Chapter 38: Preliminary
~~~
Naruto the the two others jumped from tree to tree. Out of the 5 days that they were all given, they were able to complete it within 2-3 days.
Though Naruto did feel slight unsatisfied knowing that they could've done exponentially better if Orochimaru hadn't appeared right before them.
If Naruto could estimate an exact time; it would have been possible for them to clear the Forest of Death in just a few hours if they put their mind to it.
The people I'm facing. . . they're getting stronger by the day. Me on the other hand, it feels like I'm stagnant in growth. Naruto thought. He noticed this as he fought in the Chunin Exams.
While I am still stronger than them by a considerable extent, they are catching up like a wildfire. Team 7 launched themselves off of the tree that they were currently on.
I'm weak.
I'm stagnant.
I'm incompetent.
I need power.
Naruto internally wanted to punch a tree just right about now. Why was he feeling this way? He never felt such a level of incompetence ever in his life.
Naruto has always been at the top.
He has always been the strongest and the smartest. But he is now starting to feel doubt in his own abilities. To think being in a village that preaches about 'The Will of Fire' would make him feel this way.
I've grown weak just from my stay in this village. It has pierced through my exterior through relentless force — I can't have that happen to me. Naruto thought.
He knows what is needed to be done for him to rebuild the walls all around him.
If me staying in the village is the cause of such thing, then the most efficient way is to sever it. Naruto thought with the apathetic face of his. But it'll take time for him to sever it.
He knows this quite thoroughly.
This is due to the reason that Naruto still has unfinished business that needs to be attended in the near future.
I just need 2 years for it to happen. Naruto and the other two continued to jump from tree to tree with such ease and elegance. It was only a matter of time before they reached their destination.
Trust no one. You only need yourself. Naruto thought as he told himself this.
~~~
They had reached the tower without much trouble along the way. Naruto was actually quite surprised that no one had tried ambushing them when they were going to the tower.
It was quite an efficient place to begin with.
People who go to the tower are people that usually have the two scrolls within their own grasp. The ambushers just have to wait at the near end of the tower for their victims.
But them actually getting the scrolls from their victims is a whole different story. If they are incompetent, then they won't get it from then, unless if the opposing team is also weak as well.
The ambushers just have to pray that the team that they are trying to ambush are not strong. A simple flaw in a plan like that is very dangerous and could risk the possibility of getting to the next phase of the Chunin Exams.
Though Naruto didn't really care about them.
The less competition, the better.
They waled inside the lengthy tower and saw writings on the wall right in front of them. There was a sudden moment of silence before they started to speak up.
"If "Heaven" does not exist, enrich your knowledge, prepare for the chance. If "Earth" does not exist, run the fields in search of an advantage. Open the series of Heaven and Earth, and the perilous way shall be redressed." Sakura was the one that had addressed this to them.
There was another moment of silence.
"It's telling us to open the scrolls, I think," said Sakura, suggesting that they should open the scrolls. The two nodded, knowing that was indeed an option for them to take.
"I agree with Sakura," said Satsuki.
"Same here," replied Naruto. He handed Satsuki the Heaven Scroll that they had within their grasp. The two readied themselves for the worst.
"Remember, stay on guard just incase we made a blunder." The other two nodded at the words that Naruto had delivered to them. Naruto and Satsui stood frozen for a moment or two before they threw the scrolls on the ground.
It landed just a few meters away from them.
"Ready yourselves." The 3 pulled out a kunai from their holster just as smoke started to seep out of the scrolls right in front of them all. There was suspense that loomed all throughout the air.
The 3 held their kunai very tightly. If they made an error in their theory, then they most certainly had to ready themselves for the worst case scenario.
Their eyes watched as a lone silhouette appeared in the abundance of smoke covering their view. The figure started to move right towards them in utter silence.
"Iruka-sensei?"
He appeared from the disappearing smoke. Iruka gave them a soft smile as he stood right in front of them in all his glory.
"Why are you here?" Asked Sakura.
"Well, I was tasked to be the messenger for you guys," said Iruka. There was a moment of silence before Iruka continued to explain what was currently happening.
"You 3 managed to complete and survive the second test with just about 3 days left remaining." They nodded, now knowing the amount of time that they had spent inside of the forest.
We could've done it much earlier if that damn snake didn't interfere. Thought Satsuki, internally souring up just from thinking of such a possibility of them completing in just a few hours.
"Say, how many other teams have made it here?" Asked Naruto, curious on the information that they could possibly attain just from this simple question.
"You'd be surprise; only 1 other team has made it." Naruto and Satsuki instantly knew what team it was, although they didn't actually speak up on their thoughts.
"If we were to have open the scrolls while we were still outside, what would've happened to us?" Asked Sakura, wondering what the consequence of doing such an action.
Iruka just lets out a slight chuckle in response.
"I'll let you 3 imagine it — it's better that way."
~~~
Anko sat right in front of Hiruzen alongside the other 4 jonin-senseis. She had just been in a battle with Orochimaru.
She lost overwhelmingly. Anko had her hand right over the Curse Mark that was on her shoulder. There was an eery amount of silence in the atmosphere.
"What could he be after?" Asked Asuma, using an already used cigarette in his mouth. Anko thought about it for a moment and recalled what Orochimaru had told her.
"I seek a girl whom inherited the last genes of the Uchiha." Before Anko could say the words, Hiruzen interjected with his very own words that came from deduction and reasoning.
"He's after Uchiha Satsuki. Am I wrong?"
"No, you are absolutely correct." Hiruzen sighed. He had wished it was incorrect and not the former. But beggars can't be choosers. The air around them was tense.
"But why of all times?" Asked Kakashi.
"That's what we're wondering also," said Kurenai, nodding her head at the question. Hiruzen just lets out a plume of smoke that was held captive inside of his mouth.
"That is also something I am wondering myself. We can only guess as of right now." This also brought up a question from Kakashi himself. It was a serious manner.
"Could Orochimaru also be after Naruto?" Hiruzen thought about this idea for a moment or two.
"Possibly. Naruto's capabilities and prowess in the shinobi arts is something that we have only seen in Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Itachi. He's a force to be reckoned with; Orochimaru most certainly saw his talents."
Great, now they had two people in danger.
But if Naruto had used his Sharingan to fight against Orochimaru, then there is absolutely no doubt he will be after him also. Even though he has those contact lenses, he has expressed numerous times that he disliked them for obvious reasons. Hiruzen thought.
God, they were in a predicament.
"Well, we have to get going; the Chunin Exams are just about done."
~~~
"I am Gekko Hayato. . ." He coughed once right after.
"Just before we begin we begin, I would like to explain the Preliminary Rounds." This caused many to raise an eyebrow at the words that rushed out of the man's mouth.
"Wait, aren't we doing the 3rd test?" Asked someone in the crowd.
"Normally we would have done that. . . But there seems to be. . . Too many people here. . ." Even more coughs followed up right after the explanation given to them.
"Those who wish to drop out right now may do what they wish. . ." More coughs entered right after. Hayato pointed right towards the exit.
"We will be starting immediately, so any injuries you have will greatly affect your performance." These caused complaints from numerous genin in the crowd.
Man, what about the food? Thought Choji, complaining about his empty stomach as usual. But it seems as though he had to persevere on this matter.
"I would like to drop out," said Kabuto, raising his hand up in the air. Hayato looked at the list of people that he had.
"You are Yakushi Kabuto of Konoha. Right?" He nodded at Hayato.
"You are free to leave," said Hayato. He nodded and walked away from the arrays of students that were lined up. As he left, Sakura looked at Satsuki.
"Satsuki-san, you should dropout." Satsuki turned around, shaking her head towards Sakura.
"No need. I am most certainly able to keep going in this condition." Satsuki winced in pain as she felt the Curse Mark suddenly make her feel pain.
"That is enough reason to dropout. We don't know if that thing is endangering your life." Satsuki gritted her teeth as she looked right towards Sakura.
"I told you, I can keep going."
"But. . . You're injured right now." Satsuki growled her with much annoyance.
"You don't tell me what I do. It's my own decision if I keep going or not." She did not like being ordered by someone; Naruto was an exception.
The reasons for this is quite obvious. Sakura looked at Naruto, hoping for him to back her up. Naruto raised an eyebrow at Sakura in confusion.
"I think we should just let do what she wants to do. If she somehow gets seriously injured because of that mark, then it'll be her fault for being so stubborn." But Naruto knew better than this.
This reason was just a front for his true reasoning.
If i see her fight, then that mark will surely do something. I want to know the ins and outs of the mark that Orochimaru gave her. Her fighting will be my ticket to that knowledge. Naruto thought as he observed the two others.
"What she does and wants to do is something we can't decide. You can keep on trying to tell her to dropout, but it'll most definitely not work at all." And that was a good thing on Naruto's end.
Sakura soon gave up on telling Satsuki to give up.
Satsuki looked at Naruto.
"Thanks." He just shrugged in response. In the end, Naruto will gain valuable information that he can't ever forget in the future.
"To keep this explanation. . . Short and simple. . . there will be 2 people in the. . . Arena." He then pointed towards a electronic board on the wall that was slowly revealing itself to the word.
"The 2 fighters will be determined. . . Through this electronic board. They will then fight in. . . The arena as. . . Expected." They nodded in response to those words.
Many people were excited to fight their opponent. Some hoped that their opponent was going to be weak. Some hoped that their opponent will be strong.
Either way, Naruto planned to win an overwhelming victory against his opponent. He was lacking in power significantly. While he is still indeed better than almost 97% of the whole room, he knew that he was lacking.
His intelligence is something that is compensating for the lackluster of power.
Of course, Naruto wouldn't do something like go to Orochimaru and ask for power — Satsuki is the only one that is going to do that. Not him.
"Now, please look at the electronic board to see who the two people will be." Everyone that was present nodded and looked right towards the board.
Their eyes locked right onto the screen. Naruto looked at the two names right on the board. An internal smirk crept right up inside of his own body.
Ahihcu Naruto vs Abumi Zaku.
Oh? So he was able to get payback. Naruto too a quick glance at Zaku and saw that he was grinning. He then looked away from him and focused back on Hayato.
"Alright. Everyone except the two who appeared on the board shall go up the stands." Everyone nodded and made their way to spectate the battle that was about to happen right in front of their own eyes.
Kakashi walked right towards Naruto and handed him a small case. He raised an eyebrow at his own sensei.
"Contacts? You know?" Kakashi nodded at Naruto. This confirmed his speculation on the upper-ups knowing about the appearance of Orochimaru.
"These are the same as the ones that you used to have. I figured I should've bought another one, since there are chances of you losing the contacts." Naruto nodded, taking the contacts off of his grasp.
He put the contacts on.
Ah, as good as new. Naruto thought, though he was indeed irritated that he had to wear such things again. But all good things come to an end.
Kakashi then walked away with his Icha-Icha novel in hand. Naruto looked right towards at the Zaku, whom had a massive devilish grin right on his face.
"This is my revenge," said Zaku. Naruto stood there, silently waiting for the match to start. He observed Zaku's current physical state. Oh, he is seriously way too arrogant.
But. . .
Naruto did have doubt about this. Though he had no ambition to actually think about it, Naruto he had a sneaking suspicion about something right now.
Kukuku. I wonder if he is worthy of being a back-up vessel. Orochimaru thought, analyzing Naruto's actions to the absolute tee. He knew that he was indeed much more powerful than Satsuki.
But if his potential is too great, then I'll have to wipe him out of existence. Thought the slippery snake. But there is a chance that he could use Naruto as a potential pawn in the end.
Hayato looked between the two contestants,
"I'll wipe off that apathetic face of yours." Zaku readied himself to fight the monstrous being named: Naruto. At the stands, predictions were made on who would win the fight.
"Who do you think will win?" Asked Kakashi. He was directing this question towards the two girls on the team.
"Naruto will definitely win," Satsuki and Sakura said in unison. Kakashi chuckled at their immediate, rapid, and simultaneous response to his question.
"I would say whom I am voting for, but that's favoritism. Isn't it?" The other two stayed silent and just looked right towards the ground in anticipation.
Naruto stayed silent with his emotionless face.
"To think you would know the meaning of the word 'apathetic'. But I think the word 'pathetic' suits you." This sudden remark got the rise out of Zaku.
"You 2 may start," announced Hayato, jumping back away to avoid getting hit during the process. Naruto stood still, letting Zaku rush in towards him without any plan to impede him.
His eyes traveled all around to observe Zaku's movements. It seems like his movement has diminished and have been reduced to the injury? Maybe.
Though probably not. Zaku threw a nasty but sloppy punch right towards Naruto's face. He easily dodged the punch with such ease that even an academy student could do better.
Naruto jumped just slightly right over of this mess. He then twisted his body to deliver a kick towards Zaku's face. But Zaku managed to catch the leg just in the nick of time.
"What are you gonna do?" He had a smug smirk on his face as he gazed into the eyes Naruto.
He gazed back at him.
"This," Naruto said, maneuvering his other leg up and down on Zaku's face. He widened his eyes, letting go of Naruto's leg, and jumping away just before the impact.
There was now space and distance between the two shinobi. Naruto looked over at Zaku as he neatly landed on the ground. His apathetic eyes never leaving.
"You know," said Naruto. "You won't be able to defeat me with just one arm." Zaku gritted his at the statement that was just made from Naruto.
"Unless you want an overwhelming defeat," Naruto appeared right behind Zaku. "Use your other arm, fake." He then pressed his foot on his back and kicked him away meters ahead.
"Such speed." These were the thoughts of the spectators that were currently watching. Zaku glared at him as he stood up from his defeated position.
"I'll wipe your apathetic and cocky attitude off the face of the Earth!" Zaku yelled, using his free arm and snatching the cloth right off of his arm.
"Now, I'll show you true power and destruction!" He yelled once more, putting his arms and hands outwards towards Naruto. But he did not fret whatsoever.
"You're building quite the amount of power. I would initiate the plan I thought of, but. . ." Naruto started to weave multiple hand seals in the blink of an eye.
Snake → Ram → Monkey → Boar → Horse → Tiger
If I want to cancel out the power, I'll need rivaling or even stronger output. Naruto thought, inhaling a great amount of air into his very lively lungs.
"Fire Release: Great FireBall Jutsu" Naruto then exhaled to let out a massive fireball. Zaku widened his eyes and quickened himself to release the jutsu that he had in mind.
"Extreme Decapitating Airwaves" Zaku released such a powerful blast from the palm of his hands. Such power was indeed much more stronger than just the regular ones that he uses.
But Zaku did not expect that once the two jutsus collided, for the fireball to actually rival it in power.
How?! He thought as an explosion occurred due to the jutsus clashing. Zaku put his forearms up to cover his eyes. He smoke was unbearable to see.
Did it work? Zaku's heart beat was quick.
He was nervous.
He was scared.
He was scared of the power that Naruto held.
"I'm sorry, but even your best efforts won't be enough." He widened his eyes even further just from hearing the tone of Naruto's very own voice.
The smoke cleared as Naruto jumped into the air.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu" 1 clones appeared right beside Naruto as he was swaying through the air. There was now 2 Narutos present in the room now.
1 of the Narutos did a set of hand seals.
The other one did a another different set of hand seals.
Snake → Ram → Monkey → Boar → Horse → Tiger
Tiger → Ox → Dog → Rabbit → Snake
His clone inhaled a sharp breath. "Fire Release: Great FireBall Jutsu" The clone then exhaled to let out a another fireball towards Zaku at an intense speed.
The real Naruto exhaled. "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough" Naruto then exhaled the wind jutsu that was held captive inside of his mouth. This caused the wind jutsu to empower the fireball.
Another massive explosion occurred. As time went on, the smoke started to slowly disappear and disperse into pure nothingness. Naruto saw Zaku just barely standing on his own two feet.
"Since it seems you're at your limit, I'll finish this with my final technique." Like before, Naruto jumped up in the air and summoned one clone right beside him.
The clone then threw him right towards Zaku. Just before making contact, Zaku managed to dodge the attack just barely.
But Naruto already had a plan if such a thing happened. He turned on his Sharingan; his contact lenses were covering Naruto's Sharingan to a very good extent.
Naruto placed his two hands on the ground launched himself off the ground.
This is true grace. Naruto thought, planning his every move. He was in the air, twirling as his eyes were set right on his target: Abumi Zaku. As his body made its way towards the ground, Naruto summoned another clone to throw him up in the air once more.
Naruto pulled out two kunais from his holster and held it tightly as he glided through the air. His eyes traveled back to Zaku and he threw right towards him.
Zaku couldn't dodge and felt the two kunai pierce through his shoulder flesh. He yelped in pain. Zaku was now panting at a very quick rate due to the amount of pain that he was experiencing,
Naruto landed on the ground safely and soundly.
"I win," said Naruto, pulling Zaku closer to him. He pulled back his arm to generate power. Once Zaku was close enough, Naruto released the power in his fist and punched Zaku in the face.
Those 2 kunais were laced with ninja wires that I had hidden in my holster. Naruto thought, gazing at Zaku as he dropped on the ground, utterly defeated.
"Winner: Ahihcu Naruto!"
~~~