Naruto: Journal of Hope

After the second half of the Chunin Exams Naruto is passed over by Kakashi to train Sasuke. Angry, he storms out and runs far away to an almost forgotten place. There he stumbles across a journal, written by his mother and holding the secrets of his lineage. Inspired by his parents' love, hope and dreams, he decides to become the Ninja his parents believed he could be.

A/N After a quick reread of the Manga, I realized that Gai was not present for Neji's match beforehand and only appeared when Sasuke arrived. And seeing as I wrote in Gai earlier, I went back and edited chapter 10. Sorry everyone and please enjoy the following chapter.

Chapter XI: Disqualified!

The announcement that Naruto Uzumaki had just won the first match against the Prodigy Neji Hyuga had a variety of reactions. Most of course were stunned, especially those that had bet against the Uzumaki. Then some had betted for him, as they cheered loudly. But among the first to cheer were those that knew him, such as Sakura and Kiba as they cheered loudly, followed shortly by the rest of the crowd.

"Yay! Naruto won!" Sakura herself was cheering loudly for her teammate, while Ino stared silently in disbelief.

"Unbelievable…I didn't think he could pull it off…" Ino muttered as Sakura just smiled.

"Yeah, Naruto has a way of surprising you," Sakura said as she looked amongst the crowd cheering for Naruto.

"Way to go Naruto!" Kiba shouted amongst the crowd, while Hinata smiled brightly at her crush.

"Thank goodness," Hinata said as she felt relief and joy that her crush had won against her cousin.

"Hard to believe the kid won," Izumo said as he and Kotetsu clapped for the kid. "I guess he isn't what we thought he was after all," he said as Kotetsu nodded.

"Yeah…but you know this means we'll be on gate duty, right?" Kotetsu said as they both stared at each other and then hung their heads. Sakura looked at Naruto and the crowd cheering his name as she felt jealous.

'Naruto…you're getting stronger and stronger every day…' She thought as she thought about all the times Naruto stood up for himself and how much he progressed since they graduated from the academy, and compared it to herself. Naruto had been growing stronger while she felt she had stagnated. And now after this massive growth in only a month, she felt even more stagnated.

'Honestly… I'm a little jealous…' she admitted to herself as Ino looked over at her.

"You okay Sakura?" she asked as Sakura snapped from her train of thought and nodded.

"I'm fine Ino," she said as she went back to staring at her teammate. Meanwhile, Shikamaru groaned as he was in the viewing box with the others.

"Oh man, I can't believe he won. I thought Naruto was a lazy-ass type like me?" Shikamaru complained as Shino shook his head.

"Lazy-ass type? Somehow I don't think you and Naruto were ever the same," Shino said as he stared at the Uzumaki. "He always proclaimed he would become Hokage, that doesn't come from being a Lazy type. And seeing the progress he made in only a month…I think we can agree he works harder than anyone…" he said as Shikamaru sighed.

"Yeah, suppose you're right…this just puts greater expectations on the rest of us…what a drag…" Shikamaru complained.

"I have to admit, I didn't see that coming," Asuma said as Kurenai looked on. "Who would've thought Kakashi's student would win against the Hyuga Prodigy, and Naruto of all people?"

"It was surprising, to say the least, but how did he get so strong with only a month?" Kurenai asked as Asuma shrugged.

"No clue, something we need to ask Kakashi about. But, will it be enough to promote him?" he asked as Kurenai crossed his arms.

"To be honest, I'm not sure. He's changed a lot in the last month, that's for sure. His tactics and Ninjutsu arsenal have improved and he wasn't as reckless as he was against Kiba. However, this is only the first round and so far he hasn't proven he's Chunin Material yet. We'll just have to see when he faces either Sasuke or Gaara…if Sasuke shows up," she said as Asuma nodded. Meanwhile, Hiashi looked at his nephew and knew what he had to do.

"Father?" Hanabi asked as the man stood up.

"Forgive me, but I must go see Neji. I will return shortly," he said and left.

Naruto looked up at the crowds as he saw the many people cheering his name. He felt a sense of pride in the fact that he had won and that all his hard work was being acknowledged. But he knew that this was just a small step in the long path to becoming the Hokage. He looked up and saw Hinata as he smiled and waved directly at her. She let out a small eep but waved back while Kiba grinned at her. But then she looked between Naruto and Neji and felt bad for her cousin. Naruto saw this and understood. Despite what Neji had done, Hinata still felt bad for him. Naruto then walked over as he grabbed Neji and picked him up, resting his arm over his shoulder.

"Why…why are you?" he asked as Naruto gestured to the stand.

"Hinata…she cares about you, even though you were a jerk to her…" Naruto said as Neji looked up to the crowd to see the concerned look on her face. "Hinata told me about her family, that even though they're cold she cares about them deeply, even if they don't. So remember that the next time you act like a jerk. Besides, you may have been my opponent today, you're still a Shinobi of the Hidden Leaf. So we have to help each other…" Naruto said as he carried Neji over to the Medical Ninja on the way.

"...You are a strange one…Uzumaki…" Neji said as Naruto nodded.

"That I am, that I am…" Naruto said as he lay Neji on the stretcher. Sarutobi smiled as he saw the comradery that Naruto showed to his defeated opponent.

'Naruto…you have truly grown as a Shinobi, and I know that your parents would be so proud of you right now.' he thought with a smile, while Orochinamru in his disguise stared at the boy.

'What an interesting development. The Nine-Tails brat has grown significantly in only a month. While still not as appealing as Sasuke, he could pose a potential threat in the future…but no matter, after today his life and the life of the village will soon meet their end…' Orochimaru thought with a dark grin while Raido stared at the Kazekage with a sceptical look. Meanwhile, Naruto made it up to the waiting box and he was greeted by Shino and Shikamaru.

"Hey guys!" he said as he walked over to them.

"Hey, you surprised the rest of us. How did you manage to get so strong in only a month?" Shikamaru asked as Naruto grinned.

"Hehehe~ trade secret~" Naruto chuckled as Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "So, is Sasuke here yet?" he asked as Shikamaru and Shino shook their heads. "That's odd, I could've sworn he'd be here on time…you don't think…" Naruto and Shikamaru looked over to Gaara who was staring at him intensely.

"No idea, but I'm sure Sasuke is fine…" Shikamaru said as Naruto kept his eyes on the redhead. "In any case, he needs to be here soon or else it won't matter…just look at the crowd," he said as he pointed to the restless crowd.

"Hey! What's going on?! Start the next match already!"

"I paid good money for this!"

"When is the next match going to start!? I paid good money for this!" numerous spectators shouted as they grew restless.

"It would seem that the crowd is getting worked up," the 'Kazekage' said as he and the Hokage looked out amongst the stadium. "Has Sasuke Uchiha arrived yet?" he asked as Raido leaned over to Sarutobi.

"We still haven't found him yet, nor have we heard anything from Kakashi and we still have Orochimaru to worry about. Before people make a fuss, it is my opinion that he should be disqualified. With all due respect Lord Third, He failed to show up on time and shows poorly on his character," Raido suggested as the Third Hokage nodded.

"Very well, as the rules state. For failing to turn up in time, Sasuke Uchiha will be disqualified," Sarutobi decided while the Sand Ninja began to grow impatient.

"Chi, this is bad. If he doesn't show up, what happens to the plan?" Kankuro asked as Temari shrugged.

"I don't know…" Temari said as they didn't know what would happen. But before the Hokage could announce Sasuke's disqualification the 'Kazekage' spoke up.

"Lord Third, may I request that we postpone Sasuke's match just a bit longer before making a dissection?" the Kazekage asked as Sarutobi raised a brow.

"With all due respect, Lord Kazekage, Sasuke Uchiha failed to show up in time. Anyone that doesn't take punctuality lightly isn't ready to be a Chunnin, no matter how 'good' they are. Unless there is a good enough reason to give to the Lords and Shinobi Leaders why we should postpone his match, we should proceed without him," Raido argued.

"...I see, I shall accept that answer." the Kazekage said as Sarutobi and Raido raised a brow.

"However, the main reason the Shinobi Leaders and the Lords came here in the first place was to see the Last of the Uchiha in action. The Land of Wind would also request that our strongest Shinobi - Gaara, face off against the Uchiha as well, to see who is truly stronger?" the Kazekage asked as Sarutobi narrowed his gaze.

"...Very well…we will make an exception for Sasuke and postpone his match for now.'' The Third decided as Raido looked unsure.

"Lord Hokage, are you sure about this?" he asked as Sarutobi nodded.

"Just inform the examiner," he said as Raido nodded and disappeared to inform Genma.

"Hey, what's going on?" Naruto asked as he noticed Genma talking to Raido. "Think it's about Sasuke?" he asked Shino and Shikamaru, as they pondered.

"Maybe…" Shikamaru said as he looked around. "A Lot of the people are here to see Sasuke - the Last of the Uchiha after all. They paid well to see him in action, they probably want their money's worth," Shikamaru argued as Naruto nodded.

"I see…well, I guess I made some people angry winning my fight, huh?" Naruto said as Shikamaru and Shino nodded.

"Of that, I have no doubt," Shikamaru said before Shino noticed the examiners had stopped talking.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the Combatant for this round has still not arrived, and therefore his match will be postponed and we will move on to the next round," Genma announced as some people argued, but others were shocked. Especially the Sand Trio.

"Phew, what a relief. Sasuke won't be disqualified," Ino sighed in relief while Sakura looked more concerned than anything.

"Hey! That just means my match has moved closer!" Shikamaru complained as Naruto and Shino rolled their eyes.

"Excuse me!" one of the Shinobi leaders shouted from the stands, as he stood up. The man had shoulder-length black hair with piercing red eyes. "May I be able to say something?"

"Captain Wolf, do you have an objection to this decision?" Genma asked as he looked at the man. Lord Onyx Wolf was a retired Shinobi of the village Hidden in the Leaf. A former Anbu Forces Captain that had prevailed on many missions and fought in the previous Shinobi War. He was a Shinobi that firmly believed in hard work, dedication and adherence to the Shinobi Code.

"I would like to formally voice my objection. I do not believe we should be giving the Uchiha special privilege just because he's the last of his clan!" Wolf argued as he got the expected anger from the crowd.

"Hey! Shut up, I placed a large bet on his match, and I'm not going to lose it because you betted against him!" Another shouted as a huge fuss was being kicked up.

"Silence!" he shouted with strong intimidation as it effectively quieted the crowd. Even Naruto had to hold his tongue.

"My complaint is not about monetary gain, but about the consequences of giving shinobi special treatment, who has no regard for the rules," he said as the man looked out to the rest. "A Shinobi is expected to never be early or late, but on time for any mission whether it be a critical mission or not. The slightest delay can have major effects that could result in complete failure or loss of life. Our Enemies won't wait patiently for our backup or allies to arrive an hour late, or stop for a glass of Sake, they would strike us down mercilessly and without remorse! If this Uchiha doesn't understand that aspect of a Shinobi, then I do not think he is ready to be promoted to Chunin! You all may argue against it, but I know my fellow Shinobi would never stand for such blatant misconduct from a fellow Shinobi! Do you honestly think just because he is the last of his clan that he should be given special treatment when others have put in the hard work and arrived on time!?" he shouted as many of them found their words stuck in their throats, while other experienced Shinobi nodded in agreement.

"Forgive me, but I do not believe we should give out special treatment when the real world never gives out such luxuries!" he said as he sat down, and many of the Shinobi leaders began to talk amongst themselves and agreed, calling forth that Sasuke Uchiha is disqualified.

"Well…it seems that we have no choice…" Sarutobi said as he also agreed with the former Shinobi. "I hereby announce that Sasuke Uchiha is disqualified from the Finals, and his opponent Gaara will move on to the next round!" he announced as many complained, while Sakura and Naruto looked downtrodden.

"Lord Hokage, perhaps you are being too hasty," the 'Kazekage' said. "I agree with Lord Wof, but surely an exception can be"

"No, Lord Wolf is correct. We cannot give out special treatment just because he is the last of his clan. If he was serious about being promoted, he would've arrived on time. This will make other dignitaries angry with us, but we cannot deny the fact that a Shinobi that has no regard for punctuality cannot be trusted with important missions. My decision is final," he told the Kazekage that gripped his fist.

"...of course…Lord Third…" he said with a strained voice as he turned his attention back to the stadium, as Raido glared at the Kazekage.

"What! But they can't do that to Sasuke!" Ino complained as Sakura looked concerned at the fact Sasuke was disqualified.

"B-but they can't do that…Sasuke…" she said while Hinata looked over to Naruto at the viewing box as she felt worried for her crush.

"Shit! What the hell!? Why did they disqualify Sasuke!? This isn't fair! I'm going to talk to the old man and-" Naruto said before Shikamaru placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder.

"Naruto, the decision has been made, and that guy makes a point. If Sasuke can't be trusted to arrive on time for a match, then how can we trust him to arrive on time for a mission? You know that he's right," Shikamaru said as Naruto stared at the Nara before sighing in defeat.

"Yeah….you're right…" Naruto said as he relaxed. 'Now it means I'm up against Gaara,' Naruto thought as he glared over at Gaara who seemed to just stare at him.

"Will Aburame Shino and Kankuro please make their way to the arena!" Genma announced while Kankuro cursed.

'Shit, this was not part of the plan! Why the heck did they disqualify him?! My match doesn't even matter, but I can't risk using any of Karasu's tricks. There's no way I can risk revealing anything to the enemy,' he looked over to Temari who nodded.

"I…Forfeit!" He announced as everyone stared slightly shocked.

"What!?" Naruto and Shikamaru shouted, while Shino was also just as shocked, but didn't show it.

"What the hell is this!? We paid good money for this!" The crowd was shouting as they booed Kankuro while Shino stared at the Sand Shinobi.

'What is he up to?' Shino questioned at the same time as Genma, who was just as confused about his sudden resignation.

Temari meanwhile just scoffed as she drew her fan and jumped down into the ring. She, unlike her brother, wasn't as worried about her secrets being seen by the enemy. But she knew that she had to buy time before the invasion would begin, so she took it upon herself to distract them.

"I see someone who is eager, very well, Nara Shikamaru! Please make your way down to the arena!" Genma shouted as Shikamaru cursed.

'Damn it, why is she so eager!? This is a total drag, I don't even care about being promoted. Maybe I should just forfeit, I never even wanted to be here in the first place-' his train of thought was cut off as he felt a hand shoved into his back.

"Show her what you got, Shikamaru!" Naruto shouted as he accidentally shoved the Nara over the edge as landed roughly on the ground. Legs bent over his head as he lay on the ground, giving Naruto the stink eye.

"...Damn it Naruto…" he groaned as the boy grinned.

"I think Shikamaru is angry with you…" Shino said as Naruto shrugged.

"Eh, this will be good for him, I can't be the only Leaf Shinobi left in the finals. Although…I feel like I need to make it up to Shikamaru later, right?"

"Yes, yes you do…" Shino said, while Asuma and Kurenai, were looking down at the match.

"Hard to believe they disqualified Sasuke. But if he can't show up on time, then clearly he's not ready for Chunin. But regardless, what do you think the outcome will be for Shikamaru?" Kurenai asked as Asuma stroked his beard.

"Tough call, it's not like he's motivated to win after all. However, Shikamaru has more than just his laziness going for him…" Asuma said as he wondered about his students' chances with Temari.

'Damn it…this is a real drag…' Shikamaru complained as he was pelted by people's discarded trash. 'They're just upset because they came all this way for Sasuke, and instead have to watch my pathetic match…man this is a drag, I just want to go home…' Shikamaru thought to himself as Temari stared at the downed Nara before she unfurled her fan.

"What? Are you going to give up?" she asked with a slight taunt in her voice before she charged at the Nara. "If you're not going to start, then I will!" she yelled.

"Hey! I didn't start the match!" Genma yelled as Shikamaru quickly pulled out two Kunai knives and threw them at the wall. She closed her fan up as she swung the large object and slammed it down on Shikamaru. A large dust cloud covered the area before it was revealed that she missed and Shikamaru was standing on the two Kunai he threw into the wall.

"Man…you are revved up. Look I don't even want to fight, heck I don't even want to become a Chunin. It's too much hassle and too much work. But…if you're going to just attack me like that, then I guess I have no choice…" he smirked as Temari glared at him.

"Fine, the second match between Nara Shikamaru and Temari will start!" Genma announced officially as Temari unfurled her fan and sent a powerful gust of wind from her fan.

"So, she uses the fan to increase her Wind style, Shikamaru's going to have a hard time fighting against that," Naruto said as he and Shino watched the fight. But when the dust settled, Shikamaru was gone and spotted hiding behind the trees.

'Hah, so far all he's good for is running away,' Temari assessed with a smirk while Shikamaru hid behind the trees.

'Man, what a drag,' Shikamaru complained.

"Yeah! Shikamaru! Whoop her butt! Get with the one-two KO!" Ino shouted from the stands as Shikamaru sighed.

"Hey, is it okay to sit here?" Chouji asked as Sakura and Ino turned to see the chubby ninja eating a pack of chips.

"Chouji, they let you out of the hospital already?" Ino asked as Chouji nodded.

"Yeah, after my stomach settled down the doctors said I was good to go…" he said as he sat down. "So, what did I miss?" he asked.

"You won't believe this, but Naruto won his match against Neji! Beat him without getting a scratch!" Ino said as Chouji blinked.

"Naruto did? Wow, no offence but I was sure he was going to lose against Neji," he said as Ino nodded.

"Yeah, but looks like Naruto changed in the last month, right now it's Shikamaru and that Temari girls match,"

"I thought Sasuke was supposed to be next?" Chouji asked as Sakura seemed to turn even glummer and curled herself inward at the mere mention of Sasuke.

"Don't mention Sasuke, Chouji! Besides, Sasuke just got disqualified, he didn't show up in time," Ino hissed at Chouji as they returned their gaze to the fight.

"Really, well. I guess there is nothing we can do. Still, it seems odd that Shikamaru is in the finals, seems out of character for him," Chouji commented, knowing his old friend.

"Hey, sure Shikamaru doesn't have a lot of fighting ability, but he makes up for it with his strategy and planning skills. He could win this match," Ino argued as Chouji shrugged.

"Yeah, but I've known Shikamaru for a long time, and I'm telling you he will quit. Just watch," Chouji said as Ino huffed in annoyance.

"We'll see about that…COME ON SHIKAMARU! KICK HER BUTT! DON'T YOU DARE GIVE UP NOW!" She shouted as Shikamaru sighed.

'...Man…I wish I was anywhere but here…' he thought as he looked up at the clouds. 'I wish I was a cloud…so carefree, not bound to all these bothersome problems…more to the point I don't even want to be here. The only reason I became a Ninja was because of my clan, my dad and because I thought it'd be interesting…what a drag…' he thought before he noticed the slab of earth Naruto created during his fight and the setting position of the sun. 'Although, I suppose things are never going to be simple…' he thought with a smirk.

'What is he planning behind that stupid smirk of his?' Temari looked on impatiently as she grew increasingly annoyed with his cowardice antics and decided to act. 'If he's making fun of me, he's got another thing coming!' she angrily thought and pulled back her fan.

"Wind Style: Cast Net!" she shouted as she waved her fan and released a powerful gust of wind that cut into the trees and kicked up a huge amount of dust.

'That's the same technique that blew away my weapons!' Tenten recognised the attack as Temari glared at the dust before a long thin shadow shot out from the dust and rushed straight at her.

'That's the same jutsu he used on that sound ninja!' Temari thought as she quickly jumped back to avoid the Ninjutsu, however, as she jumped back she noticed that the shadow was beginning to shrink. 'It's getting smaller…' she thought before she carved a line in the dirt, just short of the Shadow Possession Jutsu and smirked.

"I've seen through your Jutsu! It looks like there's a limit to how far you can stretch your Shadow!" she called out as Shikamaru glared from his position. "No matter how much you stretch and change its shape, you can't stretch it any further than the surface area of your own Shadow!" she called out as Shikamaru scoffed and placed his hands into an unfamiliar sign.

"What is that sign?" Kurenai asked as Asuma smirked.

"That's not a Jutsu sign, it's a force of habit. Whenever Shikamaru is caught in a sticky situation, he always puts his hands together like that to come up with a new strategy. He does that every time we play Shogi together, and the entire time I've known him…I've never been able to beat him," Asuma said as Kurenai raised a brow.

"Hold on, this is a real battle, not a strategy game. And I've seen his grades, they were the same as Naruto's," Kurenai argued as Asuma smirked.

"Thing is, it turns out Shikamaru is so lazy he never bothered to write anything down during the Academy Written Exams. I gave him an IQ test in the form of a game…and he has an IQ of 200, he's a natural-born genius," he said as Kurenai's eyes widened at this. "And besides, we've seen how much Naruto has changed in only a month, Shikamaru may just surprise us yet," he said as he watched his student.

"...I hope…"

The sun began to set a little lower as Temari stared impatiently at the Shinobi. "How much longer are you going to just keep hiding from me, you coward!" She shouted as she blasted him again with another Wind Jutsu, but while she did that Shikamaru was getting his plan ready as he took off his jacket and headband.

'Have to time this just right, and move her just a little closer…' he thought as tied his shirt to the Kunai. In the cover of the dust, he instigated his plan as he threw a Kunai knife at Temari, forcing her back and then using the Shadow Jutsu, all while she smirked.

'Nice try, but as long as I'm on this side of the line, your Jutsu won't work on - wait! Shit!' She realized as the Shadow Stretched past the line and straight for her. "Damn it!" she shouted as she jumped further back until the shadow stopped.

"Heh, I see…you were just buying time for the sun to go down, so your shadow and the shadow of the wall will get longer…" Temari analyzed as Shikamaru glared. 'But, judging from the distance of the wall and the Shadow, this is as far as I can go. Now all I have to do is -!'

"Temari! Watch out! Above you!" She suddenly heard Kankuro shout as she looked up to see his jacket and headband being used as a makeshift parachute and hovering above the arena. It was just enough to make a small shadow below her as the shadow stretched into the spot and then shot straight towards her.

"Damn it!" she shouted as she jumped back from the shadow to avoid him. But in her haste to jump back from the Shadow, she neglected to take in her surroundings and found her back slamming straight into the Earth Wall Naruto created earlier. "Shit! How could I - Gah!" she said as she suddenly found herself unable to move. "D-Damn it…I can't move…" she said as Shikamaru smirked.

"Shadow Possession Jutsu…Complete…" he said as he forced her to move closer to her.

"Impressive, he used the Earth Jutsu from Naruto's last battle to block her escape, pretty smart," Asuma said as Kurenai blinked in surprise. "That's Checkmate," he said as Shikamaru forced her hand up while he did the same.

"I don't believe it, Shikamaru's going to win!" Naruto said as looked at the match until he thought about it and the condition of Shikamaru. "Oh wait…"

"Yeah…I give up," Shikamaru announced much to the surprise of everyone.

"WHAT!?" Most of the crowd yelled out as Chouji smirked.

"Told ya," he said as Temari looked confused.

"W-What? Why would you?" she asked.

"Because the continuous use of my Shadow Possession Jutsu takes too much Chakra out of me. I can bind you for maybe another 10 seconds before you break free, after that it's game over for me. I had other plans, but I just ran out of time…so therefore, the best course of action for me is to give up," Shikamaru said as Genma nodded.

"Winner of the Second Round…Temari!" he announced as a variety of reactions resonated. Anger, mostly from Ino, disbelief from his sensei, intrigue from senior shinobi who agreed with Nara's assessment of the battle and Naruto who understood why he had to give up.

"Given how much time he had left and how much Chakra Shikamaru had, there wasn't a possibility of him winning. If he had Chakra levels the same as me he might've won, but seeing as he doesn't this was the only option left…" Naruto said as Shino raised a brow.

"That was… insightful, you have changed Naruto," Shino said as Naruto nodded.

"Yeah…" he said as he leaned back on the railing, before stealing a glance at Gaara. "Okay…Now I'm next…" he said as he and Gaara glared at each other.

"Well, that was an interesting match," Sarutobi said as he looked at the results. "Shikamaru was wise to know when to quit, a true Shinobi must always be able to judge the situation he's in effect for the best results. If he had a team, the results could've been different. But mentally, he has the best chance of being a Chunin Leader," Sarutobi assessed, as Raido nodded. "In any case, the next round shall begin," Naruto took the chance to jump down as he landed on the ground and walked up to Shikamaru.

"Good match, I don't like it, but I understand why you had to quit. I guess you can't win every battle," he said as Shikamaru raised a brow before nodding.

"Yeah, and hey, Naruto…" he said as he looked up to see Gaara staring down at them. "Be careful, that guy…there is something seriously wrong with him," Shikamaru warned as he walked away Naruto nodded.

"You have no idea…" Naruto said before he noticed the leaves swirling around. "What the?"

Suddenly the leaves swirled around until they dispersed and standing in the centre of the ring were Kakashi Hatake and Sasuke Uchiha. The young man now sporting a black jumpsuit with a high collar, with his left arm and shins bandaged with small black belts over them. He also had elbow protectors and his hair, growing slightly longer as they stood back to back.

Kakashi then looked out as he rubbed the back of his head and said, "Sorry…are we late?"

"YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT YOU'RE LATE!"

And Scene. Well, here is Chapter XI of Journal of Hope, please leave a review and tell me what you thought. Also sorry about the title change, decided to expand this chapter before focusing on Naruto and Gaara's match. Now that I've made it to the Chunin Exam Finals it's making it easier to write. So the next chapter might come in soon, but I make no promise, hey I just released 9 chapters at once, so cut me some slack. But yeah, Sasuke this time is disqualified. I know that Sasuke not being disqualified was part of Orochimaru's plan, but in honesty, that was a bit of special treatment for Sasuke. If it had been anyone else, they would have been disqualified. I feel like this needs to be a lesson to Sasuke, but I doubt he will learn it at this age.

But now Naruto is up against Gaara instead, Gaara at this point wants to prove his existence against Sasuke, so he may not take Naruto seriously. That may prove to be his undoing, as Naruto has a lot to prove, and knock some sense into Gaara's head. So stay tuned for the next chapter with…

Chapter XII: Yondaime's Legacies