40: The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is Born!
Suiren Uzumaki: The disclaimer: I do not own Naruto cause if I did then Sakura wouldn't be a useless fangirl in pre-shippuden, and Naruto would have his father's smarts while keeping his mother's personality and knows about seals and how to use to them. I do, however, own Ryurama Senju, Yuki Senju nee Miran, Raika Miran (Senju), & the White Tiger Summoning Contract (A/N: If there is already a White Tiger Summoning Contract…then please ignore the last part). Remember to Read and Review to let me know what you think. Also, if you don't like any twist that I might make then stop reading and find something else to read plus don't leave a review that's a flame or I will find a way to block you. Ja ne!
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"It's like his whole body is changing," Ino gasp in shock.
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Temari let out a gasp of shock at the sight before her.
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"How is he turning red?" Naruto asked.
"An effect of the 8 inner gates," Raika answered as they watched.
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A growl tore its way out of Lee's throat.
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"What's it mean? What's happening?"
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"He's opened up the third gate," Kakashi stated in shocked awe. "The Gate of Life. Now he'll attack."
"Oh, no," Gai spoke up. "Not yet."
"Hmm?"
The silver hair Jonin looked at the man, who claims to be his rival.
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'The fourth gate. Gate of Pain! Open!'
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"Incredible," the Hatake gasped. "No one can do that through share will alone. The boy is truly a genius."
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With one last growl, Lee took off running towards Gaara, but in doing so the ground under his feet broke from the pressure of him opening the four to five of the 8 inner gates.
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This of course caused a shake wave, that made everyone in the upper parts to shield themselves from the back lash.
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'He's faster than ever.'
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"Gaara!" Kankuro called out when he noticed that his brother wasn't were he had been.
"Where did they go?" the blonde asked as the two of them looked around.
Raika scanned the arena floor before snapping her head skyward with a wide eye.
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"Up there!" Shikamaru called out as he had also noticed.
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The redhead Sand Genin groaned as shock rushed through his body at what just happened.
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"There's Gaara, but what happened to Lee?" Ino asked.
"He's…just…gone," Choji answered as he looked around in shock and awe.
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Wine red eyes narrow as the owner watched the sand from Gaara's gourd rush towards him as fast as it can.
'Of course,' the green hair Senju gasped in shock. 'The sand can't move fast enough to protect him!'
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However, the sand armor that Gaara was wearing as starting to crack.
"Hiding behind that sand armor again?" Lee asked as he rushed around the tower's training ground. "We'll just have to see about that!"
It was at that moment that Lee started to use Gaara as pinball in the air from the fast-moving punches and kicks with elbows and knees thrown in.
'My armor,' the redhead thought in shock. 'Can't withstand this pounding!' The green wearing Genin continued his assault without a second thought. 'It's crumbling!'
"You are a tough one," Lee stated as he used the ceiling to push off and hit Gaara again before he did the same with the ground. "Try this!"
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"He's muscles are tearing themselves apart," Kakashi stated as he watched everything in shock.
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'Is that really Lee?' Neji thought in shock. 'But, when? How?'
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"Just one more," Lee stated as Gaara's eyes widen. "And then we are done." 'Fifth gate! Gate of Closing! Open!'
'No human can move like this!' the redhead thought. 'It's impossible to defend myself!'
'Are you watching Neji?' Lee thought as he glanced at the Hyuuga. 'I was saving this ace in the hole to use against you. See what you have to look forward, too?'
At that moment, the green clad male vanished for a microsecond only to reappear and punch Gaara in the stomach. However, he then went onto grab a part of the redhead's outfit which took the other by surprise as the sand tried to rush to help its controller.
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'He's sand shield can't keep up,' Temari thought in shock.
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'He's in trouble.'
'Wow.'
'Be careful, Lee. After all, a Jinchuuriki is at their most dangerous when backed into a corner while being on the losing side at that.'
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'The Hidden Lotus,' thought Gai. 'A taijutsu combination of just blinding speed that no one can even defend themselves against it not even Neji. Gaara's sand shield is useless.'
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'And now to finish it,' thought Lee as he pulled Gaara closer before nailing him with his feet and his fist. 'Hidden Lotus!'
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Everyone covered their faces when Gaara hit the ground, and a cloud of smoke blocked their eyesight.
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'So fast. I couldn't see a thing.'
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"Things have just gotten bad," Roshi stated as he narrowed his eyes while trying to see through the smoke.
"What do you mean?" Yamitsuchi asked as he looked at the Iwa Jonin.
The red hair male looked at his true student, who was actually more of an apprentice than anything else.
"Both Han and I have proven more times than I can count that backing a Jinchuuriki into a corner is not a very smart move," he told the young Genin. "Cause the Jinchuuriki can and will use their Bijuu to get out of that very corner." Roshi then looked over at the blonde and green hair cousins. "Just look over there at the Senjus." Yamitsuchi, Kurotsuchi, and Akatsuchi glanced over to them to see that while they were shielding their eyes, they were also ready to jump into the arena at the first sign of demonic chakra. "The blonde is a Woody Style User and thus can force a Bijuu back into it's seal while the greenette is no doubt on the road to being a Fuinjutsu master.'
"What should we do?" Kurotsuchi asked. "I mean, the Wood user looks like the Yellow Flash, and you know how our people are going to react upon learning of Naruto Senju."
"We are to do nothing, but make sure that Yamitsuchi gets to the finals, so that we can show that Iwa is strong."
"Got it."
'But, Lord Tsuchikage is going to want to know about this Naruto Senju kid,' Roshi thought. 'Along with…' He looked at the greenette. 'Raika Senju.'
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Lee cried out as he felt the muscles in his arm and leg tear itself apart and thus didn't see the gourd on Gaara's back turn into sand.
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'What's happening?'
'The gourd is turning into sand.'
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Both boys hit the ground with Lee rolling out of the smoke that was caused from the hit with a groan.
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"Unbelievable!" Naruto yelled. "He did it!"
"Gaara!"
'I don't like this.' "Lee."
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"I wonder if it's over," Ino said softly.
"Huh?"
It then that those of Squad 10 took notice of thing as the smoke cleared.
"What's that? Down there?"
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Gaara could be seen gasp for breath while sand that had once been his gourd cocoon him.
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Naruto let out a gasp of shock at seeing Gaara still conscious though to Raika this was a good thing as it meant that the Ichi no Tanuki couldn't be showing its ugly head.
"Don't let your guard down, kit," a familiar demonic voice rung in the blonde's head. "Cause if I know my insane younger brother like I think I do then his Jinchuuriki isn't afraid to kill just make the idiot shut up."
'Are you sure, Kyuubi?' the blonde Senju thought back in question.
"I am more than sure, kit," the Kyuubi no Kitsune growled in answer.
The Senju Heir gently elbowed his cousin in the side making her to look at him before looking back at the arena floor.
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'Unbelievable. He cushioned his fall by turning that gourd into sand.'
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Gaara lifted his hand up while focusing on Lee, who tried to move out of the way only to be in too much pain.
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'I know what's coming now.'
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"SAND COFFIN!"
The Rain ninja was crushed with blood raining down.
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Lee tried once again to get up only to be unable to.
'Impossible. He not only survived the Hidden Lotus, but he is able to go on the attack.'
The green clad Genin kept trying to get up only for both his arm and leg to be grabbed in sand.
"Sand Coffin," Gaara growled as he closed his hand.
This motion completely broke the right arm and leg of Lee, who cried in pain.
'I'm not going to be the one, who loses. I have my own Ninja Way.'
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The Senju cousins shared a look with each other before they were moving.
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'No,' Hayate thought in shock.
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"Now you die," Gaara snarled as his sand moved to attack.
However, at that moment, two voices rung out loud and clear.
"Wood Style: Wood Dome!"
"This fight is over, so knock it off!"
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"I knew it," Roshi sighed.
"I have no love for Konoha, but that Leaf Genin doesn't deserve to be crushed to death," Kurotsuchi stated.
"Agreed," the other two seconded.
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When the sand landed on the ground, a dome of wood was seen surrounding the down Lee while Gai stood in front of it with his right arm out as he had cut through the sand. Gaara stared in surprise as the Wood Dome came undone which showed Naruto, who had his hands on the ground, and Raika, who was working on healing Lee. So, surprise was the redhead that his mind went back to his own lonely childhood before it broke.
"But, why?" Gaara asked. "He failed. Why save him?"
"Because he's…" Gai trailed off.
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"I am alright," a beat-up Lee stated. "I am getting stronger all the time."
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"The Chunin Exams. I am going to make you proud, Gai-sensei."
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"I want to show that I can a splendid ninja, too! Even if I don't have Ninjutsu or Genjutsu! I want to show it to the whole world!"
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"Because he's…" once again Gai trailed off. "My student and he is…precious to me."
"There is also the fact that Konoha doesn't abandon one of our own," Naruto spoke up. "For that is our Will of Fire!"
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Hiruzen's eyes widen in shock as he looked at the blonde only to see the form of the Shodaime Hokage overlap the young Senju Heir.
'Lord Hashirama, your Heir is more like you than I had thought possible,' the Sarutobi thought as a smile came to his face. 'And I believe that he would one day make a splendid Hokage for the village.'
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"He's precious to him?" Temari asked herself in surprise. "A student?"
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"A comrade of Konoha isn't abandon by a fellow comrade?" Kankuro breathed in question. "Because of the Will of Fire? What is that?"
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'Those are sentiments that Gaara couldn't even begin to understand,' Baki thought.
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Gaara stood up as his sand reformed his gourd before walking away to the cousins and Gai's surprise.
"Huh?"
"I quit," the redhead stated.
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"Say what!?" Ino asked in shock. "He quits?"
"But, it's already too late for Lee," Kakashi stated. "He lost the match the moment that Gai, Naruto, and Raika intervened."
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Hayate watched as Gaara walked away confused.
"Huh? The Winner of this match is…"
It was that moment that the Gekko took notice of something.
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However, the protector wasn't the only, who was surprised as everyone gasp in shock.
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"Lee!" the greenette yelled as the green clad Genin stood up. "What are you doing!? You shouldn't be moving or you'll damage your body even more!" Lee, however, got into a fighting stance without once saying a word. "LEE!"
The wine red eyed, green hair Genin could only stare at the year older Genin.
"It can't be," Gai breathed in surprise.
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'Even after all of that, he shouldn't be able to move let alone stand up.'
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The green clad Jonin moved to stand in front of his student.
"No Lee," Gai told him. "It's alright. It's all over now. Anyway, you are in no condition to…" However, he trailed off when he noticed something off about Lee. "Lee? Oh, Lee." Tears started to fall from the man's eyes. "What have I done?"
Lee was standing on his feet completely unconscious.
"Gai-sensei?" Naruto asked softly.
"Look at you," Gai cried. "Not even conscious and still determined to show the world what you can do."
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This took everyone by surprise as they didn't think it was possible for someone to still be standing while unconscious.
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"He's out cold," Kakashi stated as he pulled down his headband. "Nothing keeping him up, but sheer willpower."
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"Lee, you've already proven it."
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Everyone could only watch as Gai pulled the young teen into a hug.
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"You are a splendid ninja."
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Hayate looked at them before glancing at the redhead.
"The winner is Gaara."
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"Lee," Raika said as she moved to try and finish the healing.
"Raika!" Kakashi called out making her to look up at him. "There is nothing that you can do for him right now!" Her eyes widen at that. "There are times when sympathetic words can make everything worse!"
The green hair Senju looked over to watch Gai placed Lee down on the ground as Hayate walked over to them.
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"Hmph. I knew that he couldn't beat Gaara."
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'Still…it was a lot tougher match than we thought.'
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Naruto moved to Raika's side while looking at the redhead, who looked back at the cousins.
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'Naruto.'
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'I can't believe it. Lee lost to him.'
"Hurry! This boy needs attention!"
The blonde looked down at Lee.
"Bushy brow."
'Oh, Lee.'
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All the around the room, everyone watched the medics as they looked over Lee.
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However, one of their eyes widen before looked up at Gai with a sad look
"You're his teacher? Aren't you?"
"I am. What is it?"
"Well, you come with me?"
Both Gai and the medic walked away as the two Senjus watched before looking back.
"Careful with him," another medic told a third as they moved Lee to a stretcher. "Easy."
Once they had him on the stretcher, the third medic rushed off, however, it wasn't long before they attention was turned to the first medic and Gai.
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"The boy's breathing is faint, but steady," Gai was told. "There are bone fractures and muscle tears throughout his body. He's facing a long and difficult rehabilitation, but I am afraid that is not the worst of it. His left arm and leg have suffered massive damaged in particular."
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The cousins shared a look of shock before looking back.
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"I'm sorry. I know how much it means to you both, but he'll fight again. He's days as a shinobi are over."
The medic bowed before walking away.
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Raika's hands flew up to cover her mouth in shock as tears fell from her eyes while Naruto was shaking in disbelief and horror.
"No," Naruto spoke up. "He's wrong. It can't be true."
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"Hold it!" Naruto yelled making them all to look at him. "I get him first. This weirdo is mine."
"No, thank you," the older Genin said. "Right now, the only one I want to fight is Uchiha."
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"Naruto, I get where you are coming," the older Genin told him. "Believe me? But, Raika is right. The rules say that all fighting must be done officially in a match. The loser beating the genius through sure will power. Wouldn't that make for an exciting match? Even if I am the one that is going to have to fight Neji." The green wearing teen looked back at the blonde. "Of course, if you end up fighting him then that is fine, too."
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The blonde looked up as Gai walked up to them.
'Lee. Oh, Lee. Please forgive me? I can't bare the thought of you losing. I wanted you to achieve your goal. To prove your ninja way was the right way.'
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A piece of wood broke apart as Lee jumped up and down.
"Yes, I did it! I finally mastered the jutsu!"
'In the end only, Lee managed to master this jutsu.'
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"As of today, you all Genin," Gai said as he stood in front of his students. "So, now tell me. Why you've done it? What are your goals? Hmm?"
"How about me, sensei!?" Lee asked as he raised his hand making Tenten to leaned away a bit. "I want to show that I can be a splendid ninja as well. If I do not have Ninjutsu or Genjutsu. I want to prove it to the whole world!"
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'It was all my fault. I should have stopped it. Oh, forgive me? LEE!?'
They all watched as the two medics walked away.
'It's not true,' Naruto thought as he shook. 'It can't be true.'
"Aniki?" the greenette asked softly as she looked at him.
"EASY FOR YOU TO SAY IT'S OVER!" the blonde yelled. "WHAT ABOUT BUSHY BROW?! WHAT'S HE SUPPOSE TO DO NOW!?"
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Kakashi narrowed his eyes.
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"FAILURE! I THOUGHT THAT YOU SAID WE COULD WIN! I THOUGHT THAT YOU WERE GOING TO SHOW HOW A FAILURE CAN…IT WAS ALL A LIE WASN'T IT?"
Raika grabbed Naruto when he moved to follow just as the silver hair Jonin appeared behind them.
"That's enough, Naruto," Kakashi told him softly while covering his mouth.
"But, Sensei, it isn't fair. All he ever wanted was to prove himself against Sasuke and Neji."
"And maybe that is what lead to his down fall," the Hatake stated. "He was so fixed on that goal that he sacrificed his body and his future to obtain it. Now that goal is unobtainable." Kakashi moved out of the way allowing Raika to take over in being the shoulder that Naruto needed. "But, you are wrong about one thing, Naruto. It wasn't just Sasuke and Neji that he was thinking of. It was you, too." This made Naruto's eyes to widen in shock. "That's right. He risked everything in hopes of meeting you in combat. Remember that."
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Neji just looked at the scene in front of him.
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"Be worthy of his sacrifice," Kakashi stated.
'Lee,' Raika thought as she watched them leave. 'Please be alright.'
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'Lee, you didn't understand,' thought Neji. 'Even in the end. Fate will never smile on the fortunate of ninja, who seeks victory by falling on his own sword, or by demanding others fall on theirs.'
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Gaara turned to look as Gai left before he returned to his sister and sensei.
'So, the worst didn't happen after all,' Baki thought.
"Good to have you back Gaara," Temari stated with a slight smirk.
All Gaara did was look at her.
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Kakashi placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder before he looked at Gai, who had his back to them, and his head down. Without much thought, the Hatake started towards his fellow Jonin and closet friend.
"Gai," he spoke up. "About what I said earlier. I was out of line. I was being a self-righteous foul. I realized now that if I had been in your shoes I probably couldn't have stopped him either." The silver hair Jonin let out a sigh before looking at his two students, who looked at him confused. "Come on Gai." He looked back at the man. "Let's go up. They can't start the next match with us standing here."
"Right," Gai agreed.
The group of four walked back up to the balcony to stand with the others to watch the last match.
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"Now then," Hayate spoke up. "The last two compactors. Can you please step forward."
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"At last," Yamitsuchi cheered as he jumped onto the railing.
"Remember Yamitsuchi make this match quick and don't show off," Kurotsuchi told him.
"Understood Lady Kurotsuchi," the young ACUTAL Genin said with a nod before he leaped into the arena.
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'Just keep your eyes on the prize,' Choji thought as he joined the Iwa Shinobi. 'All you can eat BBQ.'
'How should I go about this?' the slightly older Genin thought. 'Should I go for Earth Style Barrier: Earth Dome Prison and make this Tree-hugger use up all of his chakra or should I go with Earth Armor Jutsu on top of Rock Fist? Decisions, decisions, decisions.'
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Choji Akamichi vs Yamitsuchi of Iwa
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"Alright," the Gekko spoke up. "The 10th and final match will begin."
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Suiren Uzumaki: To the review left by danj09290 from the last chapter: I am glad that you like the chapter. I am hoping that this new chapter will be just as enjoyable as the last. I would also like to apologize for how long it has taken to get the chapter out as I am now working a second job, so the chapters are going to take longer than they use too and for that I apologize. Anyways, I am glad that you like the idea of Tobi aka Obito and Raika as I already have some ideas of how that would works out, but I am not going to spoil it. As for the idea that I mentioned, I was planning on making a slight twist to it as it did have potential, and it has given me ideas...like Obito not taking the fact that Raika wants to keep Naruto safe very well. But...*Shrugs*...it is what it is.