'Yoroi Akadou VS Sasuke Uchiha" A bright assortment of yellow kanji was displayed across a massive TV screen.
Let's see how fast I can breeze through this. Sasuke internally scoffed.
This is the perfect chance. Yoroi concluded.
A fellow teammate for Kabuto, Yoroi was a fair-skinned Genin from Konoha, defined by black-tinted glasses. Obscuring his face, Yoroi wore a linen mask over his mouth, matching his Konoha bandana.
Denoting his status as a friendly Genin, Yoroi wore a similar attire and outfit to Kabuto. However, Yoroi's most distinguished feature were his large ears, pressed against his short black hair.
Wasting no time, Sasuke quickly crossed both arms in front of his chest, rolling his eyes with boredom. Trailed by the confident silhouette of Yoroi, this masked Genin strolled into place.
"The fighters have been chosen... Everyone else must proceed to the nearby catwalks." Speaking with a cough, Hayate could barely breathe.
Inspired by these words, the remaining Genin all separated into two groups, walking towards the wall. Picking their spots, these Genin all rushed into place, watching from a distance.
Moving with Jounin-level speed, Baki, Asuma and Kurenai instantly appeared behind their students. At the same time, Kakashi and Guy leisurely walked towards the catwalk, trailed by Songo.
The Jonin instructor for Kabuto and his team, Songo had ear-length sandy brown hair, matching his eyes. The old Genin teammate for Anko, he wore a bulky pair of square-shaped glasses, pinned below his Konoha headband
Dressed in a full-bodied blue jumpsuit, Songo had the flak jacket of Konoha, clinging to his torso. Constructed with a mesh-like fabric, this jumpsuit stretched over Songo's neck.
"Are you proud of us Kakashi-sensei?! Huh?! Huh!?" Sakura questioned with dog-like eyes.
Replying with an iconic wink from his visible eye, Kakashi held his orange book with one hand. Reading this novel without pause, he was intently focused on his page, shuffling to the next.
"Begin." Hayate erupted into a swirl of leaves.
Moving without delay, Yoroi promptly clapped both hands into the tiger seal, funneling chakra. Creating a tangibly aura of blue chakra, this pulsating mist engulfed each of his fists.
Characterized by the crimson swirl of a one tomoe Sharingan, these eye sparkled over Sasuke's face. At the same time, Neji's Byakugan were lined with swollen veins, studying from afar.
I've read about this... Chakra absorption... Naruto reminded himself.
Hindered by his own eyesight, Sasuke's Sharingan couldn't visually see the chakra network. Instead, he used his eyesight to focus on chakra trails, a faint signature that all ninja created.
Surging across the floor, Yoroi's shoes clapped the stone with each step, muffling his approach. Smirking in response, Sasuke leapt back across the floor, weaving through a collection of hand seals.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Screeching these words, Sasuke shocked half of his audience.
"What?! Genin can't use Fire Style! it takes too much chakra!" Yoroi stuttered in disbelief.
Inhaling a deep breath, Sasuke spewed a chakra-filled torrent of flames from his mouth. Scorching the nearby earth, these flames surged towards Yoroi, forcing his facemask to rustle.
Caught in a brief moment of hesitation, Yoroi reached into his satchel, revealing a phial of water. Popping this tube open without a second thought, he drenched himself in water.
"Water Style: Water Armor!" Yoroi screamed with panic, hastily rushing through an array of hand seals.
Obscured by a chaotic clash of fire and water, Yoroi was instantly swallowed by pillars of steam. Polluting the air with a constant sizzle, this distinct sound echoed through the entire room.
It's not over. Naruto and Neji both analyzed the battle.
Strolling out from the flame-littered debris of Sasuke's attack, Yoroi's body was dripping wet. Displaying a confident smirk from behind his mask, he was completely unaffected.
"What's going out? Is that water special?" Sakura asked.
"No, it's just ordinary water. The jutsu saved him." Naruto explained, propped against an iron railing.
"It's a C-rank technique, the user covers their entire body with chakra-infused water." Hearing this explanation, Sakura swelled with confusion.
Crossing both arms in front of her nonexistent chest, Sakura narrowed each of her emerald eyes. Blowing a loose strand of pink hair from her face, she glanced at her teammate.
"But if he used Water Style, why did he need the phial of water? You create water all the time." Sakura muttered her question.
Snapping his book shut with a dramatic creak, Kakashi rested one elbow atop Sakura's spiky hair. Using his free hand to grip Naruto's scalp, Kakashi loomed over both students.
"Water Style is more unique than other Nature Transformations... Because it requires a direct source." Kakashi cut in.
"Most shinobi can only used Water Style when their next to a body of water..." Hearing these worlds, Naruto nodded.
"Then how come you don't have to do that?" Sakura glared at her whiskered teammate.
In the past, Sakura always tried to avoid Naruto, she never wanted to talk about him or think about him. And this was a trained habit, a practice that she inherited from her parents, her hatred for Naruto.
-Flashback-
"Stay away from it, do you hear me?" Kizashi yelled on at Sakura, a first day at the Academy.
"Never go near that - that thing." Shaking his daughter, they discreetly glared at a 5 year old Naruto.
"Where are his parents at?" Sakura glanced at the swing he swung from.
Met by the scrolling face of Kizashi, he was usually a kind-faced man with dull blue eyes. Framed by the faded pink hair he possessed, it was styled into the cherry of a cherry blossom, leading to his sideburns.
"No one wants to be related to that thing." Kizashi was disgusted.
A 37 year old Genin of the Haruno clan, Kizashi was a veteran of the 3rd Shinobi War. With tan skin and sun-burnt arms, he retired to work a life of peace, and train his young daughter.
Dressed in a loose-fitting black kimono shirt, this fabric hung to his knees. Worn over a green sweater, his collar was prominent and pink, contrasting the stark blue pants he wore.
Tied around his neck was a simple silver necklace with a pink cherry blossom emblem. A single petal was made of a deep plum color, while the rest was the same pink tone as Sakura's hair.
"What's wrong with him?" Sakura asked.
"He's a disgusting freak, a monster - I don't want you near him." Kizashi responded.
"Then why is he allowed to be here." Sakura asked.
"The 3rd Hokage is a fool." Hizashi replied.
"You can say that again, what is lord Hokage thinking?" Choza cut in.
As tall as a tower, Choza was a 38 year old shinobi, and a former classmate of Kizashi. With waist-length spiky red hair, a pair of swirls were paint over each cheek, a distinct trait among the Akimichi clan.
Adorned in a full-bodied black suit, four straps of leather were latched around his wide torso. Painting with the white kanji for 'food' on the front, steel hand-guards and a rope-like belt were the same hue of black.
Instead of the Konoha headband, he wore a blue hachimaki around his forehead. Denoting the silver hooped earrings he wore, they were a hand-me-down among the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance.
"Dad." The boy sitting atop Choza's shoulders mumbled.
"What's wrong with that boy?" Choji asked, pointed at a lonely Naruto.
With red swirled on each cheek, Choji was the fabled heir to the Akimichi clan, after his father. With tan skin and spiky brown hair, he wore a faded white shirt and knee-length green pants.
"Everything." Choza spat.
"Stay away from that monster." Kizashi and Choza spoke in perfect unison.
Choji didn't like to be ignored, because he understood the estranged feeling all too well. This bundle of discontent was strengthen by Naruto's isolation, a lonely life that was forced upon him.
"He looks like a loser anyway, what kind of kid doesn't have parents?" Sakura imitated her fathers hatred.
The bell of the Academy then rang, indicating it was time for class to begin as the entrance doors flung open. Causing several parents to hug and kiss their children before sending them through the door.
"Be good today." Choza tore his son from his shoulders, lowering him to the ground.
Sakura and Choji then began walking towards the door together, with both of their parents watching them from behind.
After taking several towards the Academy, Sakura and Choji both froze. Glancing over their shoulders, they each caught a glimpse of Naruto, swinging from the lonely tree he prized
As if he didn't even hear the bell, Naruto continued to sit and sulk, devoid of any parent. Sakura briefly thought about running to him, warning him he was late, before her father nudged her inside.
-Flashback ends-
When I get home, I'm asking dad what's so special about Naruto. Sakura concluded.
"I wouldn't listen too much to Naruto... He had the worst grades in class." Kiba snorted.
"You know..." Kakashi sighed, garnishing the everyone's attention.
"Naruto's the only reason any of you are here." Winking, his words instilled confusion.
Ino and Kiba briefly thought back to their experiences inside the Forest Of Death. But, neither of them were willing to admit or accept the strange things they had seen Naruto do.
"And, during that little test at Naruto's house... Both of you ran like children." Despite his soothing tone, these words cut deep.
"Hey man, that's not right! I'm a great shinobi." Kiba barked back.
"Thanks for feeding me." Yoroi feasted on Sasuke's chakra.
Drawing attention back to the battle, the flames around Yoroi began to flicker and fade. Pulling towards his hands, he drained the chakra from the air, awing several Genin in attendance.
That's a lot of chakra. Neji noticed.
Suddenly, Yoroi surged forward, using the chakra under-feet to amplify his movement. With each step, the air was permeated with strength and might, allowing Yoroi to jumping through the air.
Unsheathing his blade, Sasuke released a horizontal slash, parry Yoroi's infused fist. Emboldened by the chakra he stole, he disarmed his Uchiha opponent, hurling a clenched fist.
"NO! NOT HIS FACE!" Ino screamed in a panic.
Pinning Sasuke to the ground, Yoroi gripped his torso with both hands, draining his chakra. However, his disarmed blade quickly erupted into a puff of smoke, revealing another Sasuke.
The original version of this Uchiha, he hastily clasped both hands together, weaving several seals. Known as Lightning Style: Lightning Hound, a beastal canine roared with static rage.
Strengthen by the dripping water he employed, Yoroi was overwhelmed by a pulsating current. Falling to the ground, Sasuke stomped his heel against this defeated shinobi, scoffing.
"Huuuu." The Oto sensei moaned with sexual joy.
"YES! SASUKE!" Both Sakura and Ino yelled in unison, abruptly glaring at each other.
"No way, that brat can use Lightning Style?" Kankuro slurred.
The candidate replaced himself with a Lightning Clone, before transforming into his sword... That's brilliant. Hayate analyzed.
Suddenly Gaara's breath became heavy and deep as he glared emotionlessly at Sasuke. Breathing, his hands began to clench and tremble, swollen with untapped bloodlust and rage.
Again? Kankuro sweated at his brothers display.
"Winner by knockout - Sasuke Uchiha." Hayate spoke aloud.
Last year's number one rookiee, Neji Hyuga, and this year's number one rookiee, Sasuke Uchiha. Tenten wondered if they would battle. .
Please don't put me against Naruto or that Sand kid. Shikamaru internally begged.
A Lightning clone...interesting. Naruto studied his friend.
Deactivating his crimson Sharingan, Sasuke was soon met by a group of medical ninja. Placing Yoroi upon a stretcher, they offered to heal Sasuke, but he waved them away from a dismissive hand. .
"The Uchiha don't accept handouts." Sasuke snarled.
Taking several minutes to ascend the stone staircase on the right catwalk. Sasuke eventually stood between Naruto and Sakura, reunited with his young and vibrant team of friends.
"Why didn't you use any sword stuff?" Naruto asked, previously gifted a Scroll of Silent Killing from Zabuza.
"He was nothing, didn't want to reveal such an important jutsu on my first fight." Sasuke replied.
"Let us proceed to the next match." Hayate interrupted.
Turning around, the screen on the wall shifted through another assortment of names. Taking several minutes to stop it eventually settled upon 'Zaku Abumi VS Shino Aburame' in yellow kanji.
"Whose the weakling?" Zaku strolled from the left catwalk.
"G-Go-Good luck." Hinata stammered at her quiet teammate.
Walking to the stone floor below, Shino and Zaku soon stood face to face. Obscured by the glasses he wore, and his raised collared, Shino was shrouded by Hayate's shadow.
"Begin." Hayate violently coughed.
Instead of rushing into battle, Zaku and Shino stood in complete silence. Resting both palms inside the jackets of his pockets, Shino discreetly mocked his opponent, like an ant fighting a beetle.
"Compared to the Sound..." Zaku spat, outstretching both hands.
Exposing a set of metallic holes inside his palms, Zaku's arms were infused with sound. The result of horrifying experiments from Orochimaru, Zaku bore this burden with pride and power.
"Decapitating Airwave!" Screaming, Zaku released a torrent of compressed sound.
Barreling towards Shino, this bust of air dislodged minor chunks of rock and debris. Colliding against Shino, this Genin dissolved into a mound of chittering insects, and snapping beetles.
Beetles? Zaku panicked, stumbling backwards.
Spreading across the floor, the entire battlefield was swarming by gnawing beetles. Surrounding Zaku and cutting off his escape, he reluctantly scoffed with triumph, unwilling to back down.
"Decapitating Airwaves!" Screaming for a second time, crippling pain swelled inside his arms.
Distracted by his own rage, Zaku didn't notice the insects that crawled inside his arms. Blocking off the strange holes he possessed, his forearms ruptured into a crimson geyser of blood.
The pressure was so great, the bandages previously wrapped around his forearms were blown off. Revealing the strange of mechanically holes across each limb, gawking candidates were disgusted.
"N-no way." Dosu muttered.
"Zaku." Kin muttered in shock.
"My victory is absolute." Shino slammed the backside of his right fist against Zaku's face.
Hurled through the air, Zaku crashed against the burnt rock on the ground. Instantly swarmed by hundreds of beetles, he screech and begged for mercy, enthralled by a fear of death.
"Winner by battle - Shino Aburame." Hayate casually dispersed the attacking swarm
For the first time, the face of Dosu's sensei turned from delight to disappointed. Clearly angered by the failure of his student, he instinctively glared at Naruto.
"That is so gross." Both Ino and Sakura stated in unison.
"Wait until you realize those bugs live inside his body." Naruto explained.
Can he actually see them? Like me? Neji observed the violet swirls in Naruto's chakra network.
With the enhanced vision of the Byakugan, Neji had greater occular prowess than Sasuke. Able to visibly see the chakra network, and the chakra world, he had an unfiltered view of Naruto's strange eyes.
"So he is the next successor to the clan..." Lee stated.
"The next head of the Aburame clan." Naruto finished his statement.
"I can't believe Zaku lost..." Kin slurred.
"All that matters is the mission." The unnamed Oto sensei spoke with a reptilian voice.
"Yes, my lord." Dosu and Kin swiftly bowed in respect.