Team 7 has been nominated to take the Chūnin Exams, and not just them but the other Rookies are also participating. The participating teams from Iwagakure and Kumogakure are also taking the exams, but they have different reason for participating. The strange individuals who know that Naruto is an Uzumaki arrive in Konoha, but what is their goal?
Kakashi stared at his Genin squad. They had just taken a team picture courtesy of Kakashi himself who thought it would be a good idea. Kakashi was smiling from behind the three; Sakura was in the middle smiling, Sasuke on her right frowning and Naruto looked away. He still couldn't figure out how to bond with the blonde because as soon as they get done with missions Naruto would leave immediately ignoring his team as to where he was going. He sighed, no matter what he tried the blonde just wouldn't open up to him or his team and liked to keep his distance. Kakashi could still see Sasuke eyeing the blonde every once in awhile and even asked the blonde to spar with him but the blonde declined every time saying he had important things to do and walked away. Kakashi thought that a team spar would be good for the team but Naruto just had no interest at all, he kept reminding himself to see Tenzo so he could ask how to understand his blonde student. Fortunately they still come together on missions, which was a good thing because it showed that despite how they feel towards each other they can put their differences aside and come together on missions.
So now here Kakashi was facing his Genin team, "Good work you three. You can do whatever you want now." And with that disappeared.
Naruto walked off immediately getting his teammates attention, "Hold it dobe." Sasuke called out.
The blonde ignored him completely and kept on walking not at all interested in sparring with the Uchiha or anything else, and he really didn't want to be near Sakura either. She has been completely insufferable ever since the mission no Nami no Kuni and he just wanted her to stop bothering him already. Ever since the mission she kept yelling at him more and more but luckily he still carried his earplugs to drown her out. He still wondered why he couldn't have just been on someone else's team or at least have Yamato as his sensei but things don't go as planned in life.
He kept walking when he sensed a familiar chakra signature as well as two new ones from behind him and smiled, "Konohamaru, would you like to introduce me to your new friends?"
Behind the blonde was a cardboard box with two eyeholes on it. The box exploded in a cloud of smoke taking him by surprise.
"You used too much smoke!" a female child complained.
"S-Sorry." A shy male voice apologized.
Naruto turned around hearing the voices with interest.
"Hey boss!" Konohamaru grinned.
"Yo," Naruto greeted, "It's been awhile. How've you been?"
"Great! These are my friends!" the boy grinned.
"I-I'm Udon!" Udon greeted.
"I'm Moegi, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Moegi bowed politely.
"And I'm Konohamaru!" Konohamaru greeted last, "And together we're…"
They all did a pose, "The Konohamaru Squad!"
Naruto's lips twitched in amusement, "I see. Impressive squad you have there Konohamaru."
"Thanks, boss!" Konohamaru grinned.
"U-Um?" Udon spoke up.
"What is it?" Naruto turned to the nervous boy.
Udon's eyes widened, "Konohamaru was right! You really are blind!"
"But he could sense we were following him!" Moegi was impressed.
"See I told you! Boss is amazing and so cool!" Konohamaru grinned at his friends.
Naruto's heart felt warm around the boy and his friends. He didn't mind Konohamaru the first time they met sensing the boy just missed having his grandfather around and wanted his attention. He just hoped that the boy wouldn't be exposed to the cruel world when he gets older.
Konohamaru grabbed Naruto's hand, "Hey boss, will you play ninja with us please? Oh, and can you show us that cool forest again?"
"I don't see why not?" the blonde smiled.
"What kind of a ninja plays ninja?" Sakura scoffed walking towards them.
Naruto frowned at the girl, "What I do with Konohamaru the Sandaime's grandson and his friends is of no concern of yours."
Sakura was taken back by the non-too pleased tone of his voice and was just as surprised to hear that one of the kids was the Hokage's grandson.
"Hey boss, is she your girlfriend?" Konohamaru asked.
"She is no such thing." Naruto stated with indifference.
Sakura felt a stab to the chest. She knew that Naruto didn't like her in a romantic way or at all for that matter, but she didn't think he'd deny it with indifference. For some reason she felt hurt by his words.
"Oh good, because you can do soo much better." Konohamaru crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
"Oh yeah?" Naruto wondered curiously.
Konohamaru nodded, "Her foreheads too big and she's basically flat-chested too. You deserve someone much better."
Udon and Moegi nodded in agreement.
Naruto's lip twitched in amusement at the claim and sensed that Sakura's mood soon became murderous, "Konohamaru I appreciate the advice but I suggest you run…now."
Konohamaru saw the look on the pink haired girls face and took off along with his friends, Sakura immediately took chase making him sigh and followed after them but at a walking pace. After a few minutes he soon heard Konohamaru bump into someone prompting him intervenes having sensed the emotions up ahead weren't exactly friendly.
"Damn brat, that hurt." A boy a little older than Naruto wearing black clothing, having a something wrapped in white bandages strapped to his back growled having Konohamaru by the collar.
"Put the kid down Kankuro." A girl a little older than Naruto with blonde hair that were tied in four pigtails wearing a white clothing, with a black fan strapped to her back sighed.
"Not until this kid apologizes, Temari." Kankuro said.
"Put me down you jerk! If you don't, Naruto-nii-chan will come and beat you up!" Konohamaru threatened knowing that Naruto would come to his rescue.
"K-Konohamaru's right! So you better put him down!" Moegi said from behind Sakura where Udon was also hiding behind.
"Oh yeah, well where is he then?" Kankuro smirked then it was wiped from his face when he felt a sword pointed at his throat.
"Right here." Naruto said coldly not at all amused with the situation at all.
Temari looked at the blonde in total shock, 'I-I didn't even sense him coming!'
Kankuro was having similar thoughts he stared at the blonde kid and noticed something about his eyes, 'This kid…he's blind!'
"If you don't want to die before the exams even start then I suggest you put Konohamaru down immediately," Naruto threatened, "Besides, it wouldn't look good for foreign ninja like you to be harassing the Sandaime's grandson now would it?"
Kankuro and Temari paled and the boy put Konohamaru down immediately the kid scrambling to his feet and hid behind Naruto. The blonde smiled and sheathed his blade, "Thank you, oh and before I forget. You can stop hiding up in the tree anytime now Sasuke, that goes for the other sand ninja too."
Everyone looked up and indeed saw Sasuke who looked annoyed that the blonde sensed he was there then turned to their left to see a boy who looked about Naruto's age with red hair with the red kanji for 'love' on his forehead, wearing black overalls and a sand gourd on his back. The red head was standing upside down and eyed the blonde who didn't even look in his general direction.
"G-Gaara!" Kankuro flinched seeing the boy there.
"Kankuro, you're a disgrace to the village." Gaara stated.
"But Gaara these punks-!" Kankuro was about to protest.
Gaara shunshin'd via sand next to Naruto staring at Kankuro coldly, "Shut up…or I'll kill you."
Kankuro wisely shut up.
Naruto felt it too, 'That's some bloodlust. He's not even trying to hide it.'
"That presence…its Shukaku!" Asura recognized.
'Are you sure?' Naruto questioned.
"No doubt about it kit, it's Shukaku alright. Bastards been having fun manipulating his Jinchuriki into killing." Kurama scoffed.
'What are the odds we'd find one of your siblings here?' Naruto said seeing the irony.
"I agree." Asura said.
"Watch your back with him kit." Kurama warned.
"Kurama's right, be careful." Asura agreed.
'Got it.' Naruto said.
Gaara looked at the blonde, "I apologize for Kankuro's behavior."
"It's fine. Just make sure he doesn't do it again," Naruto smiled, "I smell sand coming off from you three…so your from Sunagakure then?"
"Yes." Gaara confirmed.
"Hey…your blind aren't you?" Temari asked carefully hoping not to offend him.
"Yep. I was wondering when you were gonna ask." The blonde kept his smile.
Temari blushed a little and smile nervously.
"Wait a minute! What are foreign ninja doing here anyway?" Sakura questioned.
"Their here for the Chūnin Exams." Naruto answered. Yamato told him that they would be coming up.
"Chūnin Exams?" Sakura questioned. She didn't hear anything about it from Kakashi-sensei at all so how did Naruto know?
Gaara turned from them back to the blonde, "You…who are you?"
Naruto turned to him and smiled, "Naruto Uzumaki, and you are?"
"Gaara…Sabaku." Gaara answered.
"Gaara Sabaku…that suits you." Naruto complimented.
"You as well," Gaara said, "You better be taking the exam Uzumaki. Because you will prove my existence."
Naruto smirked, "It sounds like too much fun to miss out on. See you there."
"The same to you." Gaara walked off his teammates following after him surprised he actually had a civil conversation with someone and didn't threaten them.
Naruto sighed and looked over at Konohamaru who had stopped shaking but was still a little scared, "You okay?"
Konohamaru nodded and grinned, "That was so cool, boss!"
Moegi and Udon came up and smiled, "That was amazing! I didn't even see you move!"
"So strong…" Udon stared in awe.
Naruto's lips quirked in amusement, "I appreciate the compliments but you should get going. I'll see you guys later."
Konohamaru and his gang left with smiles on their faces eager to tell everyone about how cool Naruto was and protected them from the sand bullies.
Naruto sighed, 'What a day.' He walked away from the area not wanting to socialize with his team not really in the mood to anyway.
"Oi dobe, what are the Chunin exams?" Sasuke questioned.
Naruto stopped and looked to his right having sensed a few presences and not liking a few of them, and judging by the chakra signatures they were strong making him a little cautious.
"Naruto…?" Sakura called out to the blonde noting that he must've sensed something and it made him uncomfortable.
"We should leave this area now." Naruto walked away from them not liking what he sensed at all.
Sakura and Sasuke looked at each other and actually followed after their blonde haired teammate not understanding why he wanted to leave the area so quickly.
"Did you see that?" a ninja with the symbol for 'Earth' on his forehead said looking over at his female teammate.
The female clenched her fists, "No doubt about it…he's the Kiiroi Senkō (Yellow Flash's) son. So he did have an offspring after all!" she growled.
The heavy one on their team looked over at her nervously, "So what do you want to do, Kurotsuchi?"
"Isn't it obvious?" she stood up, "We kill him."
"Yeah but how?"
"We'll do it during the exams. No matter what we have to kill him for the sake of our village!" Kurotsuchi stated.
"Whew, pretty impressive speed he had there." A dark-skinned male with white hair and stick in his mouth whistled.
"No shit, but that's him right?" a girl with dark skin and long red hair and looked over at her female teammate.
A woman with blonde hair that was in a low ponytail nodded her head, "Yes. We must inform Killer Bee-sensei we've spotted the Kyūbi Jinchuriki."
"Think we should tell Raikage-sama?" the boy wondered.
"No, we should let Killer Bee-sensei know first then he will tell the Raikage, Omoi." The girl told him.
"Seriously? But what if he gets mad at us that we didn't tell him, or what if he-" he was whacked on the back of the head by the red haired female teammate of his.
"Will you just shut up already!" she yelled.
"Geez that hurt, Karui." Omoi rubbed the back of his head.
"Yugito-nee say something will ya?!" Karui complained to Yugito.
Yugito simply shook her head and sighed, "Why can't you two just get it together?"
A pale figure with long white hair having the same eyes as the Hyūga's was smiling from ear to ear when they saw who they were looking for, "Nii-sama…I found him!"
Another figure appeared next to her. This person had short white hair sporting a third eye on his forehead that was red sclerae and irides, with a ripple pattern spreading over the eyeball and nine tomoe. His eyes were also the same as the Hyūga's, "Yes Kagura, it seems we have finally found the Uzumaki we have been looking for. So young."
"He is! He looks like he's my age!" Kagura swung her legs as she watched him from the roof they were sitting on.
"No he is not, you are only 8 years old while he is 12. There is an age difference." The boy rolled his eyes. He was the same age as Naruto actually.
Kagura pouted, "Mou, Haruto-nii-sama your so mean~"
"Enough already. You know why we're here, correct?" Haruto raised a brow at her.
She smiled, "Yep. I hear they have a 'council' here, how should we handle them?"
"We are to show them just how pathetic they truly are if they should interfere." Haruto stated coldly, "We will not let them taint the Uzumaki."
Kagura had a sadistic grin on her face, "We will destroy them."
Hiruzen had the Jounin gathered in his office to discuss who's team will be participating in the Chūnin Exams, "All of the Jounin present here, inform me who will be taking place in the Chūnin Exams?"
Kakashi took a step forward, "I, Kakashi Hatake nominate, Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno."
Kurenai took a step forward, "I, Kurenai Yūhi nominate, Hinata Hyūga, Shino Aburame, and Kiba Inuzuka."
Asuma took a step forward, "I, Asuma Sarutobi nominate, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka."
Yamato was surprised, this is the first time all of the rookies would be participating in the exams this year.
Iruka's eyes widened.
Hiruzen was intrigued, "All of the rookies taking place within the exams. This is a first."
"Wait a minute!" Iruka yelled.
"What's wrong?" Hiruzen turned to him.
"Nominating all of them for the exams is dangerous! You'll destroy these kids!" Iruka yelled.
"Maybe they need it," Kakashi said lazily, "I know two of my students do." He was referring to Sasuke and Sakura.
Iruka glared at the man, "The Chūnin Exams are grueling and some of them could end up dead! Their not ready to become Chūnin yet!"
"I became a Chūnin at the age of 6," Kakashi informed him, "And became ANBU captain when I was around Naruto's age."
"Naruto is nothing like you!" Iruka and Yamato growled.
Kurenai whispered in Asuma's ear, "What's going on here?"
"Yamato and Kakashi used to be in the ANBU together but Kakashi was taken out and given the rank Jounin while Yamato stayed in ANBU. The two of them didn't get along all that well at first but after awhile things got better. Yamato's just being protective of Naruto because of…well you know." He whispered back.
Kurenai nodded.
"Rumor has it that Yamato found something out concerning Naruto that ties to Kakashi and wasn't very happy about it and didn't want him anywhere near Naruto. But the Hokage had placed him as the boy's sensei and he's still sore about it. As for Iruka, I don't really know what's going on between him and Kakashi." Asuma shrugged.
"I see." Kurenai said.
Yamato closed his eyes and sighed to calm down, "That aside, I think their ready."
"What?! Yamato!" Iruka looked at him.
"This will be a good experience for them," Yamato said, "The rookies wont get themselves killed their a lot smarter than that. I'm more worried about the foreign ninja that are participating this year."
"Furthermore, their not your students anymore Iruka," Kakashi added, "Their considered shinobi now."
Iruka knew he was right but still he couldn't help but feel worried about them.
"What do you mean about being worried about the foreign ninja, Yamato?" Asuma questioned.
Yamato narrowed his eyes, "I mean, Iwagakure and Kumogakure."
Kakashi's eyes widened at the mention of Iwa, "Hokage-sama, you allowed Iwa to take part in the exams?"
"I did," Hiruzen admitted, "However I don't think they'll try anything and simply focus on the exams. I hope."
Yamato and Kakashi thought the same thing.
Kurenai was worried about the Kumo nin that were here after the whole Hyūga incident that resulted in Hizashi's death and Neji's hatred towards the Main Branch and Hinata. If the boy should go up against the Kumo nin at some point there's a strong possibility he might kill that ninja.
Naruto sighed as he leaned against the bridge thinking about yesterday. He wasn't expecting to run into Sunagakure's Jinchuriki Gaara Sabaku and he could sense the bloodlust coming off from the boy in droves and when he said that he'd prove his existence it seemed to have multiplied but for some reason Naruto didn't feel disturbed by it at all and knew why it was because he felt Kurama, Hiruzen, and Zabuza's killing intent that it didn't even bother him anymore. Speaking of Zabuza he and the mist nin have been practicing sword play and the blonde had learned three new moves as well as some jutsu by the former mist ninja. Zabuza trained him down to the dirt, not like he wasn't used to it because he was but still his training methods are downright monstrous and he wondered how Haku was able to deal with it?
He planned on using the jutsu's he learned form Zabuza in the exams and wondered if the other competitors would be surprised. Kakashi had met up with them in the afternoon yesterday and told them that he nominated them for the Chūnin Exams. Naruto could feel his teammates emotions, Sasuke's was anticipation, while Sakura's felt uneasiness. She was unsure as to whether or not to take the exams. In his opinion Sakura wasn't ready yet, she was feeling nervous and unsure. She might end up getting herself killed.
Kakashi arrived on time surprisingly but that only proved just how serious these exams were, "Yo."
"K-Kakashi-sensei…your early." Sakura stammered.
"Well, you three are participating in the Chūnin exams. So, I thought I'd get here on time to escort you to your meeting place." Kakashi smiled.
"Where are the exams taking place?" Sasuke questioned.
"At the Academy, room 301." The Jounin told them.
Naruto started walking in the direction of the Academy followed by his team and a worried Kakashi. Iwagakure is here to take the exams along with Kumogakure. Sunagakure they didn't have to worry about seeing as how they have an alignment with the hidden village.
Team 7 arrived at the Academy and departed with Kakashi to go inside the building. Naruto noticed something as they walked up the stairs to the second floor, a feeling of eeriness that you'd only get when your submitted to a Genjutsu or feel one nearby. The blonde felt it and smirked, "So that's how it is."
"What are you babbling about Naruto-baka?" Sakura questioned in annoyance.
"So you did sense it." Sasuke smirked himself.
Sakura was confused now and looked back in forth in between them.
Naruto sighed, "There's a Genjutsu up ahead, meaning the exams already started."
Sasuke smirked.
Sakura said nothing.
"Pease let us through!"
Sasuke and Sakura saw a boy with bowl hair cut wearing a green spandex was begging to get inside the room along with a girl who had her hair tied up in buns, wearing a pink shirt and green pants.
"We're doing you a favor," the man before him said who obviously a Chūnin himself pushed the boy roughly making him fall on his behind, "You'll just end up dying anyway, kid."
Naruto sighed and was about to head up the stairs but Sasuke decided to open his mouth, "You should stop this pathetic display of Genjutsu." He got the attention of the Genin present.
'Idiot.' Naruto thought inwardly. They could have just walked right on by and not of said anything but Sasuke just had to show off.
"We're supposed to be meeting in room 301 not 201," Sasuke smirked, "We could sense your Genjutsu easily."
Naruto sighed.
Sakura said nothing because she didn't even sense that there was a Genjutsu being used but Naruto and Sasuke did. Is she really that far behind?
The Chūnin growled and moved to engage Sasuke in Taijutsu and the Uchiha responded in kind the man sent a punch while Sasuke sent a kick that would have made contact if Naruto hadn't used his can to smack the man's hand away and grabbed Sasuke's ankle. Naruto sighed, "Save your alpha dispute for the exams." He let the Uchiha's ankle go and walked up the stairs to the correct room already irritated, he could hear footsteps meaning his team was following him but sensed Sasuke's negative emotions but didn't really care.
They were about to make their way to the 3rd floor when the same boy from before appeared before them. His eyes landed on Sakura and blushed, "Your Sakura Haruno, I am Rock Lee! Please go out with me! I will protect you with my life!" he winked at her.
Naruto's lip quirked at his boldness, 'Him and Sakura, huh? Interesting combination.'
Sakura shivered at the boy, "There's no way!" she denied. Looking over at Sasuke she saw that he really didn't care making her heart sink.
Lee looked hurt for a second then got over it as his eyes landed on Naruto and smiled at the boy, "It is true then! You're the Blind Ninja Naruto Uzumaki, correct?"
Naruto's eyes twitched at the nickname, "My name is Naruto Uzumaki but what's with the nickname?"
Lee bowed, "My apologies, I have heard many great things about your abilities! You are blind yet very strong and powerful! You are a worthy ninja!"
Naruto didn't say anything for a few minute but he did eventually cracked a smile, "Thanks for the compliment," he was curious about something concerning Lee, "Your something else yourself, your strong."
Lee's face brightened up at the compliment, "I thank you for the compliment Naruto-kun! You are truly a youthful person!" he grabbed the blondes hands, "Please be my rival!"
"Sure." Naruto smiled.
Sasuke and Sakura looked at him as though he had just grown a second head, "Hmph, there's nothing strong about this loser."
Naruto frowned at him then smirked, "Then why don't you fight him one on one to test out that little theory of yours?"
"What?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
"You and Lee will spar right here," Naruto said, "Me and Sakura wont interfere at all. Is that okay with you Lee?"
Lee's eyes brightened up with excitement, "Yes! Thank you very much Naruto-kun!"
The blonde smiled, "Good, we'll get out of your way then." He walked away with Sakura following after him.
"You do realize that Sasuke-kun's going to beat him, right?" Sakura told him not understanding why he thinks Lee has a chance.
"If that's what you truly believe then you really need to watch how this spar turns out because Lee's no pushover for a reason." Naruto told her.
Sakura didn't comment and simply turned to watch the spar.
"Hmph, this will be easy." Sasuke said arrogantly.
Lee got into a stance, "Let us begin."
Sasuke smirked and charged at Lee who narrowed his eyes, 'He's coming.' As soon as the Uchiha was close enough Lee disappeared from view kicked the Uchiha right in the gut sending him flying towards the other side of the room.
Sakura's jaw dropped not believing what she just saw, while Naruto smiled. He sensed no chakra coming from Lee, which told him he could use no Ninjutsu and possibly no Genjutsu either so that meant he used pure Taijutsu. Sasuke's Taijutsu skills weren't that bad but he sensed that Lee's Taijutsu skills were something to be wary of completely.
'This will bruise his little ego for awhile but whatever.' Naruto smirked.
Sasuke got up slowly and glare at the boy about to go at him again but Lee disappeared from sight and appeared before the Uchiha again, "Konoha Senpū (Leaf Hurricane)!" he got Sasuke again sending him rolling on the ground.
Sasuke got back up his Sharingan active making Sakura smile.
"The Sharingan! Now Sasuke-kun's going to win!" Sakura smiled.
"Doubt it." Naruto commented.
"What?!" Sakura growled.
"The Sharingan may allow the person to copy another person's jutsu's and read their movements but that's useless against Lee." The blonde said cryptically.
"What are you talking about?"
He sighed, "You still haven't figured it out?"
"What?"
"Nevermind." Naruto sighed tiredly.
Sakura was glaring at him, 'What's his problem?'
Sasuke's Sharingan was active making him smirk, 'I'll be able to read his movements now.' His eyes widened when Lee disappeared from sight again appearing before the boy kicking him upwards before appearing behind him, "Kage Buyō (Dancing Leaf Shadow)."
Sasuke's eyes widened, 'How?! How is he able to move so fast?!'
Lee was about to use one of his techniques but a man looking exactly like the boy stopped him from using it separating them both. Naruto caught Sasuke and dropped him on the floor next to Sakura who was fretting over him.
"Lee! You know better than to use that here!" The lookalike scolded.
"Yes! My apologies Guy-sensei!" Lee bowed in apology.
Guy looked over at the three Genin, "Ah, you must be Kakashi my eternal rival's students!"
Naruto couldn't see the man but had a sneaking suspicion about who he might be, "Your Might Guy, aren't you?"
"Ah, has my rival Kakashi told you about me?" Guy grinned.
"No, Yamato did." Naruto said.
Guy face vaulted at that, "I-I see, no matter! Young man your Naruto Uzumaki aren't you?"
"I am." The blonde nodded.
"I see, I look forward to seeing you three in the exams." Guy told them grabbing Lee's shoulder and disappearing in a whirl of leaves.
Naruto smiled and walked away, 'Lee really is something else. I'm surprised my senses could keep up with some of his movements. The Chūnin Exams really are interesting.'
Room 301
Team 7 entered the room and was immediately exposed to a wave of killing intent being sent in their direction. Sasuke and Sakura felt uncomfortable seeing different shinobi from different villages glaring at them, mainly Iwa and Ame. Naruto wasn't fazed by the killing intent and simply walked past his teammates and leaned against a wall. The chakra signatures he felt in particular felt like earth and lightning, and he knew that Gaara was here because he could feel his bloodlust and it was directed right at him as were the ones coming off from the ninja with the earth chakra signatures. The only village he could think of was Iwagakure, which was strange for them to even send their ninja here seeing as how Konoha and Iwa have hated each other for what felt like forever but he didn't question it. He was also surprised Kumo sent their ninja here as well after the Hyūga incident. Hinata aside, he wondered how Neji would take it seeing them here?
'This exam just went from exciting to troublesome,' his eye twitched as he said that, 'Great now I sound like Shikamaru.'
"So you guys are here too? Troublesome." Shikamaru sighed approaching the blonde.
Naruto smiled, "Saying your famous catchphrase already, Shikamaru?"
The shadow boy simply sighed and stood next to Naruto with Choji right next to him.
"Sasuke-kun, there you are~" Ino jumped on his back.
"Hey get off him Ino-Pig!" Sakura yelled.
"Oh? You're here too Billboard Brow?" Ino smirked.
"What did you say?!" Sakura growled.
Naruto sighed, "I really wish she'd take her role as a kunoichi seriously. She'll end up getting herself killed if she doesn't."
"Ino's the same way." Shikamaru added with a sigh.
Choji nodded while eating his chips.
"N-Naruto-kun." The blonde heard Hinata's voice and turned to it with a smile, "So you saw through the Genjutsu too, huh? I'm not surprised. Its been awhile Shino, Kiba."
"Likewise." Shino bowed his head to the blonde.
"Yo Naruto! How's it going dealing with the brooder and banshee?" Kiba grinned slinging his arm around him.
Akamaru barked in happiness.
"Less than pleasant," Naruto stated, "As for Sakura's screeching I basically ignore her by placing earplugs in my ears. It works."
Kiba busted out laughing as did Akamaru, even Hinata had to giggle at that and Ino who just happened to be listening in on the conversation was having a giggling fit much to Sakura and Sasuke's confusion.
"I should invest in some myself," Shikamaru spoke up, "It'll work good against Ino."
Choji nodded.
"Would you all mind keeping it down?" a man approached them. He had silver hair that was in a low ponytail, glasses, purple shirt, pants, sporting purple armrests on each wrist. He had a Konoha headband on his forehead, "You guys are Rookies that are fresh out of the Academy, right? I suggest you draw less attention to yourselves, this isn't exactly a playground y'know."
"And who the hell are you?" Kiba growled.
Naruto didn't like being the guy either. The aura around him felt dark, as well as manipulative, and calculating. Like a snake. Getting a growl from Kurama told him that he was right in his assumption. He gripped his cane, the action not going unnoticed by Shikamaru. The shadow user has been watching the blonde for years and knew that if he felt something was wrong about something then he would believe it. Then this guy wasn't exactly as he seemed.
"Ah, I'm Kabuto Yakushi," Kabuto rubbed the back of his head nervously, "By the way, you might wanna take a look behind you."
The rookies looked behind them and saw that all of the older ninja present were glaring at them making some of them but Naruto was getting annoyed with it, so he asked Kurama to help him out in dealing with them. Turning his head slowly towards them he sent a burst of Kurama's own killing intent making those in the room shake and back away in fear of the blonde except Gaara and Yugito. Gaara looked excited while Yugito looked serious. Satisfied that everyone stopped with the pointless glaring he looked away drawing the attention of Shikamaru who knew that it came from the blonde.
'That was intense…has Naruto been able to do this before?' Shikamaru thought.
Kabuto smirked, 'How very interesting. No wonder my lord has an interest in you.' He then smiled, "I suppose I can't blame you all though, I mean after all you are only rookies. Your acting just like how I used to."
"So, this is your second time taking the exams then?" Sakura smiled nervously.
"No…actually its my seventh attempt," he scratched the back of his head with a smile, "Actually its my fourth year."
"Is that so?" Naruto said not believing him for a second.
"Then you know all about these exams then?" Kiba questioned.
"Of course," Kabuto said whipping out some cards, "If you want I can share some valuable information for you about some of the competitors taking place in the exams. These are my Ninja Info cards."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the cards in the man's hands and shook Ino off him, "Then you have cards with individual info on them?"
Kabuto smiled, "Worried about someone? Of course the info I have on some of the competitors aren't all that perfect but I have them. Even on all of you guys. Just tell me who your target is and I'll tell you."
"Gaara no Sabaku, Rock Lee, and…Naruto Uzumaki." Sasuke replied.
The rookies were curious as to why he wanted to know about his own teammate.
"Oh poo, you know their names already, takes the fun out of it." Kabuto said shuffling the cards, only bringing three out holding them away from Sasuke.
"Just show me." Sasuke demanded.
"Quite impatient aren't you?" Kabuto smiled reading out the first card, "I'll start with Rock Lee, he's a year older than you all. Mission History: 85 completed D-rank missions and 13 completed C-rank missions. Sensei is Might Guy, teammates are Tenten Higurashi and Neji Hyūga. While his Taijutsu skills are off the charts, his skills in Ninjutsu and Genjutsu are nonexistent."
He read the other card. While he was doing that Sasuke and Sakura looked over at their blonde teammate who was talking to Hinata, did he know that Lee used nothing but Taijutsu? If so did why didn't he tell them?
"Next is Gaara Sabaku, youngest child of the Kazekage. Mission History: 18 completed C-rank missions, 6 completed B-rank, and 4 completed A-rank missions without getting a single scratch on him. His teammates are Temari and Kankuro Sabaku who are also his siblings. I must say I'm impressed." Kabuto said.
Naruto who was listening was impressed himself, but now that he thought about it for his first C-rank or should he say A-rank missions he didn't get a single scratch himself but its best to keep that to himself.
"And lastly Naruto Uzumaki…" Kabuto revealed the card and was about to give them information when the card in his hand was shredded into four pieces all of a sudden taking everyone by surprise.
Naruto who had his sword sheathed halfway sealed it back silently, "Seishuku Senkō (Silent Flash)." He muttered quietly.
Hinata saw he cut the card up but said nothing and simply smiled. Naruto went back to talking to her ignoring the looks he was getting from the rookies and the other ninja's gathered there wondering if he was the one responsible for cutting up the card but seeing him just casually talking with Hinata they threw that idea out the window but the ninja's from Iwa, Kumo, and Suna knew it was him. They just didn't see him do it. Kabuto knew as well and smirked knowing that his lord picked the right candidate.
Kabuto simply ignored the destroyed card and smiled, "Even though there are a lot of competitors here taking the exams, you don't have to worry about the ninjas from Otogakure. Their relatively a new and minor village that no one knows about anyway. There are only top ninja here." As he finished saying that three blurs came at him, he dodged the first two the female with the long black hair, and male with black spikey hair, but for the bandaged one it appeared that he missed Kabuto but that was tossed out the window when he coughed up blood and fell to the ground.
"Are you okay?" Sakura helped him up.
"Y-Yes, I'm fine." Kabuto cleared the blood from his throat.
Naruto heard it. There was a ringing sound coming off from the one of the Oto ninja. Sound waves, huh? Good thing he brought his earplugs with him.
The one with the spikey black hair smirked, "Write this down in your little info cards. The ninja from Oto are strongest ones here!"
After that little scene there was a puff of smoke that got their attention. There stood a man wearing a blue headband on his head, scars on his face, long black trench coat gray uniform and gloves.
"Shut up you maggots!" the man bellowed shutting them up, "You! Oto nin in the back! Do you want to get disqualified before the exams even begin?!"
"Sorry, we were a little too excited." The one with the bandages apologized.
He glared hard at the three then looked around the room, "The names Ibiki Morino, I am the examiner for the written portion of the exams. I'm going to say this only once, any fighting during this portion will not be tolerated. Disobey that rule and I'll make you wish you stayed in your old man's sack, understood?"
The Genin present nodded their heads. Naruto felt that the man was dangerous and he'd be right. The guy was oozing sadism.
"The rest of the proctors in the room will show you your seating arraignments, once you've sat down I'll explain the rules." Ibiki said.
The proctors led the Genin to their arraigned seats and Naruto felt the familiar chakra of Hinata sitting next to him making him smile. He wondered what he was going to do about the written part of the test since he couldn't see then got an idea. Before Ibiki could explain the rules he pulled out a kunai tossing it without anyone noticing aiming right at the door to the room making it blow up a little bit getting their attention. He felt three chakra signature leave the room making him smirk. He had already done what he needed to do, now all he had to do was wait. He felt Kurama's laughter and Asura's sigh while shaking his head. The other proctors remaining in the room handed out the test papers to the Genin present and he got his. This should be interesting.
Ibiki looked around the room wondering who threw it but the Genin looked completely surprised almost shocked. He merely started explaining the rules, "Listen up! Before we begin the exams I'm gonna explain the rules. Questions will not be tolerated and I'm not gonna repeat myself either, so don't bother asking."
Naruto sweat-dropped, 'Must be the no nonsense type.'
"First rule: You maggots will start off with 10 points instead of 0. The test is made up of ten questions with each one worth a single point. If you answer the questions correctly you get to keep your 10 points, but if you get a question wrong then you lose a point."
"Second rule: This is also a team test. Whether you pass or not depends on how your whole team does."
"Third rule: Anyone caught cheating five times by the proctors will be immediately disqualified."
One of the proctors looked smug, "We'll be watching you like hawks, so don't even think about cheating."
Everyone present in the room gulped.
'Something's not right about that rule. Why tell us this unless…they want us to cheat! No they want us to cheat without getting caught. Good thing I set everything up after causing the distraction earlier.' Naruto thought.
"One last thing," Ibiki smirked, "If one of you is caught cheating five times then your whole team fails!"
Sasuke's eyes grew wide.
'WHAT'D HE SAY?!' Sakura yelled inwardly.
"Now begin!" Ibiki said.
Naruto flipped the paper over waiting for his clone to get to work.
One of the Chūnin pretending to be one of the people taking the test was waving an annoying fly away from him, it finally landed on the table giving him the opportunity to smash it with his hand, "Stupid fly." He grumbled. Little did he know that the fly he just squished was one of Naruto's clones that Henge'd into a fly, and as soon as he smashed it the information it gathered was transferred to Naruto who began writing the answers down going by the memory he received from the clone.
Sakura was freaking out, 'What are we gonna do?! Naruto-baka's completely blind and can't see the questions at all!' she looked over at her blonde teammate and saw he was writing on his paper, 'What are you doing Naruto-baka?! Stop scribbling on your test!'
Naruto was completely calm and answered the questions he received from his clone. As soon as the proctor told them where to sit Naruto had taken out a kunai that already had a paper bomb on it. Tossing it quickly at the door causing a small explosion that took the door off the hinges making some of the proctors run out of the room seeing if they were being attacked and causing a distraction. While everyone else was distracted by what happened he quickly created a Shadow Clone and had it Henge into a fly instructing it to wait at the right moment to get to work. As soon as Ibiki got done explaining the rules the clone went over by the Chūnin disguised as one of the examinees that already had all of the answers on their paper and hovered around him for about a good 2 minutes before it was dispelled and sent the information over to Naruto who quickly got to work.
He smirked inwardly, 'Plan successful.'
Ibiki was staring right at the blonde intrigued that he was writing down on his paper and went over by him in curiosity. Walking over by the boy he saw that the answers he was writing down were indeed correct! He couldn't help the smirk that came on his face, he was told that there was an interesting Genin among the Rookies and was curious to see who it was and to his surprise it was this blonde Genin who was freaking blind!
'These exams just got more interesting.' He smirked walking back eager to see what else the blonde had in store for him.
Naruto stopped at question 9 because the Chūnin he just copied left it blank and so will he.
Next to him Hinata had her Byakugan activated, Sasuke has his Sharingan active copying the hand movements of the person before him. Gaara closed his eyes creating a third eye to cheat, Kiba had Akamaru give him answers, Tenten was using a mirror to give Lee the answers. Kankuro excused himself to go to the bathroom but left his little puppet behind, Shikamaru was using his shadow jutsu to answer for both him and Choji, Sakura was using her own power to answer the question while Ino used her clan's jutsu to take over her mind and steal the answers.
Just as Hinata finished a kunai flew past her and Naruto hitting a desk in front of them.
"You there! You've been caught cheating 5 times, you and your team are done." One of the proctors said.
Hinata's heart was beating quickly but feeling Naruto's hand on top of hers calmed her down.
"No way! What do you mean I cheated five times where's your proof?!" the sand Genin complained only to be slammed into a wall.
"Don't question us you little punk," the man smirked, "You can't even blink without us seeing it." The Genin slid down on the ground and was dragged out of the room, his team following him.
Naruto closed his eyes, 'Who knew that a simple written test could be so mentally exhausting.'
"Pencils down!" Ibiki called out. Everyone put their pencils down, the door slid open and in came Kankuro, "Welcome back, hope your little trip was…fun." He eyed the boy with a smirk.
Kankuro panicked a little but took his seat, 'Damn! He knows!'
"Now then, time for the final question." Ibiki announced, "The last question of the test is whether you decide to answer it or not. Should you choose not to your score will be an automatic 0, meaning you and your team have failed."
This shocked some of the Genin present except for Naruto and Gaara because there was another reason for this.
"Of course we'll answer the last question!" Kiba yelled.
Ibiki chuckled darkly, "You say that now, but when I tell you the rest you'll be changing your tone. Should you decide to answer the question but fail to answer it correctly then you will be forbidden to take the Chūnin Exams ever again."
"What the hell kind of rule is that?!" Kiba yelled, "There have been people who failed the exams before and came back to take them over again!" he was referring to Kabuto.
"You guys are unlucky this year," Ibiki told them uncaring, "I'm in charge of the first part of the exams this year, so that means I make the rules. If you feel like you can't take it then leave by raising your hand."
It was quiet for a minute before a Genin raised his hand, "I-I quit…I'm sorry you guys."
"You fail." The proctor said as the Genin and his team left. One by one more Genin started quitting, leaving the room.
Naruto could sense that Hinata was becoming unsure of herself in whether to stay or leave so he placed a hand on her leg. He sensed that she was feeling a little better because of the contact. He wanted her to advance and become Chūnin.
Ibiki looked around at those who stayed, "To the ones that are still in this room…congratulations you all pass!"
Silence.
"WHAT?!" Sakura screamed making everyone cover their ears at her loud voice.
Naruto moved getting everyone's attention, they saw him take his earplugs out his ears and put them in his pocket making some of the proctors snicker as well as some of the Genin present in the room who were trying to hold in their laughter. Even Ibiki snorted.
'This kids a damn riot.' He smirked.
Sakura made a mental note to get Naruto back for that later, "What about the 10th question?"
"There wasn't a 10th question to begin with," he smirked, "You could say that it was based on your decision whether to stay or leave."
"Wait a minute!" Temari yelled, "Then what was the point in us answering these questions then?! Was it all pointless?!"
"No, the questions you answered served their purpose well," Ibiki told her, "The purpose of this test was to test your information gathering skills, and I think it worked out well," he eyed Naruto, "Some of you already figured it out and got right to it without even getting caught. The purpose of this test was to make you cheat. Only one of you noticed the two Chūnin that were hiding amongst you but I think I'll keep that Genin's name to myself. I'll explain the purpose of the written exam, in a mission you will have to gather information to help your team succeed and complete the mission. You also need to know that getting the wrong information will cost you and your team their lives." He proved this by taking his headband off.
Naruto felt Hinata grab his hand from underneath the table squeezing it slightly making the blonde wonder what was wrong.
"The man has taken off his headband revealing his many scars. How horrible." Asura said sadly.
'How bad is it?' Naruto asked.
"Like someone used his head a way of relieving stress." Kurama stated.
'Got it.' Naruto said.
"This is what can happen to you if you get the wrong information. Not only will you suffer scars like these but you'll also be forced to spill the beans because the pain is too much to handle. Th purpose of the 10th question was to see if you had the guts to stay, and it looks like you lot passed the test. Your resolve. The First part of the exam is over, good luck in the next part." Ibiki smiled.
Naruto breathed a sigh of relief, 'Looks like everything worked out, and Hinata-chan didn't have to leave.' His senses went off all of a sudden making him look to his left getting Ibiki's attention making the man smirk, 'Kid must sense that Anko is coming. Being able to sense a person that quickly, that's some skill.'
Suddenly the window exploded and in came a woman with light brown, pupil-less eyes and violent hair which is styled in a short, spiky, fanned-ponytail. Wearing a tan overcoat with a purple in-seam and a pocket on each side, a dark orange mini-skirt, a dark blue belt, and pale grey shin guards. Her forehead protector was wrapped around her forehead. There was a banner right behind her, "There's no time for you to be relaxed you maggots! The sexy Anko Mitarashi has arrived!" she did a pose.
Ibiki rolled his eyes, "Anko, your early."
Anko eyed those who were left, "Heh, there's still a few here left. Your losing your touch Ibiki."
The man actually smiled, "There are some impressive ones this year."
"Oh really?" she eyed them with a predatory smirk, "We'll see about that. Follow me you maggots! Time for the Second Part of the Exam! Meet me at Training Ground 44!" she jumped out the window.
Everyone looked each other unsure of whether they should follow her or not, they heard someone get up and saw it was Naruto but instead of heading for the door he opened the window and sped off making their eyes widen especially the Rookies.
'That idiot!' Shikamaru thought following after Naruto. He may have good senses but still. The rest of the Konoha Genin followed after him while the rest either took the window or the door.
Ibiki sighed then walked over to gather the tests, he looked at Naruto's and saw he had wrote something at the top of the paper. It was a little messy but the kid was blind so he couldn't really blame him.
Ibiki-san.
The man claiming to be a Genin of Konoha is named Kabuto Yakushi, but I don't remember sensing him around the village at all. There was also something else I sensed about him but the most obvious was the fact his aura felt cold, manipulative, and calculating…like a snake.
-Naruto Uzumaki
The man's eyes widened. He immediately put the boy's paper in his pocket and took off quickly heading straight towards the Hokage's office.
'Damn! If the kids right then that means he's here!' Ibiki thought.
Next Time: Enter The Forest of Death.