Chapter 9 revised and edited. Review or PM me on what you think about this chapter now.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Naruto anime/manga all I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
'Heavily demonic voice'
'Fox talking'
"Fox thinking"
*expression*
Jutsu
Flashback
Chapter 9 – Shukaku and The Chunin Exams
Haku adjusted to life in the village quickly. He passed his test of becoming a Leaf Genin by fighting a low level Chunin and winning, and from that point onwards did missions with Team Seven. They did about ten D rank missions over the next few days, while the Chunin exams were fast approaching. Kakashi got his team together and showed up on time for once, probably to avoid pissing off Naruto, who Kakashi was wary of actually following through on some of his previous threats, given he now technically had the power to back them up. The group were standing on a small bridge when Kakashi arrived.
'Guys I'm really proud of all of you.' Said Kakashi eye smiling, as he appeared on the rail of the bridge.
'You have all come a long way, so I have recommended all of you for the Chunin exams. If you want to participate, go tomorrow to room three hundred and one in the academy and submit these applications.' Said Kakashi, throwing one to all four of them. 'Bye.' Said Kakashi, before disappearing with Body Flicker.
Sasuke walked off and Sakura followed trying to get a date, as she obviously didn't get the hint that Sasuke wasn't interested. Haku also walked off after a while and Naruto finally decided to get some ramen. As Naruto was heading to Ichiraku's he heard Konohamaru yelling, 'Let me go!'
Naruto went to where he heard the commotion and saw two ninja. The first was a blonde girl with her hair in four pigtails, with a battle fan strapped to her back. She wore a single light-purple-coloured, off-the-shoulders garment that extended halfway down her thighs, with a scarlet sash tied around her waist. In addition to incorporating fishnet worn over her shoulders and legs, specifically on her right calf and her left thigh, she also wore a headband around her neck, which depicted an hourglass. Next to and in front of her slightly was a boy who wore a black, baggy, full-body suit, with a red and yellow circle on the front. He also wore a black hood, with cat-like ears, and his forehead protector, which also depicted an hourglass, was tied snugly on his forehead. The boy in question also happened to have a hand on Konohamaru and was squeezing him painfully by his scarf, using it to strangle the boy.
'Kankuro, put him down, you're going to get us in trouble.' Said the girl.
'Relax Temari, we've got a bit of time until he gets here, we might as well have some fun.' Replied the boy Naruto now knew to be named Kankuro.
'I suggest you listen to the pretty girl, as it is clear that she has a brain, while you clearly do not.' Said Naruto, his tone slightly mocking, but his eyes were very serious.
Temari was surprised that this kid had just insulted her brother and blushed at the small compliment, while Kankuro snarled at being called brainless.
'You know what kid, you've offended me, so I'm going to teach this boy, your lesson; respect your betters.' Said Kankuro, who then pulled his fist back, preparing to slug Konohamaru in the face.
Naruto appeared in an instant, with his sword pressed against Kankuro's neck.
'Like I said, I suggest you listen to me, and you are not my better.' Said Naruto, with disdain clear in his voice.
Kankuro let Konohamaru down and let him move away and leave the area, while Naruto backed off, he then pulled off what looked to be a mummy of his back.
'What are you doing Kankuro? Are you going to use the Crow for this?' Asked Temari slightly worried.
'Kankuro, you are an embarrassment to our village.' Said a voice from nowhere, which sounded bored. The owner of the voice appeared in a swirl of sand in front of his comrades.
'Oh, hey Gaara.' Said Kankuro nervously.
The new arrival turned and faced Naruto. He wore a black full body suit with t-shirt-like sleeves, three quarter length legs, and an open neck. With this, he wore a white cloth over his right shoulder and the left side of his hips, and a wide leather band system over the left shoulder and right side of his hips. With this leather band, he carried what appeared to be a gourd. His forehead protector was wrapped around the band. His eyes appeared to be a bluish green but had dark black circles around them.
'So this is the vessel of the One-Tailed Shukaku.' Said Kyuubi.
"Do you know this kid?" Thought Naruto.
'No, but I know the demon inside him, he is just like you.' Replied Kyuubi.
"Hmm he smells like a racoon." Thought Naruto.
'That is most likely due to the fact that Shukaku is the one tailed racoon demon.' Said Kyuubi, almost condescendingly.
"Keep pushing me, Kyuubi." Warned Naruto, at the subtle jab at his intelligence.
'I apologise for my brother.' Said Gaara bowing deeply.
'I accept your apology, but I would like to ask you something.' Said Naruto. 'Why has the racoon come to the Leaf?' He asked.
Temari and Kankuro's eyes widened, but Gaara's almost popped out of his head, before he clutched his head in pain.
'Hmm, it appears that the seal on that vessel hasn't been done properly and Shukaku is tormenting his host. Tell the vessel that Shukaku better lay off tormenting his vessel, or I'll come out.' Said Kyuubi.
'Gaara, tell your tenant to listen and that if he doesn't stop tormenting you, the fox will come out to play.' Said Naruto grinning.
Gaara immediately stopped screaming and raised his head panting slightly.
'Thank you for that.' Said Gaara, bowing once again before raising his head.
'However, even though you have helped me, if we meet in battle, I will kill you.' Said Gaara, releasing his bloodlust and killer intent to try and intimidate Naruto.
Naruto smiled back and released twice as much while saying, 'Looking forward to it.'
As the siblings were leaving, Naruto asked 'What are your names?'
The girl quickly replied and said 'I'm Temari, that's Kankuro, and he is Gaara.' She said, gesturing to each in turn.
Naruto nodded and said, 'I'm Naruto Uzumaki and Gaara, I empathise with your pain, and I really do wish to help you, but you better not hurt any of my friends. If you do, I will show you very little mercy.'
'We shall see.' Said Gaara, before they all walked off, with Naruto forgetting about ramen and heading home.
"It seems the Chunin exams well be interesting, huh Kyuubi?" Thought Naruto
'So it seems, but why did you say you wanted to help.' Inquired Kyuubi.
"Did you see it? His eyes. In his eyes I saw he has suffered a great deal and has most likely been shunned or worse, which has made him how he is today. That could have easily happened to me if it wasn't for Iruka-Sensei and the others. If I help him, even though I am just one person, that may be enough to save him before he descends into madness and bloodlust from which he can't be saved." Thought Naruto.
'You really are something else Kit.' Said Kyuubi almost admiringly.
"Well then cut me a break on the insults." Retorted Naruto internally, causing the fox to laugh.
With that incident sorted, Naruto headed home and got ready for the Chunin Exams, which were only around the corner.
-line break-
The Next Day
-line break-
Naruto met up with Haku, Sasuke, and Sakura along his walk to the academy, so they all went together. When they arrived on the second floor, they saw a boy in green spandex being beaten up by two guards. Naruto recognised the boy as Lee and instantly knew he was faking being weak. While he wondered about this, he saw Tenten. She was in her usual attire, a pink sleeveless blouse, and dark green pants, with her hair up in two buns, with her forehead protector just under her fringe on her forehead. She was crouching down next to Lee, talking to the guards. As she walked over to them, one guard was about to hit her. Naruto appeared in an instant and blocked the punch aimed at her.
'You know, it's not nice to hit a lady.' Said Naruto.
Most of those around were surprised at how fast Naruto moved causing murmurs to break out among the onlookers. Sasuke walked up with Sakura close behind and said, 'While you're at it, drop the Genjutsu, it's pathetic.'
Most were wondering what Sasuke was talking about, until the guard spoke up, 'So you saw through the Genjutsu huh?' the guard charged Sasuke, while Sasuke begun to swing a kick. In an instant, Lee appeared between both and stopped them with his hands.
"That's some chakra he's got." Thought Sasuke.
'What are you doing? Aren't you the one who said we should hide our true strength?' Said a boy who had piercing white eyes, with a slight lavender tint to them, and very fair skin, while walking up to Lee.
The boy had noticeably long, black hair, which reached the middle of his back and was tied back a few inches above the end, while two straps were attached to a smaller headband sitting snugly underneath his ninja forehead protector, framing the sides of his face. He wore a khaki shirt, dark brown shorts, and blue shinobi sandals. He also had bandages wrapped around his right arm, chest, and right leg.
'Sorry, but I...' Lee broke off and looked at Sakura, before he blushed.
Haku decided to make his presence known and asked Naruto 'Do you know these three?'
'Uh well, I know Lee and Tenten, but I don't know their other teammate.' Said Naruto sheepishly.
'Although if I remember, I did hear about someone called Neji Hyuuga. I guess that could be him.' Naruto thought aloud.
'Yes, that is correct, my name is Neji Hyuuga and these two and my teammates. Who are you?' Asked Neji.
'Well, my name is Naruto Uzumaki, this is Haku, and those two are Sasuke and Sakura.'
After the formalities the Genin all headed to room three hundred and one, at some point however, Sasuke, Lee, and Sakura managed to get away from Neji, Naruto, Haku, and Tenten. While they were walking, Naruto gave Tenten the scroll containing Zabuza's blade. Haku was intrigued, while Neji activated his Byakugan, causing the veins and arteries around his eyes to protrude. Upon seeing what was inside the scroll, Neji's eyes widened.
'What's this?' Asked Tenten, looking at the scroll curiously.
'That's a thank you for helping me get the things I needed to be a strong ninja, as well as being my friend. Trust me, I know you will like it.' Said Naruto with a smile.
As the group entered room three hundred and one, they quickly split up. A couple minutes later, Lee showed up with a mark on his face before joining his team. About ten minutes after that, Sasuke showed up, appearing quite flustered, with Sakura close behind. Naruto and Haku walked up to them quickly, at which point all the other rookie Genin approached them.
'So once again the rookies are together again, huh Akamaru.' Said Kiba.
Ino hugged Sasuke from behind causing Sakura to begin yelling at her, with this back and forth continuing for a while.
'So troublesome.' Said the familiar voice of Shikamaru as he approached the group, with Choji close behind munching on some chips.
'Well, Shikamaru, I didn't expect to see you here. Isn't this too much work for you?' Asked Naruto, his tone sounding joking, but also mixed with genuine confusion.
'Yeah, but Asuma made us, so here we are.' Replied Shikamaru, sounding very bored.
'You guys might want to keep it down, you're attracting a lot of attention.' Said a boy with black eyes partially obscured with a pair of circular glasses.
His grey hair was kept in a ponytail, and he wore a dark purple shirt with a white undershirt, with a white sash around his waist worn at an angle, dark purple pants, blue sandals, and a shuriken holster on his right leg.
'Who are you? Asked Sasuke.
'Me? I'm Kabuto Yakushi. You must be the rookie Genin.' He stated.
'Yeah, we are.' Replied Sasuke coolly.
'Well maybe I can help you out then.' Said Kabuto, who then proceeded to talk about who came to the exams and what generally happened, as well as his seven in a row streak of failure and finally and most importantly, his Ninja info cards.
'Show me what you have on Gaara of the Desert, Rock Lee, and Naruto Uzumaki.' Said Sasuke.
Naruto looked at him strangely but didn't say anything.
'Okay, first up, Garra of the Desert. His teammates are Temari and Kankuro of the Desert who are also his siblings and it says here he has completed eight C ranks and a B rank without getting a single scratch. In fact, he has never been injured.' Said Kabuto calmly.
The Genin were stunned until Kabuto moved on.
'Rock Lee, teammates Neji Hyuuga and Tenten, sensei Might Guy. His Taijutsu has increased dramatically over the past twelve months, but the rest of his skills are virtually non-existent. He has completed twenty D ranks and eleven C ranks. Lastly, Naruto Uzumaki says here you've done twenty D ranks and an A rank, impressive. You have Kage level chakra capacity and mid-Chunin to low-Jounin skill level in Ninjutsu, your Genjutsu skills are basic at best, while your Taijutsu and Kenjutsu are both mid Chunin level. Additionally, you can do the Shadow Clone Jutsu and the Flying Thunder God Technique.' Said Kabuto.
As Kabuto finished, the entire room was quiet for varying reasons. The rookies' silence was due to their fear and shock about Naruto's skill level, while almost all the others were extremely curious how Naruto knew the Fourth's most famous technique.
'Well, it seems you have the attention of all the villages even the little Sound village seems interested.' Said Kabuto.
'Well, it doesn't matter. My name is Naruto Uzumaki, and I will beat every single one of you.' Proclaimed Naruto.
'Hey, that guy called us little.' Said one of the Sound Genin. He had spiky, dark hair and dark eyes. He wore a beige shirt with two black stripes and three prints which said death down the front. His forehead protector had a face guard. As with his team-mates, he wore a snake patterned scarf around his neck.
'Well let's teach him a lesson.' Said the other sound Genin. He had bandages covering most of his face, leaving only his left eye uncovered. He also wore a large poncho with long sleeves, a snake patterned scarf around his neck, and a straw raincoat protruding from the back of his scarf. His back was hunched which made him look smaller than he actually was.
The sound team dashed around the room, before the one who spoke first threw a kunai at Kabuto, who jumped back to avoid it. An instant after that though, the Genin who looked like a mummy revealed a gauntlet with holes in it and swung his fist, barely missing Kabuto's torso. Kabuto stood up victoriously, before his glasses broke.
'Oh, I see, it was that kind of an attack.' He said, taking off his glasses calmly, before he sensed something else was wrong and clutched his stomach in pain, coughing up blood.
'Kabuto are you alright?' Asked Naruto and Sakura.
'Put this in your information cards. The Genin of the Sound will all be Chunin when this exam is over.' Said the Sound ninja who threw the kunai.
Suddenly a large cloud of smoke appeared and about sixteen Leaf ninja were revealed as the smoke faded away. The big one in the middle had a sadistic grin and said, 'I am Ibiki Morino, the first proctor of these Chunin exams and as of now, your worst nightmare.'