Snapping back to the real world, Naruto and Fū shook their heads for a moment, "Well that was odd," Naruto said.
"It was neat though," Fū chuckled.
"What do you mean?" Shino asked, "You only held your fists together for a few moments."
"I'll tell ya later," Naruto said, getting a nod from his friend.
"Well I have to get back to Hōki and Juhimaru. See you guys later," Fū said with a small wave before walking off, with Naruto summoning an already transformed Clone who followed Fū.
"She was nice," Hinata smiled before turning to Naruto, "How did you know about Gaara?"
"Oh a couple days ago Yakumo and I ran into him and with some help I fixed his seal," Naruto shrugged.
"Only you," Sasuke sighed from behind Naruto, "Only you would be so nonchalant about helping the son of the current Kazekage with his… 'issue'."
"Eh. Just another day in the craziness that is my life," Naruto turned and grinned at his friend, seeing all the Genin of Teams Seven and Eight.
"At least you admit it's crazy," Shikamaru said with a small smirk. Unlike the members of Team Six, the Genin of Teams Seven and Eight wore the same outfits they had previously.
"I never denied it," Naruto replied with a smirk, "So how are you all doing?"
"Good," Ino said with her own smirk, "Glad to see you're out of that orange nightmare but you had to trade it out for something equally eye catching didn't you?"
"Were you expecting anything else?" Shino asked, his black glasses gleaming in the sun.
"I wasn't expecting… I was hoping," Ino sighed, getting chuckles from her friends.
"Alright brats shut the hell up and pay attention!" Turning to the source of the voice, many Genin gasped in shock while others were confused as an old man with long white hair and wearing a red vest had appeared out of nowhere, "I am the Great Toad Sage Jiraiya! Procter of the First Round!"
"So he was in the village," Naruto muttered.
"Before I explain the First Round, all of you will need to sign one of these wavers," Jiraiya said holding up a scroll, "By doing so you accept that if you die during ANY part of the Chunin Exams it's your own damn fault and Konoha is not responsible," The Toad Sage then released a small amount of killing intent making a good chunk of the Genin shudder at just how potent it was, "You brats had better be taking me seriously. Not just your chance of promotion is on the line this time. Anyone who thinks this'll be a walk in the park or your some kind of big shot is in for one hell of a rude awakening. Let's just hope it doesn't come form you or your teammates dying because of your failure! If you don't have the guts to sign then the exit is right there so either sign or GET THE HELL OUT OF MY SIGHT!" Jiraiya roared, flaring his Killing Intent.
More than one Genin turned and fled in a panic, instantly eliminating seven teams form the exams, "If you have even a single teammate that left, then you're out. The rest of you send one member to me to receive your wavers. MOVE IT GENIN!" A line quickly formed before the Sage. Once every team had signed the wavers Jiraiya smirked, "Alright. Here's what's going to happen. As you might have guessed this isn't the true area for the first exams. On your wavers is a symbol relating to one on a hidden safe so make sure to have it memorized. Your mission is to find the safe, collect the intel inside and then make your way to the evac point. Understand?"
All the Genin nodded, "Good. Once the exams start you'll have ten hours to complete your mission. Now there's one more bit to the test which you'll learn shortly…" Jiraiya then gave an evil smirk, making many of the Genin shudder. Jiraiya then slammed a hand on the ground making a large seal flare to life with all the Genin inside it. All of them only had a moment to realize a seal had activated before they were knocked out with several Anbu appearing before quickly taking the Genin elsewhere.
Naruto groaned as someone shook him jerking him awake, "Damn Ero-Sennin," He grumbled as he got up and looked around seeing that he, Fū and Gaara, were in what he guessed was an underground chamber given the entire room was made of stone and lit by a single torch with a metal plaque under it, "Once these exams are over I am pranking the HELL out of him."
"I'll gladly join you on that," Fū said.
"Any idea where the others are?" Naruto asked.
"None," Gaara replied, "There were no signs of anyone else when I woke up."
"The plaque said that we were separated as part of the test as well as a hint to the evac point. My guess is this is to see if we can put our differences aside for the sake of the mission," Fū explained, "Gaara and I have different symbols for our targets."
"Alright… we'll need a plan," Naruto said, "I can send Shadow Clones out to look for my team and our vaults so I'm good. So I don't mind helping you two first. How are you two at fighting in caves?"
"I'm at a slight disadvantage in these caves," Fū said, "I'm best with wide open areas."
"As long as there is earth I can fight," Gaara said, "Using the sand in my gourd I can turn any environment into my weapon."
"So we help Fū find her vault and teammates first, then Gaara. Sounds good?" Naruto asked.
"Sounds good to me," Fū smirked, "They're gonna regret putting us together!"
"I am also fine with this," Gaara said, "I still owe you for fixing my seal."
"No debts between friends," Naruto said with a smile.
"I swear SOMEONE is getting knocked upside the head for this," Juhimaru growled. Juhimaru is a little shorter than Hinata, with short dark green hair wearing a light green shirt, light blue shorts, sandals and metal arm bracers covered by wrist warmers with two hand axes on her belt and her Takigakure Protector around her left arm.
"I can agree with that," Temari grumbled as she, Juhimaru and Hinata crept through the cave system. Like with Naruto, Fū and Gaara the Trio of Kunoichi had agreed to work on helping Temari first since she couldn't use the full power of her Wind Jutsu in the caves without risking a cave in, "Do your Byakugan see anything that can give us any more clues Hinata?"
"Not yet," Hinata replied quietly, "I do see another team up ahead however they seem to be close to coming blows. Apart from that walls having some Chakra in them, I think these caves were made specifically for the Chunin Exams."
Juhimaru nodded, then asked "What villages are they from?"
"A Shinobi from Konoha, a Kunoichi from Kusa and a Kunoichi from The Land of Birds," Hinata replied, "All three are older Genin with the one from Kusa old at… twenty two maybe?"
"Let's wait and see what happens," Temari said, "This might be a feint so we lower our guards."
"Agreed," Hinata said and the three Kunoichi kneeled down to wait. It didn't take long for the two Kunoichi to attack the sole Shinobi, both of the Kunoichi having blazing red faces. The moment their fists made contact an Anbu appeared, restrained them with a Jutsu before taking them away, "Ok… that's not good."
"What?" Juhimaru asked.
"The moment the two Kunoichi attacked the Shinobi an Anbu appeared, restrained them and took all three of them away," Hinata explained.
"Any idea what set two two off?" Temari asked.
"My only guess is the Shinobi said something that either pissed them off… or something very crass. Possibly both," Hinata sighed, shaking her head, "Either way I'm a little embarrassed since Konoha emphasizes teamwork so much."
"Doesn't mean everyone agrees with that mindset," Juhimaru sighed, "I know I didn't trust Fū when we started as a Genin Team if only because of everything I'd heard about her. Didn't stop her from still saving my life from a Bear, a Genin level bandit summoned with a scroll."
"Gaara's been… difficult until two days ago…," Temari sighed, "I… could have done more but…"
"With an overly aggressive Biju things are only 'difficult'?" Juhimaru asked, getting a surprised nod from Temari, "Fū told me that there were a couple other jinchūriki here and one of them is called Gaara and the other is called Naruto. Everyone at Taki said the Nanabi was a vicious monster and…"
"You believed them," Hinata said, getting a nod as the three began moving through the caves again, "Without anything to show otherwise I can't say I blame you…"
"I still blame myself," Juhimaru sighed, "Fū's a great person and really doesn't deserve the shit she gets."
"And… if Fū lost control of Chōmei?" Temari asked slowly.
"Then she loses control but from what she's said Chōmei is more likely to protect us then harm us," Juhimaru replied with an edge of steel in her voice before she paused for a second, "Unless of course whatever caused Fū to to lose control also affected Chōmei… but I don't know what could do that."
"An asshole with the Sharingan," Hinata growled, "There's at least two people running around with Sharingan powerful enough to manipulate a Biju. One is Itachi Uchiha and the other is most likely Obito Uchiha or someone with Obito's other eye. Kakashi Hitake has one but… ."
"He did something stupid and it's coming back to bite him in the ass," Temari sighed, "Just like what Father did to Gaara…"
"Let's just focus on the task at hand," Juhimaru suggested, "Everything else can wait."
"Agreed," Hinata and Temari nodded.
"Great Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke shouted, releasing a large ball of fire at a tall and thin Genin from Ishigakure who let out a yelp and dove into the stone wall as if it was water.
"You could just back off and get on with the exam," Kankuro growled as he used a four armed puppet that had been in the bundle on his back to fight off a pale blond Kunoichi from the Take no Mura in the Land of Bamboo, while Shino used his Kikaichu against a Shinobi from Tsukigakure who as both the oldest and most muscular member of his team.
"And give up the chance of defeating the last Uchiha and showing your Clan isn't all powerful?" The Kunoichi form The Land of Bamboo sneered, "Yeah right! Why would, OH SHIT!" The Kunoichi was caught off guard when Kankuro's puppet surged forwards with thin blades unfolding from its four arms and the following slashes almost slitting the Kunoichi's throat.
"Better start paying attention to your opponent instead of your surrounding," Kankurō mocked before jumping into the air and landing on the caves wall to avoid the Ishigakure Genin who'd burst out of the ground and tried to remove the Puppeteers legs with a giant scissor that he quickly separated turning it into a pair of short swords.
"Can you get your DISGUSTING BUGS AWAY FORM ME!" The Shinobi from Tsukigakure roared before releasing a wave of fire at Shino who smirked under his scarf and leapt away causing the fire to shoot towards the Ishigakure Genin who's scream of pain echoed through the caves. The thin Teen managed to eventually jump away from the fire only for Sasuke to appear behind him and with a single chop to the next knocked the teen out. The muscular young man then felt his legs wobble. He hadn't put that much Chakra into the attack did he?
"My allies have drained you of your Chakra," Shino said calmly as he moved towards the Tsukigakure Genin who fell to a knee, "You used the last of it with your Jutsu. Anymore and you risk Chakra Exhaustion."
"Damn… brat," The muscular genin growled before Shino repeated Sasuke's previous actions and knocked him out.
"Well… shit," The Kunoichi growled eyes full of fury before a black ball was shot out of the mouth of Kankuro's puppet and bursting into a ball of smoke, "You… bitch," The Kunoichi said before falling to the ground unconscious from Kankurō's knockout gas.
"Well that was more annoying than anything," Kankurō said as his puppet hovered next to him. Shino then walked over to the twin sword/scissor weapon and sealed them away.
Kankurō raised an eyebrow, "A friend of mine is what you might call a 'weapon enthusiast'. As such I know she would be interested in this."
"Ah," Kankurō said with a smirk, "Met a couple like that back in Suna but then again I'm always on the lookout for new things to add to my puppets so who am I to judge?"
"Let's get moving," Sasuke said, "We don't know who heard the fight and might want to take a shot at us."
"Good idea," Shino agreed and the three Shinobi left, an Anbu appearing when they were gone. Giving a nod in the direction the three teens left they quickly took the unconscious Genin away.
Naruto, Fū and Gaara looked unimpressed at the three older male Genin standing a few yards away. One was from Ame, one from Kusa and one much to Naruto's annoyance form Konoha. The three weren't paying any attention to Naruto and Gaara, their focus was entirely on Fū, "Heh. Bet we can have some fun with her," The Kusa Genin smirked.
"I yeah ya," The Ame Genin chuckled, "Oi! Blondy and Gourd Boi. Piss off would ya?
The Konoha genin sneered, "Uzumaki isn't likely to abandon his shields. I don't care if the rest of the village is being fooled by your act Fox Brat. You're just a monster."
"Just because of the day I was born?" Naruto asked with a raised eyebrow, "Guess there's a reason the three of you are still a Genin with those attitudes."
"... I'm gonna kill him," The Ame Genin growled a vein pulsing on his forehead.
As Fū and Gaara got ready for a fight, Naruto smirked, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" In a large burst of smoke fifteen clones appeared each one wearing his signature fox-like grin.
"Shadow Clones?" The Konha Genin sneered, "From what I've heard, one hit and they're gone. What are a few weak ass clones going to do?"
"This," One of the Naruto clones cackled and in unison the clones said, "TRANSFORM!" There was another burst of smoke as the three aggressive Genin got ready, only for their jaws to drop at the sight of ten VERY attractive ladies all looking at them with sly smiles and in various poses, the little smoke that hung around them sending the older Genin's minds into overdrive. Glancing to his friends he saw that Fū simply had a smirk and a raised eyebrow while Gaara's sand was covering his eyes… huh. You'd think Shukaku wouldn't care what his jinchūriki saw.
The three older Genin were frozen but when one of the clones winked and blew a kiss all three were thrown back by the force of their nosebleeds and crashed into the wall unconscious, "Let's move on shall we?" Naruto asked with a smirk as his clones vanished.
Moving forward again while ignoring the unconscious Genin, all of whom had large smiles. The three were silent for a moment before Fū chuckled, leaned over and whispered into Naruto's ear, "You know Naruto… You're rather cute as a girl. Perhaps we should go on a date when this is over? Perhaps you could even make a female clone so I get both sides of you~"
Gaara didn't respond and raised an eyebrow as he hadn't seen any of the transformed clones. Naruto gained a small blush as he coughed into his hand, "Uh… we'll see Fū. Let's just focus on the current objective alright?"
Fū nodded with an unreadable grin, while internally Naruto was panicking, "AHHHHHH! DID SHE JUST FLIRT WITH ME? SHE DID… WHAT THE HELL AM I GOING TO DO?!"
"BAHAHAHHAHAHAH!" Kurama laughed, "Despite all that time with Tamamo you have no idea what to do when someone flirts with you! You should be used to this thanks to Yōseiken!"
"She does that to EVERYONE!" Naruto replied, his mental voice slightly panicked, "This is the first time someone's flirted with me! So either help me figure out what to do or shut the hell up!" Kurama's only response was more laughter and Naruto wished he could do something to get back at the giant fox shaped ball of Chakra.
Meanwhile in the command center for the first exam, Jiraiya stood next to Ibiki and Zabuza as they watched how different teams were doing on several screens, "Decent batch of brats this year," Jiraiya said eyes flicking form one screen to another, "To bad there were so many this year. Would have been interesting to see what kind of test you came up with Ibiki."
Ibiki smirked, "Oh just a 'Cheat without getting caught' test followed by one to test their resolve. Simple but oh so marvelously effective."
Zabuza smirked, "Were there any plans to stage some sabotage to get the Genin even more wound up?"
Ibiki and Jiraiya let out barks of laughter, "I'll definitely add that to the test next time I'm in charge," The bear of a Jonin said.
"Make sure to get Haku in on it as well," Jiraiya chuckled, "With her mirror she'd be able to watch from multiple directions at once."
Ibiki chuckled darkly, "Oh I can already tell. That is going to be fun, but let's focus on the current test shall we?"
Zabuza chuckled as his eyes flickered to a screen, "The Uzumaki brat's showing a surprising amount of stealth despite his eye-catching outfit."
A nearby Jonin chuckled dryly, "That small bastard was able to sneak into and prank Anbu! He damn well better be showing off his stealth skills!" Zabuza and Ibiki smirked as they saw a couple more of Naruto's clones moving through the caves. With one of them closing in on Hinata's current location.
Hinata ducked under the fist of an Earth Golem created by a Genin from Ishi, while Temari used her fan that showed a single purple moon to shoot gusts of wind at an attacking Genin from knocking any of their thrown weapons out of the air. Juhimaru had also summoned an Earth Golem, however she was using it more as a distraction so she could get close by running along the ceiling with her twin axes in hand. While the enemy team was distracted Juhimaru shot down and kicked the Genin who was throwing Shuriken and Kunai at Temari into the wall and crossed her axes over the neck of the Genin who'd made the Earth Golem who instantly froze, "Alright. Here's what's going to happen. You three chucklefucks are going to leave us alone and I won't have to make your companion a foot shorter? Understand?"
The three aggressive Genin slowly nodded as the enemy's Earth Golem collapsed. Slowly Juhimaru pulled her axes back and the opposing Genin fled as the one who'd made the Earth Golem said as he looked at the shuriken/kunai thrower, "Why did you think attacking a Hyuga and Wind Dancer was a good idea!"
They didn't hear the response as Juhimaru put her axes back on her belt, "I really wish these Genin would just focus on the damn task instead of trying to cull the herd. We don't have time for this."
"Agreed," Temari said as she lowered her fan only for it to snap back up as a blond teen in a red coat with a large grin dropped from the ceiling, "Oh… it's just you," Temari sighed as she lowered her fan, "Where's your team?'
"With the original me," Naruto replied with a grin, "Glad to see you three are alright."
Hinata nodded, "Have you found Shino yet?"
"Not yet but I'm pretty sure one of my clones is close to him since they've noticed some of his Kikaichu," Naruto said before he smirked, "It's funny you three are together since I'm with Fū and Gaara. We're heading to Fū's Safe which I've found and have a few clones subtly guarding it."
"Perhaps we should head there first?" Juhimaru suggested, "That way we'll have a group of six that's working together, and we'll be less likely to be attacked."
"But also more likely to be noticed," Temari countered before sighing, "But I do agree that any lead is better than no lead. Let's do it."
"Follow me," Naruto said as he turned and went back the way he came and quickly made a clone that then dispersed. The three Kunoichi and lone Shinobi then quickly and quietly made their way through the caves. During their travel a second clone of Naruto along with Shino, Kankurō and Sasuke fell in step. The six genin nodded to each other and quickly came across the three jinchūriki. Giving salutes the pair of clones burst themselves. Looking at Juhimaru the original Naruto said, "I haven't seen your friend Hōki anywhere yet but I'm keeping a lookout."
"Thanks," Juhimaru nodded, "How far until the safe?"
"Not far," Naruto replied, "I've put a few basic traps around it so no one else can get near it just in case. My clones will deactivate the traps when we get close."
"Thanks," Juhimaru nodded.
"Sasuke, what symbol did your team get?" Hinata asked, "Naruto's clones will be able to keep an eye out."
Sasuke nodded, "It was the symbol of a cloud with a smoldering ember in the center."
"Huh. We had a cloud with a leaf," Naruto muttered, "While Gaara has a stone with a geyser of water in it, and Fū's was a leaf with a lightning bolt."
"So they kept the designs simple… makes sense considering how many teams there are this year," Sasuke nodded.
The group then reached a small room with three safes embedded in the wall. One had a leaf with a lightning bolt, one had a snowflake with a small hexagon in it and the last one had a flame with a lightning bolt, "Alright Fū, Juhimaru. You're up!"
The two Kunoichi nodded and got to work opening the safe while the others stood guard. The two weren't having any luck until Fū got fed up and finally released some powder out of her mouth which melted a small hole through the door which then swung open as she'd destroyed the lock. Juhimaru took the scrap of paper inside, read it and nodded to Fū before slipping the paper away.
"Got it," Fū said as she and Juhimaru turned to the others, "Where to next?"
"How about safe for Gaara, Temari and Kankurō?" Hinata suggested.
"Agreed," Shino stated, "Naruto?"
The blond tired his head, "... Got it. It's not far. My clones also just got our scroll and have found Shika. Haven't seen any sign of Kiba though."
Sasuke nodded, "Who's Shikamaru with?"
"A pair of Kunoichi," Naruto said, "One from Amegakure and the other's symbol is a key so I think she's from Jōmae no Sato."
"How's he holding up?"
"He's more annoyed than anything," Naruto grinned, "The two seem more interested in flirting than the mission," Everyone snickered at the lazy genius' misfortune.
The rest of the exam went easily as with such a large group NONE of the other teams wanted to attack them. Once at the Evac Point the climbed a pair of ladders revealing they were now in Training Ground Forty One. There to greet them were the Demon Brothers along with Kotesu and Izumo, "Five Hours and fifteen minutes," Kotesu nodded as he wrote down the names of the Genin, "And with such a large group. Now what are the code phrases?"
Naruto groaned, "Great Toad Sage."
Juhimaru smirked, "Great Slug Sage."
Sasuke also smirked, "Snake Sage Sucks," Izumo checked his notes and nodded, "Congratulations. Each of you pass."
"I swear the only reason he gave us that code was JUST to hear me say those words," Naruto grumbled, "He is SO pranked once these exams are done."
The four Chunin chuckled, "Alright kids," Meizu said motioning to a building that the Konoha Genin knew wasn't part of the training grounds, "We set up a rest area. So kick back and relax until the exam's over."
Upon entering the building the only people they saw who they recognised was Neji who was sitting off to the side alone meditating and Tenten who had some bandages on her arm, and was taking a drink of some lemonade, "Hey Tenten," Naruto said as the group moved over to her, "You alright?"
"I'll be fine," Tenten smiled, "Just a scratch from a falling stalactite How'd you all do?"
"Aced it," Sasuke smirked, "Once we all teamed up people stopped bothering us. Seriously, the amount of people who'd rather enter what for this mission were pointless fights boggles the mind."
"I know what you mean," Tenten sighed before she turned to the Taki and Suna Genin, "Name's Tenten Higurashi nice to meet ya."
Once the others introduce themselves to Tenten they spend some time talking about various things though once Shino handed over the two shortswords that could become a giant pair of scissors Tenten's eyes sparkled making the other Genin chuckle. Slowly the rest of the Konoha Rookies and Rock Lee joined the group with the sole exception of Kiba. At five thirty in the afternoon Jiraiya walked through the front doors, "Alright. Every team has either completed the mission or been removed from the caves due to failing the mission, EVEN if it seems like assisting another team's mission would leave you at a disadvantage. It can easily happen that on a mission, assisting an ally's mission will give you an advantage for your original mission," More than one Genin stiffened at that due to most teams having at least one member missing. Jiraiya smirked, "If at least two members of your team are here then congrats. You passed the first exam. As you've no doubt guessed, this exam was to see if you could put your differences aside and work with others for the sake of the mission. For everyone who's the sole member of your team, then better luck next time."
A few Genin either groaned, cursed or made silent promises to have words with their teammates, "The rest of you are to make your way to Training Ground forty-four tomorrow by eight a.m.," He then let out a low sadistic chuckle, "Good luck. You're going to need it."
Author's Notes:
As a reminder there is a poll up on my profile for my next story.
Took a while to come up with something unique for the first round of the Chunin Exams. I could have gone into more details of what happened but I honestly felt like it was starting to drag on too long when I tried.
