Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Tribute to: Stormy Rebel 'If not for him I never have this story and made a great friend. Honor him…'
Chapter 19: Redefine
XxX ~ Last time ~ XxX
The Uzumaki could see the wisdom in his words. They Chūnin Exams were on right now, and they were all about showing the village's strength to other nations.
"What are the prelims?" Temari asks.
"Seeing how the last two proctors went easy on you, we have way too many candidates for the third stage. So we're going to weed them down in one on one or special matches tournament," the Uzu woman explained.
"But some of us just got here," Ino whined.
"In real life there are no breaks. But before that is there anyone who wishes to leave now?"
"I do," Spoke up Kabuto and his other teammate.
"Kabuto-San," Hinata looked at him gently.
"Yeah the second stage of the exam wore me down than I look. And my body has not even recovered from some of the beat downs," the silver-haired Genin groaned.
Ibiki said their names and ordered them to leave but Kabuto was stopped by his sole teammate that is staying Yoro Akebo.
"What are planning Kabuto," Yoro whispered.
"Nothing at all. Enjoy the prelims Akebo," Kabuto whispers back.
Kabuto adjusted his glasses as never looked back with dark smile forming.
You are full of surprised Naruto-kun. And for Kushina Uzumaki to be here and alive… no matter, Orochimaru-sama will be seeing over everything so I am not needed. Beside best not let the old me out.
"If that is all then we shall begin," Kushina declared.
A wall moved near the ram seal statue on the wall as a screen appeared. Names soon ran randomly until they finally stopped. Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
XxX ~ Round 1 ~ XxX
Uchiha Sasuke vs Yoroi Akadō
"Best not lose Teme." Naruto looks at his teammate. A feeling in his gut telling him Sasuke's in trouble.
Sasuke scoffed, shrugging as he crossed his arms. "I refuse to be beaten. Until I defeat you Naruto, you're the one I want to beat the most."
The blond Jinchurriki smirked while Sakura looked worried between her teammates. While her boys lost some of the animosity between each other in the forest, there was still a strong rivalry between them.
And what the rosette feared was it might turn to something dark. In the months to follow she would never know how right she was.
"Will everyone else please go the second floor balcony to observe? I would like the two combatants beside me." Kushina instructed.
Soon everyone filed up the stairs with Konoha sticking to one side, which also included Kumo and Kiri beside Team 7. Their respective Sensei's all Shunshin beside them. Naruto blinked and blushed as a very beautiful and busty blond in Kumo gear walked in front of him.
With only a passing glance, she spoke to them. "My name is Samui Nii, it's a pleasure to meet you." she said in monotone voice. "My teammates have told me much about you and Sakura-San here."
"Teammates?" Was the two Genin's words. Clearly dumbfounded by the fact a 'Sensei' was a teammate for this group.
Unfazed, she was clear as to why it was. "They did tell you our Sensei is Killer Bee or Kirabi, since that is his real name. I am filling in for Sensei since I am Chunin, and Raikage-Sama did not want him here."
"Because he's like Yugi-chan and me, right?" Naruto said quietly.
The busty blond nodded; slightly impressed he does understand so quickly. "That and Kirabi-Sensei's primary duty is the protection of Kumo itself. Thus his title; 'The Guardian of Kumogakure'."
Naruto grinned, clearly desiring a trip to meet the man. "Cool, Dattebayo. Would be nice to meet him."
Yugito, Karui, and Omoi paled while Samui scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "A strong word of warning, our Sensei is quite… unique." The busty blond Chūnin stressing the last word as best she could.
"He's a fucking nut case, end of story." Karui mumbled as she leaned on the railing.
"Ho… How... B… Bad… could you're… Sen… Sensei be?" Chojuro asked.
"Don't ask!" the four Kumo Nin said together.
Everyone sweat-dropped while refocusing down to the first floor.
XxX ~ xx XxX
The two Konoha Genin stared each other down; the Uchiha seen this guy dressed the same as Kabuto but with a cloth mask covering the lower half of his face and small round rimless shades.
Both kept their eyes locked on each other as Kushina watch them silently. Raising her hand she lets the match begin.
"Hajimei!" she yells jumping away.
Akadō keeps his eyes focused on the Uchiha and notices a missing detail. He's not feeling the effects of the curse mark. "So what Kabuto said was right, that Uzumaki kid really sealed it off. Not bad, least we can see how even we are."
Sasuke gets into his family's Taijutsu stance; "I can't believe I owe that dobe for sealing that damn Curse Mark away. Least I won't have a handicap in this."
Both take measured steps in their fighting stances as they wait for the other to make a move. With quick calculation, both take a quick side step and dash from the opposing directions, Taking out a Kunai and throwing with haste to gauge their opponent. Sasuke clear on hitting his opponents Kunai rather than aiming for him already.
This prompted Sasuke into action, seeing long range was useless. With a hard kick, he charged right for his opponent, Akadō, and swung with a mighty hook. It wasn't going to be easy, however, as Akadō ducked under and swung his leg out where Sasuke was heading. The Uchiha back flipped out of the way, having caught the leg and twisted to dodge it, but his opponent pressed his advantage.
Seeing an opening, Akadō punched Sasuke in the chest, not letting his opponent recover from the last lucky redirection, which the force sent him skidding some feet back. Before he could retaliate, his opponent was behind him and locked his arms around in a bear hug with one open hand on Sasuke's chest, lifting the Uchiha up so he couldn't gain his bearings.
Feeling his body lifted, he tried to struggle, grabbing Akadō's arms and pushing off them, to no avail. "Get off me!"
"I think not Uchiha." Akadō tightened up, standing his ground as he started to slowly suck the strength from Sasuke's body.
Soon Akadō's hand glowed with chakra as Sasuke gasped. My chakra! What the hell is this bastard doing?!
"Enjoying my technique Uchiha?" Akadō said calmly. "I can drain a person's chakra in order to replenish my own. It can be a bit gruesome when I drain someone dry. But it is their own fault for being weaklings." With a soft dark chuckle, he started to really tug on his opponent's chakra.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Naruto glared but was surprisingly silent, much to his fellow Konoha comrade's amazement. They all thought, save Sakura, he would be roaring out something.
As for the rosette she grew worried seeing her teammate losing his chakra. "Kakashi-Sensei, what technique his that Akebo guy using, it's nothing like I have seen before." Sakura asked with slight worry.
"It a very old form of Ninjutsu that was frowned upon for its ill effects on the person losing their chakra. As Akadō said, it could drain a person dry of chakra, which would lead to death. It's not a very pretty sight..." The silver haired Jounin said seriously.
Asuma narrowed his eyes, clearly not liking this one bit. I thought the old man destroyed all those scrolls of that Jutsu. Guess you missed one.
"Come on Sasuke-Kun! You can beat him! Don't give up!" Ino yells out.
Omoi plays with his lollipop in his mouth, his negativity clear with every lick, not to mention every word. "I am not so sure. He could end up an empty husk with no chakra. Or he could get his neck snapped by the Akadō guy. Or-"
His rambling was stopped by a hard fist to his head from Karui who glared at him, not amused at all. "We got it the first time jackass!"
Team 10 just sweat-drop at the Kumo duo, while Yugito and Haku and her team keep their eyes focused on the match. All sensing the tension rising.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Sasuke gritted his teeth as he felt his chakra leaving his body. Thinking on his feet, he reared his legs up together before bending them and swinging them down, slamming them into Akadō's legs and forcing him to lose balance, breaking the hold. With momentum, he quickly spun on his heel and the Uchiha completes a reverse roundhouse kick knocking the older Genin away, hitting the ground hard.
He could feel every ounce of his Chakra nearly drained, but he wasn't done yet. Sasuke flipped through a set of familiar seals. "Screw it, I have enough Chakra for this, even if it's all I got left!"
He breathed in and roared with a blazing fire flying from his lips.
Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu)
Akadō only grunted in surprise, and regained his balance fast as he jumped over the large fireball and quickly through several Shuriken, which the Uchiha moves away to avoid them when his Fireball missed. Landing on the ground, Akadō goes for Sasuke again, his charge slower from his bruised legs, only to be met with a foot to his jaw sending him upwards into the air.
Before he could even regain himself Sasuke was behind him. "Your good, but I am just a bit better. Let's see you survive this!"
Naruto, Sakura, and team Gai gasp realizing the move Sasuke was doing. Performing a perfect one-eighty he slams the heel of his foot into Akadō's stomach with some application of chakra, almost tapped at this point, and makes a small crater, slamming the older Genin crying out in pain before falling unconscious.
ShiShi Renge! (Lion's Barrage)
Kushina whistles at the impressive attack. Hiruzen and the Jounin behind were also impressed as the Uchiha heir got to his feet looking down at his fallen foe. Even on wobbly legs, he felt taller than his Sensei for his trials.
"Your Taijutsu needs work, and if your trump card is that little trick. You'll be dead sooner or later, because only an idiot would stay in that hold for long." Sasuke said calmly walking away.
Kushina motioned the Medics to come over before calling the fight. "Winner, Sasuke Uchiha!"
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
"Gai-Sensei, wasn't that the...?" Lee asked in disbelief. His own technique, used in a fight he wasn't in.
"Yes Lee, that was indeed the Gōken. But this was hybridized to fit Sasuke for his skill set. However, the Gōken Taijutsu is a dangerous combat skill, and for it to be used properly, a person must train in it from the beginning, going for the entire skill before conditioning is dangerous not only for the physical body, but for the chakra coils." Gai said in moment of rare seriousness.
Neji narrowed his eyes but said nothing while Tenten shook her head.
"Was a cool move though, regardless of its dangers." Samui interjected.
"Kick ass Sasuke-Kun!" Ino yelled as she smiled.
"Troublesome. He just had to win like it was easy, some match up..." Shikamaru grumbled.
Asuma face palmed while shaking his head. Chouji just ate his chips happily.
Naruto narrowed his eyes; a little disappointed. "He copied that move from bushy brow. I know in the ninja world nothing is fair, but some things should be left as they are."
"I doubt the Uchiha would agree. They find it quite in their right to take what they want. For what they believe is rightfully theirs. They are nothing but thieves." The booming voice was back.
The blond blinked hearing the angry/lecturing tone from the fox. He would have asked more but seeing how much the Bijuu king hated the Uchiha clan best leave that be… For now at any rate.
"I agree." That wasn't him, nor the fox, not even Lee. It was a shock to be a female voice.
Naruto's eyes widen in shock as he turn looking at Sakura who said it. He had thought she'd yell at him for saying something against Sasuke, but this threw him off. But he noticed how her eyes were somewhat cold with still small attachment to their Uchiha teammate. Maybe that Kunai to the jaw and Sasuke's harsh words got to her more than he thought.
Gaara watched impassively mainly keeping his eyes focused on his two Jinchurriki kin on the other side. He found it perplexing they were not like he is. No hate in their eyes, he just could not understand that.
"He's not half bad, for someone not a year out of the academy." Kankuro smirked.
"Least he puts up a fight, better than I could say about most of these guys." Temari said calmly.
Yugito and Haku look at each other. Both were impressed even if it was begrudgingly. Kouhei and Chojuro only nod in agreement to the Uchiha's words while Zabuza looks over to Kakashi.
The swordsman looking impressed, but a little harshly at his fellow Jounin. "So your brat got a little better Kakashi."
The silver haired Jounin looked lazily at the Kiri swordsman. "You'll be surprised how well my students have gotten in the time after Nami."
The Oto Jounin/Orochimaru only smirked. Impressive, just like a member of the Uchiha clan should be. I can't wait to see your full power at its peak Sasuke-Kun. His eyes soon traveled to Naruto and Kushina.
Both Sakura and Naruto kept themselves from snorting as they dryly look at each other. But that was nothing compared to the heated glare Kakashi got from a certain redhead Kunoichi who heard him perfectly.
Soon Sasuke walks up the steps as the medics get Akadō out the room. He stands quietly beside his team who both look at him dryly.
"Shut up it was good move, besides I needed a quick ending Taijutsu from all the chakra he drained from me." The Uchiha already knowing what they'd say to him.
Soon the board lights up again as every watches on quietly.
Yugito Nii vs. Kiba Inuzuka
"Alright! We get show them how it's done Akamaru, not like that show-off y Uchiha!" Kiba said with grin while Akamaru barked in agreement.
"Focus Kiba, do not take her lightly..." Kurenai said in response. Having a bad feeling for her student.
With a scoff and hurt mirth, he worse his pride in high regard. "Oh, come one sensei, this will be a cake walk."
The Nibi Jinchurriki only looked dryly at her opponent but was mentally smirking. Saying nothing to her team she only pats Naruto's shoulder as she walks down the arena. As the two take their positions Matatabi still rubs her nose sourly. "This brat and cute puppy on his head smelled worse up close! Beating their asses would be on principle for the damn smell." Yugito lifted a delicate eyebrow seeing the smug look on Kiba.
"Something on your mind Inuzuka, or are you just waiting for the bone they will be throwing you." the Kumo Kunoichi asks.
Kiba smirked as he popped his knuckles; chuckling lightly. "Just all fired up for a good fight. I won't take it easy on you, just cause your woman. And a hottie too."
Yugito felt her left eye twitch while Matatabi also was now officially in a bad mood. Both really hated gender comments and became more apparent when voice by a chauvinistic male. Kushina was not faring better also glaring while Hiruzen just shook his head at the boy's antics.
"Yugito Nii vs Kiba Inuzuka, Hajimei!" With a quick vanishing act, her words rang for the beginning of the fight.
As the redhead raised her arm and dropped it, Kiba got ready as his features grew more feral and dangerous looking. He slowly got on his hands and feet like an animal; the Shikyaku no Jutsu (Four Legs Technique) of his clan with Akamaru beside him.
Yugito was unfazed as she simply got into her Taijutsu stance, ready to go on the prowl and humiliate this pup.
In an impressive burst of speed, Kiba was in front of the Nibi Jinchurriki with his claws ready to strike the Kumo girl. The blond girl quickly dodges the claw strikes, twisting to the right and backing up when the dog owner landed with a heavy huff on the ground. She even saw the feint which would have been an elbow to her stomach. This guy was good at his craft, Yugito would give him that, but she was just a little better.
"Shall we turn this up?" Matatabi said in a sly tone.
With her own feral grin, she got ready to go on the offensive. Let's…
Before Kiba could deliver another slash to Yugito's face, twisting his body to catch her off guard when she dodges, she vanished in a burst of speed. The Inuzuka blinks in surprise before feeling an intense pain from behind. With a heavy thud, he landed hard on his chest, and bounced a bit. He stumbled forward with his Ninken barking in concern, clearly worried for his master as he just got sucker punched. Everyone sees the long claw marks which slashed deep into Kiba's back.
Yugito had simply ran forward under Kiba and rose up behind him with her fastest moves, and slashed her grown claws into his back, forcing him to the ground with her momentum. She stood with a proud smirk. "Well seems you're not the only one with claws eh mutt boy?"
Gritting his teeth Kiba turns when hearing Yugito's voice, only to find she is not behind him. However, he is not in time to dodge when a claw hand makes contact with his face, yet again drawing blood. The Inuzuka heir howls in pain as there are deep slashes now on his back and face, his body flung to the side. He was just lucky she choose not to go for his eyes, because he could easily feel her intent on playing with him, even as he was kneeling on the ground, his hand covering his wounded cheek.
But he had no time to react when a powerful knee strike forced itself into his chest. Yugito sped up and delivered a rocketing flip kick, only to use her knee instead of her foot. The wind was knocked out of him as he sent flying into the wall on the far side, bouncing off and falling onto his hands and knees. Where he was now, he could easily see Yugito with a smirk on her face, as she continued her advantage. Fear bubbling to the surface as he felt his imminent pain increasing.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
"Yugi-Chan is fast!"
That came from Naruto as he stood beside Sakura and Omoi who the Kumo Shinobi nods smiling. "Yeah, Yugito is perhaps the deadliest Kunoichi in the exam. You guys got lucky, Samui is also a Chunin, or there really would be some trouble."
Karui gives a smug smile while cheering her teammate on. "You go girl, show that mutt whose boss!"
The blond and rosette blink as they look at each other than to the Kunoichi Chunin in question who keeps her focus on the fight below. Even with her teammate doing well, she shown no emotion.
Hinata cringed hearing Kiba's shouts of pain and harsh slam into the area wall. She worried if he was alright, as he painfully got up with Akamaru barking. Both seemingly scared, but still able to fight.
Shino kept his focus as he watched on. Kurenai watched on with concern as she was watching Kiba slowly being torn down. Asuma whistled while his team watched on. It was an audience of silent wonder and awe, cringing at every attack.
"She has good fighter's senses. She is no slouch..." Shikamaru grumbled, cringing from the thought of maybe fighting her in the third exam. "Troublesome."
"Damn that girl can kick ass, makes me wish I had paid more attention to my own training." Ino comments.
Haku keeps her eyes solely on the fight below along with Kouhei and Chojuro. Zabuza can say one thing; this Kumo girl might give Haku some trouble if they fight. Maybe even the Uzumaki brat, but even he wouldn't admit such, true or not.
XxX ~ Yugito vs Kiba ~ XxX
Dashing forward, the Kumo Kunoichi literally overwhelms Kiba. With impressive strength, she grabs onto his arm and pulls him forward, driving him off balance for her next strike. Swiftly, she grabs his collar and rams her body into his, picking him up and slamming him into the ground, making him bounce against the floor. Before he could even land a second time, her lifted leg, that swept his stable leg from under him for the throw, swung with a mighty smack into his side, and sending him feet away.
Kiba hacks up some blood as he tries getting up. He felt his rib break that time, and he knew his mother was ruthless in training but this was a ridiculous amount of strength for a simple Genin. Beside him a concerned Akamaru barks for him to stay down. This was one enemy he could not stop, and Akamaru could feel more to the woman.
However, even with the pain in his body, and the obvious disadvantage so far, he had his pride. She hasn't even used a single jutsu, just straight up Taijutsu. Hana-Nee would laugh me out of the village if I got beat by a girl who just kicked my ass without a single bruise on her!
Back on his feet, he grabs some smoke bombs from his pouch. Yugito didn't see this, as he made it look like he was holding his leg, even when she advanced again. As she got close, he threw them to the ground. Yugito stopped her advance, but caught in the smoke she wasn't able to get out without letting him have his chance. She did not see Kiba giving Akamaru a small red pill, which if she could she would down the pup instantly. Soon, the white fur turned red as the cute pup soon turned angry and menacing.
Kiba smirked as he seen Akamaru grow an inch in size from the pill, and put his hands together in a seal. His first trump card. "Jūjin Bushin (Beast Clone)"
The smoke slowly cleared as Yugito now saw two Kiba's in fighting stance. Even if they both were charging, she was ready, not allowing such numbers overwhelm her as Kiba imagined it would. As both tried to flank her, all she did was twist out of range of the first Kiba's strike, and swing a harsh elbow into the other Kiba's jaw, tossing him to the side. As the second Kiba got up, rubbing his cheek, Yugito smirked.
"So turned your puppy into a clone of you… not much of an improvement, considering now there is twice the bad odor." Yugito goaded the Inuzuka heir. Angered, the first Kiba raced in again, this time trying to get in low.
Even if his strike rose with her, Yugito flipped over him and got in between them both once more, not showing any hostility as she flipped the Inuzuka off.
Kiba was the one who attacked and he snarled. Being humiliated like this was just demeaning to him and his family. "Shut your trap, woman!"
Saying that comment, Kiba did not know what happened, but he ended up hitting the wall so hard it nearly knocked him unconscious along with Akamaru, who almost shifted back into he's real form.
To say it was quick was a regrettable truth, but painless was a stretch. As Akamaru got up and attacked, Yugito grabbed onto him and slammed him into the floor. With another skid along the floor, Kiba was fast to jump over and spin, attempting his tornado strike.
Yugito caught both his hands trying to hit her and twisted them; bending and making Kiba hit the ground on his knees, groaning in pain. Akamaru was up quick again and tried to get on Yugito, whose arms were busy.
Not for long, as the feline fighter tossed Kiba's hands down, scratching into them to keep them from going after her. With a swift strike, her claws slashed into Kiba's chest, deep enough to draw blood but nothing lethal, and that sent him back enough to be kicked with enough force to his the side wall.
Yugito had to use both legs to send him down, and as she landed, she grabbed Akamaru by the shoulders, digging her claws in and pinning him to the floor. It was no surprise when she twisted and spun Akamaru around before throwing him right next to Kiba, hitting the wall so hard he was knocked out, and changed back,
It all happened in seconds, but it was going to last forever in memory. Yugito stood and withdrew her claws, clapping her hands together, wiping her hands clean of the mutts.
Kushina snickered while the people behind her were just as impressed as she was. However, Yugito only scowled as she folded her arms under her chest. Clearly not interested in dealing with the mutts anymore. "Anymore gender comments, and I will start cutting off things you will miss mutt boy."
Looking for several seconds, and the down Inuzuka heir not getting back up, or acknowledging the threat, Kushina soon raised her hand. "Winner, Yugito Nii!"
The Kumo team cheered, along with Naruto and Sakura, while the Jounin and Hokage were very impressed at the display of the young kunoichi. Already formulating her rank before the third exam. Kakashi was wondering though why Naruto and Sakura were so happy that Yugito won her match against Kiba.
"She wasted no movement, and did not perform a jutsu to waste chakra because she knew her opponent was weaker than her. She is a brilliant tactician, although hot-headed." The Hokage spoke quietly as he smoked from his pipe.
"With one hell of a biggest sadistic streak I ever have seen..." Anko comments with a cruel smirk. "She knew those slashes would be not be fatal but would prove very painful and he would feel the effects for days regardless of healing. I'm already a big fan!"
"Next, Dattebane..." Kushina nearly chirped with a smile speaking of satisfaction.
Silence enveloped everyone as they blinked, and they soon looked between a blushing Naruto and the now equally blushing redhead Uzumaki. Both realizing the word, and how screwed they were.
"Dattebane..." The word echoed through the room. And everyone else seemed to have figured it out as well...
Hiruzen chuckled seeing both his grandchildren blushing with embarrassment about their verbal tick. Asuma shared in his father's amusement while Kurenai shook her head with a smile on her lips. Even Orochimaru was chuckling. Thankfully for the Uzumaki duo, they were saved from any comments when the screen flashed through names.
Sakura gave a coy smile at her blond teammate who sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. The Uchiha heir faintly smirked. "Least we know where it started from. Not that I feel any better, seems social anxiety runs in the family. What will your child say?"
Kakashi only eye-smiled while patting Naruto's head; remembering fond memories of such phrases from his early days knowing Kushina. "He does take after Kushina-Sama the most."
"Seems like it... 'Dattebayo.'" Sakura gave a sly playful smirk. She was having fun teasing the blond, but it was a cute tick for him and his mother she enjoyed.
Uzumaki might be a fearsome foe to fight, but each one had their own unique verbal tick.
She and Haku both giggled when seeing Naruto hit his head on the railing, trying to will his body to die from embarrassment while groaning. Kouhei snorted while Omoi, Karui and Zabuza laughed, even Samui smiled some, just as Yugito walked back up the stairs and stopped looking at her blond Konoha friend as he beats his head on the railing. She may not have been in on the joking, but she could wait.
Hearing the buzzer from the screen people look at to see who will fight next. Kakashi gave a thoughtful look as he looked to Zabuza, who was smirking under his bandages. Omoi shrugged while Lee groaned out loud about not being next to fight. He was real anxious, and the next challenge was one he wanted in on.
Haku Yuki vs. Shino Aburame
The Hyoton user took a deep breath as she turned to look at her opponent. Both give a small bow to their heads as a sign of respect before heading down to the arena. The Genjutsu mistress and Former Seven Swordsman eye each other before looking down at their students. One thing was certain, bets were being placed.
On the other side the Oto-Jounin/Orochimaru, watched curiously. The Hyoton was surprising in her assault against him along with the other teams that joined up with Naruto and defended the Kyuubi Jinchurriki.
A hidden smirk graced his lips he also remembers what he saw. He was willing to bet she had much more to offer, and hoped the Aburame clan didn't neglect their young members in training.
Temari crossed her arms. Humming as she remembered the details. "Heard quite a bit about that Hyoton user; Said she is the deadliest Genin in Kiri especially since she was trained as a child by Zabuza Momochi."
"She is not to be underestimated. If one of you have faces her if she wins, do not hesitate." Baki, their Sensei, spoke as he watched the stage intently, wanting to keep an eye on such a fighter.
Both Kankuro and Temari caught Baki's meaning as they nodded silently.
Gaara, however, was not impressed. "It will not matter. She will die just like the rest with their blood as my sacrifice." Gaara spoke calmly.
A chill went down the rest of Suna's spines as they tried to refocus on the match.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
"I have heard about the Aburame Clan, it is both respected and feared for your talents." Haku said honestly as she looks at her opponent in front of her.
"Thank you, I have also heard of your clan's ability with ice. A dangerous talent as well, and one I will be happy to test my own abilities against." Shino spoke in his usual monotone voice. Though, he wasn't one for chatting.
The brunette gave soft smile as she bowed her head. She and Kushina noticed the small irritation coming off Shino's shoulders. The red haired Uzumaki raises her hand.
"Haku Yuki vs. Shino Aburame, Hajimei!" Quickly out of there with a drop of the hand, she watched from a safe distance.
Both opponents remain relaxed as they stare at each other, save the small twitch in Shino's fingers and shoulders.
Haku tilted her head, a small smile adorning her face. "You looked stressed. If you're wondering what is wrong, I will show you Shino-San."
Lifting her left arm she moves the kimono sleeve up to show her full arm. The Aburame heir lifts both his eyebrows as Kushina smirked. There, on Haku's flawless creamy skin, were several of Shino's Kikaichu insects, completely frozen solid.
Kurenai and Hinata along with the majority of Konoha 12 were shocked at the sight. Zabuza chuckled as he crossed his arms, both Kouhei and Chojuro smiled.
Naruto smirked like his mother. "The Kori no Yoroi. Haku-Chan got better with it." He was quite proud she did, because now she had every advantage in a close range fight.
Kouhei grunts, not surprised at all. "Bet your ass she did. She trained herself relentlessly so she could catch up with you. I guessed you left one hell of an impression on her Uzumaki."
Seeing a rare knowing smirk from the Kiri Nin, Naruto blushed remembering being kissed by the beautiful Hyoton user. Sakura felt her eye twitch as she strangely felt her ire rise seeing her blond teammate blush for some reason. Yugito lightly glared which made her teammates look at her strangely while Matatabi snickered.
Through it all, Naruto felt a chill run up and down his spine, but knew it was not Haku's abilities, but something much colder and sinister... Kyuubi chuckled darkly. "Oh this is gonna be fun..."
XxX xx XxX
Letting her arm drop to her sides, as her sleeve falls back, Haku looks at Shino with both respect and honesty. "Aburame-San, if there is one thing I learned from Naruto-Kun, it is that one cannot rely solely on a singular skill."
Before Shino could react, she was behind him. He may have lost the ability to secretly suck the chakra of his opponents, but not his ability to fight. He ducked under the Senbon aimed for his neck, and kicked at Haku's legs.
Haku flipped over Shino and attempted to grab onto his jacket. Though he managed to keep from her grasp with a weirdly executed cartwheel away. She landed and threw a few of her Senbon at Shino, who landed on his feet and tried to catch his breath.
He didn't have long, as the Senbon were thrown. He caught them in his arm, however, and grabbed each, tossing them right back. Haku threw three more, each hitting their adjacent twins, and floating. In a swift move, she caught each in her hands, three in each hand, pointed and ready for the next move.
Shino flew his bugs between them, and got ready for her, seeing her run for him with amazing speed. It didn't last too long, as she flew into them, freezing them upon contact, and got in close to Shino.
Shino managed to get to her first, and thrust both fists at her, where she couldn't see through the bug wall before. Haku was impressed he hid his attack, but managed to gain access to weaken him. With a change of plans and a slick mindset, she jammed her needles into his fists, effectively paralyzing his hands.
Shino hissed loudly, a rumbling in his throat as he held his tongue from the pain, his hands dropping and twitching. He looked up to Haku, who smiled, her finger ticking back and forth. "Sorry, Aburame. Whilst a nice feint, you'll need to be faster to catch me in a fight."
In a second, she vanished in thin air. Shino had his remaining bugs, those he had not gotten frozen, buzzing around him. As soon as she tried anything, he would know when his filed was frozen.
Shino clenched his teeth, both his arms by his sides as blood ran from his knuckles and down the metal jammed in them to the floor. Soon, his bugs started to fall. But unlike his plan, they were all falling, a cold air trickling his body, his breath visible and puffing up from his coat. He felt the chill of death trickle down his spine, before a soft whisper caught him off guard.
Haku had radiated her body's temperature around her, hiding within the cold glacier of bugs. Nothing like her mirrors, but just the same when it came to a place to hide. As soon as she had radiated enough to make the bugs start dropping in hibernation, she had speedily traveled along the icy realm, and gotten behind Shino. With a smile and a Senbon, she gave him one last word of advice. "Next time, don't hesitate... Hesitation will only give people like me chances to win."
With a swift jab, the Senbon struck home in his neck, turning the young Aburame into a rag doll. He hit the floor, losing consciousness and this fight.
A stunned Kushina came out and checked on him, but sighed as she felt a pulse on his neck. She knew a neck injury, especially near the spine, was potentially lethal. But was glad to know Haku was as good as she hoped. The spot that was hit was well hidden, and mostly only seen by Hyuga; however it even took them a large amount of training to be able to utilize such a spot. This girl could become a well-trained assassin years to come.
Haku smiled and looked to Kushina. "He'll be fine, just sore in the morning. I did have to get rough on him with his knuckles, but otherwise he should be right as rain with some rest."
Zabuza huffed a bit and silently spoke. "Still too soft, Haku..."
Haku turned and pouted a bit to her adoptive father. Just as silent, but still heard to him. "I know..."
'To soft? If she went any further with a deadly blow afterward then she could kill her opponent' this is most of the Jounin and Naruto thought what Zabuza said about Haku.
Kushina stood up, raising her hand towards Haku. "Winner, Haku Yuki!"
The Genjutsu mistress quickly appeared, along with Hinata, as the Kiri Kunoichi gently pulled out the Senbon from Shino's neck. She moved away as Kurenai and Hinata picked up Shino and took him back up to the balcony with Haku following behind them to get back to her team.
As the trio started up, Haku was surprised to hear from the two in front of her. "Thank you for not killing him Yuki-San, even though it's quite clear you could have." Kurenai said gently.
"There was no need to, Kiri and Konoha are not enemies and I hate needless bloodshed... Regardless of my rough treatment to his hands." Memories of what happen of her father replaying in her mind. The countless loss of life during the Bloodline purges.
As the remains of Team 8 and Haku get settled back at the balcony, a figure Shunshined to Hiruzen's right facing him. The man was a little hard to make out with the smoke, but his red attire and crazy long white hair sticking out like a sore thumb.
"So did I miss the kid fight yet?" Hearing Jiraiya's voice got everyone surprised, but Kushina only smirked as she kept her back to the Sannin and Hokage. The old sage had his back to her, completely unaware of her presence.
Sarutobi shook his as he looked at his former student with smirk on his face. "Naruto-Kun has yet to fight. However, you should take a good look behind you."
Having a confused look on his face, Jiraiya uncrossed his arms as he turned around. The moment he turned, the blood left his face as his face became as white as his hair. Long, pure crimson hair going down the ankles. Only one woman had that hair style, and he knew just who it was... Fearing and hoping just the thought of it.
It… It can't be… She's…
She was deliberate in turning slowly, the smirk on her face only grew as her velvet eyes came into the Gama Sannin's view. Jiraiya's legs felt weak as his body shook in pure disbelief. Fully turned with one hand on her hip, like he remembered, Kushina leaned a little forward.
"Not used to seeing ghosts Ero-Sennin...?" The redhead Uzumaki gave a not so innocent smile. Though her mischief only made things much sweeter in her plans for the old sage.
He fell forward losing consciousness as both Uzumaki's were laughing loudly at the sight of seeing Jiraiya fainting. Even the Hokage could not stop himself as he joined in with his grandchildren while everyone else were slack-jawed seeing one the Sannin just fall on his face. Though no one saw it, Orochimaru was chuckling at his former friend.
Wonder how Tsunade will react seeing Kushina? She did think of her like a daughter if I recall… the Hebi Sannin thought absently.
After collecting himself, a coughing fit to disguise his act of youthful laughter, Hiruzen looked over to Anko. "Be a dear, Anko-chan, and get a bucket of ice water."
A devious smirk appeared on the snake mistress as she quickly shunshined from the room and came back with the largest bucket she could find, filled to the top with iced cold water. She didn't even hesitate as she kicked him in the side to flip him over and managed to dump the entire thing in one tip, and only on his face.
"Rise and shine pervert!" both Anko and Kushina yelled at once.
Hearing the most loudest girlish scream, as the snake mistress unleashed the contents from her bucket onto a now fully awake, and shrieking, Sannin, who flew into the air, hitting the ram seal statue with his head, which left a crack in the statue, it was by far the funniest damn thing to happen during any exam in history, and it took several high ranking shinobi to keep their composure, but all at least snickered at the antics provided. The old sage groaned as he fell on his back onto the hard ground with Kushina smirking down at him.
"That was for peeking on me when you 'thought' I never noticed Dattebane, oh this makes up for that." The Uzu matriarch's tone laced with pure sarcasm.
With half open eyes, Jiraiya only groans in pain as Kushina walks back to her place. Only one woman walks with that sway of her hips and a vicious streak a mile long. Yep that is Kushina alright… but how in the name of Kami is she even alive!?
Sitting up with a groan, the Sannin looks over to his former sensei, who mouthed 'tell ya later'. As things settled, the screen flared again as names moved at a fast pace.
Lee was nearly jumping on the balls of his feet; he was getting antsy to prove himself. Please let me be next. And please let my opponent be Naruto-Kun. He is a worthy rival!
As the names stopped he stopped pacing as he blinked and looked to his left. Kushina tapped her chin in thought as she looked at the next fighters who looked right at each other.
Sakura Haruno vs Ino Yamanaka
Naruto widened his eyes while Kakashi and Asuma let out a low whistle. This will be interesting…
Taking a deep breath, the rosette put her hair in a low ponytail as she winked at Naruto and walked down the stairs to the arena. Ino followed as the former friends soon stand in front of each other. Going into her pack the blond Uzumaki paled as Sakura pulled out her black gloves.
Naruto's painful memories came rushing back, every single time he met with her fists it was nothing short of jaw breaking. She's starting off with that?! Oh sweet Kami this will be something… Naruto mentally thought while Kurama kept an eye open to watch.
"Ready forehead?" Ino smirked but cringed as Sakura popped her knuckles. Ino did not like popping bones.
A very similar way which made two certain people pale from flashbacks of the past of a woman with the very same habit. Kushina blinked as she shook her head quickly, mentally swearing for a moment, as she saw the closest thing she had to a mother after her own died giving birth to her.
Sakura smiled and flexed her hands in the gloves, smiling widely and confidently. "Ready when you are Ino."
Kushina kept her eyes sharply on the rosette as she goes into a fighting the second stance of Nenshou Tsuki. She's calm, and while her stance needs work, looks like she will do just fine with my Taijutsu like Sochi.
The redhead lightly smirked as she raised her hand and let it drop. "Hajimei!" And just like that, vanished once more.
The Yamanaka heiress pulled a kunai and took a basic stance but blinked noticing her former friend was gone. Though, that was explained why rather quick. "INO ABOVE YOU!"
Hearing Shikamaru's voice, she looks up seeing a rosette coming down with her right fist pulled back. She leaped back just before Sakura's fist could hit, only her reflexes saving her from what was to happen next. As soon as Sakura's fist made contact with the ground, the earth rumbled beneath them all, even for those on the balconies, as the strength of her punch created a medium sized crater around her, the floor breaking into shards, cracks sporting everywhere. Ino herself hit the floor with her ass when she slipped on a lowered floor with moving broken tiles.
To say the people around her were impressed would be an understatement, as Kushina's eyes nearly popped out of her skull they went so wide, The Hokage and the Toad Sage gawking at the insane strength of a simple Genin, imitating their widely known team member's technique to the letter, even if the strength was not up to par yet. Everyone else, of all ranks, and titles, and such, could only stare in awe, jaws on the floor, eyes wide, and their attention drawn to an intense focus on the battle ahead.
The only one not bothered was Naruto, and he cringed remembering the training session he had with his favorite rosette. His flight instinct yelling at him to duck and hide. Samui, to her credit, kept her cool, but she looked several shades paler seeing such a show of strength from such a young and inexperienced Genin, effectively making her have fear from the lore of the legendary Slug Princess, Tsunade. Omoi was now starting to think that Sakura be more dangerous than his teammates. Haku was wondering if her ice mirror will hold up against such a destructive punch while Zabuza was thinking the same thing.
Orochimaru looked thoughtful as he tilted his head while in his Jounin disguise. While a crude variation, it is close to what Tsunade can do. Not something I'd expect from a civilian-born. Hmm…
If she used that much power when she punched me in the Hokage's office I probably would have be stuck in the wall or gone right through it, thought Kushina as she saw the crater that the punch was Sakura made.
"NOT ANOTHER ONE!" this loud echoing cry came from both Jiraiya and Hiruzen.
As everything settled, smoke and all, Sakura stood still as she slowly turned her gaze to a now visibly frightened Ino. While determined to win, she hated seeing her longtime friend like this. Hell, she had been thinking about it for a good while now, and she felt disgusted with herself for breaking up their friendship over a boy. A boy who obviously wanted nothing to do with them, obvious hints thrown their way and everything.
Sakura brushed her gloves of dust and stood, staring at Ino, a sympathetic look on her face. When this is over, I'll talk to Ino… I want my friend back. I want my best friend back, no matter what she feels for Sasuke.
She smiled, lifting a fist intimidatingly. "Well, Ino, still want to fight?"
The blond girl caught her breath as she regained her focus. "How did you get so damn strong?!" That is NOT the Sakura I remember! She could barely focus her true strength in Genjutsu, and now she's punching craters in hardened MARBLE!? This is SO not good!
The rosette faintly smiled a somber look on her face as she looked at her hand, releasing her fist to do so. "Naruto woke me up. After seeing what he could do, seeing his real skills, and actually sitting down to talk with him. I learned two things. One: never judge anyone, ever! Two: finding who truly cares for you can be a hell of a good thing."
Kushina grinned at that. Good girl, learning well indeed.
Looking up to her son, she sees him also smiling while a dumbstruck Sasuke and Kakashi look at the young blond Uzumaki. The rosette's face became more determined, gripping a fist again as she got back into stance. "I refuse to be some helpless little girl waiting for a prince that will never show. I am a Kunoichi. I will fight to protect my village, my family, friends, and my team… Till the day I die!"
The majority of the female Kunoichi's in the room soon smirked in silent agreement at the rosette's words. Sakura's face soon softened; regardless of her readiness to battle. "And I want my best friend back. Please forfeit, Ino-Neechan."
The blond girl's eyes widen; Sakura had not called her that since they were still friends. She felt a pang in her heart as she did miss being with longtime friend. But she also looked at Naruto herself who looked at her with a calm smile.
Naruto is the reason you changed so much? Well he did start acting differently after graduation, but still… Her eyes shifted to the Uchiha then back to Sakura. With a renewed spirit to fight, even when asked to forfeit, she felt the strength to show she was no weak princess waiting for a hero. She needed to prove herself, not just to her team, or to any would be prince. But to herself. "I'm not losing that easily Sakura!"
Quickly making ground, Ino charged forward. The rosette dodged what was the first attempt, a rounding straight punch that was, to Sakura, slower than it should have been. She is so slow… and she only using basic Taijutsu from the academy? And I thought Kakashi-sensei was lazy, jeez…
Naruto looks over to Asuma with an annoyed expression. "Please tell me you taught her something Otooji?"
Asuma looked right over with equal annoyance. "You haven't thought I tried kid? Every time I tried to grab her attention to some basic moves away from academy stuff she refused!"
The pine-apple haired teammate to the blonde below scoffed. "Trust me Naruto; Asuma nearly ripped his own arm off to get Ino into training. None of it worked, troublesome idiot..." Shikamaru grumbled.
Even Chouji nodded in agreement to this while eating chips. Naruto sighs in defeat while Sasuke simply face palmed. "She's from a clan; the heiress no less. They should be teaching her their fighting style and Jutsu." Sasuke shook his head as looked down. While he'd never say it, he was getting impressed by Sakura, if only a little.
Tenten just sighed as she rubbed her temples, she wasn't even from a clan and she knew more Taijutsu in a month than Ino did right now. Hinata kept quiet, but was secretly impressed by the change in Sakura. She herself wanted to do nothing more than train harder, maybe capture Naruto's attention with her own hard work. Whilst the rest of the Genin from Konoha managed to think similarly of how pathetic this was becoming, Kumo and Kiri just stared at each other. All thinking the same thing. "Slowest fight so far."
Karui almost growled seeing how out of breath that Ino girl now is.
Ino kept at it, swinging a low kick to trip Sakura up, but only managed to get Sakura into position for another of her own strikes. Ino nearly scraped past the gloves fist and attempted a basic counter, only for her swinging arm to find nothing but air. Sakura ducked under it and kicked off the ground, getting a few feet away from Ino.
Samui looked over to Naruto; clearly unimpressed with the Yamanaka so far. "She is a fan-girl isn't she Naruto-San."
The Uzumaki simply nodded as he looked at her, and he saw the busty Kunoichi shake her head in annoyance. He also noticed Yugito, Karui, and Haku also look lightly upset. It was quite clear they hated girls who did not take their duties as Kunoichi seriously.
Glad I got Sakura out of that. I am so glad Sakura-Chan listened to me and started changing her ways. Or they all would be really pissed off.
Sakura just kept dodging, Ino huffing as her several kicking combo's failed at every attempt. Swinging for the head, Ino missed again when Sakura ducked under and sprang forward, getting behind the blonde with ease and tapping her shoulder. Ino was getting a bit desperate, her former friend proving to be faster and much more skilled than she thought.
Kushina tilted her head with a light frown. You really have been slacking off Inoichi. You used to be very serious when it came to shinobi training. Then again, that wife of his might have broken him down some. Ayako was also like that.
Meanwhile Kakashi watched on with a perplex expression. I knew Naruto was helping Sakura, but did not even know he was helping build her from the ground up. She is faster, and has more endurance compared to before, plus now having that monstrous strength like Tsunade-Sama. And he's been teaching her that new Taijutsu he is learning? I should have kept a closer eye on them…
Sakura sighed as she dodged with no effort from a tired swing from a now slightly panting Ino. The rosette was so glad she took Naruto's advice; if not for him of all people, she'd be useless right now.
Ino tried a tackling punch, only to be met with tripping over herself and falling to her knees, her back to Sakura and the Konoha crowd. Sakura looked up to Naruto, who was blinking at her curiously. She smiled and put a hand on her hip. "Think we could have Neechan join us in our sparing and training sessions Naruto-Kun?"
NARUTO-KUN?! Ino's eyes nearly bugged out as she looked at her former friend in disbelief. Ok, first the wicked strength, then the offer of friendship, next was her speed and skill being higher than mine, and now THIS!?
Hinata was the same wondering how close Naruto and Sakura were now.
Naruto shrugged, chuckling nervously. "That would be up to her Sakura-Chan. Wouldn't mind, would be nice to make a new friend." Naruto gave a friendly smirk.
"If Inoichi gotten this lazy I would have to help out of principle, and beat him into shape after a long talk with his wife." Kushina spoke up with her arms crossed under her bust.
Ino blinked gazing over to Naruto's mom. "You know daddy? And my mom?"
With a heavy sigh and a shake of her head, her arms raising in exasperation, she spoke honestly. "I do consider him a friend, but I might have to whip your daddy's ass when we leave this place. Honestly Inoichi what the hell is the matter with you. Your mom must have broken him to make him so negligent." Do you want your little girl to be raped and murdered?
Ino was about to yell at Kushina for her words, then looked back to Sakura who looked pleadingly for her to surrender. She looked at everyone. She was making a fool of herself, and this was every kind of crazy joke on her. Clinching her hands she growled. "I am not weak!"
She charged, racing after Sakura with as much speed she could muster, pouring all her strength into her drawn back fist. It was in vein, however, as Sakura easily caught Ino's fist and slammed her own into her former friend's chest. The force sent her flying into the wall under the balcony which left a small crater, but not forceful enough to do any permanent or crippling injuries. Ino choked out a breath as she fell forward. She was unconscious before she hit the floor.
Before she hit the floor, and the last thing she saw, was the words of silence on Sakura's lips, meant only for her. "I'm sorry Neechan…"
When Ino didn't get back up, Kushina re-appeared on the field and checked the girl's pulse, and made sure she could still breathe. Happy she was, Kushina stood.
With a hand pointed to Sakura, she happily announced the winner. "Winner, Sakura Haruno!"
Asuma Shunshined down beside his student, both he and Kushina knelt down and gently turned her over. Sakura soon ran over and knelt down as well, all three were happy she was breathing but it sound slightly off. Putting her hand on the heiress chest, the redhead Uzumaki felt it rise and fall slowly.
Whilst she knew Ino was still relatively ok, she knew the sings of the injury well. Heck, she had them once or twice. "Fractured ribs get to the medics Asuma. Could have been worse, could have punctured her lungs if it was any harder."
The younger Sarutobi nodded as he picked his student and shunshined away. Kushina looks over to the rosette who looked a little down. "It'll be okay. I'd say you were very precise; control is a very big tool in that technique. Perfection if I do say so myself."
Sakura looked up with a weak smile. She did pull back, making sure to use only enough that would have rippled the bark off a tree and leave an indentation. "Maybe she will wake up now like I did."
The female Uzumaki winked; smiling as she pushed the rosette to go back up the balcony. "Let's hope."