee propped himself up on his crutches. He had never heard Gai talk like this.
"Gai-sensei what happened during your fight with Zoro?" He asked as Kurenai looked on wondering the same thing.
"We went out far from the village so that our fight wouldn't wind up in the middle of the village. And then she showed me this technique… I had to open the 2nd gate just to defeat him and barely did that." Gai said. Lee and Kurenai looked on in shock.
'He pushed Gai to open the gates?' Kurenai thought. Gai was one of the village's top ninjas and a Genin shouldn't be pushing someone of Gai's caliber to use a technique as dangerous as the gates.
****END FLASHBACK***
Kurenai jumped from tree to tree getting closer to Zoro's location. An unknown sinister signature started to radiate from Zoro's current location.
'Has Orochimaru sent someone to deal with Zoro!' She thought.
She sped up to reach the kid a soon as possible. As she raced through the treetops, she noticed that it was getting brighter and brighter. Then she reached a newly made clearing in the forest. Her mouth was wide open in amazement. Giant trees stood by the wayside chopped to pieces. There where craters in the ground from impacts and tell-tale slash marks scarring the earth around her. Her heart raced. What had happened here? Then in the distance she could see the silhouette of a six armed man that appeared to be wielding nine swords. She raced across the field, kunai drawn as the figure fell to the ground and the sinister aura vanished to be replaced by Zoro's familiar signature. She slowed her charge as she reached her student side. He was breathing heavily as he laid on the ground.
Zoro looked at Kurenai "Hey Kurenai." He said nonchalantly.
"Don't hey me!" She said as she stood over the swordsman. "So this is where you've been." She said as she noticed the signs of a camp nearby.
"Yeah. Wanted to do a little hard training in before the exam." He said as he stood up.
She hit him on the head. "It's tomorrow and you're all worn out."
"I'll be fine." Zoro said as he started to walk away.
Kurenai bit her lip. She wanted to ask about that skill that Zoro was just using. It had to be the one Gai was talking about, but this wasn't the time. She had to get Zoro home so he could get some rest before tomorrow. It would have to wait for a later time.
"Come on Zoro you're going home."
Zoro looked back at her. The expression was more serious than usual. This might not be a good time to argue with her. "Fine." He replied.
****Chunin Exam: 3rd Exam*****
Seven participants for the final part of the Exam stood on the grounds of the stadium as the upper levels where filled with ninja's and people from various villages. Zoro looked to his left and there everyone was…. except Sasuke and that sound kid.
"Stop looking around and face the customers." The Proctor said. "In this main tournament, you guys are the stars."
Zoro looked around at all of the cheering people. This would be a first for him. A small smile formed on his face. He would give these people a show. Then from on top a balcony, the third Hokage walked towards the rails.
"I would like to thank everyone for coming to the Chunin selection exam!" He yelled. "We will now start the main tournament matches between the eight participants who made it through the preliminaries. Please stay and watch until the end!"
Zoro was eager to fight. He looked over at Gaara who looked back with the same hungry eyes yearning for battle.
"There's something I'd like to tell you before the matches." The proctor said. "Look at this." He said as he held up a piece of paper. "There have been some minor changes to the tournament. Check once again to see who you're fighting. Zoro looked it over and noticed that the sound kid was not on the list and that his fight with Gaara was last.
"Hey hey! If Sasuke isn't here yet, what are we gonna do?" Naruto asked.
"If he doesn't appear by the time of his match, he will forfeit." The Proctor said.
Kankuro's face lit up with a huge smile at the thought.
"Alright guys, this is the final test. The arena is different but the rules are the same as the prelims, there are none. You will fight until one of you dies or acknowledges defeat. But if I determine that the fight is over, I'll step in and stop it, you got that?" The Proctor asked.
No one responded.
"Now, the first fight, Uzumaki Naruto vs. Hyuga Neji. You two stay here. The rest of you go to the waiting room."
Zoro walked over to Naruto. "You better wipe the floor with this guy. I'd hate to have to clean up after you." He said.
Naruto grinned. "Ha this will be cake. You'd just better be ready for if we fight!" He responded.
Zoro smirked at the thought as he followed the others to the waiting room.
****Two matches later.****
Zoro looked down at Naruto who was in the arena with the defeated Shikamaru ranting and raving about Sasuke who had yet to appear yet. That lazy Shikamaru basically had his fight won and just quit. Zoro shook his head at the thought.
"Well it's my turn I should go and collect my win!" Kankuro said as he grabbed Karasu and walked down to the stadium.
Zoro eyed the stadium grounds as Kankuro made his way to the proctor.
"Hey just declare me the winner already. My opponent hasn't been seen today or is that orange idiot over there going to fight me instead." Naruto seethe in anger.
Zoro noticed a strange wind start to pick up. Then in a swirl of leaves Sasuke and Kakashi appeared. The crowd stared to murmur about the Uchiha prodigy. Zoro shook his head. Sasuke was talking to Naruto then his eyes shot up to Zoro. A look of confidence was all over the Uchiha's face. That kid was starting to get on his last nerve. Today, he would put him in his place.
Sasuke eyed Kankuro.
"Heh so you finally showed up." Kankuro said.
Sasuke just glared.
"Not as talkative as the last time we saw each other huh?" Kankuro taunted.
Sasuke remained silent.
"Begin!" The proctor yelled. Sasuke opened with a barrage of shurikens. Kankuro motioned Karasu and they all lodged into the puppet while the puppet charged forward. Sasuke deftly dodged every blow that the puppet had with moves obviously not his own. The puppet opened his mouth and shot several senbons at Sasuke. Sasuke weaved thru them past the puppet and towards Kankuro. The puppeteer instinctively pulled the puppet back and put him in a defensive position. Sasuke went to punch the makeshift shield when with a flick of Kankuro's wrist blades appeared from all four of Karasu's wrists.
'Heh one strike or this poison and I'll be the beginning of the end.' Kankuro thought. He watch Sasuke come closer and closer to the dangerous doll when he phased from his sight Kankuro eyes shifted to his right side to see Sasuke coming at him fist drawn back.
'Too fast!' Kankuro thought as the fist made impact onto Kankuro's jaw sending him sliding across the ground. Kankuro picked himself up and spit out some blood and a tooth or two. He sent Karasu back at the Uchiha who just skillfully duked and dodged all of the puppets movement then strike the master of the deadly doll.
"Heh you're not even worth my time." Sasuke said.
Kankuro stood beaten and bloody. He motioned his hands and blades shot out from all over Karasu and poison started to seep out from the doll. "Hah! You can dodge this all you want! The poison will still take effect on you from that distance." His puppet charged forward leaving a purple cloud in its wake.
"Then I won't let it get close to me then." Sasuke said with a smirk as he pulled out two kunai. "Nigiri Hirameki!" Sasuke yelled thrusting the two kunai forward. A dark bluish projectile flew forward and connected with Karasu utterly destroying the doll. Kankuro's eyes widen at the destruction of his main weapon. Then blue lightning ate away at the poison cloud that stood between Sasuke and Kankuro. Sasuke rushed forward. "
CHIDORI!" He yelled as he pressed the attack to Kankuro's chest sending him crashing into the wall of the arena unconscious on contact.
"Winner Uchiha Sasuke!" The Procter proclaimed. The crowd cheered in jubilation.
Ino, the remainder of team eight along team Gai looked over at Zoro. Sasuke had stolen one of his moves. Zoro eyes were locked on the Uchiha. The rage showed all over his stoic face. Sasuke looked at him and just smirked then continued to bathe in the glory of the win.
"Ino did you see that! That was Kakashi's Raikiri and a brand new move! Nigiri Hirameki…. Makes me a bit hungry." Sakura yelled as she continued to cheer.
"He stole Zoro's move!" Ino yelled.
"What?" Sakura said.
"So he took mine and Zoro's move that easy…" Lee said as he sank a little deeper into depression.
"I don't know what you guys are talking about. Sasuke would never take anything from that green haired freak." Sakura said.
Ino glared at her friend. "You'll see Sakura." Ino said. She turned back to the arena and awaited Zoro's appearance inside.
Zoro calmed himself down. He had to get past that beast Gaara first then he would deal with Sasuke. Zoro stood up and walked down to the hall that leads to the arena. He knew that he couldn't pull any punches here. He untied his leaf headband from his arm and placed it on his head. He would go all out from the get go and destroy this sand guy. He walked out and the crowd cheered. He walked over to the proctor. Soon he was joined by Gaara. Zoro pointed at Lee.
"Hey Lee! Let me show you what hard work will get you!" He yelled. Then he drew the Wado and put it into this mouth and drew the Sandai and Shusui.
The crowd murmured a bit, some laugh at the site of the Santoryu.
"Begin! The proctor yelled. Sand started to pour out of Gaara's gourd and rushed at Zoro. The swordsman quickly jumped back.
Gaara grabbed his head. "Don't get so angry mother." He said with a crazy look in his eyes.
"Huh?" Zoro asked.
"I fed you some nasty blood earlier. I'm sorry, but this time it will be delicious." Then with a grunt he bowed his head. "Come." he ordered eyes returning to their usual dead selves.
Zoro rushed at Gaara. He brought the Sandai in for a side slash only to have a hand spring out from the sand and catch the blade. Then the sand slowly turned into a clone of Gaara. Zoro quickly brought the Shusui down cutting the clone in half before it had a chance to do anything.
"Sanjuroku Pound Ho!" Zoro yelled unleashing the attack from the now free Sandai.
Even with the close proximity Gaara's sand reacted to block the attack. Much to the amazement to everyone in the stadium, especially Gaara, the attack ate thru the sand and Gaara barely had time to dodge the attack. Gaara wasted little time and sent numerous sand shurikens at Zoro who easily deflected them all and once again rushed towards Gaara. Gaara erected a sand wall to try and stop the charging swordsman. Zoro easily sliced through it. The sliced wall reformed into two large hands and tried to catch Zoro from behind. Zoro easily sidestepped the crashing sand hands and continued the rush. This time Gaara caused sand to rise from the ground as Zoro continued his approach. Zoro blocked the attack with the Sandai and Shusui and started to spin.
"Toro Nagashi!" Zoro said as he brought the Wado down across Gaara's chest. Gaara used his sand armor to catch the sword.
Zoro brought the Sandai and Shusui up. "Nanajuni Pound Ho!" With no time to react the attack hit Gaara dead on. Gaara slid back into the wall. Gaara's sand armor was heavily cracked.
He picked up his hand "Sabaku Kyuu!" He said.
The residual sand that Zoro had cut away encased him in a mound of sand.
"Hehahaha." Gaara cackled. "For you mother. Sabau…"
Before Gaara could finish a tornado burst out from the sand. When the winds died down only Zoro was left. Then in an instant he propelled himself towards Gaara.
'Too fast!' Gaara thought.
"Ushi Bari!" Zoro yelled as he hit Gaara in multiple spots causing Gaara to fall to one knee, his sand armor disintegrating altogether.
Zoro turned to Gaara, his face contorted in anger.
The crowd roared. Everyone wearing a sand insignia looked on surprised how the guy they feared couldn't even touch this leaf ninja. Gaara jumped back put his hands together. All of the sand that littered the arena floor started to reform around him into a sphere and a small eye formed above it. Taking no time to access the situation Zoro rushed the sphere of sand. The moment he took off a multitude of sand shurikens shot out from the sphere trying to get hinder the swordsman's progress. Zoro dodged a number of the projectiles, slicing a number of them, some of them getting through the swordsman defense and hitting him. Zoro drew back the Sandai and thrust it into the sand sphere. Much to his surprised the sand wrapped around the Sandai preventing it from getting any closer to the occupant and stopping his momentum in its tracks. Several spikes extended out towards the now stopped swordsman. Zoro was able to block a few with the Shusui but a number of them pierced his body. The swordsman pulled his trapped sword from the sphere and struck at it again. The sphere once again wrapped itself around the blade and counterattacked. Realized that this was getting him nowhere, Zoro created distance between him and the encased Gaara.
'This sphere... I guess this is his absolute defense.' Zoro thought. 'I'll cut this thing before Gaara has time to react…'
The audience was quiet in anticipation. The sphere remained silent and the green haired swordsman just stood there. Zoro sheathe his swords and bent his knees. He stared straight at his shielded opponent. Even shrouded by sand Gaara could feel the eyes of Zoro upon him. Zoro place one hand on the Wado and the other on the Shusui.
"Nitoryu Iai." Then to the regular people and non-elite fighters in attendance there was a bright flash followed by silence. Zoro remained knelt swords partially drawn. "Rashomon."
Sasuke was eyeing the fight. This was the first time he had a true chance to fully focus on Zoro's Santoryu style or Gaara's sand fighting style. The last he had other distractions. He rubbed his hand over where the curse mark was placed. He had to keep a watchful eye on this fight and Naruto was no help. All he had done was cheer as loudly as he could for Zoro. He couldn't let that dead last distract him. His next opponent would be one of these two. Even with his Sharingan activated it was hard to keep up with the swordsman's movement. The last technique he had just done.
"That technique… Rashomon…" He said as looked down at his rival with a sneer.
Naruto looked at Sasuke with a quizzical expression on his face.
"I couldn't see the strike at all!" Sasuke said. As if it waited for that moment, lines appeared across the sphere in an X shape, then the sphere broke into four pieces. The sand slowly started to lose it shape and fall around Gaara who was bent over with his hand over his chest. He looked a Zoro his eyes full of hate and rage.
"What is this warm feeling?" Gaara asked hand still on his chest. He brought his hand to his face. Blood dripped from his hand. He looked at his chest and there was an X shaped scar across his chest.
"My blood… MY BLOOD!" Gaara yelled.
The crowd started to murmur.
"Heh calm down. You act like you've never seen your own blood." Zoro said never taking his eye off of Gaara.
"I'll kill you…. I'll kill you!" He put forth his hand. The gourd on Gaara's back bubbled and started to creep over his out stretched arm until it fully covered it forming a demonic arm. Gaara looked around and reveled in the crowd gasps and statements of fear, something that he was use too. Then he turned his eyes to his opponent. A sinister smile was on his face. No fear whatsoever.
"So you're finally getting serious." Zoro said as he placed the Wado and Shusui in front of him.
"I'll kill you!" Gaara yelled. The demonic sand arm grew and rushed towards Zoro. The swordsman blocked the blow and it began to push him backwards. Gaara put his all into the blow. He would crush Zoro.
"Is this all you can muster?" Zoro said.
Gaara expression changed from anger to one of shock as he could feel his arm slowing down until it came to a complete stop. Zoro jumped on top of the elongated arm and ran across the top. Little hands sprouted out and tried to grab ahold of Zoro as he ran towards the deranged sand ninja. As he dodged the attempts to stop him, he placed the Wado into his mouth and drew the Sandai. With his free hand Gaara summoned forth a wave of sand and sent it towards the attacking swordsman. Zoro easily jumped over the sand. Gaara sent the wave skyward towards the airborne Zoro. But the swordsman contorted his body and dodged the attack and prepared for his next attack.
"Tora Gari!" He yelled as he slashed Gaara's exposed chest.
All the sand Gaara was controlling came raining down. Zoro's attack had caused him to lose focus. Even though the one-tail continue to preach rage and calling for the death of the one who injured his host, he couldn't hold the transformation. Gaara looked at his opponent.
"Is that all you have?" Zoro asked. "And to think I was worried about you." Gaara inched away from the approaching swordsman. He stopped dead in his tracks. He could feel him. He was out there and his eyes were on him.
"Orochimaru…" Zoro spat.
He looked around the stadium. He noticed everyone in the stands where falling or already asleep. Suddenly Gaara's sister entered the arena with an unknown older man.
"Fool! Trying to transform into your complete form before the signal!" The older man scolded Gaara.
Temari bent over and help Gaara get up to one knee. Gaara trembled and held his head.
"He's experiencing the side effects, with this and his wounds it's impossible for him to continue with the mission." Temari said.
'Mission?' Zoro thought. The older man stood in thought for a second.
"With Gaara like this and Kankuro still recovering from his fight we'll have to abort the mission. Temari take Gaara and retreat!"
Temari propped Gaara on her shoulder. "What about you, Baki?" She asked.
"I'll be joining the battle. Go!" Baki responded. Temari and Gaara disappeared. Zoro looked around. The people where fighting in the stands, on random rooftops. This must be the mission they were He saw a huge purple barrier on top of a nearby building. He felt Orochimaru's malevolent power flowing out from it. With a couple of jumps he was on top of the building. Within the barrier were Orochimaru and the Hokage.
"Orochimaru…" Zoro seethe. He placed his hand upon the barrier. 'Tch. Solid.' He thought.
Inside the barrier, Orochimaru stood off against the Hokage, out of the corner of his eye he spotted Zoro. "Ah Zoro. Let me say, your match against Gaara was magnificent!" Orochimaru said. "You put a serious strain on my plan to crush the leaf."
"Oh, if I've been so much of a hassle then come out and fight me." Zoro said.
"Ah sorry, I'm a little busy at the moment as you can see." Orochimaru said motioning to the third. "When I'm done dealing with him, you are one of the people next on my list."
Zoro sneered. Several ANBU showed up around Zoro. "What are you doing kid?" One of the masked ninja's asked.
Zoro raised his swords. "I'm going to destroy this barrier." He replied. Before he could attack the ANBU grabbed him.
"Stop idiot! Brute force isn't going to solve this." He said. Zoro reluctantly put away his swords.
"Maybe I should just chase after Gaara and Temari…" Zoro said.
"Too late for that, Kakashi's team seven along with Nara Shikamaru are chasing those two. If you want to help, Iruka is showing the academy kids not affected by the sleeping jutsu to an evacuation point. Help him. " Zoro looked once more over at the two incased inside of the barrier then reluctantly left to find Iruka.
"Alright kids stay calm." Iruka ordered. Zoro quietly looked around, trying to spot danger as they, along with other instructors, lead the huge group of young kids down the empty road. They were able to slip past most of the battle unseen and where coming ever closer on the bunker where the other civilians were hiding out at.
"Over there!" A voice rang out. Everyone looked back and several Sound and Sand ninja's started to give chase.
"Everybody run!" Iruka commanded.
The group ran towards the supposed to be shelter that was now compromised.
'This is bad…' Iruka thought.
"You can kill everyone else but Orochimaru wants the green haired kid alive!" One of the sound ninja's yelled. His comrades all yelled in acknowledgement drawing their respective weapons.
'Heh. They're after me huh.' Zoro thought as he started to fall back.
"Zoro! What are you doing?" Iruka asked.
"Keep on running. Your job was to watch over these kids." Zoro said drawing his swords. "I'll handle these guys."
"Ok but catch up. I'll hold the door for you!" Iruka said. Zoro bent lowered his head and brought the Sandai and Shusui hilt parallel to the blade of the Wado.
"Enbima Yonezu…. Oni Giri!" The attack sent the pursuing ninjas flying in random directions. Zoro looked back to see Iruka motioning him to run inside then he looked back at the ever growing amount of ninjas coming towards them. Zoro turned and ran.
"Come in Zo….." Iruka tried to say.
Zoro hit Iruka with the blunt side of the Sandai sending him crashing into a nearby wall. Zoro slammed the door shut.
"Oi Zoro!" Iruka said as he clenched his stomach. 'I think he broke something….' He thought.
"Shut up. Just stay in there and guard those with you." Zoro said.
"They are after me. If I would have went somewhere else you guys would've be safe." Zoro turned to the Sand and Sound who began to creep closer. "You guys. If you want to get even close to them you're going to have to take me out"
The toad Sanin Jiraiya jumped from roof to roof. He had just finished off some more of his former teammates snakes. He was making sure there weren't any more summoners left in the village. Jiraiya noticed a single Sound ninja stumbling down the road.
"He isn't human…." A Sound ninja said as he took a few more steps before falling to the ground. Jiraiya jumped down and checked the fallen ninja.
'Dead…' Jiraiya thought. He looked down the road the Sound ninja came from and saw only a path of destruction. Bodies where flung all over the place, and became more numerous the further he traveled. He past numerous enemy ninja who nursed fresh battle wounds, many surrendered to him on spot stating that the swordsman was enough and fighting a Sanin would be overkill.
'Swordsman…' Jiraiya thought. He stopped and closed his eyes. The same killer intent he had felt so long ago. 'Dangerous yet pure.' Jiraiya ran further down the road and sure enough there was Zoro. Blood stained his clothes. Enemies where laid out before him.
"Who are you?" Zoro asked swords ready to receive any attack. "
Hold on! I'm a friend not an enemy." Jiraiya said.
"Yes, he's one of the Sanin. Jiraiya. He's one of us." Iruka said from behind the closed door.
"The fighting is pretty much over, Zoro. There might be a couple of stragglers left but it looks like we've won." Jiraiya said.
Iruka opened the door, a number of instructors rushed out to praise Zoro for protecting everyone, even though it was sort of his fault that they were found. "
Jiraiya!" A voice called out. An ANBU appeared in front of the group. "What is it? Is there still fighting?" Jiraiya asked. "No the Sand and Sound are in full retreat. It's the third….. he's dead."
I apologize for the time between updates. I promise to update sooner next time.
Next chapter: Zoro, Naruto, and Jiraiya leave Konoha in search of Tsunade. Zoro will have his first encounter with a certain ninja.