AN 1: Apologies about the formatting. When I checked before the upload it seemed fine. Instead of waiting the 30 min to switch to the correct formatting I decided to just delete the old/bad formatted chapter for the correct one. Enjoy!
"Well," Shibuki said with a shake of his head, "So far all four have good qualities for Chunin. Dosu and Shikamaru had level heads and knew when to fall back, while Temari showed great control over her techniques. Naruto knew not to let his opponent's opening gambit work and it could be said his reveal could be a form of psychological warfare to throw off his opponent."
"...Agreed," Hiruzen reluctantly stated, still not happy at Naruto revealing who his father was. He just knew that Onoki and Stone would be gunning for his head if for no other reason than being Minato's son, "I still think his reveal was foolish though. Minato-Kun had many enemies."
"As do most if not all Shinobi," Yūgao deadpanned, "Yourself included 'Kami no Shinobi'."
"Indeed. All shinobi who live long enough gain enemies," The Kazegake stated, "However I cannot deny I'm a little curious about the young Uzumaki just as I am proud of Temari's win though I do wish it wasn't though forfeit."
"The Third Fight will be between Zaku Abumi of Oto and Fū of Taki," Hayate called. When the two Genin stood before Hayate, Fū took a stance to allow swift mobility but brutal attacks if needed while Zaku's stance had his legs spread apart, a very slight hunch in his shoulders and arms up with his palms towards Fū while his fingers twitched as if he couldn't wait to get them around his opponent's neck. Hayate gave Zaku a small glare which the Genin ignored before saying, "Begin!"
Thrusting out his arms Zaku roared, "EXTREME DECAPITATING AIRWAVES!" A huge burst of sound and air exploded out of his palms. Fū had already shot into the air, her wings buzzing loudly.
"Missed me Mr. One Trick Pony~" Fū cackled.
Zaku gained a sinister grin, "Don't use my other moves if I don't need them bitch! Serpentine Airwaves!" Once more raising his palms, this time two cobras made entirely out of a vortex of sound and wind shot out, and coiled through the air towards her.
"Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee~" Fū cackled as powder fell from her wings which combust the moment it made contact with the cobra constructs as the pair of snakes had tried to launch themselves right through the swiftly growing cloud of powder, "Those balloons animals have nothing on me~" Zaku growled before releasing a salvo of Serpentine Airwaves. Fū just cackled as she pulled out her sai, engulfed them in wind chakra and blew out some sparkly powder which was caught in the flurry of wind around her sai. Cackling to herself while practically dancing in the air, Fū destroyed each and every sound/wind cobra.
With each cobra destroyed Zaku got more and more agitated before he once more aimed his hands and roared, "ALL PIERCING AIRWAVE DRILL!" Two swirling drills shot out of his palms before merging into a single large one which would have killed Fū if it hit her. However Fū simply let herself fall, avoiding the attack completely. This was apparently the last straw as Zaku roared, "JUST STAY STILL AND LET ME GUT YOU, YOU TREE HUGGING BITCH!"
"Is that the only insult you know?" Fū asked, "If so, you need new material Sound Board."
"THE FUCK DID YOU JUST CALL ME?!" Zaku roared now completely furious as he released drill's and cobras almost at random.
"A 'Sound Board' because you're doing nothing but making sound and boring me," Fū snarked with a smirk.
A tick mark appeared on Zaku's forehead as he reached for his pocket, pulled out two small iron balls, popped them into the pipes in his palms and took aim, "PLAY TIME'S OVER BITCH! THIS TIME YOU DIE!" As Zaku prepared his next move. Fū had dove down, and just before Zaku opened fire spat two globs of webs. Which wrapped around Zaku's hands making his eyes go wide but in his panic he was only able to cancel the attack in his right arm. Zaku screamed in pain as his left arm from the elbow down exploded and all the civilians, nobles, Fū and even some Shinobi flinched at the sight.
"Winner, Fū of Taki!" Hayate called, cursing the fact that there was nothing he could have done to prevent Zaku losing his arm while Fū landed.
"... Gross," Fū said as she watched Zaku rip the webbing off his good hand with his teeth.
Zaku was absolutely livid as he aimed his now free right hand at Fū, "I DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHAT A TREE FUCKER SAYS! THIS AIN'T OVER UNTIL YOU'RE DEAD! AIRWAVE CAN… urgh," Zaku fell on his face, his eyes blank Hayate had appeared behind the Genin and knocked him out.
"Man we get overly aggressive Genin way too often these days. Seems we can't go one Chunin Exam without a bloodthirsty dumbass," Hayate grumbled as he made a clone who used a Shunshin to get Zaku to the infirmary, "Better get back to the competitor's booth kid."
"Uhh… yeah. Good idea," Fū nodded as she began moving towards the exit before muttering, "I knew there'd be a reaction from stuffing those pipes but I didn't expect it to be that violent."
As the remains of Zaku's arms were sealed away Hiruzen shook his head, "While young Zaku showed some interesting variations of his standard move, that's all they are. Variations. Combine that with his bloodthirsty personality and I don't think he deserves to be Chunin."
"He also failed to follow orders," Shibuki said, still looking a bit green from Zaku's backfire, "No one who so blatantly ignores orders can become a Chunin let alone a Jonin."
"... agreed," The Kazekage said after a moment, his eyes narrowed.
"Honestly he never should have been a Genin," Yūgao stated with a serious expression, "He's far to unstable and could easily turn on his comrades," Shibuki and Hiruzen nodded instantly while the Kazakage's was ever so slightly reluctant.
"The fourth fight will be Hinata Hyuga against Neji Hyuga both of Konoha," Hayate called.
"I still think this was a bad idea," Yūgao stated with a small glare at Hiruzen, "Neji despises the Hyuga Main Branch with a good chunk of it aimed at Hinata-Chan. Having them fight just so there could be a high profile battle between the Heiress and the Prodigy of the Hyuga clan was foolish," Hiruzen said nothing. Yūgao had pointed all that out before however Hiruzen was positive this was the correct choice. Neji needed to see and experience that Fate did not dictate people's lives. Fate was what you made of it, and someone who was 'fated' to be weak one day could be 'fated' to rise above all problems the next with the right help.
"How did Fū protect herself from Zaku's sound?" Shibuki inquired as he scratched his chin, "Certain loud noises do tend to bother her…"
"She took some earplugs out just before exiting the arena," Hiruzen stated, "Simple yet effective," The Kazekage just nodded.
Down in the arena, Hinata was already standing in her stance while Neji was in the standard Juken stance. Neither said anything but the moment Hayate started the match the two burst into motion as they charged each other. Neji struck first with a palm thrust aimed at Hinata's heart. Hinata simply bent back to avoid the strike and after placing her hand on the ground raised her body into a handstand to deliver a devastating kick to Neji's chin. Raising him into the air slightly before she bent back down and kicked him in the gut, sending him back.
Neji snarled as he charged back in Byakugan blazing and began a rapid assault trying to close some of Hinata's Tenketsu however she just danced around his strikes and lashed out with her own faster then he could react to. However she wasn't closing any of his Tenketsu and didn't even have her Byakugan active yet which infuriated Neji, "You're just a failure! Distended to be branded and forgotten! HOW ARE YOU AVOIDING MY ATTACKS?!"
"How couldn't I when they're so obvious Cousin?" Hinata replied before backhanding away an attack while simultaneously punching Neji in the gut, "Perhaps you should try something new instead of allowing tradition to dictate your growth?"
Neji didn't respond as he took a new stance, "You are within the range of my divination. Two palms! Four Palms! Eight Palms!" As Neji unleashed a technique that was meant to be reserved for the Hyuga Main Branch making many of the Hyuga in the audience gasp in surprise. What happened next dumbfounded them as Hinata proceeded to dodge each and every shot, all without activating her Byakugan once.
"Tut tut Cousin," Hinata said with a small smile, "Using one of our families strongest moves in an attempt to harm family~"
"Shut up!" Neji snarled. Hinata simply smiled before she vanished and Neji felt a barrage of fists, palm strikes and kicks from all angels. Hinata was so quick that while Neji could see her coming he couldn't react fast enough to defend himself, "How are you so fast?!"
"Mix of hellish training, pushing myself past my limits… and Uzumaki grade training seals!" Hinata giggled before jumping back moments before Neji used another Main Branch technique.
"Rotation!" Neji roared as he spun on the spot creating a dome of chakra. When he canceled the technique he smirked at Hinata ignoring the growing bruises on his arms and legs, "See this Hinata-Sama?" Neji said, spitting her name with such venom that up in the stands his therapist clenched his fists in barely restrained furry.
"He's been lying to me… and using the normal Hyuga training to not show emotions to do it…" The Yamanaka muttered under his breath. Part of him was impressed since this Yamanaka specialized in working with Hyuga and for one so young to master emotional control to this point was impressive, infuriating, disturbing and dangerous, "And because of that I have to throw everything we've done into the trash!"
"With this Main Branch technique nothing can touch me," Neji said with a self righteous smirk.
"Didn't you hear Cousin?" Hinata said with her own smirk, "Because the Elders were found guilty of breaking Konoha and Land of Fire Laws. Father is planning to ask either Jiraiya-Sama or Naruto to not only remove the Bird Cage Seal and end the separation of the Hyuga Clan but make a new seal to protect our eyes."
Neji's eyes bulged in rage from the blatant disregard of Hyuga tradition, "This abandoning of tradition…" Neji growled his eyes ablaze with pure hatred, "It's blatant treason to the Hyuga ways! Has Hiashi-Sama gone insane? Or is he just as stupid as that failure Naruto?!"
"Say what you will Cousin," Hinata said with her cool gaze turning to a glare, "But please keep any criticism you have on how the Hyuga Clan to just that. Criticism instead of insults."
Neji's eye twitched before he leapt back to avoid a swipe from two of Hinata's wires. His dodging slowly became somewhat frantic as all eight of the wires came into play, each one striking with the precision of a master of the Juken but the speed and ferocity of the Goken, "Rotation!" Neji roared as he once more began spinning only for Hinata to smirk.
"Check and mate dear Cousin~" Hinata said before making four Shadow Clones each one quickly creating a small swirling spheres in each hand before the original Hinata pierced each orb with a wire lifting them into the air before brining all eight down on Neji's dome with a roar of "RASEN WHIP-CRACK!"
"I don't believe it," Jiraiya gasped from next to Tsunade, "She not only knows the Rasengan but was also able to fix one of its biggest flaws!"
"I'm surprised you didn't know about it," Tsunade smirked, getting Jiraiya's attention, "Everyone on Team Six knows that move. According to Tayuya, Yūgao figured it out one night and began teaching it to her team, Tauya and Karin as a Chakra Control exercise."
Jiraiya had a flabbergasted expression as he looked at the smirking Senju Princess before groaning and putting a hand over his eyes, "Great… He not only has two summoning contracts but also doesn't need me to teach him Fuinjutsu and now he knows the Rasengan! There's nothing left for me to teach him!"
"That's what you get for knowing he was alive and yet not doing your duty as Godfather," Tsunade snarked, getting a few more grumbles out of the Toad Sage.
The moment the Rasengans made contact with the Rotation there was a strange airy grinding sound as the top of the dome caved inward before the chakra making the dome detonated. When the smoke cleared Neji was barely conscious at the bottom of a crater and bleeding from several wounds all over his body.
"Winner, Hinata Hyuga. Medics!" Hayate called with two medic shinobi rushing out onto the field.
As Neji was carried to the infirmary, Yūgao sighed and placed her fingers on her forehead, "And that went almost exactly as I expected… and proved why it shouldn't have happened in the first place."
Shibuki nodded, "All that proved is Hinata is another good candidate for promotion due to keeping a cool head, and agitating her opponent so they'll be more likely to make mistakes. Neji however… that amount of hatred in one so young is very disturbing."
"Agreed," Hiruzen sighed. He was still having several flashbacks to fighting people in the second and third Shinobi Wars who hated him and Konoha with as much passion and fury as Neji did when he looked at his cousin, "Once more my decision making has proved retiring was the right if not choice."
"I'll have him removed from the Shinobi Forces until he's more stable. As well as get some input for Guy and Hiashi," Yūgao sighed, "However if there's no progress… I'll have to do something drastic. That level of hatred cannot be ignored," Shibuki, Hiruzen and the Kazekage nodded, however the Kazekage imposter was considering bringing the young Hyuga to Orochimaru. That amount of hatred could prove useful to the Snake Sage.
"I cannot believe that boy," Guy growled as he sat next to Kakashi and not to far from the Aburame and Inuzuka Clan Heads, "It's obvious he somehow tricked his therapist, and their reports that he was mentally and emotionally sound was the only reason I let my team take the exams… I knew that something was wrong but I wanted to think it was just my imagination…"
"What are you going to do about it?" Tsume asked as she looked over to the Taijutsu Master.
Kakashi sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose through his mask, "Make him train his arms off is my guess."
Guy was quiet for a couple moments before sighing, "I'm heavily considering putting in my recommendation for him to be removed from the Shinobi Forces and Chakra sealed. He is far too unstable for my liking and as we've seen is far too likely to attack Hinata when given the chance and I fear that will translate to any of the Hyuga Clan. Or at least not put his all into protecting his family members if they're on a mission together… and we do not need a second Itachi Uchiha," All the Shinobi nearby looked at Guy in shock, but none could deny his logic.
"That'll be something to speak to Hiashi and Hokage about," Shibi stated, getting a nod from Guy, Kakashi and Tsume.
In the Hyuga Clan's booth Hiashi stood up, "I will be back in a moment, Hanabi. It's time I do something I should have done years ago…" As Hiashi walked to the infirmary he sighed as his heart ached from regret. Regret for killing the Kumo Jonin that resulted in his brother's death, regret in how he treated Hinata until she joined Team Six, and regret of not giving Neji the letter his father left him, simply because it was one of if not the last things Hiashi had of his brother.
When he arrived he saw Neji awake and just staring up at the ceiling, "Neji…" Neji slowly sat up and looked at his uncle with an empty look, "It's time I give you this… long past time honestly," Hiashi then handed the letter to Neji, "Your father gave that to me shortly before he died…" Hiashi wasn't able to continue as in a blur Neji ripped the letter to pieces as he glared at Hiashi.
"If you think this… poultry letter from a dead man will change my mind or outlook on life then you prove you are as much a fool as that failure Uzumaki! Now get out of my sight, you disgrace of a Hyuga!" Silence filled the room as the Medics, Dosu and Hiashi were stunned. Zaku was still unconscious for the moment for fear of him becoming violent should he be woken up.
After a few moments Hiashi's eyes grew cold as ice as he glared at his nephew, "The only disgrace of a Hyuga in this room is you Neji. Believe me when I say there will be consequences to that statement," The next instant Neji was put into a death like state as Hiashi poked the pressure point on his neck, "Keep him like this until I or the Hokage say so. He is not to be awakened or removed from his bed for any reason, am I understood?"
"Yes Hiashi-Sama!" The Medics said in unison before quickly moving in to set up an IV as Hiashi left the room.
"...Is he that stupid or just suicidal?" Dosu inquired, asking the question all the Medics were currently wondering. As Hiashi walked back to his seat a single tear ran down his face as he added one more regret to his life. The day he lost his nephew to the dark abyss of hatred. When he arrived Hanabi could tell something was wrong but instead of saying something she just hugged his side and was slightly surprised when he put an arm around her. Though if it was to give her or himself comfort she had no idea.
"The fifth match will be Shino Aburame against Rock Lee both of Konoha," Hayate called moments before a green blur shot out of the competitor's booth with a loud cheer. The blur then zoomed to stand next to Hayate that revealed itself to be Lee who began a pre match warm up stretch.
Shino chuckled as he quickly made his way out of the booth after nodding to his friends and getting a peck on his cheek from Hinata. He knew Lee was looking forward to this since he didn't get a chance to fight in the prelims. A small grin crossed his lips as he cricked his neck ready for the upcoming fight. Just before he entered the arena he glanced at his bracelet and gave a satisfied nod. He'd worked hard to prepare for today and now was the time to show that the Aburame Clan had evolved even if only by a single step.
When he arrived he gave Lee a small nod as he adjusted his glasses, before standing ready for the fight. Lee was already in his stance with one hand at the small of his back and the other outstretched, "Are you two ready?" Hayate asked, getting nods from both fighters, "Then Begin!"
Lee leapt back and the moment his foot hit the ground he shot forward twice as fast. Jumping in the air he attempted a flying kick with a bellow of, "Dynamic Entry!"
Shino ducked under the kick as a swarm of insects began shooting out of his sleeves. More and joined the swarm as they circled around the Aburame Heir to the point even Lee was frozen in shock as the few times Team Guy worked with an Aburame he'd never seen with this many Kikaichu, "Secret Technique: Earth Chitin Armor; One Hundred Percent!" More and more Kikaichu appeared and completely blocked Shino from view. Slowly more and more of Shino came into view as his swarm covered more and more of him. By the time the last Earth Element Kikaichu took its spot Shino was completely unrecognizable as he now looked like a humanoid wingless grasshopper or locust. Dark forest green chitin plates separated by black chitin over the joins that allowed unrestricted movement.
He looked like he was wearing black leathery boots and acid green gloves. Along the back of his arms were silvery blades that gleamed in the sun. A red compound crystal covered his eyes and a natural gas mask covered his mouth, nose and jaw. Flexing his fingers Shino looked at Lee and in a voice that was distorted by a slight buzzing said, "Sorry for the wait Lee. I'm still working on how quickly I can use the one hundred percent version of this technique."
Lee gained a wide grin as he bit his thumb before blitzing through hand signs making some Fuinjutsu tattoos on his arms begin to glow, "Well if you're bringing out such a surprise so early I shall do the same! Summoning Jutsu!" There was a burst of smoke and a large dog sized tortoise with light green skin, a sky blue shell with red stripes and black eyes appeared. As they looked around taking in their surroundings with interest all the Shinobi could see the jagged scar over their right eye.
"Finally showing us off huh kid?" The tortoise asked in a gruff masculine voice, "Bout time. Was getting bored with only helping you train in secret."
"Yes Shun-Sensei! I am finally showing off the hours of hard work in this match against Shino-San!" Lee shouted with glee as Shun looked at their opponent and if he had eyebrows he would have raised one.
"... The hell kind of insects do you have access to Aburame?"
"Ones that feed primarily off Earth Chakra and have therefore adapted to the element," Shino replied neutrally, "Along with more agile ones who feed off my Wind Chakra."
"New strains huh? Bout damn time!" Shun chuckled as he began channeling Chakra, "Your Clan's barely changed in the last hundred years. Gets really dull for someone long lived like me. Show us what you got Brat!" Shun then spat out several fireballs with Lee running in right behind them.
Much to the audience's surprise Shino charged towards the fireballs and with a barrage of punches destroyed each one before bringing up his arms to block Lee's spin kick, the blades having retracted to prevent unnecessary damage. Shino then pushed Lee back before going through the same hand signs Lee did as blood slowly leaked past the chitin, "Summoning Jutsu!"
After a burst of smoke a dark green averaged sized male peacock appeared and instantly flapped his wings to block a Water Jutsu from Shun, "Right into a fight eh Shino?" The Peacock asked with a rapid chirping chuckle as he spread out his large tail making Lee pause from the amount of eyes looking at him, "Good. Been to long since I've been in a real fight."
"Thank you Houdini. Please deal with Lee's Summon," Shino stated
Houdini nodded with a gleam in his eyes, "And you've finally gotten that technique mastered…" Houdini had to jump back and release wind blades to counter Shun's next Water Jutsu as the Tortoise retracted his legs with fire shooting out of them letting the reptile take to the air "Impressive. Just as you are Tortoise," Houdini then took to the air and began spinning as he attempted to put the Tortoise in a Genjutsu. The resulting fight between the summons dazzled the onlookers as he began an aerial fight for dominance. The Shun using Fire and Water Jutsu while Houdini used Gen and Wind Jutsu.
Lee grinned as the fight went from a one vs one to a two vs two, "Impressive Shino-Kun! I was unaware you also possessed a Summoning Contract! As such since neither of us can gain an advantage in that way let us show the brightness of our youthful flames!"
"If you mean show off the results of our hard work and training then I agree," Shino stated before charging moving just as quickly as Lee had much to the onlooker's surprise and engaging the green clad Genin in Taijutsu.
Up in the stands, Guy watched the match with interest, "I must admit. I was not expecting Young Shino to engage Lee in Taijutsu. In fact he may be the first Aburame to be this skilled in hand to hand."
"Indeed," Shibi nodded, "His and Naruto's discovery on creating Elemental Kikaichu has helped remove one of the Aburame's most devastating and well known weaknesses. A hard enough blow to our body can damage our hive. The Earth Chitin Armor is durable enough to lessen if not negate most damage from what testing we've done so far. Of course Lightning Jutsu are still a weakness but there is no such thing as a truly impregnable shield."
"And yet Lee doesn't look that bothered," Tsume noticed, "Kids already at a good mastery over the Goken. I'd reckon he could smash most kinds of stone in only a few blows and yet the Chitin Armor isn't showing any damage," The Inzuzuka Clan Head then gave a feral grin to Shibi, "Have to admit I'm impressed. Shame Kiba wasn't able to show off his training in the Prelims or Finals thanks to that Zaku brat but I must admit that Shino is putting on one hell of a show. You should feel proud Shibi. Shino is a credit to his Pack!"
Shibi nodded and allowed those near him to see the proud smile on his normally stoic face, "Indeed I am, just as I am proud of all the members of the next generation. Each of them have grown exponentially since they were in the Academy."
Down in the arena Lee and Shino were beginning to quicken their paces, as the two slowly became blurs to all but the Elite Chunin and above and showing off some impressive attacks such as Shino bringing up stone spikes by slamming a fist to the earth while simultaneously dodging a fast and powerful spin kick that sent out a small shockwave of air. Or Lee smashing each spike to pieces as he bounced from spike to spike increasing his momentum before releasing a spinning axe kick which if Shino didn't dodge would have buried him in the ground if the large creator was anything to go by. As the two fought Shun and Hudini were putting on their own show as they fought for dominance and air control.
In fact both fights were caught in deadlock with one side unable to gain an advantage over the other and just as Shino's and Lee's fists met the force the blow creating a shockwave, Shun launched a powerful burst of steaming hot water just as Houdini let loose with a powerful swirling gust of wind similar to the one Temari had released earlier. When the two Jutsu met they created a huge explosion pushing the two summons back just as Shino and Lee leapt away from each other, the summons landing near their partners, all four panting for breath.
"Humm," Shun grunted in annoyance despite his small smile, as he ignored all the scrapes and bursts on his exposed skin "Sorry kid but I gotta go back. Any longer and I fear for what some of my students will do in their boredom."
"I must return as well Shino," Houdini panted as he glanced back at some of his damaged tail feathers before wincing as he took some weight off his right leg, "Already been in this fight longer then I'd prefer."
"That is fine Shun-Sensei. Thank you for all you've done," Lee stated with a nod as sweat rolled down his face even as blood slowly dripped off his hands from all the heavy blows he landed and blocked.
"Indeed. Thank you for all your assistance Houdini," Shino replied. He might not be injured due to the armor however keeping the Chitin Armor up for so long was starting to really tax his Chakra even after all of Yugao's training. With a nod both summons vanished in bursts of smoke, "We both seem to be nearing our limits," Shino stated as the two Genin just stood there for a few moments as they caught their breath.
"Indeed," Lee nodded. He could open some of the Eight Gates however he knew that in his current state the chances were high he'd just cause more damage to himself then his opponent
On Shino's left wrist some of the Chitin pulled back revealing his bracelet and much to everyone's surprise unsealed a long leather whip. Lee cocked his head to the side confused as a low buzzing could be heard from Shino. Then, like something right out of a nightmare Kikaichu crawled out of his armor each one gleaming in the sun as they crawled and flew towards the whip quickly covering the entire thing, "Secret Technique: Wind Chitin Whip."
Lee looked at the whip as he considered his options. He knew enough about the Wind Kikaichu to know that those blades were incredibly sharp and Shino had effectively turned his weapon into a ten foot sword. Lee did have his bo staff, tanfa and few other weapons he'd gotten from Tenten sealed in his belt; his instincts were telling him that nothing he had was a good counter to Shino's weapon. He was almost tempted to push past his limits with the Gates before he remembered something Might Guy said the week before, "Lee. I know you want to prove to everyone that you have what it takes to beat the odds and win the tournament. However, knowing when to fight is sometimes more important than knowing how to fight," That was something that had been proven correct during Dosu's and Shikamaru's fights.
Lee stood still for a moment before his shoulders and raised a hand, "Proctor I forfeit. At present continuing this fight would do me no good as I do not have the raw power to get past Shino-Kun's armor and whip without risking doing grave damage to myself."
As Hayate called, "Winner by forfeit, Shino Aburame!" Might Guy had the biggest, proudest grin his friends had seen on him in a while at how Lee had surprisingly chosen to step back and let Shino continue to the next round. Guy just knew that this choice would give Lee good odds on becoming Chunin. Just as Shino's showing a unique mastery of his Kikaichu and Taijutsu.
Author's Notes:
Why was Zaku so similar to Bakugo from My Hero Academia… because in many ways they ARE similar. Only one has on demand explosions and became a better person [eventually] while the other is basically just there to show that Oto is full of assholes… though now I do want to see those two brawl just so I can sit back with Nezu and Class 1-A/B to watch while eating popcorn.
Now why is Hiruzen still making stupid mistakes? Even though he's not under a Genjutsu anymore he was under a very powerful one for over a decade. That will leave some remaining habits in how he thinks even if he doesn't realize it.
Now for Shino's 100% Chitin armor… it's basically Kamen Rider Shin who's literally a humanoid grasshopper or locust monster
Shun was named by EnvoyofKairos after Wong Shun Leong
