Last time, the chunin exam preliminary matches were now closing with all the winders been decided with the last match being Naruto vs. Lee. Who'll advance?

Arena floor

As everyone in the platform watch the match, Naruto and Lee both looked at each other, before going back to their taijutsu match. Lee used his superior speed to take down Naruto, but Naruto's extraordinary reaction time was able to avoided many critical blows. As Lee continued to try and take Naruto out, Naruto was starting to understand on when Lee strikes, but changed when Lee went against him with full close taijutsu combat.

Naruto was having a difficult time since Lee wasn't using his hit and run tactic. Naruto was able to keep his balance for all of Lee's punches towards his chest and a few at his face but used his arms to block them. Even though Lee was beating Naruto at close range, Naruto is still able to counterattack Lee's blows and gave a few serious hits on his face and body. After a few minutes of constant close combat, they both separated, where Naruto continue to run in a zig zag pattern as he separated from Lee, but then went back in. Lee distance himself for a bit when he separated from Naruto, where he took a moment to take a breather then went back to action against Naruto, who was zig zaging towards him.

As Lee continued to go all out on each other, the spectators were viewing the match with amazement. As they watched, Sakura asked out loud on why N was running like that or why he isn't taking a moment to take a breather or at the very least view the situation in a calm matter. Gai, Kurenai and Asuma wondered about that since it wasn't a very smart for N to keep himself moving and not come up with a strategy. Kakashi thought about it for the moment, but realized on why N didn't.

"The reason why N isn't stopping Sakura…" getting everyone's attention, "… is because he won't or to be more precise… he can't." stated Kakashi

Sakura was confused, "What do you mean he can't?" getting everyone to wonder on what Kakashi meant.

Kakashi took a moment before explaining, "Even though he has incredible reaction time, N knows that Lee is supremely faster than him. N knows if he stops for even for a moment, he'll be giving Lee a chance to target him with one of his powerful blows that would clinch the match for him. But since N is continuing to move around like that, Lee will have a harder time in delivering a powerful strike and adding the fact about N's reaction time, he is able to block or counterattack Lee when he does miss hitting him. Until N can figure out a way to shut down Lee's high speed taijutsu, this is N's only defense which will only last so long since like you said Sakura. He's needs to take break and at any moment since he's can't keep this up forever."

When Kakashi finished his explanation, they were able to understand the situation where others were impressed on N's strategy, even if it's a temporary solution. As Kakashi was explaining Naruto's situation, Naruto was also thinking it through his problem as he fought with Lee.

"I know I have a lot of stamina, but I can't keep this up..." Naruto thought as he continues to run around the arena, feeling his body starting to ache, "but if I don't take a moment to let my muscles rest for the moment and take a good couple of breathes, I'm not going to make it. In which case, I may have to release them."

As Naruto was thinking this, Lee went and continued his on slot against Naruto. Lee used his speed to get on Naruto's blind side, but Naruto made sure to block or avoid critical hits. With Lee continued his high speed movement, Naruto wished he could slow or blind Lee enough for him to have a break. It was then he figured out a way to give him both.

Lee went in for another punch in the face, but miss as Naruto jumped into a front flip to the roof of the arena. As he front flip, he took that moment to a breath or 2 since it gave him a good distance. Lee quickly followed making sure to continue the pressure. Naruto landed on the roof, while throwing a couple of kunai at certain areas. Lee landed on the ceiling, but avoided a kunai that almost hit him. Once he avoided, Lee moved towards Naruto but saw that he quickly jumped away from the ceiling while spinning. Lee quickly jumped towards Naruto, in attempt to get him in the air. He suddenly brought a kunai, since Naruto suddenly through dozens of shurikens all around him. Lee deflected the shurikens, but had to miss his chance to get Naruto. Naruto landed normally, but quickly moved to get some more distance. Once Lee blocked the shurikens that were aimed for him, he landed just a bit of distance from where Naruto landed, which Lee quickly followed suit against Naruto.

Naruto stopped running and moved right for Lee, where he delivered a powerful knee thrust against Lee, where Lee did the same. Lee and Naruto struggled for dominance against each other as they continued to push the other back with their knee thrust. They struggled until Lee took control of it. Lee pushed Naruto back, where Naruto backflip away from Lee, where he landed near the arena wall. Lee, of course, took advantage of the situation to get behind Naruto and delivered a powerful kick from behind launching him across the arena. It was with this that Lee had the advantage of taking out Naruto. Lee quickly went in for the victory.

Everyone in the platform saw what has happened, where Sakura and the other konoha genin cheered Lee on for taking control. Neji remained emotionless about the situation, but praised Lee on defeating the Kumo nin. Shikamaru and Shino looked on with keen eyes on what's happening.

Haku and Zabuza were wondering on what N would do, while the Suna nin was intrigued on how Lee will defeat N. The jounins watched carefully as they thought that Lee had this victory. It was then that N, smiled under his mask and unleashed his plan.

The shuriken that were embedded on the ground, exploded in a number of serious after Naruto was thrown over to the other side of the arena. Lee quickly stopped since the explosive shockwaves could injure him. Naruto was able to get his balance back and landed gracefully, which he took the time to rest for the moment. When the explosions ended, Lee was about to go in full speed, but then the ceiling started to exploded which dropped debris onto the arena floor.

Karui yelled out, "What the hell is he thinking? Is he trying to kill us?" while held an arm up to make sure none of the ceiling debris landed on her.

Yugito just stood on her spot as she stated, "No, he is making sure that he can get a break."

Everyone looked up as they were worried they might get crushed, but saw the explosions were different from the floor. The explosions were more precise and the debris landed on the arena with only pebbles and rocks landed on the platform, which those underneath it just stepped away from it.

As Lee waited for the debris to stop falling and dust cloud settle down, Naruto took this moment to finally let his body rest and took in a much needed breath. As he let his muscles relax for the moment, he had to figure out a plan. It was then that he remembered his broadsword and the power that he was able to release when he saved Samui. Even though he has gotten better with it, it didn't mean he could unleash its power on Lee since he was too fast. As he thought about his sword, he began to remember the riddle on how to master it. As he thought about it, he wondered if the riddle itself has another meaning to it, like trying to use that same power without the sword. He decided to put that thought behind him since he needs to focus on Lee now.

Once the dust cloud ended, Lee quickly took Naruto's distraction to finish him off. Lee manages to get in front of him, where he delivered a powerful high kick that sent Naruto into the air, where Lee now understood the danger he was in now, where he continued to kick Naruto into the air but felt pain at one point.

Lee thought, "He… he is… during this whole match, he is actually… If I don't end this match now, he might decide to…" first in surprise then in desperation.

Naruto, cursed himself on losing focus against Lee, but he was quick enough to use his arms to block a direct attack at his face as he was sent into the air. It was then he knew that Lee was right behind him in midair. He then felt Lee bandages surround him, where Lee grabs him and drive him into the ground in a spin. Lee cried out, "Primary Lotus!"

Lee pile drive Naruto into the ground, where Lee jumped out of the crater he created with his attack and landed badly on his side where he came out of it with bruises all around him.

Everyone looked at the crater to see Naruto on his back with a stunned look. It was then that everyone cheered or muttered to themselves.

Sakura cheered and yelled out, "Way a go Lee."

Asuma and team 10 muttered with each other at how powerful the technique Lee used against N. Kurenai and Shino were also impressed. Gai was happily cheering at Lee's victory while Neji looked pleased at Lee's victory. Haku was worried about N, how he might be completely injured. Temari was surprised at how Lee defeated N, while Gaara looked unfazed at all. As everyone watch, Lee stood up and smiled as he saw N on the crater. Hayate came down to look at the body to make sure that N was out cold. Before he could even exam him, N puffed into a smoke to reveal a boulder.

Lee was surprised, especially when he heard, "That was a close one. I could have been knocked out if I didn't escape in the last second." Lee looked behind him to see that N was alright.

Gai was shocked and asked how he did it, which Kakashi answered, "He made the switch while Lee was sending N into the air. At one point, when you were praying with your eyes close, Lee suffered a bit of pain which also shut his eyes for the moment. It was there that N performed the Substitution Jutsu. Once he performed it, Lee performed his attack on the boulder before us and N escaped from Lee's attack."

As Lee struggled to get back up, Naruto took the time to let his body recover from the beating that Lee was giving him. After a few moments of rest and regaining control of his breathe, he immediately went after Lee at his own pace. Naruto got in front of Lee, using his own speed.

Lee tried to move out of the way, but he wasn't fast enough to avoid Naruto's strikes. Naruto immediately started to strike Lee face and body. He made sure that Lee stayed off balance so he can't have a chance to counterattack.

While Naruto was beating Lee with powerful punches and kicks along with elbow and knee strikes with his agility. Everyone in the platform was watching with interest on how the match turned 180 since Lee was in control, but now Naruto was in command.

"Wh-why isn't Lee dodging N's attacks? We know that Lee is faster than him. So why isn't he trying?" Sakura question

"The reason he isn't able to dodge N's attacks is because he can't. Right Gai?" Kakashi stated getting confused looks on the people around them.

"The lotus is a double-edge sword." Gai answered where Kakashi continued to explain on what he meant about it. "The Primary Lotus is a forbidden jutsu. Why is it a forbidden jutsu. The reason is because of all the high speed taijutsu, it puts a lot of stress on the user's legs and body. Right now, Lee is in so much pain he can barely move."

They watched again as Naruto kicked Lee straight in the chest then jump spin towards Lee, where he took another punch in the face. As this was happening, Lee was thinking about how Gai-sensei helps him continue his goal on being a strong ninja. With that, Lee grew his confidents.

Naruto quickly got up in front of Lee's face, where he was going for a finishing blow, but then he, and everyone, saw Lee speed up and dodge him. This got everyone wondering on what happened.

"What happened? Lee was being pummeled and now he is back to full speed." Sakura question

"Yes, but now the tables will turn." Gai stated, getting a confused look from Sakura, "The lotus of the leaf blooms twice." Gai finished his sentence

Everyone wondered on what Gai meant, which Sakura remembered the same line that Lee told her back in the forest of death. It took Kakashi a moment before he understood on what Gai meant which he then asked if Lee knew how to open the 8 celestial gates. Gai said yes, which Kakashi started to explain the irresponsibility that he just made. Kakashi continued to explain about the dangers of the Hidden Lotus and what damage it could do to Lee. Gai explained his reasons on why he taught Lee the jutsu, where he did for Lee.

"Ok Gai, so tell me. How many gates can he open?" Kakashi asked

"Five Gates." Answered Gai

Sakura had enough on hearing on what Kakashi and Gai were talking about to themselves, which asked for answers. Gai explained to her about the dangers of the Hidden Lotus with the example of the Primary Lotus, as well as explaining the celestial gates. Sakura was shock on what she heard, which Kakashi truly implied the danger as he said, "Yes… this is truly a double-edge sword technique. If one opens all eight gates, for a short period of time you'll be given powers that surpasses even the hokage's. The only downside is that… you die."

As the people on the platform continue to converse with each other, Lee started to activate the Hidden Lotus. As this was happening, Naruto could tell that this attack that Lee's preparing will be the one that will finish him off, no questions asked. He was about to reveal one of his secrets, but remembered the riddle. He had no time for guess work; he put his theory on using the same power without the sword.

As Lee started to open the third gate, everyone can see the transformation that Lee was going through, turning his skin red, while his power rose into the sky. While Lee was preparing his jutsu, Naruto calmed his body and remembered the same state he had while holding onto the sword. After a moment of two, Naruto relax his mind and focus on his feelings, where he can feel his emotions starting to effect his chakra, like he does with his sword. Once his feelings were synchronized with his chakra, his own transformation started.

Everyone in platform saw Lee power up was ready to launch his attack since he opened the fourth gate. As they watch, some of them turned to see N where they got everyone else attention on what's happening. They saw that N's body was starting glow brighter and brighter in a white light, where a light was illuminating with a rainbow color outline on the outside, which was an inch off his body.

Samui looked at Naruto with worry from Lee's preparation, but then saw Naruto unleash the same power he used against Gin. She couldn't believe he was doing it without the sword since she saw the glow of light before. Before she got into it, Karui spoke up.

"Wh-what is happening to N? What is he doing?"

Samui spoke with interest, "It's the power of the sword. Remember on how he was able to defeat Gin with that power. Now, N is using it against Lee which is going to prove the results of all his training."

Yugito was curious about Naruto's new found power since it was going to be interesting to see the power of Naruto's summoning in use.

Once Naruto unleashed the power, he got ready to fight. After everything was ready, Lee exploded with power. When Lee ran towards Naruto, he created a path of destruction that destroyed arena floor beneath him. Lee made it to Naruto but was surprise on what he had to do next.

Everyone in the platform had embraced themselves against Lee's power. Debris and the shockwave made it hard for them to see. Kakashi had to reveal his sharingan to look on what's happening. It was then everyone heard a loud destructive boom. They looked to see since the noise was silent now. When everyone looks, everyone else was completely surprise.

Gai looked stunned as he thought, "Impossible"

In front of them, Lee stuck out his right knee to strike Naruto. But the thing that got everyone surprise was on what happened. Naruto had actually blocked Lee's right knee with his left knee like before. They were once again fighting over for dominance, but this time they were using all their hidden power and strength.

Naruto couldn't believe on how powerful he is right now. He knew he get some kind of power, but he didn't know that it would give him this much strength. For the past weeks, Naruto has been training on mastering the sword with the required power that he never actually tested it out. He never ran, jump, push, you name it. The only thing he was focus on was trying to wield the sword. He knew that he had gain something, but now he was truly understanding on the power that he gained. Naruto understood from this face off with Lee's trump card, that he felt all his reflexes, reaction time, strength, speed, power, and everything else inside him has increase dramatically to a new level but knew it is only temperary.

Both of them struggle for a bit until Lee took control again and used his new found speed to launch Naruto in the air. It was there that Lee got in front of Naruto and attacked him in midair.

Everyone saw Lee now pummeling Naruto in the air with his high speed taijutsu. Naruto was being thrown around like a rag, but to Lee's, and everyone else's, surprise Naruto actually was able to counterattack Lee which Kakashi made known.

"I don't believe it…" Said Kakashi

"What is it Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked

"Even in this situation, N is still able to counterattack Lee." Kakashi stated

Everyone in the platform was shocked to hear this. Gai just couldn't believe Kakashi's statement, but Neji confirmed it with his Byakugan. In such speed, no one should be able to counterattack or at the very least block, yet Naruto was doing it.

Naruto couldn't believe on how much powerful Lee truly is as well as how strong his endurance is able to handle the pounding. He's just grateful that his abilities also increase to still let him be able to block and counterattack Lee's strikes.

Lee couldn't believe on how N is able to fight back on him since he got punch or kick on both face and chest. Lee knew that he had to end this now. It was here that Lee opened the fifth gate, "Gate of Closing" and quickly strike Naruto from above sending him to the ground only to be stopped by Lee's bandage where Naruto saw that he was brings him back to him to be strike.

"This is the end!" Lee yelled out.

"I can't defend against this attack unless I…" thought Naruto as he saw Lee bring him forward to his right leg and fist at him. Lee yelled out, "Hidden Lotus!"

Naruto was hit by Lee so hard that it practically knocked out the wind in him. Lee's final attack unleashed a shockwave so powerful that everyone had to embrace themselves, while Lee felt both his right arm and leg surge sever pain throughout his entire body. It was also at that very moment that several powerful explosions happened. After the explosions, everyone heard several destructive hits on the floor till they heard a powerful hit on the arena wall.

When the effects of the shockwaves ended, everyone had their eyes glued on the arena floor to see what happened. The dust cloud created by Lee's attack was starting to settle. They found Lee outside the dust cloud; on his side with several sever injuries all around him. Everyone waited to see on N's condition after he got hit by Lee's attack. As the dust cloud finally settled, everyone was expecting to see N in front of Lee, in a crater. They saw that there wasn't a crater until they all heard a groan from the opposite side of the arena from where Lee was. They turned to see N on the other side of the arena, where a dent was on the wall. The jounins guess that N hit the wall pretty hard.

Everyone saw N move and heard him groan in pain as he slowly started to move his body. Everyone saw that N's left arm, shoulder were completely bruised if not broken and/or dislocated. Once he stood up and the dust settled onto the ground, he looked at Lee with piercing eyes.

It was then that Yugito and Kumo team 9 saw that the cloth on Naruto's mask was ripped apart above his left eye. His face was alright but now a small portion above his left eye to near his left ear was torn apart, revealing a portion of his blond spiky hair. Naruto started to walk forward, holding his left arm with his right as well as showing his back was injured pretty badly. As he walked towards Lee, the people in platforms couldn't believe on what happened.

"Im-impossible! How can N survive Lee's attack? And how did he end up in the wall instead of being in the center of a large crater from Lee's final attack?" Gai question

"That a question that I'm just as curious on knowing the answer to." Kakashi said

As Konoha converse with each other, the other shinobi also talked about the match as well.

"Unbelievable… how did he survive? Even I wouldn't survive if I was hit by something like that? What did he do?" Question Zabuza

Haku also wanted to know, but thought, "Your incredible N-san."

"How did he do it? There is no way he could've survived?" asked Baki, who looked completely speechless.

"I don't know! My guess he must have done something before that Lee kid got him. But what did he do?" answered Temari, while looking at Gaara who had his blood thirst face on him, hoping to kill them.

"That's was a close call Naruto. Glad you survive it, but how did you do it? That's a question I want an answer to." Yugito thought

"Naruto…" Samui thought as she was pleased to know that her best friend was alright.

"Yes! That's N for you. He's the best of the best, now take command and end this match N!" Karui cheered

Naruto was near Lee, when completed stood up right was rotating his left arm to make sure that it was alright. As far he can tell, his arm was just complete bruised and possibly at the point we're his arm could break at any moment if more stress was added on to it.

Lee was barely able to stand, but still had his stunned look on knowing his last attack failed. He then asked, "H-how did you… sur-survive my… last attack?"

Naruto panted for a bit before saying, "Anything is possible… if you have the guts to risk death for victory." With a smirk

It was then that Naruto started to explain to Lee, that before he pulled him up for his final attack, he dropped some shuriken that had some explosive tag wrap around it. He then activated the explosive tags once Lee strike him, where the explosives help not only slow him down a bit, but change the his position. With the high speed that Lee hit him with, the shockwave of the explosives didn't affect him much since the shockwave of the tags canceled each other out. As his position changed, instead of going straight, the explosives put him in slim right angle where he landed on his back but still enough to make his body spin on the ground to roll him across the arena floor. Since he was rolling on the ground, the power that Lee hit him with also weakened yet he still hit hard on the wall but with less impact.

Everyone was stunned to believe that Naruto risk his life in order to still have a chance to win. Many jounin thought it was suicidal since if the explosion happened before or after he was hit from Lee's attack, he either would have been affect by the shockwaves were his bones might have break or his life could have been taken from him. On the other hand, the jounins also knew that sometimes a mission might be suicidal and it might need an suicidal idea to come out of it alive.

Naruto took a deep breath, "Alright Lee… lets end this." He said before he instantly came in front of Lee. Naruto kicked Lee on his chest, where it was the same move that Lee and Sasuke use against their own opponent. Naruto then rolled on all fours and jumped higher then Lee. Naruto spin around and concentrated his lightning affinity on his feet. He landed on the ceiling then pushed off it straight at Lee and yelled out, "Soul Breaker!"

Naruto's attack hit Lee directly at his chest, where he was sent right into and stuck on the wall. Naruto landed just as gravity did its work on Lee, where Lee just fell onto the ground face first. Naruto panted as he was completely exhausted from the battle, where he can feel his legs were about to give out and that his arms are just too drained to be use anymore. Plus, his strength from his serine state of mind was now gone since he hasn't master it's power yet.

Hayate jumped back at the arena floor to look at the combatants as well as the damage that they created. The live of destruction was unbelievable since the arena floor was completely turned into rumble. Hayate was about to name Naruto the winner, when Naruto went wide-eye in front of him. Hayate turned to see what made N go wide-eye.

Standing in front of them, Lee, completely bruised, was in his fighting stance wanting to continue. Naruto couldn't believe that Lee was still able to stand from all the injuries he got from him.

Everyone in the platform was stunned on how Lee was still able to stand after taking so much damage from N and himself. N struggled to bring his right arm to his left shoulder, intending to unseal one of his wakizashi. Before he can do it, he notices something about Lee that made him stop bringing out his sword. He just sighed in exhaustion, "Man… Lee… I g-got… to give… you… res-respect…" Naruto panted as he saw Lee standing in his fighting stance while unconscious.

When Hayate saw what Naruto saw, he called the match over and naming Naruto the victor. With that, Naruto fell on his butt, while Gai immediately went to Lee's side and gently place him on the ground.

Samui quickly got to Naruto side as he sat down on floor. She was by Naruto's side as he groaned in pain from the battle that Lee gave him. She gently put Naruto's right arm over her shoulder and helps him stand on both his legs. It was then Yugito came and got a replacement mask for Naruto to wear over his now tore one.

Naruto declined the medical ninja's help since he wants to be here and hear about the final round. The medical ninja took Lee to the hospital while Gai also received the bad news about Lee never being a shinobi ever again. Once the medical unit left, Hayate called the preliminary rounds are finished.

Once the medic's left, the remaining genin, except Sasuke, that survived the preliminary round came down onto the arena floor and stood next to each in front of the Sandaime Hokage, who stood in front of the sculptured hands. Shino, Karui, Samui, Temari, Shikamaru, Neji, Gaara, Ko, Haku, and Naruto, who was using Samui to help him stand.

Once all the genin were standing in front of him, the Sandaime explained the purpose of the chunin exams and the month period for them to get ready for the finals as well as the preparation for the tournament round. When he finished explaining, he told them that they are free to go once they randomly pick lots on who will be fighting who in the tournament round. Each genin got their lots for the final rounds.

Match one: Naruto vs. Neji

Match two: Sasuke vs. Karui

Match three: Shino vs. Ko

Match four: Shikamaru vs. Temari

Match five: Haku vs. Samui

Gaara got the odd number so he'll face either Haku or Samui

When everything was done, everyone was dismissed to start their month training. As everyone was leaving, Naruto felt like he was being watched very intensively.

As the genin left, the Sandaime and Kakashi had the same line of thought when they saw N's mask being ripped off.

"That blond spiky hair… those blue eyes… it couldn't be… could it." Kakashi thought with calculating eye.

"N… since there wasn't a body… are you really…?" Sandaime thought as he thought the same thing as Kakashi.

These questions not only brought out sad and painful memories about the both of them failing the Yondaime Hokage, but also brought forth other questions like, "If N is really him… then that makes 3 jinchurikis in Konoha?" and "If it is him, then he is the factor that can tip the scale to or against our favor."

Once that thought ended, the both of them went on with what needs to be done since they now have one month.

Till Next Ch.

P.S. I'll be taking a small break on this story to continue working on my other 2: "U.S. Marine Naruto" and "Elemental Master."