Chapter 16 – First Round

"Fight!"

Hayate quickly left the arena allowing the two competitors the whole field to fight it out. Of course before they started fighting Neji felt it was only right he warn Kiba about the outcome of said fight.

"You should just give up now" Neji comments.

"Why should I quit?" Kiba asks curiously.

"Because I am destined to win this fight" Neji responds.

"Bullshit, try saying that after I beat you" Kiba boasts.

No further words were said as Kba and Akamaru charged with Akamaru going in more elliptical path to catch Neji from the side. Neji calmly took his stance as he waited. Once Kiba was close Neji burst forward landing a hit on Kiba's right bicep. Kiba not regeristing the hit swung to hit the older genin.

Neji simply step to the side as he landed another hit on Kiba's right arm and side before Akamaru came flying to his left forcing Neji to abandon his position and jump back as the small dog went on the attack. Leaping to the side Neji avoided the small dogs fangs and then ducked under Kiba trying to hit from behind as he went low to the ground and tripped the rookie genin only having to jump back once more as Akamaru flew at him once more.

Moving backward quickly Neji once again avoided the pup and was reengaged with furious Inuzuka as Kiba kept swinging at him wildly trying to hurt the more experienced genin who landed more blows on Kiba's arms and sides before moving back again to avoid the dog.

Getting tired of chasing Neji around Kiba and Akamaru put some pace between them.

"You ready boy?" Kiba asks.

"Arf" Akamaru responds.

Holding the Tora handseal Kiba gets on all fours as Akamaru climbs on top of him.

"Jūjin Bunshin" Kiba calls the name of the jutsu.

A puff of smoke later and two Kiba's are snarling at Neji.

Both Kiba's dashed at enhanced speeds towards Neji whom just took his stance and waited for them to get close. As soon as they did Neji struck showing his speed he stepped forward into one Kiba's path and hit him several times before spinning out of the way and attacking the second Kiba with multiple strikes and then backing off.

"You are in range of my devination, 'Eight Trigrams Sixty – Four Palms'" Neji calls.

Blurring from his position he attacks the first Kiba with speed and ferocity that much of the audience couldn't count the full number of strikes before the first Kiba fell to the ground. As soon as he did that Kiba went up in poof smoke to reveal Akamaru seemingly barely breathing.

"Akamaru, you bastard!" Kiba shouts.

Despite the pain he was feeling Kiba moved as fast he could wildly swinging on the Hyūga branch member who calmly seemed to doge while strategically attacking the bestial Inuzuka. It didn't long for Kiba to start struggling to move.

"Proctor, you should call the match" Neji declares.

Suddenly suddenly appears in between the 2 genin. After looking at Kiba he could tell the match was over and went to call the fight off, but Kiba wouldn't have it.

"Don't you dare!" "I can still kick this bastards ass for what he did to Akamaru!" Kiba yells.

Up in the stands Tsume and Hana both shook their heads at their son/brother, but were both proud he was willing to go so far for the young pup even if it was stupid. They knew that Akamaru was simply knocked out and Hana would be able to get him back in fighting form quickly after a little rest and relaxation.

"Sorry kid, but this fight is over" Hayate declares.

"Winner, Hyūga Neji!" He declares much to Kiba's frustration.

Neji just smirked at Kiba before moving towards the competitors box where the other contestants were watching.

In the stands Tsume and Hana left and immediately went to the medical station in the arena where they held injured participants knowing the staff would have trouble with Kiba and so Hana could get straight to work on Akamaru.

Up in the Kage booth Sarutobi gave a nod to an ANBU and then turned towards the KazeKage.

"That was an interesting match, don't you agree " Sarutobi offers.

"The Inuzuka needed more time before facing someone of the Hyūga's caliber. I hope the next boy is able to give my daughter a better fight" the Kazekage responds.

The Hokage smirked a little before looking towards the competitors box.

'I'm sure you won't be disappointed' the Hokage thought.

After a few minutes the call was made for the next two competitors to fight. Temari debated internally about rather should fight or not. She looked to find her opponent only to find he had used a wind release shunshin making it look like he was a twister moving from the competitors box to the ground below.

Temari watched as the kid was jumping up and down like an excited puppy. Smirking a little her decision was made. Unfolding her fan Temari threw it before jumping down on it softly as it glided down towards where Tomaru and the proctor were waiting.

In the stands Ino along with the rest of the rookies had gathered in a central location.

"Look at Tomaru, that idiot isn't taking this at all seriously" Ino grouched.

"He's just excited Ino-buta, you would be too if it were you" Sakura says.

"Shut up forehead, there's no way I would act like that" Ino responds.

"Would too"

"Would not!"

"Would too!"

"Shut up the both of you" shouted Anko.

Looking around them both girls noticed the irritated faces of everyone sitting around them save for a certain green clad sensei who was ignoring them all together.

"Look at Tomaru-kun he's full of youth today!" Gai shouts.

"The kid is definitely excited. He better take this seriously or that girl will do to him what she attempted to do to your female genin" Kurenai says.

Gai quickly sobered up when reminded about that. He was sure Lee remembered that incident as well if the training they had undergone was anything to go by. During the month Lee had taken his training to new heights even asked Gai if he knew any wind users he could fight against. Unfortunately he could only think of Asuma and Hayama as both had wind techniques in the repertoire, but he knew little of Hayama other than Lee was facing his pupil so that ruled him out immediately.

He did ask Asuma, but the man had already promised to help Hayama train Tomaru. Still, that didn't stop the two green beasts. Gai rigged a make shift wind tunnel, which was basically a giant fan and turned it off and on as Lee ran towards it. Thinking about that made him smile about the youthfulness of his protégé.

Meanwhile in another part of the stands Temari's brother Kankurō watched as Temari used her fan to glide down to the ground. It's a cool move, but he's seen her do it before. Instead he was worried.

'What is she thinking?' 'She should be conserving her energy for the invasion, These fights mean nothing, she's only a genin in name so she could participate in the exams.' He thought.

Beside him their sensei for the exams also had similar thoughts, but wasn't surprised the girl chose to fight. They had both been intrigued by Team 4 and it's wind users. It was rare to meet one that wasn't from Suna or Wind Country in general at least none of note that he could remember. This pride carried through in all of Suna's wind users, that they were the very best.

Once she landed Tomaru moved towards her.

"That was so cool, how do you do that?" Tomaru asks, now wishing he had a big ass fan so he could that too.

"Your not taking me lightly are you just because I'm a girl" Temari says angrily.

"Of course not, Fuki would kill me if I thought like that" He admits causing some of the crowd to laugh at the honest admission.

"Good, because I want to show you the wind users of Suna are the best" She proclaims with a smirk.

Tomaru smirked as well and extended his hand. Surprisingly Temari took his hand and then squeezed hard to show her strength. To his credit Tomaru took it and didn't break contact until she did.

"Your going to have to do more than that to beat me" Tomaru says as he moves back into position.

With both participants seeming to be ready Hayate once again called for the match to start and then leapt away.

Temari opened her fan,"See this star, when you see three this match will be over."

"Fūton: Kazekiri no Jutsu – Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique"

She watched as her technique raced to close the distance between them and end the fight, but to her surprise the boy began hand seals of his own.

"Wind Relese: Flight of the Sparrow" Tomaru intones.

This was a technique he, Hayama, and Asuma came up with using the properties of the great breakthrough technique while also mimicking what he saw of Temari's technique while using a weapon like he saw that girl Tenten use. He saw the power of Temari's technique in the semi-finals and wanted to do something like that be original and this is what he came up with.

Holding couple of shurikens he held them to his mouth while circulating wind chakra and then blew as he would with the great breakthrough. The result was his new technique clashing half way with Temari's but with wind chakra also moving through the shuriken before blew the result was the shuriken cutting through forcing Temari to use her Tessen to block. The shuriken hit the fan before bouncing off into the dirt.

This shocked Temari though she wouldn't give him the benefit of showing it.

'What was that technique. It looked similar to mine, but different' she thought.

Temari didn't waste time on any further thought and user her fan and technique again.

"Fūton: Kazekiri no Jutsu – Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique"

"Wind Release: Flight of the Hawk" Tomaru intones.

This was the second level of the technique just like how Temari's had a stronger second level so did Tomaru's using more shuriken. The result had Temari using her fan once again as a shield trying to fend off the shuriken that were still coming at her despite the added strength of her technique. This time she couldn't stand still as she moved back and forth trying to avoid the wind chakra propelled shuriken, but she couldn't avoid receiving a couple of cuts to both her legs that were bleeding although the cuts were not deep enough to make it heavy.

Ignoring the pain and the blood starting to trickle down her legs Temari's hefts her fan up and pumps chakra into it delivering her third attack.

"Fūton: Ōkamaitachi no Jutsu – Wind Release: Great Sickle Weasel Technique" Temari shouts announcing the jutsu.

This was something Temari had been working on in secret. The original Sickle Weasel Technique was strong, but when she learned she would be facing a fellow wind user she knew it wouldn't be enough. This version took what she did in the prelims to a whole other level.

But as she was doing her attack Tomaru was also unleashing an attack he had only learned a few weeks ago with the help of Hayama, Asuma, and his new summons that he managed to attain with the help of the two jonin.

"Wind Release: Flight of the Raptor!" Tomaru shouts.

Those that were watching were shocked as the shuriken in his hand seemed to take on a bird like form, but it wasn't like any bird they had ever seen before as it flew from his hands towards Temari whose jutsu, which also took on the form of a weasel carrying a sickle.

The two attacks met forming a huge vortex of wind that had everyone in the stadium having to hold onto something as they clashed. For the two genin the force of the wind was forcing both to use chakra to hold onto the ground forcing them to stand still. Inside the cyclone if you were inside you could hear screeching and clanging as the two attacks tried to overpower one another, but as quick as the vortex formed it dissipated as the shuriken flew and embedded into the wall far from Temari.

Seeing his attack failed Tomaru built up the chakra he was using to attack himself to the ground and instead used it propel himself towards to Temari. Temari seeing the attack coming hefted her fan and released a quick Sikle Weasel attack. Tomaru saw this as he was running fast towards her and slowed down to bring his sword out of it's sheath and also made an attack.

"Wind Blade!" Tomaru shouts.

This wasn't the Kaze no Yaiba that was popular among Suna's jonin at least high level ones like Baki, this was just channeling his wind natured chakra through his blade. Because the Kamaitachi jutsu was quickly made Tomaru's attack sliced right through and ran towards Temari extending his blade forward pumping more chakra to his legs the result left a hush through the crowd before.

"TEMARI!" Shouted Kankurō.

Sliced through her fan and the blade sunk deep into Temari's stomach. Tomaru himself was shocked as he watched as Temari's eyes became unfocused and were struggling to stay open. He had to be shoved away as the medics rushed the field at Hayate's call as he quickly announced the winner although Tomaru couldn't hear him. Tomaru watched sitting on his butt as the medics tended to Temari careful not to dislodge the sword as they carefully put her on a stretcher and moved her to the emergency medical bay the stadium had.

"There will be a 5 minute break" Hayate announces.

Death in the Exams were not unusual, but to see it in the finals in front of civilians and merchants who were not as accustomed to seeing death shook everyone.

In the Kage booth

"I'm really sorry about your daughter KazeKage. I assure you, she'll get the best care we can offer" Sarutobi says in apology.

The man could only curse his bad luck that the girl got hurt. He knew it was bad and there wasn't much chance the girl would survive.

"Thank you for your apology Hokage, but Temari's a tough girl"

The Hokage waited for him to say anything else, but nothing came.

"Well, I'm sure you want to go down and make sure everything is handled properly. I can have one of my guards escort you …" Sarutobi offers.

"That won't be necessary. I'm sure your village will do everything it can for my daughter and it wouldn't look good if I wasn't here to see my son face the Uchiha"The Kazekage responds.

Sarutobi and his guard looked at the man questionably, but let it go. Everyone had heard how cold and pragmatic … if you could call it that, Rasa was reported to be.

In the Stands

Kankurō was long gone making his way towards the medical baby even Baki had gone with him, but they weren't the only ones upset by this outcome. While a part of her was relieved Tomaru won Ino and the rest of the rookies could only watch the boy as the proctor said something to him and he shakily made his way to the steps that led to the opponent waiting area.

"Is she …" Ino starts shakily.

"I don't know" Sakura says also shaken.

"She's hasn't moved since he hit her" Kiba says also a bit shaken.

"It was an accident … T-T-Tom-aru couldn't …" Hinata says.

The sensei's even Gai simply stood and watched grimly as the young woman was taken off the field.

Waiting Room

The five minutes were nearly up before Tomaru made his way back to the Waiting Room where the other participants stood still taking in what happened. Naruto was the first to spot him as he walked into the room.

"You okay?" Naruto asks noticing how shaky his friend and teammate looked.

"yeah …" Tomaru responds meekly.

Fuki whom had walked over to where they were standing didn't say anything. She didn't think anything she could say would help right now. So she gave him a brief hug. The unintended effect of making Tomaru blush at the contact.

Before Naruto or Fuki could do or say anything else it was time for the next fight.

"Will Naruto Uzumaki and Rock Lee report to the arena!" Hayate calls.

Naruto turned to look at his opponent only to see him already hoping the railing and jumping down onto the ground hard leaving a decent sized impact crater. Naruto decided he wanted to do something flashy as well, but before he could.

"You better win" Tomaru calls softly.

"If you don't you have to buy lunch for week and I get to choose where we go. I've always wanted to try AQ markets wagyu beef bowl" She threatens.

Naruto having gotten used to Fuki's particular brand of motivation just smirked.

"Just watch me"

Suddenly Naruto was gone causing Tomaru and Fuki to look around before looking down to find their teammate already standing in front of Hayate.

"Has he gotten even faster?" Fuki questioned.

"He didn't even use that hand seal he usually uses" Tomaru says in shock.

"It doesn't matter, he can't win" Neji says forcing the two to look at him.

"Why not?" Tomaru asks confused.

"Because only someone like me has a chance of beating that ahou (fool)" Neji says.

"What do you mean only someone like you?" Tomaru asks.

However, Neji just keeps watching as the two combatants face one another.

In the Stands

"Looks like it's time for Naruto's match" Chōji says between bites.

It really only took a minute after Temari was carted off for him to go back to eating his beloved chips slightly annoying some near by for their own reasons, but primarily because it was making them hungry.

"Show them what the spring time of youth really means Lee!" Gai shouts to Tenten's embarrassment.

"Calm down Gai-sensei, Lee's got this with how hard you trained him" Tenten tells man.

Suddenly Gai looses the cheerful cheerleader mentality and gives Tenten a look she doesn't often see much of. Despite his unique tendencies she knew Gai had a keen mind even if he was forgetful, acted like he was their age or younger, and wore that horrid jumpsuit. So when she saw this look she became worried.

"What's wrong Gai-sensei?" She asks.

"I wouldn't sell Naruto-kun to short Tenten. He maybe a rookie, but I've heard some rumors regarding him that'll make this Lee's toughest obstacle yet in attaining his dream" Gai warns.

Sitting close enough to hear was Shikamaru who also looked towards the eccentric Jōnin before focusing back towards the field.

"I can't believe … it made it to the finals"

"I know. I thought years of isolation and being intentionally held back would work"

"Yeah, well maybe he dies here. This is the finals anything could happen"

"But I heard Jiraiya-sama personally taught the … boy"

"What!?" "Why?"

"I don't know, but I know several people that put everything they have on him to win the whole thing"

"Think it's too late to change my bet?"

Kage Booth

'Show us what your made of Naruto-kun' Sarutobi thinks

"Hokage-sama who is that boy?"the disguised Orochimaru asks.

"That is Uzumaki, Naruto"

"I've heard some interesting rumors about him"

"It seems my intelligence unit needs some extra training" Sarutobi remarks.

"Perhaps, but I was told by my daughter about his fight in the preliminary matches"

Sarutobi just kept quiet eyeing the man curiously.

"I'm curious to know if Konoha has a new bloodline user … or not?"

"We are allies KazeKage-dono, but I'm sure you understand certain things are better left unknown …"

Hiruzen watched as the man seemed about to rebut his statement before merely nodding and looking down to the arena.

Arena

Hayate was about to make a second call for Uzumaki when suddenly he was right in front of him. Looking towards the blonde genin he asks, "You are Uzumaki, Naruto correct?"

"I am Uzumaki, Naruto" he responds.

"Good, then let the third match of the Chūnin Selection Exam commence!" Hayate says before getting out of the way.

Lee ran towards Naruto at his top speed before making his move, "Leaf Hurricane" he yells while seemingly attempting a roundhouse kick, which Naruto dodges. That just set Lee up for his real move a low kick, but Naruto proves fast enough to avoid that as well. Lee tries a front kick, but Naruto blocks the kick and unleashes several fast punches to Rock Lee's stomach.

But after training with Gai the punches did little stop him as he jumped out of the hold and dashed at Naruto again. He tries a roundhouse kick only to be knocked back as Naruto punches his leg and then retaliates with a quick kick that Rock Lee blocks and retaliates with several fast punches that Naruto blocks and then drops to the ground and attempts a low spinning heel kick that Rock Lee jumps over giving Naruto space.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu" Naruto calls.

Three Naruto's appear as the original jumps back up. Having never seen this technique Lee makes the mistake of thinking it's an ordinary clone technique and quickly rushes the original. When he gets in range two of the Naruto's attack Rock Lee brushes off the first few attacks, but soon he's inundated with kicks and punches he tries to jump back to create some space and he's suddenly kicked from behind and thrown forward into a round house kick that knocks him to the ground.

'What is this technique. Those kicks and punches felt real' Lee thinks.

Getting over his confusion Lee once again rushes Naruto whom know he can't tell which is the original just striking out at the closest one and manages to land a kick that disrupts the technique and makes the clone go poof leaving him with 3 Naruto's. Seeing Lee preparing to run at him again the Naruto closes to him goes through several hand seals.

"Suiton: Mizurappa – Water Release: Wild Water Wave"

Water gushes from Naruto's mouth and rushes towards Rock Lee as he puts his guard up using his arms to shield him the power of attack lifts him off his feet, but Lee is quickly able to readjust and plant a hand on the ground and the spring back up. But the Naruto that used the water technique was a clone the real Naruto uses his bloodline as soon as Lee stands.

"Jinton: Mueishō : Swift Release: Shadowless Flight"

In an instant Naruto is in front of Rock Lee dishing out several punches to his head and body before rushing forward into a double leg takedown and then moves forward to continue punching Rock Lee. Rock Lee eventually manages to kick Naruto off of him and then leaps up flipping multiple times until he's standing on top of the wall away from Naruto and near the crowd.

Stands

"Lee, take them off!" Gai yells.

"But, Gai-sensei, you said that was a last resort and only if the lives of very important people were at stake" Lee reminds him.

"That's right I did, but this … is an exception" Gai replies with a thumbs up.

"Really, really" Lee says excited.

Sitting on the wall Lee reveals underneath his leg warmers were weights.

"How old school" remarks Shikamaru.

Competitors box

"Awesome!" Yells Tomaru.

"That won't be enough to help him against Naruto" Fuki says.

Neji just smirked at the rookie kunoichi.

Arena Floor

Naruto watched as Lee removed his leg weights.

'I've done a little weight training. How much could those possibly weight' Naruto thought.

"BOOM!"

'What!' 'That's totally insane ' Naruto thinks.

Stands

'Damn Gai, get ready Naruto. This fight has gone to a whole other level' Hayama thinks worriedly.

"Now Go!" Gai orders.

Arena

"Yes, sir!" Lee shouts.

Instantly he disappears, but Naruto finds that he can track him. This just meant he'd have to get faster. Focusing his chakra Naruto waited, which he didn't have to wait long. Lee near instantaneously threw a jab, but the second he did Naruto himself was gone

Suddenly he was behind Lee and kicking him in the back forcing him to stumble forward, but Lee recovered and disappeared again until he was behind Naruto this time Naruto instantly used swift release and was suddenly gone. Lee ran until he spotted the blonde near the lone tree. He went to engage Naruto when suddenly,'Kaboom!'

Stands

"What the hell was that!?" Kiba yells.

"Lee!"Gai yells worried.

'Who are you Uzumaki, Naruto?' Hinata thought.

That brought Hinata back to a conversation she recently had with her father.

"Hinata, the council had decided that you are to befriend Uzumaki, Naruto and seduce him" Hiashi says.

"T-T-Tou-san?" Hinata queries.

"Some things about the boy have recently become public and it's for the good of the clan that you do this" Hiashi tells her.

"B-B-But…" she struggles.

"I'm sorry Hinata, I know you one day dreamed of leading the clan but the elders decided your sister will be the one to inherit the title when she's old enough" Hiashi informs.

'What!?' 'That little … she has no idea … what the hell are the elders thinking. Do they suspect something?'

'Maybe my act was too good …' she ponders.

Meanwhile Hiashi continues not knowing the mental war his eldest daughter was having with her self.

"We are not expecting miracles, as you are it would probably take some time for you get close to the boy, but you will do this. If you don't, you are too old to brand and be made a branch clan member so instead you will marry Dai and be brought into his family" Hiashi tells her.

That last part got Hinata out of there thoughts.

"Dai, tou-san … he's "

"Hinata you will do as you told, besides it shouldn't be too hard to get Uzumaki to fall for you. You were in his class and he knows of our clan. I am sure he would see the benefit to such a union" Hiashi says not bothering to look at her.

Hyūga, Dai was are large gruff old man who was friends with her grandfather. Hinata had seen the old man leer at her and her sister and many other young girls in the compound. It was rumored he had raped several branch females and sired a number of illegitimate off-spring all whom were branded and never new whom there father was. His wife passed on many years ago, some believed she was killed because she never gave him legitimate heirs.

Hinata also knew why her father or probably her grandfather wanted her to fail and be married to him. Dai had many businesses and without legitimate heirs if she were to marry him the money would belong to her family along with the business. If she managed to get pregnant it would be even better.

"That is as all I wish to discuss Hinata, see that you do not fail" Hiashi says before he left her room.

Hinata was determined she would not have her life her ambition ruined like this. She would befriend the Uzumaki, and get him to love her. Then she would use him and the branch members to get what she rightfully deserved.

Arena

'Cough' 'Cough' Rock Lee emerged from the cloud of smoke a little damaged, but nothing serious. This the real Naruto appeared in front of Lee like a mirage and punched him the gut the result had Lee coughing and sputtering more as Naruto gave several quick punches in succession to Lee's stomach before he could recover.

However, Lee wasn't going to be stopped here. On Naruto's next punch attempt Lee grabbed his hand and then clinched it. Lee then kicks Naruto into the air.

"Omote Renge – Primary Lotus!"Lee calls.

Before anyone could blink he was up in the air behind Naruto wrapping him up in the bandages he kept wrapped around his hands and arms. Lee then clutched the bound blond and plummeted to the ground. However, just as they hit the ground something happened.

{POP}

'What!?' Lee thought just before the crash.

"BOOM!"

Stands

"Naruto!" Hayama yells.

'Lee' thinks Tenten and Tai.

Competition Waiting Area

"Naruto!" Tomaru shouts.

He instantly tries to jump down into the arena, but Fuki holds him back pulling on the neck of his shirt which causes him to fall to the ground flat on his back. Tomaru looks up to see who did it and sees Fuki now standing in front of him.

"What are you doing!" "Naruto could be dead, because of that freak!" Tomaru yells as he gets up.

"Naruto wouldn't want you to interfere in his fight" Fuki says calmly.

"What do you mean fight!" Tomaru yells at her.

"If he survived that he'll be in no condition to fight!" Tomaru continues.

Fuki gives him a hard stare that some what calms him down.

"Don't you think I'm worried too, but Naruto wouldn't want anyone to step in before it's finished" Fuki says.

"I know … but" Tomaru tries.

"Just wait, Naruto wouldn't let something like that beat him" Fuki says.

Tomaru stares at his female teammate.

'Since when did Fuki have such faith in Naruto' Tomaru thought.

Kage Booth

'Naruto, please be okay' Hiruzen thought worriedly.

"That Gai doen't know the meaning of restraint, to teach a kid that move"

"Jiraiya … what are you doing here?" Hiruzen questions.

"I wanted to see the brats fight" Jiraiya says calmly.

"Didn't you see what just happened" "How are you so calm" Hiruzen asks.

"Do you really have so little faith sensei" Jiraiya says his eyes never leaving the arena.

"Trust me, that kid won't let something like that stop him from winning" Jiraiya says.

Hiruzen just nodded and decided to follow his students advice, but another person in the booth was not happy.

'Damn, what is that idiot doing here. I was told he wasn't even in the village. Someone will pay for this mistake' thought the Kazekage.

Arena

Hayate jumps down from his position and moves closer to the crash site. As the smoke and debris clear Lee is seen alone in the crater broken and lying awkwardly on the ground. Even from afar he could tell the kid broke multiple bones from that fall, but he still had one problem.

'Where is Uzumaki?' Hayate thinks.

"I think this fight is over"

Hayate jumps back surprised.

"Uzumaki?" Hayate questions.

Naruto just nods as he looks at the broken form of Lee.

'That could have been me if I didn't switch with a clone' Naruto thinks.

Hayate looks at the blonde and then at the crater.

'How did he?'

Shaking off the thought and instinct to question the rookie genin Hayate nodded.

"Winner of the third match Uzumaki, Naruto!" Hayate calls.

The medics immediately rush the field to care for the injured Lee.

Kage Booth

"I told you sensei, the kid wouldn't let anything stop him" Jiraiya crows.

"So you did my boy" Hiruzen says with a small.

Stands

"Lee!" Shouts guy before using a shunshin to appear next to him.

"Lee!" Tenten cries.

"When did Naruto get so strong?" Sakura asks.

"Was he always that strong?" Ino questions.

"Some of those moves and that speed. I don't remember him being that fast. I couldn't even keep up with him" Chōji says not believing what he saw.

'Uzumaki, Naruto' Shikamaru thought watching the blonde as he left the field as the medics carried and Lee and a sobbing Gai towards the medic bay.

"Yea!" shouted some of the people in the stands.

They had bet big on Naruto after hearing some rumors and they were very happy.

With Naruto

Naruto was walking towards the competitors booth up the long staircase. Hayate called for a break allowing the medics time to gently get Lee off the field and another break seeing two intense fights … and their outcomes did disturb some of the important visitors. But as he was walking towards the competitors box he was stopped.

"Uzumaki"

Naruto turned to find the voice and saw Hinata. Not knowing what she wanted he just stared at her.

"Nice fight" she said with a smile.

Naruto watched as he turned and walked away although he noticed she was moving a little funny. He just shook his head and let it go.

'Girls are weird' he thought.

Competitors box

Naruto enters the waiting area only to be assaulted by the Tomaru.

"How did you survive that!" Tomaru shouts.

Everyone in the booth except for one was waiting for an answer, but Naruto just smirked.

"I can't tell you everything. After all we may have to fight as well in this tournament" Naruto says confidently.

"Bring it!" Tomaru shouts equally confident.

Seeing Naruto's fight had brought Tomaru out of his funk about his fight and eager to fight his teammate. Fuki also looked towards Naruto, but just nodded as she chose to stand beside him and Tomaru. However, one person wasn't going to leave it at that.

"I saw what you did" Neji proclaims.

At that everyone turned towards him.

"You used some kind of clone that took your place and then dispelled it causing Lee to take the full brunt of his attack" Neji says cooly.

Everyone at that point turned back towards Naruto wondering if that was true. Naruto just continued to eye Neji before turning back to the arena.

"You saw that did you … those eyes are really impressive" Naruto remarks.

The others just nodded at the explanation being what they had thought might have happened as well and turned away. Tomaru though was even more excited.

"A new clone technique, you have to show me bro!" Tomaru yells.

"Maybe when this is over" Naruto replies with a smile.

Arena

With Lee, Gai, the medics and Naruto gone it was time for the fourth match.

"It is time for the fourth match will Tsuchi, Kin and Fuki report to the arena" Hayate calls.

Competitors Box

When the announcement rang Fuki stopped talker to her teammates and looked over at her opponent who was also looking at her. Kin was wearing the same outfit she wore in Wave and the prelims making Fuki wonder for a moment if she owned anything else. Kin was wearing snake patterned pants and scarf with a pale green vest.

Kin glared towards Fuki the embarrassment she felt over what happened at Wave had fueled her and her team during this whole thing and now she would get her revenge. Fuki broke the eye contact and walked towards the door.

"Good luck" Naruto called after her.

"Have fun!" Tomaru shouts.

Fuki nodded at her teammates as she left the box quickly followed by the still glaring Kin.

Arena

Both girls stood in front of Hayate ready for the fight to begin.

"I haven't forgotten what you did to me" Kin says angrily.

"Huh?" Fuki asks confused.

"Don't play dumb, you humiliated me!" Kin shouts forgetting herself.

"Are you talking about Wave?" Fuki asks.

"You know what I'm talking about" Kin replies angrily.

"You should be lucky I did it or maybe you wanted my teammates to be the one to strip you" Fuki says quietly.

"Shut up!" Kin yells.

Hayate had enough, "Both of you quite down and focus" He tells them.

Both girls nod, but one could see sparks flying from their eyes. Seeing no point in asking either if they are ready he just calls the match.

"Fourth match of the Chūnin Selection Exam, begin!" Hayate calls and then jumps away.

The fighting started immediately with a clash of jutsu's.

"Kage Senbon – Shadow Senbon" Kin calls.

Senbon peppered the stadium floor trying to reach Fuki whom jumped back and unleashed a jutsu of her own.

"Doton: Doryūheki - Earth Release: Earth Style Wall" Fuki calls.

The ground in the arena rumbled as a chunk of it shot up obscure Fuki from view and protecting her from the onslaught of Senbon that peppered the wall digging into it. Seeing her jutsu thwarted Kin races to get around the wall, but when she did she found Fuki wasn't there. Instead she felt a rumbling from below her and was thankfully quick enough to get away barely as Fuki used her second jutsu.

"Doton: Dochū Eigyo no Jutsu – Earth Release: Underground Projection Fish Technique"

Fuki quickly went back under the ground ad Kin wants again peppered the area with senbon and came back up on the other side of the wall. Kin quickly found her and used the second stage of her attack. The bells attached to the senbon that littered the earth wall and ground around Kin began to ring causing a sound wave that impacted Fuki.

Fuki started to stagger as she tried to move to get closer to Kin who just stood her ground expecting Fuki to miss and then she noticed Fuki was getting closer, but it was too late Fuki sprinted and punched Kin repeatedly overpowering the girl easily and using her superior strength to knock her to the ground and then knock her out after several devastating punches to her head. Getting up Fuki stood next to the downed Kin and waited for Hayate to call the match.

Hayate knowing it was over walked over to the girls and then checked Kin and nodded that she was unconscious and called the match.

"Winner of the Fourth match Fuki" He called.

Fuki left the arena not bothering to watch as the medics got Kin off of the ground and to the med bay.

Competitors box

As Fuki entered the waiting area both boys went to congratula her.

"Great fight Fuki!"Tomaru cheered.

"Nice fight" Naruto says congratulating her.

"Thanks" She replies.

"How did you avoid getting dizzy when she rang those bells?" Naruto asks.

"I user a piece of earth while I was underground to stop the vibrations from reaching my ears. I knew from fighting her before she would use that move" Fuki says.

"Awesome plan" Tomaru says.

"When did you come up with that?" Naruto asks.

"During the break, after seeing her fight in the prelims I thought it might work" Fuki says.

Naruto nods, those sound techniques were really annoying he'd have to remember that if he found against someone from the Sound Village again.

Arena

After another brief intermission Hayate call for the final match of the first round.

"Will Subaku no Gaara and Uchiha Sasuke report to the arena" Hayate calls.

15 minutes later

Hayate, the Kages, the Daimyō's, important merchants, the crowd, the other participants, the medical team, and Gaara were waiting with no Uchiha in site. His name had been called ten times if not more in that span the Hokage had threatened to call the match in Gaara's favor, but oddly enough the KazeKage himself talked the Hokage out of it, but he had enough.

The Hokage understood what the Kazekage was saying, but fifteen minutes had passed twelve after the Kazekage's speech about why it was important to let the Uchiha arrive. The problem was there were no other matches, everyone had already fought so he couldn't use another match as an excuse. More importantly though was the reputation of the Uchiha's teacher and while Hiruzen respected the man and looked to him for many things all of which he did commendable jobs on, the man was always late by hours. The Hokage didn't think he could put off the Daimyō's or the crowd any longer even if they were anticipating this match so he made the call.

"Uchiha Sasuke has not arrived so by forfeit the winner of the fifth match of the first round of the Chūnin Selection Exam is Sabaku no Gaara" Hayate announces.

As expected the crowd booed wildly after having waited for the match they were all excited about, but they quieted down after a few minutes and Gaara made the trek back to the competitors box although Hayate felt sorry for the remaining competitors if for nothing else but Gaara's muttering and the some what latent killing intent he was emanating.

Kage's booth

Up in the Kage booth the Kaze Kage or Orochimaru in disguise was having a huge problem. First one of the Suna sibling was critically injured and it wasn't that buffoon puppeteer, but the one who actually is able to calm the Ichibi Jinchūriki and get him to do what he needed to do. As it stands his plans for unleashing the Ichibi in the middle of Konoha along with his snakes was probably shot especially buffoon of an ex-teammate sitting right next to him.

Still, even with Jiraiya's interruption he could probably manage to lure him sensei to the roof leaving Konoha without someone capable of sealing the unstable boy or stopping his summons and he wouldn't mind getting the chance to get rid of both his sensei and Jiraiya severely weakening Konoha not that he thought it would be easy to take on both, but surely sensei has declined in his old age.

But then the Uchiha fails to appear no doubt thanks to that idiot Hatake and there was no way he could stall any more and get the match pushed back because all the other matches had been fought and had been relatively swift affairs. When he noticed the Uchiha had still not arrived he had informed his spy to get Kin to throw the match and stall for time, but the girl didn't do it at all. He would deal with her later, but now he had no choice.

Making a discreet signal the disguised snake waited to make his move.

Stands

Sitting next to an Anbu he had incapacitated Kabuto saw the signal and although he was confused since he thought his master would wait until the Uchiha arrived to possibly abduct him during the chaos, but he did as he was told.

All across the arena feathers started falling. The ANBU, Jōnin, and Chūnin in the arena were instantly alerted to the genjutsu being used flaring their chakra to prevent it working on them. Some of the genin and civilians in the audience quickly fell victim to the genjutsu.

Then there was the sound of something exploding near where the Hokage was sitting and smoke bellowed out obscuring everyone's vision and diverting the attention of the Jōnin, Chūnin, and ANBU. That's when some of the civilians in the audience jumped out of their clothes and revealed that they were the enemy. The Invasion of Konoha had begun.

I want to thank everyone for reading this story. It's been awhile, longer than I anticipated but I hope it was worth it for you. I've had this chapter finished for some time, but I wanted to wait until I had the Invasion part ready ... I've changed plans and decided after reading one of my favorite stories which was recently updated and the start of NFL season tonight to go ahead and put it out there.

Before I end this I want to ask what you think should happen. 1) Should Temari survive? and 2) Should Naruto fight Gaara?

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and continue to enjoy this story as it moves along. Until next time dear reader :-)