Chapter 13
"Those of you not participating in the match can wait up on balcony and observe." Hayate cleared his throat, "fighters you have two minutes to prepare."
Naruto turned to see Hinata still staring at the screen her eyes wide in shock, he sighed, of all the opponents she could have faced this was probably one of the worst.
"You've got this Hinata," Sakura said softly as she placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know you can beat him."
"Yeah, don't let that arrogant prick beat you Hinata-chan!" Kiba shouted loudly! Akamaru barked in agreement.
"I have faith," Shino said softly. He turned and started to walk towards the stairs, Kiba followed him along with Sakura.
Sasuke stopped and stood next to her for a second, "good luck."
Naruto watched as everyone walked away leaving only him and Hinata. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "I-I don't know what to say," he whispered. "I fought him, he's good, but you do have a chance. I really think you can beat him."
"Do you really think so?" Hinata asked softly. She finally peeled her eyes away from the screen and locked eyes with Naruto. "I've never beaten him before. Not once, and he's only gotten stronger. I've always lost to him."
"You've gotten so much stronger in the last few weeks, trust me." Naruto said as he leaned down and pressed is forehead to hers. "You can do this; I believe in you Hinata."
"You need to clear the arena." Hayate called out from behind them.
"Beat him," Naruto said softly his warm breath tickled Hinata's nose but she didn't care. Right then in that moment it was only her and him.
"I will."
Naruto lifted his head and smiled. Filling his legs with chakra he jumped up to the balcony landing on the edge of the railing. Hopping down he turned to look down into the arena.
"Do you really think she can win?" Sasuke asked as he moved to stand next to Naruto.
"Please, he doesn't stand a chance." He replied with a smirk.
Hinata made her way to the center of the arena. Looking back, she could see her fellow Konoha shinobi up in the balcony. Naruto's team and hers were standing next to each other looking down at her. Naruto was grinning his smile wide, and Hinata smiled back at him. 'I can do this.'
"I'd wipe that smile off your face if I were you," Neji said as he approached her. Hayate was standing between them his dark eyes flicking back and forth between the two Hyuga. "Your boyfriend isn't here to save you. Down here it's just you and me, fate will decide this match, and it's your fate to lose."
"Not this time Neji-niisan."
"Alright," Hayate muttered as he lifted a hand. "3…2…1…begin."
Neji struck faster than Hinata had anticipated. Lunging forward his byakugan activated he aimed for Hinata's ribs. Hinata jumped back activating her byakugan, Neji didn't miss a beat stepping forward he attacked again targeting her chest. Hinata lashed out blocking his arm redirecting it away from her, bringing her other hand up she struck towards his ribs. Her palm glanced by his sides but she pushed her chakra forward striking his chakra points.
Neji grit his teeth and pivoted away from her blow; he could feel her chakra graze his skin striking him chakra network. Stepping back and sneered. "You're doing better than I thought. You have more fight in you than usual." He turned to look up at the balcony, "is it because of them?"
"My friends, they believe in me." Hinata said as she looked back at Neji her arms up ready to defend. "I won't let them down."
"Pathetic," Neji responded. He ran forward and struck at Hinata again, faster than before. She did everything she could to dodge and block his moves. With each counter she attempted to strike Neji's chakra points. As they exchanged blows and blocks it felt like they were getting nowhere. "You're pathetic, you're the heiress to the Hyuga clan's main branch! Yet you fight like this! You're not fit to be a ninja! You fight just so you don't disappoint your friends! Where's your honor? Your pride in being a Hyuga?"
Hinata deflected a blow to her elbow curling her fingers she pumped chakra into them and struck inside his elbow. His arm collapsed for a second and Hinata moved forward for an attack her palm striking his left shoulder. Neji grunted and thrust the palm of his other hand into her stomach. His chakra blasted through her stomach, burning her chakra pathway. Hinata skid back panting.
"No, I do deserve to be here. I've trained hard! I've supported my team! I've helped my friends! I am a ninja!" Hinata shouted back. Hinata ran forward and reached out with her left arm, but as she tried to gather chakra into her left palm she couldn't. Her palm struck Neji's shoulder again, but this time no chakra came.
"You've already lost." Neji said as he grabbed her wrist and twisted it, Hinata was pulled into his grip and with his free hand he smashed his palm into her other shoulder dislocating it with a loud pop. Hinata screamed in pain and almost fell to her knees.
"You've barely managed to close any of my chakra points, meanwhile with every counter attack I attacked your right arm slowly closing yours making that arm useless, and now so is your left arm. Neji gripped her wrist even harder and pushed her away roughly. Hinata stumbled back, but didn't fall. "This match is over, withdraw."
"I can still use my right arm," Hinata said between breaths as she stretched her fingers and wrist. "Even if I can't mold chakra with it." Hinata rushed forward and ducked an attack from Neji, he stepped back and Hinata tightened the muscles in her legs and stomach, and pulled back her right arm. With all her strength she lashed forward and struck Neji under the chin with her right palm. Even though she couldn't use her chakra Neji's head still snapped back and he was lifted off his feet slightly as he fell backwards.
Neji landed on the ground and rolled. Springing up to his feet then he barley dodged a follow up attack from Hinata before he blocked an unexpected kick. "Disgraceful," he muttered as he filled his left hand with chakra and drove it into her stomach.
Hinata lurched into his hand as her entire midsection convulsed in pain as Neji's chakra filled her chakra points burning them. Hinata grit her teeth, and pushed forward. Pushing herself into Neji's hand Hinata pulled back her head, and struck snapping it forward with as much force as she could muster right in the center of his chest. Neji stumbled back almost losing his footing, but Hinata didn't stay up she fell to her knees blood dripping from her mouth.
Hayate's eyes keenly looked between the two of them. They were both worse for wear, but it was obvious where the fight was going. Neji had only sustained a few minor injuries, but Hinata, was on her knees and only had one barley functional arm.
Hayate moved between the two quickly. "This match is o-"
"No!" Hinata shouted at Hayate. "I can still fight, do not call this match."
Hayate looked between them again, "I can call this match now, but if you continue like this, I can't guarantee your safety."
"Naruto," Sakura said softly as Hinata fell to her knees. "I don't think she can win this…"
"It's not over," Naruto said softly as he leaned over the railing. "She can still fight."
"Barley," Sasuke responded. "This isn't supposed to be a fight to the death, but if she doesn't withdrawal…" She let his words trail off and hang in the air.
"She can do this." Kiba said mimicking Naruto. "I know she can."
"She's come far," Kurenai said softly. She was standing behind them along with Kakashi and Guy. "But it might be too soon for her to face Neji."
"Neji is a genius," Guy said as he watched his pupil. "I don't think there's been a stronger Hyuga to come from the clan ever, but he lets his status as a branch member cloud his judgement."
"Do you think he'll kill her?" Kakashi asked as he lifted his headband to reveal his sharingan. He didn't know what would happen next, but if he could see it maybe he could stop it.
"None of you know what you're talking about," Naruto snapped back harshly his eyes focused on Hinata.
"Naruto…" Sakura muttered softly. "I know you want Hinata to win, but I don't think its possib-"
"HINATA!" Naruto shouted from the balcony interrupting Sakura. "Don't let him call the match! I know you can beat him! What have we been training for these last few days? I know you can do it! Have faith! Don't get scared!"
"Jeez! Stop shouting loud mouth!" Ino screamed from a few feet past them. "Let her do what she wants."
Naruto ignored her and watched as Hinata looked up at him. He met her gaze and nodded. "You can do it." Naruto turned and smirked at everyone there. "Watch this, because this match is going to be over soon."
Hinata turned away from Naruto and back to Neji. "Don't call this match," Hinata looked over Hayate who gave her one last wearily look before jumping back.
"That was foolish of you," Neji said as he lowered himself into a familiar stance. "I'll finish this right here and now."
Hinata quickly got to her feet, but stayed crouching. Stepping on the heel of her right ninja sandal with her left foot.
"Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!" Neji shouted before rushing forward.
Hinata lowered her head and rolled backwards as he ran forward, her right foot sliding out of its sandal. 'Right, left, right, left, up, down, right, left, up, down.' Hinata thought as Neji approached, he leaned over to strike her with his fingers, and Hinata arched her back using her good arm as leverage. Hinata pulled her foot back and on the sole of her foot at the center of an open chakra point was a bright blue ball of chakra spinning rapidly at the base of her foot.
"RASENGAN!" Just as Neji was about to strike Hinata kicked with all her strength her foot colliding with his stomach. Hinata let the chakra go, and Neji was sent flying back the chakra shell collapsing and the swirling chakra grinding into his stomach damaging his chakra network and internal organs. Neji fell to his knees coughing up a mouthful of blood before he collapsed onto the ground unmoving.
Hayate stared at the downed ninja his eyes wide in shock at what he'd just seen. 'How did she learn that jutsu? How could she master that jutsu at such a young age?' Hayate turned back to see Hinata getting to her feet, the rest of the room was dead silent.
"Winner: Hyuga Hinata," Hayate said softly, but it could be here by everyone in the room.
Kakashi stared his eyes wide in shock as he saw the bright blue mass of chakra on Hinata's foot. It was only half the size of when he'd last seen it, but there was no mistaking it for what it was.
"Naruto you didn't." Kakashi said softly, it wasn't a question because the answer was obvious, he just couldn't believe it.
"Yes, I did," Naruto said with a large grin. Naruto grabbed the railing with both hands and jumped over it as soon as Hayate made the call. He landed with a low thump and ran to Hinata. "You did it! I knew you could!" Hinata was wavering in place her body swaying. Just as she was about to fall Naruto wrapped an arm around her waist and brought her down gently.
"I won," Hinata said softly as the veins in her eyes relaxed. "I really won…do you think father will be proud?"
"I'm sure he will," Naruto said softly as he took his other arm and held it in front of Hinata's face. "Bite down," he said softly as another Naruto popped into existence next to them.
"We'll take her from her," a voice called out. Naruto looked up to see two medical-nin with a basic stretcher walking towards them.
"She'll be okay Naruto," Kurenai appeared next to them and was kneeling down. "The medical-nin can take it from here."
"It's okay," Naruto said as Hinata bit down on his wrist. "We don't need them." The other Naruto reached out and grabbed Hinata's arm just above the elbow. Green chakra appeared on Naruto's wrist and Hinata started to inhaled the chakra. The clone quickly snapped Hinata's arm down causing her to bite down on his wrist harder drawing blood, but with a nasty pop her arm was back in place.
Hinata's wounds started to heal letting off steam as her cells regenerated, after a couple minutes Hinata let go of Naruto's wrist, and the bite closed up into shiny white scar, before the scar also faded away.
"Thank you," Hinata said softly her face bright red. She pulled herself out of Naruto's arms she stood up and examined herself. "I don't feel any pain at all. This is amazing." She'd seen it work before on Sakura, but this was the first time she was experiencing it herself.
Naruto smiled and stood up and brushed his hands on his shorts. "Well hopefully no one else gets as hurt as you did or I'll be out of chakra by the end of the day."
"The boy really taught her that jutsu?" Hiruzen asked as he stared out at the platform. He was watching Naruto heal the young Hyuga.
"I guess so," Jiraiya replied as he watched from the shadows. "I've never really seen him use that healing technique either. It's so much more potent than Kushina's."
"I don't know if I should be impressed the young girl pulled it off, or upset that Naruto taught her an A-Rank jutsu so casually." Hiruzen said with a sigh as he lifted his pipe to his lips.
"I'm surprised he was able to teach it so effectively. He's only been here six or so weeks? I don't even think he knows how to use it, or he didn't when we got back here. It's funny I never thought of it, but the way Hyuga use and redirect chakra through chakra points makes them almost perfect for using the Rasengan."
"Maybe he's more like his father than we've been giving him credit for."
"Really? I think he's more like Kushina," Jiraiya said with a bright grin. "Doing something so reckless is exactly like her."
Orochimaru watched from the other side of the platform his pale green eyes wide in excitement. 'That Kyuubi brat is more than I gave him credit for, I think he just went from being too dangerous to keep alive to too valuable to kill. He's the only one who could have taught her that jutsu. No way Jiraiya or Kakashi taught her. Not only that his healing ability is far greater than even Karin's. I have to find a way to take him out of play, but keep him around to be useful…maybe just maybe…if the brat can bring me that jutsu from Uzushio…'
Orochimaru grinned as he stared at the blond ninja, if he could get him and Sasuke…The Akatsuki wouldn't stand a chance against him, but for that to work he might have to give up on taking the Uchiha's body at least for now.
"Okay, the next set of matches will be chosen…" Hayate turned to the screen as it turned back on and it started to cycle through names. Naruto and Hinata watched from the base of the stairs as the names flickered across the screen. After several seconds it started to slow down and the beeps started to get slower and slower.
Tenten Vs. Temari
"Come on," Naruto said as he made his way up the stairs, and to the balcony. Hinata was following being him. As Naruto made it to the second set of stairs he stopped. Jiraiya was standing near the opening that led out to the balcony. "You go on ahead," he muttered as me moved to let Hinata by him. She looked between Naruto and Jiraiya for a moment.
"That was impressive kid," Jiraiya said softly as he smiled at Hinata. "Using the Rasengan like that, I never would have thought of it."
"Thank you," Hinata said softly nodding her head at Jiraiya. She walked past him and looked back at Naruto who gave her a large grin. Hinata smiled back before walking out onto the balcony.
"HINATA THAT WAS AMAZING!" Naruto heard Kiba shout, and Naruto's grin became even larger than before.
"Hinata! We're so happy for you!" It was Sakura's voice this time, and Naruto chuckled. Turning he looked back at Jiraiya who was now coming down a few steps to meet him down at the landing.
"I don't even know what to say kid," Jiraiya muttered as he looked at Naruto with a soft smile. "I don't know if I should be proud of you for being able to teach someone the Rasengan or mad at you for doing it."
"Come on Ero-sennin, it's not like it's a forbidden jutsu." Naruto leaned against the stairs and crossed his arms. "It just so happens only a few people know it."
"Still," Jiraiya said as he crossed his arms. "It's your fathers jutsu, it's his legacy and yours. If anyone should know it, it should be you."
"Who says I don't?" Naruto asked flippantly as he looked at Jiraiya.
"You didn't when we were in Wave."
"You're right I didn't, and I didn't know it when we talked four days ago either." Naruto shrugged and looked at his master and smiled. "But it's been forty I mean four whole days."
"Naruto," Jiraiya said with a sigh and he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I've told you before, it's dangerous to train like that. Not just because of the side effects it could have, but the more clones you use, the more chakra you expend the weaker your seal gets."
"Don't worry Ero-sennin," Naruto said with a grin as he took a few steps up and walked past him. "Just enjoy the show, I'm sure Orochimaru will."
"Don't antagonize him," Jiraiya said sharply. "There's a reason we're letting him observe these matches. After he leaves here, I can tail him and put him and his people under observation. I know you think we should just kill him but there's more at stake here than you understand, and when this is over, I'll explain it to you once we're out of the village again."
"Don't worry," Naruto paused and let out a sigh. "I'll let you and the old man handle it, but he did try and kill me and take Sasuke. I'm going to show him that I'm not as defenseless as he thinks." Naruto walked up a few more stairs and stopped at the landing near the balcony entrance. "I know he was your friend and rival; I'm guessing a lot of that plays a factor into why he's still alive. I'll keep training and keep getting stronger, and one day because of everything you've done for me I'll relieve you of that burden…if you want me to. It's the least a son can do for his father." Naruto walked out away and out onto the balcony leaving Jiraiya in the staircase.
"Stupid brat," Jiraiya muttered softly swallowing roughly he cleared his throat and preceded back down the stairs.
"What did I miss?" Naruto asked as he made his way over to the balcony. Shino was down stairs and one of the ninja Naruto saw in the cafeteria with the black masks was laying on the ground immobile.
"That Suna-nin beat Tenten pretty badly, and Shino just beat that weirdo with the face mask." Sasuke said as he glanced at Naruto.
"Nice we're moving along pretty nicely." Naruto muttered as he looked up at the flickering screen.
"OH BOY! I hope it's finally my turn!" Rock Lee shouted as he punched the air. "It's a shame! I wanted to fight Neji during these matches, but I'll have to settle for one of you!" He pointed right at Naruto and Sasuke and grinned.
"It looks like you're going to have to wait," Naruto said as he pointed up at the board. The names had stopped flickering and the next two opponents had been chosen.
Nara Shikamaru Vs. Kin Tsuchi
"Ugh what a drag," Shikamaru sighed as he stared at the screen. "I have to fight a girl? How lame, maybe I can just resign."
"Don't you dare!" Ino responded loudly as she shook her fist at Shikamaru. "We made it this far don't disgrace us by giving up."
"Yeah, Shikamaru, don't be so lame. You can beat her." Choji said as he piled a handful of chips into his mouth.
"Ugh," Shikamaru groaned as he started to walk towards the stairs. "This is so lame, I just wanted to relax after that deal in the forest."
Naruto watched from above with mild interest as the recovered Oto kunoichi threw several senbon needles towards Shikamaru. It was pretty clear that she was trying to distract him, and was keeping her distance from him. Naruto watched through narrowed eyes as Shikamaru deliberately let himself get hit with several senbon.
"Come on Shikamaru! Beat her ass!" Ino shouted loudly.
"Do you see it?" Sasuke asked Naruto his red eyes staring intently at the ground.
"No," Naruto admitted. "He got hit on purpose but I don't know why."
"Watch his shadow," Sasuke replied as he nodded his chin towards the ground.
Naruto leaned into the railing and traced Shikamaru's shadow, into the shadow of the ninja wire Kin was using. Tilting his head Naruto resisted the urge to smirk. 'That wire is way too thin and too high off the ground to have a shadow.'
Just like that the match was over, Shikamaru's shadow attached to hers and with a quick toss of a shuriken Kin had knocked herself out.
"He seems smarter than he looks," Naruto said loudly as Shikamaru stuffed his hands into his pockets and started to make his way up the stairs.
"He seems really lazy and doesn't like working hard, but he's a real genius." A tall man with a dark beard and a lit cigarette hanging from his lips. "Sarutobi Asuma, I'm Shikamaru's sensei." Asuma said with a grin as he pointed his thumb to himself. "You must be Kakashi's missing student Uzumaki Naruto."
"Yeah, that's me," Naruto said with a sheepish grin a bit embarrassed he'd heard what he said about Shikamaru.
"I've heard Kakashi talk about you, I'm looking forward to see what you can do." Asuma said as he took a drag from his cigarette. "I don't think I'll have to wait very long." Asuma turned to look at the screen and Naruto followed his gaze.
Uzumaki Naruto Vs Abumi Zaku
Naruto watched as the Oto nin he'd stabbed a few days ago made his way down the stairs on the other side of the arena. He was smiling and staring at Naruto with an eager look in his eye.
"Oh, how lame," Kiba groaned as he groaned. "Naruto is going to thrash this guy again. I was hoping for a good show."
"Naruto…." Hinata said softly as she looked between Naruto and Zaku. "Don't let what he said before rile you up. He's not worth it."
Naruto jumped up onto the railing and turned towards his friends and their sensei's. "Don't worry guys this will be over in less than 10 seconds I promise!" Naruto gave them a wide grin and then jumped down off the railing doing a back flip before landing on the ground.
"That idiot didn't even put on his ninja gear," Sakura muttered as she watched Naruto walk towards the center of the arena.
"He isn't going to need it," Sasuke said as he leaned over the railing casually. "Let's be honest that guys a toddler compared to Naruto."
"That's some pretty high praise." Asuma muttered as he moved towards the railing to get a better view. "You ready to finally see one of your students fight Kakashi?"
"It could be interesting," Kakashi said as he kicked off the wall he was leaning against and pulled up his headband to reveal his sharingan.
Naruto and Zaku were standing a few feet away from each other, Hayate was standing in the middle of them and he looked between them.
"This is going to be satisfying," Zaku said roughly as he smirked at the blond. "I know I'm not supposed to kill you, but mistakes happen." Zaku stretched his arms and flexed his fingers eagerly. "Once I've beaten you bloody maybe I'll take that blue-haired bitch of yours out on the town."
"You know, I was going to take it easy on you." Naruto said as he grinned at Zaku and licked his lips. "I was just going to use this as an opportunity to show your sensei a cool little trick I picked up, but now I'm going to hurt you. Naruto reached into one of the two pouches and pulled out a single shuriken. Holding it between his two fingers and showed it to Zaku. "I'll beat you with just this one shuriken."
"Good luck," Zaku said with a sneer as he let his arms fall to his side. "What's taking so long, start the match." He barked at Hayate.
Hayate coughed and looked between the two ninjas before lifting his hand. "3…2…1…Begin."
In less than a second black formulas appeared on the shuriken between Naruto's fingers and with a flick of his wrist he threw the shuriken towards Zaku. The shuriken went wide, Zaku wouldn't even have to move to avoid it. Naruto reached out with his mind, and found the formulas on the shuriken. Then as fast as he could he molded the chakra in his entire body and released it. For a brief second everything went dark, and then just as suddenly everything was back. Reaching out Naruto casually plucked the shuriken out of the air with his fingers and twisted on his heel. Turning in the palm of Naruto's free hand was a bright blue ball of spinning chakra much larger than one Hinata made.
"Flying Thunder God: Rasengan!" The Rasengan slammed into Zaku's back Naruto held the Rasengan in place for several seconds as Zaku screamed in pain before he collapsed the chakra shell around it. Zaku was blasted across the arena as the spinning charka twisted and burned his internal organs and chakra network. Zaku landed on the ground and rolled roughly before stopping.
Kakashi's eyes widened as he watched the black formulas flow onto the shuriken from Naruto's fingers. They were different than his sensei's, but he recognized the application. 'Impossible,' he thought to himself as he watched Naruto throw the shuriken towards Zaku. Naruto disappeared completely, and reappeared almost instantly. Kakashi watched with wide eyes as Naruto slammed the Rasengan into Zaku. 'I thought Naruto said he wouldn't learn these jutsu. What changed? When did he learn them?'
"That's the same jutsu you used Hinata!" Kiba shouted loudly as he leaned over the balcony. "Did he teach it to you? Is that what you two have been up to? Can you teleport too?"
"N-no," Hinata said as she watched Zaku land on the ground. "He taught me the Rasengan but not that."
"That's the Fourth Hokage's jutsu." Asuma said as he stood up straight his cigarette dangling from his lips. He turned to look at Kakashi and then back at Naruto. 'I knew the he was Minato's son, but I never thought he'd know something like that.'
"Kakashi-sensei what is that jutsu? He was your sensei, right? You should know it." Sakura asked as she and Sasuke stared at Kakashi expectantly.
"It's the Flying Thunder God Jutsu. A teleportation technique that's almost impossible to pull off. You need massive chakra reserves, meticulous chakra control, mental flexibility and intimate knowledge of fuinjutsu. It's rare enough to have the chakra reserves to use it, but the larger your chakra reserves are the harder chakra control is. Not to mention fuinjutsu…it's a complicated ninja art that comprises of embedding chakra into calligraphy called formulas. Even if you can do all of that, to use it in battle you need to be extremely fast. Teleporting is one thing, but being able to quickly adjust and react based on your new position is another. I tried to learn it once, and no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't get it to work right. Using it put me in more danger than not."
"He is a prodigy! Like Neji and Sasuke!" Lee shouted excitedly. "I really wish I could have been his opponent!"
'Even using his clones, to achieve that in just four days…' Jiraiya thought to himself as he watched Naruto reappear with a Rasengan in his hand. 'That reckless brat, he's lucky he didn't kill himself!' Jiraiya grinned as he watched as the Zaku kid was blasted across the arena. 'Are you seeing this Kushina? Minato? This is our boy and it only took him four days.'
'Are you watching Orochimaru? Old man?' Naruto thought to himself as he lifted his hand and pointed at Zaku's crumpled body.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto! An heir of the Uzumaki Clan of Uzushio and the student of The Great Lord Jiraiya the Legendary Toad Sage! Don't you dare underestimate me! Ever!"
"Winner: Uzumaki Naruto," Hayate said softly as he looked at Naruto with a raised eyebrow. "Anything else you want to say? Or can I start the next match?"
"No, that was all," Naruto said with a smirk as his blue eyes traveled over the second balcony and he locked his gaze on the pale Oto jonin with pale green eyes. "I think I got the message across." Then Naruto threw the shuriken still in between his fingers up towards the balcony it landed on the railing between Sasuke and Sakura and he teleported it.
"See told you all, 10 seconds or less." Naruto said with a grin as he jumped down off the railing.
"You probably shouldn't antagonize him Naruto," Kakashi said softly so only the two of them could hear. "But that wasn't a bad way to do it," he muttered as he pulled the shuriken out of the metal railing and examined the formula.
"When did you learn how to do that?" Sakura asked excitedly. "Could you do that the whole time and you never told us?"
Kakashi tuned out his students as he examined Naruto's formula. It was different from his sensei's using the kanji for strength, sunny, love, and friends. His dark eye flashed towards Hinata and then to the others. Naruto had changed the formula to something that meant a great deal to him, was that what he'd missed when learning it?
"OH! OH! You're going down big head!" Ino shouted loudly. Kakashi looked up to see Ino smirking at Sakura and then turned to look at the screen.
Haruno Sakura Vs. Ino Yamanaka
"That's what you think you loud mouthed bimbo!" Sakura snapped back as she turned in a huff and marched towards the stairs.
"Loud mouth! I'll show you!" Ino huffed as she elbowed her way past Sakura and walked in front of her.
Sakura grit her teeth and was about to run past the blond when she felt a hand reach out and grab her. She turned to see Sasuke staring down at her his bright red eyes staring right down into hers.
"Don't drag this out. You outclass her in every way, end it quick so we can move on." Sasuke said softly before letting go of her arm. Sasuke turned around and didn't spare her another look.
"Sure thing," Sakura replied as she smiled at Sasuke's back. Taking a deep breath, she calmed down and made her way down the stairs. As she entered the arena, she looked at Ino who was smirking at her. Sakura took the position opposite of her and cracked her knuckles.
"You're looking pretty confident there, but you won't be winning this." Ino said hotly as she continued smirking at Sakura. "You were nothing until you met me, and now because you're on Sasuke's team you think your hot shit or something?"
"Unlike you, I thought we were friends." Sakura replied sadly as she looked at Ino. "I didn't realize having a crush on the same boy would make you want to throw all of that away."
"You knew I liked him, and you didn't care. You came to me so proud saying that you liked him too. You were just a crying baby with a big head before we met."
"Enough chit-chat," Hayate said before lifting his hand up. "3…2…1…Begin!" Hayate brought his hand down and jumped back immediately. After Naruto's match he didn't want to be near any of Kakashi's students or else he might get caught in the cross fire.
Ino quickly drew several kunai and threw them at Sakura, before rushing towards her. Sakura instantly pulled several shuriken out of her pouch and deflected the kunai with them.
"Earth Style: Great Mud River." The ground beneath Sakura's feet turned into mud and rushed forward towards Ino. The blond stopped and jumped back into the air.
"Learned some new tricks huh?" Ino pulled out a scroll and opened it with a flick of her wrist. "I have a few too!" The scroll was covered in sealing formulas and the blond channeled her chakra into them. With several loud pops dozens of kunai appeared in the air. "Wind Style: Gale Palm!" Concentrated wind chakra blasted into the kunai sending them flying through the air.
Sakura's eyes widened slightly at the number of kunai coming towards her. Each one had an explosive tag attached to the ring, reaching into her pouch she pulled out a smoke bomb and threw it on the ground.
"That's not going to help!" Ino shouted as she landed on the ground just as the kunai started to land into the ground around her. Almost a dozen explosions rocked the arena as the tags detonated. The smoke cleared and a beaten and battered Sakura laying on the ground her clothes smoking and singing from the explosions. "Told you." Ino grinned as she looked at Sakura's beaten form. Then her eyes widened when Sakura disappeared with a pop.
"Is that all you got Ino pig!?" Sakura shouted as she came down from above. Ino barely had time to dodge before Sakura's fist hit the ground. There was a loud rumble as the arena ground cracked and several chunks of stone were blasted upwards. Sakura quickly moved forward rounding back her arm and pumping it full of chakra. She punched one of the stone chunks right at Ino. The chunk of stone blasted towards Ino like a bullet. She barely got out of the way as the stone chunk flew past her and embedded itself in the wall.
"Hey! Watch the arena other participants have to fight here!" Hayate shouted as he dodged a piece of stone from the battered ground.
"This is over anyway! Earth Style: Dragon Bullet!" Sakura shouted as she ran through several hand seals. A large dragon head made of solid earth broke through the ground. The dragon head shot off several large stone bullets at Ino who was doing everything she could to dodge them.
'I don't have a choice; I'm going to have to take over her mind!' Ino thought to herself as she dodged a bullet by jumping into the air. Bringing her fingers together to form a circle she aimed it directly at Sakura and tried to initiate the jutsu, but nothing happened. Sakura looked up at her smirking before turning into mud and falling apart. 'A mud clone?!' Ino thought to herself as she looked around.
"It's over!" Sakura appeared just above her, her arm wound back ready to punch her.
'If she hits me like she hit that ground I'm dead!' Ino thought as her eyes widened in fear.
Sakura smirked and thrust her arm forward, her fist just inches from Ino, before she opened her fist and using her middle finger and thumb flicked Ino on the head. Ino's head snapped back and the momentum dragged her body like an anchor sending her to the ground. She landed with a hard thud. Sakura landed next to her and straightened up.
Hayate watched for several seconds, before he cleared his throat. "Winner: Haruno Sakura!"
"Jeeze, what freakish strength." Nara Shikamaru groaned as he looked down at his fallen teammate. "That's what happens when you yap like that though."
"I figured she'd be a bit quicker than that." Sasuke said as a soft smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"HELL YEAH! SAKURA!" Naruto shouted from the balcony! "Way to show her!"
"Glad I'm not fighting her." Kiba muttered as he let out a sigh. "But I'm running out of options," he looked around grimaced.
"She's strong, and fast, and beautiful! She's perfect!" Rock Lee shouted as she leaned over the railing. "Please be my girlfriend Sakura-chan!" Rock Lee shouted.
"Sorry Lee, she's Sasuke's girlfriend!" Naruto said with a chuckle.
"No, she isn't!" Sasuke snapped at the blond. "Don't say things like that people might believe you."
"Ah a rival for Sakura's love! I'll fight you for her Sasuke-kun!" Lee said as he appeared next to Sasuke looking serious. "We'll have an honorable match for her heart!"
"Look at what you started," Sasuke muttered as he turned away from Lee and looked down at Sakura who was walking back up the stairs. Their eyes met, and Sasuke resisted the urge to smile at her. He gave her a small nod and turned away.
"Good Job, Sakura." Kakashi said softly with a smile under his mask.
"That was great Sakura-chan!" Hinata said softly as she smiled at the green-eyed shinobi.
"Yeah that was-"Naruto was cut off as he turned to face Sakura. Standing in the shadows near the opening that led to the stairs was the pale Oto Jonin. A small smile pulled on his thin lips and he jerked his head before turning away.
"That was what?" Sakura asked Naruto turning her head to the side, her eyes flickering between Naruto and the staircase.
"Amazing," Naruto finished quickly turning to his teammate and giving her a large grin. "I knew you could do it…. give me a quick second I have to take a piss."
"NARUTO!" Sakura snapped loudly at the him as he grinned sheepishly and walked away. "You know there are ladies present!"
"I'm sure Kiba doesn't mind," he replied back with a laugh as he walked away.
"Say that to my face!" Kiba barked, as the rest of his team, and even Sasuke laughed at him.
As Naruto rounded the corner and entered the stair case, he could here Lee shouting from the balcony.
"Finally! My turn! I told you Guy-sensei! Reverse psychology!"
Naruto turned on the landing and quickly went down the second set of stairs, instead of going straight into the arena he turned and slipped between the opening that separated the wall around the arena and the rest of the tower that led back to their rooms. As soon as he turned the corner, he saw him.
"What do you want?" Naruto spat out as he came face to face with Orochimaru.
"Tsk-tsk," Orochimaru clicked his tongue and let out a chuckle. "Now now Naruto-kun you chose to come out here to talk. You didn't have to follow me." Orochimaru's voice was as smooth as silk and almost sent chills down Naruto's neck. He hated it.
Naruto swallowed hard, and squeezed his hand trying to steady his nerves. 'What am I doing? He could kill me in a second if he wanted.' Naruto thought to himself as he looked around, no one else was there. 'I should have at least said something to Sasuke or Sakura.'
"Look we got off on the wrong foot," Orochimaru said with an almost sweet smile that made Naruto's stomach turn. "It's true I came here for the Uchiha boy and his body, but you weren't what I expected. I thought you'd be too dangerous to keep alive so I tried to kill you." Orochimaru shrugged casually as he leaned against the wall. "I mean we're ninja, aren't we? It's what we're trained to do it wasn't personal."
"Normally I'd agree with you, but you came after my friend, and to be honest knowing what you've done to innocent people makes me kind of sick. I just don't know why my master or yours hasn't put you down like the animal that you are." Naruto said swallowing the lump in his throat, hoping his voice hadn't cracked.
"That has nothing to do with you," Orochimaru said as he waved one of his hands lazily. "It's in the past, my methods have evolved since then…mostly." He smiled smirked and licked his lips. "Your little demonstration did little to make me fear you boy, but it did make think you might be valuable."
"Thanks for that, but I'm still a danger to you. Maybe not right now, but someday." Naruto locked eyes with Orochimaru and steadied his hands.
"Relax Naruto-kun," Orochimaru straightened up from the wall, and reached behind his back, he pulled medium sized scroll out from behind his back and presented it to Naruto. It was in a leather case that'd been dyed a deep azure blue and the clip holding it closed was the swirling Uzumaki clan crest. "I'm here to offer you a deal, its simple really. I will give you this scroll, and promise to leave Sasuke-kun alone. All you have to do is go to Uzushio, and find a very specific jutsu for me and promise not to interfere with any of my other plans. A Fuinjutsu that the Uzumaki clan created shortly before Uzushio was attacked."
Naruto eyed the scroll for a moment his eyes flickering between Orochimaru and the scroll. 'It has to be some kind of trap. Why would he stop pursing Sasuke all for one jutsu? How do I know that scroll isn't worthless?'
"Seems a little too good to be true," Naruto replied finally with a small sigh. "I'm not stupid why would I ever trust you?" Naruto turned to leave, but Orochimaru stopped him with what he said next.
"Because there you'll find the truth. All of it." Orochimaru said quietly, but his words echoed through the hall. "You'd be surprised what knowledge that village might hold for you Uzumaki Naruto-kun. Don't you want to know why the nine-tailed fox is sealed inside of you? Who destroyed the village? Who butchered your clanmates so thoroughly that less than a dozen of you survives?"
Naruto turned around, any fear he had before was gone. "If you know so much, why don't you tell me yourself? Why play games with me? With Sasuke's life?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Orochimaru hummed. "Besides its more fun this way." Orochimaru flipped the scroll around his fingers casually. "My goals are beyond your understanding boy, but you could throw a wrench in my plans, the conflict between you and me is about Sasuke-kun. I'm offering you a deal that benefits both of us."
"What's in that scroll?"
"The reason why no one's ever gone back there. Did you ever wonder why? I mean you're a clever kid you must have looked for answers, asked Jiraiya. Uzushio is sealed off, only an Uzumaki can undo the sealing jutsu, and not just any Uzumaki one from the main branch family. Uzumaki Kushina was the third daughter of the head of the Uzumaki Clan. You're the only one in the world that can undo the sealing jutsu and get into the village."
Naruto stared at the scroll, grit his teeth and reached out to take it. Orochimaru stopped spinning it in his hands and held it out. "You leave Sasuke alone, and I stay out of your way."
"And the Fuinjutsu," Orochimaru replied with a smile. "I added the description of it to the scroll. I'm guessing it was considered a Forbidden Jutsu, so look for wherever they might have kept those." Naruto gripped the scroll in his hand and swallowed before pulling it away. Orochimaru tightened his grip and smiled. "One last small thing. I'll need several vials of Sasuke's blood, not a too much I'll settle for 60 milliliters."
Naruto grit his teeth and sneered at Orochimaru, of course there was already a catch. 'Don't take that scroll…' Naruto thought himself for a second before he closed his eyes and pulled the scroll out of Orochimaru's grip roughly. "Fine."
"You have until the next round of the exams, fail and I'll take Sasuke-kun by force and kill all your little friends." Orochimaru said dropping his silk smooth cadence for a low menacing hiss. Orochimaru sank into the ground and disappeared.
Naruto let out a shaky breath as his heart beat in his chest rapidly. 'What the hell did I just do?' Looking down at the scroll he moved to unfasten the latch and open it.
"Naruto! Where have you been?"
Naruto turned hiding the scroll behind his back in one smooth motion. Sakura was standing there with Hinata and Kiba.
"You missed Lee's and Choji's fight." Kiba said with a grin. "Lee fought that freaky dude in purple makeup. The guy tried to use puppets but Lee blasted them away with his kicks. They're nothing but useless hunks of wood now."
"Yeah, and Choji lost to that weird dude with the bandages on his face. Choji tried to take him down by puffing up into a huge ball but I think he did something to him with those weird things on his arm." Sakura said quickly and excitedly.
"Are you okay Naruto?" Hinata asked as she looked at him with concern. "You seem a little tense."
Naruto quickly slide the scroll into his pouch and smiled at them. "Nope all good! Just a little light headed from the teleporting. Guess I haven't totally figured it out. It's really disorientating, gives you vertigo like crazy." Naruto wasn't lying, but of course it wasn't really what was bothering him right now.
"Well come on!" Sakura said as she turned around to walk back around the wall. "It's Sasuke's turn."
Naruto and the others ran up the stairs and onto the balcony. Naruto ran over to the railing and leaned over it to get a good look at Sasuke and his opponent. It was one of the weird leaf ninjas with the black masks and glasses.
"Sasuke told me to tell you it'll be less than five seconds," Kakashi said moved to stand next to Naruto, he too leaned over the railing resting his arms on top of it.
"Show off," Naruto said with a smile. "SAUSKE IF THIS TAKES YOU MORE THAN FIVE SECONDS, YOU'RE BUYING RAMEN FOR ALL OF US!" Naruto shouted down from the railing.
Sasuke looked up and smirked at him Naruto before turning back to his opponent.
Naruto watched as Hayate raised his arm and could hear him from up top. "3…2…1…Begin!"
Hayate had barley jumped back before it happened. Sasuke's opponent grabbed his head and started screaming wildly.
"Yup, it's over." Kakashi muttered as he looked over at Naruto and shrugged.
The black masked ninja's high-pitched scream echoed throughout the arena as he thrashed around wildly. The scream got higher and higher until his voice started cracking and then his arms feel to the side limply and he collapsed.
"I can't believe that idiot started the fight by looking him in the fucking eye." Naruto said as he shook his head. "I was really hoping for some free ramen."
"What happened?" Kiba asked as he looked at Naruto and Kakashi. "It's already over?"
"Genjutsu," Shino said softly from behind them. "It's a specialty of the Uchiha especially those with the sharingan."
"I guess there's a reason someone who looks as old as him is still just a genin." Sakura said as she motioned to the masked ninja who was being taken away on a stretcher.
"Fucking lame," Shikamaru muttered as he walked away from them. "I was hoping to see Sasuke in action."
"Sorry to disappoint," Sasuke said as he emerged from the stairs with a victorious smirk. "That was easier than I expected."
"What did you show him?" Naruto asked lazily as he looked up at the screen. "This has to be you right Kiba?" Naruto asked as he started to look around to find Kiba's opponent.
"Just him being eaten alive from the inside out by rats." Sasuke said with a shrug. "I figured I'd at least have to hit him, but he just passed out from the fear I guess."
Naruto finally found Kiba's next opponent. He was already in the arena, and Naruto locked eyes with him for a brief moment. It was one of the Suna-nin from when he and Hinata had met Konohamaru. He and Naruto locked eyes and Naruto stared into his light green eyes, and another feeling of uneasiness came over him. His skin crawled and his stomach felt like it was doing back-flips. Naruto turned to look at the screen above them.
Gaara Vs. Inuzaka Kiba
A/N: Alright a lot happened in this one or at least it felt that way. I tried to limit how much detail I put into each fight especially since a lot of these were rehashes of what's already been seen in canon. Obviously, I made some changes for fun, but we're quickly encroaching the halfway point of this story where it's going to deviate pretty strongly.
Please let me know what you think in the reviews! I really enjoy hearing feedback good and bad.