Chapter 16

Next, part of the Chunnin Exams here we go! Now some of the fights will be type out and some wont but just skipped to the winner.  Just for time reason and don't wont to type every match. 

Warning: Cursing, OOC, mention of blood, close to death.

Kurama speaking/thoughts

Shukaku speaking/thoughts

Thoughts

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Sarutobi stared at the teams before him. He was a bit surprised it was a lot of teams this year came out from the forest. Along with the reports that Orochimaru actually has been seen and lost track of him. That anonymous tip helped a lot indeed. Now they are tightening up security and protection. Whatever his former student planning is not good. While he rather focus finding Orochimaru he needs to be here for this part unless new details been brought in.

Now, if this next part will be eliminations for the tired genins. Well a few tired ones.

The old man will admit though he is pleased with how some of them been interacting well. No, bloodshed so far. He wonder what they are all thinking to finally be here.

'Im hungry.'

'EHH Sasuke you are here!'

'Guy Sensei so hip!'

'Mother shut up.'

'I lost all that money. Wait a minute....WAS THAT EVEN POKER?!'

'Where that smile bitch! I want to kill them for breaking my arms!'

'So, troublesome.'

'It doesn't matter it's my destiny to beat anyone in my path.'

'Uchiha I hope to fight you.'

'Master Orchimaru look like he in pain.'

'Everyone smell so funny and bad. Wait? Is that carrots im smelling?'

'One step away to show everyone how strong I am.'

It was time to begin.

"Alright now pay attention." Anko stepping up and looking at everyone. "The Lord Hokage going to explain the third exam to you. So, you better listen carefully you maggots. Lord Hokage there all yours."

Sarutobi walk up and stared at everyone. He chew on his pipe a bit and began. "First, before I tell you what the third exam entails. I want to explain about the test itself. Listen closely now. It's something you all need to understand."

'Pile of bones are you listening?'

'I stop listening when Dango Snake talked.' Error 'listens' but his eyes were looking at Orochimaru. He held back a snort how pathetic he look and how the disguise almost like his real appearance. Just not as white and features change slightly. Held back a smirk when he saw them wince in pain.

Electric shock gotta love it.

'Do you remember what it even about?'

'Allies, friendships, try to not start a stupid wars with others but at the same time showing who stronger. Power dummies.'

'Eh close enough.'

"-This is the fight for your life of the pride of your village and your own dream on the line."

'What pride? Plus, my dream doesn't involved this place.'

'Sadly you might have to think about allies.'

'Not now we don't.'

'Haha true!'

"Can we begin old man or are you still here to not do paper work?" Naruto asked the old man with a bored look.

Silence.

"I'll let you passed if you do it."

"Im not that desperate."

Everyone fell down anime style or looked at Naruto like he lost it. His teammates ready to strangle him or go hide. Kakashi head down in defeat. Iruka being held back to not shake his student.

"He right can we know now." Gaara spoke up next. Ignoring his siblings and sensei face how he was now cutting in line speaking out like that.

Sarutobi tried not to smile at the pair. Well now. "Very well let's begin and listen closely all of you what the third exam about."

Then a ninja appeared and bowed to Sarutobit. "Lord Hokage, please allow me, Hayate Gekko, appointed as the judge of the third exam to speak first."

"So, be it."

"It's nice to meet *cough* you all." Hayate turned and looked sick like before.

Not as bad as a headache like last time but still there for Error. He going to see and hopefully get this guy to live.

"There something I like all of you to do *cough* before the third exam." Lots of coughing and hacking till he looked at all of them. "We have to have a preliminary to the third exam before we can move on to the next part of the real one."

"A what?"

"Are you serious?"

"But we all worked hard to get here."

"Can you explain why?"

"You see the first an second exam was apparently easy. Been awhile we had so many teams passed. But according to the rules of the Chunnin Exams, a preliminary round can be held to reduce the numbers of candidates that remaining right now. We have to speed things up a bit now. Like the Lord Hokage said there will be lots of important guest in the final exam and we can't afford to waste their time. The only came to see the best." Hayate coughed again and looked at everyone. "Now if there anyone of you that doesn't feel not in the top physical condition to continue now your *cough* only chance to leave. We will be beginning the preliminary now."

"Oh come on!"

"But we barely got out the last exam."

"Can't we get a break?"

"Man how troublesome."

Error almost wanted to laugh. A break? What the heck was that?

"Oh and forgot to mention but this will be individual battle from now on. So, like I said if you don't feel up to it. Now the time to raise your hand and drop out."

Everyone whispered and looking at the other. Error staying silent as he looked at the ground. Come on and raise your hand Kabuto. Glance and see how Anko touched her shoulder in pain. Bit the inside of his cheek seeing Orochimaru looked confused since Sasuke would of felt pain too. Not this time.

"Excuse me. I'll quit." Kabuto smile as he raised his hand.

"Hmm Kabuto Yakushi of the Leaf Village, right. You may step back and leave that way." Point at a certain direction.

"Okay." Kabuto smile and walk off. "Good luck everyone."

Error eyes narrowed and already made a decision on that one. Smirk slightly behind the scarf.

"Does anyone else want to quit?"

No, one replied.

"Alright we now continued the rest of the preliminary rounds-"

'Hey Pile of bones you would know would be strange.'

'What?'

'If at least one or two match was different.'

'Well could it be possible? We did change some stuff.'

'Don't want to fight the mutt again?'

'If I did it will not be like before-Oh look my name first on the panel.'

'Dangit I should of bet!'

Error stared at his name, this time first, on the screen.

Yoroi Akado vs. Naruto Uzamaki

'That's the one who can do something with chakra or whatever right?'

'AKA going to fail badly.'

Error snorted and felt a clap on their shoulder. Stayed still and not tense. Glance and see it was Sasuke.

"Don't you dare loose dobe."

"Anything else besides the obvious."

Sasuke smirked. "I want to fight you."

"This isn't some kind of pride thing right?" Naruto looked at him and take a step back to stop being touched. They are not going to play this game.

"No, well kind of but just don't lose dobe."

"I'll remember that you care in my nonexistent heart chicken ass."

Sasuke snort and Sakura giving him a thumbs up.

Naruto watches everyone slowly going up the stairs after Shino and Hinata wish him luck. Have to tell Gaara, after a death threat towards Yoroi, to not kill him. Naruto just staring at the taller genin.

Yoroi wasn't please who he was fighting. But hey they didn't look too much. Plus, the intel from Kabuto mention they were a dead last. Easy.

"Begin!"

He just needs to touch him and absorb his chakra. After that easy fight. He ran towards them and they barely move.

Too easy!

Slam his hand on their forehead, cover in chakra and began to absorb.

"Want to give up little genin you barely will have any left to beat me."

"Is that it?"

Yoroi stared and eyes widen behind the sunglasses when they look at them better.

Ther weren't struggling, didn't look weak or even tired. Just pure out boredom! How much chakra does this brat have?

"Seriously? Is this it?" Naruto yawn and then reach out to grab the wrist.

Yoroi wince at the strength around this wrist.

"You're boring me."

Before Yoroi had time to react. His hand was ripped off the genine forehead. Lift up and spun around in circles till he was soon thrown in the air to the ceiling.

SMASH.

"Oh come I wasn't even trying." Naruto blinked looking at the ceiling formed in the shape of body still stuck into. Oh wait now its falling down to the ground.

Yoroi barely moved, sunglasses cracked and probably his teeth too. He let out a low groan of pain.

"Winner is Naruto Uzamaki." Hayata declared, a little surprise. This was probably the fastest round ever in this kind of round.

Everyone stared and gapped at what just happen. Well not everyone.

"HECK YEAH BAKA SHOW THEM WHO BOSS!" Sakura cheered and jump.

"SO, MUCH YOUTH!" Lee cried out and exclaimed happily.

Hinata clapped and smile.

Shino nods.

Sasuke smirked.

Sarutobi just stared at what just happen and smile a bit blowing out some smoke. Well know he still surprising him.

"Are next match will begin shortly." Hayata said while he let the medics get Yoroi body on the stretcher.

Naruto goes to walk up the stairs and joined his team.

"That was fast." Kakashi looked at Naruto.

"He was wasting time." Naruto shrugged a bit.

He chuckles but very pleased. One student down going to the next round. Hopefully the same with the other two.

Abumi Zaku vs. Shino Aburame.

Shino won like before but Zaku kept raving about finding Chara 3.0 and kill them. Till Shino knock them out.

Misumi Tsurgi vs Kankuro

Kankuro won. Naruto kept a close eye on him. What? He like puppetry.

Sakura Haruno vs. Ino Yamanaka

The battle was a little longer compared from before. Along with Sakura surprising Ino with a few bomb surprises. But at the end just like before no one won as they punched the other out.

Sakura was a bit down about it losing the round. Kakashi and Sasuke not saying anything to her. Felt a bit bummed at that. Felt a slight nudge and look at her teammate.

"Come on stop being sad. Always next time Cotton Candy." Naruto looked at his teammate. "But hey you pull off the short hair better than Spoink."

Sakura couldn't help but snort. "Thanks Baka."

"Just don't be distracted next time." Sasuke turn his head slightly behind. "Could of gotten it but it was defiantly smart what you did with the explosive tags."

"There both right Sakura." Kakashi looked back her and smile behind the mask. "An like Naruto said always next time."

Sakura smile a bit more at that. Then confused. "Hey Naruto what a Spoink?"

"A Pokémon."

"A what?"

Tenten vs Temari

Temari won.

Shikamaru Nara vs. Kin Tsuchi

Shikamaru won.

Sasuke Uchiha vs. Kiba Inzuka.

Sasuke won. Now he did have a bit of trouble at first fighting the two till his Sharingon began to pick up the pattern. Took a few tries till he finally nailed one of the two first. Then got the other one. Will not admit he was a bit please about the fight since it was one.

Hinata Hyuga vs. Neji Hyuga

Naruto tense as he watches Hinata goes down. Yes, while Neji and him did get along later on. Along with making sure he will not kill himself this time in the war. He still wants to punch the teen. That destiny crap isn't something he wants to hear again. Or want to see Hinata get hurt like before.

Barely listen to Kakashi explain to Sakura and Sasuke about the Hyuga relationship. Lee did come by and joined in.

"You may begin when ready."

"Before we do this. A word of advice. HInata withdrawal now. "Neji looked at her with a hard look. "You know you were never meant to be a shinobi."

Hinata eyes widen but didn't shake like she usually would. Now she still timid but trying to control it better.

"You're too kind and gentle. You seek harmony and avoid conflict, you allow yourself to be easily sway by others. Admit it, you have no confidence in yourself."

"13." Naruto muttered to himself.

"Naruto?" Sakura blinked at him.

"Thirteen ways he would have died right now if he kept yammering and talking." Naruto grunted.

"Don't you think your overstepping it-"

"He won't shut up." Naruto growled as he watches Neji keeping slamming word after word into Hinata.

That it.

"Hinata!"

Hinata snapped out of it and looked at Naruto. It was a bit of surprise to hear him shout since it's been awhile.

"Hinata this is your choice to keep being a shinobi and be here! Not him, not your sensei, not your dad. No, one but you! Now prove Rapunzel here that you deserve to be here. Win or not just show him you're not weak!"

Hinata stared at Naruto and then nodded. A look of determination on her face.

Neji eyes widen slightly too see that look in her eyes.

The fight was like before how he remember and Naruto almost jump down when he strike her in the chest. Hinata fell on the ground and struggling in pain.

"Neji Hyuga has won-"Hayata stopped as he watches the girl force herself to stand up.

"What do you think you're doing? If you continue like this, you'll really die." Neji stared at her like she lost it.

"I-Im far from finished."

"Give up the tough guy act now. I can tell your barely standing. You have such a big burden on your shoulder. Being born in the main branch. And you cursed and blamed yourself for being weak. But, look people can't change who they are. Just accept defeat and you will not have to suffer!"

Naruto gripped the rail a bit too tightly and bent it.

"No, you're wrong...cousin. You got it backwards." Hinata panted and smile weakly. "You see I can tell. That you are the one suffering much more than I."

"I'm what?" Neji demanded.

"You are the one who is torn up about the fate of the main and side branch of the clan." Hinata panted faster and smile weakly.

Everything went fast.

Neji charged at her with anger and fury on his face. A strike ready to hit that would have killed her.

Naruto was soon in front of Hinata and glared at him.

Gaara was already down by Naruto side upfront a bit with his sand grabbing the arm before it could strike. But the rest like a protective shield to not come further. Along with the sand that grab his legs to keep him in place. But a hole open to glare at the boy.

Everyone was stunned how fast they got their before the teachers.

"He said you won." Gaara glared at the boy and tighten his hold on the sand.

Neji wince and glared at the pair. Along with wondering what just happen.

"Naruto Uzamaki and Gaara of the Sand if you do that again-"

"You what eliminate us?" Naruto look at Hayata. "Then go ahead eliminate me for protecting my friend from an idiot boy ready to kill his cousin."

Hayata slightly taken back.

"Same." Gaara looked at him. "I'm not going to waste my time here if he will not fight either."

What the heck is going on? "No, a warning."

"Can you let go of my student."

Gaara glance to see Gai, Kakashi, and Kunerai down here as well. He finally let go and watch the boy struggle. Barely not fazed by the glare he sent him but look at Naruto as he keeps Hinata standing up. Then Hinta gasped in pain and coughed up some blood on them.

"Get a damn medic!" Naruto yelled and trying to get her comfortable.

"Hinata!" Kunerai on her side.

"Come on don't pass out on me-"

"You shouldn't have gotten in the way dead last."

Naruto froze.

"I have two advice for you. First, of all if you intend to be a shinobi stop cheering for the others. It's disgraceful" Neji tells him and probably wasn't paying attention how they slowly turn their head at them. As Kunerai and the medics take her away. "Second once a dead last always a dead last. You can't change th–"

Naruto was soon close to Neji face and eyes glowed in a dangerous shade of blue. A fist up ready to punch him. A punch that would of shattered him. Neji eyes widen slightly from the speed and slight intense of Chakra he just felt.

Gaara, Sasuke, Lee and Shino had to jump in quickly to stop him out of pure luck.

"Let...go." Naruto snarled and his vision blocked by Gaara and the sand so he wasn't looking at Neji now

"Naruto towards the stairs now." Shino was behind him pulled him with the others forcefully to walk up the stairs.

"You can kick his ass later dobe but not here." Sasuke had his other arm while Lee had the other one. Gaara staying in front of Naruto to not look at Neji.

"Oh I will! You hear that Neji!" Naruto snarled while Kurmai getting to work to try and calm him down. "For Hinata sake you better hope she fine!"

"Tch." Neji watches them take the failure away. He glance down and eyes widen to notice how his body was shaken.

Naruto soon calm down and was let go. He felt a little annoyed at himself for behaving like that.

"You calm now." Sasuke looked at Naruto.

"I'm fine." Naruto grumble and pulled his scarf up.

Sakura a little shaken at what just happen and so were a few others. They never saw their blond classmate behave like that. The adults in the room were tense as well. That wasn't the nine-tail chakra pressure they felt at all but Naruto.

He really was ready to kill Neji.

"Naruto."

He glance and see Sakura give him a worried look. "We can go to the hospital after the match to see her. Okay?"

Naruto stared and slowly nodded. "Okay."

The next match start.

Gaara vs. Rock Lee.

The match was like before but Gaara barely had a reason to crave for the blood. Now he almost crushed Lee leg and arm like before but snap of it before he could. But Lee still took a hard beaten but was a good challenge. Besides mother screaming in head to go faster. So, annoying. But Gaara won.

Dosu Kinuta vs. Choji Akimichi.

Dosu won.

Naruto was amused how the winner kept him away from Neji when they were called down.

Sarutobi explained the next match will be in a month. Itll give them time to prepare. Then Anko came up with a box for all them to pull out a number.

Naruto glance and see he pulled out a 1. Just like before.

Dosu 8

Naruto 1

Temari 7

Kankura 5

Gaara 3

Shikimaru 9

Neji 2

Shino 6

Sasuke 4

Then they pulled up the sheet of who they will be fighting in the tournament.

Naruto smile behind the scarf. Just like before.

Naruto Uzamaki vs Neji Hyuga

Neji feels his sins crawling down his back.

Wait? Why that dead last called him Rapunzel?

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Done! I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Any questions?

Oh! Heads up I'll be posting another new story soon so look out for that. Along with chapter updates.

Until next time.

Bye, bye!