Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
"Why should we bother working with and aligning ourselves with someone the reputation of him?" The feminine boy dared to ask to the older vicious ninja.
The man ignored his words and continued walking, with him a purple haired boy he carried on his back. In the background was the aftermath of the attack the Kurosuki Family had made on a merchant wagon. Dead bodies littered the ground and the wagon had been stripped of all goods.
"A man with his reputation and character would only dispose of us Raiga-"
"Raiga-sama!" The former Swordsmen of Mist snarled and turned and glared at him. The boy on his back winced and tensed up at his angry tone.
Haku glared at him feeling complete and utter loathing for the man and his cruel methods. Raiga didn't even give the merchants a chance to surrender or give up. Just had his men swarm them and kill them all and take all the loot from it. Haku hadn't entered the fray refusing to lower himself to such senseless butchering in his eyes. Even the ones who survived where slowly tortured and executed. Haku was glad there weren't any women amongst the merchants.
"We're joining Orochimaru and this new Sound Village cause we are being offered much money. His henchmen have said he plans on attacking the Leaf Village in a month's time. We're to fight with them and burn it to the ground." Raiga said as he inspected the loot.
"Fighting Konoha would be suicide." Haku argued.
"Tch, didn't that weakling Zabuza die fighting those fools?" Raiga said bad mouthing his former Seven Swordsmen member. "Don't you want revenge since they killed him?" He said not understanding why the boy wasn't excited at the prospect of destroying and looting Konoha.
Haku didn't reply. Zabuza died at Wave he knew that and he was last fighting against the Leaf Nins
"No matter, he deserved death anyway." Raiga said and Haku glared at the swordsmen who walked away.
He felt as if his days serving the psychotic Swordsmen where coming to an end.
Elsewhere…
Naruto Uzumaki woke up with a start and immediately pulled out a small knife from his outfit made of Bone as he sat up. The blond haired boy breathed hard and glanced around as he examined their surroundings.
It was nighttime, he looked and saw his teammates. Sakura was sleeping peacefully whilst Sasuke seemed to have some problems as he saw the Uchiha place his hand on his neck subconsciously and rub it in his sleep. Letting out a sigh he the young Genin thought back to what happened as they where at a small campsite they had made to rest at.
It had been nearly two days since the incident. Ever since Sasuke got bitten by that man and the encounter with those mercenaries.
His hands, they where stained with blood. For the first time he had taken another person's life. Two lives in fact as he killed the first and decapitated the second one with no mercy.
Flashback…
"Please take my scroll! Take anything you want just don't hurt me!" The wretched mercenary said to him as Naruto demanded to know who hired them.
The blond took it and tossed it at Lee's team. "If I see you again, I'll kill you. Get out of my sight." He warned. The man bowed and thanked him, grateful for his mercy.
As he turned around Jin revealed a hidden dagger and went to stab him.
In the blink of an eye Naruto turned around and took his head off, cleanly slicing his head off his shoulders with his sword.
The other Leaf Genin there gasped in shock at what had just happened with the exception of Sasuke. Not believing what they had just seen.
Naruto retracted the sword back into his arm and turned and looked at them. He could already guess what they where thinking about as he noted the confused, somewhat scared looks on their faces.
The group hadn't talked much at all ever since that. Lee's team and the others had left going on their separate ways as the Exams where still going on. They hadn't seen them or any other team since then.
Sasuke had been slowed down at an considerable rate due to the wound he had received from being bitten. Yet somehow a strong burst of power had awakened from him as Naruto had seen him casually break the Sound Nin's arms and appear on the verge of ripping them off. Only his intervention had stopped Sasuke who had markings covering his body and his eyes now a blood red. The stare down between them afterwards as well.
Sighing he got up and quietly walked away from the site, leaving a clone in his place until he got back.
He looked up at the half moon that could be seen through the dense trees, staring at the large object. For a moment he felt as if something up there was calling out to him.
"Kyuubi…" He muttered as during his fight he had thought he was in a sewer like place and standing in front of him was a giant nine tailed fox leering at him from behind a cell.
Suddenly he sensed a presence and reacting on instinct a sharp bone came out of his arm and he fired it. A female gasp was heard and he saw a girl in green with long hair appear narrowly evading it.
"You?" He said as he recognized her, she was the Sound Kunoichi from before.
"Don't hurt me…" She pleaded with him. "I was just taking a walk. I didn't know you was close by." Kin Tsuchi said and he saw fear in her eyes.
"That makes two of us." He replied dryly. He looked at her and saw that she was troubled. "How's your teammate?"
"Zaku? His arms are broken in case you didn't notice." She replied. "Sasuke broke them and was ready to rip them off."
Naruto stared at her. "I figured that out. Why did you try and kill him?" He asked as he remembered seeing them poised to attack them until he had ruined their attempt.
"Why do you care?" She asked him.
"You don't try and kill someone unless you got a reason to." He said to her. "Why did you try to kill Sasuke?"
Kin looked at him unsure. "We where under orders to do so, we was given a mission to kill him during the Exams. But if I knew that he'd show that kind of power I would have never accepted it. Plus, when we first got it I thought if we succeeded I'd finally show everyone. That I'd get the respect I felt I deserved. That I'm a true kunoichi, not some weakling. That I…"
"Would finally be noticed and be accepted." Naruto finished and she looked at him surprised. "It's the same for me Kin."
Kin looked at him but soon a sneer appeared on her face. "Well what do you know what I've gone through? Looked down upon by everyone and treated like dirt by some self absorbed prima donna's who think the only thing I'm good for is cleaning their shoes!"
"Don't your parents love you?"
She turned around her back to him. "I never knew my parents. I'm…." She closed her eyes and a lone tear fell out of them. "I'm an illegitimate child. My mother had an affair and her husband who was a wealthy businessman had my father castrated and executed and me thrown in an orphanage."
Naruto raised his eyebrows at that not expecting it, no wonder she seemed so cold. (Hated because of her background, just like Haku.) He thought to himself
"You, who got to live in a place such as Konoha could never understand what it's like to be looked down upon as a child hated the day she was born. What it's like to be hated all your-"
"Yes I do understand." He said to her cutting her off. "I've been hated as well most of my life, I'm not an illegitimate child like you. But I've been looked at with disgust most of my life. I'm no stranger to being looked down upon." Kin turned and looked back at him a curiosity in her eyes at what he just said. "You have my empathy as I understand where you're coming from. I suppose it's the same with your teammates as well. I have no quarrel with any of you three but I will fight if you do attack us again. I have the same goal of proving myself just like you and many others, May you have good luck in the exams."
Naruto turned and headed back and the Oto Nin soon headed back as well.
In the morning…
Anko Mitarashi was finishing up her rounds. Today was the last day of the Stage. She was going to head to the tower soon but there was something that had been bothering her.
Ever since she discovered that faceless body she had been getting bad memories of what had happened before in her life. There was only one person she knew who could or would do something like that to another human being.
The person who had taught her, the person who had trained her, the one man in her life that had manipulated her and tossed her aside as if she was a broken tool. The man she hated with every fiber in her being.
Orochimaru…
Her teeth gritted in anger, remembering how he had used her. She reached towards her neck and through her purple hair a Seal similar to Sasuke's could be seen. The one he had given her when she had become Chunin. She would never forget and never forgive him for what he had done to her. Not even if she lived to be over a hundred.
If he was here, he was planning something she knew that, he would not have come back here, to the place he had abandoned unless he had something planned.
If she ever saw him again she doubted she'd be able to restrain herself from attacking him. He maybe a Sannin but she didn't give a damn, she would see him cut in two before her before he would ever get the chance to use and discard a person again.
Heading towards the tower the Jonins' thoughts where deep in the past.
Team 7 looked around the area, they needed a Heaven scroll and thus far they attempts to get it had been in vain. No such luck they had. It was now starting to get in the afternoon, if they didn't make it soon they would fail and be disqualified from the exams.
Sakura walked uneasily in between both Naruto and Sasuke. The group hadn't talked to each other very much. Not since what had happened and the incident afterwards. Sakura looked at both boys. Sasuke on her left and Naruto on her right.
(Sasuke, he's been inflicted with something.) She thought to herself staring at him. (He's become more agitated and ruthless. He broke that Sound Ninja's arms with no hesitation and seemed to enjoy what he was doing when he did it. While Naruto, who knew he had a bloodline?) She thought as well. (I never would've guessed that he had one as well. It's something to do with his bones by the look of it, and I never would've guessed he would kill someone.) Se thought as she remembered all that had happened. (All this time he kept it hidden. I wonder if that guy, Kimimaro? I wonder if he had something to do with it?)
She looked at both boys and noticed Sasuke reaching towards his neck. He had been doing that, reaching towards the Seal on his neck that had been given to him by that man biting him. She didn't know what it was but it put him in pain but also seemed to give him power as well. But at what price?
His own life?
Suddenly they stopped and Sakura stopped as well noticing it.
"We're not alone…" Naruto said outloud to them as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck standing up.
Sakura looked around trying to detect what they had seen as both seemed ready. Was it those Sound Ninjas again? They had said they where meant to kill Sasuke.
"They expected us to come this far." Sasuke said as well as his eyes narrowed.
Suddenly from behind them a group of ninja charged them. Both boys dodged their attacks easily but Sakura wasn't able to dodge as skillfully and narrowly avoiding getting hit.
Suddenly the three ninjas who appeared to be from Amegakure did hand seals and dozens of copies appeared. They swarmed around the entire area and disappeared into the trees and woods trying to confuse them. Sakura looked around trying to discover the real ones but wasn't able too. She nearly panicked but saw both Naruto and Sasuke keeping calm and focused. Knowing she had to follow their example she steadied herself.
Sasuke avoided their attacks able to distinguish real from fake and concentrating his attacks blocked the real attacker's blows despite his attempt to confuse him.
Naruto pulled out two bone knives and threw them into a copy which exploded he then did hand symobls and activated his Kage Bushin to deal with them and confuse them. He then noticed one of them was lurking in the back and did hand symbols.
Like in his earlier fight before, flames engulfed the ninja as he was the real one. The ninja panicked and tried to bat away at the flames unaware that they was fake.
"Sakura now!" Naruto shouted and the Ninja's eyes widened as suddenly Sakura charged him and throwing all her might and using her chakra hit him in the jaw with a powerful punch knocking him into a tree and sending him unconscious.
Sasuke avoided his opponent's attacks but felt a throb of pain enter him and he grasped at his neck. His enemy attacked him forcing him on the defensive. Suddenly marking's appeared on Sasuke's face and his eyes turned red and he gained power and blocking his attacks drove him back.
"Fire Style: Grand Fireball!" Sasuke shouted and inhaling fired a large fireball at him which hit him in the chest and knocked him out.
The rest of the clones disappeared and he reached over and pulled out a scroll from him. He smirked seeing it was the one they needed. "Let's go…" He ordered Naruto and Sakura as it appeared the third had fled. "We have what we need." He said and began walking away.
Naruto glared at him and Sakura began to walk after him.
Suddenly a loud cry was heard and the third ninja emerged and appeared ready to attack and run Sakura through with a blade. She gasped out loud in horror and tried to defend herself by covering up.
To her surprise the blow never landed. She opened her eyes and saw Naruto using speed she never knew he had was in front of her grasping the ninja's arm the weapon just inches away from running her through. Naruto glared at the stunned ninja and she saw he had a Kanabo like weapon in hand.
(Did he? Did he create that out of his bones?)
"Enough…" Naruto said and slammed the weapon into the Rain ninja's stomach. The ninja keeled over in pain. Naruto then dropped low and kicked him hard into the jaw sending him upward into the air.
Sasuke looked on remembering how Lee had done the same thing.
Naruto leapt upwards and over him and placed his hands on his shoulders and did a handstand on top of him.
"Dance of The Falling Star!" Naruto shouted and doing one of the first moves that Kimimaro had taught him slammed his knees right into his face sending him crashing down into the ground and knocking him out.
Naruto landed on the ground skillfully and Sakura could only look on in shock.
"If you're done showing off, let's go." Sasuke said to him. "We're on a time limit." He said and walked ahead.
Naruto scoffed at him and Team 7 continued on their way, now able to continue. The threesome went and soon saw the tower that they was to head to in order to pass. Going as quick as they could they came upon the entrance to it. A ninja appearing granted their access after revealing the two scrolls to him and revealed a secret doorway.
The group walked in having just made it. After walking around they where surprised to see their sensei poof right in front of them.
"Huh, and you give me trouble about being late." He said good naturedly to them smiling underneath his mask. "I'm happy you all three are here now. The exams will-" He then stopped and noticed Sasuke reaching towards his neck. "Sasuke what's wrong?"
"Nothing…" He said to him but Kakashi stepped forward and looked at him. His lone eye widened when he saw the seal.
(No. It can't be. Not a Cursed Seal!) He thought to himself as there was just one man who could give those kind of seals to another person. (We have a Snake in our midst now.)
"Sensei?" Sakura asked him when there was an announcement that all who had passed to report.
"…Go with the others, I'll see you soon." He said to them.
(Please if there is any Gods listening, do not let that be what I think it is.) He thought to himself as Team 7 went on ahead.
The group looked around and saw six other teams there as well. There was Team 10 who had Ino and Sakura argue as always. Team 8, the team he had seen earlier in the exams of Hinata, Kiba, and Shino. There was also Kabuto's team as well, along with Rock Lee's team as well.
He noticed that the Sound Trio team was there as well, the group keeping to themselves as Zaku Abumi had his arms in slings and bandages. Kin noticed him but didn't say anything. Also there was the Sand team that consisted of the siblings. Naruto looked over at Gaara and once again felt that ominous presence coming from them.
The teams where lead to an arena of sorts that had stairs and stands. Standing there was their sensei's as well. Naruto looking over saw the Sound Jonin and for some odd reason, could feel nothing but bad things from him. Almost as if the same thing he felt when he fought that Grass Nin in the forest.
The Sound Jonin looking over at the ninja's smirked in amusement upon seeing Sasuke and them. What a delightful surprise to see them advance. He licked his lips eagerly, desiring to put the next phase of his plan into action.
Sarutobi appeared and the old man looked down upon them and gave a speech to them. Praising them for passing the Forest of Death and telling them they was one step closer to becoming Chunin. But to remember the purpose of the exams being to promote goodwill between the countries and villages.
After his speech a Jonin stepped forward. "I am Hayate, I shall be the proctor of the next stage. I am afraid there are too many of you, for that we must cut the numbers in half."
"What you can't do that!" Ino protested outloud and Shikamaru rolled his eyes at her outburst.
"We shall have randomly drawn one on one fights to see who goes to the third stage. If you feel you cannot continue please say so now." He said to them ignoring the blonde.
A hand went up and Kabuto exited himself from the Exams. Naruto watched him go wondering just why he dropped out all of a sudden.
"Now then, let us decide the first match." Hayate announced. The screen flashed through several names and for several tense seconds the group watched on wondering who would be selected first.
After what seemed like an eternality the screen stopped on two names.
Sasuke Uchiha vs. Akado Yoroi
Sasuke grunted and he and his opponent stepped forward. Everyone else headed up to the stands to watch on.
Hayate ordered them to begin and Sasuke attempted to take Yoroi down and make him submit. However Yoroi grabbed him with his hand and with a aura surrounding it began to inflict pain on Sasuke.
"He's stealing his chakra." Kakashi said looking on with the rest.
Yoroi stood up and placed his hand on Sasuke's head and continued to drain him of his chakra seemingly draining Sasuke of all his energy and power.
Sasuke in last burst of energy managed to throw him off of him and gasped and panted hard and reached towards his neck. He looked up to the stands and saw Naruto looking down on him. His eyes narrowed at him as the two rivals stared at one another.
(He thinks it's me he's fighting right now) Naruto thought to himself imagining his thoughts.
Yoroi charged him prepared to deliver a finishing blow but Sasuke ducked low and drilled him hard in the face with a kick sending him upwards into the air which didn't go unnoticed by Naruto.
(Oh C'mon, now he's stealing my move as well?) He thought in disbelief as Sasuke performed a move called the Shishi Rendan on Yoroi knocking him out. Sasuke declared himself the winner before collapsing to his knees as Hayate announced him the victor.
Kakashi headed down towards him and went to check on him. He told Sasuke that he was going to be taken to get checked on, despite Sasuke's reluctance to do so took the boy to be tended too.
Naruto watched them go and notice the Sound Jonin disappeared as well as the next round was about to begin.