talking: Ya' know
thinking: Ya' know
jutsu: Flying Raijin Jutsu
Tailed Beast talking: Damn you 4th Hokage
Tailed Beast thinking: Damn you 4th Hokage
I don't own Naruto or any other manga/anime in any way shape or form. (sorry for not disclaiming in the last chapter.)
story has some slight x-overs.
Chapter 8: End of Exams and an Admittance of Guilt?
"Alright! It's time for the first match of the semi-finals! Hinata Hyuga of the Leaf and Honoka Chikara of the Whirlpool! You're up!" Genma called out. It didn't take long for the two to go down to the arena floor, and into their battle stances.
"Ready, Honoka?" Hinata asked, with a slight smile.
Honoka returned the smile, as she replied. "Oh yea, I'm ready. Don't think I'll go easy on you."
"I wouldn't want you to." Hinata chuckled.
"Shave!" Honoka called, quickly closing the distance between her and Hinata as soon as Genma gave the order.
Hinata had expected this, so the began spinning just as soon and Honoka began moving. "Rotation!" Said Hinata, as a blue sphere of chakra surrounded her.
Honoka was unable to avoid Hinata's jutsu, and was therefore knocked backwards. Hinata had stopped spinning by the time Honoka landed on the ground. With the wind knocked out of Honoka, Hinata quickly charged in and placed her chakra loaded finger-tips at Honoka's throat. "Yield?" Hinata asked.
"Heh. Nope." Honoka replied. "Shave!" Said Honoka, managing to get out of her situation. She ended her technique when she was up against the arena's wall. "Crap! That was close. Getting close is a bad idea. And I didn't think she could pull of the 'Rotation' that fast, neither. And what's worse, I only have one technique left. I haven't learned the last two yet. I guess I have no choice." Honoka thought, knowing that she had an uphill battle against Hinata.
"I wonder what she's thinking. I doubt that she's used all her clan's techniques. As far as the one's she knows, anyway. She used three so far in the finals. The same three she used when she help Konohamaru and myself against Sai. I'm sure she's learn at least one, since then. So, just which one will she use next?" Hinata asked herself.
Honoka took a deep breathe. "Looks like I don't have a choice. I'll have to use my final technique." "Tempest Kick!" Honoka yelled, kicking high in the air. "Shave!" She then whispered, as soon as she brought her foot down. Hinata quickly dodged the attack, only to have Honoka appear right in front of her. "Finger Pistol!" She said, striking at Hinata's abdomen with a single out-stretched finger.
Hinata quickly spun to avoid the attack, and luckily she only got grazed on the left side of her abdomen. Coming to a halt, Hinata jumped back slightly and got into an all too familiar stance.
-Kage Booth-
"Couldn't she only use three your clan's techniques before, Natsu?" Naruto asked.
Natsu nodded. "That's right. She must've managed to finally master the 'Tempest Kick'. And she also made her own improvements with the 'Finger Pistol' as well." Natsu replied, with a proud smile.
"Just what kind of techniques are these?" Shikaku asked, shocked and also curious about these strange abilities.
"Three of them are attack based, meant to disable or kill an enemy. One is defensive, and the other two are evasive techniques." Tsunade answered, surprising everyone. Tsunade noticed this of course. "Don't act all surprised. I've worked with some of your clansmen in the past, Lord Chikara. So far, we've seen all the attack and the defensive techniques. And unless I'm mistaken... the last two are called 'Moon Walk' and 'Paper Art'. Isn't that right?" Tsunade asked.
"That's right, Lady Hokage. But our clan as made improvements in all of those techniques since then." Natsu replied.
-Match 5-
"Eight Trigrams: 32 Palm!" Hinata called, just before striking the said number of Honoka's chakra-points. Honoka landed on the ground, unable to move.
"Ugh! GENTLE MY BUTT! What the hell kind of fighting style is that!? You call it 'gentle' but it hurts like crazy!" Honoka complained, receiving numerous nods of agreement from many observers in the stands. Including the leader of her own home village.
"The winner is, Hinata Hyuga!" Genma called, seeing as Honoka could no longer move and therefore couldn't continue fighting.
-Kage Booth-
"Hm. Even though she lost, she still managed to wound Lady Hinata." Natsu commented, proudly.
"Yea. That's not easy neither." Naruto replied. "Besides, Hinata's probably around Jounin level in skill with all the training she's been through these last few years." Naruto thought.
-Stadium-
"Alright, time for the second and last match of the semi-finals! Hyousuke Ikeda of the Sand and Sai of the Leaf!" Genma called.
It didn't take long before the two of them were ready in their stances, waiting for the proctor to call the match to a start. Normally Sai would take his time, but he knew that Hinata was likely getting her wound healed. Not only that, he wanted to get his self imposed mission. Killing Hinata Hyuga. "If I'm lucky, then I maybe able to cause Naruto to lose his temper and bring him in close to kill him. In battle, I'd lose. But battle isn't the only way to kill someone." Sai thought, as Genma started the match.
"Begin!"
"Wind Style: Wind Clap Jutsu!" Hyousuke called, having immediately clapped his hands together. "Since he only saw this jutsu coming from my teammate, I doubt he'd expect it from me." Hyousuke thought, as he fired the jutsu toward Sai's general direction in case he dodged to the sides.
Unfortunately, Sai jumped up into the air with an unraveled scroll and his paint brush. Sai, with his quick and flawless strokes, drew several lions before holding up a 'Half-Ram' hand-sign. "Ninja Art: Super Beast Scroll!" Said Sai, brining the drawing to life to attack his opponent.
Hyousuke had anticipated what Sai's attack was going to be, so he started his own hand-signs for his defensive jutsu. But before he finished, the beasts had destroyed themselves. This cause ink to fly into Hyousuke's eyes, blinding him. Sai had immediately taken his advantage and charged his opponent, striking him in the forehead with the hilt of his tanto. This had effectively knocked Hyousuke unconscious.
"The winner is Sai." Said Genma, purposefully neglecting to state that he was from the Leaf.
-Kage Booth-
"I kinda saw this coming." Naruto stated, with Natsu and Yusaku nodding in agreement.
"Considering they were likely the some of the oldest and most experienced competitors, I'm not surprised you came to that conclusion." Said Gaara.
"That's not really what I meant, Gaara. I mean, Lord Kazekage." Said Naruto, forgetting that he must be formal at these events.
"Hm? Then what did you mean, Lord Uzumaki?" Tsunade asked, curious about what he meant.
"I've already been told about Sai's attempt to kill Hinata and Konohamaru. And because I already figured that Sai would pull a stunt like that, I knew it wouldn't be the end. He's going to use this last match as his last chance to accomplish his self imposed 'mission'. I knew he wouldn't lose until he got this chance. Of course, I also know that Sai's attempt was all because of Danzo. Which puts him in violation of our agreement of letting him live." Naruto explained.
"Oh? And how exactly would you know that?" Tsunade asked, suspiciously. She didn't want to be suspicious of Naruto, but something about the way he spoke was ringing alarm bells in her head. Shikaku couldn't help but be suspicious as well.
"I'm not as dumb as I used to be. I'm not as smart as Shikamaru or Yusaku, but I made sure to have word sent to me about this by my Hidden Whirlpool Genin. Sai, doesn't exactly know how to keep his mouth shut." Naruto answered.
"I see." Tsunade replied. "Something's not right. There's no way that Danzo would assign someone to this if they would talk as easily as Naruto claims. And that's the only fault in his story. Could it be that he did that on purpose? And if so, what's his end game?" Tsunade asked herself.
-Stadium-
"Alright. The five minute reprieve has come to a close. The final match will now begin. Hinata Hyuga of the Leaf and Sai. Get ready!"
Hinata, with her barely healed wound, and Sai soon stood across from one another. Hinata was in her clan's traditional stance, and Sai stood in the same stance he's been in all day.
"Begin!" Genma yelled, causing the crowd to cheer. Everyone there wanted Hinata to teach Sai a lesson, after hearing what he's so willing to do to a comrade form the same village.
Hinata stepped forward with her right foot, while simultaneously throwing a few shuriken. Sai dodged to his left, but he never let his eyes wander away from Hinata. It didn't matter to Hinata though, as she had immediately sent a new attack toward him. "Eight Trigrams: Air palm!" She called, striking out with her left hand.
The jutsu Sai off guard, hitting him dead on and flung him across the stadium. "Ugh. I...I wasn't expecting that. Not from a weak Hyuga Heiress. The reports I read about you seemed to be wrong." Sai said, as he got up.
"I was weak at one point. But the training and my determination to become stronger, has helped me use skills that were once far beyond my abilities. But, since Danzo brainwashed you. I don't expect you to understand what determination means. It is an emotion after all. And Danzo wiped you clean of them. Besides, to him, you're nothing but a pawn he can throw away. Just like he's doing now." Said Hinata.
"If it's to protect the Leaf Village, Danzo and I are willing to give our lives." Sai replied.
"Like I said before. Danzo is nothing but a self-righteous and self-pitying coward. He'd rather send every man, woman, child and infant to battle before sending himself. Unless, the choice is taken away from him." Said Hinata, spitting the man's name.
Sai just remained silent.
"Besides, it's that man's fault that the Leaf Village had lost such a valuable shinobi. And not just that, but many of the Fourth Hokage's Jutsu. No matter how you look at it, it all comes down to Danzo. The man you claim will do anything to protect this village, is the same man to ultimately cause a new Hidden Village to emerge. And sent a boy, now a man, powerful enough to kill everyone in this village away. But instead of seeking revenge, Naruto has allied our villages. So that he could still protect us, while also protecting his own village. Something Danzo knows ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING ABOUT!" Hinata yelled, charging in for an attack.
-Audience-
"So, this Danzo guy is the reason Naruto left? No way." Said Sakura, finding the news difficult to believe.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised about it. I remember my dad cursing that name a couple times." Said Sasuke, remembering one of the few times his father came home frustrated and angry.
"You've heard of him?" Sakura asked, shocked.
"Yea, but I know next to nothing about him." Sasuke replied.
"He was the Third Hokage's rival for the title of Hokage, back during the First Great Ninja War. He's had resentment toward Lord Third ever since it was decided that he wasn't chosen by their predecessor, Lord Second Hokage." Kakashi explained, surprising Sakura with his sudden presence.
"Kakashi-sensei. Is what Hinata said true?" Sakura asked.
"Hmm." Kakashi looked down at the match, as he replied. "I wouldn't put it past that man. Only Naruto and Danzo would know, for sure. So, I really can't say."
"So, Naruto leaving is all this Danzo guy's fault?" Sakura asked, as she turned back to the action.
-Match 7-
Sai had been keeping out of Hinata's range, while simultaneously unable to perform any of his artistic jutsu. Eventually, he let himself fall backward onto the ground during one of Hinata's lunging strikes. This caused Hinata to overextend and gave Sai a chance to kick Hinata away, which he did. And Sai made sure to hit near Hinata's wound.
"Even though it's been healed, it doesn't mean that it doesn't still hurt. Not with that very limited time I allowed her to get herself treated." Sai thought. And he thought correctly as well.
"Ugh! That was cheap! But smart. He knew that I'd still be in pain, so he hit me as close to my wound as possible." Hinata thought, as she managed to stay on her feet despite being kicked away.
Sai also stood back up, and immediately started his drawings. "Ninja Art: Super Beast Scroll!" Said Sai, sending numerous small birds and large lions after Hinata.
"Shadow-Clone Jutsu!" Hinata called, creating four clones, making a total of five Hinata's. Hinata had her clones face off against Sai's drawings, while she herself went after Sai. Sai tried countering by unsheathing his tanto.
Sai and Hinata kept exchanging blows. Hinata would strike with her Gentle Fist, whilst Sai would dodge and send in an occasional counter-strike, only for Hinata to dodge or parry. "I'm not getting anywhere with this. I'll just have to change my moves then." Hinata thought, waiting for her opportunity.
She didn't have to wait long, as Sai dodged her right hand and struck with a backward slash with his own right. Hinata used this chance to quickly bend herself backwards, and kick Sai right in his chin that sent him flying. As she bent backwards, Hinata used her hands to help her finish off her flip.
-Kage Booth-
"So, she's finally using that method. Huh?" Naruto asked himself, out loud.
Looking toward him questioningly, Tsunade asked. "What are you talking about?"
Seeing that Gaara was looking at him as well, Naruto decided to help them better understand what he was talking about. "You already know that Hinata has been to the Hidden Whirlpool a number of times. Her mother, Hikari, was already become a member of said village by that point. And being married to Lord Hiashi Hyuga, gave her an in depth chance to study their techniques. Of which, she only gave to Hinata. I never asked her to give them to us." Naruto said quickly, seeing that Tsunade was beginning to suspect that secrets of their most prominent clan's techniques were being leaked.
"You sure Hikari hasn't shared these secrets with you?" She asked, suspiciously.
"Absolutely! Even IF I had asked her to do so, she would refuse. Even though she's no longer of this village, she still loves her husband and his clan. Anyway, back on topic. Hikari was still apart of the Leaf Village, and made a, even though small and not very well known, name for herself. Her moves were unique to her, and her alone." Naruto finished.
"What's your point?" Tsunade asked.
"Heh. It won't help if I explain everything. Just watch, you'll see." Naruto replied.
And so they did.
-Match 7-
Sai had just picked himself back up, and surveyed his current situation. His Ninjutsu had been defeated, Hinata had two clones left and that left him currently outnumbered. Although he didn't seem bothered by this on the outside, he was starting to feel nervous on the inside. "What is this feeling? I don't feel emotions, but why does it seem like I actually feel something?" Sai asked himself, before mentally shaking his head to gather his thoughts.
"Nervous, are we?" Hinata asked, able to see it within his chakra. And for a moment, it looked like Sai had a look of surprise on his face.
"Don't by absurd. I don't feel emotions." Sai replied.
"Hn. Right." Hinata charged toward Sai once again. This time as she got close, Sai tried to counter, only for Hinata to spin around him. But the spin was different. As she stopped, she struck again. Hitting Sai in his right shoulder, causing him to drop his tanto. Sai quickly got a little distance form her, only for her to quickly start attacking him again. Sai had no choice but to use Taijutsu to fight back, if he didn't he'd risk taking a direct hit. Especially, since her movements completely changed. It was almost like she was dodging around his attacks.
Then, as if by some miracle, Hinata left Sai an opening. To which he immediately took, and punched Hinata's wounded side. The blow sent Hinata to the ground, only for her to disappear in a cloud of smoke. "Wha..."
"Eight Trigrams: 64 Dancing Palms!" Hinata called, attacking fro where her Shadow-clones were standing. Unlike with the traditional version of the Hyuga's techniques, which seemed stiff and yet powerful, Hinata's were much more fluid and yet seemed to hold the same amount of power behind her blows.
-Kage Booth-
"I see now. Hikari's Taijutsu was unique because she used dance moved in her fighting style. With her knowledge of Hyuga techniques, she could easily find ways to help Hinata learn them. But also combine her style with the Hyuga's Gentle Fist. Making a truly fearsome Taijutsu style." Said Tsunade, finally seeing what Naruto was talking about.
"Haha. Exactly!" Naruto replied, laughing.
Having been watching the match himself, Gaara had to admit that Hinata was indeed a force to be reckoned with. "And from the reports I've read, she could easily dodge Sasori's attacks without these moves. Impressive." Gaara thought.
-Match 7-
Sai lied there on the ground unable to move. "I..it can't be. You're supposed to be weak." Sai said, recalling all the research he's done on Hinata's background.
"Let's say that I am weak. That just makes you weaker than I am." Hinata replied.
For the second time, Sai said nothing.
Taking a deep breath, Hinata began speaking. "You call Naruto a 'traitor'. Yet, it was this village who betrayed him and his parents. The Fourth Hokage and his wife, had laid down their lives for Naruto and this village. Even going so far as to seal the Nine-tails inside of him. Yet instead of honoring their sacrifice, they decided to blame Naruto for the entire attack. And they did so for years. Despite that, Naruto had risked his life to save his friends on missions, and protected this village back when the current Kazekage was our enemy during their attack."
"And when it was his own teammate, and friend, left to an even more powerful enemy, he put his life on the line again to prevent the Sharingan to fall into the wrong hands. And because he succeeded, he was dropped from the program because of document that was supposedly signed by Lord Third Hokage. And when Danzo came to Naruto with a proposal, Naruto left, choosing to leave than serve someone who betrayed him. So, Naruto started his own village, with some help. And instead of seeking revenge against us, he chose to become allies. All because he still loves this village."
"But, he'll still put his own village above ours. Wouldn't he." Sai stated.
"That's only natural. For any TRUE leader of a Hidden Village." Hinata replied. "That's all I wanted to say. There's nothing left for me to say to you."
After a moment of silence, Genma called the match. "The winner of the Chunin Selection Exam Tournament, is Hinata Hyuga of the Leaf Village!" A simple statement, yet it caused a standing ovation from the crowd. Even Tsunade, Gaara and Naruto stood and clapped loudly.
-Five minutes later-
Once the crowd had settled down, the two Kage and Naruto headed down to the stadium floor. As they walked through the empty halls, Naruto spoke. "Lady Hokage." Said Naruto, getting her attention.
"What is it?" She asked.
"I'm pretty sure you've already suspected this, but. I'm the one behind Danzo Shimura's disappearance."
And that's chapter 8. A little short, but still enjoyable. I hope. Tell me what you all think. Please read and review.