Start of the Preliminaries

All the Jonins instructors of the exams and of the passing teams, and 4th Hokage. was at the main room of the tower congratulating those who passed. Amongst them was Kushina and the chief.

I sniff around and recognize all the senses of the Genin here. Team 8, team 10, Neji's team, that sand team, the sound team, and Kabuto's team.

I noticed that Akamaru was scared stiff as Kiba look at Gaara. I couldn't blame the poor pup, something about that Jinchuuriki didn't seem right. Especially now, because I could smell fresh blood coming from that gore in his back, to top that off he seem way different from when we first met.

Just then something else caught my scent. I look and saw the sound ninjas instructor. Something about his scent made my blood boil as it was familiar like it was recent.

"Looks like both our teams passed huh Kakashi?" Gai responded.

"Naruto is glaring at that sound Jonin," Kakashi thought, "I wander…"

"Hey Kakashi are you even listening?" Gai asked.

"Huh you said something," Kakashi responded.

Kakashi wasn't the only one who noticed my weird behavior, the chief Neji and Hinata noticed two. Chief was thinking almost the same thing Kakashi was about the sound ninja as I hardly glare at anyone.

"Why is Naruto focused on that sound Jonin all of the sudden," Neji wandered.

"Naruto," Hinata thought as she also noticed that I was focused on Gaara before, and suddenly focused on the sound ninja.

Not only was that ninja's smell was familiar but I'm getting a familiar feeling in my gut about this guy. Like I should keep an eye on him as well as Gaara.

Then my focus broke when Anko said, "Now the fourth Hokage will explain the next round so pay attention!"

"Now before we carry on to the Chuunin Exam I want to explain to you about the purpose of these exams of having all the countries volunteer," Minato said, "Don't take me wrong, it is to promote friendship between countries, but it also is to substitute for war."

"What does that mean?" Tenten asked.

"The orgin of the Chuunin exams goes back to the war between countries that are now allies, to decide who will fight for their country, and now in these exams you are expected to represent your village in fighting one on one matches between each other under surveillance of leaders from other countries. Strength of a country is a strength of its village, strength of a village is a strength of it's shinobies, and Shinobies strength is born through life risking battles," Minato said, "Now you must fight with the sake of your dreams and your country's prestige on the line."

I smiled as I understood, this was to build friendship and to replace war.

"Minato let me explain about what's going to happen next," Kushina said, "Since you made me referee."

"Alright," Minato agreed.

"My name is Kushina Namikaze, and before we have the finals, we must hold preliminary matches to decide who will be in the main event," Kushina explained, "You see to many of you passed the first two rounds, and we need the finals to last a certain length, so we have to have one round of preliminary matches. Now for anyone of you who don't feel like they can advance please call out. As of now teamwork won't count so your teammates can stay if pleased, as of now we're starting the preliminaries."

Kabuto was the first to call out saying he took hearing damage from the first round.

Sasuke felt pain from his curse mark.

"Sasuke you should drop out as well," Sakura said.

"I won't," Sasuke responded.

"Sasuke, I know you're in pain from whatever mark that Orochimaru gave you," I said, "Maybe its best…"

"I'm not quitting," Sasuke responded, "I'm an avenger and I have to prove I'm strong by facing strong opponents."

"Are you serious, you're going to risk the pain to prove you're strong?" I responded.

"Yeah, you're one of those I want to fight Naruto," Sasuke said, "The one who came close to taking rooky of the year away from me, but didn't take it."

Minato decided to wait to see what the curse mark will do. "Now look on the board to see who is the first match," Kushina said.

A board appeared above and the first names were picked.

Sasuke Uchiha vs. Yoroi Akado

"Now there are no rules, the match is over when one dies or admits defeat, however I can end the match any time," Kushina explained, "Now those not participating move up to the upper levels."

We did so but Kakashi warned Sasuke about his curse mark and using his Sharingan. Sasuke figured he couldn't use any ninjutsu either so he was stuck with Taijutsu.

I watch Sasuke from above wandering what he'll do.

"Now begin," Kushina said.

Yoroi made a hand sign and his hand started glowing with chakra. Then he threw some shurikan at Sasuke. Sasuke blocked each one with a kunai knife.

Yoroi went for the grab but Sasuke dodge it. Sasuke manage to kick Yoroi. Yoroi manage to grab Sasuke. Sasuke felt as if his chakra was being drained. Yoroi landed a punch at Sasuke. Yoroi grab Sasuke again and again Sasuke felt his chakra being drained.

"You're draining my chakra," Sasuke said.

"You noticed," Yoroi responded.

"Sasuke get up," I shouted.

Sasuke kicked Yoroi away from him. I knew Sasuke was in trouble unless he fights back. "Come on Sasuke, is this all you got?" I shouted, "Where's that fighting spirit you had the day we were made a team? The skills you shown before you had the Sharingan?"

"Naruto," The chief thought as he heard me.

"Reminding Sasuke of the abilities he had before he unleashed his Sharingan eye, clever idea," Kakashi thought.

Yoroi came at Sasuke who got up. "Naruto's right, I can fight this guy with or without the Sharingan," Sasuke thought.

Sasuke dodge and kick Yoroi into the air. "That technique," Lee responded.

"He must of copied it during that spar," I responded.

Sasuke use dancing shadow to get behind Yoroi. "True that was something I copied but this is one of my original," Sasuke said poking Yoroi with two fingers on the back.

Just then the curse mark started spreading across Sasuke. "No not now," Sasuke thought forcing the mark back to normal. Sasuke then swing his leg around and kick Yoroi from the side shouting, "Lion Barrage!" Sasuke continue hitting Yoroi into the ground.

Kushina checked knowing already that Sasuke won. "Winner of the first match, Sasuke Uchiha," Kushina announced.

"Alright," I shouted.

Kakashi jumped down to Sasuke. Minato look at Kakashi knowing what he's up too and nodded. Kakashi nodded back as he put his book away. "Come on Sasuke, lets go make sure that curse seal doesn't get out of hand," Kakashi said. Sasuke agreed and fallowed him.

I noticed that the sound Jonin left as well. I would of fallowed him, but I don't want to risk forfeiting a match because I wasn't here.

Neji look at Sasuke then at me. "Naruto reminded Sasuke of his abilities that he had before activating his bloodline, thus giving Sasuke the encouragement to find away to win," Neji thought.

I sense trouble coming from Gaara and turned to him. I decided to see why Akamaru was spooked by him by talking to team 8.

"Naruto where are you going?" Sakura asked.

"I sense danger, and team 8 might know why," I answered.

"Sense danger?" Sakura thought as I headed to team 8.

"Hey Kiba," I shouted.

"Oh Naruto," Hinata said seeing me.

"What are you doing here Naruto?" Kiba asked.

"I have a feeling you know something about Gaara that I don't," I said, "I'm sensing danger from him and I saw how Akamaru was acting weird earlier and you were looking at Gaara."

"The thing is, we saw that guy single handedly kill three rain ninjas with one blow," Kiba explained, "To top that off, Akamaru can sense enemies' strength and knew Gaara meant trouble."

"You better start from the beginning," I said.

"Now for the next match," Kushina said.

We look up at the board to see who was next.

Shino Aburame vs. Zuko

"Who is this loser?" Zuko asked.

Shino didn't say anything about his opponent.

Meanwhile I told Sakura what team 8 told me, and Neji Tenten Lee and Team 10 seem focused on it as well.

"What you're serious?" Ino responded.

"Team 8 witness it themselves," I answered, "Not to mention since a little before the explanation of the Chuunin Exam I been sensing something dangerous in that guy, plus the scent of blood that only seem a few days old coming from his gore."

"If what you say along with what Hinata's team witness is true, then that guy might be to dangerous to fight," Tenten said.

"At least not without the right jutsus and experience," I responded.

"The best choice right now is watch these matches and see what we're up against because right now the only ones we still don't know much about is Gaara's teammates, and the last of Kabuto's team," Neji said.

We look down just in time as the match between Shino and Zuko just started and Zuko was able to move one of his arms.

Zuko came at Shino to attack. Shino blocked it but super sonic attack fired from the tubes at Shino. Shino hit the ground. Shino turned into bugs revealing to be a clone as the real one was on the other side.

"These bugs attack in numbers and drains the opponent's chakra," Shino explained, "You could use your good arm to attack me but then my bugs will attack, but if you attack them I'll attack."

Zuko got his other arm moving and aim at Shino and the bugs. Before Zuko could attack his arms imploded from the presure. Shino laid the final hit knocking Zuko out. Coming out of the pipes where bugs Shino's bugs.

"Winner Shino Aburame," Kushina announced.

"Something about Shino made me wander since I met that guy," I said.

"That's something coming from you Naruto," Kakashi said.

We look to see Kakashi was standing there.

"Kakashi about that sound Jonin…" I said.

"He's not a problem for now," Kakashi said.

"Right," I said.

We look at the board for the next round.

Kankaro vs. Misumi

"So we're going to see what one of the sand ninjas can do," Neji said.

"Yeah not to mention that Misumi guy is one of Kabuto's team.

Kankaro and Misumi was out on the field. Kankaro took the wrapped bandages off his back.

Misumi went to attack and Kankaro blocked it. Misumi use the moment to wraped his arms and legs around Kankaro as if he had no joints. "I can squeeze you until your bones break so you better give up," Misumi said.

"Sand guy wins," I said.

"How can you tell?" Sakura asked.

"I hate to say it, but Naruto's right," Neji said.

Misumi kept squeezing until what almost everyone thought Kankaro was out cold.

Just then the sand broke off Kankaro revealing to actually be a puppet. The badages around the object unwrapped revealing to be Kankaro. The puppet wrapped around Misumi this time. Kankaro was controlling the puppet through puppet strings. Kankaro made the puppet squeeze until Misumi's bones broke.

"Winner Kankaro," Kushina called, "Now for the fourth match!"

Ino Yamanaka vs. Rock Lee

"Wahoo, it's finally my turn," Lee shouted.

"I have to face him," Ino responded.

Lee jumped down ready to fight as Ino went down the stairs.

Sakura remember when she and Ino were friends.

"Begin," Kushina announced.

Lee took his fighting stance as Ino stood there. "I don't how to fight this guy," Ino thought.

Lee came at Ino full speed. Ino thought she could dodge the attack but Lee kicked her to the ground.

"Lee's to fast," I said.

"Huh?" Sakura responded, "What do you mean?"

"Its just as Naruto said, Lee is too fast for Ino," Tenten answered.

Ino went to attack but Lee dodge each one.

"You need to try harder if you're planning to hit me," Lee said.

Lee kicked Ino away from him.

"No use I have to try mind possession," Ino thought.

Before Ino could get time to set herself Lee kicked her. Ino was knock out after that.

"Winner of this match Rock Lee," Kushina called.

"Naruto wasn't kidding, Lee went easy on Ino and yet he still was to fast for her to counter," Sakura thought.

"Sakura I would pay attention if I were you," Kakashi said pointing at a sign.

"Huh?" Sakura responded and look just to be surprise.

Sakura Hanaru vs. Temari

"Well this will be interesting," Temari responded before going down the stairs.

"I'm up against one of the sand team," Sakura said.

"At least it's not Gaara, but still I would watch out for that fan she carries," I said.

"Right," Sakura responded heading down.

"5th match between Temari and Sakura," Kushina explained, "Begin!"

"I got to be careful against this one, out of all the remaining Genin here, I still don't know much about her," Sakura thought.

"Come on girl, show me what you got," Temari said, "Or are you too scared to make the first move."

"Sakura don't let her get to you," I shouted.

Sakura ran at Temari and threw some shurikans. Temari did some kind of move that cause the shurikans to miss. Sakura froze in her path seeing it as the moon of the fan was open alittle.

I sense Temari did some kind of jutsu. "Sakura's in trouble," I responded.

"You sense the sand ninja's movements didn't you Naruto?" Kakashi asked.

"Yeah," I responded.

"Okay then I'll fake her out," Sakura thought.

She ran at Temari again but this time making hand signs creating a few regular clones. "Clone jutsu huh?" Temari thought and open her fan a little bit more and wave it sending a gust of wind.

"Sakura watch out!" I shouted. Sakura focus her chakra to her legs and manage to dodge the attack but her clones took hit.

"See this, the fan has three moons on it and right now you see two moons, meaning you got one more shot before I can launch my strongest attack," Temari told Sakura.

"Come on Sakura," Lee shouted.

"I hate to say it, but its already over," I said.

"What?" Lee responded.

"Sakura done well to get this far but I'm afraid Naruto's right," Kakashi said.

Sakura perform clone jutsu again and created more clones that surround Temari. "Is this all you can do?" Temari asked. All the clones came at Temari and Temari send a gust of wind destroying all of them. "Clones are only images, and I know you're trying to come from somewhere," Temari said.

"How about above you," Sakura shouted.

Temari look to see Sakura was using her chakra to stick to the wall.

Sakura created some more clones and came at Temari.

"Ninja Art: Wind Scythe Jutsu," Temari shouted sending a twister of slashing wind. Not only it broke through Sakura's attack but even though Sakura tried to dodge it she was caught in it.

"Sakura!" I shouted. Sakura was taking damage from the wind. When the jutsu broke Sakura fell unconscious and landed on Temari's fan that was close now.

"Winner Temari," Kushina announced.

Temari was about to throw Sakura to the ground.

"Oh no you don't," I responded jumping down.

Temari threw her and I manage to catch Sakura. "Naruto," the chief thought.

"You won this battle already," I shouted, "So why are you trying to cause more damage than you already have."

"Oh please, why would you care?" Temari asked, "I thought demons suppose to care less about humans."

I was about to go at Temari but the chief stopped me.

"Naruto I understand why you want to attack her, but there's a place and time for it, and this is not it," the chief told me.

I growled at Temari but knew the chief was right.

"Temari, you already won, no point with messing with this poor excuse of a demon," Gaara ordered.

"I wouldn't call Naruto poor excuse if I were you," Kakashi said, "After all you're about to see what Naruto can do."

"Huh?" I responded and look at the board…

A/N: I thought I end this chapter half way through the preliminaries. Anyways I thought of having this set up. I was going to hold Naruto's and Kiba's match for another match, but I decided to go ahead and have it.

Next Time: I'm up against Kiba and the Preliminaries continues. After the matches we are informed about the finals. Its interesting of the match ups indeed. Who will fight who? Read to Find Out...