Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Lost Soul ❯ Closer and Closer ( Chapter 15 )

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and not me, but I do claim the Yominokunis, Yakubyougami and the Tekigougan for myself!

 

A Note from Katana Haibane: I'm sorry it took so long to update my story, but I've had several midterms to deal with and they took up a lot of my time. I do have one thing to say though. I've been damn tempted to just drop writing this fic. I've loved writing it, but the total lack of response despite how many hits I've been getting each chapter (over 140 per chapter) has been disheartening. I mean, COME ON PEOPLE! Surely you can spare a few seconds to say whether you liked a chapter or not?!?! It takes nearly no effort to do so and helps encourage a writer to keep up his or her dedication. I'm sure other fics were killed this way. But then I thought about those people who took the time to review. Almost every one of them left surprisingly long reviews, especially XyoushaX, Ace, and hurotias. Those three, and everyone else who has reviewed my fic are the reason I'm not going to abandon this fic.

 

I repeat: I will not abandon this fic.

 

I really wish that I could have heard from others who've read my fic as well. So PLEASE, at least tell me if you like or hate my chapter/fic/characters or anything in general even if you don't say any reasons why.

 

Well, now that I'm done ranting, on with the chapter!

 

Chapter 15: Closer and Closer

 

Huge smiles were plastered on Kiba and Mikomi's faces as they met Kurenai and Shino outside the Konoha Academy the next day. Despite still looking like they had been through the ringer, Team Eight's attitude was definitely cheery. Once they spotted the Kurenai's familiar black hair moving through the crowd of students pushing through the wide, wrought iron gates they started sprinting towards her.

 

“Hey, Kurenai-sensei!” Kiba shouted, causing Kurenai to turn and watch her students run towards her, “Whadda ya think? We freakin' got to the finals again!”

 

Chuckling quietly, Kurenai decided that she was going to get Kiba focused on the training that he had to do, “So what? You made it the last two times and neither time did you do well enough to make the rank of Chuunin. I think that you'll want to work a little harder on your training this time mister.”

 

“That was a low blow Kurenai-sensei,” Kiba griped. He couldn't help but grimace at how true Kurenai's words were though, “I'll definitely make Chuunin rank this time, just you watch! Hey Shino, how are ya doing?”

 

“Fine,” was all Shino said as he turned away from Kiba and looked hard at Kurenai through his shades, “I'll be off training with my family this month sensei. I won't be meeting the team until after the tournament.”

 

Kurenai nodded. She had been expecting for Shino to head off and train with his family once again. After all, nobody else could properly train him in the use of his insect-based jutsu. “Sure Shino, not a problem. Just be sure to be ready for the tournament in a month. I don't want you too injured to participate so keep a close eye on that wound of yours until it heals up.”

 

Shino gave a slight nod before he took off once again; weaving his way through the myriad of people that always seemed to congregate in front of the Academy in the early morning.

 

Scratching the back of Akamaru's head, Kiba gave Kurenai an apologetic smile, “Eh, sorry Kurenai-sensei, but I'll be training with my own family as well. There's still a ton of jutsu in my clan that I haven't come close to mastering yet.” Kiba's grin grew slightly as he glanced over at Mikomi, “Sorry about abandoning you with Kurenai-sensei Mikomi. But hey, you just get to have some one on one training of your own.”

 

Mikomi just shrugged. “It's cool Kiba. Just make sure you're strong enough not to get you ass handed to you when I face you in the second round of the finals,” Mikomi shot Kiba a grin of her own as he started to sputter out a protest, “And don't you deny it. You and I both know that you didn't just `accidentally' get jammed into the trunk of that tree you know.”

 

Kiba's mouth just kept on opening and closing for the next couple of seconds before he was able to get himself under control. “Yeah, whatever,” Kiba grumbled before he glared at Mikomi, “Don't think I'll be such an easy mark this time. You're crazy strength won't mean squat if you can't land a solid hit on me!”

 

“You're on Dog Boy!”

 

The second Mikomi turned her back on Kiba and started to talk to Kurenai about her training was when Kiba struck. Kiba leapt onto Mikomi's shoulders and used her as a springboard to launch himself on top of the nearest house, sending Mikomi face first onto the ground. Kiba let loose a loud, barking laugh while Mikomi angrily leapt to her feet, ripping a nearby bench out of the ground. Kiba was barely able to dodge the flying bench as Akamaru boomed out a warning bark that gave Kiba just enough to leap out of the way. Mikomi was just about ready to take off after Kiba when Kurenai's hand came to rest on her left shoulder.

 

“Let's get working on your training Mikomi,” Kurenai said gently even as she felt Mikomi's shoulder tense up underneath her hand, “You can pay Kiba back for that little stunt during the tournament.” Kurenai grimaced as an angry shout went up a ways down the street in the direction that Mikomi had thrown the bench, “Besides, I don't think you really want to stick around and have whoever you hit with that bench get their hands on you. Ninja or not, I think they'd want to take it out of your hide.” With that said, Kurenai leapt up on top of the wall that surrounded the Konoha Ninja Academy and started running off in the direction of Training Ground number Eight.

 

Mikomi had the humility to look a little embarrassed before she too leapt onto the wall and raced off closely behind Kurenai. “Kurenai-sensei, what do you have planned for me to do for training? Are you gonna teach me some more elemental jutsu? I did tell you that I have an affinity for lightning and wind jutsu didn't I?”

 

Kurenai didn't respond to Mikomi in the way that Mikomi had been expecting her to. Unseen by Mikomi, Kurenai's hands had flashed through a series of hand seals before she suddenly seemed to just evaporate before Mikomi's startled eyes. Mikomi slid to a halt on the wall as Kurenai's voice suddenly seemed to come from all around her, “No, I don't think that will be the first thing I'll be teaching you.”

 

As if to emphasize this point Mikomi had to start leaping away very quickly as vines seemed to break through and sprout out of the Academy wall. Mikomi had been able to make it into the tree line that bordered Training Ground Eight before a surge of vines leapt out of the ground and closed around Mikomi's throat, arms and legs. Mikomi tried to force her body to tear through the vines by reaching towards the vine around her throat be she suddenly found that she couldn't even budge vines. It was as if her strength had left her. Just as suddenly as Kurenai had disappeared and the vines began attacking Mikomi, they disappeared causing Mikomi to topple forward into Kurenai's outstretched arms.

 

“You're going to be learning how to properly dispel Genjutsu Mikomi. That is probably the most important thing that I can teach you right now.” Kurenai laughed at Mikomi's disappointed look, “Believe me, all three of you guys need to learn how to deal with Genjutsu. You've got the power right now, plus a few really devastating jutsu at your disposal and you've been remembering more of them lately. However, you happen to be very susceptible to Genjutsu. I'm hoping that whoever trained you in the past taught you how to dispel Genjutsu. Even if you don't remember how to do it, you're body may already be subconsciously attuned to dispelling Genjutsu. If so, you'll be able to pick it up a little easier.”

 

Mikomi slumped to the ground her mouth hanging open slightly and her legs and arms going rather limp. The Genjutsu that Kurenai had just put her under had felt so real, as if those vines were actually strangling her to death. She brought her hand up and ran it along her neck just to check and make sure that there really wasn't anything there. Suddenly the image of a red sky and a black moon flickered in the back of Mikomi's mind for a second causing her to gasp violently. She didn't know why, but she was sure that this was some kind Genjutsu, one that scared the heck out of her.

 

Giving herself a rather hard shake, Mikomi leapt to her feet cracked her neck once before she stared hard at Kurenai, “I want to know everything that you can teach me about dispelling Genjutsu Kurenai-sensei. I don't want to be caught off guard like that ever again. I especially don't want to be as weak as I felt while I was under that damn Genjutsu. So teach me.”

 

“I think I can do that for you,” Kurenai said as she grinned at the determined look on Mikomi's face, “You just have to be willing to work your ass off. We'll start with learning how to dispel Genjutsu and then work on your detection skills. Now, first thing you have to learn is the basic flow of chakra you need to put into a tiger seal…”

 

The Corridor outside Orochimaru's Chamber

 

Kinniku's face was twisted into a deep scowl as he stomped his way down the featureless grey corridor that led to Orochimaru's personal chambers. He had already sent Teion and Sanjuu off to do some training of their own in preparation of taking Mikomi out in the finals before he had started heading off to make his report. `That little bitch!' Kinniku cursed in his head before he decided to leave an imprint of his fist in the wall, `She fucking just waited until I had gone inside the tower before she waltzed on inside. Two full days wasted waiting for he to show up for nothing. God dammit!'

 

Just before he booted in the doors to Orochimaru's chambers, Kinniku just barely stopped his foot in time. With a shaking hand Kinniku reached out and traced it down and along the elegant carvings that wound their way along the edges of the doors. Hundreds of different looking serpents seemed to twist and write around the door as Kinniku followed them with his hands and eyes, slowly loosing the tremors that had been running through his hands. His anger finally abating slightly, Kinniku knocked on the door that led to his master's chambers.

 

“Enter,” hissed the voice of Orochimaru as Kinniku started to ease the door open. Orochimaru watched with an amused look on his face as Kinniku refused to meet his eyes, “Aren't you forgetting someone Kinniku-kun? A little girl that you were supposed to retrieve for me perhaps?”

 

The scowl that had just left Kinniku's face returned in full force as he bowed low to Orochimaru, “I…I'm sorry Orochimaru-sama. My team had been waiting in front of the finishing point for the second exam for over two days with no sign of that bit…I mean…Mikomi-san showing up. We decided to enter the building thinking that we might be able to catch her once her team failed. Apparently she followed us into the building.”

 

Orochimaru began a slow laugh that sent shivers up Kinniku's spine. Then, Orochimaru face seemed to split in half as he grinned, “Kukuku. I warned you not to underestimate that girl. She's far stronger than you give her credit for. That's why I want her back. Besides, did you really think that any mere Genin team with a Yominokuni in their ranks would fail to make it to the finals? I fully expected you to fail in capturing her before the finals.”

 

Kinniku couldn't help but feel shocked at Orochimaru's words, “What? You mean you aren't going to punish me?”

 

“No,” Orochimaru said as he pulled a familiar looking black collar from behind his back and started to examine it, “I have already planned for this situation. That's why I sent you in the first place. As things are now, you are the only person of Genin rank in the Sound that could possibly stand up to Mikomi when she's fighting at her full strength. You are going to be my insurance policy.” Orochimaru tossed Kinniku the black collar that he had been fiddling with, “That collar right there is a copy of the original one that I used to keep Mikomi under my control in the first place. I want you to use that to ensure that Mikomi has to return her to the Sound under my control once again.”

 

A ghost of a smile flitted over Kinniku's face, “Isn't this what you used to torture that bitch with if she got out of hand Orochimaru-sama? Alright, then how do I use it? I can't wait to give her a little taste of the pain she's given me!”

 

“Later,” Orochimaru snapped as the humour left his face in and instant, “I said that you were going to be my insurance policy. That collar is easy enough to learn how to use and you can learn it on your own time. I said that you were going to be my insurance policy for dealing with Mikomi-chan. So I'm making you a very rare offer. Do you want power Kinniku?”

 

“Of course I do Orochimaru-sama, why else would I have joined your village?”

 

“Kukuku, then here's the deal. You MUST do everything in your power to bring Mikomi back alive. I. Want. Her! However, you MUST kill her if you are unable to force her to come back to the Sound with you. I will not have anybody else have her.” Orochimaru's yellow eyes seemed to glow from the shadows that were cast over his head, “She is my own investment. I will take over you're training for this month, making you stronger than you ever dreamed possible. Then, when you return with Mikomi-chan in tow I will grant you power beyond your wildest dreams: I will give you a cursed seal.”

 

The hunger etched across Kinniku's face was palpable as the knelt down before Orochimaru, “Thank-you Orochimaru-sama. I will not fail you. I will return with Mikomi. I will survive the curse seal that you will give me. Train me now Orochimaru-sama. Give me the ability to return the pain that Mikomi has caused me a hundred fold and-”

 

Kinniku was cut off as Orochimaru backhanded him into the heavy doors to his chamber. “Arrogant fool!” Orochimaru hissed, “I'm not giving you anything to help with your revenge. You won't go out of your way to torture Mikomi. You will get me immediate results when you fight her. And I assure you that you will fight her. Nobody at Genin rank is her equal, not even you as you are now Tegatai Kinniku. If you fail this time, I promise you that you won't be alive any longer than I allow you to live.”

 

Somewhere Deep in the Mountains of Lightning Country

 

Two people sat deep in mediation on an overhanging rocky arch that stretched out over a massive gorge. The cliff face was almost sheer and had little protection from the elements. Small cracks and fissures that spider-webbed their way up the rock face were the only means of travel on this cliff besides sticking your feet to rock with chakra. The gorge itself was neigh on a thousand feet deep from the rocky arch to the ground and would leave most people dizzy just looking down into the craggy base of the cliff.

 

However, the view was beyond spectacular. Being so high up above sea level meant that you literally had your head in the clouds in this county and the clouds slowly danced their way through the mountain peaks. The sun shone down through the filmier clouds to create a golden haze that seemed to bathe everything in a holy light. The thin crusts of snow that covered all of the mountain peaks in the area glowed softly with the golden light, reflecting it down into the valleys below. Copses of small, but hearty trees grew in the rocky soil that filled the mountain valleys, creating accents of green amidst the rock of the mountains. The land had a silent beauty about it, one that you can only find high up in the mountains.

 

A surprisingly gentle breeze blew in against the rock face, easing the long hair both people had into an elegant dance around their faces, teasing their senses with the faint woody smells below. Then the larger of the two people cracked one eye open, proving that they weren't as deep in meditation as one would have thought. His face split into a barely suppresses grin before gave the boy beside him a hearty slap on the back, sending him over the edge of the rocky outcropping.

 

With that slap on the back, the peaceful morning was shattered by the keening cry of, “DAMN YOU TO HELL ERO-SENNIIIIIIIINNNNNNN!!!!”

 

As pissed off at Jiraiya as Naruto was, he didn't really stop to think about what he had to do in the face of rocks rushing up to meet him. His hands blurred into seals that Jiraiya had recently taught him took in a deep breath, “Futon: Great Breakthrough Jutsu!”

 

The blast of air shot Naruto backwards through the air towards the cliff face due to the force he had put behind it - that and he wasn't anchored to the ground. In moments Naruto had forced as much chakra as he needed into his back, hands and feet as he crashed into the cliff. Lucky for him, Naruto was able to cling to the rock like a spider, breathing very heavily from the near death experience he had just gone through. Spinning onto his feet, Naruto turned and started sprinting up the rock face in the direction of his soon-to-be punished sensei.

 

Jiraiya, on the other hand, was rolling around on the overhang laughing his ass off, “Bwahahaha! Oh man, you should have seen the look on your face brat! It was priceless!”

 

Jiraiya was still rolling around on the ground laughing as Naruto leapt up onto the outcropping with murder in his eyes, “YOU THINK THAT'S SO FUNNY DO YOU ERO-SENNIN? WELL THEN, TAKE THE DAMN TRIP YOURSELF!” Naruto reared back and pumped a huge amount of chakra into his foot in an attempt to send Jiraiya flying much in the same was Tsunade did. His foot came screaming downwards kicking up a huge cloud of dust at the same time Jiraiya reacted to the attack.

 

“Underworld Spines!”

 

Less than a second before Naruto's foot connected with Jiraiya's face, Jiraiya's hair swept around the perverted hermit and dug into the rock beneath him, locking him in place. Naruto's foot wasn't so lucky. He put his uncovered foot right through one of steely hard spikes on Jiraiya's head. Unfortunately for Jiraiya, his head still started ringing from the impact of Naruto's foot.

 

There was a pause for a moment before Naruto ripped his foot off of the spike he had impaled it on and started hopping around with a bit of blood spurting out of his wound, “OWOWOWOW! I'm gonna - OW - kill you Er-OW-Sennin!”

 

A loud groan was the only response Jiraiya gave for a minute, “Dammit brat, you've given me a headache even worse than a hangover. Jeez, I think that kick was almost as strong as Tsunade's.” Grumbling some more at his failed joke, Jiraiya got up and pulled a roll of bandages from his backpack, caught Naruto's foot and yanked him to the ground. Naruto landed with a yelp, but stop complaining when he saw Jiraiya bandaging his foot for him, “Alright Naruto, I've got our next move planned for this little training journey I've been taking you on. We're going to start heading back to Konoha, but onl-”

 

“YATTA!” Naruto cried out, nearly tearing the bandage off of his own foot, “I can't wait to show everybody how strong I am now! Nobody's gonna stop me from becoming Hokage now! Then, I'm gonna get Tsunade-baa-chan to organize a search party with me to get Sasuke back, and then I'll find him and kick that teme's ass, and then I'll beat up Orochimaru and all of that damned Akatsuki, and then-”

 

“SHUT UP NARUTO!” Jiraiya bellowed into Naruto's face, causing him freeze in mid sentence, “I've got one condition for you to do before you head back to Konoha. You have to be able to summon a Rasengan in both hands at the same time without using your clones to form it. You gotta be able to impress that girl of yours back home. After all, you did give her your scroll on how to use the Rasengan.” Jiraiya gave Naruto a perverted leer, “What was the name of that cutie anyway…”

 

Naruto's face flushed bright red, whether from anger or embarrassment you couldn't tell. “DON'T YOU EVEN GO THERE HENTAI! SHE WAS ONLY TWELVE THE LAST TIME WE SAW HER. DON'T EVER EVEN THINK OF HINATA-CHAN LIKE THAT EVER AGAIN!”

 

Jiraiya's mocking laughter echoed through the mountainside as he led Naruto on a merry chase through the peaks.

 

 

Hokage's Office - 1 Week beforethe Finals

 

“I'm calling in our bet Hiashi-san,” Tsunade said with a wicked grin on her face. She was overjoyed that she had both won the bet and got to put Hyuuga Hiashi in his place for acting so arrogant in the past towards her, “After all, your end of the bargain was to act as a judge in the next Chuunin exams Konoha hosted. With me choosing when you acted as a judge of course.”

 

Tsunade could have sworn that she saw a ghost of a smile flicker onto Hiashi's face as she reclined in office chair, but shook it off. Hiashi never smiled.

 

Hiashi gave slight bow to Tsunade to hide the small smile that started to appear on his face, “As you wish Hokage-sama. I must admit that I am rather glad that I lost that bet. I don't know what caused Hinata to change so greatly but it has given me a surprisingly adept heir. Hinata has actually managed to catch up to Neji in almost every aspect of her skills, especially since she came to train with you Hokage-sama. I get the feeling that the Clan Elders may have to relent and allow Hinata to become a Medic-Nin after all.”

 

To hear Hiashi say anything complimentary about anyone was a shock enough for Tsunade, but for him to thank anyone was even stranger! She could hardly believe what she was hearing, “W-well I seriously hope that they do. Hinata should have proven to you all how tough you have to be to become a Medic-Nin in the first place, especially a battlefield Medic.” Tsunade's mouth nearly hit the floor when Hiashi actually chuckled softly for a second. A full second! “Besides, Hinata started getting stronger long before she became my second apprentice so you should thank whoever encouraged her. Well, on to your role as the Head Proctor for the final exam. First off, I need you to be your usual self and give absolutely no consideration or favouritism to any of the participants. That said; stop the fights if it is clear that one party is disabled. I don't want any unnecessary deaths, even of the Sound Nins. The only time that I want you to avoid calling an end to the fight is if one of the participants doesn't want you to end the fight. You got that Hiashi-san?”

 

“Of course Hokage-sama,” Hiashi said with a bow, “I wouldn't judge things any other way. Now, how are the participants going to be judged and selected for the title of Chuunin and what involvement will I have in the process?”

 

“You are the Head Proctor and therefore the head judge. You create the list of criteria for the Genin to be judge on - approved by me of course - and then preside over the grading after the exam is over. You do not get the final decision on who becomes Chuunin. That right is reserved for myself and the other Kages and leaders. You send your recommendations to them after the exam once you have voted on their performance.”

 

Hiashi nodded before he turned and started to head out of Tsunade's office, “Good day Hokage-sama. I have rubric to design now, so if you'll excuse me I have work to do.”

 

Just as Hiashi was reaching for the doorknob someone knocked rather enthusiastically on the door. Hiashi reflexively activated his Byakugan to find out who was knocking. A surprised look crossed his face and he opened the door to reveal Juuboku, Gaara's current advisor.

 

`No matter how much I find this task to be a nuisance I do enjoy the access and freedom it gives me in the ninja world,' Yakubyougami thought as he kept up his overly happy persona of Juuboku. Yakubyougami went into a deep bow in front of Tsunade, “Greetings Hokage-sama, I am very pleased to see you looking well. You almost look younger every time I see you.”

 

“It's good to see you too Juuboku,” Tsunade said, smiling at the red-head standing in front of her desk, “I was wondering when the delegation from the Sand was going to show up. Is Kazekage-sama available to discuss a few security issues with me?”

 

Yakubyougami shook his head, “I'm afraid that he won't be arriving for another day Hokage-sama. I was sent ahead to plan out his meeting schedule as well as to help out in any way that I can.” He pulled a small sealed scroll from his hip pack and handed it to Tsunade, “That is proof that I was sent by Kazekage-sama.”

 

Tsunade casually activated her chakra scalpel and sliced through the chakra seal that was on the scroll. Flicking it open she glanced down at the contents of the scroll. Scanning through it she ended at Gaara's signature at the bottom of the scroll with his chakra signature overlaid on top of it. “Looks good Juuboku-san, everything looks to be in order. There's really only one area that I need help with at the moment and that's helping oversee the security detail in general. My Anbu Captain needs to have a little bit more time freed up to look into another matter of internal security and needs help with the shift management.”

 

“Absolutely Hokage-sama,” Yakubyougami said with an energetic bow, “I'll get on that right away. However, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind granting me leave to visit someone in Konoha first before I get to work?”

 

Coolly raising an eyebrow at Juuboku's request, Tsunade regarded the Sand Nin critically, “Who did you want to visit? I wasn't aware that you knew anyone here in Konoha.”

 

Playing his part perfectly, Yakubyougami fidgeted nervously in front of Tsunade, “Well, I heard a rumour that you had recently accepted a talented young girl into the rank of Genin. Her name…well I heard that she was a Yominokuni. I knew the family quite well and…and…I wanted to see if any of them were really alive.” Yakubyougami allowed all the sorrow and rage over the death of the Yominokunis wash over him. The words that he had spoken were entirely true. He had no reason to lie about them. However, when he felt something wet dripping from his face and onto his hands he let out a gasp. He stared curiously at the crystalline liquid that was resting on the back of his right hand.

 

A surge of sympathy coursed through Tsunade when she realized that Juuboku really was close to the Yominokunis. He even seemed shocked at his own tears. As much as Tsunade wanted to avoid any more reasons for the Konoha Council to dislike the girl Tsunade was having a hard time trying to find the words to deny Juuboku the chance to see a girl that he may have known.

 

Finally, after a good thirty seconds of debate inside her own head Tsunade relented, “Alright Juuboku, I'll let you visit with her before you get to work. I believe that she is currently training with her Sensei, Kurenai, out near Training Ground number Eight. Later I'd appreciate you telling me what you know about the Yominokunis, maybe even consider letting Mikomi know what you know. I'll warn you now that Mikomi may not remember you at all. She is still suffering amnesia.”

 

“WHAT?” Yakubyougami shouted, completely out of character for Juuboku. Regaining control over his emotions he spoke to Tsunade once again, “What…how did…Mikomi…get amnesia? If she's who I think she is, I don't remember ever seeing her sick! Just like her father!”

 

Tsunade sighed heavily, “I'm afraid you won't like how she acquired amnesia any better than the fact that she has it at all. My diagnosis showed that her mind was bruised in the core memory retention section as a direct result of the strain place upon her when she was forced into what could only be a very vicious and horrific Tsukiyomi attack by one Uchiha Itachi.

 

Yakubyougami froze where he stood, a look of pure rage and hatred marring the normally cheery features that he had while he was acting out his role of Juuboku. His currently plump face took on a hawk-like expression, sharpening the usually soft feature he had. Barely keeping his rage in check for the moment, Yakubyougami struggled to speak to Tsunade, “Hokage…sama…I humbly request something…you don't mind parting with…at the moment.”

 

A wry look spread across Tsunade's features as she pulled out a scroll, “I've got a few steel blocks sealed within this scroll that I used the very same way you're about to.” She tossed the scroll to Yakubyougami who viciously tossed the scroll open and immediately selected the largest block of steel sealed within the scroll.

 

The steel block caused the floor to groan because of its massive weight and Tsunade gaped when she realized what Yakubyougami had done, “DON'T USE THAT ONE JUUBOKU!”

 

Tsunade's scream fell on deaf ears.

 

An eerie blue glow suddenly surrounded Yakubyougami's hand and started to rapidly swirl and condense in power. He was channeling the attack that he normally produced along the length of his massive, black sword into a single point on his hand. Tsunade had just enough time to throw both her desk and herself to the side of the room as Yakubyougami let loose an almighty scream and pounded his fist straight into the side of the steel cube opposite the windows.

 

The power that Yakubyougami had been building up in his fist surged outwards and tore straight into the steel block. The wind element that he had instinctively focused into the attack ripped through the steel like tissue paper exploding chunks of steel out through the glass window behind where the Hokage's desk once sat.

 

Outside very few people even bothered to glance in the direction of the Hokage's office. The shower of metal had occurred enough times in the past that they were able to ignore it.

 

“Well, now I see how you were able to attain such a high rank so quickly in Suna,” Tsunade said, her voice shaking slightly, “That's one hell of a punch you've got there.” Anger quickly darkened Tsunade's shocked face however, and she took a large breath, “BUT NEXT TIME DON'T YOU DARE DO THAT IN MY DIRECTION!”

 

 

Konoha Training Grounds # 8

 

Mikomi was panting as she strained to throw off one of the more powerful Genjutsus that Kurenai had placed her under in the last three weeks. She had barely been able break her arms free from the massive tree that had suddenly erupted from the ground beneath her, encasing her body in its bark. She forced her hands together into the tiger seal, “KAI!” Nothing happened. Mikomi tried to throw off the Genjutsu again. And again. And again.

 

She paused for a second to regain her breath; ignoring the tugging sensation the tree was giving her arms. Slowing down, Mikomi ran through the steps for the method she was using to break out of Genjutsu, `Step one: focus and find the core of your energy.' In her mind's eye, Mikomi could see and feel the pulsing blue and green energy that made up her massive chakra reserves. `Step two: focus your chakra into a point in the very center of your energy core.' From within the glowing sphere of energy in her mind Mikomi could see a bright pin-prick in the center slowly growing and building. `Step three: feel beyond what you are experiencing. Sense the chakra surrounding you, the chakra that is making up the Genjutsu. Match the chakra you are gathering to equal or exceed the amount being used.' Mikomi couldn't help but let out a gasp when she realized how much chakra was being used for this Genjutsu. It was ten times the amount she had been using any other time before and it wasn't even Kurenai's most powerful Genjutsu. `Step four: once you've gathered your chakra to that point, release it outwards in an explosive, disrupting wave.'

 

Pausing for only a moment longer, Mikomi released the chakra that she had been gathering in an explosive wave, “KAI!”

 

Unfortunately for Kurenai, who was standing only a few feet behind Mikomi at the moment, Mikomi had gathered far more chakra than she needed to. The chakra exploded out from Mikomi in a palpable wave, slamming a wall of chakra straight into Kurenai and knocking her off her feet.

 

Mikomi gasped and fell to one knee as her body registered the large amount of chakra she had just expelled.

 

Despite being a little shook up, Kurenai had a large grin on her face at Mikomi's accomplishment. She was about to speak when suddenly, the sound of clapping filled the clearing.

 

“Bravo! That was an excellent attempt at properly dispelling a Genjutsu! You went quite a bit overboard on the amount of chakra you used, but that just proves you're capable of handling things far more serious than the Genjutsu you were just under. Bravo!”

 

Both Mikomi and Kurenai wheeled around to see a rather plump red-headed man walking through the clearing towards them. He seemed to just appear amidst the shadows in the trees. When Kurenai's eyes rested on the symbol of the Village Hidden in Sand that was on the Nin's Hitae-ate she immediately tensed up, “What are you doing here? Nobody from Suna was scheduled to be arriving for another couple of days.”

 

Yakubyougami just chuckled, trying very hard to remain in his Juuboku persona. The grief he felt started to bubble to the surface as he looked at Mikomi for the first time in four years, “Easy Kurenai-san, Hokage-sama said that I could come here. Kazekage-sama sent me ahead to lend a hand dealing with security protocol. Hokage-sama was kind enough to allow me to visit the daughter of an old friend of my. After all, Mikomi-chan, you last name is Yominokuni isn't it?”

 

Both Mikomi's and Kurenai's eyes seemed to bulge out of their heads even as their jaws both went a little slack. Almost as quickly as it had come, the shocked looks had left the faces of the two women standing before Yakubyougami and guarded looks appeared on their faces.

 

“Who wants to know?” Mikomi said aggressively. She had only told her own team, Hinata, Sakura and Tsunade her - now remembered - last name. She had no idea how this man could possibly know it, “How do you know my last name? I've let nobody but my closest friends know it.”

 

“There are ninja all over the place Mikomi-chan,” Yakubyougami said with a sigh, “Word does have a tendency of getting out about almost everything you know. I overheard a rumour back in Suna about there being a girl that had the name Yominokuni living in Konoha. As for whom I am, my name is Juuboku, head advisor to Kazekage-sama, Gaara-sama.”

 

Kurenai was still a little unnerved by the whole situation, “Alright, then why did you want to see Mikomi? Surely it wasn't just because of a stupid rumour.”

 

“You're quite right. As I said before, I was very close to the Yominokuni family.”

 

“Really?” Mikomi's face suddenly had an eager look on it as it finally dawned on her that this `Juuboku' may be someone who could help fill in some of the gaps of her forgotten childhood, “You knew my mother and father? What were they like? Was I a good kid? Was I-”

 

“Easy, easy,” Yakubyougami said as he held up his hands to get Mikomi to slow down, “I'll tell you what I can in a minute just…well,” Yakubyougami glanced over at Kurenai, “Would you mind if I had a chance to talk to Mikomi? Alone?”

 

Mikomi's eagerly nodding head cut off any protests that Kurenai was about to make, “I suppose so. You've got half an hour Juuboku-san. If I find out that you did anything to harm my student…” Kurenai trailed off and left her threat hanging.

 

“Sure, sure,” Yakubyougami said dismissively, “I promise that I won't do anything to Mikomi. Except maybe spar with her a little bit.”

 

As Kurenai headed away from Training Ground number Eight, Yakubyougami fought down his emotions as he looked over at Mikomi, “Alright, what is it you want to know?”

 

“Could you…” Mikomi hesitated for a moment before she asked Juuboku her question, “Could you please tell me what my parents were like? And…could you tell me what they did for a living?”

 

Yakubyougami's softened even more as a wistful smile spread over his face, “You're parents were some of the finest people I have ever met. Rarely a day went by where their smiles left their faces. Happiness seemed to be an almost continuous state of life for the three of you. Ko Village owes them quite a lot for the prosperity they brought to the town, allowing it to blossom into the city it is today. As for what they did for a living…they were doctors, incredible doctors. There were more than a few illnesses that other doctors had deemed incurable that Shizuka and…Kitoushi were able to cure. I believe that there even is a Daimyo or two that owe the Yominokunis a debt of gratitude for saving either their lives or the lives of their family.” Yakubyougami paused for a moment, considering his next words carefully, “You're…father entrusted me with one of the secrets to his success. I've wanted to tell you his secrets for a while now. You see, Yominokuni Kitoushi was once the last descendant to one of the most powerful bloodline limits to ever exist. Judging from the signs he told me to look for, you posses the bloodline as well. Have you ever had a sudden flood of information come streaming into you head?”

 

Mikomi bit down on her lip. She hadn't told anyone, not even her teammates about that happening to her. “Y-yeah, I have. A couple of times I've suddenly had a rush of information on deoxyribonucleic acid…I mean DNA come flooding into my head. How…how did you know about that? I've never told anybody about it before. Besides, I thought that it was my extra wide chakra coils that were my bloodline limit…” a horrified look spread across Mikomi's face as she realized what she had just said.

 

“No, that's only part of the bloodline that I can now say you've definitely inherited,” Yakubyougami said with a laugh, “I can't tell you exactly how it works, but I can tell you what Kitoushi told me. `DNA and RNA are the building blocks of life. They make up the different parts of every living human being along with every other aspect of life on the planet. If you understand them well enough you could theoretically create any kind of living thing you could image.'”

 

“Why would that matter,” Mikomi asked, confused by what Juuboku was saying, “What is so great about understanding DNA and RNA?”

 

Yakubyougami twitched slightly, barely refraining from giving himself away, “I…can't answer that question. That's something you have to figure out on your own. However, I can leave you with one final piece of advice: the next time that rush of information starts to enter your mind, don't pull away from it. That knowledge is the key to using the true strength of your bloodline.”

 

 

Konoha- 1 Week Later

 

All of Konoha had an incredible sense of energy flowing through it. Shop keepers went about their duties with more vigor than usual, janitors cleaned just a little bit harder, teachers smiled just a little bit more at the antics of their students. Nobody was unaffected. Wares and deals were bellowed at a deafening volume in the hastily erected market square for the influx of foreign salespeople, cooks paid a little more attention to the food they were making, metal-smiths took that extra second to ensure perfection in their wares. The Ninja who were on guard duty paid attention to every detail that their eyes could take in.

 

The Konoha Ninja were especially tense today, the energy that seemed to leap from individual to individual just making them tenser and more alert. Today was the day of the Chuunin exam finals. Today was the day that the team from the Sound had returned to participate in them. Today was also the three year anniversary of the death of the Sandaime Hokage. Not one of the Ninja on duty was going to forget that any time soon.

 

Then there was Konoha's Stadium where the final exam and tournament was to be held. It truly was a building that was resurrected from the brink of death. Gone was the terrible damage done to it during the Sound and Sand invasion. Gone was the old peeling paint. Gone was the pervasive feeling of tragedy and misery.

 

Tsunade had ordered its reconstruction shortly after she had entered the office of the Hokage. Now it stood just as immaculate as it had been during the days of Sarutobi. The massive, soaring walls had been made whole once again and painted with a coat of reddish-brown paint. The symbol for fire was painted in massive proportions, each facing the four points of the compass. And, oddly enough, the arching dome that could be closed over the entire stadium in the event of a rainstorm was painted a brilliant orange - something that made a certain blonde ninja extremely happy.

 

Now almost every occupant in Konoha who had the day off was heading for the stadium to watch the finals of the Chuunin exams.

 

 

Mikomi was feeling incredibly excited about the tournament today. She was ready. Kurenai had put her through the wringer and she had come out on top. Mikomi could proudly brag that she could now sense most Genjutsus - all but the more advanced ones - and dispel almost any of them thanks to her massive chakra capacity. For the last three weeks she had been wearing incredibly heavy weights that Kurenai had picked up for her, for both her arms and legs. She had bragged to Kiba once that the weights added up to four hundred pounds. He had just laughed in Mikomi's face until he tried to pick her up. Kurenai had even found the time to teach Mikomi a new jutsu.

 

Taking a deep breath, Mikomi pushed open the door that was the contestant's entrance and was met with an explosion of noise. Almost everyone that was in the stands was on their feet and cheering their lungs out. Mikomi just stood their drinking in the sound and excitement before she realized that almost all of the other contestants were already lined up in the center of the stadium. Mikomi started to head for the far end where Shino was standing when she froze, her eyes locked on Tegatai Kinniku. Or to be more accurate, what was attached to his belt. The sleek black sheath ending with a brilliant white and pearlescent tip was shockingly familiar.

 

`Oh shit,' was the first thing that ran through Mikomi's mind, `that's the same sword that Armoured guy used on me! Hell, I think he may be the same guy!'

 

Mikomi sidled up alongside of Shino before she spoke to him as quietly as she could while still being heard over the roar of the crowd, “Shino, did you see the sword that Sound guy, what's his name, Kinniku, was wearing? I think that things-”

 

“Touei Tenshu,” Shino said, “I saw. We have to be careful around him.”

 

“You'll get no argument from me Shino,” Mikomi said as she continued to eye Kinniku's chakra fang with apprehension, “I don't know what to expect if he starts using that thing in a fight.”

 

“Hey you guys,” Kiba called from the contestant's entrance, “Ready to kick some ass?” Kiba didn't give Shino or Mikomi a chance to respond, “I know I am. Hehe, I can't wait for this thing to get started.” For a moment Kiba actually managed to look serious, “Look you guys, I just want to let you guys know I want to fight the both of you. I don't want either of you guys to be doing some sort of piddley ass thing like giving up on me. That didn't exactly help us out last time we entered the exams.”

 

Shino, Kiba and Mikomi had just enough time to shake on it when Hyuuga Hiashi made his appearance as the head proctor for the Chuunin exam finals, quieting the crowd simply by holding up his hands for silence.

 

“I'd like to welcome all of you to the Chuunin Exam's Finals in Konoha this year,” Hiashi began in a regal voice, “We have a number of extremely talented competitors this year. The finals shall take the form of a one on one elimination ladder tournament. There are two halves to the tournament ladder with three matches to a half. The fights shall be started and ended by me. If I say that one of the fighters is unable to continue, they give up, or they are rendered unconscious I will stop the fight. Anyone who attacks their opponent after I have declared the match to be finished will be immediately disqualified.”

 

Hiashi motioned up towards the massive electronic display board that had been attached above the seating area for the Kages, directly across from the nobles. It lit up with the ladder structure for the tournament, displaying the list of matches for everyone to see.

 

Group 1

Kiba Vs. Tenkuu

Mikomi Vs. Teion

Sanjuu Vs. Hekireki

 

Group 2

Mikon Vs. Gufuu

Shino Vs. Hari

Kinniku Vs. Tenpi

 

“The first match for the Chuunin Exam finals shall be Inuzuka Kiba from Konoha versus Tenkuu from Kumo. All other participants please make your way to the contestant's observation area.”

 

Mikomi clapped Kiba hard on his shoulder causing him to wince slightly, “Good luck Kiba, I expect to be facing you once the second round has begun so don't you dare lose!”

 

“You should be worrying more about yourself than about me right now Mikomi,” Kiba said with a grin that exposed both his canine teeth, “You're the one that's got those guys from the Sound gunning for you.”

 

 

Tsunade had a massive grin on her face as she watched the fight between Kiba and Tenkuu. “That just had to hurt, eh Tatsumaki,” Tsunade gloated, “I told you that Kiba wouldn't lose to Tenkuu no matter how good he is with Raiton Jutsus. Bet you're regretting that you made that bet now aren't you?”

 

Tatsumaki just scowled at Tsunade before he winced at a particularly vicious blow to Tenkuu as Kiba and Akamaru struck him with a Gatsuuga. “Tenkuu can still win this thing,” Tatsumaki growled, “He just needs to get one good shot in. Besides, do you really think you're going to win that other bet you tried to make with everybody else? Betting that that Mikomi girl is going to win the tournament leaves us with absolutely any other possible outcome giving us the win.”

 

“Yeah, but the odds that I got most people giving me were too good to turn down. Who could resist seventy-five to one odds on a return like that?”

 

“Anyone without a gambling addiction Tsunade-san,” Gaara said in a bored tone from behind the two arguing Kages, “There are other people here who'd like to enjoy the fights down on the field rather than the ones going on up here.”

 

“Spoilsport,” Tsunade muttered under her breath as she turned back to watch the action down on the field once again. Tsunade had to restrain herself from jumping out of her chair and dancing around their viewing booth after Kiba and Akamaru knocked the startled Kumo Nin straight into the stadium wall, knocking him out cold.

 

Tsunade had to shout over the roar of the crowd, “That's ten thousand ryo that you owe me Tatsumaki. You'd better start paying up!”

 

“Nope, now we're even,” Tatsumaki deadpanned, “You've just won back all the IOU money that you owe me from the other bets you've made with me.”

 

 

Mikomi grinned as she passed the slightly singed Kiba and Akamaru on the way down to the stadium. Kiba's hair was even more static-filled than usual and Akamaru looked like he had just lost a fight with an electrical outlet. “Looks like you had a rather hair raising experience fighting that Tenkuu guy Kiba.”

 

Kiba just made a face, “The guy tried to electrocute me Mikomi, much like you seem to enjoy doing to people. You think my hair's actually gonna stay down after that fight?”

 

“Not really,” Mikomi said, her eyes twinkling mischievously, “But Akamaru there is looking kind of like a French poodle.” Mikomi couldn't help but laugh at the outraged expression on Kiba's face, followed by an angry bark from Akamaru. “Have fun getting you hair down.”

 

Still feeling plenty annoyed by Mikomi, Kiba leaned backwards against the wall and put his hand down on the metal railing that ran along the stairs. He immediately jerked away from the railing getting the shock of his life. Kiba angrily spun and kicked the railing only to get another shock and this one through his shoe! He looked down the stairway and saw Mikomi holding an electrically charged finger to the metal railing barely holding in a bout of laughter. Before Kiba could do anything Mikomi disappeared out the door and into the stadium proper.

 

As Mikomi made her way into the center of the stadium she stared hard at the Sound Nin she was going to be facing. She had seen how Kinniku and Sanjuu fought, at least in their Taijutsu styles, but she had no idea what she should expect from the squat and solid Teion. His entire head was swathed in purple cloths as well as most of his body so she couldn't even read what he was thinking. It also unnerved her how graceful the squat man seemed to move. She hadn't seen many others built like him who moved the way he did. Setting herself into a fighting stance, Mikomi got ready to take anything Teion could throw at her.

 

Hiashi stood between the two contestants and looked at them impassively, “Are you both ready to begin?” A nod from Mikomi and Teion was enough. Hiashi brought his hand down in a slashing motion and leapt back, activating his Byakugan, “BEGIN!”

 

Without a second thought Mikomi dashed forwards at full speed, trying to end the fight before it could even really begin. Closing the distance between the two of them in a second, Mikomi reared back and prepared to give Teion a Herculean punch to the jaw. However, as Mikomi started to attack the shorter Sound Nin her balance and vision suddenly were thrown completely out of whack.

 

Teion merely hopped to the side and gave Mikomi a hard chop to the back of her neck as she stumbled past him. What Teion hadn't expected was for Mikomi to drag her foot out to the side and clip him with it as she shot forwards into a roll.

 

Mercifully, the disorientation stopped the second Mikomi was able to disrupt whatever it was Teion had been doing to her. “What the hell was that,” Mikomi cursed as she gave her head a shake. She spun around to face Teion to see him charging at her this time. This time Mikomi was ready for the disorientation and tried to sense what kind of Genjutsu Teion was using.

 

Mikomi couldn't sense any kind of Genjutsu at all.

 

“SHIT!” Mikomi swore as she awkwardly tried to move away from Teion's punches. Every time she tried to block one of Teion's punches the disorientation just seemed to get stronger. She couldn't even keep her balance well enough to stay on her feet half the time. Spinning with the latest punch towards her face, Mikomi spun and slammed her foot into the ground as hard as she could, spraying enormous chunks of earth into Teion's face before she landed on her back. Mikomi was in the middle or rolling back onto her feet when she realized what was going on.

 

Teion watched as Mikomi spun with his punch and started to swing her foot towards the ground. He had been listening when Kinniku had warned him about Mikomi having acquired the same strength the Hokage had and was already sealing before she was able to launch her attack. Taking a deep breath, he launched his attack just after Mikomi and launched the dirt clods at his face.

 

Everyone in the entire area tried to cover their ears as Teion attacked. He sounded like a Bass speaker cranked up ten times as loud as they could normally be turned up, shaking the entire Stadium's foundation. The dirt clods that were coming at his face disintegrated the second they were struck with the solid wave of sound that exploded from Teion's mouth. The attack slammed into Mikomi while she was off balance. The attack picked her up and threw her across the stadium straight into the wall.

 

Everyone in the stands thought the fight was over when they saw Mikomi go crashing into the stadium wall and the people from Konoha let out a collective groan. One of their own had just been beaten. Hiashi, on the hand, smiled faintly, his Byakugan seeing everything that happened.

 

The sound of cracking concrete filled the stadium, and to the audience's and Teion's shock, Mikomi pulled herself from the wall.

 

She was smiling.

 

“I think I've got that little trick of yours beat ya bastard,” Mikomi bellowed across the stadium, “Just try and take me down now!” This time when she charged at Teion, she made sure to block her canals off with chakra, canceling out any sound technique that Teion could perform. Charging in a world of silence, Mikomi thought, `I'm gonna keep that guy on his toes.”

 

Mikomi flashed through twenty-one familiar hand seals while Teion set himself and once again projected the sound field around his body to disorient Mikomi as she got close. He barely dodged Mikomi's next attack, leaping away the second she extended her arm.

 

“Raiton: Lightning Strike Jutsu!”

 

Mikomi's massive bolt of lightning leapt away from her fingertips and was able to burn straight through the outer layer of the cloths swathing Teion's head. With no chance to catch the pieces of cloth, the wrappings covering Teion's head fell away, exposing his face and neck to the world and stopping Mikomi in her tracks. His head and face were as ugly as sin. There wasn't one inch of skin where his hair should have been growing that wasn't covered in ugly looking burn scars. Ragged stumps were where Teion's ears should have been and his nose too was nothing but a ragged stump with two holes in the middle of his face. His cheeks and face were marred by holes all converging down into his mouth, allowing him to amplify sound through his mouth like a loud speaker and in any direction that he wanted to do so. Teion's throat was also marred by holes; however, his vocal cords remained completely intact.

 

“You'll pay for that!” Teion's rumbling, bass like voice called, emanating from every hole in his head. Rapidly running through a series of hand seals Teion started launching solid bullets of wind and sound at Mikomi, “Futon: Sonic Bullet Jutsu!” The holes in Teion's neck were constantly tensing from the air rushing into his body from them while the holes in his head launched bullet after bullet of sound at Mikomi.

 

Just as Mikomi rolled behind one of the nearby trees for a brief respite from dodging the sonic bullets, one of them clipped her shoulder causing her to roll out to the other side of the tree. She scrambled back behind the tree and watched as the tree started to shake quite quickly due to the number of sonic bullets hitting the tree. Mikomi started to release the chakra plugs in her ears so that she could hear when Teion let up on his attack but instantly threw them up again as she felt the pressure the sound was causing on her eardrums. `Just great, what the hell can I do against this assault? I don't want to use my new jutsu yet and all of my Raiton Jutsus take too long to seal against the speed that Teion's attacking with. Those sound attacks would bore straight through my own Futon Jutsu.' Mikomi didn't stop to think where that last piece of information came from as she finally decided on a game plan just as the tree started to crack in half, `Guess all that's left is the sound jutsu of my own.'

 

Mikomi sprinted out to the right of the tree at the same time it started to collapse, pushing as much chakra as she could into her legs and her lungs. Her hands flew through the seals in record time as Teion's sonic bullets machine-gunned the ground and wall just behind her. Twisting her path towards Teion, Mikomi launched her jutsu right into an oncoming sonic bullet.

 

“FUTON: SCREAM OF THE BANSHEE JUTSU!”

 

The screech that tore from Mikomi's throat nearly deafened everyone in the entire stadium and echoed throughout all of Konoha. The blast of air and sound overwhelmed Teion's own attack and slammed into him like a freight train. Just as Mikomi had earlier, Teion was thrown off of his feet and sent careening into the stadium wall.

 

Not wanting to leave anything to chance Mikomi tore after him, intent to drive her fist straight through Teion's stomach if she had to. Without even consciously thinking about it, Mikomi wanted to see Teion's blood. Hiashi barely had enough time to catch Mikomi's fist as she reared back and toss her away from the unconscious ninja. Hiashi had seen what Mikomi had done with her chakra to block her ears and copied her, so he knew that he had to call the fight by a means other than announcing it.

 

As Mikomi landed on her feet Hiashi motioned to her ears and she dropped the chakra plugs she had in place.

 

“WINNER, YOMINOKUNI MIKOMI FROM KONOHA!” Hiashi bellowed to the half deaf audience. There was only a faint smattering of applause as most of the audience was trying to get the ringing in their ears to stop. Still, the crowd slowly began a thunderous crescendo of sound, cheering and clapping in their appreciation of a spectacular fight.

 

Walking back up to the contestant's observation booth, Mikomi knew that she had to keep a close eye on Sanjuu from the Sound. If she was anywhere near as strong as Teion had been, she was going to need to know everything that she could possible know about how she fought to win.

 

 

Sanjuu had decided to toy with Kumo Nin Hekireki from the beginning. Using her superior speed she literally ran circles around the poor Nin, throwing pot-shots at him every now and again with her vibrating arms. Sanjuu spun out of the way of yet another torrent of shuriken and kunai when she paused for half a second. Hekireki hadn't used a single jutsu this entire fight. Something wasn't right here.

 

Her fears were confirmed when the beaten Hekireki grinned.

 

“You waited too long to finish me off,” Hekireki taunted in a sing-song voice, “After the first few passes I knew you were a little too fast for me to use any technique but this one: Raiton: Thunderclap Jutsu!”

 

Suddenly the entire field erupted into a giant web of electrical energy, arcing from one kunai or shuriken to another. Sanjuu started to slow down slightly as she weaved through the arcs of electricity towards Hekireki, “HA, some thunderclap moron! Might as well have pressed mute button on it.”

 

Just as Sanjuu was about crush Hekireki's nose into his face, the electricity arcing beneath her leaping body exploded with light and sound, the force of the thunderclap firing her up and over Hekireki. Sanjuu barely caught onto the branches of one of the trees in the stadium grounds to keep herself from falling into the electrical web below. Sanjuu kept herself clinging to the tree with chakra as Hekireki snapped another couple of thunderclaps directly beneath where she was in the tree.

 

Now rather annoyed Sanjuu send some noise of her own right back at Hekireki. Pulling a pair of tuning forks from her pouch, Sanjuu cried “Futon: Reverberation Jutsu!” As the sound emanated from the tuning forks all of the kunai and shuriken in the entire stadium began to vibrate and amplify the sound. Hekireki cried out in pain and put his hands over his ears to block out as much of the sound as possible, accidentally deactivating his electrical web.

 

This gave Sanjuu all the time she needed. Straightening out her arm and hand she began to vibrate it as fast as she possibly could. Using her chakra, she pulled just enough air from around her body to create an edge on either side of her arm.

 

Then she charged Hekireki at full speed.

 

Almost nobody realized what had happened for a full second after Sanjuu had seemingly appeared on the other side of the stadium and the reverberations had stopped ringing.

 

Hekireki literally fell apart, split in half right down the middle.

 

 

About half of the audience in Konoha stadium missed the next fight between Mikon from Kumo and Gufuu from Suna as they were too busy trying to keep their lunches down. The clean up of Hekireki's body hadn't been pretty as most of his blood had ended up staining the soil in the stadium. Two separate body bags were needed to carry him away, along with a couple shovels to scoop most of his intestines backing into his body. Even then it took another little while to clean up the other scraps of flesh that were left behind.

 

That meant that despite the fact that Gufuu won the match with a rather spectacular chokehold he used after sending Mikon flying into the air. However, Hiashi had finally gotten the crowd to start paying full attention once again when Shino took to the field against Hari from Suna.

 

The fight was a strange one to say the least. Hari continually sent spike after spike of earth erupting up from underneath Shino while he just kept dodging away from them at the last second. Eventually, Hari kicked up a massive sandstorm that blocked out the entire lower section of the stadium where they were fighting. It wasn't until he put on his goggles to allow him to see inside the sandstorm did he realize that he was being covered from the feet up in kikai bugs. Hari didn't last much longer after that.

 

Finally, Kinniku took to the field against Tenpi. Kinniku just smirked and held up three fingers, “It won't take me longer than three seconds to finish you off Tenpi. You aren't even worth my time anymore. I'd just give up right now.”

 

“Enough!” Hiashi barked before things got out of hand, “You can fight when I instruct you to begin and not a second before hand.” Hiashi waited another few moments before he started the fight, “BEGIN!”

 

Tenpi immediately charged Kinniku, who was already in the middle of meeting Tenpi's charge head on. Kinniku swung his left arm around towards Tenpi, “Ninpo: Hidden Snaky Hands!” Several enormous and poisonous snakes erupted from his sleeve and wound their bodies around Tenpi before biting into him. Kinniku quickly jerked back on the snakes, pulling Tenpi right into his onrushing fist. His punch was hard enough to no only dispel the snakes that had erupted from his sleeve, but also strong enough to shatter almost half of Tenpi's ribs.

 

“STOP!” Hiashi bellowed the second the attack was finished, “THIS FIGHT IS OVER! TENPI IS CRITICALLY INJURED AND CAN NO LONGER CONTINUE FIGHTING.”

 

Kinniku glanced up at the electronic scoreboard to check the elapsed fight time.

 

It read exactly three seconds.

 

 

A/N: Alright another chapter finished! Everybody, I've got a poll for you guys that I'd like some responses to.

 

When do you guys want me to have Mikomi tell everyone in Konoha that it was Sasuke who trained her while she was in the Sound?

 

Right after the Chuunin Exams

When Naruto finally returns to Konoha

Anytime after Naruto returns

 

Thanks everyone!