Chapter 18: Chunin finals part II.
"The second part of the chunin exam finals begins now!" Genma called over the loud speakers making the audience file back to the seats in anticipation for the rest of the exams.
The genin walked from the building and into the arena that was rebuilt from the first round. "We will have three matches in this round." He said. "First match will be Uzumaki Naru versus Rock Lee." He said, Naru sighed quietly slightly annoyed she wasn't against Neji. "After will be Shikamaru Nara against Neji Hyuuga." He said. "And Gaara will fight the winner of Shikamaru and Neji's fight." He said showing the paper. "Any questions?" He asked, they shook their head no and sighed. "Alright head back to the side and wait, Naru and Lee stay behind." He said.
Naru stood still and sighed quietly, Shikamaru walked past and squeezed her hand gently, she blinked and sighed quietly.
"Naru-chan." Lee said walking up. "I wish you much luck. You are one I wanted to battle as well." He said, she blinked and nodded her head.
"Thanks Lee." She said.
He stepped back and sighed shifting into a ready position, Naru sighed and stood next to Mamoru ready.
"Ready?" Genma asked, both nodded. "Begin!" He said and jumped backwards.
Lee ran forward, Mamoru crouched and growled lowly and dodge the boy and swiped at him protecting Naru, Lee jumped back and sighed.
Naru pulled her fan from her back and yelled swinging her hand up and around her creating a funnel of wind and dirt around them both. Lee yelled as he was picked up by the wind before getting knocked away hitting the ground harshly.
The wind died off and Mamoru shifted his shoulders ready to move, Naru gripped his vest tight and took in a deep breath.
"Very well." Lee said and ran forward, he jumped in the air missing Mamoru's claws and brought his foot up at Naru, she pulled her fan back out letting it take the hit but she was still knocked off Mamoru's back.
'He's strong..' She thought standing up and closed closely, the chakra points around her began to shake and twitch, she blocked a punch towards her head then jumped in the air wrapping her legs around Lee's chest taking him to the ground with her, he grunted before he twisted his hand grabbing Naru's arm, she winced and felt her arm going numb. 'He's pinching my nerve!' She thought releasing him, he got up bouncing on his feet.
Naru smirked a little and quickly ran through signs before taking in a deep breath and blowing it out, Lee grunted as he was hit by a small barrel of wind in his chest and his arm, he grunted gasping for air.
'Zankuuha no jutsu!' She thought and felt Lee hit the ground.
"Go Naru go!" Ino cheered from the stands, she smiled and slowly walked towards Lee who hadn't moved.
"Get up Lee! You can do it!" Tenten cheered, others joined in rooting for both sides.
Mamoru walked up carefully and watched him closely.
"I'm sorry Lee, but I have to win." Naru said.
"I too." He said, she gasped as he moved faster than she could follow giving her a harsh kick to her stomach, she slammed into the ground a few times. Lee shot up before she hit the ground again and kicked her up in the air. "Konoha Senpu!" He said giving harsh kicks, Naru coughed and winced as she almost sailed in the air, she grunted as felt Lee appear behind her back following her movements.
"Kage buyo..." She groaned.
"Yes." He said. "And now we end this." He said flipping over her and brought his leg down harshly, she coughed up blood and slammed into the ground creating a crater, Lee hit the ground rolling slightly. He got up and walked over to the hole to find it empty, he looked around and didn't even see Mamoru. 'How is that possible?' He wondered keeping his guard up scanning the arena carefully. A flash of light made him stumble and he was hit, he swung but hit only air. He was rammed into my Mamoru's head who disappeared in a flash again. 'Their speed is incredible.' He thought.
"GO AHEAD LEE USE IT!TAKE THEM OFF!" He looked in the stands to see Gai giving him a thumbs up, he nodded and pulled his orange leg warmers off revealing training weights on his legs, he pulled them off and fixed the warmers again.
"Much better, I can now move faster. Here I come Naru-chan." He said picking up the weights and threw them shocking everyone as they knocked over a small tree from the heaviness.
"How the hell was he moving!?" Ino asked in shock, Gai chuckled.
"His perseverance, he wont give up, he has a point to prove just like little Naru. This match is far from over... actually it's beginning now." He said. "Taijutsu versus Wind style." He said. They genin scooted to the edge of their seats watching carefully.
Lee scanned the area carefully before he spotted movement, he shot forward disappearing almost and Naru flew from the trees hitting the ground. "How?" She rasped and stood up on shaky legs looking all around before she cried out as she was hit multiple times from all around. Closing her eyes and focusing on the chakra in the ground she could barely feel Lee's movements even this close. She smirked and threw four smoke bombs down that filled the arena making it impossible to see.
'Let's even the playing field.' She thought, Mamoru shot from behind throwing her on his back and ran deeper into the smoke. Naru balanced as Mamoru ran around quickly and she threw kunai and shuriken all around.
Lee stopped moving coughing trying to fan away the smoke that was hard to even see or breathe in.
"What's going on!? I can't see!" Sakura said standing with everyone trying to see what was going on exactly. The smoke finally cleared and they saw weapons all around on the ground, Naru and Mamoru skidded to a stop across from Lee.
"Bring it on Lee!" Naru said panting, she groaned as the use of chakra began to take it's toll. Lee took in a deep breath and raced forward, Naru smiled as she jerked her hand, he grunted as wires shot up all around him and tangling him up effectively trapping him.
"Now!" Mamoru growled running, Naru stood up on his back and launched off with a yell. "Tsūtenkyaku!" She yelled bringing her leg up about to deliver a harsh blow to Lee hoping to end it all.
'If I'm hit with that …. I'm sorry Gai-sensei, I didn't want to use it yet but I have no choice!' Lee thought closing his eyes and focused. "Omote Renge!" He yelled chakra shot out of his body knocking Naru away, she cried out as she got tangled herself in the wires.
"What the hell!?" She yelped and shook as chakra poured off Lee's body, she measured his body with chakra and gasped to see how much chakra was building. He shot forward before Mamoru or Naru could react and threw Naru in the air, she screamed out yanking her fan out opening it and landing on top gliding back down. She groaned falling to her knees and panting, her stomach churned and she vomited.
"She can't keep up with him." Chouji said.
Shikamaru stood in the waiting area gripping the bars tight and sighed. 'Come on Naru...'He thought.
Lee shot forwards again, Naru whimpered in fear and shut her eyes tight.
"Fūton: Reppūshō!" She yelled clapping her hands, Lee skidded backwards from the wind but shot towards her again and began to run in a circle, Naru turned slightly trying to locate him. She grunted as she was punched and kicked at. Mamoru ran up and roared with chakra sending both genin to the ground, he shot forwards grabbing Naru's shirt and ran into the cover of trees.
"I can't keep up." She panted heavily. "There's no way..." She said panting, her body racked with shakes.
"Yes you can, I believe in you Naru, you just need to focus, try the techniques we worked on." He said, Naru held her hand out and he placed his paws over hers and focused.
"Hiden:Māji no jutsu" Both said quietly and smoke surrounded them. Lee shook harshly waiting for his body to recover from opening the first gate. He saw the smoke again and sighed. 'Here they come.'
Mamoru shot out running towards him quickly, Lee jumped back dodging the snow leopard and his claws as he was pushed back. Suddenly Mamoru skidded to a stop and smirked, Lee jumped back once more and gasped when he felt no ground under him but a small hole, he foot fell in and he fell to his knees, he grunted and struggled to get his foot free.
He felt a hand grab his ankle, he watched the ground break apart and Naru shot out yanking him with her into the air. He looked at her in shock and blinked as her teeth were longer along with her nails and her eyes shined brighter than before. She smirked and grabbed him flipping him over and sending him crashing to the ground.
The crowd gasped and cheered loudly, Naru fell and landed in a crouch like a cat.
'So this is what Mamoru's been up to... he's given her his cat-like abilities him... interesting.' Hurizen thought with a smile.
Naru rumbled a little and shifted her shoulders ready to pounce.
"One more..." Lee said forcing his way up on his feet shaking and sighed. "Open third gate Seimon!" Lee said, his chakra burst out once again tearing the ground up and his skin red, he yelled out and ran forward throwing punch and kick over and over again, Naru grunted trying to block and hit back but failed to keep up. Mamoru shot towards him and Lee dodged making him crash into Naru, she groaned in pain and cried out as Lee grabbed her ankle flinging her in the air, her fan falling from it's holster slamming into the ground.
"Naru!" Mamoru roared, Lee grunted as his roar made him dizzy. He flicked his wrist and the wraps around his arms shot out binding Naru up, she grunted struggling and cried out as Lee sent them both crashing to earth. Lee shifted around instead last minute and had her land on her back instead of her head and neck. The wraps pulled off and Naru laid on the ground heaving and shaking in fear, Lee collapsed next to her heaving for air himself. Everyone in the stands sat in shock and dead silence waiting to see what would happen next.
"Naru." Mamoru said grabbing her shirt pulling her away from Lee and licked her cheek, she flinched with a groan and moved her head slightly. Mamoru purred and nuzzled her cheek. A quiet shuffle made him look up to see Lee standing and coming towards her, he stepped over her crouched and ready to rip him to shreds in a second.
"Ready?" He asked.
"I... I can't." She whimpered, Mamoru looked at her shocked. "I can't move... I... I got nothing left.." She whimpered, Mamoru moved over and nuzzled her cheek again while sending his chakra into her body making sure there wasn't actual damage from that hit.
Genma walked up and sighed looking at them both, Lee panted barely standing on his feet, he looked at the Hokage and other proctors.
"I hereby call the match." He said. "Since Uzumaki Naru can no longer fight, Rock Lee is the winner." He said, people gasped and began to clap and cheer for them both talking about the fight.
Naru closed her eyes tight and a tear rolled down her cheek, she whimpered and began to hit at her head. "Dammit.. dammit!" She said, Mamoru grabbed her sleeve and pulled her up, she groaned and crawled on his back painfully and slumped. 'I failed..' She thought.
"It's okay Naru.." Mamoru said, she sighed quietly.
"Naru-chan, please wait." Lee said grabbing her arm gently, she blinked and looked at him. "I want to talk with you. I find you to be a formidable opponent, you, like myself know how to keep fighting in the darkest times and climb over our obstacles." He said, she blinked a few times and tears pricked at her eyes. "I know you wanted to move on and battle Neji proving him wrong for Hinata-san." He said, she looked down and sighed. "I promise this to you." He said. "I will fight and beat him for you and for Hinata." He said holding his thumb up with a big grin, Naru smiled and sighed touching his hand.
"Thanks Lee." She said, he nodded and walked away from her.
"Wanna go to the stands?" Mamoru asked.
"I guess so..." She said and rode on his back to the stands and found her friends and sat down listening to them.
"That was impressive Naru, you really shined." Ino said, she smiled.
"Thanks Ino." She said and sighed.
"Do you know where Sasuke-kun is?" Sakura asked.
"No... I haven't been around him or heard from him." She said.
"Alright the next exam begins now!" Genma called. "Nara Shikamaru and Hyuuga Neji come down." He said, both walked out calmly. "Both ready?" He asked, Shikamaru sighed and raised his hand making Genma arch his eyebrow.
"I forfeit." He said, everyone gasped in shock and murmured, Naru stood up in shock and sighed.
"Why'd he quit!?" Ino said. "Shikamaru you're so lazy!" She yelled.
"Why?" Genma asked.
"It's pointless, while I may of passed through the other easily, I'm tired and I know when it's time to admit defeat, a true ninja knows when to keep fighting and when to surrender." He said. "I'm admitting defeat. Call the next one." He said and walked away ignoring the crowd booing him, he looked up at Naru who was frowning deeply.
Gaara stood at the stairs watching, Shikamaru passed him and looked at him and flickered his eyes before going up to the audience.
"Okay... Gaara please come out." Genma said, the boy walked out opening his eyes looking at the Hyuuga standing there with a smirk.
"As much as I'd love to rip that smirk off this insect, it's not my job to do such. So I forfeit as well. Give the match to the one who has a right to fight him." He said and walked back into the stairwell making the audience boo louder and louder.
Hurizen blinked in shock as the two forfeits and sighed rubbing his face. 'What am I going to do with these kids...' He thought and sighed.
Gaara walked up to the stands and paused seeing Shikamaru there. "I understood your plan.." He said. "While I'd like to kill him for her..." He said gesturing to Naru. "I get what you're planning." He said, Shikamaru smirked and both walked forward down to Naru who looked at him.
"Why didn't you fight? How could you both just give up?" She asked.
"It's better Naru... we both could easily beat him.." Shikamaru said.
"But it would gain nothing." Gaara said. "Right now since you're eliminated, only one other person could get through to him.." He said.
Naru looked forward and gulped. 'Lee...' She thought.
"While we wait for the last match we'll have a short intermission, we'll make an announcement when it's beginning again." Genma said. People filed out heading for food, drinks or a break.
Naru walked to the infirmary and sat next to Hinata's bed and sighed. "I'm sorry Hinata... I couldn't do it... I couldn't.." She blinked hard and a tear fell from her eye. "I was too weak and I can't fight Neji for you..." She said. "I failed." She whispered.
"Naru..." Hinata rasped, she gasped and touched Hinata's hand gently. "You didn't fail." She rasped.
"But I didn't pass... I couldn't beat Lee and I can't fight Neji.." She said shaking. "I'm a failure and I always will be!" She said shaking.
"Naru.." Hinata said and sighed coughing hard, Naru sighed.
"I'm sorry, go back to sleep, rest." She said and walked out ignoring Hinata's soft call for her.
Naru walked to the bathroom and washed her face and punched the sink shaking. 'Dammit...' She thought and sniffled quietly.
"The final round is beginning." Genma's voice sounded, Naru sighed and walked out climbing on Mamoru's back and walking back to the stands.
"Great job kid, that was killer." A few said, she blinked and smiled with a blush and nodded. She walked down and sat in the seat next to Shikamaru who took her hand, she blushed with a smile and squeezed it back neither noticing the smirking platinum blonde behind them watching.
"The final match Rock Lee versus Hyuuga Neji." Genma said.
"Any last words loser?" Neji asked.
"You shall see today Neji, hard work beats prodigy's." Lee said. "I make this promise for all of us who have to work hard every single days of our lives, that I will beat you here Hyuuga Neji. Then you shall see that you're not as good as you think you are. I shall beat you for Hinata, and for Naru!" He said looking towards the girl who blinked in shock and smiled. "I promise!"
"Your promises are garbage!" Neji said shooting forward throwing a swipe at him.
"Hey I haven't started the match yet!" Genma said. Lee dodged swiping his hand away and dodged the others wrapping his legs around Neji's chest copying Naru's move earlier sending them to the ground and jumped up.
Neji smirked and focused. "Byakugan!" He said, the veins around his eyes bulged out. "Let's end this stupid dream of yours." He said.
"Let's end this stupid view of yours." Lee remarked, Neji sneered and ran forwards.
Lee jumped back keeping out of Neji's range carefully dodging his swipes. Neji spun around quickly and jammed his fingers down on Lee's shoulder, he cried out and stumbled back holding his throbbing arm. "One down.." Neji said with a smirk, Lee snarled quietly and sighed.
He focused quickly before he began to run around quickly as a total blur, Neji stood still watching locating Lee and dropped down throwing a low kick, Lee slammed into the dirt face first. "You seem to of forgotten that I know your moves, I know your attacks, your weaknesses. Everything, you can't beat me." Neji said walking up. "I know your body is still wounded from opening the first gate. I know you can't open more than three, it wont help with already losing it." He said. "You're a loser and you always will be." He said and turned, Lee grabbed his ankle, Neji looked down at him.
"I am not a loser. I will prove it to everyone, you don't need a special dojutsu, top ninjutsu, or great knowledge, you just need a will of fire to keep you going." He said.
"Tsk." Neji sneered. "A will of fire? Please." He said.
"You are so bitter and blind to everything. Today I shall open your eyes and knock some sense in your head." He said and stood up slowly and glared at Neji.
"Fine, bring it." Neji said shifting into positions ready to spring at any moment. Lee took in a deep breath and sighed. He kicked from the dirt heading towards Neji, he got ready but grunted as Lee changed directions, Neji moved to block and Lee switched again ready to swing but didn't.
Neji growled in aggravation and focused. "Hakke Kusho!" He said, Lee skidded back slightly but continued to move around quickly, Lee rummaged in his pouch pulling out some kunai and launching them towards Neji who deflected them.
"Baku!" He said, Neji gasped looking around finally noticing the paper bombs placed around, they hissed and exploded sending Neji in the air before hitting the ground harshly. Lee shot forward again grabbing Neji's jacket flinging him in the air giving four more harsh kicks picking him up higher, Lee yelled and launched up about to give a power kick down.
"Hakkesho Kaiten!" Neji said spinning his body around, Lee cursed but still kicked down sending them both to the ground tearing the dirt up. Genma winced and coughed at the dust.
"What's gonna happen? Did Lee get him?" Sakura asked.
The crowd gasped as Neji stumbled out panting, blood ran from his head and he gripped his right arm tight. Lee coughed crawling out of the hole and sighed. 'His arm is broken, he wont be able to use the Hakke Rokujuyon Sho as easily. It will give me the best chance.' Lee thought.
'I let my guard down... now my arm is broken...' Neji thought gritting his teeth.
Lee pulled out some nunchucks and spun them around before he shot out, Neji watched him carefully and pulled out a kunai blocking the hits.
Neji kicked up nailing Lee's chin making him fall back and rub his throbbing jaw. "You're a fool." Neji chuckled and focused. "Hakke Rokujuyon Sho!" He said.
"What!?" Lee said in shock, Neji flipped in the air and began to strike at Neji's body quickly with one hand, Lee cried out and hit the ground flat and panted heavily.
'I can't keep up...' Lee thought with a frown.
"Now Lee, I will give you a special fighting tool that I came up with." Gai's voice echoed in his head. "If you are paired with Neji, use it first, get him off his guard. He wont be able to follow you" He said holding out a small round ball in a wrapper.
Lee rummaged in his pouch slowly and pulled it out and popped it in his mouth and nearly vomited, he gave a hiccup and wobbled a little before standing up. He looked at Neji and chuckled running forwards and throwing a punch and kick, Neji blocked but winced at the greater power in the kicks. Lee spun around on his hands kicking towards Neji making him stumble back more and more. Gai smirked with his arms crossed over his chest. 'That's it.' He thought.
"Lee's movements got so spastic, Neji can't keep up with him!" Ino said and chuckled. "He's got him!" She said.
'Where did this come from? I can't judge his next move..' Neji thought and grunted as Lee gave a harsh uppercut knocking him back.
Lee got up quickly and punched the ground as Neji stood, the ground shook and Neji lost his balance, Lee disappeared and kicked down on Neji's wounded shoulder making him cry out in pain and fall to his knees. "Where did this come from?" He asked panting.
Lee gave a hiccup and and grabbed Neji flinging him in the air keeping a hold of his shirt and flung him back spinning rapidly sending them both into the ground again.
The crowd cheered loudly clapped for Lee as the dust cleared and Neji laid on the ground shaking in pain. Lee walked up slowly and sighed blinking quickly and gulped, Neji kept his eyes closed as Lee looked at him before he gave a smirk and shot up slamming his palm in the middle of Lee's chest, he coughed up blood and fell to the ground shaking in pain clutching his chest.
Neji let out a calming breath and walked up to Lee bringing his hand up about to strike once more, Lee closed his eyes clenching his fists. 'I have to.' He thought and sighed. 'Fifth gate open!' He thought, Neji watched in shock as Lee's chakra points began to pump chakra again faster and more powerful than before.
"DO IT LEE!" Gai cheered making everyone else cheer, Neji sneered about to give a final blow, Lee yelled and stood up his chakra shooting out making Neji skid in the dirt and watch in shock never seeing this much power or chakra in Lee ever.
"How?" He asked. Lee yelled and ran forward, Neji focused quickly. "Hakke Kusho!" He said spinning around, Lee hit the chakra and everyone watched in amazement as Lee broke through his defense punched Neji's jaw sending him up. Lee yelled wrapping him in his wraps like he did with Naru before flipping him around and into the ground.
Neji coughed and stood up stumbling before he shook his head out, his tied back hair falling all around him. Lee chuckled making Neji frown, Lee punched the ground making it shake and collapse under Neji who fell in up to his neck. He struggled to dig himself out in time, Lee cried out falling to his knees as the side effects from the inner gates him, his leg throbbed heavily making it impossible to stand or move it.
"I can't move..." Neji said struggling. "This is impossible!" He barked.
"I told you Neji, just because you know many jutsu and gave the intelligence, doesn't make you invincible, it is a handicap, you think you're so good you don't need to practice as much. You can beat anyone. Especially a so-called dead last like myself." Lee said. "But look who's the loser now. You know nothing Neji, you may know sadness but you don't know friendship or bonds. You have no goal to fight for, all you do is focus on hate." Lee said.
"Don't preach to me!" Neji barked.
"I'm not, because it's satisfying enough for you to be trapped in a hole." He said. "Thanks to the other so-called dead last Naru." Lee said. "You refused treatment in between the fights which made your chakra weak and nearly empty because you had to use most of it on someone you said is not worth it."
"Shut up!" Neji growled and focused as he began to claw away at the dirt before pulling himself out.
He gave a kick to Lee who bent back dodging and kicked Neji's jaw.
"You mock everyone saying you can beat the easily and yet you had to turn to your highest jutsu's just to come close." Lee said. "The fight is over Neji. I won." He said.
"Not yet!" Neji said pulling out a kunai swiping at Lee catching his arm, he grunted jumping back into a tree, Neji followed him carefully and watched as he pulled out his nunchucks pulling them apart into smaller pieces and spun it around like a lasso that wrapped around Neji and ripped him in the air once more, Lee came down hitting the ground first and Neji hitting it last his head connecting first making him pass out.
Genma walked over touching Neji's neck checking his pulse before standing up.
"Hyuuga Neji is unable to continue, Rock Lee has won!" He said.
The crowd jumped around in the air cheering, Lee panting smiling and waving at them, he looked at Naru who was clapping with a smile.
"The chunin exams are officially over with." Genma said. "Now a few words from our Hokage." He said, Hurizen walked to the front of his seating area.
"The genin this year have been remarkable, you all show great improvement and abilities that will make you amazing chunin and soon jounin." He said. "I am proud of everyone of you." He said with a smile. "We will discuss the results and you will be alerted in a week for those who get promoted. Go home and rest, you all deserve it." He said.
Everyone clapped and cheered as they left the stadium, Naru sat on Mamoru's back as he walked out, Shikamaru ran up to her and she smiled at him.
"Don't let it get you down you couldn't fight him.." Shikamaru said. "A point was made for you and for Hinata." He said.
"Thanks Shika." She said and squeezed his hand, he smile.
"Let's get some dinner huh?" He asked.
"Sound good!" Naru smiled and walked with him.
Ino smiled as she watched the two away together, she hummed and ran back into the stadium quickly with a big grin on her face. "Sakura, we gotta talk." She said yanking the girl away.
-*o*-Two days later-*o*-
Hurizen sighed as he walked into the council room that had the members, jounin sensei and judges waiting for him so they could discuss the chunin exams and who would become chunin. He adjusted his hat as he walked into the room, everyone stood and bowed to him in respect, he took his seat at the head and sighed setting his hat on the desk in front of him.
"It's time to discuss the chunin exams and who is going to be promoted." He said opening the files of the participating genin.
"Temari of Suna." He said looking towards Baki who sat to the side with his eyes closed.
"While she has the power, knowledge of jutsu's she lacks a lot." Kotetsu said looking from his notes. "She's much to hotheaded and that makes it a huge weakness, she doesn't know how to control it in situations." He said.
"Baki, what do you think?" Hurizen asked.
"I have no say on them Hokage-sama, it's your choices. I know Temari is hotheaded and full of herself, she needs to grow up and get a reality check." He said. "Fail her." He said and shrugged, a few whispered at the total uncaring of her sensei.
"Alright, Temari of Suna, fail." Hurizen said closing her files setting it to the left. "Hyuuga Hinata." He said looking at the file. "First off how is she?" He asked.
"She's recovering, she is damaged and it will take a while before she can fully move and use her chakra properly." Hiashi said. "And I wish to request that you do not pass her." He said, they looked at him shocked, Kurenai gritted her teeth.
"Can you not have faith in your daughter at all?" She asked suddenly. "You've written her off as a failure and cut her down enough leaving her with no confidence, no future, nothing!" She said. "She has the potential to do so much if she had a family to believe in her!" She said standing.
"Kurenai.." Asuma said quietly.
"With all due respect Yuuhi-san." Hiashi said. "Had you not flown off the handle you would of heard that I will be taking Hinata under my wing once again and training her." He said. "She has more potential now than she did back when we 'wrote her off' as you say. Since she has been around Uzumaki Naru she has blossomed and is finally showing potential to be the Hyuuga head." He said. "I don't want to her to be a chunin under she is ready. That is all." He said closing his eyes again. Kurenai stood in shock her jaw opened, Asuma pulled her down into her seat and pushed her jaw shut.
"Okay..." Hurizen said. "I will respect your wishes." He said and closed the file. "Gaara of Suna." He said.
"I vote no." A judge said. "He's much to ruthless as seen in his previous fights. Although he did surrender against Neji for a deeper reason. He's needs to learn companionship or else he could end up leaving his team behind in battle." He said.
"Baki?" Hurizen asked, the man waved his hand dismissively, Hurizen frowned a little. "You have nothing to say about your team?" He asked.
"As I said it has nothing to do with me, I knew they weren't prepared for these exams at all, but it was an order there was nothing I could do." He shrugged. 'The exams weren't even our plans... but that snake backed out nearly screwing us over...' He thought bitterly.
"Fine." Hurizen said and gave an eye flicker to the anbu hidden to investigate Baki while the meeting continued. "Aburame Shino." He said and looked to Kurenai and the boys father who sat at the table.
"His match was interesting but he does need to learn more." Kurenai said. "He only trusts his bugs, which I do understand being apart of the Aburame clan it's the same as the Inuzuka's." She said. "But to be a chunin he must trust his human comrades as well."
"I agree." Izumo said. "He is brilliant and knows much but needs to learn to trust." He said, Hurizen looked at the boys father who nodded his head silently.
"Alright." He said closing the files. "Rock Lee." He said with a smile.
"The boy despite having no ninjutsu or genjutsu abilities he's very skilled. He knows a true meaning of a ninja." A woman said. "He is very determined and bright, he knows how to persevere in the toughest situations with all the chips against him." She said.
"He would make a fine chunin." They said all nodding their heads, Gai sat to the side crying in happiness about is student.
"Okay it looks like Rock Lee will become a chunin this time." Hurizen said setting his file to the other side. "Hyuuga Neji."
"No, the boy is not fit to be chunin." One said. "His ego and outlook on life is totally wrong."
"Yes, but at the same time he has the skill and even shocked many knowing jutsu's known only to the main branch."
"But all the knowledge in the world is nothing if you look down on everyone, that can lead him down a dark road that could make everyone pay." Homura said.
"He's much too childish, picking fights, thinking he's better than everyone, nearly killing Hinata-san in anger..."
"Neji Hyuuga, fail." Hurizen said closing his file. "Inuzuka Kiba."
"He needs to grow up before he can become a chunin, he like Neji have a big ego that blinds them and gets in their way." Genma said. "He was taken down easily due to thinking Lee would lose because he can't do ninjutsu."
"Kiba has always been like that, he may be a good leader on a team, but he doesn't know when to stop and back off." Kurenai said.
"Alright, do you have objections Tsume?" Hurizen asked.
"He's hotheaded and big mouthed, no I don't." She chuckled. "He's pup that needs to be taught a lesson." She said, a few chuckled quietly.
"Kinuta Dosu." Hurizen said.
"No, something just doesn't feel right about him." Homura said.
"His sensei isn't even here." Koharu said, Hurizen nodded his head closing the file and moving on. He opened the next one and smiled at Naru's picture.
"Uzumaki Naru." He said.
"She's very skilled and can keep a cool head in battle, she knows many jutsu and moves." One of the judges said.
"But maybe she relies on her cat too much."
"A little, but she did fight a lot without him.
"Hurizen what do you think? You have a closer bond with her than anyone." Koharu asked.
"Naru is a bright, headstrong, determined young girl." He said. "She's had to climb over many obstacles to get where she is now. She uses Mamoru as an extension of her." He said. "Many reports she is able to work with others to a point but does struggle sometimes." He said.
"She may need more time..."
"She works well with others, when Hinata began to train and hang out with her, Hinata almost bloomed in a way." Hiashi said.
"Same with Shikamaru." Asuma said. "Whenever she is mentioned around him he loses his 'everything is troublesome' attitude and acts like a true genius ninja." He said.
"But she may need just a bit longer and more training and experience.."
"Kakashi is her sensei so she'll get good teachings."
"Actually Naru is now training under Jiraiya." Hurizen said, they chattered loudly.
"Sorry Hurizen but we vote to keep her as a genin." One said.
"Okay." He said closing her file. "And finally Nara Shikamaru." He said.
"The boy is a real genius, he's lazy but does understand what is needed as a chunin, forfeiting his match against Neji so Lee could battle the boy was admirable and wise."
"Asuma how is he in training?"
"Well as I said, he has a lazy, everything is troublesome attitude." He smirked. "But he is very close to his teammates and protective of them, Naru included. He has a high IQ and can make a battle plan in seconds." He said.
"So?" Hurizen asked.
"Yes." They said, Hurizen smiled and nodded his head. "So Nara Shikamaru and Rock Lee will be promoted to chunin. Let's keep this hush until we announce it to them." He said.
"Hokage-sama, what about Sasuke?"
Hurizen sighed and frowned. "There has been no word from Kakashi or Sasuke what so ever."
"Did Orochimaru get him?"
"I have no clue, I pray not, I have someone trying to find them and make sure they are okay. I will deal with it when they come." He said. "Thank you all, dismissed." He said, everyone stood bowing to him and walking out.
Hurizen stood listening to his old bones click, he groaned in pain and sighed quietly. 'I think it's time..' He thought walking up to his office where he had someone waiting to speak with him.
Hurizen walked in and shut the door activating the privacy barriers around the room and looked at Jiraiya who sat on the couch writing in his notebook.
"A new book?" He questioned.
"Yeah." He said. "So what did you want to speak about old man?" He asked closing the book and placing it back in his pouch.
"Did you or your toads locate Sasuke or Kakashi?"
"No sir, they're not in the same place they were in training first time."
"I'm worried that Orochimaru got his hands on them."
"Actually my sources tell me he was seen in the land of rain a few days ago and hasn't left yet." He said.
"Still, how many people he has on his side and how tricky he is.."
"Kakashi is a skilled jounin and is very protective of the boy, I don't doubt he wouldn't let Sasuke be taken easily." He said and chuckled.
Hurizen nodded and lit his pipe blowing out the smoke. "Well the reason I called you in here is that I have a mission for you." He said, Jiraiya arched his eyebrow. "It's something that's been on my mind for a while. I want you to track down Tsunade and bring her back." He said.
"You know she'll refuse the Hokage seat." He smirked.
"Right now I'm thinking of something else. Naru." He said, Jiraiya blinked a couple times. "I wasn't able to find her when that accident happened, and I feel like maybe she could do something." He said. "I want her to come and try it." He said. "Although Naru has grown much more since losing her sight, she is still fragile about it, and if there is a chance I can get her to see again, I want to try." He said.
Jiraiya smirked and nodded.
"You got it old man." He said. "I'll try my best." He said.
"Thank you Jiraiya." He said, the man nodded and walked out hunting Naru down.