yo chapter 27 enjoy
The first match of the preliminary round is Sasuke vs Yoroi.
Naruto and his fellow Anbu quickly realized the victor of the fight.
If the curse mark on Sasuke's shoulder weren't sealed, they wouldn't be sure who would come out on top.
The next match was between sound ninjas Abumi vs Shino.
Their match ended with Abumi blowing his arms off, thanks to shino plugging air holes in his palms.
The third match is Tsurugai vs. kankuro. Konkaro won that match.
Match four was Sakura vs. Ino. Their game was quickly the most pitiful of the lot.
Naruto and the Anbu members can feel the tension rolling off the female members.
"Kunoichi like these give the rest of us a bad name!" Kukiko said a little too loudly, getting nods from all around.
Good thing Kukiko was wearing her mask, preventing everyone from seeing her blush.
Sakura and Ino heard this mini-rant. They both put their headband on their forehead.
Everyone deduced they were finally going to take it up a notch.
Sakura managed to pull ahead, taking victory from Ino and winning her preliminary match.
The fifth match was Tenten vs. Temari. Unfortunately for Tenten, it was a heavily one-sided battle resulting in Tenten's defeat.
Match six is Shikamaru vs. the sound ninja tsuchi. This one showed there is more to the lazy exterior that is Shikamaru.
Many high-ranking Konoha ninjas are quick to take mental notes on this match.
The sixth match is Kiba vs. Z, and everyone has paid great attention since he was the son of the Raikage.
The two stood across from each other, waiting for the proctor to start that match.
"If you care about your dog, I suggest you forfeit the match, kiba!" Z shouts
"As if!"
"Fine, have it your way."
Z quickly overwhelmed Kiba with his magnet release. Kiba did his best but ultimately forfeited his match.
The reason being Z, with his magnet release, used kunai and shuriken as a shield against kiba attack.
Especially when it came to Akamaru, he didn't want his little buddy to get injured coming into contact with bladed ninja tools.
The seventh match was Neji vs. Hinata Hyuga. This one put everyone on the edge who knew of the friction between the two branches of the family.
The two took their respective stances on the Hyuga taijutsu.
With each strike, Neji gradually shut down her chakra network.
But Hinata needed to make it easier for him. It was clear but the subtle sight of shortness of breath. An observation only a skilled ninja can see.
Unfortunately for rookie Hinata, all that training under Naruto wasn't enough; she collapsed to her knees as Neji came in for another strike.
She mentally prepared for the worst, but it never came. Looking at Neji again, he stopped short of striking one of her chakra points.
"Proctor, I forfeit my match!" She said,
Seeing Neji's hand still out, she grabs it only to get pulled up. Using him as support, they met with their squads on the catwalk.
She glances towards Naruto only to get small but noticeable thumbs up only she could see.
The eighth match is Gaara vs. Lee.
"Try not to kill the boy, Shukaku!" Kurama spat.
"Accidents happened!" That was all he got in response.
"If you value your life, give up now!" Gaara stated.
In typical Lee fashion, he refused. Unfortunately, his fight pushed him to open the inner gates.
He ended his assault on gaara by opening the five gates and smashing gaara against the ground, leaving a massive creator.
Soon impact with his body pushed him to its limits, and the five gates he opened closed.
He looks to gaara, who, unfortunately, is still conscious after all the damage he took.
He slowly stands up, looking down at Lee, who is still on the ground, struggling to move.
"This is your final chance. Give up now, or you'll die!"
He steeled his resolve, not one to give up, trying to get back on his feet.
"LEE!" Lee looks to the source to see his sensei.
Gai nods no. Lee's eyes shift to Kitsune, who backs up Gai with a nod telling him to stand down.
"I forfeit the match," Lee said.
A few medical ninjas run to him, putting him on a stretcher and checking his injuries.
During this time, gaara reformed his gord reclaiming the sand that failed to keep up with Lee's speed.
This display of behavior shocked his siblings and sensei.
His siblings mentally give other thanks to the Anbu agent for helping their brother.
"Damn, the fact he put his body through that much strain is impressive considering who he went off against," Diedara said.
"Agreed" Kukiko added.
"So any new jutsu ideas kitsune?" Haku asked.
"No, surprisingly, Gaara's is his alone. As for Lee, unless I dedicate all my time to mastering taijutsu like him and Gai, it could seriously hurt me if I go beyond the first gate." He gets nods from his squad, and Anbu listens in on them.
He would have continued, but they were interrupted by the start of the next match.
Choji vs Karui. This match ended with Karui nearly cutting Choji's head off with her lightning-infused weapons. Choji forfeited his game, wanting to keep his head.
The next match was Dosu vs Omoi. He followed his squad mate's footsteps and shocked Dosu into submission thanks to the metal gauntlet on his arm.
With the preliminary matches over, the finalists for the third exam are finally decided.
Hiruzen answered their questions, especially the possibility they could all become chunin and none of them at all.
The first match decided is Sakura vs Karui. Sakura looked dejected, unsure how she would fare against a kumo ninja.
The second match is between Neji vs Z. The two sent the other a competitive smirk.
The third match decided is between Temari and Shikamaru. She sent him a smug look, and he replied with disinterest.
The fourth match is between Shino and Sai. He glances at the big boy only to see his usual stoic face.
The fifth match is between Sasuke and Gaara. They send each other a glance.
The sixth match is between Konkuro and Omoi. konkuro expression was of concern since he was facing a genin who uses lightning nature.
With the matches decided, the 12 genin were dismissed to spend the next month preparing themselves.
All anbu viewing the preliminaries, head to their next objective, searching for survivors.
Naruto senses a fait chakra presence. They land on the ground next to a dead bear.
He sees the gruesome sight of two dead grass genin. A glance at their body shows deep claw marks on them.
He hears rustling in the bushes, and following the noise, he finds a girl curled up with fear in her eyes.
She is about the same age as Natsu, with blood-red hair and glasses.
She froze up, seeing Konoha Anbu standing before her.
"Relax, we're not going to hurt you! We're tasked to find survivors of the second exam." Natsu crouched down beside her, holding his hand out to her.
She reluctantly took it carefully, being pulled to her feet. He handed her a food pill to help her regain her strength.
"Thank you, Anbu sir!"
"No problem, hold on to me, and I will be out of the forest before you know it. What's your name?
He usually wouldn't bother asking names, but this girl had the same red hair color as his mother.
"Karin, Karin Uzumaki!" She couldn't see it but felt the four Anbu freeze briefly, only to trade glances.
"Guys, continue looking for survivors. I'll handle the rest from here." The three nodded before moving on.
He looked Karin in the eyes, causing her to get a little scared.
"I'm sorry, but we must meet the Hokage first." She didn't have a chance to respond before disappearing in a flash, landing in front of the third Hokage at his tower in the village.
"Why have you brought one of the failed applicants here, Kitsune?"
"Tell him what you told me." He said calmly, hoping not to scare her.
"My name is Karin Uzumaki, sir!" For the first time in a long time, Hiruzen is shocked.
"Interesting. What of your squadmates? Are they still alive?"
"No, sir, I'm the only one left."
"Any family back home?"
"No sir," she said again, thoroughly confused.
Hiruzen and Natsu traded glances before the Hokage nodded.
"I really shouldn't be doing this, but what you told us changes things."
Karin's mind starts going to worth thinking she will be tortured to death for information or experimented on.
Her imagination was running wild to the point she was having trouble standing.
"Ahem" gets her attention to the Anbu with the kitsune mask.
"My code name is Kitsune, but my real name is Naruto Uzumaki!" He put extra emphasis on his last name.
All the previous crazy ideas going through Karin's head came crashing down at Hearing her last name from someone else.
Then joy started welling up in her knowing she does have long-lost relatives out there, and one of them was standing right in front of her.
Without hesitation, she jumped and brought Naruto into a bone-crushing hug, happy to find a family member.
Naruto returned the hug, happy to add another member to his family.
Once she let go, he removed his mask, revealing his spiky blonde hair and sending her a smirk.
Kage and subordinates picked her brains for the next hour, wanting to know her family history.
Unfortunately, it lined up with the destruction of Uzushiogakure.
Just then, his squad mates showed up, landing from the rafters.
"So what's the deal, Naruto?" His sister asked, only bothering with his code name and mask on.
"Well, until she gets settled, mind letting her stay with Kukiko?" She took off her mask.
"Sure, but it looks like she needs more than just a place to stay."
"Let me get into my off-duty gear and continue from there. He shunshinned out of sight.
"Same for, and I'll show you to my place Karin." Kukiko followed her brother's example, disappearing out of sight.
The brother-sister pair opened the Hokage office door inviting Karin to join them.
"Hey, wait for us!" Deidira and Haku joined them now that work for the day was over.
Hiruzen smirked at this seeing how much Naruto had changed since leaving the academy.
Especially old enemies turned friends and squad mates and finding a member of the Uzumaki clan.
The new group of five filled up the seats at Ichiraku Ramen, with Karin sitting next to her cousin.
Karin just finished her second bowl, while Naruto is on his third. The other still needs to spend.
"She's Naruto's cousin, alright," they mentally said as Karin started progressing on her third.
"This ramen is so good. Nothing comes close to it from back at the village!" The father and daughter ramen shared a proud smirk from the praise of another customer.
Add onto the fact she had long lost a relative of their favorite customer Naruto.
Naruto paid Karin for meals before, unfortunately, parting ways as it was getting late.
After a good night's sleep, Naruto put his anbu gear on, heading to the Hokage tower.
He soon met up with his squad, waiting on the Hokage orders.
He started off the briefing by informing everyone of Orochimaru showing his hand. Hiruzen glanced at his squad, and they nodded in response.
"Ok, everyone, we have reason to believe Orochimaru and his allies will make their move during the third exam. I have informed the Raikage of this development, and he has agreed to hide to keep his arrival secret."
One anbu raises his hand, wanting to know more. "With kumo genin in the village. Wouldn't Orochimaru deduce that the Raikage would be attending the final exam?"
"A valid concern and I voiced this to A. He's taken precautions to keep his involvement a secret from our enemies." That simple question and statement silenced any concern.
"Starting one week before the final exam, most of the anbu forces will be holding a military occupation of the village. If Orochimaru wants to take down Konoha, he will have to pry victory from our cold hard hands!"
Everyone in attendance let out a cheer all around. "One final thing I want everyone to prepare themselves for a difficult battle. You are all dismissed!" With those words, everyone took off.
The only ones left are Naruto and his squad, the step forward kneeling before the Hokage.
"Your squad has the most unique skill set. You will be invaluable in the coming battle. Owl, I want you to be our eyes in the sky that day."
"It would be my honor, lord Hokage." He said with a smirk backed up by his squad mates.
"Dismissed!" And they were off.
With over a month to prepare, Naruto decided to check on the participants of the third exam.
He started his observation with kumo genin. They all worked their jutsu like usual.
Z especially caught his attention. He used his magnet release to perfect his control over his kunai and shuriken.
The genin in question is in the lotus position having his ninja gear fly circles around him.
Only for them to suddenly change direction on the fly, coupled with shuriken flying around his forming a barrier.
Then he sees something that blows him away. Z is controlling the rocks and dirt in the ground.
He does the same exercise with them and his kunai and shuriken.
"The earth is much harder to control in the land of fire, Samui sensei!"
"To be expected with little rocky terrain."
Seeing enough, he checks on Karui and Omoi wanting to see their training.
He finds the two close by doing standard sparring practice.
The next on his list are suna siblings, only to see them lying around like it's no big deal.
"Must be pretty confident in their skills if they aren't training."
"They may have entered the exam partnering with Orochimaru Naruto. And after helping Gaara, they're not sure what to do." His father informed.
"Agreed," Kurama added.
Next on his list are Shino and Shikamaru, both working with their squads. From what he can see, they're working on their stamina.
The last three on his list is the kakashi squad. Sai is sparring with his brother.
He doesn't need to check to know Sasuke is training with kakashi. The last on his list is Sakura. He sees her depressed form on the bench by the academy.
Feeling pity, he changes into his off-duty gear, sitting beside her.
"So, what's going on in Sakura?"
"Hi, Naruto."
"What's wrong with you? You made it to the third exam. You should be happy!" He knew what was wrong but wanted her to admit it.
Looking him in the eyes with a frown. "I'm the weakest member of my squad and the 12 participating in the third exam. Sasuke and Sai are out training, and I'm just sitting here." She said in defeat.
Suddenly remembering the help He gave her squad in the forest of death, she steeled her resolve.
"Naruto?"
"Yeah."
"Can you teach me that jutsu you used to heal us?"
"No, unfortunately. Like Sasuke Sharingan, it's a jutsu only I can use." Sakura's frown grew in size after hearing this.
"If you want to be able to heal your squadmates, you want to learn medical ninjutsu."
Sakura gave him a questioning look, never hearing of medical jutsu before.
"I don't know all the details, but you use your chakra to heal not only your injuries and your squad mates.
"Do you know anyone who could teach it then?"
"I suppose I can introduce you to someone, but that will have to wait till after the third exam."
"Ok then"
"I suppose I can find a training partner for you to prepare for the third exam." He said with a sigh.
Sakura's depression is replaced with shock before a smile forms.
"Who would it be?"
"Wait here while I go get her." He suddenly disappeared.
Sakura waited patiently for Naruto's return. As quickly as he left, he landed a girl with long white hair and Mitch-matched eyes before her.
"Sakura kukiko, kukiko sakura. She needs someone to train with for the third exam. Do you mind," he said with a sheepish look.
She gave her brother a sideway glance before letting out a sigh of her own.
"Fine"
"Yes!" Naruto and Sakura shout mentally.
"But I'm not going to go easy on you, understand Sakura!"
"I expect nothing less!" Naruto is silently hoping Sakura doesn't join Yukino groups because of this.
"No sitting around now. We have the training to do!" Kukiko grabbed Sakura's hand, dragging her off to a training field.
"I just hope kukiko doesn't do anything too extreme with Sakura" He quickly changes into his anbu gear, heading off to his patrol.
Within two hours, he finished his patrol meeting with his cousin, only to run into his friend Deidara.
They are walking through the village when Deidara hears his name—the three look to the source.
It's an Iwa ninja. He is either a chunin or jonin going off his vest.
Naruto trades looks with Karin. He heads off on her own, not wanting to get involved.
They relocate themselves to a nearby tea shop.
Naruto and Deidara sit on one side, and Iwa Ninja on the other.
"What's your name?
"The names Takene and yours?" He looked Naruto in the eyes waiting for an answer.
"Naruto!" He informs
"I see you all subtly wanting to check on me!"
"Last thing we want to cause conflict between our nations."
"Well, you can see I'm doing fine in Konoha. By the way, Naruto is the one who freed me from the shackles of Iwa."
Takenes' eyes went wide as Naruto sent him a smirk.
"Not to mention, Konoha doesn't stifle my creativity. Not to mention the hokage likes my art!"
Takene took a nervous gulp hearing this. Deidara and Naruto manage to stifle their chuckles at the cocktail of emotion swirling around in Takene's head.
"It would be embarrassing to send you home so soon, so why don't you stick around for a little bit, Takene!" Deidara said
"You're more than welcome to stay the night," Naruto added. Feeling eyes on him, Takene looks behind him to see several Konoha ninjas eyeing him down with smirks of their own.
"It is a long journey back home. I suppose I can stay one night here."
"I know just the place!" Naruto took the lead, taking him to an inn near where many jonin live.
"I'm sure if there is anything you need, Takene, the many jonin in the area would love to lend you a helping hand," Deidara said gently before leaving with Naruto.
Takene did another nervous gulp as he checked into the inn for the night.
Little did he know two village anbu members were outside his room all night.
"Did you see the look on his face, Naruto!" Deidara told the rest of his squad sitting at ichiraku ramen.
"It was made even better after it sank in Jiji like your art," Naruto said from his seat next to his sister, unable to stop laughing.
"I wish I had a camera while we were having tea. Everyone would get a massive kick out of it."
"Lucky, I wish I could have been there!" Kukiko said.
"Indeed," Haku added.
"So kukiko, how's Sakura on the first day of serious training?"
"I have my work cut out for me. But she is determined. With only a month to train, it's hard to say how far she can go."
They all finished one more bowl before calling it a night.
Bonus section
Naruto stands at the memorial stone with Kakashi, thinking about his squad mates.
With his unique clone jutsu, his father is standing by.
The young blood lays a bouquet before giving a small prayer.
"Wish mom was here, but I've pushed my luck far enough to bring you back, Dad."
"I know, son." He said, giving a prayer of his own.
that is for this chapter reason I didn't delete the author, not chapter 27
I didn't want to delete it, giving all of you false hopes
because, for whatever reason, FFN decided to let everyone know the story is updated when you REMOVE a chapter
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