Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
Chapter 23: One Month Later
It was a festive event at the Chuunin Exam Stadium.
Various civilians and ninjas littered the seats.
Down at the ground were the finalists, waiting for the Hokage's speech.
Speaking of the Hokage, he was there, up high, seated with four other people
The first was a woman with auburn hair that reached her ankles. She was wearing a blue dress that falls just below the knees. From the waist down, the right was left open showing ninja shorts and fishnet stockings. The upper part of the dress is cut, just covering the upper part of the arms and the underside of her breasts. Underneath was a fishnet shirt that covers even more than her dress, stopping at the shoulders and the remaining parts of the breast, leaving a considerable cleavage visible. She is the Mizukage: Terumi Mei.
The second was an elderly man with a triangular beard, angular mustaches, a big red nose and thick eyebrows. His head completely bare of hair, save for a ponytail behind it. He is dressed with a green and yellow coat with a red collar. Underneath was the traditional Iwa outfit of mesh armor and flak jacket. There were also fishnet sleeves on his arms with a lapel on his right side. He is the Tsuchikage: Ryotenbin no Onoki.
The third was the most secretive one. Aside from the eyes, nothing else could be seen from him. He was wearing the customary Kazekage robe. This is the Kazekage.
The last one was, by far, the largest one of the lot. He is quite dark-skinned with whitish blond hair that is combed back. He also has a mustache and a beard. He has a muscular physique. He is also the other one who is wearing the customary Kage robe. However, he has nothing underneath, showing off his physique. And this would be the Raikage: Inazuma no Ei (Lighning Bolt A).
Behind them were two people each. Since it would take too much space to describe them all, I would say their names instead.
Behind the Mizukage were Ao and Chojuro. Behind the Tsuchikage were Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi. Behind the Hokage were Aoba and Raido. Behind the Kazekage were Baki and unknown jonin. And behind the Raikage were Darui and C.
There was also another set of people and they were way away from the populace.
They have a makeshift box for them. There was one female and four males.
The sole female was blonde and holds dark eyes. The first male had red hair and has a form of headpiece that frames his face. The second male was the tallest of the lot and only his brown eyes were visible under his heavy armor and steam tank on his back. The third male was thin with emo-ish black hair and pale golden eyes and his attire consisted of a light blue kimono. The last male was dark-skinned and wears sunglasses, hiding his eyes.
In accordance, Nii Yugito, Yoton no Roshi, Joki no Yoroi (Steam Armor) Han, Utakata, and Kirabi…and they are the jinchuuriki. The only ones not at the box are Naruto, Fu, Gaara, and Yagura, who died a few years ago.
Roshi turned to his long-time friend, Han, and asked, "Did your bijuu tell you anything about what to expect?"
Han shook his head and monotonously replied, "Either I wasn't ready for the information or even he doesn't know."
And why are they here, you may ask? It's quite simple. Their bijuu suddenly told them to go to Konoha and watch the Chuunin Exam Finals. They weren't required to converse with anyone. They were only required to watch. That particular fact made Han and Utakata content with consenting with their request. They weren't much for conversation.
Back to the Hokage, the man himself stood up and spread his arms wide and shouted loud, "Good morning! As the Leaf's Hokage, it gives me great pleasure to announce the start of the Chuunin Exam Finals! Let the match begin!" A loud cheer broke the silence and, below, Genma shrugged. "Alright…Hinata and Fu, stay. The rest may go to the fighter's box." They did so. "Alright, the rules are simple. Everything goes. The match lasts until I say stop. Do you both understand?" Both girls nodded. "Alright then…begin." He jumped away, leaving both girls on the 'dance floor,' as it were.
Hinata and Fu stared down at each other, silently gauging each other.
Slowly, veins protruded from Hinata's eyes and insects covered Fu's arms.
Along the viewer's box, every Aburame's eyebrows rose as they noticed the insects on Fu's arms.
Hinata dropped down to her Jyuken stance and Fu put her dominant leg forward and spread her arms wide. That was when the insects separated from her arms and surrounded her whole body like a shield dome.
Hinata charged at Fu. She went for a palm thrust at Fu's torso. Fu replied in kind by dodging to the side and the insects converged on the nearby Hinata.
Hinata somersaulted forward to dodge the first onslaught and she used her hand to push herself away from Fu's bugs.
Hinata landed on the ground and pulled her open palm back before thrusting it in Fu's general direction and said, "Hakke Kusho!" A burst of vacuum shell burst from her palm and zoomed towards Fu.
Fu narrowed her eyes as she raised her hand and the insects solidified as a wall in front of her and absorbed the shock of the vacuum shell. As the wall dissipated, Fu raised her other hand in order to block the incoming attack of Hinata.
Fu winced as she felt a little lost of feeling on her arm as she pushed Hinata away. She glanced down at her stinging arm and she frowned.
Grasping it tightly, she jumped far to the side, avoiding a palm thrust towards the ground. As soon as the palm touched it, the ground cracked in a one foot radius.
Fu flexed her sore arm while channeling a bit of Nanabi's chakra on it. As soon as feeling returned to her arm, she turned her body to the side to avoid the Jyuken strike to her shoulder.
Seeing an opportunity, she kicked Hinata to the stomach with a chakra-enhanced kick. Hinata gritted her teeth as she was pushed back a considerable distance.
Both reverted back to their stances before Fu took the initiative and commanded her insects to charge at Hinata.
Hinata jumped high to avoid the multitude of insects and used chakra to stick herself to the nearby stadium wall and propel herself towards Fu.
Fu jumped away from the target area and waved her hands towards Hinata, as the latter touched the ground. The insects surrounded Hinata immediately, who narrowed her eyes.
I can't believe I have to use my trump card this early. Coating her palms in chakra, she extended her arms and began circling her coated palms all around her. The resulting arcs created a barrier of some sort made of thin, sharp chakra blades. Then, her arms kept on speeding up until they became nothing more than blurs. As the insects neared the dome barrier, she said, "Shugohakke Rokujuuyon Sho!"
Up on the stands, her parents, younger sister, uncle, aunt, cousin, grandparents, and basically the whole Hyuuga clan went wide-eyed. They have never seen Hinata display such a jutsu in her spars.
Fu's eyes widened in horror but she was too late to stop the front insects from being sliced in half by the barrier. Fu recalled the remaining back into herself as she gracefully landed on the stadium wall. As the last insect retreated back, she could hear Nanabi crying madly.
My babies! Not my babies! Beat her, Fu! Beat that horrible woman to the ground.
Fu rolled her eyes and put her hand on her back, where there was a poof of smoke, and drew a pair of chakrams (or whatever they're called). Each Chakram is circular and red, with eight, silver spikes and circles around the edges, and two black handles shaped in a cross in the middle.
Hinata, in turn, put a hand on her wrist and poofed out a small scythe. It was a small gift from her mother, for turning genin. The handle was pale lavender in color and the blade was dark blue, bordering violet and the connecting joint is oddly colored yellow, blond even. She didn't know why she had a scythe, instead of a normal blade. But, according to her mother, Hinata was as flexible as her and her blade work would breed into full fruition when the weapon was something that requires flexibility. Well, that was the first reason. The other would be that that was her mother's choice of weaponry as well and she wanted Hinata to follow her example as Hanabi followed her father's.
As Fu zoomed towards Hinata, she threw one chakram towards her.
Hinata spun the scythe and clashed with the chakram, sending it to the sky, and spun herself along with the scythe to cross blades with Fu. As the broke blades, Fu caught the second chakram and ran to Hinata.
Hinata slammed the scythe down on Fu, who raised both chakrams to block. They split apart and Hinata spun around and slashed at Fu's midsection. Fu responded by raising the adjacent chakram to block the strike, the blade barely missing her fingers as it locked itself within the chakram. Being open, Fu slashed with the other chakram.
Hinata's eyes widened as she thought of her next move. Her eyes quickly darting from one side to the other, she acted.
Putting her feet apart, she pulled on her scythe, pulling the locked charkam with it. It clashed and Hinata spun around, delivering a heel kick at Fu's face.
She flew back, letting go of both chakrams, and rubbed her sore cheek. She smirked at Hinata. "You're quite an interesting kunoichi. I'm so going to enjoy this." And red chakra surfaced from her body in the form of two wings behind her back.
Everyone was apprehensive now. Naruto, for his part, watched with a narrowed eye.
Fu put her feet together and spread her arms wide, like a cross. The two wings on her back began fluttering and she floated before she vanished from view.
Hinata's eyes widened before her instincts told her to jump and she did. An instant later, Fu was at where Hinata was a while ago, her fist slammed down on the ground. The resulting impact created a sonic concussion on the ground and a large crater formed.
Hinata looked shocked at the force and power as Fu slowly turned her head back towards Hinata. Fu vanished again and Hinata raised her scythe to block a fist intended for her face. The scythe creaked and groaned from the impact.
They separated and Fu continued her barrage. She charged for a roundhouse kick – which Hinata ducked under – and followed through by quickly spinning around (using her wings as focus of speed) and delivering an axe kick.
Hinata thanked her flexible form as she performed a backflip and narrowly avoided the downward smash to her lower regions.
As her feet touched the ground, she was unprepared for Fu suddenly appearing in front of her and punching her in the gut. And as Hinata zoomed towards a stadium wall, Fu held out both her hands – fingers pointed at Hinata – and rolled the middle and ring finger of each hand back into each palm (Like Spiderman).
String of chakra emerged from her wrists and tightly wrapped Hinata like a cocoon, as she reached the wall.
Fu put her foot up front before she leaped with great speed at Hinata, her right finger's nails extended in a stinger fashion.
Hinata struggled against her bonds and she expelled chakra from all of her points and said, "Jukenpo Ichigekishin."
The strings snapped out of place and Hinata quickly rolled to the side to avoid the stinger. Unfortunately, a nail scraped her cheek as she rolled.
As Hinata stood up, she suddenly felt woozy and she staggered on the spot.
Fu smirked at her as her chakra cloak receded. "Do you like it? It's quick acting tranquilizer that I coated by nails with once I use my special chakra. You will fall unconscious right about…now."
True enough, Hinata couldn't keep the fight much longer and fell to the ground.
Genma stared at the two for a few seconds and said, "Shousha: Fu!"
There were claps here and there and Fu smiled at them.
Onoki said, "Hmm, so she is a jinchuuriki, Takigakure's, is it not?"
Sarutobi nodded. "Yes. She is the only female jinchuuriki in the chuunin exams."
"I see. So, what do you think, Hiruzen?"
"Both are quick, agile, and quick-thinking. They could be possible candidates. We'll have to wait for the next set of matches to verify. This is, after all, just the tip of the iceberg."
Genma announced, "Next, Hikashi Setsuna and Uzumaki Naruto."
As both combatants entered the ring, all five Kage watched intently on the blond boy – with varying reasons.
Terumi Mei smirked quite sultrily. So this is what he looks like…hmm…so…delicious.
Onoki frowned. "He doesn't look like your average Uzumaki. In fact, he looks a lot like the Yondaime Hokage." Behind him, both bodyguards frowned inconspicuously.
Ei narrowed his eyes. From what I remember, there was one Uzumaki that was kidnapped here by the idiots at Kumo and was saved by Minato. I see. So he is their son.
Naruto and Setsuna stared at each other as Genma started the match. They started to walk towards each other until they were a few feet apart.
Setsuna started, "Naruto-san, I wish to test myself in kenjutsu against you."
Naruto raised a brow. "Oh? Have you learned much since back then?"
She nodded and drew her blade. "And please don't hold back. It would be insulting to me."
Naruto smiled and put a hand to Frostmourne. "I have no intention in holding back." With that, he drew Frostmourne and began clashing with Setsuna.
Now, the jinchuuriki-audience jumped as their respective bijuu gave exclamations of surprise.
Yugito narrowed her eyes at Naruto. What is it, Matatabi? What happened?
Matatabi, to her surprise, hissed. That boy…could he be?
Could he be what?
Our ancestor, Juubi, was summoned by that child's possible ancestor, the Lich King, a being far more powerful than the Rikudou Sennin. Yugito went wide-eyed. He sent the Juubi to a long sleep once his use was over and over time, the Lich King died – for unknown reasons – and Juubi awoke to wreak havoc on the world. That was when the Rikudou Sennin intervened. And when he gave birth to the bijuu, he told us of a child who will either bring great peace or great destruction.
And this kid could be it?
It's possible. He didn't elaborate on it much.
So we should be careful about the boy.
Yes, you should.
With Roshi and the Yonbi,
So, he would either be the savior or destroyer that your Rikudou Sennin said?
It wasn't clear who or when. It is clear, though, that the boy is holding a very dangerous weapon should he become your enemy.
What is that sword, anyway?
That is the weapon of the Lich King, Frostmourne, the blade that absorbs souls inside it.
That's just sick.
You've seen men killed and butchered mercilessly, women raped endlessly, and children sold off into slavery and you say that Frostmourne is sick?
To Han and Gobi,
As long as he doesn't anger me, I won't raise my fist against him.
I'm afraid you're on your own at that. We bijuu are once a part of the Juubi, who served the Lich King a long time ago. If he calls on our power, we would have no choice but to follow.
I see. But if he is more powerful than the Rikudou Sennin, why would he call on your power?
…good point….
Then Utakata and Rokubi,
The fact that he is in the Chuunin Exams means that he is a newbie, not yet familiar with the ninja world. He is not yet that much of a threat.
But don't let his features fool you, Utakata-kun. He may look like a genin but he has power behind his eyes.
Finally, Kirabi and Hachibi,
…
Are you even listening to me?
Back to the fight, Naruto and Setsuna are in a deadlock.
Then, they broke blades and Naruto charged with a downward slash.
Setsuna raised her blade to block it and staggered from the weight of impact. Then, she pushed it to the side and quickly slashed at Naruto's torso.
Naruto dodged it by moving back and followed through with a diagonal slash.
Setsuna's eyes widened and jumped away as Frostmourne slammed down on the ground. She shook her head and assumed her stance.
Naruto raised Frostmourne and whipped it to the side. A good amount of dust blew away before Naruto zoomed at Setsuna.
Her eyes flashed before she slashed the air in front of her and shouted, "Jakuzankusen!" A burst of chakra broke the ground as it aimed to clash with the approaching Naruto.
Naruto stopped and grasped Frostmourne with both hands. It glowed blue and he slammed Frostmourne to the ground, where a similar burst of chakra – this time, frost blue – emerged and clashed with the Jakuzankusen.
A powerful gust racked the stadium and both swordsmen clashed again.
Naruto tried to attack Setsuna's crown but she blocked it, with a little difficulty.
Setsuna used her blade to bring Frostmourne to the ground by circling it down and prepped her blade for an uppercut. Then, she slashed.
Naruto, being close proximity to Setsuna, couldn't dodge and Setsuna drew first blood.
Sounds of surprise were heard.
Naruto staggered back and put a hand to his chest, where there was a long gash. He smirked at Setsuna. "Not bad, Setsuna."
Setsuna huffed. "I told you not to hold back. Look what happened."
Naruto sighed. "Fine, fine, you caught me." Then, he released his chakra, which let off a frosty blue color.
Setsuna shivered and reassumed her stance.
Then, with surprising speed, Naruto appeared in front of Setsuna, blade raised high. "Here I go!"
Setsuna raised her blade and blocked it. The ground cracked from the pressure and Naruto broke the deadlock before he slashed at her torso.
Setsuna's eyes widened before she tried to jump away. She managed but her clothes were a different matter. Luckily, it didn't tear too much.
She glared at Naruto and grasped her blade with both hands.
Naruto stared back at her with stoic eyes. Then, he vanished from her view.
She looked shocked before she jumped forward, avoiding a slash from Naruto, who was behind her.
Once recovered, she charged at Naruto.
Naruto put his blade to block the attack from Setsuna and they broke blades.
Setsuna followed through by ducking and going for an uppercut.
Naruto turned his body to the side to avoid it and kicked Setsuna away. Then, Naruto threw Frostmourne towards the recovering Setsuna.
Setsuna staggered from the kick, saw the incoming blade and turned her body to the side, just as the blade imbedded itself to the stadium wall beside her.
Her shaken eyes raked the sword that almost hit her when Naruto appeared in front of her and grasped Frostmourne.
Setsuna gripped her blade and tried to stab Naruto.
However, he sidestepped it and released Frostmourne from the wall in one go. Then, he slashed at Setsuna's neck.
Setsuna ducked and was unprepared for the knee that hit her in the gut. Then, a hand grabbed her back collar and forced her into the ground.
As she felt her knees give into the strength, Frostmourne was at her neck, waiting for her defeat.
Naruto's voice whispered in her ear, "Do you submit to me, Setsuna-san? Or do you wish to continue?"
Setsuna shivered at the voice. The tone wasn't threatening or sultry or something. It was just…a voice, empty of emotion and yet full of meaning behind it.
Well, that, and her ears are quite sensitive and ticklish.
Setsuna sighed. "I forfeit." As Genma announced, 'Shousha: Uzumaki Naruto,' Naruto removed Frostmourne from her throat and helped her up. Then, he handed her sword to her.
Naruto smiled at her. "That was quite an impressive fight, Setsuna-san. You are already at intermediate level. Keep it up and you will reach Uzumaki standards."
Setsuna blushed and bowed to Naruto, who raised a brow. "Thank you. I appreciate the combat. It taught me much."
Naruto put a hand to her shoulder and she looked up at him. "It's nothing. Just…don't bow to me. I'm not much for bowing stuff."
Setsuna beamed and nodded as both combatants walked to the fighter's box.
Up at the Kage's box, the five Kage sat back in their chairs, content with the battle.
Ei said, "The girl is handy with a sword and probably has nearing-chuunin-level chakra control, from that wave earlier. I seem to recognize a bit of Uzumaki ferocity in her strikes. Is she trained by Uzumaki?"
Sarutobi smirked as he smoked on his pipe. "Who knows?"
Onoki put a hand to his chin. "And the Uzumaki child is interesting, to say the least. He has an interesting chakra color. I've seen the ordinary blue, the light green of the Iryo Ninjutsu and the crimson red of the jinchuuriki. However, this is the first time I've seen frosty blue chakra that could physically chill the air."
Mei propped her cheek on her raised hand and smiled. "It is always the handsome ones that are interesting, isn't it?"
The jinchuuriki watched the retreating Naruto with a critical eye.
Utakata mused. I was mistaken, then. He knows how to fight, although he used kenjutsu and a little taijutsu against her.
Yugito frowned. I still fail to see how he could be the chosen one that the Rikudou Sennin foretold.
Han shrugged, indifferent to the child.
Roshi narrowed his eyes. I sensed a little bit of darkness in that frost blue chakra of his. I don't like the looks of that.
Kirabi, however, was still writing at his notebook.
Naruto, as he went up the stairs, smirked as he felt the five jinchuurikis' stare on his back. I believe we are in their spotlight now.
Kel'Thuzad chuckled. Even without meeting the Lich King before, their bijuu still fear you, King Arthas.
Arthas replied. It is of no concern, Kel'Thuzad. At least, my legend is still not forgotten.
As Naruto reached the railings of the fighter's box, he heard Genma announce, "Next: Aburame Shino and Sabaku no Kankuro."
There you go.
It may not be up to par with your expectations but…oh well.
If you're wondering why Hinata has a scythe and Fu has chakrams, I just wanted to introduce something new to these fights.
Read and Review.
Oh, please note, Dosu is still alive because he didn't try to fight Gaara during the one month period. After all, Dosu is under the control of Naruto, through the banshee.