Last time, Samui and Haku had their battle against each other in the chunin exam. In the end, the match ended in a tie, where all the audience applauded their performance.
With Naruto
With the audience, the applause they've were giving both girls was truly one of admiration and excitement. Many in the audience converse among themselves on how skill both kunoichi are.
Naruto was completely impress about how much Samui's improve, as well as Haku. He figured with Samui, he would have to go all out in order to beat her. With Haku, if he got hit by her last attack, he would have definitely loss.
As he watch the medics take Haku and Samui to the back, to treat their injuires, he thought, "Glad that I'm on their good side since they could skin me alive if I got them piss of." With a smile on his face.
He then looked around him to see that the other genin paid close attention to the match. The one that stood out to him the most was Gaara, since he saw Gaara's face.
Gaara showed a face of excitement, one that only insane people have when they enjoy the thought of killing someone. Personally, Naruto was glad that the match between Samui and Haku ended in a tie since he doubt that both of them would have won against someone like him.
With Audience
As everyone cheered for both girls, the talked among themselves about the match. The Damiyos talked with each on how impress they thought of Samui and Haku. Several citizens, konoha and other individuals talked about how both girls are chunin material.
"Man… I was right . Kind of makes me glad that Samui chick didn't go all out on me since ass might have electrocuted… isn't that right Akamaru?" Kiba stated where Chouji agreed with him.
Asuma and Kurenai talk among each other, talking about how impressive this year's chunin exam for Kiri and Kumo.
The Kages, themselves, were also impress about the match. A, even though, was upset about Samui loss, he was still impress about her skills.
Mei had the same thought about the match themselves. But of course, she couldn't blame Haku for losing since Samui has proven that she was a lot stronger than she thought.
"Mizukage-sama, Raikage-sama… the match between your kunoichis was indeed an incredible battle. Both kunoichi truly represent the skills and strength of your village." Sarutobi stated, where both Mei and A agreed.
"Now, I believe, after watching this match, that both kunoichi are both worthy of being chunin." Sarutobi suggested
Samui skills were impressive from the moment that battle started. Samui's skills in kenjutsu and taijutsu were top notch. Her lightning and water affinity were indeed impressive as she used to attack or counterattack Haku's own jutsu, not to mention how impressive she used her Kaminari Tsuisuta.
Haku was just as impressive, just like Samui, her taijutsu was amazing as well, not to mention her skills on using her bloodline, Hyoton. Her ice mirror dome was impressive on how she almost used it to defeat Samui.
Once the Kage's discuss Samui and Haku's abilities, they all agreed that both of them were being promoted as Chunin.
In secret, a certain snake had his own thoughts about the kunoichi. A hidden Orochimaru thought about getting his men to capture both kunoichi since they were strong and can studied upon. If anything, he would use both, Haku and Samui, as breeders.
Arena
Once Haku and Samui were taken to the recovery room, Genma walked forward towards the crowd to make an announcement.
"Alright… now since Gaara of Suna doesn't have an opponent he'll be move up. Now to the final match, which is Karui of Kumo vs. Uchiha Sasuke. Unfortunately, since Sasuke has yet to arrive, he well be disqualified."
When everyone heard this, everyone had a bad reaction. Some were yelling out to bring Sasuke out, while others argued about how Sasuke was too badly injured from his previous battles during the chunin exam.
As audience converse their theories, Sakura looked worried since she was worried about Sasuke and curse mark that Orochimaru put on him. Even if she heard Kakashi told her to not worry about it, Sakura still couldn't believe in it since she remembered what Sasuke looked like with the curse mark activated.
Sakura continued to worry about it until Ino, notice Sakura's grief. Ino then tried to cheer Sakura up, which worked for a bit but heard Genma he is going to disqualify Sasuke now.
Back at the Kage's section, Sarutobi heard from his aid that Sasuke or Kakashi couldn't be found. Once he heard, this he sighed as he made his decision.
"Unfortunately, since Sasuke doesn't seem to be here right now, I have no choice but to disqualify him." the Sandaime stated
It was then that the Kazekage spoke up about. "Now, now Hokage-sama… let's wait just a bit longer?" which the old man asked why should he.
The Kazekage then explained the reasons on why the Sandaime didn't disqualify Sasuke Uchiha. He explained that a lot of Damiyos and lords came here to mainly watch the last Uchiha fight.
Even though, the Kazekage gave more reasons on why Sasuke should still have a chance to compete, Sarutobi also explain the problems of postponing the match, mostly about time for the Damiyos and other lords as well.
Their conversation was interrupted when Mei, the Mizukage, decided to add a compromise.
"Hokage-sama… Kazekage-sama… how about we do this. I can agree with the Kazekage since many wish to see Sasuke compete. But, of course, I also agree about the time consumption for not only the genin but also Damiyos and lords. I suggest we give Sasuke ten more minutes in order to compete before we disqualify him. If he should arrive on the given time he can compete but well not be allowed to become chunin for the rest of the tournament, no matter how exceptional he might be." Mei suggested
Sarutobi and the Kazekage agreed with Mei's suggestion, while the Raikage grunted in agreement. Personally, A didn't care if Sasuke came on time or not since he knows how strong Naruto is, where the Uchiha wouldn't give him much of a challenge. Once it was settled, Sarutobi told his aid to inform Genma of their decision.
Genma was about to announce Sasuke disqualification when a shinobi came to him and informed him about the Kage's decision. Once he got it, he looked at the crowd where he explained about the Kage's decision.
"Ladies and gentlemen… since Sasuke Uchiha isn't here just yet, we'll be giving 10 minutes to arrive at the stadium before we disqualify him." Genma stated
When the crowd heard this, they we're both excited and annoyed that they would have to wait for a few more minutes for just one genin to arrive.
When Ino heard this, she went glee about it since Sasuke still had a chance to fight, while Sakura was hoping that Sasuke would still appear.
Outside the arena
Two shinobi guards were wondering on how the tournament was going on. It was then that one of them notice two figures coming towards the arena. It was then that they saw that it was Gai and Lee. Once they reach the steps, both the guards greeted them and welcome them to enter.
"Alright then, Lee lets go." Gai said while doing a pose, where Lee saluted in agreement.
"All of the first round matches have been completed. The only one left is between Sasuke and Karui." One of the guards stated
"Wait… all of them. What about the match between N and Neji." Lee ask
"It was completely one sided… the Hyuga kid lost with N barely having to try or injured." Said the other guard, where both Lee and Gai were stunned about what they just heard. Lee imagined the Kumo masked shinobi, while wondering on how he did it, but was pleased to hear that Neji lost. With that, both Gai and Lee entered the arena building.
With Competitors
When the genin heard Genma explain the Kage's decision, they had their own thoughts about it. Karui looked at Naruto as she thought out loud about it.
"So, in just under 10 minutes would decide if I either face Sasuke or you, huh?" Karui stated
"Guess so… personally, I prefer to fight you instead of that spoiled brat." Naruto muttered out
As Naruto and Karui converse with themselves, Shikamaru, Shino, and Ko were also talking about Sasuke, but along the lines of him acting on some cool entrance or something else.
Temari, herself, was more worried about Gaara since she saw him look at the arena floor with a serious look. As she looked at Gaara, she remembered that for a time before the chunin exam started, Gaara left his room. When he returned, the only thing he said was, "I was just confirming my existence."
It was then that Temari thought that Gaara killed Sasuke. It was then that Temari thought the mission about Sasuke was over since he was to be captured. Baki, their sensei, who was up in the seats was worried since he also thought that Gaara killed Sasuke, which would ruin their plans.
Arena
Genma looked at his watch to see that the 10 minutes mark was about to be reach in a few seconds. Once the time pass, Genma said, "Alright, the 10 minute wait has pass and Sasuke isn't here. So, by the rules Sasuke Uchiha is-" Genma explain before he was interrupted.
In front of Genma, a sudden rain of falling leave gently move around him. It was at that moment, everyone saw two people suddenly appear in front of them. The 2, who suddenly appear, where standing back to back of each other while having a cool look on them, except the smaller one had it with confidents.
It was then that Genma asked, "Alright, what's your name?" with a smirk
The younger one answered, "I'm Uchiha Sasuke" with a cool tone. It was then that everyone in the audience screamed in excitement at Sasuke's arrival. Ino was one of the ones that cheered the loudest at Sasuke's entrance and at how cool he look. Sakura had a sigh of relief since she has been completely filled with worry since she hasn't seen Sasuke after the preliminary rounds a month ago.
It was then that Konoha genin and their senseis, nearby, heard, "Yosh… he made it!" where they turned to see that Lee and Gai have finally arrived at the arena.
"Lee… are you alright? Shouldn't you be in the Hospital resting?" Sakura ask out of concern
"I'm alright, plus I don't want to miss on what is going on." Lee answered, where Gai gave them his thumbs up approval on Lee being here.
Naruto looked at Sasuke with an annoyed look. He also took notice at Sasuke's new look. Sasuke was now wearing a black, one-piece version of an older outfit with many small arm-belts adorning his left arm and similar bands around both his legs.
Once all the excitement about Sasuke's entrance has settle down a bit, Kakashi looked at Genma with both curiosity and concern. He nervously eye smiled at Genma with his hand scratching behind his head as he asks, "Um… it's hard to ask this after we've entered the stage with such a flashy performance… but did Sasuke get… disqualified?"
Genma shook his head in amusement, "He must've caught your bad habit of being late."
"So is he…" Kakashi asked again
"No, he isn't… Sasuke match was put on hold… twice in fact. You both arrive just in time, so he isn't disqualified." Answered Genma.
Kakashi looked relief when Genma told him that Sasuke wasn't disqualified, but then grim when Genma said that Sasuke was given a penalty for being late and hold the chunin exam up for both the audience and shinobi leaders.
"What sort of penalty?" Kakashi asked with some concern
"Because of his tardiness, they removed Sasuke's nominees for chunin. So, regardless on how well you perform, you won't become chunin this time." Genma stated
Kakashi wince at what Genma said and didn't think that the Hokage would do something like this. But he then realized that he probably had no choice since he knew that they came late which upset the other kages, as well as delaying the match even more.
Sasuke only frown a bit at the news that he wouldn't become chunin. Genma then asked Sasuke if he still wants to compete since there wasn't any reason for him to compete in the chunin exam.
Sasuke looked at Genma as he answered, "I didn't train for a month to just to become chunin. I came here to fight." Where Genma grin at Sasuke's determination.
Once it has been settled, Kakashi excuse himself, so the chunin exam can continue. It was then that Genma called out Karui to come down from the competitor's box to start the match.
Competitor's box
Karui and the other genin heard Genma call for her. Karui was about to leave the waiting box and head down the stairs, but stop from Naruto's call to her. She looked at him.
"Here Karui… use this." Naruto said as he gave Karui a spiky, rubber, palm size ball.
She looked at it with some confusion where she heard Naruto say, "Karui… grip that tightly when you're angry as hell."
"But, the only thing that would do is just hurt my hand. What's it good for then." Karui wanted an explanation
"It's simple, I know that you easily get frustrated and hot headed when things don't go your way. So when you grip it hard and feel pain, you'll know that you're too angry to fight and need to calm down." Naruto explained
Karui only glared at Naruto's statement about her, which he told her not to give him that look. Once it was over, Karui took it and went downstairs to the arena floor.
Audience
When Genma called for Karui to come down to begin the match, the crowd began to talk about the upcoming match. All of Konoha, and most of the guest such as Damiyos and Lords, started to talk about how Sasuke is going to win and such.
While the people talk about Sasuke, Kakashi approach Sakura and the other Konoha genin and their sensei. Kakashi came walking near Gai, where he greeted him, where Sakura looked at Kakashi.
"Kakashi-sensei!" getting Kakashi's attention. It was there that Kakashi look at Sakura, who had a sad/angry look on her. It was there that Kakashi apologize for not contacting her. It was there that Kakashi saw Sakura looking at the place where the 'curse mark' was located, but hidden.
"Kakashi-sensei…" Sakura said, where Kakashi listen, "… On Sasuke-kun's neck… there was a mark, right? Is that…" Sakura ask where Kakashi stop her by telling her to not worry about it anymore. This made Sakura sigh in happiness after hearing Kakashi say that it was taken care of.
It was then that Kakashi notice that there are two teams of Anbu teams in the stadium. He wondered on why the lack of security in the stadium, where Gai told him that everyone else is on patrol around the village in case something happen.
Arena
After waiting for a bit, Karui was now walking on the arena floor where she saw Sasuke looking at her. Karui look back at Sasuke with determination in her eyes. Once she made it to the middle of the arena, Genma looked at them.
"Alright, now if you two are ready… begin the match!" Genma declared
When Genma began the match, Karui immediately drew her sword from her back and rushed towards Sasuke. Sasuke drew out a kunai from his holster and block the slash from Karui's sword. Karui's sword and Sasuke's kunai struggle for dominance for the moment, but then change when Karui drew her weapon back. It was then that Karui started to show her kenjutsu skills.
Civilians were only looking at only blurs and such while the shinobi were able to see that both Karui and Sasuke were really going at it. The sounds of both sword and kunai clashing against each other could be heard throughout the stadium as both Karui and Sasuke moved around the arena floor. Karui moved, twisted, and turned her body around as she thrust, swing, and slash her sword at Sasuke's body. Sasuke used his kunai to block while dodging the rest of Karui's attacks.
After a couple of minutes of intensive battling, they both broke apart and give themselves some distance. Once they separated, both got on their stance. It was here that Sasuke decided to take it to the next level. Sasuke suddenly performed his hand seals and unleash his Katon: Hosenka no Jutsu.
Streams of fireballs came flying towards Karui, where Karui acted upon it. Karui immediately moved forward and channeled her lightning affinity at her sword, where she then slice a few of the flames with it, creating gaps from Sasuke attacks so she can dodge with ease. While slashing at the flames, she also felt her sword hit something else, where she closely look back to see shurikens on the floor.
She figured that Sasuke also threw shurikens into the fire jutsu, in hopes to not only burn but also cut, graze, slash, or puncture her body.
Karui made it through the fire attack only to be surprise to see Sasuke right in front of her. Sasuke then used his taijutsu skills to disarm Karui, which he got her to break hold of her sword, where he then kicked her far back away from her weapon. Karui grunted in pain when Sasuke kicked her, as well as from frustration since Sasuke knocked her sword away from her. She quickly got up, but was surprise once again as Sasuke was now moving faster than her. She tried to counter with her taijutsu, but Sasuke was more skill and faster than her. It was then that she decided to move up herself.
After fighting for a bit, Karui was able to get Sasuke to back off a bit, where she then form a set of hand signs, where he wrist and ankles started to glow a bit. As they glow, Sasuke raise an eyebrow since he can now see the seals on Karui's wrist and ankles. He wondered on why he couldn't see it before with his Sharingan. Before Sasuke could wonder about anymore, the light on Karui's wrist and ankles stop. It was then that Karui smirk as she moved her arms around.
Naruto looked at the match, where he saw Karui getting push back. He can tell from how skill Sasuke is against Karui that he has improved a good level or two. When Naruto saw Karui deactivate theShishi Omomizuke Shīru that he place on her a month ago for her training, he knew that Karui must be getting desperate now.
"Karui, I hope you're ready for this since if your rage and frustration get out of control, you won't win against him, even if you stop using those seals on you." Both Naruto and Yugito, in the stadium seats with Killer Bee and Omoi, thought in concern.
Once Karui finished stretching her arms around, she looked at Sasuke with confidents in her eyes. It was then, thanks to his Sharingan, that Sasuke was able to see the sudden attack in front of him. Karui suddenly rushed at Sasuke, where she gave a powerful right punch. Sasuke used his forearm to block but was still toss back hard.
Sasuke recovered pretty fast, just in time to see Karui going for a kick on his head. Sasuke dodge, where he then attack Karui. Karui block Sasuke's attack, where they then both started to use their taijutsu against each other. Sasuke was surprise now to see that Karui was now faster than she was from the beginning of the match. It was there that he figured out that the seals that Karui undid was some type of training seals for her.
With Kakashi
The audience watch in amazement that Karui was fighting Sasuke in an even match. Kakashi, who is watching, is impress that Karui was doing well against Sasuke but he knows what kind of training he did with Sasuke and knew that he hasn't reach his point yet.
Arena
After fighting it out for a bit, Karui and Sasuke broke apart, where Sasuke performed his Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu. The giant fireball came at Karui, where she threw a kunai at it. When the kunai was about to enter, Karui performed the "kai" sign where an explosion appear, imploding the fire ball, canceling it out before reaching her.
When the explosion happen, Sasuke wasn't able to look through the explosion. It was then that out of the explosion, several shurikens with lightning affinity came at Sasuke. Sasuke was able to see it from his Sharingan, where he used his kunai to try and block it, but was surprise to see that the lightning cut his kunai. Sasuke dodge it at the last second, as well as dodge the rest of the lightning covered shurikens.
Sasuke looked back at where Karui threw the shurikens, but was almost blindside as Karui suddenly appeared by his side using a lightning enhance kunai to slash Sasuke. Sasuke was able to dodge it, but not without taking a good slice on his left arm. Karui continue with her assault, where she was able to trip Sasuke off his legs and onto the ground. Karui them drove her kunai at Sasuke's side, where she stab his right side. Just when she thought she had him, Sasuke poof into a cloud of smoke before revealing a wooden log. It was then that Karui figured out that Sasuke used a Kawarimi no Jutsu to dodge her attack.
Karui look around on trying to find Sasuke. It was then that Karui was surprise when she was attack from Sasuke's Gōkakyū no Jutsu. She quickly jumped out of the way, where she only felt the heat from the flames. When she dodge, she was surprise once again as Sasuke appeared above her and kicked her hard onto the ground. When she hit the ground, she groan in pain where she looked up to see Sasuke coming at her. She barely had time to actually put up her defenses, where Sasuke used his taijutsu against her.
Karui was being knocked around, where she tried to fight back, but kept on missing. It was at this point that her anger and frustration started to get the better of her, where her taijutsu started to show recklessness and completely unbalancing. Karui went for a side kick, but Sasuke caught it, where he threw her to the other side of arena.
Karui skidded when she landed. She tried to stand up while struggling from the pain that Sasuke inflicted on her. She look up to see Sasuke, standing in front of her completely unguard with a bored look on his face. This infuriated her since it was like he was mocking her. It was then that she heard Sasuke sigh where he told her that she wasn't much of a challenge.
"Why don't you just quit since you're weak to be a challenge against me." Stated Sasuke
Karui rage was already near the boiling point. She was about to rush at him, but then remembered on what Naruto gave her. She took out the rubber spike ball and squeezed it hard. It was only when she truly felt pain in her left hand, as well as a bit of blood, that she calm down. She looked around to see that Sasuke has kicked her, close to where her sword is. She knew she has a better chance if she had her sword.
Sasuke saw Karui looking at her sword, where he curse himself for tossing her near it. After a bit of waiting, Karui ran towards it, the same with Sasuke. They both ran across the field, with Karui being closer, to reaching the sword. Before Karui could reach her sword, she was suddenly surprise when Sasuke appeared in front of her, where he delivered a hard kick sending her into the air. Karui was stunned long enough for Sasuke to perform his Shishi Rendan on her, where she hit the ground hard.
Karui was now out cold, which Sasuke landed nicely and look at Karui with a sense of superiority. He then said to her unconscious body, "I told you were weak and a waste of my time." He then began to walk away from Karui, where Genma looked over her to see if she was alright. He then called the match over with Sasuke's victory.
Audience
The stadium was booming, where all Konoha shinobi and citiznes, and a majority of the visiting guest, applaud on Sasuke's victory. Of course, the loudest ones to cheer him on where Sakura and Ino, who were amazed on how strong Sasuke has become.
As the crowd continued to cheer, Gai notice Kakashi's attention was not on Sasuke or his victory, but at the contender's box. Gai saw that Kakashi was looking into the competitors, where he thought he was checking on who was left in the tournament. But that change when Kakashi's eye narrow at N. Gai was wondering on what Kakashi was thinking since he kept on looking at N with extreme curiosity.
It was then that Gai's attention change, when Lee said, "Now the real matches are about to begin. And if I were a betting man, I place my bet on N beating Sasuke-san."
This got Sakura and Ino's attention since they thought it was an insult to how cool and strong Sasuke has become. They were about to yell at him, when Asuma, who also overheard wanted to know about what Lee meant.
"I'm surprise that you would say that to one of your own comrades. I can understand that you fought and lost to N, but I'm pretty sure that Sasuke can beat him if he keeps himself on guard." Asuma stated
"Yeah, and beside…Kakashi-sensei saw what N could do and has prepared for it, I bet… right sensei?" asked Sakura
Kakashi nodded in agreement. Of course, Kakashi knew that in order to beat N, from watching the preliminary match as well as from what he saw from Gaara, that he needed to give Sasuke something in order to defeat them. But during that time, Kakashi couldn't help but remembered the blond spiky hair and blue sapphire eyes since there was only other person to have that, and that was his former sensei, the Yondaime Hokage.
His thoughts stop when Kurenai kept asking him something, which he didn't pay attention for a bit.
"Kakashi… Kakashi…" Kurenai called out
Kakashi snap back to reality, "Oh… sorry Kurenai… I had something in mind. What did you ask?" asking Kurenai
"I was asking on what you taught Sasuke, since I'm pretty sure you must have gotten him ready against the genin." Kurenai asked
"Your right, I did teach him something, but I believe it's best to keep it as a surprise for now." Kakashi answered, while looking back at N.
Kurenai and Asuma notice the look that Kakash was trying to figure something out. They saw that he was looking at N, where N didn't move from the battle. As the medics remove Karui from the battle and into the medical ward, Asuma, Gai, and Kurenai thought on what Kakashi was so interested in N for.
Kage's box
Once the battle was over, Sarutobi started the converstion.
"Alirght, now even though Sasuke performed well, we agreed that he is disqualified on receiving chunin rank this time. So let's discuss about Karui. Mizukage-sama, what are your thoughts?" asked the old man
Mei thought for a moment before she said, "Even though she was impressive in both taijutsu and kenjutsu, as well as figuring out on how to handle Sasuke's fire attacks, I say her rage was the biggest problem." Mei stated
The Kazekage agreed where he pointed out that during their hand to hand fighting, Karui's anger had clouded her judgment and gave herself wide openings. Even though he pointed out that she was able to regain her cool after squeezing her hand on that spike ball, her rage momentarily left her unguarded where it could have cost her.
"So it's agreed, that Karui would not be promoted…" where Mei and the Kazekage agreed which the Sandaime look at A, "… do you agree with the decision Raikage-sama?" asking A
The bulky Raikage agreed with the others opinion since he would have to agree with them. Once that was done, they looked towards Genma, where he spoke to the audience.
Arena
Genma looked at the crowd, "Alright, now with the first match of quarter finals finished we can start with the semi-finals. The matches for the semi-finals are in this order. N of Kumo vs. Uchiha Sasuke… Ko from Konoha vs. Temari of Suna… with Samui and Haku in a double knock out, Gaara will automatically advance to the next round of the finals. Now, we'll have short 5 minute break for everyone to stretch. Which at that time, N of Kumo and Sasuke Uchiha will begin the semi-finals." Were everyone in cheered for the finals to begin.
As the speech was being said, Sasuke was looking directly at Gaara, remembering on what happened during his training time with Kakashi. Sasuke then turned his attention at N, where he remembered on what N told him about what he thought about him.
"You said I was just waste of your time, well let's if you feel that way once I break you in our match." with determination in his eyes since N was one of the people he wanted to beat.
Till Next Ch.