Chapter 7: Preliminaries, Pervy Sage
Days passed as the genin teams made it to the tower with the two scrolls. All Konoha genin made it with the sound team and Kabuto's team. The five-day time limit was up and now all of the genin were assembled at the chunin exam stadium or the preliminary match.
"Ok, I know you all just got out of the forest of death but since we have too many people we will have preliminary matches." Hiruzen started as the genins erupted in protest. "Quite, the chunin exam is a substituted for war as a nation's power is the strength of their up and coming," Hiruzen said before a sickly man walked up and said, "Hokage sama can I explain the rest?" Hiruzen nodded at Hayate's request and he continued. " The board will display the names of the contestants fighting and they will provide to battle if I call the match it is final. Is there anyone too tired from the forest to fight?"
"My team and I decide to leave as we are too tired from the forest," Kabuto said as Hayate nodded. The genins nodded and the board flashed with names. "First match Sasuke Uchiha vs Shino," Hayate announces as both fighters got down to the area. The arena was fully concrete with a stone statue of a shinobi doing the ram hand sign, two balconies on the side, and a viewing platform for the Hokage. "Are you two ready? 3, 2, 1 began," Hayate said as Sasuke got behind Shino at jonin speeds.
Sasuke went for a kick when Shino turned into bugs and he jumped back where Shino stood. Shino sent his bugs at Sasuke which he skillfully dodged. Sasuke quickly made a shadow clone and sent it at Shino. The clone went underground and masked its chakra. Shino keep sending bugs faster and faster at Sasuke but Sasuke dodged with flips and jumps that evaded Shino's insects. As the clone got behind Shino he chopped the Aburame's neck knocking him out.
Hayate ended the match and Sasuke walked up while Shino was taken away. The board started to shuffle between names until it landed on Shikamaru and Kin this match went the same as canon. The next match was Sakura verse Ino and also went the same as canon. "Fangirl the mission did wake them up but they are so behind," Naruto remarked and Sasuke nodded. The next match was on the board Naruto and Lee. Lee and Naruto jumped from the balcony and landed.
As Hayate raised his hand he said "The fourth match of the chunin exam starts in 3, 2, 1 began." Lee got into a stance as he started to run at Naruto. "Lee we first meet outside the gates of Konoha," Naruto said as he blocked his kick with his opposition. "Indeed I remember you speeding off and leaving me in the dust. I thank you for that as I work harder than ever because of you." Lee said throwing a punch. Naruto blocked and went for a kick, Lee blocked and jump away.
Naruto made a few hand signs before yelling, "lighting style lighting dragon jutsu." A spark of lighting followed by a ginormous dragon made of lighting raced after Lee. Lee ran from the dragon before jumping and glancing at the dragon shocking him. Lee landed on the ground paralyzed which gave Naruto the time to get a strong kick into the air. Naruto made a clone that got above Lee. Lee just got control of his body before getting kicked back down to the ground. Lee was in a rough spot, he try to get up but his body wasn't fully recovered.
Naruto rushed toward Lee and tried to kick him but Lee got up and jumped back. Gail seeing that Lee was in a tight spot looked at his student and yelled "Lee take um all." Gai said as Lee wanted to retort, "But I thought you can only take them off to protect," Lee finally said. "I give you permission," Gai said with teary eyes, Lee once he heard the news. "Really," Lee said as he jump to the top of the ram signs. At this time the room was filled with the happy sound of Lee. As Lee pulled off his leg warmers to show weight he took them off and said "Now I can move freely."
Temari snickered "how can such small weights be so impactful," as Lee dropped the weights. A cloud of smoke busted from the impact as the building shook. What is with leaf ninja Temari thought. Kakashi looked at Gai and said "was that too far Gai," Gai laughed. "Lee, He was the dead last and can't use nin or genjutsu. But a ninja always had taijutsu." Gai replied as Kakashi nodded. Everyone was putting their full attention on the battle ahead Naruto looked at Lee and said "Lee I see Gai gave you weights. He is a good sensei but you only got those weight when you were a genin I wore them during the academy when we were only 6 or 7." Naruto said as he made a hand sign.
"Gravity seal, release," Naruto whispered as a wave of chakra burst around the blond. "lee your weights are physical while mine are seal, I took off the gravity seals that made me feel like I had 200 pounds on each of my legs," Naruto explained as Lee started his attack. Lee started with a kick and followed by a punch. naruto moved like a feather as he moved without any difficulty dodging lee's attacks. Lee continued and Naruto keep dodging.
Lee knew he was getting nowhere and jumped back. "Lee, I applaud you, your speed is about the same as most tokobesu jonin. But it's nowhere close to mine." Naruto said and got behind Lee at speed only the jonin and his teammates could see. Lee tries to elbow Naruto but the blond just started to flash around Lee leaving after images. Lee try to match the speed and realized what he had to do. "Sorry Gai sensei but I have to," Lee shouted as he jumped back and Naruto gave him ample space. As Lee got into the stance Naruto realized what he was going to do.
"Lee don't," Naruto said as the green spandex-wearing ninja said "Gate of opening, open, the gate of healing, open, the gate of life, open," Lee shouted as his skin turned redder and veins started to pop out much like when the Byakugan is active. Lee rushed at Naruto throwing a flurry of punches that Naruto blocked or dodged. Naruto got behind Lee moving at low kage speed which Lee couldn't follow a bit and got kicked into the air. Naruto made four clones as they kicked Lee back and forth. "u-zu-ma-ki Barrage" each of the clones shouted as the last one kicked Lee into the air before Naruto slammed his leg and followed through with a kick that sent Lee down to the ground.
Lee got up stumbling as the gates faded. Lee slowly walked before collapsing and Naruto was deemed the winner. As the blond walked up Kakashi was talking to Gai "You taught Lee the gates," Gai nodded as Kakashi sighed. "Kakashi your genin has only been a ninja for 3 months and he easily outmatched one of my students." Gai started as Kakashi started "well my team were all childhood friends and they train after the academy for four years growing their skill and instinct to elite jonin level if they had their weights off I wouldn't stand a chance. What I have that they don't that makes me the leader in the experience." "That is so youthful and because of Kakashi genin, I shall do 2000 laps around the village on my hands," Gai shouted as everyone got silent.
The next match was Hinata versus Choji. As both fighters jumped down Choji look like he didn't want to fight until Asuma said he will buy him barbeque. Hinata jutsu got into a juken stance not to give anything away and Hayate began the match.
Choji explained his body and started to roll at Hinata the Hyuga dodged and give Choji many juken strikes which knocked the boy out. Hinata walked up the stairs and her team congratulated her. Neji was pissed Hinata looked like she was holding back and flew around like a petal and smoked Choji. Neji stored his anger in himself as he continued watching the matches. The board flashed with names and it landed on his name and Dosu.
Both fighters jump down as Hayate began the match Neji started with his fate talk as he rushed at Dosu. Dosu sent the Hyuga back to their he came from. Neji out that understood what the gantlet did as he rushed back into fighting range with Dosu. the Oto ninja fought well but after a juken strike attacks started to hit. Less than 20 seconds later Dosu was on the ground as Neji walked up the stairs. Hayate declared Neji the winner as the next match was displayed, Kankuro versus Kiba.
Kiba shouted and ranted about how he was going to win and Kankuro just smirked. Konoha genin are stupid Kankuro thought. Both fighters got into their stances as Hayate started the match. Kiba got into a stance that only his clan would know and Akamura transformed into Kiba. The two started to spin as Kiba perform his fang over fang.
Kankuro got hit but it was a puppet. As Kiba got trapped in the sand shinobi's puppet. Kankuro sent another one to Kiba's dog and trapped him as well. Kiba looked around trying to escape but he was helpless. Kankuro smirked as his puppet opened trapping Kiba's praised dog Akamaru. The puppet's limbs started to separate as blades coated in poison raised into the air. "Kiba give up or your dog does," Kankuro smirked as Kiba was in thought.
"I forfeit," Kiba said as promotion isn't worth the life of his dog. Both contestants got back up the stairs as the last two got to the arena. "May Gaara and Zaku come down to the arena," Hayate said as Gaara shunshined down while Zaku jumped. Hayate started "the final battle of this chunin exam preliminary round starts in three, two, one, begin."
In the stands, Naruto was in thought, let's see after I fixed Gaara's seal how will he battle will he be bloodthirsty like always or without the influence of Shukaku help him let's see? I don't know but this battle will show it and if it works Konoha would be a lot safer without an out-of-control bijuu rampaging. Naruto stared back at the battlefield as Gaara was manhandling Zaku.
Gaara filled Zaku's windpipes with his sand and Zaku was about to blow himself up without noticing. "Extreme decapitating airwaves," Zaku said as his air pipes imploded blasting his arms off. Gaara stood there shaking was he the monster. He just took someone's arms and without Shukaku what was the point of killing? Wait I don't live for myself I live for my mother but Shukaku isn't my mother he only wanted to kill I am not the monster he is. Gaara concluded as he walked up to the stands.
"Kit was it just me but I think he had regret all he lived for is gone and his meaning is gone now," Kurama asked as Naruto nodded. Naruto went over to Gaara's team and asked if he could talk to Gaara alone. Gaara just went with the blond without permission. "Gaara I know you think you lost all purpose in life, you have things to live for your siblings your village show them you're not the monster. By killing like you have you show that you are a monster, live for the people that cherished you the most, your siblings." Gaara was holding tears at the blond statement and asked, "how do you know so much about this pain."
"The loneliness the fear and hate in their eyes the glares and people would want to kill you," Naruto asked as Gaara nodded. "I have the Kyubi inside of me I know the pain and Gaara you know it too if you want I can be your first friend." Gaara smiled They're more like him people like him lost it in this small world. "Thank you, Naruto I needed this now I can sleep, You gave me purpose in life."
Naruto smiled as Gaara walked back to his team. "Kankuro, Temari I am sorry, the two of you I have no right to be your brother, yet you still care you acknowledge me," Gaara said lightly bowing. Temari was smiling and hugged Gaara, "Of course Gaara you're our brother," Temari said as he smile a genuine smile a smile that would melt anyone's heart at the happiness shown on the sand boy's face.
They were all brought to attention as the Hokage started. "everyone who passed come down to arena floor," the aged Hokage said. Anko brought a box and continued " I have 8 numbers the match will be paired like this 1 with 2, 3 with 4, you get it now pick a piece of paper." Anko shouted the last part as the 8 started to get their numbers. "Match one Hinata versus Neji," Neji smirked he wanted to beat and humility her in front of all of Konoha. "The second match was Naruto versus Kankuro followed by Shikamaru versus Temari. The last match was Sasuke versus Gaara and the bracket was single-elimination," Hiruzen explained as people started to leave.
"Naruto can I talk to you for a second," Hiruzen asked as Naruto walked over. "What is it Jiji," Naruto asked as Hiruzen smirked "I might not survive the invasion, and if that, try to get Tsunade if not get Kakashi. Also, your godfather is in Konoha at the hot springs." Hiruzen explained as Naruto was straight noticing the seriousness in the voice of the Hokage. Once he heard the news he shunshin to the hot springs. As he walked into the male section of the hot springs you can hear a giggle
As Naruto went where the light laughter was he was met with an older white-haired man. Naruto knew who he was and screamed "pervert!" Jiraiya was pissed and was running away from girls that were only in towels with any sharp weapon trying to cut off his balls. The toad sannin went at top speed and lost all of the women that were chasing after him. When he arrived back at the hot springs he saw Naruto with a shit-eating grin. "Dam brat way did you get those girls to chase after me," Jiraiya yelled at the blonde-haired boy standing in front of him.
"I found it amusing and because I am your Godson," Naruto found this to be amusing as Jiraiya went pale. "How do you know?" The toad sage asked as Naruto smirked "I am surprised that your sensei hasn't told you that I know everything and also I and my squad fought Orochimaru in the forest of death." Jiraiya was lost for words as this kid was talking about fighting a sannin like it was a normal occasion. "Brat, tell me everything about your abilities," Jiraiya asked as Naruto nodded while flashing to training ground 27.
"You know the Hiraishin how," Jiraiya said and was going to continue when Naruto interjected. "I do and the Rasengan is also in my arsenal. I have wind and lighting as my affinities and I would say mid-kage level in terms of skill without gravity seals." Naruto replied to the stunned sannin. This kid is something I can't he is just like his father Minato I will teach your son everything I know. Jiraiya thought to himself as Naruto asked " Can you train me Ero-sannin," Naruto said as Jiraiya was about to scream at the boy about respecting their elders.
Sighing Jiraiya said, "fine brat I will train you." "Thank you ero-sannin," Naruto yelled the last part as Jiraiya had a tick mark on his head "boy, do you have a summoning?" Jiraiya asked. Naruto shook his head as he asked "you're going to give me the toad summoning contract." Jiraiya simply nodded as he unrolled a school with his name and the name of Minato Namikaze. "Bit your finger and write your name in blood," Jiraiya explained as naruto signed the summoning contract. "To summon just bit your finger and do these hand signs," Jiraiya said Naruto followed the sannin's instructions.
"Kuchiyose no jutsu," Naruto said as he push enough chakra enough to make 80 shadow clones. A cloud of smoke covered the training ground as the toad boss was summoned in the middle of Konoha. "Jiraiya why did you summon me?" Gamabunta asked as he notice the blond onto his head. "I didn't summon you Naruto did," Naruto hun, I believe that is Minato's tadpole. Gamabunta thought to himself.
By this time many leaf shinobi drive at where the toad boss was and one asked: "Jiraiya sama why have you summon one of your toads." "Oh I was training my kid and he summoned Gamabunta I didn't," Jiraiya said as Naruto dispelled Gamabunta and jumped down to meet the shinobi. A shinobi looked at the boy and said without thinking "That is the demon boy," as some shinobi got into a stance and ran at the boy. Stupid chunin both Naruto and Jiraiya thought, the chunin went and rushed at Naruto and Jiraiya let them see what the blonde was made of.
In total there were five chunins one grabbed his tanto and made a slash. Naruto sidestepped and grabbed the hilt of the blade. He kicks the Chunin and grabs the blade. The other ninjas rushed at him as they all had kunai and tried to stab the blonde not in the right state of mind. Two of the ninjas try to pinch him as Naruto stab the tanto he had on the ground and used it as leverage. While the blonde was in the air he spins kicking one of the ninjas while grabbing his blade and slicing the other in two using wind chakra.
The other shinobi watching were amazed at the young blonde's skill as he dance between the chunin using only taijutsu and kenjutsu to dismantle the demon haters. "I don't like to kill but attacking another leaf shinobi is against the law and is punishable by death," Naruto said as the three others didn't listen as they tried to stab the blonde. Two made a set of hand signs and one yelled "lighting style lighting bolt," while the other said "water style water bullets." Naruto blocks the on slot with a wind wall that sent the attack to the sky.
Two clones got behind the chunin as they both were chopped in the neck. The last one looked at Naruto and started to run but Naruto got in front of him and gave him a punch to the face. The chunin got up but was cut by a kunai, dropping to the ground. The other jonin and chunin stood there stunned this kid danced through 5 chunin coming at him with the intent to kill. Jiraiya stood there and thought Minato, your kid is stunning I thought that he was a rookie and he looked as experienced as a war veteran.
"Kid good job, I knew that you were good but you looked like you were having no trouble," Jiraiya commented as Naruto nodded at the praise and the other walked away and looked at them once demon brat in a new light. Jiraiya walked with Naruto and brought him outside of the village to train. "Kid, there is more area here and so you can practice summoning here," Jiraiya explain as Naruto bit his finger and did the same thing he did before. Gamabunta was there standing in a forest when he notice the blonde boy again. "Brat, Jiraiya are you playing a joke I know the kid was getting attacked and so he sent me back but now to summon me again to make the brat look high and mighty or something," Gamabunta yelled at the toad sage as Naruto laughed.
"I summoned you and I can prove it," Naruto said as Gamabunta looked at the kid questioning the blonde. "Take ero-sannin to Mount Myoboku and I will summon both of you," Naruto explain but Gamabunta was laughing at Naruto's name for Jiraiya it was fitting. "Ok kid that is a good way to summon me and ero-sannin," Gamabunta said as Jiraiya was in a corner crying anime tears. Gamabunta latched on to Jiraiya with his tongue and reverse summoned.
Naruto summoned again and Gamabunta appeared and was surprised. "Brat I was about to kill Jiraiya if you didn't summon me but ok," Gamabunta said as Jiraiya looked pale. "So can I get your approval and summon a toad to aid in combat," Naruto asked the rust-colored toad. "Yes, kid, and also you might be able to gather natural energy and can become a sage but they will have to wait a few years." Gamabunta finished his talking as he dispelled.
"Kid I believe that you will surpass both me and your father in talent and fame," Jiraiya told the young blonde who looked ever so similar to Minato. Naruto beamed at the praise as Jiraiya asked Naruto, "Can you use the Kyubi's power." Naruto nodded as he replied "six tails before I go out of control. But all I need is to unlock the seal to gain full access. Also, the Kyubi is friendly if you count sleeping for 20 hours of the day nice."
"You befriended the Kyubi? Your joking about all of this right." "no," Naruto said and went into a six-tail mode. "What brat you got to be kidding me," Jiraiya practically screamed. "I know you have the key to Kurama's cage but I will wait a few years and can we have a spar going all out," Naruto asked to ask Jiraiya had a questioning look until it click. "Yes to the spar and is the Kyubi's name Kurama," Jiraiya asked as Naruto nodded.
"Ok kid do you want to do this at a training ground or something," Jiraiya asked As Naruto flashed Jiraiya to the training ground 27. Naruto nodded as he got into a stance while Jiraiya got into the toad fighting style. Naruto got a kunai and threw it into the air. As the kunai landed both ninjas charged at each other. Naruto went for a kick that Hirata block and try to shove the blonde away. Naruto uses the shove to get high and try to kick Jiraiya in the head. The toad sage blocked as Naruto jumped back.
Jiraiya went for a palm strike which Naruto parried and barely dodge the next kick Jiraiya sent at his hip. Jiraiya use this moment to try to push Naruto on the defensive and went for a high kick which Naruto ducked under and jumped back. Naruto use this time to throw Hiraishin kunai everywhere and Jiraiya was on high alert. The toad sage felt a chakra spike as he blocked a kick from the back and sent a kick up to the blonde's side. Naruto saw this coming as he flashes in front of Jiraiya and made a Rasengan.
Jiraiya jumped over the attack and made a set of hand signs "fire style dragon fire bullets." power fire bullets were sent at Naruto as the blonde flashed away and threw a kunai above Jiraiya. He got above the toad sage as he made a clone that threw him at the sannin. Jiraiya blocked the attack as he went to punch the blonde. Naruto ducked but Jiraiya kneed Naruto and sent him into the air as he landed. Naruto recovered and got behind Jiraiya. He made a clone that got in front of the sage as Jiraiya punch the first clone and try to elbow Naruto.
Naruto blocked as he was sent back from the power of Jiraiya. Naruto started to flash around as Jiraiya focused on the kunai scattered around the training field. As this was happening Naruto got under Jiraiya and try to grab the leg of the sannin. Jiraiya realized at the last moment and jumped. Man, this kick just like his father his kunai is so annoying that I have to get rid of them. Jiraya thought to himself as he was dodging a flurry of kicks and acrobatic movements from Naruto. Naruto got onto a handstand and buckled his arms to kick Jiraiya. The toad sage was sent back and was having difficulty adapting to Naruto's style of fighting.
"Just like Kushina so unpredictable, he is scary," Jiraiya muttered but was attacked with a flurry of kunai. Naruto made a see of hand signs that Jiraiya was very familiar with and yelled "kunai shadow clone jutsu." "Wind style great breakthrough" Naruto yelled without a hand sign showing his strong wind affinity. "Earth-style mud wall," Jiraiya yelled as the hundreds of kunai impacted the wall and Jiraiya had to block another kick from the blonde genin. I know how to get rid of the kunai that he is using but he won't get me time, no I can just use a shadow clone but he will notice let's see I guess. Jiraiya thought as he made a clone that suppressed its chakra.
The blonde didn't notice the clone as it went through a set of seals. Naruto was flashing around Jiraiya and the sannin was playing a bit of defense as he was about to counter the blonde technique. "Earth-style swamp of the underworld." the clone yelled as the clearing was made of mud that engulfed the kunai and buried Naruto. Naruto had a kunai on a tree and flashed to the tree which he was met with a strong punch. Naruto substituted as all of his kunai were underground and was met with two Jiraiya's pushing the blonde on the defensive.
Naruto jumped as he made two clones the clones battle Jiraiya and his clone as Naruto secretly threw kunai around which made it harder for the toad sage to battle. The kunai was scattered with Hiraishin kunai that the blonde flashed to and got a firm kick on Jiraiya's clone. Jiraiya was pinned as he shunshined into the clearing as Naruto got behind him with an Odama Rasengan. the intense amount of Chakra alerted Jiraiya as he made a hand sign. "Ninja art needle jizo," as the toad sage's hair grew around him and protected him from the blasted. The clearing was destroyed with a 10-meter hole to show. Jiraiya stood there as his hair went black to normal
"Dam brat you had to hit me with that." Jiraiya barked out as Naruto laughed, as he rushed back to battle Jiraiya in the creator. Both ninjas clashed as Jiraiya was going all out sending a kick that the blond catch or blocked but with enough power that the blonde couldn't keep fighting but instead had to defend. Naruto jumped back as he try to make hand signs Jiraiya was in his face. He made a punch that brought Naruto to his knee "Kid you are easily kage level I believe you deactivated your gravity seals, this is a battle I will not forget I haven't fought like that since your father was around," Jiraiya said as he dusted the blonde off and pick him up.
Hiruzen looked over the battle with some of his jonin stating beside him as they all were amazed at what kage power fighting was. "That Uzumaki I believe is lord's fourth son after the jutsu and move he used," Ibiki said as Hiruzen nodded as the room went quiet. "Kakashi is your whole team like this," Asuma joked as Kakashi nodded, Asuma looked at the copy nin as if he had grown a second head as Kakashi was also giving looked from the rest of the genin. Kakashi gave an eye smile, as he said: "It was a shock to me but after experiencing the real world getting first kills and all that they are stronger than me Naruto is the strongest."
"I wonder what he is going to do during the third round of the Chunin exam if he was going toe to toe with Jiraiya Sama and only lost to experience," Gemma asked as Hiruzen chucked "we will find out," In Hiruzen's mind he was running through options, there was an invasion that is going on with the sound and sand, I might not live as I am old and not as strong. I don't know what to think but I think my next successor is either Hatake or Tsunade. I think Tsunade would be the best if we can find her I think I will tell Jiraiya to try to track Tsunade so I can pass down the hat. I guess you can call it a win-win if I die I don't have to deal with this demon called paperwork or I can see my student as Hokage. Hiruzen chuckle at the last part but I was true as he was back to work.
One month later, Chunin exam stadium.