Chapter 17: The Finals
Sakura's eyes open slowly before she rub her eyes and look at the digital clock on her nightstand, she stood up and went to the bathroom.
After a few minutes of taking a shower she came out of the bathroom wearing a robe and drying her hair using a towel, she walk inside her walk-in-closet and decided to wear the same outfit she wore yesterday.
She left her apartment making sure the door was locked before making her way towards the arena.
"Finally the main event... I'm so nervous I could barely sleep... First up against him" Naruto thought a bit nervous.
"The chakra pathway... Frankly speaking even my Sharingan can't see them..." Kakashi said.
"The leaf's strongest taijutsu style... Most likely the strongest leaf Genin is on my team, that is... Hyūga Neji" lee said.
While on his way towards the arena he passed the practice field where he saw Hinata staring at one of the training logs.
"Hinata... You're alright now?" Naruto ask.
"Huh?" Hinata said startled before runninb behind the log, "Na-Naruto-kun... Why are you here... Isn't today the finals?..."
"Well... I just came here to check the practice field... Since this is the place I became a Genin" Naruto said shrugging.
"O... Oh... W-why?..." Hinata ask nervously.
"... Nothing... Who cares?" Naruto said raising an eye brow.
Naruto sigh "Hinata... Neji's a relative of yours, right?"
"H-Hai..." Hinata sad softly.
Naturo look hesitate "he's strong, right?"
"H-Hai..." Hinata said looking down, "b-but you might be able to beat him... Naruto-kun... Be... Because..."
"Hahahaha... Hai, I'm really strong" Naruto sad confidently grinning at her.
Dead silence...
"Oh umm... When... When you cheered for me... I felt like I had become stronger... After the prelims ended... I started liking myself a little more... To other people it might seem like I didn't change but... I... Felt like I was able to change" Hinata said in a soft voice, "I do go back on my words... That's also my Nindō...", Hinata smiled at Naruto"It was thanks to you Naruto-kun... Is what I think..."
"Thanks to me eh? Yeah I'm very influential..." Naruto said grinning at her, "Hinata... Did you really think that?."
"Huh?" Hinata ask confuse.
"I may appear strong to you but... That's because I act all tough because I'm so frustrated from always failing..." Naruto said looking down.
"That's not true... Even when you always fail... In my eyes you're a proud failure..." Hinata said reassuring him, "when I look at you I get an intense feeling in my heart... Because... You're not perfect... Because you fail... You have the strength to get back up... Because I believe that's what true strength is... I... I think you are an incredibly strong Naruto-kun..."
"Arigatō Hinata" Naruto said grateful "earlier I was feeling uncharacteristically depressed but... Now I feel great... You know about you I..."
"Huh?" Hinata ask her face slightly red.
"... Thought you were... A plain looking dark weirdo..." Naruto said turning his back.
Hinata look down depress.
"But a person like you... I really like... Well I'm off to the exam... You better watch me kick that Neji guy's ass, later" Naruto said waving at her before waking away leaving a shock yet happy Hinata.
"Sorry Hinata, I'm late... Well shino's fight isn't till later, huh? What this?" Kiba ask when he saw Hinata looking like she might faint in any second.
At the arena...
The genins who passed the prelims were standing and facing the crowd.
"Sasuke-kun isn't here yet" Sakura thought biting her lower lip.
"Where is that teme..." Naruto thought looking at the entrance of the arena.
"Huh? That Dosu guy isn't here either" Shikamaru thought narrowing his eyes.
"Hey stop looking around and face the audience" Genma said giving Naruto a look, "in the main tournament you guys are the stars."
Naruto look at Gaara "that guy is fighting Sasuke... Where is he?.."
"You haven't found Sasuke yet?" The third ask looking at jōnin.
"We have a few ANBU teams looking around... But no luck... Orochimaru could have already... If so finding him will be" the jōnin whisper.
"I understand..." The third said closing his eyes, "Oh well well... Kazekage-sama" the third hokage said smirking as he watch the 'fourth' kazekage sit on the chair beside him.
Gaara glared at the direction of his 'father'.
"You must be tired from your journey" the third said.
"Not at all, good thing it's held here this time... While you're still young, the trip may have been to much for you hokage-sama... Maybe it's time you decide on the fifth...?" The fourth said.
"Hahaha... Please don't treat me like I'm an old man, I intend to do this for another five years" the third said, "well now... Lets begin" he said standing up and facing the crowd, "THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR COMING TO THE CHŪNIN SELECTION EXAM... WE WILL NOW START THE MAIN TOURNAMENT MATCHES... BETWEEN THE 9 PARTICIPANT WHO MADE IT THROUGH THE PRELIMINARIES... PLEASE STAY AND WATCH UNTIL THE END."
"If it's 9... One seems to be missing" the kazekage said.
The third narrow his eyes.
"There's something I'd like to tell you before the matches... Look at this" Genma said showing them the new matches.
First round
Uzumaki Naruto
Vs.
Hyūga Neji
Second round
Gaara
Vs.
Uchiha Sasuke
Third round
Haruno Sakura
Vs.
Kankurō
Vs.
Aburame Shino
Fourth round
Temari
Vs.
Nara Shikamaru
"Nani? I...I have to fight her..." Kankurō thought nervously.
Sakura smirk "Hn..."
As usual Shino was silent but deep inside he was nervous.
"There have been some minor changes to the tournament... Check once again to see who you're fighting" Genma said holding up the paper.
"Damn..." Temari thought looking at his brother who was starting to sweat.
"Oi, Oi" Naruto said raising his hand.
"Nani?" Genma ask.
"Sasuke isn't here yet... What are you gonna do?" Naruto ask wishing his best friend would arrive already.
"If he doesn't appear by the time of his match... He will receive a default loss" Genma said.
Naruto swallow "this is strange knowing teme, he'd be here even if it means dragging his own body..."
Gaara remain silent.
Gaara was standing behind a huge rock listening to kakashi and Sasuke while they train.
"Sasuke, one more time" kakashi said breathing heavily "here I come..."
Baki's eyes widen.
"Where are you going?" Baki ask Gaara .
"To test my existence" Gaara said in a monotone.
"It can't be after telling him repeatedly not to attract attention he didn't kill him, did he?" Baki thought.
"Ok guys this is the final test... The arena is different but the rules are the same as in the prelims, there are none... You fight until one of you dies or acknowledge defeat, but if I determine that the fight is over... I'll step in and stop it, got it" Genma explain, "now the first fight, Uzumaki Naruto vs. Hyūga Neji, those two stay here... While the rest of you go to the waiting room."
"Oi, Hinata it's free here" Kiba said pointing at the two empty sit.
"H-hai" Hinata said meekly.
"This will be good" Kiba said excitedly.
"Naruto-kun..." Hinata thought worriedly.
"Though... Against him Naruto doesn't stand a chance..." Ino said.
"But for that kid to get this far..." Izumo said smirking.
"Hai, for guys that got this far on luck... This is the end of the line..." Kotetsu said shaking his head.
"That Naruto's opponent is just too tough..." Izumo said.
"He can't beat the Hyūga clan" Kotetsu said agreeing.
Kiba smirk "well, I thought that at first but... You'll pay if you underestimate him..."
Akamaru whine inside of Kiba's jacket.
"Nani?... What is it Akamaru?... Where?" Kiba ask looking behind him "there... Why is an ANBU here? Is something going on?"
"Looks like you have something to say" Neji said smirking at Naruto.
Naruto punch his fist in front of him "I told you before... You're definitely going down."
"Eyes of a person who totally believes in himself... There's no doubt about him..." Neji thought.
"Now the first match, BEGIN" Genma said jumping back.
"Hehe... That's what makes it worthwhile... It'll be fun to watch you fall apart when you discover reality" Neji said doing his signature fighting stance.
"Stop all the blabbering, you're not that great... Sakura-chan did beat you without even doing anything except hitting you're pressure point" Naruto said smirking.
Sakura smirk at the memory.
"You did what?" Shikamaru ask looking at her shock written all over his face.
"What he said" Sakura said shrugging.
Neji glare at Sakura's direction before glaring at Naruto his ears a bit red.
"There isn't another who has received such thick Hyūga blood... So watch closely Hanabi" Hiashi said looking at his youngest daughter.
"Hai Otou-san" Hanabi said nodding her head.
"Farting isn't going to help you against this opponent... Close range combat is no good" Kiba thought.
Naruto did a familiar hand seal "Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu" a bunch of Naruto appeared each holding a kunai.
Sakura narrow her eyes at the direction of the 'fourth kazekage', "that damn Orochimaru..."
"Sakura, the fourth kazekage formed an ally with Orochimaru to invade Konoha... the Kazekage planned to have Gaara unleash Shukaku from the centre of Konoha during the Chūnin Exams to put the Konoha shinobi at a disadvantage from the get-go... However knowing Orochimaru he have something up his sleeves, we don't know what exactly but I think he's planning to betray the fourth and murder him" Pain said looking at Sakura.
"What do you want me to do about it?" Sakura ask raising an eye brow.
"Nothing" Pain said sternly.
"BAH! I TOLD YOU TO STOP AUTOMATICALLY DECIDING THNGS!" Naruto yelled pulling Sakura out of her memory.
Sakura look back at the battle and smirk "Hn..."
A bunch of shadow clones attack Neji, all their attacks were useless Neji just keep dodging them.
"I told you I'm not stupid, I know where the real one is..." Neji thought running towards the real body and hitting one of his chakra points, "you're the real one."
Sakura's smirk grew as she watch the match which Shikamaru notice.
"Why are you smirking?" Shikamaru ask raising an eye brow.
Sakura look at him her smirk still on her face "you'll see..."
"Naruto-kun..." Hinata said worriedly.
"It's over" Izumo said beside her.
Naruto clutch her stomach while looking down on the ground.
"That's what I told you it was useless..." Neji said smugly.
Naruto look up with a smirk on his face "hehe... That's why..."
Neji gave him a confuse look.
"I told you to stop automatically deciding things..." Naruto said still smirking a him.
Naruto disappear in a puff of smoke shocking Neji.
"Nani? No way..." Neji said as two shadow clones prepare to attack on both his side.
"Told you so" Sakura said looking at Shikamaru.
"HAI! GO NARUTO!" Kiba yelled encouragely.
"Naruto-kun..." Hinata said sighing in relief.
"Anticipating what I was thinking and purposely having one clone stand out..." Neji thought.
"You're finish" Naruto said smirking.
"Hakkeshō Kaiten" before both Naruto's could come close to Neji they were both send flying away.
"What... Was that?" Naruto thought standing up.
"You thought you have won?" Neji said smirking.
Naruto glared at him.
"How can it be...?" Hiashi thought.
"That was..." Hinata thought shock.
"Hn... To think a branch member could master that kind of Jutsu..." Sakura thought smirking amuse.
"...Hakkeshō Kaiten... Hiashi thought.
"Hehe... That's Neji's absolute defense" ten-ten thought smirking.
Gaara narrow his eyes at Neji.
"Otou-san that's your..." Hanabi said shock.
"Hakkeshō Kaiten is the main Hyūga family's... Basically it's a special Jutsu only passed down to the heirs of the Hyūga house" Hiashi explain, "to master it on his own... What a guy to be this good."
"Don't be surprised just yet Neji's true power is just beginning..." Ten-ten thought confident that her teammate will win.
"It's over..." Neji said closing his eyes while doing a stance.
"No way... That stance... It can't be..." Hiashi thought shock.
"Hakke Rokujūyon Shō" Neji said striking 64 chakra points of Naruto.
Naruto was sent flying away.
"A branch house member... Surpassing a main branch..." Hiashi thought a bit nervous.
"... That's it..." Genma thought thinking the fight was over.
"I have hit 64 chakra points on your body, you can no longer stand..." Neji said smirking.
Sakura narrow her eyes.
"Uuuggghhh!" Naruto groan clutching his stomach.
"Heh... Is it painful? Stay on your knees before a power you cannot change and realize your worthlessness... Having your dreams come true through hard work... Is an illusion" Neji said a bit bitterly.
Naruto glare at him.
"Oi Hinata are you alright?" Kiba ask worriedly when Hinata started coughing.
"Na-Naruto-kun..." Hinata thought worriedly.
"Naruto... Sasuke where are you?..." Sakura thought looking at Naruto's fallen body.
"Kuso... Kuso..." Naruto thought remembering lee and Hinata.
"Hn?" Sakura said smirking.
"Nani...?" Neji said his eyes slightly widening.
"Ha... Ha... Ha" Naruto gave a weak laugh before smirking and standing up with shaky legs, "I told you... I'm not good at giving up."
"This guy... Impossible..." Neji said surprise.
Hinata started coughing again.
"Oi Hinata you're bleeding!" Kiba said utterly worried.
"No... Naruto-kun... No more..." Hinata said in a weak tone.
"The damage from you're fight hadn't healed yet... Oi Hinata" Kiba said rubbing Hinata's back as she continue to cough.
"What's wrong?" Izumo ask looking at Hinata.
"I'll take a look..." An ANBU said appearing beside Kiba.
"Who are you?" Kiba ask suspiciously.
"Well... I'm no one suspicious..." The ANBU said.
"Quit already, continuing won't change anything... I have no grudge against you" Neji said.
"Shut-up, well... I do" Naruto said breathing heavily.
"... What do you mean?" Neji ask raising at eye brow confuse.
"Why... Why, if you're this strong... Why? With those eyes that can see anything... Did you mentally attacked Hinata who was trying so hard..." Naruto ask glaring at him.
Neji glared back "that's none of you're business."
"Insulting Hinata automatically deciding she's a loser... Main family... Branch family... I don't know what the hell happened... But pieces of shit like you who call other people losers... I will never forgive" Naruto said glaring at him with venom.
Neji stared at him for a moment before smirking, "all right... Fine... If you're gonna go that far then I'll tell you... The Hyūga's destiny of hatred."
Sakura narrow her eyes before looking at Shikamaru, "Oi Shikamaru..."
Shikamaru gave her a confuse look "Nani?"
"Press this once Naruto's match is over" Sakura said giving him a piece of paper with the kanji for summon as a seal.
"Why...?" Shikamaru ask unsure.
"Just trust me, I need to take care of something" Sakura said before disappearing in black cherry blossom petals.
"Troublesome..." Shikamaru though shaking his head.
Sakura appear a lot of miles away from Konoha.
"Itachi, Kisame" she said giving the two Akatsuki member a questioning look.
"You're good... We have a mission..." Kisame said shrugging while grinning at her.
Sakura sigh "let me guest to capture the kyūby or the Shukaku?"
"Kyūby..." Itachi said in a monotone but his eyes have a gentle look on them.
"Why the kyūby... I thought Otou-san was planning to catch the tailed beast in order" Sakura said raising an eye brow.
"We don't know what change his mind... By the way how's your match?" Itachi ask curiously.
"Haven't started yet... Gaara killed Dosu so I'm fighting kankurō and Aburame Shino" Sakura said shrugging.
"Kankurō? You mean the other son of the kazekage?" Kisame ask raising an eye brow.
"Hai... By the way Orochimaru killed the fourth and right now his disguise as the kazekage" Sakura said rolling her eyes.
"Heh I knew it..." Kisame said grinning.
Before Sakura could say anything she disappear in a puff of smoke.
"Hime?..." Kisame said scratching his head while looking around.
Itachi blink.
A puff of smoke appear the moment Shikamaru pressed the seal Sakura gave him.
"Naruto's match is over?" Sakura ask looking at the battlefield at the same time she sense the kyūby's chakra, "when did he learn to use it..."
"Almost" Shikamaru said shrugging.
"I... I failed the academy graduation exam 3 times..." Naruto said looking down.
Neji who was laying on the ground gave him a questioning look.
"That's because unluckily for me the ninjutsu test on the final exam was always decided as... Always decided as my weakest ninjutsu... The Kage Bunshin no Jutsu was my worst ninjutsu... Even if how many times the teme tried to teach me that Jutsu I just can't get it right..." Naruto said shaking his head, "destiny can't be change blah blah, stop whining about stupid shit like that... Since you're not a loser like me."
"Heh... WINNER UZUMAKI NARUTO" Genma yelled smirking.
The audience roar.
"THAT WAS INCREDIBLE!."
"THAT WAS GREAT!"
"GREAT FIGHT SHRIMP!"
"Hehe" Naruto said grinning at the crowd while doing the piece sign and running around.
"Still has the energy to run around... Geez what a stamina freak" gamma thought amuse.
"Whoa he won!" Shikamaru said shock, "seriously? I had assume he was a lameass-type like me..."
"Lameass-type?" Sakura ask raising an eye brow.
"Everyone's cheering him, he's totally a kick-ass type... Plus I probably can't beat him, how depressing" Shikamaru said looking down before his eyes widen a little when he felt a soft hand on his shoulder.
"Oh come on cheer up, you're strong I've seen you fight and you're smart which Naruto's lack of... You're just lazy" Sakura said now sure why she's comforting him.
Shikamaru gave her a lazy smirk "Arigatō Sakura..."
Sakura look away to and stopped herself from blushing.
"To pull out the kyūby's chakra without losing himself..." Kurenai said shock.
"Hai... Most of the leaf here are surprise" Asuma said agreeing with her.
"Naruto... To be able to use the kyūby's power... And to control it in a stable state... Since when could he...? Did Kakashi teach him..." The third thought.
"Where is Hinata... Is she watching..." Naruto thought his fist in the air while grinning.
"They're quite restless aren't they?" The 'fourth' kazekage said.
"Indeed it was a fantastic match, after all..." The third hokage said nodding his head.
"No..." The 'fourth' kazekage said causing the third hokage to give him a questioning look.
"I'm sure that's part of the reason but its more likely because of the next match..." The 'fourth' kazekage elaborated, "by the way... Where is he?"
"That's just it we still can't find him..." A jōnin whisper on the third hokage, "and we still have Orochimaru to deal with, so... Before everyone starts to make a big fuss, perhaps we should disqualify him."
"WHAT'S GOING ON? HURRY UP AND START THE NEXT MATCH!" Someone from the crowd yelled impatient.
"HOW LONG ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP US WAITING!?"
"Sheesh..." Genma said looking at the crowd.
Sakura close her eyes trying to locate Sasuke's chakra, "he's still in the village... But where exactly...."
"What the heck is that guy doing? Is he planning to come?" Shikamaru said resting his elbow on the rail.
Naruto look at Gaara from the corner of his eyes, "what are you talking about? He's definitely going to come" he said confidently, "but what's taking you so long? If you don't show up you're going to be disqualified."
"We have no choice... As the rules state... Sasuke will be disqualified" the third hokage said.
"Che... If he doesn't come, then the plan will..." Kankurō said gripping the rail.
"This is bad what are we going to do?" Temari said beginning to be nervous.
"Hokage-sama... Please wait for a little while longer before making a decision" the 'fourth's kazekage said.
"I beg your pardon but..." Before the jōnin could say anything the 'kazekage' cut him off.
"Everyone wants to watch the match... After all he is from the Uchiha clan" the 'kazekage' said.
"Very well... We will make an exception and have his match later on" the hokage said sighing.
"Hokage-sama are you really ok with that?" The jōnin ask.
"Just inform the examiner" the hokage ordered.
"H-hai" the jōnin sad before disappearing.
"HEY! WHAT'S UP WITH THE MATCH?"
"ISN'T UCHIHA HERE YET?"
"LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, THE CONTESTANT FOR THE NEXT MAYCH HASN'T ARRIVE YET, SO WE'RE PUSHING HIS MATCH BACK AND BEGIN THE NEXT MATCH" Genma yelled.
Kankurō's eyes widen, "that means..."
Naruto sigh in relief, "thank goodness..."
"AND NOW FOR THE NEXT MATCH, ABURAME SHINO, KANKURŌ, AND HARUNO SAKURA PLEASE COME DOWN" Genma said looking at the waiting area.
"Haruno, eh... Haven't heard that name for 8 years" someone from the crowd said shock.
"Shit... This match doesn't even matter... I'm more worried about my life... Kankurō thought sweating nervously.
Sakura smirk preparing to jump from the rail before she look at kankurō knowing he's going to forfeit, "don't even think about forfeiting... Because if you did... I'm going to kill you... Exam or not" she threaten before jumping off the rail and landing on the ground.
Kankurō swallow hard "I have no choice..." He thought before also jumping on the ground where Shino and Sakura are waiting.
"Good choice" Sakura said smirking her eyes held no emotion.
"BEGIN!" Genma yelled backing away.
Well that's it... Hope you guys like it...
Hakke Rokujūyon Shō - Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms
Hakkeshō Kaiten - Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven
Review please :)
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