From Ninja to Shinigami

Chapter 18: Next Stage

By: jacke44

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===Konoha Stadium, Konoha Shinobi Area===

Naruto is holding his hands up in a pleading motion trying to stop the enraged Inuzuka. "Come on Hana-chan, even you have to admit it was pretty funny, especially when you dived for the pig and missed it because it went through your legs and ran through a pile of your dirty clothes and came out with one of your bras attached to its tail. Then you had to chase it through the compound. And what made it even funnier was it just rained the night before and the ground was all muddy." Hana's face went to a new shade of red none of them have seen before.

Hanabi looks at Hinata with a grin. "I didn't know anybody could go that red, not even you Hinata-chan, even when you got out of the hospital bed to go to the bathroom and Naruto saw your butt because you didn't close the back of your gown."

The moment Kurenai heard this she put her hand on her mouth trying to not laugh. Knowing what that must have been like for the girl that she saw as a daughter, but she lost it and begin laughing at the reaction of Hinata. With a bright red face Hinata grabbed a bucket of popcorn in dumped it on her sister's head. With Ashia dropping to her knees and crying about her lost popcorn.

Hana being reminded of this embarrassing memory seemed to make her even madder. As she dived on top of Naruto and begin to beat him in the only way a big sister can and as she begins to pummel her little brother, everybody around him begin to laugh, ignoring his cries for help.

Noriko and Ashia both laughing and cheering her on giving out suggestions such as giving him noogie. No give him a wet willy then both girls share a look before breaking out in grins then begin chanting wedgie, wedgie, wedgie.

Naruto manages to roll over on his back and looks at them. "Hey, why aren't you helping me you little traitors."

Ashia tries to puff out her nonexistence chest and answers him. "As you know big brother we women have to stick together and make sure all you men stay where you're supposed to be, that is in line because us women are way smarter than you men."

Naruto then sends a glare at Yoshino. "Stop trying to corrupt her." At the same time thinking to himself it was bad enough when mom was doing it now it's her. Yoshino is whistling innocently while trying to hide an evil smirk.

As Naruto tries to push Hana off of him he freezes when he realizes his hands are on her breasts.

Hana gives Naruto a very feral grin, despite lacking the normal Inuzuka features. "I didn't realize that you wanted to be that close little brother." Naruto quickly remove his hands and puts them at his side.

Now sitting on Naruto's stomach, Hana leans down and whispers in his ear. "You know Naruto-kun, I've seen you as my little brother since I first met you that night, but technically speaking we're not really brother and sister by blood and I've got to admit you would make a fine mate. As you know we Inuzuka women love strong males. And I don't think Mom would mind me looking outside of the pack if I found such a strong specimen of a mate like you. And just so you know you owe me a lunch for bringing that up and for grabbing my chest." She said before giving him a playful bite on his ear.

After getting up off the ground Naruto watches as she walks over and talks to her mom.

Tsume glances over at Naruto with a look he didn't like then suddenly Kiba started walking towards him with an angry look in his eyes, but he's grabbed by his sister, he enhances his hearing and listens in on their conversation.

===Conversation===

Hana growls. "Okay what the hell's the problem runt?"

Kiba looks at his sister. "There's no way in hell I'm letting that dope go out on a date with my sister, I also saw the way he grabbed your chest. Despite her normal appearance at that moment Hana looked more feral than normal. She brings them face-to-face.

"You listen to me runt, who I go out with is none of your business, if I want to go out on a date with Naruto-kun that is my business and as for him grabbing my chest that was an accident."

Kiba lets out a growl. "But what if he tries to go further, you know Inuzuka women aren't allowed to go outside the pack looking for a mate."

This makes both Inuzuka women growl at him. "What happens after the date is between me and him whether he walks me home or we go for a round in the sheets is our decision and only ours, you have no choice in this matter." Hana said fiercely.

===Present===

With a blush Naruto shakes it off and stops listening to their conversation, he would admit that he always found Hana attractive, she was one of the girls that always treated him kindly. Suddenly Naruto's vision is obscured by Tenten as she grabs him by the front of his jacket

"Let me see your sword please, I have to see it right now. Come on." Tenten said excitedly. "Please Naruto just let me see your sword, I'll do anything... even give it a good polish if you want."

Naruto tries to suppress his laughter. "That's a really bold request Tenten, asking me to take out my sword right here... especially in this crowd and with all these women around... not to mention I'm the Head of 2 clans, but also the Daimyo of Whirlpool." He said with a smile.

Tenten instantly jumped backwards waving her hands. "That's not what I meant, please just give me a chance, I promise that's not what I meant!" As she finished talking the entire area bust out laughing.

Ino walks up to her. "That was a really bold request of you to ask him. I don't think any of the Sasuke fan girls would of ever tried that approach."

Tsume, with a predator-like grin along with the other Clan wives all look at Tenten. "If you're going to try and get that close to Naruto you're going to have to go through us, and you're not making a good first impression asking him to take out his sword in public."

This sent Tenten into a spiral of trying to apologize and explain herself. Anko and Yoruichi are both standing off to the side laughing their heads off with Nemu trying to hide a glare she's sending at Tenten.

Ashia looks at Noriko. "Do you know what they're talking about?"

Noriko shakes her head." I don't know, all adults strange to me."

Naruto just shakes his head. "I've got to get back... maybe if you're good I'll give you a personal look at my sword." And with wink Naruto disappears, leaving a red-faced Tenten being laughing at.

Yoshino gives Anko a shove. "You're a bad influence on him."

===Contestants box===

After creating several Shadow Clones to go and collect the bets that he'd placed, along with placing new ones. Naruto appears in the box and walks up to stand next to Shikamaru and Shino.

Shikamaru shakes his head. "You just have to cause trouble and always be the center of attraction don't you Naruto, can't you ever do anything the easy way."

Naruto looks at Shikamaru. "I know that you always like to be the laid-back kind of guy Shikamaru, but you have to realize being a Shinobi isn't just a title you carry into battle, it's also a burden you have to carry every day, if we don't operate with our absolute best then what right do we have to ask our comrades to trust us with their lives. And If we fail then we're not letting down just ourselves, but also letting down all of are comrades and we will have to be the one to come home and look their families in the eyes and tell them that we were not able to protect them. So I did a lot of thinking over the last month."

Before Naruto can say anything else Shikamaru interrupts. "What have Ino and I told you about thinking without supervision Naruto, you know that's dangerous, especially with your brain."

Naruto get a tick mark on his forehead. "This coming from a lazy bum like you... anyway, I decided I will no longer hide behind my mask. And I'm going to show my comrades I have the power to protect them and that they can trust me with their lives."

Shino pushes up his sunglasses. "Very well said Uzumaki-san."

unknown to them they were being watched by an ANBU Black Op's Tram with the orders to watch the contestants and make sure they do not fight with a certain Neko masked ANBU acting as team captain hiding a smile behind her mask.

==Arena==

The proctor Genma suddenly appears. "The next fight is about to commence, will Uchiha Sasuke and Gaara please come to the arena." Gaara appears in a swirl of sand. "Sasuke Uchiha please come to the arena, you have 2 minutes to appear before you are disqualified." After the 2-minute deadline Genma looks up at Hokage booth.

===Hokage booth===

Hiruzen holds down the brim of his hat. "I will not be playing favorites." Before he can gives the signal the Kazekage looks at him.

"Shirley we can give him an extension, a lot of important people came to see this fight between my son and the last Uchiha."

Hiruzen just shakes his head. "I'm sorry, if we cannot trust him to be on time how can we trust him for a mission if the mission has a timeline... and don't call me Shirley." He gives the signal to continue and almost smirks, as amazing, and annoying, as Naruto has been recently his attitude seemed to be rubbing off on him a little... but was that good or bad, though he did love the look of confusion on the Kazekage's face.

===Arena===

Genma sees the signal. "Due to Sasuke Uchiha not appearing he is here by disqualified and the winner is Gaara." Surprisingly only a few people in the crowd begins to boo in disappointment at not getting to see Sasuke fight once Gaara returns to the contestant box.

"We will now proceed to the next fight, will Shino Aburame and Kankuro of the Hidden Sand Village please come to the arena." Genma said, but before Shino can even move Kankuro calls out that he forfeits. "Due to Kankuro forfeiting Shino is the winner of the next round. The next round will now commence... Shikamaru and Temari please come to the arena."

Watching Temari head down on her fan to the arena Naruto seeing Shikamaru about to raise his hand. "Don't even think about it." Then kicks him in the butt, sending him over the edge of the balcony to the ground below.

Kankuro looks at Naruto. "Wasn't that a little much?"

Naruto looks at him. "Trust me, you don't have to deal with his Mother, if I had stood by, let him forfeit, and not done anything about it..." Naruto shivers at the though of it. "...that woman could scare off one of the tailed beasts with her glares."Kankuro goes white and begins to sweat heavily, "...but that's most of the women of the Leaf Village." That makes both of them laugh, then suddenly Naruto senses a presence behind him. Looking back he sees Shino.

"I will make sure to inform her you said that Uzumaki-san." Shino said, hiding the smirk on his face underneath his collar.

Naruto had to admit watching the fight between Shikamaru and Temari was interesting, and as he predicted Shikamaru was able to catch her in his Shadow Possession Jutsu, but then forfeited the match claiming it was too troublesome to continue The crowd begin to cheer and clap.

After talking to an ANBU Genma walks to the center of the Arena and calls out. "Can I please have the remaining four contestants come to the center of the Arena." Naruto, Temari, Shino and Gaara are standing in the center of the Arena a few moments later. "Normally we would have you continue with a normal bracket, but due to two of the Shinobi not appearing and one forfeit, we are now going to draw new names." As he holds out a box all four reach in and grab a ball. Naruto shows he has number one, with Temari following showing the number two, Shino with number three and Gaara number four. Genma sends the other two contestants back to the booth. "Are both of you ready?" Temari nodded.

Naruto looked at Temari. "I need to do something before we proceed with this match."

Temari speaks before Naruto can say anything else. "I'm sorry, but I'm allergic to sake, and while I would not normally disregard a family tradition I cannot accept the sake." She gives him a small bow.

Naruto just smiles. "That's fine, and thank you for informing me, but that wasn't what I mean. During the month of training I came across some information about a Black Market auction, and with help from a friend it was stopped. There were a great many treasures there." Suddenly there's a puff of smoke in Naruto's hand as he released a storage seal revealing a clipboard. "Just to be sure, you're Temari the Wind Mistress of the Hidden Sand Village, eldest daughter of Karura, formerly known as the Wind Enchantress of the Sand Village."

Temari nods her head. "Yes, she was my Mother, can I ask why you're interested in this."

Her answer came in the form of another seal being released. When the smoke clears Naruto is standing there holding a tray with two black and gold hand fans laying on a red cloth. "Temari, it is with great honor that I return these artifacts to you. I present to you, your Mother's battle fans stolen from her grave." Naruto said. The moment Temari saw the fans she covered her mouth with both hands as tears streamed down her face.

Naruto begins to think back to when he found these a among the auction's spoils, finding that they came from the hidden Sand Village was a shock so he sent Yoruichi in to find out all she could about this Karura and learn that she was the Mother of the sand siblings and so he decided to return the battle fans to her daughter in front of the audience.

Slowly Temari walks up to Naruto and takes the tray. "Thank you Uzumaki-san, you have no idea how much this means to me and what these fans represent both to myself or to my Village. If there is anyway I could ever repay you please let me know."

Naruto just smiles. "Promise me you will not use them in our fight, treasures like these should not be used, but cherished." With tears on her cheeks Temari nods.

It was a mixed reaction of emotions of the people from all over the elemental Nations, especially those who came from the Land of Wind or the Sand Village were shocked to find that Naruto had returned one of their most precious treasurers that had been stolen, that they were easily worth a fortune to the right collector meant nothing to him. And all that he asked in return was that she not use them in the fight. Unknown to Naruto he just earned the respect of a great deal of people.

After putting her Mother's fans away Temari stands across from Naruto. "Don't think just because you gave my Mothers fans back I'm going to go easy on you." As she pulled her large battle fan off of her back.

Naruto just smiles. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

In the blink of an eye Temari opened her fan to the first moon and swung it. "Wind Style: Destructive Wind Jutsu." This sent a giant storm of wind flying at Naruto. And to the shock of the audience Naruto just stood there as it kicked up a large dust cloud on impact.

When they smoke finally cleared, the crowd was shocked to see Naruto standing there without so much as a scratch on him and with what appeared to be a translucent barrier in the form of a large rectangular wall standing in front of him. Temari stood there a moment in shock and awe, her mouth hanging open. "How did you survive that without even a scratch?" She managed to stutter out.

Naruto takes his left hand and runs it through his hair with a cocky smile that made many of the women in the crowd blush. He then shrugged his shoulders and held his hands out to the side. "It's one of my newest techniques, it's called Bakudo #81. Danku (A/N Splitting Void)

Naruto then grabs the Tanto on his back, holds it in front of him and let's it go, but instead of falling the blade just floats there in mid-air. "Now I think I'm going to show you what a true wind style attack can do." Naruto said then hit handle, it begins to spin counterclockwise at blinding speed and as he reaches out and grabs the handle as he says. "Hado #58. Tenran (A/N "Tornado)

From the blade come a twister three times the size of Temari's attack. Reacting on instinct Temari opens her fan all the way and rides on the Wind current and takes her 30' in the air, once all the dust has settled down Temari looks down and sees Naruto is not standing anywhere in sight. Temari along with the rest of the crowd are all searching for Naruto. Finally Temari hears the voice of Naruto.

"If it's an airborne battle that you want I would be happy to oblige you." Naruto said.

Temari quickly looks above her and nearly falls off her fan, Naruto is standing in the air with his hands behind his back. "How in the hell are you standing on the air, there's only one Shinobi in history that has been able to fly, the Third Tsuchikage Onoki." Temari screams.

Naruto just smiles. "Sorry, I can't give away all my secrets... as for him being the only flying Shinobi I guess that's no longer the case."

===Konoha Shinobi Area===

All of Naruto's friends and family are looking at this in shock, all of the Shinobi in the arena are stunned and unable to comprehend what is happening as they try to figure out how this boy everybody who had labeled the dead last suddenly became so strong.

Noriko looks to her right at her brother. "You ask me if you were cooler then brother Naruto... you just lost. I mean look at him, he can fly, you can't even hold a candle to him." To the amusement of everybody in the area Kiba Inuzuka, self-proclaimed Alpha and Ladies Man, got on the ground and curled up into the fetal position with tears going tears down his face.

===Hokage booth===

Hiruzen's brain was racing a million miles a second trying to figure out how Naruto had become so strong. And this new sword that along with the new techniques that he had been using in the fight along with a mysterious paralysis technique that he had been informed of Naruto using earlier in the month on two men. There was also the fact that Naruto had a sudden increase in Fuinjutsu knowledge, he knew that the Uzumaki Clan could absorb the Knowledge in that particular branch like a sponge, but this was on a different level.

But now that Naruto just revealed that he can now fly when he knew the only flying Shinobi is his old rival Onoki. He only hoped that there were no spies from Iwa here, but if Onoki found out that the Leaf Village had another flying Shinobi he would give up Jiraiya's books for a entire year just to see the look on his old rival's face.

At the same time that this was going through Hiruzen's head Orochimaru was beginning to panic. How had this little brat become so strong so fast, the same brat that he had disregarded in the Forest of Death. He Decided that he'd have Naruto captured so he can experiment on him and discover these new abilities.

===Above the Stadium===

Before Temari could react Naruto pulls a handful of shuriken out of his pocket and throws them at his opponent, then quickly goes through a dozen hand signs. "Wind Style: Great Windstorm." This increases the speed of the shuriken.

Temari, seeing the barrage coming, sends chakra to her fan sending her upwards, but not quickly enough as a few of the shuriken manage to pierce her fan. Having holes in it the fan can no longer keep her up in the air and as she starts to fall from the air. Temari closes her eyes and waits for the pain she know she's about to have. But suddenly she feels two arms wrap around her in a bride hold. Opening her eyes she sees the person holding her is none of then Naruto as he is slowly descending back to the ground.

Throughout the entire fight the crowd was holding its breath at getting to see two Shinobi fighting up in the air, there was a collection of gasps when Temari began to fall, but then out of nowhere Naruto suddenly appears beneath her and catches her, seeing this the crowd goes ballistic cheering.

===Arena===

As Naruto touches down on the ground he looks at Temari. "First floor housewares."

With a blush Temari looks up at Naruto. "Thank you for saving me, and you can put me down now." Naruto quickly set her down and stepped back.

Trying to get the blush off of face Temari looks at Naruto. "I would love to continue fighting, but my fan is damaged..." Looking to her left she sees Genma. "...I forfeit the match."

Genma walks to the center of the arena. "Due to a forfeit the winner of this match is Naruto Uzumaki."

As Temari is heading back up Naruto grabs her by the left wrist and whispers softly so only she can hear him. "I can fix your brother's seal so he can have a normal life and make sure the One-Tail can no longer manipulate him. Just come to my compound after the finals and I will fix his seal." Then let's go of her.

As she heads up the stairs Temari begins to think about the plan her Father had came up with the Snake Sannin to attack the hidden Leaf, between giving back her Mother's fans and the offer of fixing her brother's seal she was beginning to have second thoughts.

"I forfeit." Shino said to Genma.

Genma nods. "Attention ladies and gentlemen, we are now at the Finals, and due to a forfeit the final match will be between Naruto Uzumaki of Konoha and Gaara of Suna."

Soon both Naruto and Gaara are standing in the middle of the Arena, before the match could start there was suddenly a swirl of leaves revealing Kakashi and Sasuke. Kakashi looks at Genma. "Sorry, we're not late are we."

Genma looks at Kakashi. "Your student was disqualified for not showing up on time for his match so please take your student and leave Hatake."

Kakashi walks up to Naruto and grabbed his shoulder. "Come on let's go Naruto we don't want you embarrassing yourself and the village."

"I'm sorry Kakashi, I guess you didn't understand me. I was speaking of Sasuke Uchiha, when he did not show up he was disqualified, we're in the final round now, please leave the arena so we can convince the final round which is a fight between Naruto and Gaara." Genma said.

Sasuke steps forward with his Sharingan activated. "I am the last Uchiha, now I demand that you let me fight." To his shock the entire crowd starts booing and throwing trash at him. While also yelling 'get out of here Uchiha no one wants you' 'we are done with you, all your Clan has ever done is cause trouble for this Village.'

Kakashi quickly steps in front of Sasuke, blocking the trash, then turns to Genma. "I'm pretty sure if you asked the Hokage he will allow Sasuke to have his fight."

Genma just grins. "Sorry, Hokage's orders, he's the one who disqualified the Uchiha."

Kakashi puts his hand on Sasuke's shoulder, narrowing his one eye. "You know this is not the end of this." Then leaves in a swirl of leaves.

===Sitting area===

Walking up to his fellow Jonin expecting a warm welcome but Kakashi is met with a bunch of angry looks.

It's Asuma who looks at him. "Look who finally decided to show up. Too bad you already missed the entire tournament, I'll tell you this... if Naruto doesn't make Chuunin I'll hand in my resignation. If he doesn't deserve the Chuunin rank then no one does." All the other Jonin nod their head.

Sasuke was absolutely furious, he had finally gotten the training that he thought he deserved for the last month only be shot down because he was late for his match, thinking that his name would carry the weight and it would not matter if he was late. But what sent him over the edge was that Naruto was now fighting his opponent. Looking at the crowd of people he sees Hinata sitting in the crowd. He might not have interacted with his classmates in the academy but he knew for a fact that this girl had a crush on the blond idiot. Thinking that since Naruto took something from him he would take something from Naruto. He walks up to her. "You, Hyuuga, as the heiress to the Hyuuga clan you would do your clan a great honor by going out with me, the last of the mighty Uchiha."

This set off Hinata and Hanabi laughing while Kurenai just shoots daggers at him.

Hinata managed to catch her breath. "I wouldn't go out with you if you were the last man on the planet, and I'm no longer a Hyuuga, I'm now an Uzumaki Clan member."

Sasuke looks at her with a anger in his eyes. "There is there is no Uzumaki Clan." Hearing a snort Sasuke looks at Ino.

"Shows what you know, and don't even ask me out I'm through with you, why I wasted so many years chasing you is beyond me, you're nothing but a cold-hearted jerk." Ino said.

This only increase Sasuke's rage.

===Arena===

The moment Kakashi left, the Arena began to fill with a massive amounts of killer intent, Gaara looks at Naruto. "Mother said she wants your blood, you will prove my existence."

Naruto just shakes his head. "You do realize that the one tails Shukaku is in fact a boy, the only female tailed beasts are the two tails Matatabi, the six tails Seiken along with the seven tails Chomi." Naruto stop talking because in the blink of an eye of a wave of sand flies at him only for him disappear.

Naruto appears on the far side of the stadium. "I've got to give you credit that is very quick sand you have." To Naruto's dismay the audience boos at him. He can also hear Ino yelling at him 'that has to be the worst pun ever Naruto, you idiot.'

Seeing no reaction to his joke Naruto looks at Gaara. "Tell me, do you know anything about science." Again no reaction. "Well I tried to be nice." A puff of smoke appeared in his hand revealing a water balloon, using the same technique that he did on Neji Naruto begins using flash step while he is pelting him with water balloons. After a while of dodging Gaara's sand Naruto appears in front of Gaara, again he can see the annoyed look on his face while he has taken no damage he can see the wet spots all over his sand.

"What is the point of this Uzumaki." The same thought was going through all the audience's mind, why was Naruto pelting him with water balloons.

Naruto grins. "That's a good question, it all goes back to the question I asked you earlier... do you know anything about science. Well since you don't seem to know I will tell you. You and your village call your sand armor an Ultimate Defense, so I decided to turn your Ultimate Defense into your downfall." Again another wave of sand flies at Naruto, seeing this wave has a bunch of wet spots Naruto releases a bright blue glass sphere and tosses it, the moment it came in contact with the sand it shattered and to the shock of the crowd the entire wave of sand froze solid and fell to the ground shattering into thousands of pieces.

For the first time in the fight Gaara actually showed an emotion. "What did you do to my sand."

Going into the mode that his students call his lecture mode Naruto looks at him. "First I decided to use your sand as a conductor by hitting you with water balloons, second by making sure you're sand was moist and finally I use one of these..." Naruto revealed another sphere. "...inside the sphere is a compound known as liquid nitrogen, when this compound comes into contact with water it can flash freeze anything, including your sand. You didn't notice that the water balloons I hit you with had more water than they normally would, that is because I use seals on the inside of it to hold more water, that is why your sand armor now has such a large hole in it, you sending large waves at me that I was able to freeze and make useless to you."

Naruto appears next to Gaara, slugs him in the jaw, sending him crashing to the ground at the far end of the stadium. Gaara getting back up he feels something dripping down his jaw, reaching up he touches his jaw and pulls his hand away from it and see a red liquid. "Is this is this my blood?" He suddenly grabs his head and begins to scream. "It's my blood!"

Naruto knows instantly the one tail is trying to break loose, suddenly around the stadium feathers start falling from the sky.

There is a large explosion from the Hokage box and all over the village. Naruto looks at Gaara and sees him drawing sand from the ground, realizing that the one tail is about to take over him and the village is under attack. Deciding to put Gaara out of business while the attack is going on he calls out. "Bakudo #4. Hainawa (A/N: Slithering Rope)" As a golden rope wraps around Gaara he appears next to him and slaps a seal on him suppressing the one tails and knocking him out. Looking to right he sees both Temari and Kankuro. Temari is the one who steps forward.

"We just learned that Orochimaru killed our Father Naruto, we will not be getting in this fight." Temari said.

Naruto just nods. "That seal will keep him unconscious until this fight is over. Just turn yourself over to one of the leaf ninja, I've got to go." Before Naruto vanishes, appearing in the stadium seats he quickly cuts down several sound Ninja then quickly approaches his friends and family.

Kakashi looks at Naruto. "Good you're here. Sasuke went off, I'm ordering you to go and help him with a team, Shikamaru will be in charge."

Naruto just looks at Asuma. "What are my orders."

Asuma flicked his cigarette out. "Protect the civilians, get them to the shelters."

Naruto walks up to Ashia and Noriko and gets down on one knee. "I want you to both go with Hinata and Hanabi and do whatever they tell you to do." Both girls say 'yes big brother' then he gives both of them a kiss on the forehead. Naruto begins to leave when Kakashi calls out to him.

"I gave you a direct order Genin." Kakashi said.

Naruto looks over his shoulder. "I recognize you gave me an order Hatake, but seeing as you made a stupid ass decision I've elected to ignore you."

x

End Chapter 18