Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Road Less Travelled By ❯ I Can See Through You! Naruto Versus Neji ( Chapter 14 )

The Chuunin Exam Part One

I Can See Through You! Naruto Versus Neji

 

Sakura walked through Konoha towards the stadium, amazed at the sheer volume of people out in the streets. All of the outdoor food vendors seemed to be doing a brisk trade, and she could see many more shinobi out amongst the civilians than was usual. I guess this is all because of the exam, she shrugged, still walking and keeping an eye out in case she could see either Sasuke or Naruto in the crowd. It'll be nice when this is all over and we can get back to training and doing missions together. This last month has been so boring. As she wove through the crowd she noted that the Hyuuga clan seemed out in force, probably to watch Neji's bout, but could see no Uchiha emblems around. Strange. I would have thought at least Sasuke's parents would have come to watch. Maybe they're waiting at the stadium with him. She shrugged to herself, looking forward to seeing them both, but when she got to the stadium she could see neither of them. Strange.

“Good morning, Sakura,” said Sasuke, almost ghosting out of the surrounding trees to meet her. He took notice of her raised eyebrow in silent question. “I've had at least six requests so far this morning for information on who will win between Gaara and myself, and one outright bribe attempt.” He moved his hands as if to shove them into his pockets, then cursed as he remembered he was now wearing the black jumpsuit which lacked pockets of any kind.

Sakura laughed slightly. “Actually I was more wondering about the change in wardrobe, Sasuke-kun.” She took the time to run her gaze up and down his body, inspecting the straps and bandages. “Looks good on you, I guess. Doesn't do much for your complexion though. Makes it look washed out.” Also makes him look hollow and frail, but I think I'm hurting his pride enough without saying that. She moved forwards, and linked her arm around his bandaged one. “Come on, let's go look for Naruto. I'm sure he must be around here somewhere.” She tugged at Sasuke's arm gently and was relieved that he followed along, even if to her eyes he looked like a sulky child somewhat in his new clothes and stubborn glare. “With all that hideous orange Naruto wears, it's a wonder I can miss him in this crowd.”

Sasuke shrugged slightly. “Maybe he's not here. Or he finally got rid of that hideous thing.”

“I doubt that,” replied Sakura, still scanning the crowd. “Remember what his favourite colour is.” She shuddered. “You both need to learn how to dress yourselves properly.” She felt Sasuke stop walking and go rigid. A flash of blonde hair and orange caught the corner of her eye. Naruto?

“Says the forehead-girl that wears two almost-identical dresses,” scolded Ino, wrapping her arm around Sasuke's other arm possessively. “Maybe you should fix your own fashion disasters first.” She turned her attention to Sasuke and smiled aggressively at him. “Hi, Sasuke-kun.”

Help. Sasuke kept staring ahead, not making contact with either Ino or Sakura as he felt them starting to wind up for a catfight.

“You can hardly talk,” scoffed Sakura at Ino. “With that get up you look like Naruto. Really, Ino-pig, why don't you go and chase him instead and leave Sasuke-kun to me?” Because Sasuke-kun seems to be almost having a heart attack at you pawing at him. Sakura looked at him worriedly, feeling the tension in the arm she was holding. This isn't good for him so close to the exam.

Ino was oblivious to this, and continued to almost sprawl across Sasuke. “Well I intend to cheer Sasuke-kun on in the arena. No doubt that'll make all the difference.”

“Only if you want him to lose the fight, Ino-pig.”

Sasuke tried not to sigh. I really don't understand women. They paw and chatter on at me, then start hissing and spitting like cats at each other, even though they're friends. He risked a look at Sakura, who was patiently explaining that both her own team-mates were in the exam, and were both far more likely to win than Shikamaru. And why do they have to drag me into all this?

Shikamaru strolled over lazily, and looked at both Ino and Sakura, who were oblivious to his arrival. “Oi oi, girls. If you keep grabbing like that, Sasuke's gonna lose his arms.”

Sakura and Ino glared at each other, then let go of Sasuke together with a loud hmph.

Sasuke nodded to Shikamaru. “You made it. Seen Naruto yet?”

Shikamaru shook his head. “Sorry. Last I saw of him was ten minutes ago, talking to the Hokage's grandson. I don't know where he is now.”

“Causing trouble, no doubt,” said Sakura, linking arms with Ino. “Sasuke-kun, us two are going to go find somewhere to sit where we can get a good view.”

“And somewhere that the sun reflecting off that forehead of yours won't blind people in the arena,” retorted Ino good naturedly. “Come on, they'll be starting soon.” She turned her attention on Shikamaru. “And you should get to the arena, Shikamaru.” She strolled off arm in arm with Sakura.

“Harridan. That's what she is.” Shikamaru started to slouch towards the arena. “Coming?”

“Sure.” Sasuke fell into step alongside Shikamaru. “Keep an eye out for Naruto.”

“If you want.” Shikamaru made his way up to the combatants' entry gate without further comment.

Sasuke started to wonder why he hadn't started to be friends with Shikamaru back in the academy. He's certainly quiet enough. He then remembered Shikamaru's well-known dislike of work, and suddenly why he and Naruto got on so well became clear. Guess a quiet slacker and a hyperactive one get on better than a quiet slacker and a quiet studier. He gave a mental shrug. That and I didn't really want any friends. Would've distracted me from my training. Thinking about Naruto again caused Sasuke to pause slightly. “You didn't have to go visit him, you know.”

“Oh, I know,” replied Shikamaru. “But both he and Chouji were in hospital and it seemed churlish to visit just Chouji.” He nodded to the two chuunin guarding the entrance to the arena and stepped into the tunnel heading towards the light. “Frankly, I don't see how you put up with him for days at a time for missions.”

Sasuke shrugged. “He's not that bad. Can't be any worse than Ino.”

“I suppose you're right.”

Sasuke stopped just short of exiting the tunnel. “Shikamaru?” He waited until Shikamaru had turned back to look at him. “Thanks for seeing him. I think it meant something to him.” He started walking again, and was almost knocked back by the wall of noise as he entered the arena. Wow. The crowd never looked this big when I was up in it. He walked with Shikamaru over to where a cluster of other people were waiting. From what he could see, both Naruto and the Sound ninja Dozu were missing. A much taller jounin, that Sasuke took to be the referee for the matches, caught his attention for a moment before his eyes swept through the rest of the group, looking for Naruto.

He sighed. It figures that Naruto isn't here either. What could have happened to that idiot? He moved his gaze up to the stands, looking to see if there were any familiar faces, but the distances involved made it impractical. He gave a sideways glance towards Gaara, remembering what the Sand ninja had said to him. Eyes with murderous intent. And Naruto said he claimed to be a demon. He turned away as he saw Gaara's gaze start to move towards his. It would be wise if I didn't provoke him or even make eye contact with him. I can't afford for him to start a fight too early. It could cause chaos, or even get us thrown out of the exam. He paused, and turned his head back towards the entrance to the arena, vaguely aware of Shikamaru doing the same thing. What is that noise? Sounds almost like thunder, with a riot in progress.

His wonderings were answered a moment later as Naruto skidded into the arena on his stomach. He ended up in a dust cloud, just short of Shikamaru and Sasuke's feet.

“What a way to make an entrance,” complained Shikamaru, bending down and hauling Naruto to his feet. “How troublesome.”

Naruto groaned slightly, then shook his head and sprung into action gesturing wildly. “Everyone run! The entire village's bulls are going to go after everyone!”

“Huh?” Shikamaru looked confused. “What are you talking about, Naruto?”

“Gibberish as usual,” replied Sasuke, resisting the urge to hit Naruto. I think I'm starting to see why Sakura does it so much.

Naruto spun to face him. “I'm serious! There were so many of them!” He trailed off as he realised that the rest of the exam participants were staring at him. “There were! They chased me the whole way here!”

“Oi, you three,” said the jounin in charge. Sasuke was surprised to notice that what he had first taken for an overly-large toothpick was in fact a senbon needle. “Stop goofing off. Stand up straight and show your faces to the crowd.”

Naruto looked up and noticed the crowds for the first time. “Wow,” he breathed quietly, just loud enough for Sasuke and Shikamaru next to him to hear. They're all here to watch us.

“You are the main players in the upcoming matches,” reminded the jounin carefully.

To Naruto the noise of the crowd was almost deafening. Calls of encouragement and contempt rained down on all those in the arena, clashing in such a way that no one could hope to untangle the various yells. Looking around, his eyes settled on the balcony at the top of the centre audience block, where he could just about see the Hokage talking with someone else, before standing and coming to the rail.

“Ah, everyone,” began the Hokage, his voice ringing out across the arena. “Thank you for coming to the Hidden Village of Konoha's Chuunin Selection Exam today. We will now begin the main matches with the eight genin who have passed the preliminaries. Please enjoy the matches.” The crowd erupted into cheering again as the echoes of the Hokage's voice died away.

In the arena, the jounin turned to the gathered genin. “Okay, first there are some things I need to tell you before the matches begin. My name is Shiranui Genma and I am replacing Gekkou Hayate as examiner.” He reached into his vest and produced a folded sheet of paper. “Look at this.” He unfolded the paper, revealing a flow chart of the order of the matches to take place. “There was a little change in the match ups. Check to see if who you're up against has changed.”

Sasuke quickly scanned the paper, noting that both he and Naruto had no changes to their fights to contend with. After all that work on jutsu and tactics, it would be terrible if I faced someone other than Gaara. It seems like the changes are just to work around Dozu not fighting. Or at least it matches what Naruto told me. He spared a glance over to Shikamaru, who looked slightly concerned. Guess they've known for at least a few hours that he wouldn't show. I wonder what happened.

Genma scanned the line of genin to check that they were all done, then folded the paper and returned it to the inside of his jacket. “Okay, listen up. Although the landscape is different, this is the same as the preliminaries. There are no rules. The match will only end when someone dies or gives up, but if I decide the match is over I will stop it. There will be no argument over this.”

Sasuke nodded absently. Same as before. I just hope that he doesn't stop my match against Gaara too quickly, before I've shown what I can really do. He could see Naruto nodding, his face becoming closed and serious as the reality set in of what was about to happen.

“Well then,” said Genma when no objections were raised. “The first match is Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuuga Neji. The rest of you need to go up to the waiting room.”

The ninjas from the village of Sand were the first to turn and leave, closely followed by Shino and Shikamaru. Sasuke hesitated a moment and turned his attention to Naruto.

Naruto gazed back, their eyes locking. He grinned at Sasuke. “Better start hoping I'm gonna lose, Sasuke, or I'll be coming for you next.”

“Only if by some miracle you manage to kick his ass,” taunted Sasuke back. He held Naruto's gaze a moment longer, trying to say something that he couldn't put into words, then broke away, catching up to Shikamaru at the stairs. You better kick his ass, Naruto. I don't want you to make me look like an idiot. Wish I'd been able to tell him that instead of taunting him. Maybe Sakura was right that we insult each other far too much. He walked into the waiting room and through it to the balcony from where he could watch the proceedings. He stood as far as he could from Gaara without looking like he was purposely avoiding him, and was somewhat surprised to see Shikamaru move to stand next to him.

“I'm not sure Naruto can win.”

Sasuke snorted, looking down to where Naruto and Neji had moved to face each other in the centre of the arena. “Naruto has a way of surprising people. Whether he'll make a good surprise, or a bad one, I don't know yet.” He frowned as Naruto thrust his fist out at Neji, making some gesture that Sasuke couldn't recognise.

“In the preliminaries Neji fought his cousin, Hinata,” explained Shikamaru quietly. “He almost killed her before the jounin-sensei jumped in and stopped him. Naruto vowed that he'd beat Neji, with Hinata's blood. That's the gesture he used.”

Sasuke shook his head. “Idiot.” Neji wouldn't be any kind of pushover. He saw Neji move into what Sasuke recognised as the opening stance for the Hyuuga style of taijutsu. The bloodline limit of the Hyuuga clan is a tough obstacle to overcome, as is their jyuuken. I couldn't even begin to copy it with my sharingan, unlike most other taijutsu. He moved his hands to the rail, gripping them lightly so they couldn't twitch and betray his feelings. He could feel chakra building in the arena, one almost comfortingly familiar, and one that was an unknown to him.

“First match, begin!”

Sasuke could hear the roar of the crowd above him, and tried not to wince at the volume. It must be worse for Sakura. She'll be in that crowd. He paused. Then again, that might explain why it's so noisy. He turned his focus back on the events below and almost cringed as Naruto threw three kunai at Neji, advancing at a run and yelling. Idiot! Doesn't he know to avoid closing with a Hyuuga? He felt a strong urge to hit his head against the metal railing repeatedly at Naruto's stupidity. Sure enough, the attack came to nothing and within a few seconds of activity Naruto stumbled back from Neji's outstretched hand. Sasuke was sure that if he was using his sharingan to observe that he would have seen the glowing blue tendrils of Neji's chakra coming off his hand. Jyuuken is deadly in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing. He watched Naruto get back up, panting. You got lucky, Naruto. He missed. He relaxed his grip on the rail slightly, relieved.

Next to him Shikamaru sighed. “He won't miss again. It'll be a matter of pride.”

Sasuke nodded slightly at that comment. He's right. That's one trait my clan shared with the Hyuuga. Pride. He saw Naruto bring his hands up in a seal that was painfully familiar. Good plan. Let the kage bunshin fight for you instead, but don't take too long. Even you can't keep creating bunshin all day. As he watched, he could see that it would do little good. Neji seemed able to deflect all the attacks with minimum effort, destroying the bunshin with ease using chakra forced through the tenketsu of his palms and fingertips. Looking for a blind spot is useless, Naruto. The byakugan sees in all directions at once. With all of Naruto's bunshin gone, Neji seemed to taunt Naruto and, although Sasuke was too far away to make out what was said, he knew Naruto's body language well enough to know that he was angered by Neji's comments. Damn. Naruto either makes stupid mistakes when he's angry, or pulls something brilliant out of his ass somehow. I don't want to trust his success to something that touchy. Even as Sasuke watched, Naruto restate his vow before summoning more kage bunshin into the fight. You better have a plan, idiot. The last plan didn't work the first time, and it won't work now.

Sadly, it seemed to both Sasuke and Shikamaru that Naruto's plan was to simply overwhelm Neji with superior numbers. Sasuke's eyes widened as Neji started to run through the crowd of bunshin with a definite goal in mind.

“He's spotted the original,” said Shikamaru quietly. “It will have been the Naruto that hung back.”

Sasuke shook his head. “Naruto is tricky. He may have…” Neji reached his target, striking out at it, causing the nearby bunshin to vanish in clouds of smoke. Sasuke was disappointed. Maybe Naruto isn't as smart as I gave him credit for. He saw Naruto start to laugh at Neji. Or maybe he's a better actor than I give him credit it for, he thought, smiling slightly. Naruto seemed to taunt Neji before he also disappeared, revealing himself to be nothing more than another bunshin. Two more Narutos attacked Neji from behind, but were thrown away as Neji spun. When the dust cleared Sasuke could see that Neji was stood in a smooth, rounded crater. No way…

Shikamaru shook his head. “What was that?”

“I've heard rumours,” said Sasuke. “Some Hyuuga can force chakra out of all their tenketsu at once. When they spin, the whirl will deflect any incoming attacks.” But I thought it was a jutsu that only the head of the clan knew. He focused his attention on the one remaining Naruto, who quickly multiplied and tried to attack again, only to have the same result occur. “Idiot.”

Shikamaru made a snort that could have been a laugh. “Naruto is as stubborn as always. Just keeps trying.” He sobered as he saw Neji move into another stance as Naruto rose.

Sasuke watched carefully. My sharingan will be useless to observe this. It'll be a bloodline jutsu no doubt, and those I can't copy. He saw Neji move forwards, repeatedly striking Naruto, leaving him battered and collapsed on the arena floor. Neji has closed Naruto's tenketsu. It's over. He can't fight any more at all, if he can even stand. Sasuke felt a wave of disappointment rise as the examiner moved closer to check on Naruto's condition. Idiot, idiot, idiot! Why did you keep trying close combat with someone with that wide a field of vision? You were just asking for all this, you total moron. His hands clenched tighter around the bar. Get up, moron!

“Hey, take it easy,” said Shikamaru, making Sasuke realise that he'd spoken the last out loud. “Maybe Neji was just too good for Naruto to win against.”

Sasuke was torn between believing Shikamaru and trusting in his knowledge that Naruto often only seemed beaten. Don't let him have lost this easily. He deserves a shot at chuunin purely because of his hard work. As he watched, Naruto struggled to his feet, trembling, and started to talk to Neji. Sasuke wished that they were close enough to either hear them or to lip read, as whatever they were discussing had Neji talking for a long time, and even removing his forehead protector while they talked.

He heard Shikamaru groan slightly. “Can't hear anything. And can't go to sleep in the silence because as soon as I do, that annoying crowd will start up again.” He moved to rest his chin on the bar Sasuke was gripping. “Think they're exchanging life stories?”

Sasuke shook his head. “Don't know. Just that it gives Naruto some recovery time if he lets Neji talk.” And please let it be that he's doing this on purpose. His only hope is to unblock his tenketsu over time. A lot of time. He watched them talk a while longer, before Neji retied his forehead protector. Damn, not enough time. Why won't they stop this? He watched Neji surge forward, striking Naruto's chest with a blow Sasuke was sure would cause major internal bleeding. Sasuke visibly winced. Enough, Naruto. Give up, you've proved enough already. He growled in frustration as Naruto staggered up to his feet again. “Fine! Be an idiot! Let him kill you, see if I care.” He noticed Shikamaru turn to face him, and realised he'd spoken out loud again. He turned away quickly before anyone could start to see the blush creeping across his face. Idiot. Now he's making me show myself up as well. He heard Neji's voice rise, but was still unable to make out the words. That's right. You get mad at him too. Kick his head in for me, because I'm not his opponent.

He watched Naruto cough and then bow his head in concentration. You can't possibly have a plan to get out of this, Naruto. He saw Naruto move his hands into a meditation hand seal, and then a wave of inhuman chakra brushed against his own senses, giving him pause. He dimly noted that Shikamaru had stopped pretending disinterest and had started to watch again, no doubt feeling the same strange chakra that Sasuke was.

It feels… dirty somehow, thought Sasuke, watching Naruto continue to concentrate as the feeling grew more powerful. Dirty and full of killing intent. He saw everyone else turn their attention on Naruto. What new trick is this? How is he doing this? Ignoring the fact that doing so would cost chakra needed for the fight against Gaara, Sasuke activated his sharingan and stared blankly at what he saw.

As a rule, the sharingan would make all chakra show up as a kind of brightly glowing blue cloud around the user. All his studies of the clans' scrolls had never mentioned how someone could achieve a field of red chakra around themselves. As he watched, the chakra seemed to spill out of Naruto, forming lashing tendrils that stretched far from his body in a pattern Sasuke had never seen. Even when training with his sharingan, Naruto's chakra had always been totally normal, if a little greater than most other people he had observed. What are you doing, Naruto? His enhanced perceptions saw Neji stumble back in shock, further confusing him. What does his byakugan see that my sharingan can't? And why does this feel nothing like Naruto? As he watched the chakra, it wound itself back around Naruto's body, then Naruto took off, running past Neji and jumping into the air almost faster than Sasuke could follow.

How can that happen? Naruto isn't really good with speed.

As Sasuke watched, Neji met Naruto move for move and blow for blow, although the sharingan could pick out that Neji was having trouble with the pace Naruto set. As he watched, Naruto advanced a final time, his kunai outstretched to meet with Neji's whirling jutsu. The resulting connection of the two types of chakra, the blue of Neji's and Naruto's mysterious red chakra, caused a flash of light and chakra that momentarily blinded Sasuke. When his vision cleared, he could see nothing except a huge dust cloud. Without even noticing it, Sasuke leaned over the rail.

“Naruto!”

 

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“Naruto!” Sakura was on her feet, trying to peer through the dust to find out what had happened. Please let him be okay. I'll only scold him if he does something really stupid, I promise, as long as he's okay. Dimly she could feel Ino tugging at her arm, trying to get her to sit down again.

“Hey, come on, Forehead-girl. No need to make a scene.” Ino moved her hand to Sakura's back, moving it in soothing circles. She tugged again and Sakura flopped back into her chair, not taking her eyes off the cloud starting to dissipate.

Naruto… What did you do? How could you do all that after Neji beat you so much? Visions of Naruto bruised and bloody flittered through her head, melding with the memories of the few times Naruto and Sasuke had both gotten in over their depth and wound up badly hurt. “Please be okay, Naruto.”

Ino kept her arm around Sakura, lending quiet support. “He'll be fine, Sakura.” She blinked. “I think I can see something.”

Sakura strained to look, making out some dim shapes that resolved themselves into two craters in the arena floor. “Which one of them is Naruto?”

“I don't know,” replied Ino testily, withdrawing her hand before Sakura really noticed it. “They both look like big holes to me.”

Sakura gasped as an arm forced its way out of the ground, then froze as realisation hit her. It's a bare arm. Neji, not Naruto. She watched Neji stagger, coughing, to his feet and weave unsteadily to look into the other crater. Please be okay, Naruto. From the contented posture of Neji she realised that Naruto had to be unconscious in the other crater. “No…”

At Neji's feet the ground cracked and buckled before Naruto surged out of the ground, his fist firmly connecting with Neji's jaw. Neji fell to the ground and seemed to Sakura's eyes to be unable to get back up.

Naruto's won, she realised, watching him stumble over and speak to Neji. Against everything, against someone who must be at Sasuke-kun's level, he won!

“Winner, Uzumaki Naruto.” The crowd around Sakura went wild, some of them jumping to their feet just as Sakura had done moments ago.

Sakura smiled. “Well done, Naruto.” She got to her feet and joined in the yelling of the crowd. She felt the tension from the match leave her as she called her congratulations and encouragement down, even though she knew that she'd simply have to tell him again later when he could hear her.

A lazy voice came from the aisle next to where she sat. “Well, that was a pretty unique come-back. Even for Naruto.”

“Kakashi-sensei!” Sakura turned her attention to her jounin sensei in confusion. “How long have you been watching there?”

“Oh, a while,” replied Kakashi, as noncommittal as ever. “Naruto did pretty well, didn't he, Sakura?” He smiled with his one visible eye.

Sakura smiled back. “He was amazing, Kakashi-sensei. I just hope that Sasuke-kun does as well as he did.” She turned to watch Naruto's antics as he lapped up the cheers and applause from the crowd. “He keeps getting stronger and better all the time. How can I ever keep up with him?”

Kakashi crouched slightly to end up at her level. “We've been through this, Sakura. You don't have to keep up with him, you just need to find your own place.” He looked down at Naruto. “Naruto is the only person I can think of at this exam who could have beaten Neji like that, and it's not because of his strength.” He chuckled slightly. “It's because he refuses to give up, no matter what.” He straightened up again. “That might be the only thing you want to try to learn from him. I don't need another ramen-eater in the team or anything.”

Sakura laughed at that. “I suppose you're right, sensei.” She watched the medics come in to care for Naruto and Neji, and was surprised when Naruto seemed to brush them off in favour of bouncing around some more. That Naruto, doesn't he ever get tired? She sat down again, then turned to Ino. “Hah.”

“Hah?” asked Ino confused.

Sakura grinned predatorily. “You said Naruto would be hopeless. Hah.” She laughed again at Ino's confused look. “Honestly, Ino. I know my team and what they can do, and I'd rather bet for Naruto than against him.” He has this annoying habit of winning no matter what, after all.

“Excuse me,” interrupted another speaker.

Sakura looked around and was rewarded with a close view of a bag of crisps. Behind her she could hear Ino sigh.

“You're late, Chouji. You've already missed the first fight.” She scowled at him until he sat down and placed a heavy-looking bag filled with other foodstuffs at his feet. “And what's with all the junk food?”

“Sorry, Ino.”

To Sakura, it seemed like Chouji's apology was well practiced and almost automatic. I guess Ino's sharp tongue isn't always aimed at me. “Good to see you again, Chouji.”

“Better than last time, anyway,” he replied, holding out the packet. “Crisp? I know Ino hates them, but do you want one?”

Sakura shook her head. “No thanks. Breakfast wasn't that long ago for me.” She looked back to the arena, only to note that Naruto and Neji were both gone, and that the jounin was gesturing at the wall where she had seen the other combatants leave the arena. It's Sasuke-kun's turn now. She folded her hands together, griping them tightly. Please be careful, Sasuke-kun.

Kakashi smiled at her. “Don't worry, Sakura. Sasuke's ready for this, and you're about to see something special.”