Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ True Power ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

True Power

Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me, I am just borrowing the characters for this story. Please don't sue, probably won't get much anyhow.

The next day could only bring new and more terrible things to bear against our three intrepid heroes. Sakura was nervous about going into the Forest of Death but would not let it show to either Sasuke or Naruto. Sasuke was excited, he wanted to fight all the new rookies and show them that he was the best in the world. While Naruto seemed a bit strange, because he was excited as well, but not for the same reasons as Sasuke, he wanted to taste the blood of his enemies, to feel their bones crushed beneath his fingers….in short he just wanted to slaughter people.

“Naruto? Hey idiot? Naruto?”

“Huh? Oh hey Sakura, what's up?”

“Nothing, but you were off in candy land or something, don't do that in the forest.”

“Understood ma'am.”

“Don't mock me Naruto, now let's go before Sasuke goes in without us.”

Walking quickly the two caught up with the would be king of ninjas, he was meditating and biding his time while his team came together. “Contestants ready?”

All eyes focused on the instructor, Anko did not feel good about what happened last night but she could do nothing to stop the exam, not without a good reason, and telling the Hokage the exam must be stopped on a gut feeling isn't going to cut it. “You have 5 days to reach the Tower with both scrolls, understand?”

A chorus of agreement followed her question; Anko drew back her shuriken and launched it into the air, when it reached a certain height it blazed into glory, signaling the beginning of the second exam.

The 26 teams entered the forest, but most would not survive the night, or so they say. Leaping through the forest Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke were trying their best to find a clean water source and a good amount of food. `Once we get those two things we can worry about the heaven and earth scrolls.'

Racing through the forest, the three soon located a reliable source of water and food, while Sakura and Sasuke worked on the fire, Naruto went in search of some food. `The fish in the river should be alright to eat, plus there's got to be a lot of it from the lack of human contact with this region.'

Unfortunately for Naruto his dinner was put on hold, it seemed a large charka was racing to their location. `Who is that? It is almost close to the kid's? Better check it out.' Naruto, or more accurately the kyuubi, was not pleased that someone wanted to interrupt his dinner. Setting a few traps, the fox lied in wait and watched the intruder's charka get ever closer. When the intruder had reached the traps, the fox started an ancient chant and formed 5 replications of himself. “You three get the food, the rest greet our new guest, and I'm going to laze about the region, give a shout if you need help.”

The major difference between these replications and the ones Naruto made was very simple; they were the same strength as the maker, meaning that the fox did not lose any charka or displace it.

The intruder was in actuality Tenten, who was looking for other groups and wanted to get a heaven scroll. `I see someone set a multitude of traps, but they are so shoddily made, must be a rookie.' Quickly avoiding the maze of traps, Tenten came face to face with a Naruto clone, although she did not know that just yet.

“Ahh…Naruto-san, did you make those traps?”

“I might have, is there something you need Tenten?”

“Yes, I wouldn't mind your heaven scroll. Would you like to hand it over? Or would you like me to kill you and take it?”

“Well, I don't really know if you can Tenten-chan.”

Bristling at the insult, Tenten launched innumerable weapons in Naruto's direction; unfortunately the fox clone just dispersed them with his charka. “How did you do that?”

“Well that's for me to know, and you to kill me. Anything else Tenten-chan?”

Calming down a tad, Tenten again launched a number of knives but waited until Naruto dispersed them, then launched the rest of her arsenal in the first wave's shadow. `He can't dodge or disperse what he can't see.'

“Tenten, did you really think that would work?” Whirling like a dervish, Tenten came face to face with the fox clone. “How?”

“Well, the mama and daddy have to love each other before it happens.”

“Don't mock me Naruto, how did you get behind me?”

“Oh that, well I just ran back here.”

`He ran? That was all speed?'

“Now that we have the unpleasantness out of the way, let's get to the really good stuff.” Making numerous hand seals, the fox soon had the female ninja tied to a tree with a rope made of fox hair. “What is this? What technique did you just use?”

“My own design, now stay right there. Hey guys you can come out now.” Soon two exact duplicates of Naruto came out of the woodwork. “Took you long enough, she's just a Genin, what took you so long?”

“Well she was a pretty good opponent, at least to another Genin, now what's up? Are we ready yet?”

“No, but soon, just hold her a minute or two.” With that the two disappeared in a cloud of smoke, “That's how you got behind me, you used replication, and I knew that your speed was minimal.”

“Now….now…no need for such a fuss, I mean I beat you fair and square. So while we wait for those two to return, how bout a little game Tenten-chan?”

Elsewhere, Naruto's clones were catching fish and taking no prisoners about it, “How many is that?”

“About 20 I think, good enough for our team. Let's head back to camp before Sakura and grouchy man blow a gasket.”

Tearing through the trees, Naruto's clones soon found his crew, “What took you so long Naruto?”

“Just catching fish, got about 20, how's the fire coming?”

“Sasuke has it up but it's small so we don't attract attention.”

“Sounds good, let's eat.”

Dumping the fish onto the carefully crafted mat, Naruto speared them with his knives and put them on the fire to cook. “Hey idiot, don't make mine too black, I want to actually eat mine.”

“Yeah…yeah…cook your own fish then.”

“Just do it Naruto, we'll split the duties afterward.”

“Fine, but remember to include the macho man there.” Earning a glare from Sasuke, Naruto continued to cook the fishes.

Back to Naruto and Tenten

“The game is just starting Tenten, let's see if you can outrun me.” Racing through the trees, the fox was hunting the young ninja, `How does he keep catching up to me? I outrank him double-fold, but he continues to nip at my heels.'

“You should start running faster if you want to make it back to your camp Tenten, I mean an enemy would not give you as much leeway as I am.”

`That cocky little piece of dirt, he thinks that he is giving me an advantage? I am just leading him into a trap of my own.'

Springing through the trees, Tenten was confident that she would not lose to Naruto again. `I guess she really thinks that I will fall for a trap that obvious, well it couldn't hurt to help her ego.' Setting the trap off, Naruto watched as a few hundred knives flew at him, `Guess she had a lot of time on her hands, I mean I count at least 200 knives and swords.'

`He fell for it, now he should be a pincushion. I knew he underestimated me, what a buffoon, just because I am a girl doesn't mean I am a pushover.'

“Wow that was a lot of knives, good thing I had my handy-dandy log of escape.”

Not believing the voice that was so close to her ears, Tenten was in total shock, `How did he get past that? I mean I rigged it up so it was impossible to see, there is no way he could have dodged over 400 knives.'

“How?”

“Again with the questions, well I just had to use a small replacement technique and it was easy to get out of that pickle.”

Feeling a small burst of charka, Naruto knew it was time to end this little game, “So it's been fun Tenten, but I really got to go, we can do this again the next time you wake up.”

“Wha……” Tenten didn't have time to ask what he meant by that, because she was knocked unconscious by the would be Hokage. Taking the girl by her arms, Naruto headed back to the camp site of his intrepid team.

Awakening from his slumber, Kyuubi felt rather relaxed, `The fish has been caught, the bait has been set, and the little lady has been captured, I love it when a plan comes together.'

Back with Sakura and crew

“Ahh….that was a good meal, now for a little R & R.”

“Naruto this isn't a resort, we have to find those scrolls or we will fail this part of the exam.”

Silently counting in his head, Naruto waited for the most opportune moment, then he disappeared from Sakura's view in a puff of smoke. “Oi….Sakura who are you talking to?”

Turning around the pink haired ninja was astounded to see Naruto carrying an unconscious Tenten and the scroll they needed to complete their exam. “Wha….how did you get that scroll? And what happened to Tenten?”

“Oh…I got the scroll from Tenten, and well she just needed a little nap, but I couldn't leave her in the Forest of Death all by her lonesome. So I thought we could use another member and fail other teams. A sort of POW in this little game of cat and mouse, what do you think Sakura?”

Watching his two teammates, Naruto watched as their heads tried to get around the idea of POW's in this little game. Sasuke didn't give a hoot about the enemy ninja, but was surprised by Naruto's quick thinking. Sakura was a bit more hesitant to hurt people to get ahead, but in the end she decided that she would rather pass then have to redo the whole thing once again. “Okay, so were all decided, we'll take prisoners as we go along, then we can trade them for passage or more scrolls.”

“Yeah, I guess but it seems kind of deceitful, don't you think Sasuke?”

“I don't care either way, but don't mess it up idiot.”

“Yea, yea I'll do what's necessary, you big grouch.”

While the three were discussing the fate of the prisoner, Tenten was awakening from her slumber. “Wha….why am I tied up like this? Naruto? Sakura-chan?”

“Uh….Hi Tenten-chan, how are you doing?”

“What do you mean how am I doing? I am tied up, let me go Sakura.”

“Well I would but Naruto and Sasuke think that holding prisoners is a good idea.”

“What!”

“Yeah, your our insurance policy, in case Lee and Neji want to take away our scrolls.”

“You took my scroll?”

“Yeah, but it's not the real one. I guess that one is with Neji, but it doesn't matter, I mean he needs his whole team to pass. Without you, the scroll is useless to him. Isn't that right Neji-san?” Sakura was looking at Naruto and felt a breeze pass her by, soon Naruto was being held down by the genius of the Hyuuga clan. “You dare to challenge our team Naruto? I will show you the meaning of your existence, which is to be footstools for the rest of the world.”

Smiling at the angered nobleman, Naruto quickly locked his hands onto a nearby rock and pummeled the genius. Although it seemed that Naruto had hit him, it was only an illusion, with a puff of smoke Neji became a wooden log. Numerous knives came flying toward the fox, all he did was let them come and watched as they embedded inside his body. “Naruto!”

“Don't worry so much Sakura; I'm okay, though I feel sorry for that log.” Turning around Sakura stared into the smiling eyes of the fox, “I see you are not just a dropout like they say, you have some knowledge of what it takes to be a ninja.”

“Well I did learn from the best, now come out of hiding Neji-san, I don't want to kill you when you are just a couple feet away.” Neji was impressed that Naruto could find him so easily, “Fine, but know this when I step out I will kill you.”

“My thoughts are not along those lines, but it would be fun to see you try.”

Bursting through the trees, Neji threw 5 kunai at Naruto, accompanying those kunai were 5 more in their shadows. Naruto dodged the first five while making sure to keep Neji in his sights; unfortunately he didn't expect the rest of the knives stabbing into his heart.

“Disappointing, I believed the battle would be much longer, you are nothing more than an ignorant Genin.”

“Well better an ignorant Genin than an unconscious one, isn't that right Neji?”

Leaping away, Neji escaped Naruto's quick hands, “Another copy? This is getting old Naruto.”

“I agree, how bout we decide the whole thing on this next move? Last one standing wins? How bout it?”

“Agreed.”

Forming hand seals at an inhuman speed, Neji was ready for anything that Naruto could dish out. Naruto on the other hand stood still and converted a small portion of his power into a ball of charka. “Ready?” Running toward each other, the two combatants were moving at speeds that rivaled Jounins, with a flash of light the match was decided.

“There was no way you could have beaten me Naruto, now rest in peace.”

“Oh I beat you; you just don't know it yet. I'd say that you will feel it about now!” On his command Neji collapsed onto the forest floor, “How?”

“I just cut a branch above you and watched as it hit you over the head; jeez you have to know your surroundings more accurately than that.” Walking back to camp, Kyuubi was ecstatic that he had defeated such a powerful foe, `Well now I just got to take this scroll back to camp and we can be on our way.'

“Naruto! What happened? Where is Neji?”

“Oh he's just taking a little nap.”

“You killed Neji-san?”

“I did no such thing Tenten, I just knocked him out with a tree branch.”

“You have the scroll?”

“Yeah I got it Sasuke, let's break camp and head to the tower.”

Quickly the trio packed up all their belongings and headed for the tower, Naruto carried the unwilling hostage on his back. “Why do you still need me? I mean you have the scroll, isn't it real this time?”

“It's real, but you're just insurance in case we run into Lee or someone else.”

Tenten knew that she could do nothing about her predicament, so she waited until Naruto let her go. “Don't feel so sad, I am sure Neji has already found two more scrolls, your team is going to make it to the next round.”

“I am not worried about that, I am disappointed in the ease at which you caught me.”

“Well, you did underestimate me, so did Neji, now you guys know better. Hmmm…..I think we have fallen into an illusionary technique.”

True to his word, Naruto and his gang had indeed fallen into a trap. “Sakura do you see that tree? I believe we passed by it 4 times.”

“Yeah, I noticed that too, plus we aren't getting any closer to the tower. Whoever did this knows what their doing.”

Searching through the trees with his senses, the Kyuubi found 3 pulsing charka signatures. `I see they are pouring power into one individual then that person disperses such a large illusion. Unfortunately for them it makes them stick out like sore thumbs, I guess I could let Sasuke handle this, I mean I might want to save a bit of my charka.'

“Oi Sasuke, do you see them?”

“Who?”

“The ninja that created this field of illusion, they are hiding about 500 meters to the north of us.”

Without another word, Sasuke was off and running in toward the three ninja. “If you saw them Naruto, why did you ask Sasuke to go after them?”

“Well they seem like a bunch of power hungry fools, I thought Sasuke could finish them off better than me.”

Unfortunately, a scream soon filled the night air, it was filled with all the pain and sorrow of a man that knows he is going to die. “Sasuke!”

“Yeah, but why did he scream?”

Kyuubi soon had his answer, a dormant charka signature had sparked into life, and it rivaled his own. `Who could that be?'

Racing through the trees, Sakura and Naruto tried their best to get to Sasuke before he became another name on the plaque of dead Shinobi. What they found on their arrival was a scene from a horror movie, it seemed snake man was trying to suck all the blood out of the Genin genius. “Sasuke! Who is that Naruto?”

“I have no idea, but I don't think he is here to chat. You better stand back Sakura, I got to go and save that idiot.”

“What do you mean? I can help too, don't underestimate me just because I am a girl.”

“I don't, but I really could use the ego boost, so let me go.”

“I'll give you long range support, hand me your kunai's, I should be able to shoot him down from here.”

“I hope so, but try to stay as concealed as you can.” Jumping into action, Naruto delivered a series of jabs and kicks against the snake aberration, “Who are you?”

“Well I am Naruto, but you can call me Kyuubi.”

“Kyuubi? You are the fox?”

“Wow your quick, I should give you a prize, why don't you stand still and let me reward you?” Delivering another succession of kicks and jabs, Naruto was trying to push the monster away from Sasuke. `I always have to save your poor soul, I don't even know why the kid even likes you. I mean you are mean, ugly, and just plain evil, I mean I killed over a thousand people but at least I never hid my purposes.'

“You should pay more attention to your surroundings Fox, or you may not make it through the night.”

Watching as numerous kunai's were sailing toward him, Naruto did the only thing he could, he ran like hell, and watched as they passed him, although it was strange that they circled back to stab into his body. “I guess even the Fox is just a peon compared to me?”

“I guess so, I mean it's not like I'm behind you or anything. Oh I am.” Turning quickly Orochimaru came face to face with a knife through his face. Waiting for the smoke, Kyuubi was not disappointed, Orochimaru would not die so easily. “I see that your reputation precedes you, the Fox is a worthy adversary indeed, but I am much more powerful than you.”

“We'll see, won't we snake face?” Creating several hand seals, Kyuubi sent hundreds of fireballs against the villain. `He won't be easy to beat, he's no Neji or Tenten, which reminds me, where is that girl?'

Back with Tenten and Sakura

“I see he is doing poorly, how is your aim pinky?”

“I don't know how you got here but just leave Tenten, I can take care of my own teammates.”

“I can see that, Sasuke is dying on the ground, and Naruto is being beaten by a man who looks like a snake. You are doing a great job so far.”

“Don't you have someone else to bother?”

“Yeah, but I don't want to leave until he is bowing down before me.”

“Who? Naruto? You must be out of your mind, Naruto kneels to no one.”

“We'll see about that, when I am done with him, he'll be my little pet.”

While Sakura was talking to Tenten, she was also watching the battle in front of her, when she saw vulnerability she launched one of the kunai. Unfortunately for her Orochimaru was just waiting for her to attack, he threw the kunai back at her at a speed that rivaled sound.

“Get out of the way pinky….” Pushing Sakura down, Tenten took the brunt of the attack on her leg. “Aaah……that stings, but it's not any worse than what Gai-sensei puts us through.”

“Are you okay Tenten?”

“I am fine, worry about yourself Sakura, I doubt Naruto can beat that snake man.”

“No, I believe in him and Sasuke they will beat that beast.”

“Believe what you will, but the outcome is still the same.”

Back to the action

Naruto was having trouble following the movements of the snake man; he keeps moving around and covering his tracks with his charka. “You cannot defeat me boy, I will grind your bones into dust and use it for my face. I will make you regret your stupidity, and show you the real power of a Shinobi.”

Staring into the eyes of Orochimaru, Kyuubi was rutted to the ground, `What is wrong with me? I could destroy this worm with my tail, but why can't I move? Is he using a technique against me?'

“I see that you are immobilized with fear, it is normal, now stand still while I seal that pesky fox away.”

“What have you done Orochimaru?”

“Oh so you can still speak without a stutter, you must be a very brave fox or just stupid.”

“Don't insult me, now what have you done?”

“Something you cannot get out of fox, now just relax and die like a good puppy.”

Sensing the tremendous amount of charka that was flowing through Orochimaru, Kyuubi was a bit concerned, `What has he done? Could it be he has frozen this body? I will die in this boy's body? I will not accept this, oi….boy…..wake up….I don't want to die in this stinking forest. Now get your butt up and let's hightail it from here.'

`Wha…..who is that? Fox is that you?'

`No….it's the tooth fairy, of course it's me, now stop being frightened of this snake man and help me fight him.'

`Why should I help you? You took over my body, I should just let you die.'

`Think about it pup, if I die so do you. Do you want to die in front of Sakura?'

`Sakura is here?'

`Yeah, and after he kills us he will kill her. Do you want that?'

`Damn fox….alright let's kick this guy's butt.'

`That's the spirit…..let's get it on.'

Feeling a spike in charka, Orochimaru was disturbed to see the Kyuubi break free from his hold, “Let's get this over with snake. One move wins all, now which one will you pick?”

“I have already chosen Fox, but you don't have enough time to do yours.”

“I see that you are vulnerable right now snake, how bout I just kill you now?”

Forgetting about his tenuous situation, Orochimaru tried to bluff his way out, “You wouldn't dare hit me when I am like this, there is no honor in it Fox.”

“That is true, but who said I cared about honor? Now die like a good puppy Orochimaru.”

Covering the distance quickly Kyuubi delivered a technique that immobilized the predator. “You didn't kill me?”

“No, the kid wanted you to live. I don't know why.”

“Don't think to highly of yourself, I am free of your technique, you are not the only special one here Fox.”

“I knew that you would, now leave snake.”

“It matters not, I have the boy, he will be mine soon enough. We will meet again Fox, and next time you will not be so lucky.”

“Same to you snake.”

Disappearing in a cloud of smoke, Orochimaru knew that the Fox didn't have enough charka to kill him, but he also knew that it would have been a drawn out affair, and when they were done, it would probably be up in the air who would win. `I will kill you fox, know that is a promise I plan to keep.'

`Thank the heavens he left, I don't think I could have killed him with this flimsy body.'

`Hey! Watch who you are calling flimsy. Now what?'

`Guess we save the genius and get to the tower.'

`Sounds like a plan fox, but take care of my body, I might not be able to control it but I can stop you.'

`Yeah, yeah, but how bout those nice looking girls, can I play with them?'

`No! Leave Sakura and Tenten alone.'

`Your not in control at the moment pup, I don't think you have a say in the matter.'

`I will stop you Fox, know that.'

`Fine I will leave them alone, but it would have been fun for all of us.'

Jumping down, the Fox went in search of Sasuke's body and the two girls. `It would have been so much fun pup, I still might try it.'

Author's notes: How was that? I don't have much time, that's why it is so short, please leave a review if you have the time, I think they make writing that much more easier. Anyways, I got to go…see you again.