You guys are completely awesome!
I struggled a bit with this chapter to be honest. I wanted to make each fight unique feeling, but at the same time I didn't want a chapter of nothing but fights. That said, I'm pretty satisfied by how everything turned out. I'll go into a bit more detail about the fights and my reasons them at the bottom of the chapter.
AU changes. Obviously there is a huge AU change this chapter (There's really no way to miss it) but that AU change started several chapters ago. The only real new AU change was who is fighting who. I did a semi-random run of them, so expect to see different fights this time around.
Answers to your awesome reviews are at the bottom.
And here you guys go! Chapter 17: What Lies Within
"Danzo-Sama." A pale white boy kneeled down in front of the elder who was facing a map, "I have a report from the second phase of the Chunin exams."
The old ninja turned to regard the kneeling ninja several feet from him. "Report."
"Team Sai successfully passed the first Chunin Phase. We received the Earth Scroll as part of the second phase." The young ninja's voice was emotionless. "We then eliminated several teams to insure Team Eight would make it to the tower. We then took out two teams while waiting for the second phase to end."
"Very good. You will continue training until I need you again." Danzo turned to the reports on his desk, signaling that the reporting ninja was dismissed.
The Kyubi was only slightly interested in the fights that it was watching through Naruto's eyes. The Inuzuka had lost in his match against a red-haired female from Kumo. The female had wielded a sword similar to his container's, but the demon fox felt that her skill was below Naruto's.
The fat boy from Konoha lost against one of the sound ninjas, but the sound ninja would be in the hospital for quite awhile. The Demon Fox was disgusted with the Akimichi, since the only reason he lost to the sound ninja was because the Akimichi didn't have the resolve to kill his enemy.
The shadow user had fought against a strange green-garbed boy; The Nara had lost badly, not being able to keep up with his much faster opponent. The green-outfitted boy's speed was impressive, the Kyubi reluctantly admitted, but his container could be faster if he wanted.
The container of the Shukaku had decimated the sound ninja he faced, manipulating sand to capture the sound genin and eliminate him in a rather bloody fashion with a single gesture. The Kyubi was eager for it's container to face the Shukaku's, for the demon fox knew that it's jailor would win in a power struggle between the two.
Naruto watched the sign spin, wondering eagerly if he would be next. "Would Ino Yamanaka and Kin Tsuchi please make their way down to the arena?"
Ino walked down to the arena floor, carefully watching her opponent. From the body language that Kin was displaying, it was obvious to Ino that Kin was a type of person that liked to toy with their pray before ending them. And since she started training with Team Eight, the female Yamanaka was not longer prey. She was a proud kunoichi of Konoha, and she was not going to lose. After all, how could she impress Sasuke-Kun or Naruto-Kun if she was defeated in the preliminary fight?
Ino shook her head and focused on what clues Kin was unconsciously giving her. Given that Kin's body language wasn't showing that she was balancing forward, it seemed like Kin wasn't a frontline fighter. Frontline fighters tended to lean forward when they were expecting a fight, so that they could more easily moved into combat range. Support fighters on the other hand, tended to lean slightly back, so they could put distance between themselves and their opponents.
But there was several different types of support fighters, just like there was different types of frontline fighters. Ino suspected that Kin was a support type fighter, leaving the blonde Yamanaka a few different options. First, Kin could be a medical ninja. However, given Kin's disposition, that was unlikely. Most, if not all, ninjas who chose medical ninja as a specialization were caring. The sound Kunoichi was quite the opposite, if her nasty smirk was anything to go by.
That left two other options. Genjustu specialization or ranged specialization. Given that Kin had the cockiness of a young Genjutsu user, but none of the self-assuredness that came along with knowing you could manipulate the battlefield, Ino figured that Kin wasn't a primarily a Genjustu user. However, Kin's right hand twitched slightly, almost brushing towards a pouch that looked like a holder for kunai or senbon. It was a dead giveaway for a ranged specialist.
Kin's arms and hands, while not weak looking, didn't hold the look of someone who gripped kunai often. In fact, given the muscled look of her fingers, Ino could say with almost certainty that Kin used senbon almost exclusively.
The blonde Yamanaka felt a slight frown crease her face as she stopped twenty feet from Kin. Now that she knew what attacks the sound kunoichi would take, she should come up with a plan. However, Ino wasn't normally the planner; that was Shikamaru's job. But he wasn't here. As Ino scrambled for a plan, Hayate turned to the sound kunoichi. "Kin Tsuchi, are you ready?"
Kin smirked, a small malicious grin appearing on her face. "You bet I am. But I don't think blonde here is. She might chip a nail..."
Ino's thoughts stilled. Take her for a useless fan girl would she? "Proctor, I'm ready as well." Ino waited for Hayate to start the match. As she waited, a ghost of a plan began to form...
"Hajime!"
Neither girl moved. "So..." Ino examined her nails, "Is that what passes for fashion where you live?" A perfectly sculpted eyebrow raised at the sight of Kin's outfit. "It's all right. I'm sure it's quite fashionable at your village..."
Kin's smirk dropped of her face. "What's that supposed to mean?" The sound girl glanced down at her outfit. "This is perfectly fine!"
"Of course it's fine...for a man." Kin's face flushed red with both anger and slight embarrassment. "I mean, look at those pants. They are white baggy things covered in irregular black spots. And that's not even taking into account your shirt. It doesn't match in the slightest."
"I'm not some foolish fangirl!" Kin practically snarled, her hand reaching back to her senbon pouch.
"You're right..." Ino agreed, "But there's a difference between us." Ino began to subtlety focus her chakra. "You see, unlike you, I don't sacrifice my looks for strength." Ino tossed her hair back, drawing Kin's attention away from her hands, "I make a fight look good."
Ino's chakra spiked as she flipped through the final seal for her jutsu. Just before her hands hit the ground, she fired one final verbal shot. "And that's why I'm a kunoichi, not just a female ninja." The blonde Yamanaka's hands hit the ground, five spikes jutting upwards from the earth towards the shocked and completely surprised Kin. The female sound ninja had no choice but to hurl herself directly upwards. Ino smirked.
"Shintenshin no Jutsu!"
Kin's body suddenly spun in the air, artfully dodging the earth spears with grace the sound ninja hadn't displayed a few moments before. The female sound ninja landed gracefully, bringing a hand to flick her hair back. "So let's see what types of senbon you have, shall we?" Kin's voice mused, her voice somehow sounding wrong despite coming out of the sound girl's mouth. Kin's hand rummaged around the senbon pouch before pulling out several senbon.
"So you apply the poison after you pull the senbon?" Not-Kin sighed. "You're just making it harder for me." Ino stopped and examined Kin's nails closer. "You really need to take better care of yourself." Ino lectured, "First step to confidence is feeling beautiful in your own body." Not-Kin reached into a side pocket. "Hmmm...Ah, here we go!" Not-Kin pulled out a small glass vial with a formula on it, the liquid inside a light blue color. Kin's hand popped open the vial and dipped a senbon in, liberally coating the thin weapon. Taking piety on her unwilling captive, Ino flicked Kin's arm down imbedding the senbon into Kin's leg.
Ino opened her eyes, slowly standing as she watched Kin topple over, the senbon still stuck in the sound ninja's leg. Controlling another person with the mind switch technique was always taxing on her chakra, but Ino's chakra coils had increased dramatically over the last few months. Her reserves were not close to Sakura's or Hinata's reserves, but the two kunoichi from Team Eight seemed to gain small amounts of chakra every week or so. Either way, Ino had used her clan's jutsu on Kin when the sound ninja had leapt upwards, being unable to dodge the attack. Ino had then coated Kin's senbon with a knockout drug, and used the senbon to hit Kin's leg.
"Ino Yamanaka wins by knockout!"
"Sooo...Naruto-Kun..." Ino leaned forward towards her fellow blonde, "How did I do? Was I a strong, capable kunoichi like Sakura or Hinata?" Ino had been disappointed to find out that Sasuke had been taken away from watching the fights by his sensei. However, Naruto was still there to impress.
Naruto nodded. "You did well, Ino-San." Spotting Ino flush slightly red, Naruto hurriedly continued, not wanting her to be mad at him. "You made your opponent mad so they wouldn't pay attention, before keeping her on the defensive until you were able to catch her." Ino turned away to hide the increasing flush on her face from Naruto's perceived praise.
Any further conversation Ino may have had with Naruto was halted as the sign began to spin through the list of Genins once again. Naruto grinned as the two names stopped spinning. "Would Naruto Uzumaki and Misumi Tsurugi please make their way down to the arena?"
Naruto grinned and sprinted towards the protective railing that edged the viewing area of the arena wall. When the blonde Uzumaki reached the railing, he vaulted it, free falling towards the solid ground floor. When he had reached the halfway point, Naruto shifted his arms forward towards the ground, and shoved a massive amount of wind chakra through them. The wind bellowed as his drop slowed, before the Last Uzumaki abruptly stopped the chakra, deeming that it was a safe enough remaining distance to land.
Naruto landed with a only a small cloud of dust kicking up around him as he landed in a crouch, a joyful grin firmly on his face. Naruto trotted over to the center of the arena to wait for his opponent.
Misumi, for the first time in years, felt the slightest sense of fear crawl down his spine. The twenty-three year-old had fought quite a few opponents over the years, and the unique gift he had been given had carried him through each battle. But he never faced someone who could summon enough wind chakra to create a visible aura, let alone one who wasted more chakra then most genin had in their entire bodies on something as frivolous as slowing down a fall. And then the Uzumaki then walked away like it was nothing...
Still, Misumi told himself, the stories of Naruto Uzumaki were probably exaggerated. No Genin, no matter how strong, could kill that many thugs in a short period of time. Nor could any Genin take on a C-Rank missing nin alone and kill the ninja. Especially if the Genin was a first-year Genin. With these bolstering thoughts, Misumi took his place opposite Naruto.
Hayate hid his grin, his face a professional mask. Misumi had no real idea how truly out matched he was. If Hayate hadn't known Naruto better, he would have assumed the blonde's display of wind chakra was to intimidate Misumi. However, Naruto hadn't done it to intimidate anyone. He was simply enjoying himself, pushing to be stronger; to learn more; to be more. Naruto was one of the few people the swordsman knew who genuinely enjoyed sparring. The Last Uzumaki didn't have to protect anyone, didn't have to kill anyone, and he could just enjoy the exhilaration of combat. Sparring was one of the few times Hayate had seen Naruto carefree. Hayate turned to the masked Genin opposite Naruto. "Misumi Tsurugi, are you ready?"
Misumi cracked his neck, a smirk appearing on his face, although it was blocked by the cloth mask that covered two-thirds of his face. "I am ready proctor."
Hayate turned to Naruto. "Naruto Uzumaki, are you ready?"
Naruto dropped into his personal fighting stance, his hands comfortably in front of him. "Ready!"
Hayate backed, not wanting Naruto to hold back on his account. "Hajime!"
Naruto's hands blurred through several hand signs the moment the fight commenced. A visible wave of wind blasted towards his surprised opponent. A moment later Naruto spat a whip of flame towards his wall of wind. With a sudden roar the wall of wind burst into flame, growing in size and heat. Misumi desperately pushed himself to his limits to avoid the deadly wave of fire and wind chakra racing towards him. The older Genin dived out of the way with only inches to spare. Some sixth sense drove Misumi to roll to the side, several kunai spiking into the ground where he had laid. A kick slammed into his side, snapping the masked Genin several feet away.
Misumi pushed himself to his feet, only take a fist directly to the face. Misumi, showing his skills for the first time, ducked the left haymaker Naruto followed his direct jab with. Misumi's lowering face snapped upward as Naruto's rising knee smashed into his chin. Two hit to the right temple left Misumi dazed. A sweep of the legs and a throw had the masked genin flying ten feet away.
Naruto was slightly puzzled. Normally his sparring partners were faster and tougher than this. The blonde watched his opponent shakily stand, apparently still feeling the effects of the two blows from before. Naruto flexed his chakra and muscles. The blonde disappeared in a blur.
A loud crack noise echoed across the suddenly silent arena as the Last Uzumaki smashed his clenched fist into Misumi's jaw with a vicious haymaker. The masked Genin dropped like a sack of bricks, his jaw obviously broken.
"Naruto Uzumaki wins by knockout!"
Silence blanketed the arena. Suddenly a solitary person began clapping, the sound echoing across the arena. A moment later several more began to join in. Naruto located the source of the sound. Sakura, Hinata, Ino, and Shino were clapping; each congratulating the blonde for his victory. The Hyuga Branch members rose to give Naruto a standing ovation. The blonde Uzumaki was able to hold his head high for several long moments before ducking his head in shyness at all the praise he was receiving.
Inside the Jonin box, Kurenai was also congratulating her blonde student, but any sounds she made was drowned out by Anko opening the window to shout out, "Fuck Yeah Naru-Kun! You kicked his ass!" Anko turned back to the slightly shocked Jonin in the booth behind her. "What?" She defended, "He did kick that guy's ass." One of the other Jonin muttered to his co-worker something rather derogatory about snakes and Anko. His friend smirked, only to pale a moment later as Kakashi's lone eye caught his. The grey-haired Jonin didn't say anything, he simply held the other Jonin's gaze. It only took a few moments for the Jonin to falter, and another moment had him looking away. Kakashi turned his head slightly to lock eyes with the second Jonin who had said those words about Anko. He was, after all, Anko's friend. And Kakashi wasn't about to let anyone say something about his friend...
Naruto arrived up in the Genin section only to be taken by surprise as Sakura launched herself into Naruto's arms, giving Naruto one of the strongest hugs she could imagine. "Good job Naruto-Kun." Sakura whispered in his ear, her tone proud and confident. "I never doubted that you would win for even a second."
The pinkette stepped back and allowed Hinata to step forward to give Naruto a hug, albeit a much softer and gentler one. Sakura watched the other Genin, not only to make sure Naruto-Kun and Hinata-Chan wasn't disturbed, but also she wouldn't have to watch Naruto-Kun hug another girl. Still, Sakura knew she would rather Hinata be the one to hug Naruto then just some random girl...
"I'm proud of you Naruto-Kun." Hinata quietly spoke to the blonde, having never wondered the entire match if Naruto would lose. And while Naruto's match wasn't emotional or tactical, perhaps it was better that way. Hinata had seen Naruto lose himself to the fighting instincts he had learned over these last few months. It was good to see her blonde...friend not having to figure out the battlefield or have to watch over other people. It had been just Naruto, his instincts, and his opponent.
Hinata broke the hug, instantly regretting the slight loss of contact once the two separated. Ino was tempted to see about hugging Naruto as well, but she hesitated. The sheer affection Sakura and Hinata radiated when they were hugging Naruto was nothing short of amazing, and it brought Ino's inner romantic out to the surface. The blonde Yamanaka sighed wistfully, now knowing that she never stood a chance with Naruto. Still, she comforted herself, she could still look...
The sign spun again. Sakura watched the sign, eager to fight. After all, Hinata had already thrown a uncharacteristic smirk her way as the blue-haired girl ran high on adrenaline after her fight, and Sakura wasn't about to let Hinata-Chan gain an upper hand in their rivalry for Naruto.
"Would Sakura Haruno and Kankuro Sabaku please make their way down to the arena?"
Kankuro felt a sinking feeling his stomach as he watched the pink haired girl from Team Eight walk towards him. So far each member of Team Eight from Konoha had devastated their opponents. Not only that, but Sakura Haruno walked with the same aura as his sister Temari, and the male Sabaku knew better then to mess with his sister. Still, Kankuro reminded himself as he hardened his resolve, he had his puppets. He wouldn't lose this fight. Father was counting on him!
Sakura was seemingly calm as she waited until Hayate was ready to start the match; but in reality she was forming a few plans to fight the puppet user. Perhaps it was against the rules, but Hinata had spied on the Sand ninja, and then informed Sakura what was inside the pack on Kankuro's back. "Sakura Haruno, are you ready?" Hayate pitied the Suna nin, he really did. The brown-haired swordsman hadn't missed the almost taunting look Hinata had thrown at Sakura, nor the determination hidden on Sakura's face now.
Sakura nodded. "I am ready."
Hayate turned to Kankuro. "Kankuro Sabaku, are you ready?"
The purple-marked Suna nin glanced over at Hayate, only sparing a glance away from his opponent. "I am ready."
Hayate backed up, and raised his hand. "Hajime!" The hand slashed downwards.
"So," Sakura spoke, her tone unreadable, as she pulled on a pair of black leather combat gloves, "You are Kankuro Sabaku, the son of Rasa Sabaku, the Fourth Kazekage of Suna correct?"
Kankuro was instantly wary of Sakura's question. "Yes, Rasa is my father. Why do you ask?"
Sakura flexed her hand, stretching the taunt leather as she replied, "It's quite simple...I wanted to confirm your status so I could know what techniques I can't use. Don't want you dead after all. However," Sakura cracked her knuckles and smirked, "that just means I'll have to beat you into unconsciousness."
Kankuro's eyes widened. If Kiba had not been in the infirmary recuperating from his fight, he would have bluntly told Kankuro exactly how completely fucked he was. Unfortunately for the Suna nin, Kiba wasn't there.
The Suna nin leapt back, his hands loosening the bundle on his back, dropping his right shoulder as he did so. The bundle slipped over the Suna nin's lowered shoulder, hitting the ground with a thump. Glowing chakra strings snapped forward from Kankuro's outstretched fingers and sank into the bundle's cloth. A moment later something inside the bundle moved. The brown fabric burst, showering the area with scraps of fabric.
A humanoid figure slowly stood, it's joints unlocking and stretching. With a sharp ping a short blade sprouted out from each of its four arms. The puppet twitched slightly as Kankuro's chakra strings attached to the puppet. Kankuro's left pinky twitched slightly. The puppet, named Karasu, took a step forward, fully revealing itself. The puppet's form was odd, having six arms. Two of the longest arms served as its legs. Three eyes stared vacantly at Sakura. The only slightly normal feature on the wooden puppet was its brown hair, that suspiciously looked remarkably human-like.
Kankuro's pointer finger straightened. Karasu leapt towards Sakura, its deadly blades extended. It's speed was impressive, and it would have surprised most, if not all, Genin. However, Karasu was not facing any normal Genin. It was facing Sakura Haruno, kunoichi of Team Eight. The pinkette's hands blurred through the hand signs for a water blade, the razor-sharp blade rocketing towards the rapidly approaching puppet. Kankuro's index finger shifted to the side, and Karasu shifted to the right without breaking the speed of its headlong charge. Karasu dodged the next three blades and neared his target.
Kankuro felt a victorious smirk start to cross his face as his puppet neared his opponent. "Why was I worried?" Spotting the pink-haired girl unleash another water blade, Kankuro shifted his index finger to the left, causing Karasu to easily dodge the deadly attack. The Sand ninja's eyes widened a moment later as he realized that the water blade was now heading directly towards him!
The Suna Genin dived out of the way, his fingers becoming still for a moment. It was the moment Sakura had been waiting for. The puppet hesitated for a second as it's wielder dodged her water blade. Sakura didn't hesitate. The pinkette twisted between the attacking puppet's blades, chambering her fist as she twisted, chakra pulsing in her muscles. Her clenched fist snapped forward.
It was like an invisible giant hammer had slammed into Karasu. The puppet flew back with a crunch of wood, it's scrawny frame visibly dented. Kankuro, instantly seeing the risk that Karasu now posed towards him, cut his chakra strings and dodged out of the way of his flying puppet. The Suna nin took his eyes off of his opponent for a second to fire out his chakra strings towards his puppet. A sharp sting to his neck had the Suna nin swiping at his neck within a scant second, but it was too late.
Kankuro's arms felt heavy, his head feeling like it had gained thirty pounds. A moment later his knees gave out, and unconsciousness encroached. "Damn! I never stood a chance against her!"
"Sakura Haruno is the winner by knockout!"
Sakura made her way towards the Genin portion of the stands amidst the resounding cheers of Naruto and his clones, making sure to direct a challenging smirk at Hinata. "Beat that Hinata-Chan!"
Naruto grinned excitedly as Sakura-Chan entered the area where he was waiting. Sakura-Chan had been so cool! She had taken down the puppet guy without breaking even a real sweat. Then again, Naruto considered in a moment of realization, Sakura-Chan had seemed more motivated then usual to win...
Eventually all of the fights of the preliminary stage concluded. The twelve remaining Genin listened to Hayate as he outlined the next portion of the Chunin exams. "First each of you will pull a piece of paper with a number on it from this container." Hayate lifted a wooden pot-like container, the wood that made up container looking as ancient as Konoha itself. "Starting with the number one, you will fight the person who has the number next to yours. For example, should you draw the number one, you will fight the person who draws the number two. The person who draws the number three fights the fourth; and so on." Hayate waited to make sure that his explanation was understandable. When no one voiced their confusion, the brown haired swordsman continued.
"The first set of matches will be held in a month. During that month you are free to do as you please, but I would advise on training for at least some of it. Within a week from today you will receive a notice of where your match will take place in the order of matches." Hayate paused for a moment to shift the wooden object to his other hand. "Winners of the first set of matches will move on to fight the next closest ascending number." Hayate let a slight smile cross his face as he continued, picturing the final match. "The final match will be a three-way brawl, with only one winner emerging. Now," Hayate moved to the closest Genin to him, "Pick one piece of paper and then announce the number written on it."
Naruto fished into the bowl, swiping one of the papers from the top. "Number Six." Naruto grinned and waited to see who he would be fighting.
Sakura was next, grabbing one quickly. She hoped to get a number next to Hinata-Chan's... "Number Three."
Hinata swiped a number just as quickly as Sakura, hoping to get the number four. "Number Nine."
Ino leeched a bit of Naruto's endless confidence and picked up one of the pieces of paper. "Number Seven." Ino relaxed, she wouldn't have to fight anyone from Team Eight just yet.
Lee eagerly picked his piece of paper, almost spill the container in his eagerness. "Number Twelve."
Shino picked up his paper, his face showing no emotion. "Number One."
Gaara reached forward and picked his paper, unsure of who he wanted to fight more. "Number Eleven." The strange green-wearing boy would be a suitable sacrifice to Mother, the redhead decided.
Temari picked her piece, knowing that she had a decent chance of facing one of the members of Team Eight. She was not looking forward fighting them..."Number Five." Temari felt her heart sink. Anyone but him. She glanced over to see Naruto throw her a thumbs-up, seemingly happy to fight her in the finals.
Karui of Kumo snatched up her number, wanting to avoid prolonging this event. She had to go find her teammate, Omoi. He had lost to the Sand girl, and the redheaded Kumo kunoichi couldn't wait to rub it in his face that she had passed. "Number Two."
Samui leaned forward and picked her number, hoping to get something cool. "Number Ten." "Uncool."
Zaku, the only remaining member of Sound, paled as he looked down at his number. "Number Four."
Hayate picked up the last number. "And since Sasuke Uchiha isn't here to pick his number, the last number is his: Number Eight."
"Good luck!" The brown-haired swordsman smiled at the assembled Genin, "And I shall see you all in a month." The Genins quickly broke into their teams, heading out to relax for the day before the undoubtedly intense training would begin the following day. Team Eight was no exception.
"Naruto-Kun..." Sakura and Hinata began at the same time, only to stop and glare at their best friend/rival. They had been hoping to spend time with Naruto - alone - but it seemed that the other girl had the same idea. While normally they would have been proud to have thought the same thing as another of their teammates, both Sakura and Hinata were determined to win in the contest for Naruto's romantic affection...
"Sure Haku-Chan!" The blue-haired Hyuga and the pink-haired Haruno broken their staring contest to mechanically turn their heads to spot Naruto happily grinning at Haku. "I'm sure Hinata-Chan and Sakura-Chan would like to get ramen with us."
"Of course we would Naruto-Kun." Hinata smiled, unable to keep her glare with Sakura as Naruto's infectious smile grew even larger.
"Yeah! Team Ramen Time." Naruto celebrated, his joy infecting the others close to him. "Let's go find Kurenai-Sensei and leave." The eager blonde rushed off, the thoughts of ramen pushing any worries he may have had firmly to the back of his mind.
Hiruzen walked towards the council meeting chamber, any levity he had gained from watching Naruto's earnest interactions with his team having long since abated. The council had called for an emergency session. It had only been several hours since the final match of the preliminary fights had concluded, and the Third Hokage felt the slightest edge of indignation as he neared the large wooden doors of the council chamber. When did the council decide that it had the power to call emergency meetings? That was normally the right of the Hokage...
Hiruzen planted his palm against the one of the large doors and pushed it inwards, his recently regained strength allowing the older ninja to easily push the door inwards. As the door swung in, the raised voices of those inside reached his ears.
"...there is many flaws with your argument, Rodo-San." The slightly annoyed monotone voice of voice of Shibi Aburame explained, "But the biggest flaw is that you refuse to realize that you need evidence to back-up your claims." The Clan Head of the Aburame paused for a moment before continuing. "And the second flaw is that you believe that Naruto Uzumaki did that wind technique to taunt or intimidate us."
"And what would you know?" The man shot back at Shibi, "Your clan hides away from the rest of the village! What would you know of the Uzumaki's exploits?" The Head of Civilian Housing opened his mouth to explain his reasoning when the sound of the large door to the chamber fully opened, drawing the attention of all those present. The Third Hokage strode into the room, his face a blank, professional mask. Shibi inclined his head slightly, glad that the Third was showing a more professional side.
Hiruzen pulled out the chair reserved for the Hokage at the head of the long table. He settled into the seat and faced the gathered council. The Third folded his hands in front of him, silently signaling to those gathered that he was ready to hear what had brought him to the council chamber. He didn't have to wait long.
"Hiruzen, You should have been here ten minutes ago." Koharu Utatane, one of the two advisors to the Hokage, scolded. The elderly former kunoichi shook her head in disapproval at her former teammate's actions. It was not fitting for the village leader to be late. In the previous years Hiruzen would have lowered his head for a moment, feeling shame over Koharu's words. But over the last six months Hiruzen had changed. Whereas before he would have felt shame, he now only felt apathy and irritation.
"Regardless," Koharu continued, oblivious to Hiruzen's mood, "You have been called in here today for several reasons. The first is to explain your actions with the ANBU incident. The second is the worrying signs the Uzumaki is showing. The last is your recent predilection towards training over your duties as the leader of our village." Hiruzen's irritation threatened to give way to anger.
"We shall begin with the most important matter first." Koharu's voice grew sharp as her extreme displeasure became known. "Why did you not consult the council before you made decisions regarding the ANBU? You should not have made any such decisions without consulting us first."
"You know..." Hiruzen's voice was quiet, but somehow loud enough to carry to the far corners of the room. A ominous feeling accompanied each word as the God of the Shinobi continued. "...the last time I checked you were merely my advisors and I was the Hokage." The ancient ninja warrior speared his suddenly pale advisors with his gaze. "When did that...change?"
Homura Mitokado couldn't do anything but pale ever so slightly as he heard his old teammate's tone. It wasn't the weary tone of Hiruzen Sarutobi, an old man nearly broken by all of the things he had lost. It was the commanding voice of Hiruzen Sarutobi, the man known as the 'God of the Shinobi'. Homura could easily predict what Hiruzen would have done a year ago. But now, the advisor wasn't sure how to react to this new Hiruzen.
"Now I will say this once." Hiruzen never raised his voice, the calm tone making it all the more commanding and terrifying. "This council exists to vote on matters that concern the welfare of the entire village. However," Hiruzen's cold eyes met each person at the table, "It does not give you leave to question my motives." A terrible ominous feeling settled in the room. "I will bring the village back to what it was; what it should be." A cold, humorless smile cross the Third Hokage's face. "If it costs blood, then it is a price we shall pay."
The man known as the God of the Shinobi turned to directly speak to Koharu. "The ANBU you speak of were traitors to the village. They were punished as such. After all, all traitors deserve death, don't you think?"
A pregnant silence cloaked the room. "Y-yes, Hokage-Sama." The elderly woman choked out, still in shock over Hiruzen's newfound power and backbone.
"Good." Hiruzen said simply, turning his gaze away from his former teammate, the dismissal clear to everyone in the room. "Now...what was the second thing you wished to bring to my attention?"
It was evening when the reunited Team Eight finally stepped from Ichiraku's Ramen Bar. Naruto walked a few paces behind the rest of his team, a content smile on his face as he watched his precious people converse with each other, conversation flowing easily between them. It still humbled and amazed the blonde that such beautiful and awesomely talented people such as Sakura-Chan, Hinata-Chan, Haku-Chan, and Kurenai-Sensei would spend time with him. Naruto still didn't view himself as special, but if his precious people thought he was worth spending time with, who was he to correct them?
"Boss!" One of Naruto's ghosted up behind him to whisper, "Scout Group One-Thirteen found it!" Stunned, Naruto spun around to face his clone. "Where?" The clone allowed a satisfied grin to cross it's face. "I'll show you Boss."
Naruto hadn't gotten more than two steps before Haku's voice stopped him. "Where are you going Naruto-Sama?" There was an all-but-undetectable tremble in her tone as she called out to her master. "We are headed back home."
Naruto frantically tried to come up with an excuse, the location that his clones had found could be extremely dangerous, and Naruto would not let something as trivial as his own desires potentially hurt his precious people. "It's just something I gotta do alone." Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "It's nothing big, but I gotta do it on my own."
Naruto fidgeted under the scrutiny of the four kunoichi in front of him. After a long moment Sakura spoke, her voice calm and understanding. "We understand Naruto-Kun. We will be back home if you need us."
Relief coursed through Naruto. He hated not being able to tell his precious people the whole truth, but it was too dangerous for him to bring them along. Yet, they were allowing him to go, not insisting on accompanying him. Naruto turned to leave again.
"Naruto-Sama?" Haku called out again, "You do know we will listen any time you would want to talk don't you?" The answering smile the blonde shot the group could have re-lit the sun. The Last Uzumaki headed out with a light heart, unaware of the blushes he left in his wake.
Naruto and his clone dropped ground in the center of the wooded area, the trees pressing in on all sides. "It's just through there." The clone reported, "The grounds of our parents' home." Knowing the unasked question before Naruto could voice it, the clone shook it's head. "No, we haven't entered it yet. That's something for you to do first." The clone knew - given it was a copy of it's creator - how much this meant to Naruto.
Naruto walked forward, trusting in his clone's words. He ignored the message his eyes were telling him, that there was nothing but dense trees in the direction he was walking towards. After walking two hundred feet forward, Naruto himself press against an invisible barrier. A tingle ran through him as the barrier sampled his chakra. A moment later the blonde felt the invisible dome's resistance give way. The Last Uzumaki took a step forward.
Shattered and fire-blackened ruins greeted the blonde as he stepped through the barrier. Naruto took another step forward when, without warning, a migraine spiked through his skull. The long shadows of late evening began to shift into the brightness of a spring day as the terrible pressure in Naruto's skull began to build. The pain drove the Last Uzumaki to his knees as the ruins flickered. The fully built home flickered with the image of the ruins, each shift moving in time with a pound of Naruto's head. Sounds began to replace the still quiet of the evening, the cheerful sounds of far off bird seemingly echoing across the clearing.
Naruto, with supreme inhuman willpower, forced himself to his feet, staggering drunkenly forward several steps. With each stumbled step, the flickers increased in speed, the pain spiking ever higher, threatening to split the Last Uzumaki's head in two. Naruto's vision began to grey out at the edges, unconsciousness attempting to pull him down into its embrace. Sunlight warred with darkness as the two scenes flickered in front of Naruto, each one seeming to be the real one. Far off, distant voices began to swirl and echo around the blonde, each whispery echo driving the pain ever higher.
Naruto sluggishly shoved his body forward, each leaden step moved by the blonde's indomitable will alone. The blonde Uzumaki's eyes caught sight of something made of dark colored metal glinting in the bright spring light. As Naruto grew closer, each step made the voices ever so slightly louder, as if they were gaining clarity. The Last Uzumaki's eyes cleared, and he beheld the strange knife that was stuck in the ground.
It was shaped like a kunai in the vaguest sense of the word, but rather than having one larger solid blade, the weapon had a smaller, more pointed edge. Two smaller blades jutted out of the blade's sides near the point where the blade met the handle. A ring of metal sat on top of the weapon, allowing for both ease of drawing as well as control. The handle itself was brown, perhaps made of wood. And on that wood, strange black symbols were written. Naruto leaned closer, shoving the pain in his head back. It was a series of seals, Naruto realized in a single moment of clarity, before the pain rushed back with an undying vengeance.
The pure mental agony drove Naruto to his knees. Blood trickled out his nose as the world in front of him flashed between a thousand different scenes, each flash prompting a new spike of head crushing pain. Darkness choked the blonde; blissful unconsciousness finally granting him respite from the pain.
Naruto awoke with a gasp, his breath coming in heaves as he wildly glanced around him. Spotting one of his clones leaning against a nearby tree, Naruto attempted to banish the piercing headache that muddied his thoughts. The blonde vigorously rubbed his temples, the headache eventually dulling to a quiet throb. "W-Wha-" Naruto's voice cracked, his throat dry. The blonde swallowed, taking several deep breathes before asking his question again. "What happened?"
The clone shrugged helplessly. "I dunno. You disappeared inside the barrier and then we felt an echo of pain. We headed in and saw...something. It was like..." The clone's face screwed up in frustration as it tried to find a suitable word to describe what had happened. "...Like a house was there but not there. Ruins yet not ruins. The mental pain killed the first wave of clones, but the second wave lasted long enough to pass a message on to the third wave."
A proud look crossed the clone's face. "The fourth and fifth waves were able to carefully maneuver themselves to rescue you. They discovered if they didn't look at the area they would not be dispelled by the pain."
"So it's just a ruin then?" Naruto asked, attempting to shove down his disappointment that all he had of his parents personal home was dust, charred wood, and pain.
The clone looked down. "Yeah. It's all burnt and broken. But," The eighth-generation clone grinned, "Scout Group Two-Thirty-Five is currently working on seeing if they can recover anything."
Naruto tilted his head. "Doesn't the pain almost instantly kill them?" The clone nodded. "Almost instantly. The leader of the Scout Group figured out a way to carefully a search very small section."
"Boss!" Another clone sprinted into the tiny clearing, it's hands clutching something. From the way it was holding onto the item tightly; but with infinite care, it was obvious that it was something extremely valuable. "Scout Group Two-Thirty-Five was successful in retrieving an item! We took only ninety-seven percent casualties!" The clone skidded to a stop in front of its creator.
The surviving clone of Scout Group Two-Thirty-Five reverently held out the item it had been carrying. The item was a picture frame, it's metal edges bent and blackened. From what they could tell, the picture frame had been hurled out of the house when it was first destroyed, the force of the explosion sending the frame hurtling several hundred yards away from the main ruin. Naruto accepted the picture frame with almost trembling hands, awed by the fact that he held something of his parents in his hands. The blonde carefully turned the picture frame over.
The fourth Hokage smiled up at him, a pretty red-headed woman standing beside him, a happy and contented smile etched on her face. Naruto brushed the ash and dirt away from the glass, revealing the that woman was visibly pregnant. "T-This must have been taken when Mom was pregnant with me." Naruto was overwhelmed, tears blurring the image in front of him. His Mother and Father seemed so happy, as if they truly wanted him; as if they were proud to have him! Naruto swallowed the massive lump in his throat and blinked rapidly, clearing the tears from his eyes. Tearing his gaze from the happy smiles of his parents - he still could scarcely believe that they were happy to have him - and onto one of the other two people in the picture.
A older white haired man, perhaps in his late thirties, grinned openly at the camera. A line of red paint ran down from his eyes passed his chin. He was dressed in a darker green outfit with a red sleeveless overcoat. He appeared to have on some kind of armor mesh under the green outfit. On the other side of the slightly odd looking man, there was someone who Naruto recognized. Tsunade Senju stood next to her the white haired man, the rather buxom blonde woman seemingly proud to be in the picture.
Naruto flipped the picture frame back over and carefully surveyed the back of the fame, seeking to remove the picture from its confines. The blonde Uzumaki had seen writing on the back of many other pictures, the writing often giving more insight into the picture. Spotting the snapped off piece that held the back of the frame on, Naruto carefully began to pry at the edge of the backing with a kunai; seeking to unbend the frame enough to take the back off. After carefully wiggling the kunai back and forth for several minutes, Naruto reholstered the kunai. He carefully lifted the back of the picture frame away from its resting place. With infinite care the Last Uzumaki picked up the picture. He tilted the picture towards the light, seeking to better read the words written on the back of the picture.
Minato Namikaze along his wife, Kushina and his soon-to-be-born son, Naruto. Beside them is Naruto's godparents, Jiraiya the Toad Sage and Tsunade Senju.
Naruto stared at the words, the second line echoing inside his skull. "The two Sennin are my godparents?" Naruto blinked against the angry tears that threatened to spill from his eyes. "Where where you when things got rough? Was I not good enough for you?" Naruto swiped the back of his free hand against his eyes, wiping any stray tears away from his cheeks. It wouldn't do, after all, to get tears on the picture of his parents...
Naruto carefully sealed the picture in the tattoo-like seal on his arm. The blonde gave one last glance towards the barrier that housed the ruins of his parents legacy, and vowed that he would be back once he learned how to combat the strange mental assault he had come under. The Last Uzumaki turned and headed home.
Naruto opened the door and walked into his home, only paying half-attention to his surroundings. Most of his attention was on the puzzle that was the barrier surrounding the ruins of his parents house. "Naruto-Sama." Haku's happy voice broke the blonde from his thoughts, "You have returned!" Spotting the strange expression on her master's face, Haku moved close to her master. "Naruto-Sama, what's wrong?"
Naruto looked at Haku-Chan. Her brown, beautiful eyes gaze up at him, wanting to know what was troubling him. Feeling a faint flush starting to appear at Haku's closeness, Naruto quickly made a decision. "I'll tell all of you at once. Could you get Sakura-Chan and Hinata-Chan?" Haku bowed and quickly moved off, wanting to hear what could be bothering her beloved master.
"So I have had my clones scouting the entire area surrounding Konoha for a few months now." Naruto began once all three of his precious people had entered the living room. "After we finished with Team Ramen Time, one of the scout leaders came up to me and told me that they had found it..."
Naruto leaned back, being careful to hide the expression on his face. It wouldn't do for any of his precious people to worry over how much pain he had experienced. "Naruto-Sama," Haku began, seeing that both Hinata and Sakura were deep in thought over the details of Naruto-Sama's recent recounting, "Would you like to put the new picture in a frame?"
Naruto nodded, throwing a small soft smile of utter gratitude towards Haku-Chan. Where would he be without her? A moment later he handed his self-proclaimed servant the picture. Haku held the photo reverently as she moved to search for the sealing scroll containing the extra picture frames. Finding one that would fit, Haku was about to place the photo when she remembered about the other two people in the photo. The normally gentle girl felt a spike of anger towards Naruto's uncaring godparents. Glancing at a piece of paper beside her, Haku knew what she would do.
A few moments later Haku set the picture frame down and admired her handiwork. Minato and Kushina gazed back at her. On either side of the happy couple was a piece of white paper, blocking out Naruto-Sama's 'godparents'. They wouldn't ruin the picture of Naruto-Sama's parents. As Haku picked up the picture frame, she couldn't help but wonder if Naruto-Sama's parents would approve of her. A moment later had the ice-user shaking her head free of those foolish thoughts. Haku headed back towards the living room.
Jiraiya strolled casually towards the West Gate of Konoha. It had been almost ten years since he had last visited his village, his spy network carrying him far from his home. Not to mention all of the inspiration he required for his books...The white-haired man giggled openly in a perverted manner as he remembered the fond memories of all of those times he peeped on the various hot springs around the land. "Ah, those were good times..." The Toad Sennin smiled as he neared the gate. It would be good to actually meet his god-son, Naruto Uzumaki this time. Last time he was here, an emergency had come up and Jiraiya had to leave. The white-haired man had done his best to assuage his guilt by reminding himself that Hiruzen was watching over little Naruto.
Jiraiya had planned on meeting Naruto shortly before the final Chunin phase, but a Black-Level message from the Third had caused the Toad Sennin to move his plans up. "Orochimaru, what are you planning?" Jiraiya wondered yet again. Jiraiya knew that his old teammate never did anything without a reason, and placing a curse seal on Sasuke Uchiha had some reason, but for all his knowledge, Jiraiya had no idea what that reason was. He had a few ideas, each more terrible then the last. Still, it wasn't like Orochimaru was going to execute his plan right this instant, so there was no reason to hurry.
Hiruzen sighed heavily. While he had put a stop to any ideas of attempting to imprison or seal Naruto's chakra, the old ninja knew that it would not be the last time he heard of the subject. The Third wondered if he should tell Naruto about his parents, but once again discarded that idea; his heart heavy with regret. Naruto would surely hate him if the sunny blonde knew that Hiruzen had deliberately kept his parentage from him. It had started out as a means to protect the blonde, but it turned slowly into cowardice as time went on. Hiruzen wasn't so self righteous as to not recognize that the sunny blonde was one of the reasons he was able to find the will to get up each morning. It was one thing for Naruto to treat him with coolness, and quite another to give the Last Uzumaki a reason to hate him...
Plus, Hiruzen justified to himself, there was no telling what Naruto would do once he learned that the village had absorbed all of Minato's and Kushina's assets. The only remaining inheritance left to Naruto was whatever Minato and Kushina had hidden away. Hiruzen was startled out of his thoughts by a knocking on the window that looked out over the village. The Third's hand drifted back towards the kunai he now kept hidden in the small of his back as Hiruzen turned to the window. The grey-haired leader sighed and couldn't help the smile that slowly bled onto his face at the sight of the person who had been knocking on his window.
"Welcome to Konoha, Jiraiya." Hiruzen greeted his former student warmly as he opened the window, ignoring the blast of summer heat that accompanied the white-haired ninja as he dropped into the room.
Jiraiya grinned back, his wide smile showing just how much he was happy to see his teacher and friend. "It's good to see you too, Hiruzen!" Jiraiya followed the Third over to the Hokage's desk. The Toad Sennin pulled out one of the chairs and sat down, his body language showing his utter relaxation in the office of one of the strongest villages in the land. "So..." Jiraiya abruptly sat straight up, "Since this is the first time we have met face to face in over ten years, I feel it is my duty to give you a gift."
The white-haired Sennin reached for one of the pouches on his belt. A moment later he pulled out a familiar orange covered book. "Newest addition, not even printed for the public yet." Hiruzen took the book with honor, realizing what the book was.
"This is the newest Icha Icha book isn't it?"
"Yep!" Jiraiya grinned proudly, "I just finished it two months ago." Jiraiya watched his mentor crack open the book, the faint sound of the book's spine bending for the first time seeming to echo in the room. Jiraiya couldn't help but let a happy smile cross his face. Watching someone else enjoy your writing never got old. Jiraiya patted his book pouch, making sure the second copy of the newest Icha Icha book was there. He was planning on gifting the entire set to Naruto as an apology gift of sorts. Given the pictures Hiruzen had sent him, Jiraiya figured he had Minato's forgiving attitude. The Toad Sennin made a mental note to ask the Third where Naruto was when their meeting finished. After all, the sooner he gave the gifts to Naruto, the sooner he could check out the hot springs...
Jiraiya shook himself out his planning. "So Sensei," The white-haired man let a bit of seriousness bleed into his tone, "What do you know about the seal Orochimaru put on the Uchiha boy?"
Hiruzen sighed. "It was always the young that paid for the sins of the old." Out loud, the Professor replied, "It's the Cursed Seal of Heaven. Kakashi sealed it used the Evil Sealing Method." Hiruzen sighed. "At least it will not influence Sasuke."
Jiraiya's disposition shifted. No longer was he the easy going pervert - a super pervert if asked - and in its place sat Jiraiya, one of the most talented Seal Masters to ever live. "Did Orochimaru improve on the seal? Or is it the same as the one on Anko Mitarashi?"
"It appears to be the same exact seal."
"Orochimaru's belief in the invincibility of his seals was always one of his weaknesses..." Jirairya mused. The Cursed Seal of Heaven, despite its name, was not divine in the slightest. It was a genius of seal-work, the white-haired ninja had to reluctantly admit. It granted the person it was sealed upon a portion of Orochimaru's vile chakra. Not only that, but it granted them increased speed and strength. However, it enhanced the negative emotions they would feel, particularly anger and hate.
Anko had been found branded by the Cursed Seal of Heaven just over ten years ago, but the seal had been pushed to dormancy, the fun loving girl lacking the necessary rage and hate to activate or sustain the seal. The seal was still on her neck, but it only brought her pain on occasions. Anko had steadfastly refused to even entertain the thought of using the seal, not wanting anything to do with her former teacher.
"You do know the weakness of the Evil Sealing Method, correct?" Jiraiya, the seal master asked.
Hiruzen nodded. "It relies on the willpower of the person it was applied to. If they truly wish it, they can bypass the seal and utilize whatever the Evil Sealing Method was blocking." The smallest of smiles edged at the Third Hokage's lip. "But I do not believe that Sasuke will try to use the curse seal. After all, he is an Uchiha, and will not stand to be beholden to another..."
Jiraiya shrugged, his expression seemingly uncaring. "If you say so." The Toad Sennin shifted, his expression growing serious once more. "So do you have any idea why Orochimaru would be here?"
"Perhaps to kidnap Sasuke for his Sharingan?" Hiruzen suggested, knowing Orochimaru craved knowledge and the Sharingan could allow him to learn all of the jutsus in the world given enough time. It was, after all, one of the most feared ocular bloodlines.
Jiraiya shook his head, his thoughts racing. "No. That can't be it. If he simply wanted Sasuke's eyes he would have taken them. He also wouldn't have branded the Uchiha with a seal that could make him stronger." The white-haired ninja grunted in dissatisfaction. "Orochimaru always did have complex, convoluted plans." He grimaced in remembrance. "Not to mention immoral and disgusting ones."
After tossing several dozen ideas around, both of the senior ninja were forced to admit they had no idea of Orochimaru's plan. Jiraiya shoved the chair back and stood up, feeling his bones crack and protest from sitting so long in the chair. The Sennin swore that the chair was designed to be uncomfortable. "Well, we won't learn anything new tossing around ideas. I'll check with my contacts and see if they come up with anything." Jiraiya paused, considering. "Even though it doesn't appear that Orochimaru wants Sasuke, it couldn't hurt to have some ANBU guarding him." The white-haired Sennin turned away, missing Hiruzen's expression at the mention of the ANBU.
"Oh," Jiraiya stopped in the doorway to the office, "I almost forgot. Where can I find Naruto? I have to give him a gift."
Hiruzen considered telling Jiraiya the truth about Naruto's stay at Konoha. But he couldn't predict the results of such an event. Instead the burdened Hokage merely advised, "Naruto-San is now living next to the Hyuga compound. I would check there."
Jiraiya nodded his thanks, his mind already going over ideas of how his god-son spent his spare time. "The Hyuga women are always so quiet and proper. But you know what they say about women who are unassuming..." The Toad Sennin gave out a loud perverted giggle as he headed towards the Hyuga compound, heedless of how he appeared to those he was passing. A mother pulled her child behind her as she heard the perverted laughter echoing from strange white-haired man. "They are the wild ones in bed! And if Naruto is anything like his father, he'll attract the women in droves! I'll make so many novels off of him!" Jiraiya paused, considering, "Well, I'll just have to make sure that none of the women are like Kushina." The white-haired Sennin shuddered in remembrance of the terrible beatings he had gotten when the fiery redhead had learned that he was going to base a Icha Icha book on her relationship with Minato. "Then again...'The Redhead and the Sun' did sell really well..."
So what did you guys think? Let me know!
So the reasoning behind Ino's fight is two-fold. Quite a few of you guys wanted to see how strong Ino has gotten, and I also wanted to feature a fight that was very different in tone from the fights we normally see from Team Eight. Personally, I figured Ino would utilize the psychology training she would get from her clan.
To my reviewers:
racecadotril: Yeah, I had a blast writing a badass Hinata scene. I'm glad you liked it.
UnitedOsprey1991: While part of me wanted to do that, I realized that it really wouldn't have fit the mood of the fight. As for Temari, you'll just have to see...
Kit: I honestly don't know. I have a few ideas, but I'm still trying to see how the village will react to his heritage, given what we know now about the wealth of his parents. So I'll only say right now that I'm not against that potentially happening. Still, Naruto would want all three (if it is all three) to be equal.
Hagerenaruto: Thanks! Yeah, as a reader, I hope so too. Ino realized that she had no real chance with Naruto this chapter. And don't worry. Your review was awesome.
Lys777: I was not aware that Naruto was getting any magical healing powers. To better explain what the Kyubi did let me explain. The Kyubi increased Naruto's healing, not his regeneration. A vast portion of how fast you heal is based on how healthy you are. Translate that to Naruto-Verse, and that's more or less "life-force". As we know from cannon, Uzumakis have a ton of life-force. The Kyubi just increased that even more. Naruto isn't going to be regenerating his injuries in seconds without the Kyubi. I hope this explanation eases your worries.
Animaman: Yeah...That fight would be awesome to see. If it happens that is. And yeah, it was kinda sad that Naruto didn't have a real build-up of a relationship in the show at all, despite how many times there was hints that there could be something. And heh heh. Offically, I cannot comment on anything. Unofficially, those are some decent ideas. And yeah, the council isn't going to have a very good day when Naruto finally meets them.
THE 7TH DEMON OF RAZGRIZ: Thanks. Here's the next chapter!
minniemousemom: Thanks!
Vanishing Raptor: Yeah, I really enjoyed writing and reading that speech. Neji in cannon was always slightly annoying. He hated what had happened to him, but never tried to change it. Yeah, I'm kinda liking the HotE Hinata better then the cannon one. Is that a bad thing? Yeah, I wanted to show a different side of Temari, and given that she was basically the only female in their house, I wanted to show a different version of her to reflect that. And you still don't know the full extent that Suna has done to Temari...Yeah, I wanted to have Gaara shown as a strange sort of crazily sane (If that makes sense). I felt that it was possible given that Temari isn't afraid of him, unlike in cannon. I'm still tossing around ideas of how the whole multi-girl thing could work.
Iceflame55: Yeah, Hinata is well on her way to getting one of those names you want to run away from really fast. And yeah, it's going to be terrifying for the average ninja. I think you'll like the name that Hinata eventually gets.
SeanHicks4: Yeah, I sat down and considered Hinata's skill vs Neji's. And then realized that there was no real way he could win.
gilmaxter: You are welcome. Here's the next chapter!
Waldo Santiago: Well, I do try.
bloodbrother 18: Thanks! To better explain why Naruto couldn't use his chakra will take some explaining, so please bear with me. In Cannon, Seals are more or less treated like magic. There's no real explanation to why they work the way they do. Back when Naruto first started learning about seals, I sat down and drew out how seals interact with each other, and how seals function. Fast forward to the forest battle, and basically what happened was Orochimaru placed a odd-number seal on an even numbered one. Given that the seal holding the Kyubi was designed to stop chakra from rampaging freely, making a major imbalance locked up both Naruto's chakra coils (since they are connected to the Kyubi's) and the seal containing the Kyubi. I hope that explains what was going on. If not, let me know and I can explain in more detail. You'll see Naruto use some more Wind chakra this chapter. I'm glad to see you liked Hinata's battle. Let me know what you thought of both Naruto's and Sakura's battles. Here's the update!
Javiur: Danzo, and by proxy Root, are going to be interesting. You'll keep guessing Danzo's true motive(s) right up until the end. And yeah, Root took them out, but why would they do that? Here's the next chapter.
iitrnr: Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Chewie Cookies: Thanks! I'm trying my best to keep everything grounded and realistic, so I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Syynex: Everyone knew that he was the demon fox, not its container. They believe that he's the Kyubi trapped in a powerless child form. And yeah, it's not going to be pretty when Naruto tells everyone the truth.
Guest: Well, you have to realize they are only shinobi due to the fact that they have to be. Plus, protecting your precious people is one of the core concepts of this story. That being said, they are learning how strong each other is, and thus how far each of them can defend themselves.
Jago Li Son Shiranui: Yeah, I always seem to miss something. But I can't really ask someone to Beta my story if I can't guarantee an update for them on a regular basis.
Dragon Noir: Yeah, Naruto is growing, but he still isn't all the way there. When I was re-watching the Chunin exams for this arc, I realized that Team Sand was basically one dimensional. So I decided to change that. And from that, each character just kinda grew. I'm glad you liked Hinata's match!
blane744: Thanks! I'm honored that you would think highly of HotE.
loganhunter2: Yeah, everyone is starting to realize how awesome Team Eight is, for better or worse. And well, you got to see Ino fight this chapter. I know it wasn't exactly what you wanted, but still, Ino was kinda awesome this chapter.
signin 4 alert: I'm trying to keep Naruto strong, but not overpowered to the point that he can curbstomp everyone. Yeah, Naruto has a ways to go before he understands other peoples' emotions completely. Currently I can't see Ino joining Naruto. Sorry to keep your hopes up. And thanks!
dksamuri: Yeah, sometimes the chapter just flows together and then it's done. I try to end things at a good point, but sometimes the 9k chapter limit works against me.
Leonas: Thanks! I'm trying to show that both Hinata and Sakura have something different to bring to the relationship. And Hmm...that is kinda eerie. Here's the next chapter!
: Thanks! Here is the next chapter!
SearingFireBlaze: Thanks!