The Turning Point
"Hinata and Neji Hyuga? Are they brother and sister?" Sakura asked Kakashi as Hayate prepared to start the match.
"In a matter of speaking they are but they're more like cousins than siblings. The Hyuga clan is an old and prestigious clan much like the Uchiha clan. Think of a tree, they are related in the same way a branch is related to the trunk" Kakashi explained but Naruto looked confused.
"Hinata belongs to the main household and is a direct decedent from the head of the clan. Neji's family is just a side branch of the clan. Although I'm not entirely sure of the source, I've heard there is bad blood between the two families. There were rules made by the main house that the branches broke" Lee added.
"When you're ready, you can begin" Hayate said in a monotone voice.
"Before this starts Hinata you should withdraw. You were never meant to be a ninja, much too kind and gentle for that. You never even wanted to take these exams but Shino and Kiba did so you entered, not wanting to let your teammates down" Neji said in a voice full of scorn.
"N-No, you're wrong. I did it because I wanted to see if I could change" Hinata replied, looking down in embarrassment.
I remember the day I took you under my wing. Your father didn't care what I did with you despite you being the first born and heir. He told me you were of less worth than your sister who is five years your junior and you heard every word he said. Well now is your chance to show them how far you've come, Kurenai thought.
"People can't change Hinata no matter how hard they try. You will always be the pampered child of the main household and a failure. I see it all with my Byakugan" Neji said arrogantly.
"Byakugan? That's the Hyuga clan's kekkei genkai right?" Sakura asked remembering her father speaking about it once.
"Correct, it's a visionary jutsu like Sasuke's sharingan. In fact they say the Uchiha clan's sharingan was derived from the Byakugan some time ago. But if you're just looking at sheer insight, the Byakugan is the stronger of the two" Kakashi elaborated.
Hinata stared at Neji in fear as he activated the rare jutsu and watched his cousin darkly.
"I know what you're thinking Hinata. You're picturing the past wondering if everything you've done has prepared you for this moment. You know the outcome of the fight already, you know you will lose" Neji declared, his Byakugan allowing him insight.
Naruto was becoming enraged, who was this guy anyway and where did he get the right to speak to Hinata like that? His hand curled around the ointment the shy girl had given him before and he squeezed it hard. Sakura noticed the anger in her teammate and couldn't fault him for it. Hinata was terrified before the fight had even started. Neji's words were attacking the most vulnerable parts of her mind and talking her out of participating.
"That does it! Who are you to tell her what she can and can't do! Come on Hinata! Show this guy he can't talk to you like this! Make him pay!" Naruto called out loudly.
You're right Naruto I won't run away. Not this time, Hinata thought as she began performing a quick series of hand signs.
"So, that's how it's going to be. If you don't forfeit the match it's your own fault if you get hurt" Neji said angrily noticing the determination in his cousin.
Naruto definitely has a way of firing people up but it seems especially effective on Hinata, Sakura thought.
"Byakugan!" Hinata yelled and activated the same jutsu as Neji. Stepping into a battle stance she focused on her target.
"Prepare to defend yourself cousin" Hinata said confidently.
"That stance it's not a normal fighting stance is it?" Sakura wondered aloud as she watched Hinata and Neji position themselves.
"No it seems to be the Hyuga style. It is the most effective type of taijutsu found in the village. I have said it before, Neji is the strongest genin to come out of the leaf village" Lee said, his voice strained.
Both ninja ran at each other and began a series of close range hand strikes. Blue chakra swirled and twisted around them as their attempted to strike each other with their palms. They dodged and ducked and weaved, it seemed as though neither of them could get a hit in. Hinata quickly saw an opening and thrust her hand straight for Neji's stomach.
Neji pulled back and both ninja jumped away from each other, falling into the same stance as before.
"Was that a direct hit?" Sakura asked unable to see clearly.
"No way! She barely touched him" Naruto asserted.
"Even so a glancing blow is enough. That is what makes the Hyuga clan the most formidable of fighters" Lee said.
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked.
"Their taijutsu is unique and has been passed down for generations. The taijutsu Lee and I use focuses on external injuries. The Huyga way attacks the opponent internal organs through a chakra network. It's a more subtle way and less thrilling to watch but it gradually takes effect, the results are devastating" Gai explained.
"I see because there isn't much you can do to build up your internal organs no matter how hard you train. Because it's all internal, every ninja no matter how tough would be vulnerable to this kind of attack" Sakura said and Gai nodded at her slightly impressed.
Hinata and Neji resumed their close range battle and it seemed as though Hinata had the upper hand. She had thrown herself into the fight and was giving her all.
"WAY TO GO HINATA!" Naruto yelled out in encouragement.
"It's really amazing how they have the ability to attack the chakra network" Sakura commented.
"Yeah you can say that again! Uh wait, what's the chakra network?" Naruto asked, confused. Sakura sighed but began to explain.
"The chakra network is a complex system of circulatory canals that distribute chakra around the body, it's similar to the vascular system the veins and arteries that carry blood" Sakura said.
"I get it! Except these veins carry chakra not blood" Naruto exclaimed, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Uh sure Naruto. The chakra network is so closely interwoven with all the most vital internal organs that they are almost one in the same. So when the network is attacked, the organs suffer damage as well" Lee added.
"Also the Byakugan allows both opponents to see each other's chakra network, that way they know where to deliver their blows. When they attack a small burst of chakra is released from their hands and drills into the opponent's body directly attacking their chakra network." Kakashi stated.
Upon saying this, the battle down below had come to a standstill. Neji had managed to deliver a heavy blow to Hinata's chest area causing her to cough out droplets of blood. These littered the ground and Neji's bandaged hand.
"So this is it? This is all the power that the main branch has to offer?" Neji asked aloud.
"Wait what happened? I saw Hinata hit Neji perfectly!" Naruto asked loudly.
Hinata breathed heavily her mouth surrounded by blood stains. I'm not done yet, she thought and moved Neji's hand away from her chest.
Making use of the opening Hinata thrust her palm towards Neji's face but before she could land a blow the Hyuga boy had grabbed her wrist and used two fingers from his other hand to deliver a shot of chakra into Hinata's arm.
Pulling back her sleeve, Neji exposed Hinata's pale arm which now bore a series of small red marks.
"W-What? Do you mean that all this time you could see it?" Hinata asked fearfully.
"That's right, I could see you chakra points the whole time we've been fighting" Neji replied coldly.
"Huh what is he saying?" Naruto asked.
"On the chakra network there are 316 energy centres or chakra points. Each is as tiny as the head of a pin but hitting one directly can affect chakra flow either halting it or increasing it. This depends on how the attacker strikes. These chakra points are undetectable to my sharingan eye. Neji can not only see these chakra points but attack them precisely even in intense battle" Kakashi explained.
Neji hit Hinata forcefully to the ground and walked towards her. Hinata's breathing was short and raspy as she lay on the ground and looked at her cousin.
"Give up now Hinata. This is what separates the elite from the failures, you can't change and you need to accept that. Once you said you wouldn't run any more I knew you were destined for failure. I will give you one last warning Hinata, forfeit this match" Neji said calmly.
I-I'll never go back on my word" Hinata said and stood up shakily, blood dripping from her mouth. "Because that too is my ninja way" she finished and smiled up at Naruto.
"I had no idea Hinata was so tough" Naruto said watching the shy girl.
"She's a lot like you" Lee commented happily.
"You know she is always watching you" Sakura added not so subtly.
Hinata? Watching me? Naruto thought.
Activating her Byakugan again Hinata moved to attack Neji but her heart clenched painfully and she stopped as more blood fell from her mouth and onto the arena floor.
She's reached her limit. One more hit and she's done, Kurenai worried.
Because Neji's attack on her chakra points has stopped her chakra flow altogether, Hinata can no longer fight in the Gentle Fist style. This match is over, Kakashi mused.
"Did you guys see the look in his eyes!? He wouldn't try to kill her would he?" Ino asked her teammates in alarm.
"The fight is completely missed match, the difference in strength is ridiculous" Sakura said angrily.
"GO HINATA YOU CAN DO IT!" Naruto cheered still believing in the Hyuga girl.
Naruto! Hinata thought and felt her strength returning to her. She ran forward and began to fight Neji in the same close range combat as before.
I've been watching you for a while Naruto. I don't know why but when I watch you Naruto I feel full of courage. I feel that I can keep going and that I can succeed. That even I am worth something, Hinata thought as she dodged and weaved her way through Neji's attacks.
Going for a forward thrust of the hand, Hinata misjudged Neji's movements and fell forward. Seeing this Neji pushed his hand up hard and hit Hinata square in the jaw. Falling backwards but remaining upright Hinata began coughing violently.
Before Hinata used to be a quitter, but now I can see she has changed. She put every ounce of her being into her training I saw it with my own eyes. But even so she continued to fail all of her missions, she lost her nerve when faced with real competition and became easily discouraged. But that's not the Hinata I see now. I have never seen such a look of fierceness in her eyes before, Kurenai thought as she watched her student.
Hinata narrowed her eyes and ran for Neji again. Naruto, before now I have always been the one doing the watching. But you are finally watching me and I'll show you what I can do! Hinata thought completely determined.
Neji had other plans and as soon as Hinata was in close enough range he sent a huge burst of chakra to her heart with the palm of his hand. Everyone watched in horror as Hinata coughed out blood and fell to the ground. Naruto shook with anger.
"You just don't get it do you Hinata? Your strikes were ineffective from the moment we started. You're finished" Neji said and deactivating his Byakugan he walked away.
"Since she can no longer-" Hayate began.
"NO! DON'T STOP THIS MATCH!" Naruto yelled.
What is he doing, Hinata can't take another hit like that. Anything else is risking her life, Sakura thought.
The hit of chakra to her heart was debilitating but Hinata was getting to her feet again. She looked weak and fragile and her whole body shook with the effort, but once again she was upright. Clutching at her heart in pain Hinata faced Neji.
"What are you doing? If you let yourself continue like this you're going to die!" Neji said.
It doesn't matter, I'm not going to make myself look bad in front of the person I admire the most. Not now that he's finally seen the real me! Hinata thought.
Neji activated his Byakugan and looked at his cousin in anger. Just what did she think she was playing at, opposing him like that?
"I'm far from finished" Hinata said in a strong voice but her hand clutched at her side.
"Give up the tough guy act. Everyone can see you're barely standing. You were born with the burden of being in the main household and you've cursed yourself for being weak. Just accept defeat and you won't have to suffer!" Neji spat.
"You've got it backwards cousin. You're suffering much more than I, you are the one who is all torn up about the fate of the main and side branches of the Hyuga clan" Hinata said heavily.
A fiery anger sparked within Neji and he ran towards his cousin with hatred in his eyes.
"Neji stop the match is over!" Hayate yelled and quickly began to run to intercept the boy.
Before Neji could take one more step towards his cousin he was surrounded by Gai, Kakashi, Hayate and Kurenai who restrained him from going any further.
"Neji, get a hold of yourself. You promised me you wouldn't let this whole head family thing get you all riled up!" Gai said with his arms across Neji's neck.
"Why are you and the other Jounin butting in! The head family gets special treatment huh?" Neji asked angrily.
Hinata's heart pulsed violently and in a matter of seconds she was on the floor, Kurenai rushed over to her and helped her to lie down.
"HINATA!" Naruto yelled as he and Lee jumped down from the balcony and ran to her.
"Are you okay?" Naruto asked urgently as he rushed to her side. Hinata slipped in and out of consciousness as she stared at the blond haired boy.
Naruto do you think I changed. Maybe just a little? Hinata thought and finally slipped into unconsciousness. The loudmouth ninja looked down at her with a mixture of emotions.
"Hey loser I have two pieces of advice for you. Firstly if you intend to call yourself a shinobi stop that stupid cheering of yours it's disgraceful. Second, once a failure always a failure you can't change that" Neji said glaring at Naruto.
"We'll just see about that" Naruto said angrily and ran forward intending to punch the smirk right off Neji's face when Lee stepped in front of him.
"What are you doing!?" Naruto demanded.
"I understand where you're coming from but all fighting must be done officially in a match. The loser beating the gifted genius through sheer willpower that would be quite the match. Even if I am the one who is going to have to fight Neji. But if you end up fighting him than that is fine too" Lee declared.
"Alright you win Lee" Naruto relented and walked back over to Hinata.
How was that Gai-sensei!? Lee thought as he gave Gai a thumbs up.
Good one Lee! Nice going! Gai thought and returned the gesture flashing a toothy smile.
Hinata suddenly coughed, blood spurting out of her mouth. Panicking Kurenai unzipped Hinata's jacket and felt for her pulse with hands on Hinata's chest and neck.
She's going into cardiac arrest! Was he really trying to kill her? Kurenai thought and stared at Neji accusingly.
"I wouldn't waste your time glaring at me when you should be caring for her" Neji responded.
"Get a medic! Hurry!" Kurenai said loudly but the medical staff did not come rushing in like they had for all the previous matches. Something was clearly wrong.
"What is it! Where are they? What's taking so long?" Naruto said, panic mounting within him. Hinata was looking worse by the second.
"There is a situation at the infirmary, one of extreme emergency. All of the doctors and nurses have been called into help so they are unable to come for about five minutes" An unknown Jounin spoke, entering the arena.
"We have to get her to the hospital now!" Naruto yelled and moved to pick Hinata up but Kurenai stopped him.
"We can't move her! Hinata is going into cardiac arrest and without medical attention she will die! Dammit Daichi can't you do something, get a stretcher and take her to the infirmary yourself!?" Kurenai barked at the Jounin.
"I'm just the messenger and all the stretchers are up in the infirmary. Even if I were to take her up there now all of the doctors are busy with the emergency. As I said it will take five minutes" Daichi replied, looking annoyed.
"How dare you! She doesn't have five minutes she has ten at the most!" Kurenai shot back in a mix of anger and despair.
"Sakura we need you down here" Kakashi said, his voice strained.
"Hai sensei!" Sakura replied and jumped down onto the arena floor. Neji regarded the pink haired girl with suspicion as she approached his cousin.
"What can she do for her?" Kurenai asked shooting Kakashi a look.
"Sakura is a promising medical ninja in training and her chakra control is impressive. I'm not saying she can repair the damage done but I believe my student can keep Hinata stable until the medical ninja arrive" Kakashi replied.
"I will do my best for Hinata" Sakura said trying to reassure Kurenai and Naruto.
Cardiac arrest means that the blood isn't circulating normally due to failure of the heart to contract effectively. Because it's only just started it's reversible but there is a chance of SCD. I need to create a shockable rhythm while performing standard CPR to prevent the situation from escalating, Sakura thought.
Placing her hands over Hinata's chest Sakura began to pump short static pumps, intermittently checking for signs of a pulse. The Hyuga girl remained still but Sakura was determined to save her and continued the chest pumps. She knew the heart needed a shock to start again, was it possible that a burst of chakra could have the effect?
Neji used the chakra networks to hit Hinata's heart directly, would it work if I were to try and use my chakra to shock her heart. Normally a defribulator would be used to cause an electric shock. Chakra isn't the same as electricity. I can't risk it if I'm not sure, I don't want to kill her, Sakura thought as beads of sweat trickled down her forehead.
The situation looked hopeless and everyone watched as the young girl with pink hair continued to try and revive Hinata. Neji's eyes narrowed in Sakura's direction, she was one of Kakashi's students and an arrogant one too. Who did she think was? Just like the rest of them, trying to save the precious heir to the main branch. These people were sticking their noses into business that wasn't theirs. He had given Hinata a chance to back down and she refused to take it, it was her fault if she died.
"Sakura, it doesn't look like she's going to pull through" Kakashi said quietly and Gai nodded.
The ten minutes of time which Hinata had left were almost up, the doctors still hadn't arrived and Sakura's attempts at resuscitation had not succeeded.
"No! I refuse to give up on her! Come on Hinata you can pull through!" Sakura urged and continued to pump on her chest.
"That's right Hinata! You can't give up now! Not after all you've been through!" Naruto echoed.
"Well looks like we're going to see the first casualty of the exams" Kankuro said to Gaara in a cheerful voice.
"Whatever" Gaara replied.
"Lord Hokage, can we send for Lady Tsunade?" Anko asked and Sarutobi turned to her in surprise.
"Tsunade would not make it here in time. She is in the hospital of Konoha treating an Anbu unit that came in this morning. But I think you need to have a little more faith in Sakura, you know as well as I do Anko that persistence pays off" Sarutobi said quietly.
Sakura's arms ached but she continued to try and revive Hinata. Lifting two fingers to Hinata's neck the pink haired ninja let out a gasp of shock. Pressing her fingers harder against that point she felt it again.
A pulse, she has a pulse! Sakura thought in relief.
"Hinata has a pulse and she's breathing. Her vitals are stable for the moment, she has just fallen back into unconsciousness" Sakura said loudly.
Kurenai let out a huge sigh of relief and Naruto grinned happily. Lee also looked relieved as did Ino and her team. Kankuro and Temari looked at each other slightly shocked but Gaara stared blankly down at the arena. His sharp blue eyes trained on Sakura. Kakashi smiled through his mask and Gai glared at his rival.
Of course Kakashi, it's just like you to have your student show everyone else up, Gai thought enviously.
"WAY TO GO SAKURA!" Naruto yelled and engulfed her in a huge bear hug. Sakura laughed.
"Thank you Naruto, I'm going to heal Hinata's external injuries before the medics arrive" Sakura said and ran her glowing hand over the Hyuga girl's body.
"That's an interesting girl you've got there Kakashi" Kurenai said to the silver haired man quietly.
"So it would seem Kurenai" Kakashi replied evenly.
"We're here! We're here!" Three medics called out, rushing into the arena carrying a stretcher between them.
"Took you all long enough" Kurenai muttered as everyone moved out of the way.
Sakura removed her hand and withdrew to stand near Kakashi who patted her on the shoulder. The medical staff assessed Hinata's condition quickly and looked at each other, it was obvious that the young girl had gone into cardiac arrest but the damage was almost completely reversed.
Inspecting Hinata's arms her cuts were almost completely gone, were it not for her extremely laboured breathing and slightly beaten appearance it wouldn't appear she were injured at all. Of course the internal damage to her heart would be serious but if anything the girl looked peaceful like she was simply sleeping.
"Did someone attend to her before we arrived? Although we haven't examined her internally yet it appears she has recovered from the majority of her injuries and the effects of the cardiac arrest appear to have been reversed from what we can determine" One of the medics spoke up.
"Sakura here revived Hinata using compression on her chest and then used her chakra to heal most of her injuries" Kakashi said pushing Sakura forward.
"You should be proud of yourself then young lady. You acted well and saved this person's life. We will make sure to inform our superiors of this. We will take Hinata Hyuga up to the infirmary to keep her under observation and examine the internal injuries a little closer" Another medic said.
Lying Hinata on the stretcher the medical staff proceeded to take her out of the arena and up to the infirmary. Naruto watched them leave sadly before walking over to the spot where Hinata had coughed up a large amount of blood. Putting his hand in the blood Naruto turned to face Neji.
"I vow to win" he said calmly. Neji simply smirked in reply as everyone began to move back up to the balcony.
Yes she is just like you Tsunade, headstrong, stubborn, and fearless with great compassion for others and a hot temper. She saved the Hyuga girls life and that is not something to be taken lightly, Sarutobi thought.
"Ah man Choji I'd hate to be in your position right now not with Rock Lee, that guy from the Sound and the one from the Sand Village left to compete with" Shikamaru said to his teammate as the arena was cleaned in preparation for the next match.
Hearing this Choji sunk to his knees and shook a little. "I'm not feeling so good. Maybe I should go and forfeit right now" he replied looking shaken and nauseous.
"Hey! Don't talk like that if you win I'll take you out for barbeque!" Asuma said happily.
"Aw come on!" Choji whined and looked out at the arena.
"Don't worry Choji if it gets bad I'll step in and stop the fight just like with Hinata" Asuma reassured him.
Seriously when did he even stop that fight? Shikamaru thought grumpily.
"REALLY ALL YOU CAN EAT! HELL YEAH NOW YOU'RE TALKING!" Choji exclaimed.
Gaara still had his eyes fixated on the arena below; the look he wore verged on sheer madness. Kankuro and Temari exchanged nervous looks, after that last fight they could feel the bloodlust radiating off Gaara's inner demon in waves.
"We'll proceed now with the competition" Hayate said and the screen jolted to life processing the names of the candidates again.
The final four competitors watched the screen with mixed emotions; finally the names stopped and announced that the second match was to be between Gaara and Rock Lee. Gaara wasted no time and appeared on the arena floor with a cloud of sand surrounding him. Lee eagerly lept off the balcony and stood facing Gaara, happy that his moment to fight had finally come.
The match began without any hesitation from Lee as he ran forward and performed his Leaf Hurricane movement on Gaara but the result was an explosion of sand particles. The sand then began to return into the gourd on Gaara's back. Sakura watched in amazement, the jutsu was unlike anything she had seen before and the mystery of what was in Gaara's gourd was finally revealed.
Lee tried a quick series of taijutsu style attacks but the sand acted as a defence mechanism around Gaara and prevented any of Lee's attacks from getting through. It seemed as though the sand had a life of its own as it began to fight with Lee and attempt to constrict him. Gaara had not moved an inch as Lee threw kunai and shuriken at him but to no avail. The sand blocked every single attempt to harm its owner.
The sand quickly rushed forward and managed to take a hold of Lee's ankle and swung him around the arena throwing him into the wall. The sand then made to attack again but Lee dodged it and headed straight for Gaara using his taijutsu style attacks. Once again the sand acted of its own accord and shielded Gaara from any damage.
"It doesn't seem that taijutsu is working. Surely Lee should try and gain some distance and then attempt ninjutsu?" Sakura said.
"That would be a good idea if he knew any. Lee has no ninjutsu or genjutsu skills at all and you should have seen how hopeless he was when I first met him. No talent at all" Gai informed Sakura.
The sand came after Lee like a giant hand ready to constrain him. Lee managed to dodge the first few grabs but then slipped on the sand and fell to the ground. When it looked as though the sand had covered and crushed him completely, Lee managed to escape and somersault into the air. Seeing the situation Gai gave Lee instruction to take off the lightweights that were strapped to his legs, allowing him to move freely.
Everyone regarded Gai with confusion and annoyance, there was no way just by dropping a few pounds of weight that Lee could get through Gaara. But when the weights fell to the ground they created massive holes on the arena floor. Kakashi shook his head; sometimes his rival was just too much. When Gai gave the word Lee resumed his series of taijutsu attacks but this time Gaara looked shaken. The sand was only able to keep ahead of Lee by a few seconds, the speed increase was phenomenal.
Using an attack from above Lee managed to beat the sand defence and land a hit on Gaara cutting his cheek. Temari and Kankuro wore matching horrified expressions; no one had ever managed to make a mark on Gaara before and this bushy eye browed kid was the first. Using the same attacks Lee was quicker on his feet than the sand was to defend and punched Gaara directly sending him falling onto the ground.
Getting slowly to his feet Gaara's gourd began to pour sand onto the ground again but something was wrong. Gaara's face began to fall off and land on the ground as clumps of sand. It seemed as though he had encased himself in a sand shell. The mark on his cheek wasn't a proper hit, none of them were. The sand from Gaara's gourd began to rise up and attach itself to his face.
"So none of those blows Lee landed did anything?" Naruto asked completely baffled.
"No, normally the sand itself is enough of a defence but in the event that it isn't Gaara can wear the sand like a suit of armour" Kankuro replied.
But that armour is a giant weak spot, the amount of chakra it takes to keep it in place takes its toll eventually. Gaara must be feeling the pressure if he's resorted to that, Temari thought.
Lee and Gai exchanged looks thinking the same thing. If Lee could get Gaara up in the air and away from the sand he may be able to break through and hit Gaara properly. The only way to do that was to use the Lotus. Unravelling the bandages on his arms a little Lee ran at an impossibly high speed around Gaara.
Using the same upper jaw kick he had used on Sasuke, Lee sent Gaara into the air but the sand followed. Using a quick series of powerful kicks Lee propelled his opponent higher as an attempt to get him away from the sand. Using the Lotus would take a huge toll on the body and Lee knew he had to finish Gaara off and soon. The bandages around his arm began to coil themselves around Gaara's body. Grabbing hold of Gaara, Lee secured them both into a downward spiral propelled by extreme speed.
"Primary Lotus!" Lee called out loudly as both he and Gaara hit the ground with huge force.
Gaara's body lay in the middle of the huge chasm that had been caused by the move. Lee jumped out and waited at the side, as expected the Lotus move had taken a lot out of him and he was now breathing heavily.
It seemed the match was over and Hayate moved to check Gaara before declaring Lee the winner. As he peered at the sand boy a piece of Gaara's face fell off as did components of the rest of his body. All that remained was a sand shell of the boy.
Gaara appeared behind Lee with sand covering his body, the look in his eye had completely changed and it appeared to Temari and Kankuro that their worst fears had been confirmed. The demon inside Gaara had finally awoken and was taking over. Blasts and waves of sand came straight for Lee who did not attempt to dodge them.
"Because the Lotus is a taijutsu move it requires extreme physical strength. Thus when it is complete it leaves the user battered, bruised and in a lot of pain. Even if Lee wanted to dodge those movements he couldn't" Kakashi observed.
It seemed as though Gaara was just toying with Lee, hitting him with blasts of sand. Gai watched on sadly as he recalled the first time he had observed Lee, the dorky little kid in the academy with nothing going for him but a bit of taijutsu. Tormented and bullied by his classmates. Another blast of sand from Gaara hit Lee causing him to yell out in pain.
People began to mutter about how Lee should give in and that continuing would mean sure death or serious injury but Gai shook his head. They didn't understand that Lee wouldn't give in like that; he would carry on where a normal person would give up. That was just the way that he was and Gai had told him as much. Others had gifts through their bloodline but Lee had the gift of perseverance.
Lee stood up again looking more determined than ever as Gaara sent another sand attack towards him. With a few lightning quick moves Lee was able to dodge the attack making everyone gasp in shock, after using the Lotus there was no way Lee should be able to move like again but he did.
"The Lotus of the Leaf Village blooms twice" Gai said calmly.
"Lee said that to me during the second exam" Sakura spoke up
"That means. No Gai you didn't" Kakashi questioned his rival
"Yes Kakashi I did" Gai replied without a hint of remorse.
"So that boy, the genin down there can open the Eight Inner Gates and use the Hidden Lotus?" Kakashi asked gravely.
"That is correct" Gai replied.
"You've got to be joking I mean I just it's ridiculous. So how many can the boy open now?" Kakashi demanded angrily.
"Five, he can open five Inner Gates" Gai said this time looking a little ashamed.
Kakashi ground his teeth together but said no more. Sakura watched the exchange with curious eyes.
"So what are these Inner Gates and what is the Hidden Lotus?" she asked.
"There are gates along the chakra network located at the points in the body where the chakra is most heavily concentrated. Starting at the head they follow in this order: Gate of Opening, Rest, Life, Pain, Closing, Joy, Shock and Death. They limit the chakra through the body but the Lotus has tremendous pressure on these limiters eventually forcing the gates open. This releases the chakra limit and a person's strength can increase tenfold" Kakashi explained.
"Using the Primary Lotus Lee has already opened the Gate of Opening" Gai added
"But using just the Primary Lotus almost destroyed him. What's going to happen if he tries to go any further?" Sakura asked knowing that the repercussions on the body could be devastating
"That's exactly my point. Opening all Eight Gates would mean Lee would have power far greater than the Hokage himself. But he'd die in the process" Kakashi said and glared at Gai.
Gai sensei it is time for me to use the forbidden technique and the condition has been reached: to maintain ones ninja way. For me to maintain my ninja way I must win this match and open the Third Gate. Neji, Sasuke and Naruto! I cannot be the only one who does not win here! Lee thought.
What appeared to be a huge torrent of air rushed up from underneath Lee and engulfed him. Huge veins began to spread across his forehead and Lee's face began to turn a deep red. Blue chakra twisted and turned all around his body.
"Third Gate Open!" Lee yelled
The chakra around his body grew stronger and Lee stood in full height. Kakashi watched Gai's student and assumed he would attack Gaara now that the Third Gate had been opened but Lee crouched over again and opened the Fourth Gate.
"Fourth Gate: Gate of Pain Open!" Lee called out again.
Running straight for Gaara, Lee tore up most of the arena floor and landed an upward jaw kick on the Sand Village ninja before anyone could blink. The opening of the Gates had made him faster than ever and almost everyone on the balcony had to shield themselves from the aftershock.
Once the dust cleared from the damage to the floor, everyone could see Gaara floating in mid-air but no one could locate Lee. Suddenly he appeared above Gaara and hit him hard before reappearing to hit him again. The sand from Gaara's gourd was nowhere near fast enough to protect Gaara from Lee's attacks. Although Gaara's face began to crack once more indicating he had used the sand as a shell for his body, but this did not discourage Lee. He began to hit Gaara all around the arena as though it were child's play.
"One more and we are finished! Gate of Closing: Open!" Lee yelled and flew through the air to punch Gaara.
His muscles are tearing themselves apart! Sakura thought in horror as she watched Lee struggle to even make a fist with his hands.
But he didn't hit Gaara instead Lee had him hanging by one of his own bandages completely helpless. He was positioning Gaara for his final move, the ace in the hole Gai had taught him.
"Hidden Lotus!" Lee bellowed at the top of his voice and hit Gaara directly in the stomach.
It appeared to be a direct hit but no one could see due to the intense speed and then waves of aftershock. Kakashi with the quickness of his eyes saw the gourd on Gaara's back turn into sand, a glance at Gai confirmed that he had seen it as well.
Gaara and Lee fell to the ground and Lee was the first to tumble out of the rubble. He had taken the fall hard and was barely able to move but it appeared as though he had won. However the rest of the dust cleared and it was clear the Gaara was not out of the fight. By turning the gourd into sand he had managed to cushion his fall.
Focusing his hand on Lee Gaara forced the sand surrounding him to take the shape of a human hand and head directly for the bushy eye browed ninja. Shino watched the move with a sense of familiarity. He and his team had witnessed the power of Gaara's sand jutsu and he knew the jutsu that was coming would be the end of Lee. Because of the opening of the Gates and the use of the Hidden Lotus, Lee could not move fast enough to get away from it.
The sand latched itself onto one of Lee's legs and arms, Gaara closed the hand he had outstretched and Lee immediately screamed in pain.
"Sand Coffin" Gaara said darkly and the sand constrained around Lee knocking him to the ground.
Lee immediately closed his eyes and Sakura could not tell if he was exhausted or unconscious. The sand receeded revealing Lee's bloodied arm and leg from where it had been. Gaara set his sand on Lee once more fully intending to kill the genin. But Gai appeared in front of Lee's broken body and cast the sand away.
Memories flashed in Gaara's mind and the red headed sand boy put his hands to his head in an attempt to block them out.
"Why, why save him when he failed?" Gaara asked Gai in his dark and low voice.
"Because he is my student and also because he is precious to me" Gai replied.
"I quit" Gaara said to Hayate and began to walk off, the sand returning to his gourd which was rebuilding itself.
That may be so but Lee lost the match the minute Gai intervened, Kakashi thought.
A sound like the cracking of bone echoed through the arena as Rock Lee got to his feet again. Completely bloodied and bruised but determined to continue to fight. Sakura watched fearfully there was only so much the human body could take ninja or not.
Gai moved towards Lee and was horrified to discover that Lee was actually still unconscious, there was nothing keeping him up but the sheer will to go on and win. Ashamed and disappointed at what he'd let his student go through, Gai shed a few tears.
"Lee you've already proven it; there is no need to go on anymore. You are a splendid ninja" Gai said emotionally as he embraced his protégé.
"The winner is Gaara" Hayate declared but Gaara seemed oddly transfixed on the scene between Lee and Gai. Nonetheless he began to walk off.
Medical ninja quickly rushed onto the scene and Sakura knew she was not needed this time. One of the staff approached Gai and told him the devastating news. Not only had Lee suffered muscle and bone fractures throughout his body but his left leg and arm were particularly damaged. As a result of this he could not fight again and his days as a shinobi were over according to the medical staff.
Gai looked broken and ashamed that the jutsu he had pushed and taught his student had caused him to never fight again. Naruto too was visibly upset and angry.
"Failure! I thought you said we could win! I thought you said we would show how-" Naruto yelled out in anguish but was silenced by Kakashi who appeared out of thin air and put his hand over the blond boy's mouth.
Lee you helped me during the fight with the Sound Ninja even though it wasn't your fight to begin with. You taught me a lot about strength and determination and I too will work harder at my training so that I can be a respected medical ninja, Sakura thought as she watched the medical team carry Lee to the infirmary on a stretcher.
Eventually Gai returned to the balcony with everyone else and the final fight was announced between Choji and Dosu. The match was over quickly but through a series of incredibly lucky attacks on Choji's part and a few mishaps on the part of Dosu which included the injuries he had sustained during the fight with Sakura, Choji won the last of the preliminary battles much to the sheer disbelief and horror of his teammates.
Choji was ecstatic at the idea of all he could eat barbeque beef and Dosu fearful of what Orochimaru would do to him considering his primary goal was to get into the finals and go up against Sasuke.
"I commend all those who have advanced to the final round of the Chunin exams, there is one of you missing but congratulations nonetheless" Hayate said and addressed all of the competitors for the finals in front of him.
Kakashi says they have transferred Sasuke to the hospital in Konoha, Tsunade-sama is there. She will look after Sasuke; they need to keep him away from Orochimaru. He's still in the Leaf Village I'm sure of it. Also what about our suspicions with Kabuto. I'd feel a lot better if I could talk to Sasuke in person about all of this, Sakura thought a little anxiously.
Kakashi had left to go and check up on Sasuke himself leaving herself and Naruto to get the details on the final round. Sarutobi stepped in front of the remaining candidates and began to explain the final round.
"The final battles will commence one month from now. This gives you time to prepare for the final fight and gives us time to summon all of the respective leaders to the third exams. Now that you've battled each other your opponents are not unknown and everyone has seen what everyone can do. Use this time to practice and learn new techniques because old tired ones just won't cut it" Sarutobi explained and Naruto stifled a yawn.
"Come on old man! What else is there to say!" the blond boy exclaimed unhappily.
"Naruto be quiet! This is the last task required of you before your month of training begins. Anko will approach each of you with a box, inside are slips of paper. Draw out one of these each, they contain a number. Call this out to Ibiki and we will pair you up with each other. Sasuke will be number four" Lord Hokage instructed.
Once all the numbers had been given Ibiki revealed the final matches for the third round. Naruto was to fight Neji, Shikamaru to fight Kankuro, Sakura to fight Temari, Sasuke to fight Gaara and Choji to fight Shino.
Sakura smirked; Temari was a strong opponent from what she had seen in the preliminaries. She was going to have to figure out a way to work her chakra attacks past that fan and hit the girl where it hurt. She knew Naruto would be pleased to go up against Neji considering he had promised Hinata, but a part of her was concerned for Sasuke.
Although she hated to admit it she knew that Kakashi's seal on the curse mark relied on Sasuke's will not to activate it. But to have Sasuke fight against Gaara seemed like it would back him into a corner and force him to activate the mark in order to win. Would Sasuke even be able to go up against Gaara and succeed?
"So from this will just one of us get to be a Chunin or what?" Shikamaru asked the Hokage.
"There will be judges including myself, shinobi leaders and the Kazekage the lords from the various countries that will ultimately be assigning your missions to you. Through the final tournament these judges will be able to make a proper evaluation to see if any or all of you possess the qualities required of a Chunin. The more you battle in the tournament, the more you have a chance to show the judges your skills. Any of you, some of you or none of you could become Chunin" Sarutobi explained at length.
The candidates stared at him unhappily, so they would have to fight in more than one round and they could still not be picked to be Chunin. Sarutobi sighed; it had been a long day.
"In any case we're adjourned. I will see you all in a month for the Chunin finals" Lord Hokage said before disappearing.
I need to speak with Tsunade-sama. The Hokage is right my chakra tricks aren't going to get me very far now that everyone has seen what I can do. I need something that's going to give me an edge over everyone else. Because we're fighting in rounds I could beat Temari and then look who I've got to face. I could end up fighting that Gaara guy and my moves aren't going to work on him, Sakura thought slightly panicked.
"Sakura-chan! We're is Kakashi-sensei? We need to see him about training us for the final round!" Naruto exclaimed, rearing to go.
"He said he was going to the hospital in the village to check on Sasuke" Sakura replied.
"GAHHH! OH NO HE'S GOING TO TRAIN SASUKE FIRST AND THEN WHAT AM I GOING TO DO!? WE HAVE TO FIND HIM NOW!" Naruto yelled and dragged Sakura by the arm.
"Tsunade-sama I'll need your help now more than ever" Sakura mumbled to herself as she followed Naruto in the direction of the hospital.
Hi everyone!
Preliminaries are done and now the month of training for Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura before the final rounds! I've had a few reviews mentioning the lack of SasuSaku in the past couple of chapters and I do apologise for that but I really wanted Sakura to be in the final exams and have a greater role in the preliminaries themselves which is why I had her stay. But I can sort of see how that would be a little boring.
However there will be much more of their interactions together but I intend to have Sakura and Tsunade go off to do some training together for the month so it might not be as much as people would hope for though I will try my best to put it in as much as I can especially in the next chapter.
Anyway thanks for sticking with me and I appreciate all of your wonderful ideas and reviews and all that stuff so please keep it up if you're enjoying the story. Next chapter will be up in a week ^^