CHAPTER 12 EXAMS
Naruto stood outside the academy with Mei and Zabuza's team as they went to have the first exam.
"Alright runts head on in you got your instructions?" Zabuza asked as all of them held up a slip of paper and began to walk toward the academy
"So you guys want to grab a drink while we wait?" Naruto asked
"Don't think they serve minors in this village." Mei said
"Never stopped him before." Zabuza said
"No it hasn't" Naruto said as he began to walk away
Inside the three mist genin walked straight to the third floor where the exam was being held as they walked past the second floor they saw a group of genin all trying to get into a room with the room number of the exam over it, they easily knew it was a genjutsu because they hadn't even gotten to the third floor.
Once they made it to exam room they found a seat next to the door. After a while a group of leaf genin walked in that Haku recognized from the forest in whirlpool. He sat there and watched them as they were met by two more teams from the leaf and they began to talk as he listened in.
Over with the leaf genin.
"Well looks like all the leaf rookies made it." Kiba said as he walked up to team seven
"No surprise your teams got here since you're all council level clans." Sasuke said "fortunately my team had me to help get them here."
"Ah Sasuke Uchiha, chakra level that of a chunin and already have elemental attacks. Very impressive." Came a voice from a white haired leaf ninja with glasses.
"Who the hell are you?" asked Sasuke
"I'm sorry I forgot to introduce myself I am Kabuto Yakushi of the leaf." Kabuto said
"Alright now why are you bothering us?" Sasuke asked with irritation
"Since we are all leaf ninja I figure we could help each other out you have skills that may come in handy later and I got information on just about everyone." Kabuto said as he pulled out a deck of cards and pulled one out and showed it to the group of genin. The card had stats on it and a picture of Sasuke
"Interesting." Sasuke said
"Just tell me the name and what village the person you want information on." Kabuto said
"Rock Lee of the leaf." Sasuke said without hesitation
"Alright" Kabuto said as he shuffled the deck then pulled out a card and held it up "let's see second year as a genin never been in the chunin exams before. Fifty four D rank missions ten C rank and one B rank. He has no ninjutsu, but even without that he makes up for it in taijutsu and speed." Kabuto replied "Anyone else."
"Yeah he isn't a ninja but a man who goes by the name of Fox." Sasuke said getting a wide eyed look from everyone in the group even Kabuto
"Let's see." Kabuto said as he shuffled his deck again and pulled out a card. When he showed it to the group it was mostly blank with only a little information on it. "sorry there is only a little information on him but he is not a ninja so he doesn't have to report his stats to any village. But says here he is an A rank mercenary bounty hunter, also he doesn't leave many survivors. But I have heard about him and from what I have heard, I do know that he is probably at least jonin level and one guy you seriously want to avoid."
'Damn still nothing' Sasuke said to himself
"And if he knew you had even that amount of information he would probably break an arm or two." Came a voice. The leaf genin looked over and saw a person who they couldn't tell if it was a boy or girl wearing a mist head band.
"Who the hell are you?" Sasuke asked annoyed
"My name is Haku." Haku introduced himself at this Sasuke got a look of confusion and recognition.
"Haku, where have I heard that name before?" he said barely loud enough for Haku to hear.
"Figures you didn't recognize me I was wearing a mask." Haku said with a slight smirk.
"Wait you're the fake hunter ninja who was with Zabuza!" Sasuke exclaims getting a look of shock from his team and confusion from the rest of the genin.
"Yes I was Zabuza's apprentice back then but now that the mist is under new leadership we have been accepted back and put into a team." Haku said as his other teammates walked up behind him
"So you know the Fox then?" Sasuke asked
"Yes." Haku said
"Tell me about him." Sasuke demanded
"No." Haku replied
"Why not?" Sasuke asked
"Because he as an ally of the mist, and we don't betray our allies." Haku said
"But the mist and the leaf have just entered into an alliance as well." Shikamaru said
"Yes but he is a personal friend so he is held above that alliance to me, and Zabuza. If it wasn't for him we would still be missing nin." Haku said.
"Alright whelps get to your desks the first part of the exams is about to start." Said a man wearing a bandana, with the leaf emblem on it, around his head and scars running across his face.
"We will continue this later." Said Sasuke as he walked away to get his seat.
Meanwhile Naruto sat at a bar with Mei and Zabuza.
"So how do you think the runts will do?" Naruto asked
"They should be fine. It's only a written exam." Zabuza said
"Yeah but the proctor is Ibiki Morino head of interrogation." Came the voice from behind them. They all turned to see a silver haired Cyclops walking up to them.
"Kakashi good to see you again." Zabuza said with a hidden smirk behind his mask as Kakashi walked up to them
"Mind if I sit?" Kakashi asked
"Sure" Mei said looking him up and down licking her lips a little
"Down girl." Naruto said to the Mizukage "you already have a boy toy." This got a tick mark on both Mei and Zabuza's foreheads.
"Well since you are here I am assuming you have a team participating in the exams?" Kakashi asked
"That is correct" Zabuza said "and since you're here I am assume the same for you?"
"Yep." Kakashi said
"So the little emo, pinky, and the coward are in the exams." Zabuza said "the leaf's standards must of dropped." Zabuza chuckled
"I am assuming that fake hunter nin is in your team?" Kakashi said
"Yes Haku is on my team as well as a potential future seven swordsmen." Zabuza said with a little pride
"Really they must be good." Kakashi said
"Care for a friendly wager?" Zabuza said
"What kind of wager?" Kakashi asked
"Who's ever team lasts the longest wins." Zabuza said.
"But what is the bet?" Kakashi asks
"Hmmm how about you have to give him you entire collection of Icha Icha series." Naruto cuts in getting a look of fear in his eye
"What?" Kakashi said shocked "how do you even know about that?"
" I got my sources." Naruto says as he takes a swig of sake
"What, don't have faith in your team?" Zabuza chuckles
"Fine but if my team wins you have to give me that sword." Kakashi said
"My sword is worth more than some perverted books." Zabuza said
"These ain't ordinary Icha Icha books they were hand written by Jiraiya and signed by him. They are worth more than you can imagine." Kakashi said defensively
"And even more to him." Naruto chuckled
"Alright." Zabuza said
"Alright but when it comes down to the individual matches who ever has a student go the furthest wins." Kakashi said
"Ha you think your team will even get that far." Zabuza laughs "alright deal." He said as he shook Kakahsi's hand
"Naru…. I mean Fox you will be the judge of this bet." Kakashi said
"Fine by me got nothing better to do." Naruto said as he took another swig of sake.
"Well that was annoying." Sasuke said as he walked out of the exam room with the rest of the rookie nine.
"Yeah and seriously that tenth question what was up with that? Hell we could have not even answered anything else and still been good." Kiba barked in frustration.
"Not to mention that crazy lady bursting through the window at the end." Choji said as he began to eat a bag of potato chips.
"Now we have to go to training area forty four, how troublesome." Shikamaru sighed as they exited the doors to find their senseis standing waiting for them
"So how did it go?" asked Kakashi
"We all passed." Sasuke said
"That's good." He replied as he somewhat sighed in relief.
"Well we have to get going training area forty four." Kenma said with a smile of confidence having completed the first test. At this Kurina flinched while Kakashi and Asuma didn't do anything.
"Well looks like both our teams made it through the first test." Came a familiar voice to team seven as Sasuke and Kenma got into a defensive stance.
"Calm down you two." Kakashi said as Zabuza's walked up and greeted his team as they walked out of the academy. "he is only here for his team just like I am."
"Besides there isn't anything you could do against him anyway." Came another familiar voice that got all of the genins attention.
"Fox." Sasuke said with venom as Naruto walked out from behind Zabuza
"Well if it isn't my human cannon ball." Naruto said
"When will you drop that stupid nick name?" Sasuke said
"You're right that one is getting kinda dry maybe duck ass, no still dry, emo king." Naruto said then snapped his fingers in frustration "no that won't work someone already has that title even paints his nails and wears eye liner even though he denies it the last one. Just give me a bit I'll come up with a new one."
"Whatever we have to get to the next exam." Sasuke said brushing off the blondes antics.
"You know that guy?" asked Kiba
"Yeah his name is Fox we ran into him while in wave." Sasuke replied "why do you ask?"
"Just wondering." Kiba said trying not to give anything away since it was council business.
A few days later Naruto along with Mei and Zabuza were waiting in the center building for the genin to show up. It was early into the third day as the three sat at a table playing cards.
"So how do you think they are doing?" asked Naruto
"They should be fine I did train them after all." Said Zabuza
"For only two months, I raise." Naruto said as he tossed a few more chips into the pot
"Yeah but I have been training Haku for a while and Tuna and Chojuro both fought in the revolt so they should be fine." Zabuza said
"Wonder how much longer it will be before they get here." Naruto wonders as Mei tosses he cards down folding.
"Well we will know as soon as they do because they got this summons thing on my so when they open those scrolls it will summon me there." Zabuza says "I call. Three jacks." He says as he lays down his cards.
"Ha full house." Naruto says as he lays down his hand and begins to rack in his winnings.
"Bullshit you been winning every hand, you got to be cheating." Zabuza said as he stood up
"No man just lucky." Naruto said with a grin
"Why you…." Zabuza says as he stands to punch him but he disappears in a poof of smoke.
"Where'd he go?" Naruto asks a bit confused
"Seems our genin have made it here." Mei said
"Right well you want to go welcome them then." Naruto said as he started to pull in his winnings.
"Not so fast I am gonna win that back so deal." She says as she places the deck in front of him.
"…You cheating bastard." Zabuza yelled at empty space as he appeared in front of the genin then he looked around to see that Naruto wasn't there "Where'd he go?" he said as he began to look around and saw his team standing there.
"Ah Zabuza sensei we finished." Chojuro said
"Ah right." Zabuza said straightening himself out "very well there was a whole speech I was supposed to do about heaven or hell or something motivational and shit I can't remember but anyway you guys know I ain't like that so good job now follow me to your rooms till the end of the exam." He said as he turned and headed out of the room followed by his genin team.
On the final day of the test all the genin stood in formation in a fighting arena ready to hear the next test.
Zabuza walked up to Kakashi and said "looks like your team made it by the skin of their teeth."
"They made it none the less." Kakashi said "now it's on the individual."
"That it is, just don't forget our bet." Zabuza said as green clad ninja next to him caught what he had said
"My youthful rival has found a new rival this is unacceptable." Proclaimed Guy
"Calm down Guy, it is only friendly wager to see who's team members would last the longest." Kakashi said
"Very well I put my team on the bet as well and if they don't I will do hundred laps around the village on my hands with a boulder on my feet." Guy proclaimed
"Damn this is only second time I have met him but is he always like this?" Came Naruto's voice from behind Zabuza
"Is that the youthful Fox?" Guy asked
"Sup." Naruto said with a wave while Kuza gave a yawn at his feet.
"Why are you here?" Guy asked
"I am body guarding for the Mizukage." He said gesturing toward the Mizukage who was standing next to the Hokage who was giving a speech none of them were really paying attention too.
"Well looks like the matches are about to start." Kakashi said as he watched the screen spin through names till it landed on Sasuke and one of the other leaf ninja's names.
It was a quick match with Sasuke beating the guy with a move he had come up with out of the blue.
"Interesting attack could be useful." Naruto said pulling out a note book and writing something down. "Oh and you catch that strange arua coming off of him?" he asked Kakashi
"Yeah I am going to handle it." Kakashi said as he walked down to his student.
After that it was Haku vs. Shino where Haku froze all of Shino's bugs for the win.
Third was Kankuro against the other leaf ninja where Kankuro won with substituting himself with his puppet.
The fourth match got Naruto's attention unlike the other matches that were predictable to him, Sakura vs. Ino.
"Well this should be interesting." Naruto said watching the two kunoichi
"Why is that?" Zabuza asked as Kakashi walked up from the helping Sasuke
"Those two are best friends and eternal rivals." Naruto said "both fighting for the same guy's attention."
"Let me guess the emo that was just patched up by this guy." Zabuza gesturing toward Kakashi
"Yeah should be interesting." Naruto said
"Seems you taking an interest in the pink vixen eh?" Came Kurama's voice in his head
'Shut it Kurama.' Naruto shot back
"Just making an observation how you hadn't paid any attention to the other matches but are actually watching this match. Makes me wonder." Kurama said teasingly
'Yeah you and your wondering got nothing better to do in that cell then come up with shit that ain't there.' Naruto said
"I have nothing else to do in here you won't let me out to play." Kurama said
'Hey if I knew more about sealing then I would alter the seal so I could use your full power. But for now you will just have to settle for the summoning that I can't really do unless it is in a really bad situation, cause don't think to many people would like seeing a giant fox running around especially here." Naruto said
"Even with the summons only my body is brought out but my soul is still tied to the seal" Kurama sighed
'Honestly I don't think you will ever be able to fully leave my body without it killing me.' Naruto sighed
"And that is my problem how?" Kurama asked
'Ha ha ha, you know you have grown to like me, so best freedom I can offer is when I can fully control your demonic energy without losing control.' Naruto said
"That won't be for a while but guess it's better than nothing" Kurama sighed
'How did we even get on this subject?' Naruto sighed to himself
"well I started to give you shit for having feelings for the pink haired vixen that you are denying." Kurama explained
'Which I don't' Naruto replied
"Whatever stay on that denial I'm going to take yet another nap." Kurama said with a yawn
Meanwhile down on the ground Sakura looked up at the crowd watching them
'Damn Sasuke-kun isn't here to watch me wipe the floor with Ino pig.' Sakura sighed to herself
"But Fox-kun is right there watching and looks like he is actually taking an interest in our match." Came inner Sakura.
'Damn't not now.' Sakura shot at her inner self.
"What you know you loved those little lunches with Mei when he was her body guard." Inner said in a teasing tone. Sakura couldn't say anything cause no matter how she tried to deny it she knew she was right.
"You ready billboard brow." Ino called from across the arena
"Whenever you are Ino pig" Sakura called back pulling out a kunai
"How about a little wager whoever wins this match the other will back off from Sasuke-kun." Ino said "Unless there is someone else you got an eye on?" she teased
"No way sounds like a fair deal to me." Sakura said with a bit of hesitation
"I sense hesitation in you." Inner said
'Shut up.' Sakura shot back as she charged Ino who easily dodged the charge. The two went back and forth, but Ino finally caught Sakura in a chakra rope she made with her hair she had slowly been pulling out without Sakura realizing it.
'Shit' Sakura said as she saw Ino put her hands into her families seals
"Got you." Ino said as she used her mind transfer jutsu to get into Sakura's head
'Now that I am in here what should I go through first?' Ino said with a mischievous grin but then felt another presence in there. She looked around and saw Sakura standing there with her head down. "How the hell are you here you should be…" she never finished as she was thrown from Sakura's mind by some unseen force
"What the hell was that?" Ino yelled looking at the pinkette
"Just a little friend." Sakura said as she charged
"Whatever you're going down!" Ino said as she launched herself at the charging Sakura. Both girls threw their punches at the same time and knocked each other out and the match was called a draw so neither would be advancing
"Well that was anticlimactic." Naruto said with a sigh
"One down." Zabuza said to Kakashi who just sighed.
Once the field was cleared Ten Ten and Temari jumped down, Temari won easily.
The next match was Shikamaru vs Tuna where Shikamaru beat Tuna easily.
"What was that you said about one down?" Kakashi asked just to get a upset groan from the sword master.
The seventh match was Kiba vs Kenma, where Kenma was over whelmed by Kiba and Akamaru's combined attacks
The eighth match was the Hinata vs Neji. Where both were left barely holding on in the end but Hinata fell followed by Neji just after he was declared the winner.
"Haha I am still in this youthful wager." Guy said as he jumped down to check on his student
"Do either of you two even care about him in this wager?" Naruto asked as both Jonin shook their heads.
The ninth match was announced as Guy jumped back up to the balcony, it was Lee vs Gaara.
'Great this should be interesting.' Naruto said to Kurama
"Yes let's see how our little brother does here." Kurama said watching the match through Naruto's eyes
"And now my last and most youthful student shall take another victory for team Guy." Guy said making a peace sign aimed toward Lee who returned it with a sparkle in his eyes.
"We'll see that guy down there is one you don't want to fuck with." Naruto said flatly getting Zabuza to look down intently at the young sand ninja.
"Why is that?" Zabuza said
"Let's just say he is 'special'" Naruto said staring down at Gaara
The match began as Lee tried to hit Gaara but was blocked by his sand shield.
"Might want to tell him to drop those weights." Naruto said to Guy who only nodded
"Lee it's about time you showed your full youthful spirit!" Guy yelled as Lee back flipped on to the hands of the statue.
"Yes Guy sensei." Lee shouted as he removed the weights from his legs and arms.
"Simple training weights won't help him with Gaara." Said Kankuro as he watched them drop to the ground then made an impact crater showering dirt all the way to the ceiling
"The hell was that?" Kankuro said in surprise
"Lee trains and goes about his day with two hundred pounds on each limb." Getting wide eyed look from everyone around him.
"Damn." Naruto said as he watched Lee get ready to attack then he just vanished. It took a while and a little extra help from the fox to see him but he eventually caught up with Lee.
Lee began a barrage of attacks getting a lot of good hits on the sand Jinchuriki but after a while Gaara began to get pissed and began to attack with all his rage.
This forced Lee to begin to open the inner gates getting Zabuza to flinch a little at seeing this. He had seen it once before but one of a much higher level.
But even releasing five of the gates Gaara was still able to get ahold of Lee crushing one of his arms and a leg, knocking him out only his will was keeping him standing. But before Gaara could deliver the final blow Guy jumped in saving his student.
"You have won there is no need to kill him." Guy said staring Gaara down who had blood lust in his eyes then looked at the rest of the ninja above when his eyes landed on Naruto who was staring back with his demonic fox eyes telling him to stand down. At this he gave in and let them take Lee away as he began to walk up toward his siblings.
After that the final match was called Choji vs Chojuro, where Chojuro won easily by using his sword as a bat to knock Choji into a wall when he turned into a giant ball and began to roll toward him.
"Well seems I have two in the finals and you only have one." Zabuza goaded Kakashi.
"One is still in and that is all that is needed." Kakashi replied
All the finalist who were still there lined up in formation as the computer selected them for their matches.
The referee for the match walked out to announce the matches "First match: Kiba vs. Neji, Second match: Gaara vs. Sasuke, Third Match: Kankuro vs Haku, Fourth match: Temari vs Shikamaru, and then the last finalist Chojuro will have a bi then fight the winner of the fourth match."
"You all did splendidly now the final matches will be held in one month so get some rest and train up so you are ready for them." The Hokage said as everyone began to leave the arena.
"So you got two who made it to the finals which on will you focus on?" Naruto asked Zabuza as they walked down the hall
"He will focus on Chojuro while I will work with Haku." Came a female voice from behind them, they turned to see Mei walking up to them
"And why is that?" Zabuza asked
"Because you have trained Haku for years and he needs something new while Chojuro needs lessons from a swords master such as yourself." Mei said
"Makes sense." Zabuza said
"Well since you will be training Haku will you want me to still body guard you?" Naruto asked
"Not while training you may be a close ally and friend but I will be going over things with him I want to stay in the Mist. So while training you will have that time to yourself." Mei said
"Very well." Naruto saidas they exited the building
END CHAPTER 12
A/N alright I know a bit of a slow chapter and I skipped a lot of the fight scenes cause well I see those so much and they are so repetitive I just focused on the important ones for this story. As well as skipping the second test in that only thing that happened was what happened in the series without naruto going nine tailed on Orochimaru he gave him the curse mark and left.