I don't own Naruto or any of its characters, I'm just a fan I enjoyed the anime but I love the fanfics even more, they made me fall for the whole franchise.

Chapter 57

The preliminary rounds were a test of strength, will, and sanity. Temari of Suna won against her opponent who just like her teammate was full of boast and had no skills. The match that followed was between Choji Akimichi and Hinata Hyūga. The robust boy could not fight her with his lacking conviction and with one tenkentsu blocked the boy was for all intent defenseless.

The match that followed was the puppeteer from Suna vs the final member of the sound team and the match ended with the puppet user victorious.

The final match between tenten and somebody from Kabuto's team ended with them both disqualified somehow. Tenten almost pierced the Hokage twice with her random projectiles and the guy kept running close to the Hokage as a way to stop the girl from throwing things at him. Somebody should tell Tenten that throwing random things at people was not a ninja art.

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"A round of applause for our finalists. Naruto Uzumaki, Shino Aburama, Sasuke Uchiha, Rock Lee, Shikamaru Nara, Temari of Suna, Hinata Hyūga, Kankuro of Suna, and Gara of Suna." Some were clapping here and there mostly from the senseis in the Konoha section and the Hokage.

"The Final rounds are to be held in a month. Hokage-Sama will now explain how the next phase will commence." Gekkō Hayate bowed to the Hokage who stood from his seated position and addressed the audience.

"You have all shown great skill and judgment in these exams, as the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf village I am proud of my village genin. I am sure the Kazekage too would be very proud of his." Hiruzen cleared his old man throat and continued.

"The final exam will not be a tournament round." Almost everybody looked at the Hokage in shock, and the old man smirked. "The next phase will be a free for all knockout match located at a designated arena that will be revealed to you on said day." The genins heading to the next round looked at each other, a 9-man free for all death match.

Gara liked the thought of a blood bath, he would get to kill them all in one go. Gara was happy about these circumstances. The rest of the genins were in their own emotional state that they hid well.

"A 9-man free for all match, with team 7, team Suna as well as Shino Aburama of team 8, Rock Lee of team 9, and Shikamaru Nara of team 10." The Hokage smiled with pride, his eyes lingering on Naruto for longer than the rest of the genin and Sasuke wondered what interests the Hokage could have for the dobe.

"Train hard, plan carefully, and execute with precision because this year Konoha will be hosting the second 5 Kage summit!" Hiruzen's voice broadened and became louder as he spoke his Jōnin standing straighter at attention.

"Every Kage of the elemental Nations as well as their Daimyo will be in attendance to watch your performances. When you step in the arena stand proud, stand strong, and stay grounded, follow your Ninja way until the end." Hiruzen paused building up some kind of suspense making Naruto roll his eyes. Naruto Uzumaki gave the performance a straight zero out of ten.

"LET THE WILL OF FIRE BURN IN ALL OUR SOULS!" Hiruzen bellowed before placing his Hokage hat on his head and turning on his heel walking outside the arena with Anko and Gekkō Hayate following suit.

"He is so dramatic." Naruto was the first to break the silence in the room saying something insulting about his own Kage in a certain context. Baki rounded up his genin and together they left. Hinata kept an eye on Orochimaru's signature as he left the room looking like he belonged.

"Great Job and congratulations to all of you for making it to the final stages of the exams. Naruto-Kun, I hope everything is okay with Ino." Itachi began addressing his genin, Guy took Lee and Tenten away probably to check up on Neji with Lee being pushed on a wheelchair by his female teammate to give his torn muscles time to heal.

Asuma Sarutobi was in another corner of the arena speaking to both Shikamaru and Choji. Kurenai Yūi took a depressed-looking Sakura and an emotionless Shino to the infirmary to check up on Kiba and give their condolences for his loss.

"Just some personal things." Naruto replied softly getting a nod from Itachi and a grunt from Sasuke. Hinata did rub his back soothingly making him smile a little.

"Sasuke." Team 7 stood straighter because of the tone Itachi used, Sasuke looked even scared. "We have many things to discuss and we will do it today." Itachi commanded black eyes staring into Sasuke's soul. The young Uchiha nodded begrudgingly.

"For today, Naruto-Kun and Hinata-Chan you are free, tomorrow meet me at training ground 3 at 9 am sharp." At Itachi's words, Naruto nodded and looked to Hinata, a big grin making it to his face before he grabbed her hand abruptly and ran to the exit with her in tow kicking the closed door to escape the arena.

Itachi looked at his little brother who found a little patch of blood on the floor very interesting.

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Naruto and Hinata made quick work of the forest of death on their way back to the village, they found themselves outside the forest an hour later. From there the two best friends walked leisurely back to the village finding themselves in a park-like clearing.

"A-are you okay Naruto-Kun?" Hinata asked her Golden blonde best friend who smiled softly before raising his left hand and patting Hinata on the head.

"I was just thinking." Naruto informed but Hinata stopped in her tracks and stared at his retreating presence making the Uzumaki stop and look back at her before realizing his answer was not good enough. "About Akamaru and Kiba." Naruto added to his earlier words with a sigh.

"I am not going anywhere Naruto-Kun." Hinata told him, understanding where his emotions were going but Naruto shook his head.

"We can't know that." Was his soft-spoken response. Hinata sighed, walked up to Naruto, and placed a hand on his cheek.

"The Naruto Uzumaki I know fears nothing in the world." She conveyed to the Golden blonde Uzumaki. Naruto looked her in the eyes, then moved closer to wrap her into a hug with his hands wrapped around her lower back bringing her very close to him. The Hyūga heiress got on her toes and hugged him back arms wrapped around his neck.

"You are wrong, I do fear something." Naruto admitted in a whisper and Hinata felt his emotions ring with so much hate at the thought of what he feared most that she thought she heard the fox sealed in her best friend laughing.

"I fear losing you." When Hinata heard those words her eyes widened at remembering something, the warning the Kyuubi gave to her.

'WHEN I KILL YOU, I WILL BREAK HIM' Those were the fox's words to her. He wanted to do to Naruto the same thing the one-tailed Tanuki was doing to Gara. Hinata hugged him even closer to hide her fears of one day being unable to recognize Naruto if he came under the fox's influence.

'If I were to die by his hands, he will never forgive himself, or the fox.' Hinata gritted her teeth in frustration wondering why her Naruto-Kun can never catch a break. It was always one problem after the other, Why would the fourth Hokage place such a burden on the little boy, only to die in the process and leave Naruto stuck with the consequences?

"As long as you are around I know I will always be safe." She said with all the determination in the world shaking all the stray thoughts from her head.

"Because my best friend is the strongest person I know, I fall in love with him every day and I will always be by his side no matter what." Hinata finished with conviction. She spoke those words to both Naruto and the Fox. To reassure the blonde and to tell the fox he wasn't so fearful that she would run away and leave her first friend.

"You promise you won't ever leave me?" Naruto asked. His voice sounded emotional again making Hinata sigh, she moved her hands to his cheeks and pulled. Naruto complained asking why she would do that, he felt like he was one person short of precious people in his life which now left him with 1, his most treasured person.

"She does not hate you." Hinata informed the blonde who sniffed. She lovingly rubbed his whiskered cheeks smiling at him when she felt her words had the bonus of calming him down. Hinata wanted to do couple things with him but this is what she was worried about. Naruto was still sore about Ino.

"How about Ichiraku? my treat." Hinata offered and the blonde immediately had stars in his eyes. Hinata giggled at his reaction to her words able to feel his emotions. The two secret lovers released each other and began their walk to the village once more when…

"Hinata-Sama." The genins stopped walking and looked up to who called the Hyūga heiress. It was Kō, a Chunin of Konoha and recently Hinata's guide throughout the village.

"Hiashi-Sama seeks an audience with you." Kō Hyūga informed looking at Naruto strangely. Kō did not like the Uzumaki nor the Uchiha, he could not stand the two boys. Especially Naruto Uzumaki who he had to begrudgingly admit is a good influence on Hinata. The results spoke for themselves and that made him dislike the blonde even more.

"I will bring her home later today." Naruto said taking Hinata's hand in his making Kō look at the hand holding Hinata's and frown.

"Hinata-Sama is the heiress of the proud Hyūga clan, she has spent a total of 6 days outside her clan grounds, and although understandably she was in the Chunin exams the first day was spent at your place Uzumaki-San." Kō revealed and Hinata looked to Naruto who felt frustrated, he did not want to let go of her hand.

"I will be home later Kō-Kun." Hinata said making Naruto's eyes widen before he swerved his head in her direction locking eyes with her black ones. Hinata squeezed his hand reassuringly smiling at him. "I just promised this big baby I would buy him lunch." Hinata said this to Kō but her eyes were locked on Naruto's the whole time just smiling softly at him.

"Hinata-Sama, it is important!" Kō exclaimed but Hinata was having none of that, it's not like she had a choice because Naruto's emotions blossomed into a bonfire at her words punching her in the face and leaving the blind girl disoriented.

"Hinata-Sama!!!" Kō shouted after his charge who was swept off her feet and carried bridal style by the blonde menace as they both laughed in glee and joy running away from him.

"The Hyūga elders will not be happy about this, I should have started by saying we have important guests who wanted to meet her." Kō muttered to himself before sighing and walking off to report to his clan head.

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Itachi sat on a chair in the living room of his parent's house, on the chair facing him was Sasuke Uchiha who has made it his lifelong mission to not make eye contact.

"How are my two cute babies doing today?" Mikoto Uchiha said walking into the room with a serving of warm cups of tea. She placed one in front of Itachi and another in front of Sasuke all the while smiling.

"Fine mother." Itachi replied, Sasuke was quiet as a mute so Mikoto assumed Itachi was replying for the both of them.

"How did your exams go Sasuke dear?" Mikoto asked her son and Sasuke looked at his mother. Feeling like he was being judged by the eyes he felt staring a hole into the side of his head courtesy of Itachi.

"It was okay, I made it to the finals." Sasuke revealed causing his mother to squeal in delight clapping her hand a few times in excitement.

"That's wonderful dear, what about your teammates Naruto-Kun and Hinata-Chan?" Sasuke simply nodded making her smile widen even more. The mother of two looked at Itachi and ruffled his hair causing the man to frown prominently not liking it one bit.

"Look at you, big bad Itachi Uchiha can teach too." The mother of the two Uchiha prodigies laughed joyously before she suddenly got serious narrowing her eyes at her two boys.

"What is going on here?" Mikoto asked looking to Sasuke who grabbed his tea and began drinking making himself busy. "Itachi-Kun?" She looked to her eldest to explain. Itachi sighed, the news would spread anyway there is no way his mother would not hear about it.

"Sasuke killed Inuzuka Kiba's pup Akamaru during the preliminary rounds." Itachi revealed and Sasuke bared his teeth in anger, nobody caught the act because of the porcelain cup in front of his mouth.

"He must have had a good reason, it was a mistake right?" Mikoto asked her youngest, looking to him to say that it was an accident, that he had no choice, and that he was caught between a rock and a hard place but Sasuke wouldn't make eye contact causing her to dread that there was no reasoning behind the kill, which would make it cold-blooded murder.

"Sasuke has a crush mother." Itachi revealed making Sasuke do a spit take and Mikoto's eyes widen but she couldn't bring herself to be happy by the news because if this crush had him killing dogs then it was not reciprocated.

"Itachi!" Sasuke shouted when he saw Itachi opening his mouth to reveal more to their mother, it was not Itachi's place to reveal his private life.

"Shut up Sasuke." Both Mikoto and Sasuke's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets at the words and tone to leave Itachi's mouth when addressing Sasuke, it was a first. Mikoto was first to understand why Itachi behaved like this, he was disappointed at his baby brother who he loved tremendously.

"He has a crush on his teammate Hinata Hyūga, I noticed this on their third year of the academy on the day they all went to a bakery." Itachi continued explaining to his mother the situation so she too could understand what exactly drove Sasuke to make the decisions he did.

"You did follow me that day!" Sasuke shouted abruptly standing up with righteous anger aimed at his older brother.

"I said shut up……and sit down." Itachi was angry and it was not hidden, his eyes spoke of a fury unlike any other. Itachi hated violence, especially reasonless violence and Sasuke killing Akamaru was exactly that, especially knowing he could have still won the duel without resorting to such measures.

Sasuke sat back down with eyes wide and looking scared. Itachi was very pissed at him, and when he told him to shut up right now his eyes flashed red. Sasuke remembered those eyes in wave country, he also remembered the proud gaze those same eyes gave Naruto when he spied on Zabuza and Gatō.

The young Uchiha dove back into memory lane. He remembered how the people of wave praised Naruto Uzumaki, he remembered how Hinata called the blonde her night in shining armor. He remembered how Kabuto talked about the blonde when reading about him in his info cards, praise after praise. Sasuke remembered how in Neji's eyes Sasuke was unlike them because he has never experienced loss, he remembered how Naruto said his shit was above Sasuke's pay grade.

"Hn." Sasuke grunted at that last part not even listening as Itachi told all his private business to his mother. How his mother looked at him in horror when it was revealed he ended the dog's life with a kick that snapped his neck like a twig.

"All of this for the Hyūga girl's affections?" Mikoto asked with Itachi nodding his head before taking his cup and taking a sip of his warm tea.

"Sasuke-kun, you should know no girl will fall for you if you go around killing defenseless animals." Mikoto began addressing her youngest who frowned before replying that Akamaru was a ninja hound and that he fought smart not hard.

"Why do you like this Hyūga girl so much?" Mikoto asked, as a mother she was trying to understand her son's motives because she clearly would not settle for Sasuke just felt like it. She did not want to have a Madara Uchiha in her home because that story ended with one brother stealing another brother's eyes for greater power.

Sasuke kept quiet not willing to talk and because of that Mikoto Uchiha decide to get to the bottom of it herself.

"You will invite your teammates tomorrow for dinner here." Mikoto revealed and Sasuke's eyes widened even more. "I wanted to meet Naruto-Kun and Hinata-Chan for the longest time anyway." Sasuke opened his mouth but one look from Itachi had him shutting up and nodding.

"Itachi dear, make sure he is the one offering the invitation." Mikoto told her eldest who nodded still quite upset with his little bro's stunt in the exams.

"Well then. Sasuke, go call your father in his study. Dinner will be arriving soon and inform him we will be having your friends over tomorrow." Mikoto had a look on her face now that Sasuke found he did not like it. The look told him there was only one answer to her command and Sasuke should be smart enough to know it.

"Yes, mother." Sasuke said standing up

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"I can't believe I lost again." Naruto whined but he still had the biggest shit-eating grin on his face. Hinata had a bounce in her step due to coming out victorious in their little eating competition to the death as the blonde liked to announce it.

"I will always be here if you want to try again." Hinata revealed with a boast in her tone that Naruto liked to hear very much.

"JUST YOU WAIT I WILL WIN MY RIVAL!" Naruto proclaimed as Lee did to Neji in their fight. The blonde had a newfound respect for the genin with a deformation in his chakra coils. Hinata giggled at her best friend's words and behavior.

The two genin were in the Ichiraku's ramen establishment for hours. When they walked out it was already nightfall and Naruto was looking like a lost puppy the entire time. The Uzumaki didn't want Hinata to go home, he wanted to ask her to stay the night again but Kō's words from earlier were the only thing stopping him from asking her.

"If you want, I can sneak out of the compound at night." Hinata began, already realizing her precious person's emotional dilemma. "We can have a sleepover again." Hinata revealed and Naruto smiled even broader.

"Hey Hime." He said softly to her and when she turned around to face him he stepped forward until he had his face only inches from hers, if they moved even a little their noses would touch. "C-can I break my promise." He asked softly, Hinata knew what he wanted and she honestly wanted it too. Hinata nodded with a small smile and a blush on her cheeks.

Naruto gulped when his Hime nodded and made eye contact, for the first time since she became blind she succeeded in looking him straight in the eyes and Naruto was lost a second later in those charcoal irises. The blonde moved in and their noses touched before their lips met in the middle and they sealed the night with a kiss tasting the ramen in each other's mouths.

Naruto placed his hands on Hinata's waist with Hinata placed hers around his neck. The two members of team 7 were quick to move into an alley, their kisses becoming more and more passionate by the second. Hinata felt a wall against her back before she felt Naruto's hand roam upwards until they were mere inches away from her breasts. The Hyūga's heart rate increased anticipating the touch as she deepened the kiss. Tongues now coming into play, then...

"I hope I am not disturbing." Hinata and Naruto jumped at the voice with them in the quiet alley of Konoha and looked at the owner with wide eyes. Naruto's first thought when he saw the older boy was that he had never seen him before.

The boy could have been 15 to 16 at best, he has pale skin, shaggy white hair, attractive facial features, and six magatama designs tattooed on his collarbones to resemble a necklace. He kept his eyelids closed so they could not identify his eye features.

He wore clothing consisting of a white, high-collared kimono with a black obi, over which he wears a pale green sash tied at the right shoulder. On the back of his kimono is a family emblem of a yellow crest depicting a sun enclosed in a crescent moon. Beneath his robes, he wears black fingerless gloves, long black pants, and black shinobi sandals.

"It is nice to finally meet you Byakugan princess." The white-haired teenager said smiling. Naruto glared at the man who looked at his love interest funny, plus he just ruined a very nice moment for him. Hinata looked at the signature in front of her in confusion wondering why the person in front of her was hating on Naruto Uzumaki so fiercely.

"Who are you?" She asked, Naruto of course very overprotective wrapped a hand around her shoulders. Hinata sighed but smiled anyway shaking her head, she was still a blushing mess because of what they were not doing a second ago.

"How rude of me, My name is Toneri Ōtsutsuki. A guest of the Hyūga clan." The boy said smiling which Naruto saw, but Hinata did not, she only felt jealousy coming from the boy all aimed at Naruto.

Authors notes...

Yep canon fucked already... hey guys we are done with prelims blame a certain reviewer for the times lip but really I just want to expand the story some other things are not worth the hustle. And honestly Choji but especially Tenten are the definition of canon fodders. I don't hate or like them they just are.

If I will one day have an arc were they stand tall I will do something for them... Choji will of course have more screen time due to his relations with Shikamaru and Ino.

Tenten will really be left in a dustbin somewhere if my plans for Lee and Neji don't work or spoilersssss she might just be the next to kick the bucket... I'm kidding lol or not

Enjoy