Rock Lee had been let out from the hospital, albeit with crutches, and now he and his sensei, Might Guy were going to watch the final matches of the Chunin Exams. The two Chunin at the entrance looked happy to see them.
"Welcome back, Guy, you two should head in, the next match is about to start," said one of the chunin.
"Yosh! Thank you, how did the first rounds go?" asked Guy.
"The first few rounds have finished, Sasuke Uchiha has been disqualified due to him not arriving on time, so now Gaara moves on to the next match," answered the Chunin.
"I see," said Guy, with a hand on his chin, 'I didn't expect my rival's habits to fall on his students.'
"What about Neji and Naruto's match?" asked Lee, his curiosity eating at him.
"Now that one was interesting, Naruto beat the Hyuga without getting injured, to be honest, my money was on the Hyuga," answered the Chunin as both looked shocked.
"How?" asked Guy, he knew his student was powerful, but for Naruto to beat him without injury.
"From what I hear, he used a plan, some ninjutsu, and elemental ninjutsu," answered the Chunin.
"Neji lost?" asked Lee as his shock turned into happiness, " I see, well done, Naruto."
"But if Neji lost and Sasuke got disqualified, then Naruto fights Gaara next?" asked Lee, as the Chunin nodded.
"Yep, but if the kid could beat the Hyuga prodigy of all people and with how well he did that, he may stand a good chance," said the Chunin, as Gai nodded.
"I see, let's go, Lee, I am interested to see how Naruto would fight Gaara," said Might Guy, as he and his crippled apprentice began to move to watch the fight.
-In the Arena-
Naruto and Gaara stared at each other, both ready for the match to start, as Genma looked between both of them, and the crowd's anticipation grew, with every second.
"Wait! Wait! Before we start, I have to tell Gaara, something," said Naruto, as he walked up to the confused redhead.
"What do you think Naruto has to tell him?" asked Ino to Sakura, who shrugged.
"Probably to give up," said Sakura, as their attention went back to the match.
Naruto, then whispered something in Gaara's ear which widened the eyes of the redhead as Naruto walked back to his spot, and turned to face his opponent, Gaara started to smile, a smile that chilled his siblings to their bones, as when they do see that smile, they see the horrific deaths of those that would dare to challenge their younger sibling.
"Mother wants your blood more than the Uchiha, you will prove my existence," said Gaara, as Naruto returned the smile.
"I hope that you don't make this too boring," said Naruto, as the both of them started to release chakra. Naruto knew it wasn't wise to show his entire reserves so just released enough chakra to match Gaara, which cracked and damaged the floor around them, and surprised the exam proctor who looked at both of them, amazed.
'So much chakra, I can even feel it bearing down on me,' thought Genma.
"Those two have some of the largest reserves I have ever felt," said the Commander, as everyone once again turned to him.
"How large?" asked the Inuzuka.
"Larger than even the Lord Hokage," said the Commander, as everyone turned towards both of them amazed.
"I hope you don't expect me to go easy on you," said Naruto, to which Gaara raised a brow.
"Please, I wouldn't want you to," said Gaara, as Genma raised his hand.
But suddenly the leaves swirled around until they dispersed and standing there were Kakashi Hatake, and Sasuke Uchiha back to back. Sasuke was dressed in a black jumpsuit with a high collar, with his left hands and shins bandaged with small black belts over them, he was dressed in elbow protectors, and his hair was slightly longer as he and Kakashi stood back to back.
"Sorry are we late?" asked Kakashi, as everyone looked at them unimpressed.
"Damn, right you're late!" said Genma, as he looked at both of them annoyed, "Sasuke Uchiha had been disqualified from the finals."
"Maa maa, We can get Sasuke's match- what did you just say?" asked Kakashi as both of them looked dumbfounded.
"How could I have been disqualified?" asked Sasuke, shocked.
"He did not arrive in time for his match, and after a speech from the Commander of the Anbu Black Ops, the Hokage decided to disqualify him," said Genma, as Kakashi nodded in understanding.
"Then, who is Gaara's opponent?" asked Kakashi, as Genma pointed behind both of them, to Naruto, who had his arms folded and looked at both of them, unimpressed.
"Naruto?!" shouted the two, as Naruto nodded.
"Yeah, and you two go away, me and Gaara's match is about to start," said Naruto.
"Wait a second, you beat Neji?" asked Kakashi, shocked.
"yes, you weren't expecting that, were you sensei?" asked Naruto, with a smirk.
'This is bad, I was sure that Sasuke would get an exception, I didn't believe that he would disqualified, I spent the last few weeks training Sasuke the Chidori to battle Gaara's sand defense, I didn't believe that Naruto would even make it past the first round, I should have taken the time to train Naruto as well, but I believed that he would lose against Neji, he would learn a valuable lesson about how you can't win every fight, but now he's going against Gaara and he has no jutsu that can penetrate Gaara's defense, he might die and it would be my fault,' thought Kakashi.
"Sasuke, you okay?" asked Naruto, as Sasuke got his usual stony expression on his face.
"I wanted to test my strength against Gaara, but it seems that won't happen anymore," said Sasuke, as he glared at Kakashi, clearly showing who he believed was responsible, as Kakashi looked deep in thought.
"Any tips?" asked Naruto, as Sasuke smirked at him.
"Simple, don't lose," said Sasuke, as he walked away, Naruto sighed before nodding at Sasuke's retreating form.
"Naruto," said Kakashi, seriously.
"Yes, sensei?" asked Naruto.
"I'll admit that you surprised me by beating Neji and that you are full of surprises, I am impressed and proud that you made it this far, but listen it would be best that you drop out," said Kakashi, as Naruto grew shocked, "I should have trained you as well but I've spent the last two weeks training Sasuke for Gaara, the training I put him through was designed to battle against Gaara, I don't know what Ebisu taught you but I don't believe it would be enough against him, please listen to me and drop out."
Naruto thought about it for a second and then realized that he couldn't, he was the one of the few who truly knew what Gaara was, and he was the only one who could currently stop him, he had the jutsu and the knowledge to stop him if he doesn't stop him here, he will go on to kill so many, and that is why Naruto must stop him, and if what Jiraiya told him was right, he could truly use his tailed beast. He was a bit angry at Kakashi for not believing in him and then dumping him with another teacher but Sasuke Kakashi's perspective needed it, and he wasn't saying this because he didn't believe in Naruto, just didn't want him to get injured or killed.
"I can't, sensei," said Naruto as he looked at Kakashi, as the usually hyperactive boy spoke quietly rather than his usual loud style of speaking, "I know what he is, and I am the only one who can stop him, I know you don't want me to get hurt like Lee, but if I don't stop him, he will go onto kill so many people and hurt even more people, he must be stopped whatever the cost, and I need to know that I am right in my beliefs."
This wasn't the answer he was expecting, an explosive tirade but an actual reason why he had to fight him, whatever training he did in that one month of training changed him, but he was as determined as ever.
"Sorry Kakashi, I'm going to have to ask you to leave," said Genma.
"Okay, but remember Naruto, there is no shame in giving up, especially against such a powerful opponent," said Kakashi, as he disappeared in what was a body flicker.
-viewing box-
Sasuke and Shikamaru watched as the two opponents stared each other down before Sasuke decided to make a decision.
"Hey, where are you going?" asked Shikamaru, as Sasuke looked back at him.
"I want to know what type of training Naruto has done this past month," said Sasuke, as Shikamaru looked at him before sighing.
"This will be a drag," said Shikamaru as he followed Sasuke.
-Stadium Stands-
Guy and Lee had finally made it to the Stands and were now standing with Asuma and Kurenai as the match was about to begin, one could even feel the excitement of the crowd as few had expected Naruto to get past the first round and were excited to see if he had any more tricks that could work against this guy.
But then Kakashi appeared in clearly a body flicker behind them, making his way over to the Jounin
"Hey Guy, long time no see," he greeted the Jounin with his infamous eye smile.
"My eternal rival! I am sorry to hear that Sasuke got disqualified but you must feel great pride in Naruto for getting to the finals!" exclaimed Guy as Kakashi nodded.
"Yep, Naruto really surprised me," said Kakashi before he noticed that Sakura was there as well, "oh Sakura, sorry for not contacting you for a while."
Ino then glared at him.
'Sakura most likely is pissed at him,' thought Ino before Sakura shook her head.
"It's okay, sensei, however, Sasuke's mark, is it?" asked Sakura as Kakashi shook his head.
"It's under control, don't worry Sakura," assured Kakashi as Sakura took a breath of relief. Sasuke and Shikamaru then arrived and Ino suddenly got very excited at the sight of her favorite crush.
"Sasuke-kun!" shouted Ino, with joy, while Sakura just looked worried at her teammate.
"So, Naruto won against Neji, how did he accomplish that?" asked Kakashi, as Asuma and Kurenai walked up to him.
"I wanted to ask you, that, Asuma knows but he isn't telling me, he even bet on Naruto against Neji, exactly what did you train him in this last month?" asked Kurenai, as Kakashi narrowed his eyes.
"I didn't do anything with Naruto, I left him with Ebisu to work on his chakra control for the month," answered Kakashi, as Gai and Kurenai's eyes widened while Asuma just smirked.
"What? You didn't train Naruto this past month?" asked Sakura, as her sensei nodded.
"It's true, Kakashi has been with me the past month, I haven't even seen Naruto till today," answered Sasuke.
"Kakashi, no offense to Ebisu, but there's no way he could get Naruto to this level so quickly, you must have done something," said Kurenai.
"Yes my eternal rival, while my old teammate is a great teacher, he couldn't have gotten Naruto to his level that quickly, and you should have taught both of them, even if one of your students had a challenging opponent," lectured Guy, as Kakashi sighed.
"Yes, yes, I can see the error in my judgment, but I thought that Naruto would lose against Neji and learn a valuable lesson, I may have just doomed Naruto," said Kakashi, as he lowered his head.
"Don't worry, Kakashi, I'm sure, Naruto will put out another rabbit and beat Gaara," said Asuma, as the match began.
"The semi-final round of the Chunin Exams between Naruto Uzumaki and Gaara of the Sand!" exclaimed Genma, as he raised his hand "Ready," as Naruto raised his hand and Gaara's sand began to leak through the ground.
"Begin!" shouted Genma, as Naruto threw a shuriken before going through hand signs.
"Shuriken shadow clone jutsu!" shouted Naruto, as the shuriken multiplied into hundreds.
"Where did Naruto learn that jutsu?" asked Kakashi, a bit surprised.
"That's not all," said Asuma, as they continued to spectate the match.
Gaara looked unimpressed as he formed a wall of sand that blocked the shuriken, and Naruto did a hand sign and summoned 4 shadow clones, before going through another few hand signs.
"Fire style: dragon flame bombs!" shouted Naruto, as he released powerful flames that rushed at Gaara, who formed a barrier all around himself to protect himself from the flames, as the flames surrounded the barrier, essentially trapping Gaara in the barrier.
"Fire style?!" asked Kakashi, shocked, "he could barely tree climb, how in the world did he learn that fire justu?"
"What's so special about that jutsu?" asked Sasuke, as were the rest of the Genin.
"The dragon flame bombs jutsu can turn opponents to ash in seconds upon contact, it has two forms, a dragon made of the flames produced, or giant flames that rush and coil around an enemy that traps an opponent in a vortex, only a few can do it as it requires," explained Asuma, as everyone looked back at Naruto, shocked, who continued to produce the powerful flames.
'This doesn't appear to be the work of Ebisu, so who trained you, Naruto?' thought Kakashi
"How did he learn that jutsu?" asked Sakura, as Naruto suddenly stopped and the barrier appeared to be extremely hot, as Naruto's clones and Naruto went through hand signs.
"Water style: raging waves!" shouted Naruto, as he and his clones spewed water from his mouth in a waterfall-like fashion that cooled the barrier down.
"Water style, as well?" asked Sakura.
"What is he trying to do?" asked Ino, as Kakashi's eyes widened.
"Simple, when sand is heated, it begins to change properties, and once cooled it becomes glass, that cannot be controlled like sand and is much easier to break," answered Kakashi, as Naruto and his clones stopped spewing water and the barrier did appear to now be made of glass, naruto then threw kunai at the barrier, which upon closer inspection, one could find explosive tags hanging from them, which exploded.
Gaara then got sent flying as a clone jumped up to Gaara, who was still too disoriented to react, wielding two kunai to which Kakashi's eyes widened, as he noticed that they seemed to be focusing on something
"Wind style as well?!" asked Kakashi, shocked and amazed.
"What do you mean, sensei?" asked Sasuke.
"He's channeling wind chakra into his kunai," answered a voice as they noticed that Commander was sitting next to Kiba and Hinata.
"Anbu Commander-sama, you've been here the entire time?" asked Kakashi, as Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the figure.
"You are the one responsible for me being disqualified?" asked Sasuke, a bit angry.
"You, yourself are responsible for getting disqualified, I did not believe that you were that deserving of extra privileges when we would not give anyone else the same privilege," answered the Commander, as Sasuke gritted his teeth angrily.
"I see," said Kakashi, as the clone stabbed the two kunai, straight into Gaara's shoulders, and used the kunai to throw him into the ground, creating a cratter.
"Did I just see that?" asked Kiba, as everyone looked shocked.
"Indeed you did, Naruto broke through Gaara's ultimate defense using sheer force and seemingly defeated him," answered the Commander, as the smoke cleared revealing Gaara on the floor Naruto walked up angrily and decided to beat him.
"You're like a punching bag!" shouted Naruto, as he began to punch Gaara again and again, creating a larger and larger crater, scaring the few in the know about who his parents were, as it clearly showed who Naruto got his personality from. Kakashi suddenly started sweating as he could see the form of Lady Kushina Uzumaki in Naruto, as he had seen this anger many times in her.
"Yep, definitely the son of Kushina Uzumaki," said Kakashi, under his breath but the Jounin and the Genin all heard him.
"Who?" asked Ino, as the Jounin's eyes widened.
"A dead hidden Leaf Jounin whose skill earned her the title 'the red-hot Habanero', she is one of the most powerful Kunoichi to ever come out of the village, and it seems Naruto Uzumaki's mother, you should do your research on her, but if that is true, then your Sensei should have started the boy on Fuinjutsu soon after he came under his care," answered the Commander, which confused the Genin.
"Why, Naruto's kind of an idiot, why teach him a complex art like sealing?" asked Sakura, as the Commander turned towards the Genin who were all looking at him.
"I will speak of this later with the Hokage, but what do you know about the land of Whirlpools?" asked the Commander.
"They were our allies but were destroyed," answered Sakura to which the Commander nodded.
"That is true, but in the Land of Whirlpools existed the village hidden by the Whirlpools, which was made of a prestigious Clan that rivaled the Uchiha and the Senju known as the Uzumaki," said the Commander as the Genin's eyes widened.
"They mustn't have been that great," said Sasuke, "if they got wiped out."
"The same could be said for the Uchiha, especially since they got wiped out by a teenager," replied the Commander, as Sasuke attempted to glare at him.
"How dare you-" said Sasuke.
"And the Uzumaki didn't get wiped out
"What is this? my blood? It's my blood!" shouted Gaara as a barrier formed around Gaara, forming a cocoon.
"Shit, it seems that Gaara has forgotten about the plan," said Temari as she noticed that there seemed to be sand floating through the air, in the form of an eye.
"The plan went wrong when that brat actually injured Gaara," replied Kankuro
Naruto just stood there, cautious, as much as he would like to attack, he didn't know what would happen when suddenly screams started to erupt from inside the sand barrier. Naruto then turned towards Genma who shrugged his shoulders and slowly approached the cacoon but suddenly it started to dissolve as the screams stopped.
Naruto then saw Gaara but then he noticed that he looked different, his face and body were covered by sand that had blue marks all over it, and his face looked more like a tanui.
"What is Gaara?" asked Kiba, as they all watched horrified.
"How is Naruto even supposed to beat that?" asked Sakura.
"We shall see," said the Commander.
Gaara's sand claw rushed towards Naruto who in his shock was thrown into the wall painfully, as a small piece of blood came out of his mouth, Naruto looked up at Gaara annoyed.
"Okay, no more mister nice guy," said Naruto as he got up and went through another few hand signs, before swiping the blood away and going through hand signs, and placing his hand on the ground.
"Ninja art: summoning jutsu!" shouted Naruto as smoke appeared and out came Gamikichi who smiled at the kid.
"Hey kid, got any snacks?" asked Gamakichi as Naruto looked confused at seeing him.
"Gamakichi, what are you doing here?" asked Naruto.
"Eww, a toad!" shouted Ino, as the more experienced knew the implications of the summoning while the younger were shocked at the sight of the toad, and Kakashi just felt relieved.
"Interesting," said Shino.
"So troublesome," said Shikamaru.
"Did Naruto summon him?" asked Sasuke, 'is this his power?'
"So Jiraiya-sama trained Naruto," said Kakashi.
"Who?" asked Sakura.
"One of the legendary Sannin, the toad sage of Mount Myaboku who was trained by the Third, himself, was one of the most powerful shinobi in the Hidden Leaf village and trained the Fourth Hokage, and both were infamous for using toad summons," answered Kakashi, as the Genin's eyes widened.
"Why would one of the Legendary Sannin train someone like Naruto?" asked Ino, as Kakashi shrugged.
'If a Sannin could do this with Naruto, I must find a Sannin to train me,' thought Sasuke.
"Gamakichi, stop him!" shouted Naruto, as he pointed towards the creature to which Gamakichi jumped on Naruto's head.
"Water style: liquid bullets!" shouted Gamakichi continuously releasing orb-shaped water projectiles that hit Gaara and kept Gaara at bay, as the sand became harder to control, and keeping him away from the two.
"lightning style: 4 pillar trap!" shouted Naruto.
4 large rock pillars came out of the ground surrounding the one-tail Jinchuriki from 4 sides, which then started shooting lightning at Gaara who let out a scream of pain, as Naruto went through another few hand signs.
"Earth style: mud fall!" shouted Naruto, as a portal opened a portal and out came mud which landed on Gaara completely covering him and keeping him trapped, his screams were drowned out, "lightning style: 16 pillar trap!" More pillars came out of the ground and formed what seemed to be an oven-like structure, but Naruto didn't seem done yet as he went through another few hand signs
"Fire style: biscuit firing jutsu!" shouted Naruto as flames started in the oven.
"He knows lightning style as well?" asked Sakura.
"That is extremely impressive, he combined lightning, earth, and fire styles to defeat his opponent, that shows a lot of skill for someone so young," said the Commander, as the flames stopped, and the oven-like structure started to form cracks before it was finally destroyed, revealing the shape of Gaara trapped in the earthen substance.
"He won!" shouted the group as cheers started once again, but Naruto started to breathe in and out, he was tired, he had used several jutsu to defeat Gaara, but then he noticed that the hardened mud started to crack.
'What does it take to beat this guy?' thought Naruto, as it exploded outwards, creating humongous amounts of smoke, that filled the arena.
"What is going on in there?" asked Sakura, as the smoke cleared.
"I can't see," said Kiba, but the Commander kept staring.
"Well, well, the event truly begins," said the Commander, as everyone looked shocked, as a giant tanuki made of sand appeared.
"One tails," said Naruto.
"No one has ever brought me to this state before, congratulations, Naruto Uzumaki, now die," said the Tanuki with Gaara's voice, as it moved its hands, in a squeezing position, sand then surrounded Naruto who looked shocked as the sand surrounded him while Gamakichi jumped off. Genma tried to stop him but was blocked by a wall of sand as were many.
"Sasuke, use the Chidori," said Kakashi as he and Sasuke both used the lightning-style jutsu, desperately trying to get to their student/teammate, but the sand absorbed the jutsu without much impact, as Gai tried to punch it and the other Jounin attempted to help in their ways, but themselves found it difficult as the Sand stopped it.
Sarutobi realized what was happening and quickly threw his hat and robes away, revealing his battle armor, he and Raido both jumped out of the platform but were met by a wall of sand, as they tried to get to Naruto, while the 'Kazekage' attention was captured by the giant monstrosity in the village.
'Damn it, the one tails brat has completely ruined my plan,' thought 'Kazekage'.
"Ninja art: summoning jutsu!" shouted a voice from the sand as smoke filled the arena, and standing opposite the giant Tanuki, was the infamous, Gamabunta, the chief of the Toad summons, and on top of his head, stood Naruto Uzumaki.
"Did Naruto summon that?" asked Sakura, amazed.
"Is this his true power?" asked Asuma.
"His springtime of youth is truly some of the greatest," said Guy, as everyone watched on amazed.
"So this is Naruto's true power," said the Commander.
"Gamabunta, the chief of the toads," said Kakashi, understanding the implications of this.
"Not you again," said Gamabunta annoyed, as he looked forward and found someone he didn't like.
"Shukaku the Sand Spirit," said Gamabunta.
"Gamabunta, fight with me, would ya? I'm counting on you, boss!" exclaimed Naruto.
'Naruto Uzumaki, he amuses me to no end,' thought Gaara as he watched on. Gamabunta then released a smoke as he thought about it.
"Nope!" said the Toad, as everyone looked confused.
"Ah, I forgot to mention that Gamabunta was a difficult summon to command," answered Kakashi.
"Huh, why? You said you'd make me your minion last time, a boss is someone who is supposed to help out an underling when he's in trouble, ain't he?" asked Naruto, as he hit the head of his toad, "That's what the way of your family, isn't it?"
"For sure, I said I'd make you my minnion, but I ain't even exchange Sake with you, yet," said the Toad, as Naruto looked shocked.
"But I'm not even 20 years old yet, I can't even drink Sake," replied Naruto as Gamakichi jumped on his head.
"Now, don't be sayin' that, and listen to the fellow, would ya!" exclaimed Gamakichi, "I was saved by him, pops!"
"Gamakichi, why are you here?" asked Gamabunta, as Naruto just looked shocked.
"I was bored, so I came out to play but never mind that that guy tried to bully me 'round!" said Gamakichi.
"Say what?!" exclaimed Gamabunta.
"Tell you what, kid, I'll recognize you as my minion! And I show you the way of my family!" shouted Gamabunta.
"Huh, huh, you're father and son?" asked Naruto.
"That's right," exclaimed Gamakichi.
"It's payback time, you, hoodlum!" shouted Gamabunta.
"Get him out of the village!" shouted Naruto, as Gamabunta nodded and jumped away with the monstrosity chasing behind them, after the Toad and the monstrosity was gone, feathers started to fall in the stadium, leading to many falling asleep.
"Genjutsu!" shouted Kakashi.
"Release!" said multiple voices.
'The operation has begun!' thought the Sand Shinobi, all at once.
AN: Hope you like this chapter.