Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Tail of Two Bijus ❯ Chunin Exams Commense! ( Chapter 10 )

A/N: By god people! I don't know what's come over me, but I just can't stop writing! I at least want to try and get up to Naruto and Kiba's match in the preliminaries ( I hate Kiba, because I think he's even more of an arrogant jackass than Neji is.)

 

Anyways, I'm going to start righting the first chapter of the Chunin parts. I may not be able to fit the first test in, but I'll try. And trust me, if I can help it, I am NEVER doing a chapter like the last one EVER AGAIN!

 

Oh BTW, I've decided that due to the fact that Yukiko is Kabuto's younger sister, I'm going to have Kabuto defect back to the leaf. (Take that, you snake bastard! As Naruto would say.) So basically, the main matches will be able to finish entirely. I will work out the specifics later on how the Leaf will be alerted to the invasion.

 

Also, I found a website dedicated to Uzumaki Naruto called Rokudaime (fitting name, eh?) Anyways, in the 'fun' section, there was a list of things you would apparently never here the characters of Naruto say. By god they weren't kidding. Some of the things in there made me laugh so hard I litterally fell out of my chair crying because they were so funny. My mother actually came upstair to my room to check if I was alright I was laughing so hard. I'll give you some examples:

 

'NARUTO: "I wuv u Sasuke!” SASUKE: :*crying* “I luv u too!!” *hugs Naruto*'

 

'SASUKE: *dancing and singing* “I'm feelin' SEX-AAAAAYY *rips shirt off*...when I hear you say my name...”'

 

'SANDAIME: “Sexy no Jutsu!” NARUTO: “DEAR GOD MY EYES!!!”'

 

And the best one of all:

 

'IBIKI: "Waaah, I got a boo-boo!" *shows everyone his papercut*'

 

Do you see why I laughed so hard now? Oh, and there's plenty more where that came from. I think with each chapter, I'll post one more example.

 

Anyways, on with the show!

 

(A): Hyuga Neji (Neji will be owned hardcore, because frankly, I think he's a jackass): 2

 

(B): Rock Lee (A battle to see which is better: The Demonic or Celestial Gates and who can open up more of them, ie a battle of epic proportions): 2

 

(C): Uchiha Sasuke (basically a battle of the Doujutsu to prove which clan has the best Bloodline Limit and which has the most power: The Curse Seal or the Demonic Gates, Chidori or Rasengan): 1

 

It stands at two for A and B and one for C.

 

Anyways, I'll get to the point you've all been waiting for.

 

Legend:

 

'...Thoughts...'

 

“...Speaking...”

 

“...TWO PEOPLE CASTING THE SAME JUTSU...”

 

'...Biju Thoughts...'

 

“...Biju Talking...”

 

&&&&&&&&&...Scene Change...&&&&&&&&&&

 

A Tail of Two Bijus:

 

Chapter 9:

 

The Chunin Exams Commence!:

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&

 

7 am, Team 7's Training Ground:

 

It was a bright sunny morning, and Team Seven were at their training grounds where Kakashi had told them to be at 6:30am for a very important anouncement. Naruto was getting tired of waiting.

 

“Man, why does Kakashi-Sensei have to be late? Especially when he said he had something really important to tell us?”

 

Yukiko looked up from her seat at the base of one of the logs.

 

“There's no use wondering why he'll be here late, we just have to accept the fact that he always has been and always will be.”

 

Just as Yukiko finished her sentence, said man appeared on top of the log she was leaning up against.

 

“Yo!”

 

Sakura and Naruto yelled at himas per usual.

 

“You're late!”

 

“Ah, my appologies.Today I got lost on the road of life-”

 

“YOU'VE ALREADY USED THAT EXCUSE!”

 

“I have? Oh well... Anyways, this may be a bit sudden, but I've nominated you four for the Chunin exams.”

 

“I LOVE YOU KAKASHI-SENSEI!!!”

 

With that Naruto lept up and clung onto Kakashi's neck.

 

“Hey stop. Let go of me...”

 

The other three just looked on in amusement. Kakashi finally managed to pry Naruto off his neck and place him back on the ground. Kakashi once again turned to continue his message.

 

“Whether you sign those or not is completely optional. If you chose not to sign them, the others can turn up and compete without you. If you do decide to sign them, please turn up at 4pm tomorrow at room 301. That is all.”

 

With that, Kakashi jumped into a nearby tree and dissapeared. Naruto wanted to go home and sign this as soon as possible, so he turned to Yukiko who also looked at him. They nodded to each other, no need for words to be exchanged. Naruto turned to Sakura and Sasuke.

 

“Well, Yukiko-Chan and I are going to go home and sign these. We'll see you guys tomorrow at room 301, ok?”

 

“Bye Naruto, Yukiko-San.”

 

“Later.”

 

With that, Sasuke started home as well. Sakura on the other hand looked a little nervous.

 

'I'm not really sure if I want to compete... Kakashi-Sensei did say I don't have to and the others could still go on... I have to think about this...'

 

Sakura turned for hime, waging an internal debate on whether or not to enter the exam.

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;

 

The Uzumaki Residence:

 

Naruto opened the door for Yukiko who smiled at the polite gesture before stepping inside to find a pen to sign the application form. Naruto hung his trench coat up next to his dad's one and went to do the same thing Yukiko was doing. Naruto bounded up the stairs, two at a time and went to the desk in their room for a pen. He stopped dead when he saw the box and realised he had forgotten all about it.

 

“Yukiko-Chan! I completely forgot about my dad's box! Come on, we have to try and open it!”

 

Yukiko came rushing into the room, suddenly remembering it too She put her application and pen down on the desk and Naruto put the box on the floor in the middle of the room and activated his 'Seal Eye' and began looking at the last seal required. It took him about thirty seconds to find it and then he turned to Yukiko and nodded. She nodded back and began her preparations. Naruto didn't need Kyubi to control his body this time, as he could do the seals himself. He did the first handseal and the seal on the box began to glow. He progressed through his next three handseals without a hitch before turning and nodding at Yukiko. Yukiko did her three hand seals without failure and turned back to Naruto. They both nodded at each other before Naruto performed the final hand seal. A circle that they had not seen before in the middle of the centre circle turned green and the green circles flashed green three times, before bleeding into the middle, filling the whole middle circle green. The green quickly turned to white and the seal let out a small flash of light before dissapearing. Naruto deactivated his 'Seal Eye' and let out a very loud victory yell.

 

“YATTA!”

 

Yukiko smiled at her boyfriend's antics before asking him a question.

 

“Neh, Naruto-Kun?”

 

“Hmmm? What is it, Yukiko-Chan? I'm guessing you already knew what hand seals to perform to open the seal by yourself. So why did you get me to do those three seals?”

 

“Remember what I said when we last tried? I said that box is not opening without you, and I meant it.”

 

Yukiko smiled and gathered Naruto into her arms for a kiss.

 

“You sure know how to treat a woman, don't you Naruto-Kun?”

 

Naruto just blushed before shaking it off.

 

“I just do what comes naturally.”

 

“Hah. Well, whatever. Why don't you go look through the box? I'm sure there's some cool jutsus you could learn that are still in there.”

 

“Good idea, Yukiko-Chan!”

 

“Oh and before you get lost in that treasure trove, why don't you sign the application? That way, you can go though that box without having to worry about anything for at least 24 hours.”

 

“You know, Yukiko-Chan, I don't know how I managed to do things on time before I met you.”

 

“Ha ha. I'm guessing you probably didn't.”

 

“That's not very nice, Yukiko-Chan...”

 

“That's true, gomen.”

 

“No I'm sorry kiss?”

 

Yukiko let out a sigh.

 

“Fine, I'll give you an ' I'm sorry' kiss.”

 

“Jeez, you make it sound like it's a chore, not a pleasure...”

 

“Enough with the guilt trip, seriously. Here.”

 

With that, Yukiko brought a hand to Naruto's cheek and brought her lips to his in a passionate kiss.

 

“Happy now?”

 

“Yup!”

 

“Good. I'm going to go do some grocery shopping, ok? I'll be back in an hour or so.”

 

“Ok! Catch you later!”

 

“Bye, Naruto-Kun!”

 

Naruto turned his attention back to the box and began shuffling though the chest of secrets.

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&

 

About 3 Hours Later:

 

Naruto had almost gotten to the bottom of the box when he saw a particularly interesting scroll. It was a sky blue scroll with the label 'Rasengan' Naruto opened it up and began reading the contents, becoming more and more engrossed in it. He'd only been reading it for about 30 seconds however, when Yukiko called out to him from the kitchen.

 

“Naruto-Kun! I've made us some lunch.”

 

Naruto grumbled and put the scroll in his trowser pocket before going down the stairs into the kitchen. Yukiko was making some sort of rice mixed with vegitables and raw fish, rolled up in seaweed. Naruto thought it smelt delicious, and his stomach agreed. Yukiko laughed and set down a plate of the tiny rolls of food.

 

“Neh, Yukiko-Chan, what are these called?”

 

Yukiko looked at him with astonishment.

 

“You've never seen Sushi? My god, did you eat ANYTHING but ramen before we moved in here?”

 

Naruto smiled but Yukiko could had tell she struck a nerve.

 

“Nah, I never had enough money to buy anything but instant ramen.”

 

“I'm sorry for asking that question Naruto...”

 

“It's fine. Most people who care about me are amazed I'm even alive when all I survived on was cup ramen for over 12 years.”

 

“Frankly, so am I. I'm more surprised however that you were even able to get out of bed without suffering the effects of malnutrition.”

 

“Mal-what?”

 

“Malnutruition, Naruto-Kun. Basically, if you eat things that aren't good for you and nothing else, or you don't eat at all, you suffer some pretty serious effects.”

 

“Like what?”

 

“I'd rather not talk about them over a meal, Naruto-Kun. They aren't pretty to say the least.”

 

“Oh.”

 

“Anyways, eat up.”

 

“Ok then. Itdakimasu!”

 

Naruto took his first bite of sushi and chomped on it a few times before his eyes lit up.

 

“Man, Yukiko-Chan! This stuff is great! I like this more than anything else you've cooked so far!”

 

Yukiko smiled at Naruto.

 

“I'm glad you like it.”

 

“Neh, Yukiko-Chan?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Could you teach me how to make sushi sometime?”

 

Yukiko looked at Naruto in shock before smiling again.

 

“Sure thing. It's really not that hard to make.”

 

“Cool!”

 

With that, the two enjoyed a comfortable silence over their meal.

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&

 

About Two Hours Later:

 

“Naruto-Kun?”

 

“What is it, Yukiko-Chan?”

 

“Hokage-Sama just called for me. I'll be back in a while ok?”

 

“Sure thing.”

 

“See you soon.”

 

“Later, Yukiko-Chan!”

 

Naruto heared the front door close, and he sat back down on the bed, pulled the Rasengan scroll out of his pocket and reimmersed himself in the scroll's lesson.

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&

 

At the Hokage's Office:

 

Yukiko had unfortunately had to lie to Naruto. The Hokage hadn't called her, however she had some information she needed to get. She had specifically chosen this time to enter the Hokage's office because he was meeting with the village elders to finalise their plans for the Chunin exams. Yukiko knew going in the normal way would be far too risky, so she got ontop of the Hokag Tower and found a ventilation shaft to follow. She had a fair idea of where she was going. She was about three quarters of the way to where the ventilation duct that fed fresh air to the Hokage's room should be when she heard the voices of three old people. Two of them, she didn't recognise, but the third she recognised instantly as the Hokage's. She forgot her mission for a second and listened in to the conversation.

 

“Ok, so we have made an exception for Hatake Kakashi's Team Seven to allow all four of them to enter. Do you have any issues that need to be discussed?”

 

“Yes, I want to go over the older applicants again. Something doesn't seem right about one of the teams...”

 

“Not this again! What is wrong with that team from the Hidden Grass Village?”

 

“No, not that one. I mean Yakushi Kabuto's team.”

 

At the mention of the name, Yukiko stiffened up and muffled a gasp.

 

“Hmm? What's wrong with his team?”

 

“Well, he has entered the exam seven times now, and he still hasn't passed.”

 

“What's so unusual about that?”

 

“The fact that he has had seven attempts at the exams isn't what worries me. What does is how he lost the exams.”

 

“What do you mean, Sarutobi?”

 

“Every single one of those seven times he's entered, he's given up.”

 

“What? What do you mean given up? Was he forced to?”

 

“No, that's what irks me the most. All seven failures he willingly gave up of his own free accord before he had to fight any one on one matches.”

 

“I see why you wanted to go over that. That does seem very suspicious. We will look into it. Is there anything else you would like to discuss with us, Sarutobi?”

 

“No, I think that was all.”

 

“Very well then, we won't keep you busy. Rest assured, we weill have our findings on Kabuto and his team on your desk by tomorrow morning.”

 

“Thank you. Is there anything else you would like to bring to my attention while this meeting is still in session, Homura, Koharu?”

 

“No, we have discussed everything that needs attention.”

 

“Very well. This meeting is adjurned.”

 

Yukiko knew she had to act fast. She hadn't meant to get so caught up in the conversation, but her brother's name had completely mesmurised her. She knew she had at most two minutes to get into the Hokage's office, get what she needed and get out. She wouldn't be able to get everything she wanted, and she would probably only have time to look at the Hokage's desk. She looked down through another grate and saw her target. She quietly pulled the grate out of it's position and jumped down into the room. She rushed over to the Hokage's desk. On it she saw three pieces of paper that caught her attention. They were what the contents of the exams were going to be! She also noticed who each examiner was going to be. She looked over them, remembering everything she could when she heard the door to the room click, alerting her instantly that it was being unlocked. She froze. She'd been caught. However, fate decided to smile on her today, and she heared muffled conversation on the other side of the door. She sighed in relief and jumped back into the hole in the roof, covering it with the grate and moving silently through the ducts until she reached the roof. Once she was there, she replaced the outside grate and got home as fast as she could.

 

At about the time that Yukiko had reached the roof, the Hokage had finished his conversation with a Chunin that had come to give the Hokage a report. The Hokage dismissed the Chunin and stepped inside the room. He walked around his desk and sat in his big leather chair. He sniffed the air, trying to figure out what the strange scent was that he could smell. He eventually settled on the fact that it didn't mask anything harmful and settled down to get back to his work, not noticing that anyone had been in the room since he left.

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&

 

Back at the Uzumaki Residence:

 

Naruto was just beginning to understand the concept of how the Rasengan was supposed to work and was about to read the first step on how to learn it when he heard Yukiko burst in through the front door and run up the stairs. She appeared at the front door and Naruto saw she was sweating and panting heavily. Naruto looked up at her questioningly and all he got for a reply was:

 

“We have to see Sasuke-San and Sakura-San. NOW!”

 

Naruto could sense the urgency in Yukiko's voice and nodded. He slipped the Rasengan scroll into his pants pocket and ran to the front door to collect his coat. Yukiko was only a step behind him. When they got outside, Yukiko realised it would be quicker to split up and meet somewhere.

 

“Naruto-Kun, can you go and get Sasuke-San? I'll get Sakura-San. Meet back here when you get him.”

 

“But what do I tell him? He'll just shrug me off if I come telling him that you want to see him and don't give a reason.”

 

“Tell him this:”

 

Yukiko leaned in and whispered in Naruto's ear and told him what she had seen in the Hokage's office. Naruto's eyes grew wider with each word she said. Finally, Yukiko finished and leant back.

 

“Got that?”

 

“Yeah! I'll get him now!”

 

“Good, let's go.”

 

With that, both of them ran off in opposite directions. Naruto heading up Teal Drive to the Uchiha estate while Yukiko ran towards the middle class district of the village.

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&

 

At the Uchiha Estate:

 

Sasuke had been quietly reading a book on the history of the Sharingan when he heard a loud banging on the door. Sasuke grumbled something and put the book down before walking downstairs to the front door. When he got to the landing in between the flights of stairs, the banging came again. Sasuke mumbled something about patience being a virtue and opened the door to see a very extatic looking Naruto.

 

“What the hell do you need that's so urgent?”

 

“Sasuke! Yukikowentintothehokagesofficeandsawwhotheexaminerswhereandwhateachexamwas! ”

 

Sasuke just looked at Naruto as if he had spoken another language.

 

“Can you repeat that please?”

 

“Yukikowentintothe-”

 

“I meant in a way that I can actually understand.”

 

Yukiko managed to get into the old man's office and she saw what each exam was going to be and who the examiner will be! She even said that one examiner had put down the secret to passing his test on the paper! We need to talk about this!”

 

Sasuke immedaitely looked very interested.

 

“Where are we meeting?”

 

“At our place!”

 

“Where's that?”

 

“67 Teal Drive!”

 

Sasuke looked dumbfounded.

 

'Since when did Naruto own a house on this street?'

 

“What are you waiting for Sasuke? Let's go!”

 

“Sure. Lead the way.”

 

With that, both boys ran back to the Uzumaki Residence.

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&

 

At the Haruno Household:

 

Yukiko had just told Sakura practically the same thing, although in a much more... Subtle way. The two girls were also making their way back after Sakura told her mother that she was going out with a friend until after dark. Once they got back to the Uzumaki Residence, Sakura looked at the house in confusion.

 

'How the hell could these two afford a house like THAT?'

 

Sakura and Yukiko keept running up to the front door step, where Yukiko pulled out a key and used it to open the front door. The girls raced up to the bedroom to see both boys waiting there. Both girls came into the room and closed the door. Naruto had already drawn the curtains. They needed maximum security for this meeting. As soon as Sakura sat down on the desk chair, Yukiko placed her hands on the wall and muttered something that sounded like “Sound Barrier no Jutsu.” Sasuke looked a bit skeptical.

 

“Isn't that going a bit over the top?”

 

“Sasuke-San, what I'm about to tell you only four people in the entire world know that I'm sure of. They are the examiners and the Hokage. We can't afford to take any chances.”

 

“Well, why don't you tell us about what you saw?”

 

“Ok, basically, there is going to be three exams. The first exam is a written one.”

 

Naruto gulped. Sakura brightened.

 

'This exam isn't looking so bad after all.'

 

Yukiko continued with her explination.

 

“However, this is no ordinary written test. Sakura and I will be able to answer the test, but anyone less than a genius will be unable to answer the questions.”

 

“They're THAT hard? Oh man, I'm totally screwed...”

 

“There's more. If one person fails, the whole team does.”

 

Suddenly, Sakura and Sasuke glared at Naruto, who cringed further.

 

“There's still more however.”

 

“What!?”

 

“This is where we will win. The test will be watched over by a panel of Chunin that are there to stop people cheating.”

 

“How will that let us win?”

 

“Because, the rule system is set up to ENCOURAGE cheating.”

 

“NANI?!”

 

“The rule system states that each person has ten points to begin with. With each incorrect answer you get, or each attempt at cheating you are caught for will have points deducted from you. If you reach 0 points, you and your team fail, reguardless of whether your team mates still have points.”

 

Sakura was the first to catch on.

 

“So it's not really a test of knowledge, it's actually a test of information gathering skills...”

 

“Correct. I also remember seeing that sitting somewhere amongst the Genin will be Chunin in disgise who know all the answers and are there for the simple reason of being the targets of the data gathering.”

 

“So all we've got to do is find these Chunin and copy them?”

 

“You can Sasuke. I'm confident in both mine and Sakura's abilities to answer the questions without cheating.”

 

“Guys, you're forgetting something.”

 

They all turned to Naruto.

 

“I don't have any methods of cheating. Sasuke has his Sharingan which he can use to copy others, while you two are smart enough to answer them on your own.”

 

“I have already come up with a solution.”

 

“Really? What is it?”

 

“I have been creating an small scale version of Mokuton: Jyukai Koudan that I can use multiple times instead of just once. I managed to create a version in my studies called Mokuton: Strangling Vines no Jutsu. Basically, it creates small tendrills of wood that grow out from a central hub where the plant has a brain of sorts, although it's a very primitive one. Baiscally, I am able to control all of the vines that shoot off just by thinking. I also realised that I can make the plant's brain copy the movement of one of it's vines and make mirror movements on all the other vines too.”

 

Sakura realised the implications of this.

 

“That means that you could attach the vines to our hands and get the vines to copy one person writing and move the other people's hands to mirror their writing...”

 

“Exactly.”

 

“Wow, that's awesome, Yukiko-Chan! We'll past the first test for sure!”

 

“Ok, now there's one more problem with the first exam.”

 

“What's that?”

 

“The first exam consists of ten questions. The first nine are on the paper, but the tenth one is given with fifteen minutes to go. However, the tenth question is a trick question.”

 

“EH!?”

 

“Basically, it's purpose is to test whether you're willing to take a big gamble.”

 

“Care to clarify that?”

 

“Basically, the tenth question has a few conditions. One: You have to decide if you're going to take it or not.”

 

“What the hell? Of course we're going to take it!”

 

“Would you please let me finish, Naruto-Kun?”

 

“Gomen...”

 

“No problem. Ok, if you decide not to take it, you and your team fail immediately. However, if you take the question and get it wrong, you will be banned from ever taking another Chuning exam.”

 

The three gulped in unison.

 

“However, the catch that we're not supposed to know is that the tenth question is actually the decision to take the 'Tenth Question' or not. If we agree to take it, we'll pass.”

 

“Eh? What kind of a question is that?”

 

“I don't know, I don't remember what the reason for that was, I guess we'll just have to wait for the tenth queston to end to find out the examiner's reasons.”

 

“Ok that's the first test. What about the second?”

 

“The second is a hell of a lot tougher than the first. Basically...”

 

The four of them continued discussing tactics and stratigies well into the night. By the time they'd finished, Everyone was very confident about the exams. Even Sakura had had her doubts blown away. They eventually finished, and Yukiko dispelled the sound barrier on the room. Everyone filed out of the room and to the front door. Sakura and Sasuke waved at the couple before walking their separate ways. Yukiko turned back inside and shut the front door.

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&&

 

2:30 pm On the Streets of Konoha:

 

Naruto was going to meet with the rest of his team outside Naruto was absorbed in a personal daydream when he noticed a yellow box with a rock texture painted onto it and eye holes in the front of it.

 

I'm REALLY not in the mood for this...'

 

Naruto turned around and called out in a bored voice.

 

“Konohamaru, do you still think I'm stupid enough to fall for that trick? If it didn't work the first time, what makes you think it'll work after that?”

 

“Ah just what I expected from my greatest rival!”

 

The box exploded into three different plumes of smoke. Three kids appeared out of the clouds of smoke, coughing vigerously. Konahamaru muttered something about 'too much gunpowder' before standing up.

 

“Leader! Play ninja with us!”

 

Naruto just turned around and kept walking.

 

“Konahamaru, I'm going to take the Chunin exams now. I don't have time. Maybe some other time.”

 

Konahamaru pouted, turned around and began walking. He'd only taken about two steps when he hit something solid. He fell back rubbing his head. When he opened his eyes, he saw a very tall kid in black with make up on. The kid in black picked up Konahamaru by the collar of his shirt and held him to his face. A rather cute looking girl in a short pink dress with fishnet leggings and a battle fan strapped to her back seemed to take a mild interest in proceedings.

 

“You should watch where you're going you little punk.”

 

“Oi, Kankuro. We shouldin't cause any problems until the Chunin exams. Just put the runt down and let's get going.”

 

“Why? I want to have a little bit of fun with this kid.”

 

Konahamaru kicked the ninja in the chest, which earnt a little grunt from the 'makeup boy' as Konohamaru had decided to call him.

 

“That hurt you brat.”

 

With that, The ninja lifted up Konahamaru above him and prepared to kill him. The ninja's companion, just sighed.

 

“I'm not going to be held responsible for what happens...”

 

Moegi screamed, which caught Naruto's attention. Naruto used his Hiraishin no Jutsu to get next to Kankuro and grabbed his arm. Kankuro looked at the blonde boy in suprise.

 

“I suggest you drop him if you don't want to get hurt.”

 

“What are you going to do? Break my arm?”

 

“I could if you want me to.”

 

With that, Naruto started applying pressure on Kankuro's arm. Kankuro gasped in pain and dropped Konahamaru, who ran over to his friends and cowered.

 

“Let me warn you of something, make-up boy. If you EVER touch one of my friends again, I'll do more than apply a little bit of pressure to your arms got it?”

 

Kankuro became enraged at this slur to his clan's markings. He pulled his arm free and started pulling the object off his back.

 

“That's it you little twit, I'm going to-”

 

“Kankuro, that's enough.”

 

Both boys and the girl turned to the source of the voice. There, standing attached to the underside of a tree's branch was a boy. The boy had jet black circles around his eyes, and carried a gourd on his back. Naruto noticed a very dark aura around him. Naruto smiled. If he didn't know any better, this kid was another demon container. Kankuro started to argue with the boy.

 

“But Gaara! They started it-”

 

“Shut up! Or I'll kill you!”

 

The boy flinched. Naruto turned back to the boy known as Gaara. Gaara turned to him.

 

“I appologise for my siblings behaviour.”

 

“Don't mention it. By the way, your name is Garra right?”

 

“Yes it is. I'm also interested in your name.”

 

“I'm Uzumaki Naruto. Also, I can tell you're a demon container.”

 

The boy and the girl stared at this boy. How could he make such an open accusation and not be killed in an instant?

 

“Hmmm. I can sense that you are one too. Let me guess... Kyubi is your tenant?”

 

“That's right. Kudging by your aura and level of chakra, would I be correct in assuming your tenant is the Shukaku?”

 

“That is correct. I look forward to seeing you in the Chunin exams. Perhapse we may even be able to fight? I think you are the only one in this exam who is even worth my time.”

 

“That's not entirely true.”

 

“Hmm? Are there other demon containers?”

 

“Yup, one other one. My girlfirend.”

 

“Hmmm, interesting. Which deomon is her tenant, may I inquire?”

 

“Nibi, two tailed queen of the cats.”

 

“Ah, so there a two worthy foes. I look forward to seeing you and your girlfriend in the exam. Do not dissapoint me.”

 

“I expect the same decency from you.”

 

“I never fail to deliver. Until next we meet, Uzumaki Naruto.”

 

“Later, Gaara.”

 

Gaara formed a single hand seal and dissapeared in a swirl of sand. Kankuro and Temari were shocked that anyone had managed to challege Gaara in a verbal engagement, and not forfeit their lives. Naruto turned to the two and smiled.

 

“Would I be correct inthat you are wondering why he didn't kill me for challenging him?”

 

They both nodded.

 

“Because I'm the same as him. I have a monster sealed inside of me, and so does my girlfriend. However, both of our tenants are far more powerful than his. My girlfriend's is twice as powerful, while mine is over nine times as powerful.”

 

The two flinched and cowered.

 

“Don't worry though. Both me and my girlfriend don't kill unless we absolutely have to. We're pretty much gentle giants, although if someone hurts a friend of ours, we see that as a good enough reason to harm, or possibly even kill. By the way, your forhead protectors say you're from the sand right?”

 

The two both nodded.

 

“Then you're here for the Chunin exams?”

 

“Ha.. Hai...”

 

“Well what do you know, the man has a voice! I never did get your names. Who are you?”

 

The black clothed ninja awoke from his stupor.

 

“My name is Kankuro.”

 

Naruto turned to the young woman.

 

“And what's your name?”

 

The woman blushed slightly.

 

'He's actually kind of cute...'

 

“My name is Temari...”

 

“Well it was good meeting you, Kankuro, Temari. I hope to see you two and Gaara in the exams. Ja ne!”

 

With that, Naruto used his Hiraishin no Jutsu to get to where his team had agreed to meet, leaving Konahamaru and his friends as well as the siblings from the sand there to wonder what the hell they had just seen.

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&&

 

3:30 pm The Next Day Outside Room 301:

 

Team Seven had entered the mass of Genins crouding around Room 301, and pushed their way to the front. They got there just in time to see a guy in a green spandex suit with a bowl cut and abnormally large eye brows get kicked back by the two kids guarding the door.

 

“What the hell did you do that for?”

 

“Kid, you should be thankful. The Chunin exam is full of peril. If you can't stand up to us, you've got no chance to get past this test, let alone make it to the second test.”

 

“How cruel...”

 

Naruto saw that the sign that said 'Room 301' had a genjutsu surrounding it.

 

“We may not be able to pass you, but why would we want to? You're not really guarding room 301.”

 

People turned to see Naruto with a confident smirk on his face.

 

“What the hell is he talking about?”

 

“The hell if I know.”

 

“He's lost it.”

 

Sasuke noticed it as well. He looked to see that Yukiko and Sakura had spotted it too.

 

“What Naruto said is true. And considering that his Genjutu detection ability is the worst on our team, I think that says something about your skill level. Sakura. You're Genjutsu detection and know-how are the best on our team. You must have spotted it the second we walked in.”

 

Sakura looked taken aback by Sasuke's appraisal of her abilities.

 

'Thank you, Sasuke-Kun...'

 

“Yeah, I noticed it the second I laid my eyes on it. That technique is the equivalent of a first year academy student's Genjutsu. You really should have tried harder.”

 

The two boys guarding the door smirked.

 

“At least it seems one team is up to scratch. They're right. This is not room 301, or 3 anything for that matter.”

 

The sign began to warp until it revealed the number 201. Naruto smirked and led his team forwards, however, one of the two guards took the liberty to attack Naruto, who replied in fashion. Just as their kicks were about to meet however, our favourite green spandex wearing taijutsu master jumped in between and stopped the kicls with his hands. A murmour went through the croud as the boy's team mates stepped forward. The obvious leader of the team, a white eyed boy in a beige coloured jacket with long black hair stepped up to his team mate.

 

“What part of the plan 'stay under the radar' did you not understand Lee? Lee's other team mate, a black haired brown eyed girl noticed Lee's facial expression, and just slapped her forehead groaning. Lee had a very intense gaze on his face which was directed at Sakura. He walked over to her, and smiled showing of his perfect white teeth which gleemed.

 

“I'm Rock Lee. So you're Sakura... Let's go out together! I'll protect you till I die!”

 

Sakura looked nonplussed, and just turned around and began walking.

 

“No... Way... You're lame...”

 

Naruto smirked and snickered. However, he soon noticed that Lee's team mate had approached him.

 

“I'm interested in your name. Who are you?”

 

“My name is Uzumaki Naruto. I can guess by your eyes that you are a member of the Hyuga clan.”

 

“Indeed, I am Hyuga Neji. I look forward to seeing you in the exams.”

 

Naruto decided he'd had enough of his cocky attitude and decided to play by his own game.

 

“You may be, but I'm not. Frankly, there are only two people I will even consider facing seriously in this exam. And you're not one of them. Now if you don't mind, I'm going ahead with the rest of my team mates to 301 to take the test.”

 

Neji held his anger in check as the boy walked off. The female member of their team sided up to Neji and decided to try and take his mind off it before he did something stupid.

 

“Oi, Neji. Let's just go and take the exam already. I'm sure we'll meet up with Naruto later.”

 

“You're right Ten-Ten. Oi, Lee, we're going.”

 

“You guys go on ahead.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“There's something I have to test.”

 

They shook their heads, but they let Lee go. Lee started after Team 7.

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&

 

Several Minutes later and Several Rooms Away:

 

Team Seven were walking towards the assigned room for the test. However they were stopped by Lee.

 

“Hey guy with the blue eyes.”

 

Team Seven turned at once. Naruto was the one who answered.

 

“What do you want fuzzy brows?”

 

“Will you fight me here and now?”

 

Naruto just turned and kept waling.

 

“Are you ignoring me?”

 

“No, I'm not. If we were to fight here, this entire building would be destroyed. If you want to fight me, then fight me in a proper match.”

 

“I see. Well, until such a time, I will wait patiently for a match with you.”

 

“Good. See you in the exam.”

 

With that, Team Seven walked around the last corner to room 301. They were greeted by a suprise visit from Kakashi.

 

“Hmm? Kakashi-Sensei? What are you doing here?”

 

“Ah good. It seems that all four of you came.”

 

“Well duh all four of us came. As if we'd miss this!”

 

“If Sakura had decided to refuse to come, I would have had to send you guys away. You're the only team of four in this exam, and so you are required to endure all the rules that the other three man cells are only you guys have the rules modified so that all four of you had to turn up to enter.”

 

“Then why did you say we were free to decide whether we entered or not?”

 

“Well, because if I had told you that all four had to enter to even sit for the first test, you would have put pressure on each other to turn up. But it seems you all came here willingly, so good job. Now, go show them what you four are capeable of.”

 

“Heh, this'll be a snap.”

 

With that they pushed open the doors to be greeted by a crowd of staring faces. Sasuke and Yukiko looked slightly fearful, while Naruto and Yukiko just smirled, knowing that there was possibly two other people in this room that could even remotely match their power. Sasuke suddenly felt the weight of a girl on his back.

 

“You're late, Sasuke-Kun! I haven't seen you in a while, so my excitement has been building up.”

 

“Get away from her Ino-Pig!”

 

“Well well, if it isn't forhead girl. It seems to be getting bigger every day.”

 

“WHAT DID YOU SAY?”

 

A new voice came from off to their left.

 

“Would you guys do us a favour, and shut up?”

 

Everyone turned to see Shikamaru and Choji walking up to them. Naruto used his usual label for them.

 

“Seems the idiot trio made it here too.”

 

“Don't call us that.”

 

Another new voice came from in front of them.

 

“Yahoo! Found you!”

 

The voice came from Kiba. Next to him on his left was Hinata, and to his right was Shino. Hinata whispered a greeting.

 

“H... Hello...”

 

Naruto took a sweeping glance and smirked.

 

“So, the rookie 9 all made it. It'se been what... 5 years since Konoha rookies took the exams? It doesn't matter. By the time we get to the third exam, the losers will be weeded out. That means most of the chumps behind you.”

 

Everyone of the rookie 9 except Yukiko cringed. Everyone of those 'chumps' just glared death threats at Naruto. Some even directed killer intent. He shurgged it off and sent a short pulse of Kyubi intensified killer intent back at the whole room making everyone but Yukiko and Gaara flinch.

 

“As I said. Chumps.”

 

A new voice came from off too their left.

 

“Hey you guys. You should probably shut up.”

 

Naruto shot back a retort.

 

“Who are you to tell us to shut up?”

 

“You could say a friend.”

 

Sakura wanted to know who this guy was.

 

“What's your name?”

 

“My name is Kabuto.”

 

With that name, Yukiko and Naruto flinched. Everyone else just stared at the two.

 

“Is something wrong with my name?”

 

Yukiko spoke just above a whisper.

 

“Kabuto... What is your surname?”

 

“Hmmm? It's Yakushi. Why?”

 

Naruto turned to Yukiko and nodded. Yukiko stepped up to Kabuto and held out a letter to him.

 

“Read this.”

 

Kabuto took the letter warily. He began to read it. When he finished, he just looked up at Yukiko in confusion.

 

“Was this document falsified?”

 

“No. I got it from a safe in the remnants of my apartment in the hidden Village of the Snow.”

 

“So, it seems I do have family left alive after all. This news is quite... Unexpected... To say the least...”

 

Sakura spoke up.

 

“Who is he, Yukiko?”

 

“My niisan...”

 

Everyone in the room just looked shocked. A family reunion... in the middle of the Chunin exam? Before they could debate it further, a loud explosion of smoke appeared in the front of the class room.

 

“I hate to break up the touching family reunion, but the hour of reckoning has come!”

 

The cloud dissapated to reveal the examiner for the first test and a row of Chunin behind him.

 

“Thanks for waiting. I am Morino Ibiki, the examiner for the Chunin selection exam's first test. Let me warn you of one thing. There will be no fighting without the permission of an examiner. However, even if you are authorised to engage, you are forbidden to kill. Those pigs who disobey me will be failed immedaitely. Do I make myself clear?”

 

Most of the Genins were now quivering in fear.

 

“We will now begin the first test in the Chunin exam. However, instead of your current seating arrangements, you will come up the front and take one of these number tabs and sit in the seat you were assigned. We will now begin handing out the test.”

 

Everyone got their number tabs and took their assigned seats. Luckily, all of Team Seven was seated on the left side of the room. Yukiko was glad, this would make things easier. However, she could not get her mind off the fact that she had finally met her niisan.

 

'Just concerntraite on the task at hand kitten. You'll get plenty of time to talk to him later.'

 

'You're right, as always Nibi.'

 

 

'Ha ha ha, you flatter me to much. Now, if I'm not mistaken, the examiner is about to tell us the rules.'

 

“Listen up punks. There are many important rules to this test. I will not allow questions, however I will write the rules on the board. I will say these rules once and once only, so listen carefully.”

 

Ibiki went trough the rules, and they were exactly what Yukiko had told them the day before. Team Seven zoned out, and waited for the test to begin. Finally, the examiner stopped explaining the rules, and turned to the Genins.

 

“The exam will last one hour. BEGIN!”

 

The sound of paper being turned over and pencils touching paper could be heard throughout the room. As according to plan, each of Team Seven's members wrote their name then tapped their pencils once each on the table to signify they were ready. Yukiko then put her hands under the tablend began forming hand seals.

 

'Mokuton: Strangling Vines no Jutsu!'

 

When she said those words in her mind, the part of the table she had touched began to form a quivering mass of jelly like substance. It quickly solidified and tendrils began reaching out in the areas she directed them. Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura felt their hands being encompassed by the vines. The vines gave a few test pulses which made all four ninjas contract their hands. Yukiko sent another pulse, although this time, it was only felt by Sakura. This was the signal that Sakura would be doing the work. Sakura immediately began writing, the rest of her team mates mirroring her writing. They were not the only ones cheating however, as Hyuga Neji had his Byakugan activated and was writing madly while looking at one spot intensly. Gaara sent his third eye to copy off someone else. Suddenly, A kunai flew past Naruto's head and struck the paper of the guy directly behind him.

 

“Wha... What is the meaning of this?”

 

“You've been caught cheating five times. Get your team mates and get out.”

 

The Genin's team members got up, none too happy tht they had lost because of their team mate's blazen cheating attempts. From them on, numbers were regulalrly called out. Sakura clenched her had, showing that she was ready to start writing again. The others all took their hand positions and the writing continued. Soon after, Team Seven had finished. Ino had been waiting for this moment however. She began to cast her technique. However, she felt a wave of killer intent. She looked momentarily taken aback before going for another attempt. Again she met with a wave of killer intent, this one much larger than before. Ino eventually gave up. She shook her head, indicating to her tem mates that their plan had failed. After the alotted time was up, Ibiki addressed the remaining Genins.

 

“Ok it's time for the final question. First of all though, you have to decide whether or not you want to take it. Team Seven just looked at each other, nodded and went to sleep. This did not go unnoticed by Ibiki.

 

“Oi! You four punks! Do you think you can afford to slack off at a time like this?”

 

Naruto raised his head to answer for his team.

 

“Yup, we sure can. We already know the answer to the question, so we're fine.”

 

“Cocky bastards, aren't you?”

 

“You would be too if you were in our position.”

 

“Ibiko just decided to ignore them. They were too confident for his liking.

 

'Surely they didn't know what the whole point of this tenth question was?'

 

Ibiki turned back to the others. Well for the rest of you, as I was saying. You can either quit now and be failed along with your team mates, or if you decided to take the question and fail. You will be banned from taking the Chunin test ever again.”

 

This had the desired effect on everyone left in the room. Except those four.

 

“Are you four really taking this that lightly?”

 

“Yup. We are compeltely certain of the answer. Stop second guessing us and just get on with it.”

 

'There's no doubt about it. They know about this test somehow...'

 

Are any of you willing to take the chance that you will never become a Chunin?”

 

This comment seemed to push one mon over the edge.

 

“I quit! I'm sorry... Gennai... Inoho...”

 

“Number 50 fail! Number 130 and 111 fail also!”

 

That set off a chain reaction. People just kept on leaving until there was only 78 still left. The rest were unable to decide whether they should give up or not. Ibiki's curiosity got the better of him and he turned to Naruto.

 

“You must be confident for a reason. Why do you know the answer when no one else does?”

 

“God, you're a pushy one aren't you? Fine! I'll tell you! It's because there is no god damn tenth question! Happy now?”

 

People looked on in shock. What the hell was this kid talking about? Ibiki on the other hand confirmed his susicions.

 

“So you have inside information on this test. Who told you?”

 

Team Seven had preapred a story just in case this happened.

 

“No one did. We did some research into past Chunin exams and we found that they'd always got tough guys to be the examiner. We heard a rumor going around that you were going to be this year's examiner for the first test. We did some background research into your history and found out you were the leader of Konoha's special interrigation and investigation team. So we predicted that you would try and screw with us psychologically, mess with us at evey opportunity you got. We also know from our research into the Chunin exams as a whole that even when there's been tougher guys than you around, they never used a rule that severe. Except one. About 30 years ago, in the Hidden Mist, your counterpart first used a similar rule to your 'tenth question' rule. The Genin's were so shocked that all but four teams left. When they were returning home, one of the members of a passing team was captured by one of the groups from the exam and interrigated as to what the question was. Know what he told them? 'The question was do you want to take the question?' That's how as soon as we heard your rule, we knew we were on easy street. You may be able to screw with the minds of weaklings, but you can't screw with ours. That's why we are so confident. I'm guessing you regret asking that now since I just destroyed the whole point of this test, eh? Remember the saying: Curiosity killed the cat.”

 

With that recital out of the way, Naruto sat back. Ibiki and everyone else in the room was impressed with the kid's amount of knowledge and preparation that went into preparing for this exam.

 

“You're right about one thing, kid. I regret asking you that. Well, there's no point in delaying this any longer. You all pass. Congratulations.”

 

Everyone let out a sigh of relief. However some people wanted their questions answered.

 

“If you were just going to pass everyone who took the tenth question, why use nine others before it?”

 

This came from Temari.

 

“Oh they had a very important purpose. They severd to test all of your information gathering skills. Those who cheated blatantly were picked out and gotten rid of. If your information gathering skills are poor, you could not only end up with false information that could cause the destruction of your village, but it could get you caught even before you got your hands on any information, let alone whether it was good or bad.”

 

Temari still wasn't completely satisfied.

 

“But the what about the tenth question?”

 

“Ah now that was the true purpose of the test. Take, or do not take. Considering that both choices were painful, it was a very difficult decision. Let's put this question into perspective. Let's say all of you become Chunins, and you're assigned a mission to gather a secret document. The number, abilities, etc of the ninjas guarding the scroll are unknown. Now, do you accept the mission? Because you don't want to die, because you want to protect your friends, can you avoid the dangerous mission? The answer is NO! No matter what the danger, there are some missions you can't aviod. The ability to be couragous, and survive any hardship. This is the ability to be a Chunin captain! Those who cling to the uncertain futher of 'there's always next year.' Those who can't put their destinies on the line and walk away from their chance... Those worthless pieces of trash don't deserve to become Chunin in my opinion. You have made it through the entrance, the first test of the Chunin exam is now finished. I wish you luck.”

 

Just as people were beginning to feel good about themselves, the doors to the room flew open and off their hinges. Standing in the doorway was a woman in a cream coloured trenchcoat with a fishnet shirt on. She had a VERY short miniskirt on with fishnet leggings that only covered the top half of her thighs. She also wore greaves.

 

“This is no time to be celebrating! I'm Mitarashi Anko, and I will be your examiner for the second test!”

 

Everyone just looked at her like she was half mad. To those that knew her, she was more than half mad. Closer to clinicly insane. Anko looked around the room.

 

“IBIKI! How the hell did you let 78 people... 26 teams pass this exam! This test was too easy.”

 

“It's got nothing to do with the difficulty of the test, it's got to do with the fact that this years hopefuls are outstanding.”

 

“Well, it doesn't matter. By the end of the second test, I'll have at the least half of these guys packing their backs for hime. Now, all of you, follow me!”

 

They warily followed the overly happy female ninja out the door and onto the second test.

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&

 

A/N: Another one out of the way! Man, if I keep this up, I'll be forced to actually do some, if not all of Naruto's two and a half years out of Konoha with Jiraiya instead of skipping it like the manga did (which I am basing my storyline on, btw) Also, did you think I introduced Yukiko and Kabuto in the right way? I tried to get Kabuto as close to what his original in the anime/manga would say. Anyways, I'm going to go to bed now. It's 3 am here in Sydney. Luckily, I have the day off tomorrow! So, until next time my avid readers!

 

Ja ne,

 

Specula.