Naruto ch 21

Chapter 21

 

 

Naruto looked over the assembled groups of candidates with a smile on his face; So far only two teams had to be pulled out due to injury, those teams he would send to Konoha to take the exam in another month and a half. Spotting several clan heads from Konoha in the crowd he smiled at the remaining twenty teams, “When you entered the arena,” Naruto's voice rang out over the whispering teams quieting them instantly. “Your team was given a number, and that number determines in which order you enter the next part of the test the Maze.”

Sasuke looked over at Shino who held the slip of paper in his hands and say number nine on it, so they had a chance to see how the test worked, that would be to their advantage.

“As you know the Maze resets itself into different patterns after each team finish’s it, though unlike when you were training to become a Genin this Maze is a lot harder to get through,” Naruto grinned as he waved to the proctors, “Let the third test begin.”

“Ah…Shit,” Kiba growled out as followed his team up the stairs.”

“Indeed we are at a great disadvantage from not experiencing it firsthand like the rest of the candidates,” Shino looked out over the landing as the ground floor of the arena dropped back to show a maze like structure.

“Um…” looking over to the maze Hinata activated her eyes, “We will need to avoid a lot of things in there. There are traps, sections of the floor will cave in, walls are full of spring loaded weapons.” Leaning forward she was startled, “there are two ambush sites with Shinobi stationed there and several of those cats in there.”

Shivering around Akamaru’s yips Kiba looked at Sasuke, “Damn cats.”

Sasuke leaned forward as he watched the first team line up ready to go in, “I don’t understand, we did something like this during the last test, why would we have to go through another survival scenario.”

Hadori overhearing Sasuke walked to the railing to gaze over the maze, “It’s not the same, this test is designed to test your infiltration and combat ability, my brother said halfway through when they hit the first team of Chuunin to fight they found out it turned into a rescue mission. They had to get past all the rest of the traps and combatants to reach the end where the hostage is being kept; in this case they need to pull the lever at the end to open the exit.”

“So this is a test of how well out team can infiltrate an enemy base and take out the combatants before reading our goal at the end,” Shino looked over his shoulder, satisfied at the nod he received as an answer. Watching the first group turn at the first corner he thought about what tests they had taken so far could be testing for.

Sasuke winced as he saw the fist coming out of the wall near the second turn, he glanced at Hinata who was shocked, so there are at least three ambush teams in the maze.

Kiba had been keeping up a constant conversation with Akamaru during the fights so far, they were talking over the different strategies they saw being used and what was not working and why. So caught up in his conversation he jumped when Sasuke placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Were up next,” Sasuke nodded to the group that just entered the maze, “We’re going to head down the stairs and plan what we are going to do.”

Nodding Kiba glanced back down one more time before following his teammates to the stairs. They stopped halfway down the stairs in sight of the proctor at the door and sat down so they could quietly discuss their strategy. But they were not going to get much of a chance as the proctor motioned them forward.

“Team nine, you’re next,” “the proctor motioned to the team sitting on the stairs.

Confused Kiba jumped down the steps, “They’ve not had enough time to get through the test, they just went in a couple of minutes ago.”

“They are past the halfway point which is the point we get the next team ready,” the proctor replied as they approached. “I’m here to explain any rules to you, and as you are a team of four the rules will be slightly different.” Chuckling at the narrowed eyes directed his way he held up a hand, “Any ambushes we set up inside the Maze are set up with a one on one approach, so instead of the normal three Chuunin’s everyone else faced you will face four.”

“Reasonable,” Shino adjusted his glasses as he noticed the proctor had also managed to deflect their private planning session skillfully.

“Also one other change will be made to the Maze for your team,” the proctor grinned, “the Maze will be forty feet longer, stretched out in places.”

Sasuke stared at the man; he should have expected something like this, after all Naruto was involved so that meant plans would go out the window. Turning his back to the proctor he looked at his team, “Shino as soon as the door opens send your scouts in, try to find where all the ambush teams are set up at. Hinata,” he looked at her with a smile, “I need you to use your Byakugan to keep watch of traps and people, and I’ll do the same with my Sharingan. Kiba, Akamaru my furry little friend, “Sasuke smiled at the two, “I need both of your noses going full time in there, we need to move fast. And if we can avoid…”

“Alright team nine you’re up,” the proctor interrupted Sasuke. “Your Mission scenario is simple; you are charge with infiltrating an enemy stronghold and setting off the self destruct sequence. Good luck…and GO.” Opening the door the proctor moved out of the way so the team could run past him, closing the door behind them and pushing the alert button.

Stopping just inside the maze as the door slammed shut behind them Sasuke nodded to Shino who simply raised his arms letting a swarm of Kakkei bugs loose out of his sleeves, pushing chakra into his eyes he looked at his team and motioned for them to move out.

Ten feet in they met with their first trap, Hinata motioned for them to stop as she pointed out the trigger, “It looks like it this is the only one. The rest of the corridor is safe.”

Quickly hopping over the tripwire the team advanced to the first turn.

Looking over at Shino, “Did your scouts tell you which path is the one we want?” Sasuke asked as he saw the split several paces after the turn.

Holding his hand out Shino accepted several of the scouts that had returned and let them tell him what they had found, “The right hand path eventually leads to a dead end with four of those cats in the final room. The left hand side looks to be the way to go but the Kakkei detected chakra coming from the wall.”

Nodding Sasuke smiled, “It looks like we get to have some fun sooner rather than later.”

 

Up in the stands a group of three parents sat together with two Jounin instructors as they watched their children compete in the combat maze, three people that generally would not be considered friends watched the battle unfold below them.

“That looked like it hurt, “Tsume winced as she watched Kiba bounce of the back wall, he had been too anxious, not waiting long enough for his opponent to make a mistake first so now he was paying for it.

Hiashi watched as his daughter skillfully dispatched her opponent, but her form was sloppy and not where or what it was supposed to be and that infuriated and confused him, after all she was able to easily overcome her more skilled opponent. And with a touch disabled the Inuzuka boy’s opponent, but she did not use the family style, she did not use the Juuken and that was not to be allowed to continue.

Kurenai was mostly pleased with her team so far, overall they had done well, “So far so good, though Kiba is limping a little bit,” eyes focusing on what she was seeing she changed her mind, “Not limping he is off balance. That last hit must have done something to his hearing.”

 

Hinata frowned as Kiba stumbled again, this felt off to her. Something was wrong with Kiba, “Sasuke-kun…please hold on for a moment, something is wrong with Kiba-kun.”

Freezing Sasuke motioned for Shino to guard using the hand signals they had agreed on. Moving quickly over to Kiba he looked at him closely, he was acting drunk. Capturing Kiba’s face in his hands Sasuke stared deep into his eyes and noticed they were not reacting like they should be, “Hinata, do you know any medical Jutsu’s? Maybe how to tell what is wrong with Kiba?”

Shaking her head sadly Hinata looked t the ground, “Um…No Sasuke-kun I was never allowed to lean any.”

Nodding he tried talking to Kiba, “Hey Kiba can you understand what I’m saying?” not getting back what he thought was a good response he looked at Hinata, “How close are we to the end of the maze? Shino what do you companions say?”

Looking around quickly Hinata frowned, “We are only half way to the end,” looking back at Kiba she wondered if they would have to forfeit to make sure he was okay.

“Shino,” Sasuke frowned as he thought about what he knew of head injuries.

“If we break through this wall and the one directly opposite we could bypass the other two ambush groups and all of the traps, it would be cheating and if what your friend Hadori said is true we could bypass a change in mission…But it would be in line with our original mission,” Shino looked closely at the wall as he thought over which technique would work better for what they needed.

“One attempt at the wall then,” Sasuke nodded as he stood up and placed the swaying Kiba in Hinata’s hands. ‘If we cannot get through this wall we call for the medics, if we can we quickly finish so we can get Kiba to the medical attention sure to be at the end of the maze.”

“Agreed,” Shino rolled his sleeves back as he readied the earth based Jutsu he had learned yesterday afternoon.

Naruto leaned forward as he watched Sasuke examine Kiba carefully something must be seriously wrong with Kiba. Standing up he watched carefully, if need be he would disqualify them himself if he thought…

BOOM

When the dust cleared Naruto was surprised to see a large hole in the wall exposing the next corridor, Seeing Hinata practically dragging Kiba through the hole he turned to Jiga, “They are ending the exam there way, make sure Kiba is transported to the emergency center as soon as he is through the door.”

BOOM

Chuckling to himself at how they decided to finish the mission and get Kiba out of there quickly, “Kiba will be out of the competition it looks like,” Shaking his head he looked up at the stands, “We need to send someone to get Kiba’s mom, she’s in the stands, since he won’t be finishing she can go see him.”

Jiga was over the railing and dropping along the wall of the Maze as soon as Naruto finished giving orders, running along the top of the maze he was noticed by several of the ambushers who pointed to him as they saw him unrolling to long scrolls as he ran. Jumping walls Jiga found himself on top of the wall to the finish line, dropping down he landed as he flipped the scrolls into the proper alignment before looking up, “Give me the boy now so I can get him to the surgery.”

Shocked Hinata glanced at Kiba quickly before pushing him towards the person she recognized as Naruto-kun’s aide, she was more than surprised to see the scrolls light up blue as soon as the man had a good hold of Kiba and both of them disappear as the scrolls caught fire. Looking at the rest of her team she pushed the ends of her fingers together showing her extreme nervousness, “Um…”

The proctor walked out of the now open door and gave them a strange look, he was not quite certain what had happened but seeing how quickly one of the teens was spirited away it must have been…moving forward he stared out the door to the hole that went through two of the walls. Looking at the team with a new found understanding he nodded, “Team Nine passes with Inuzuka Kiba being withdrawn due to injury.” Motioning them forward he pressed a button alerting the Chuunin ambush teams to retreat so they could reset the Maze. “Follow me please and I will show you where you may wait for word of your teammate.”

 

“Excuse me Inuzuka-san,” one of the Chuunin in the stands made his way over to the group from Konoha, “Your son has had to be withdrawn from the competition due to injury, I have been asked to escort you to the emergency center.” Spotting the concerned looks from the others he smiled, “the rest of his team have passed, and with the last part of the exam being one on one combat they may continue.”

 

Naruto stood in the maze at the point where Kiba had been injured, the Chuunin team that were the ambushers were recreating the fight scene as close to the original as they could as Naruto and Kakashi and Kurenai watched on, he was trying to understand dhow Kiba had gotten that seriously hurt. “So it was at this point that your roundhouse kick connected with Kiba sending him flying towards the wall?”

“Yes Uzumaki-sama,” the Chuunin nodded as he walked towards the point Kiba had impacted the wall, “It was at this point in his flight that he twisted slightly, if he had not done that he would have hit his shoulder against the wall instead of his head.”

‘So why did he turn,” Naruto stared at the wall in thought, after all form the reenactment Kiba had not been hit in the head when he was sent flying, so it could not have been a case of being disoriented.

“He was protecting Akamaru,” Kurenai whispered as she mimicked the actions Kiba would have taken, this time because she knew Kiba had his companion in his jacket, it made sense now.

Nodding Naruto did think it made sense, “Thank you for staying behind to help us discover how this happened,” smiling at the Chuunin team he looked back Kurenai. “That selfless act alone almost wants me to make Kiba a Chuunin,” laughing at her shocked look he grinned, “I said almost.” Motioning the others to follow him he started to walk out of the Maze, “He will have about six weeks to get his act together for your Chuunin exam, He’s worked very hard I’ll be the first to admit that, but he needs some intense training to overcome his instincts.” Looking over his shoulder as he led them out of the stadium, “He needs to control his instincts not the other way around, at least until he has retrained them somewhat.”

Kurenai walked in silence as she followed Naruto, it was a lot to think about.

“So…” Kakashi looked at Naruto as they walked to the hospital, he was itching to pull his best friend out of his pouch but had been warned that not only would he be beaten to within an inch of death, but Naruto would send a Dragon or two to eliminate in the most horrifying way his precious collection back at home. Shuddering as he pulled himself out of the horror he smiled, “What are the chances of the team passing the last part of the exam now that they are short a person?”

“Pretty good actually,” Naruto grinned as he looked over his shoulder as he turned on the path to the main doors to the emergence center, meeting the rest of the Kohona clan leaders at the door. “The last phase of the exam is in two parts, first the candidate must show they know competence in two differing Jutsu’s from their own elemental affinity. After that they will do battle with another candidate, though both can pass if they show enough skill.”

“So where does the rest of my team stand right now,” Kurenai was curios and slightly put off with Hiashi’s attitude so far. He had been quite vocal about his daughter being perverted by outside techniques, and was secretly gleeful when she heard that the only way for her to pass would be to use those perverted techniques.

Pulling a small stack of cards from his pants pocket Naruto shuffled them until he got to the four on team eight and Sasuke, glancing at the top one he smiled, “You have to understand that for each phase of the exam there are several things the proctors look for.” Chuckling as he showed them Sasuke’s report so far, “for every check mark they are one step closer to being a Chuunin, but if they get three crossed out sections…it’s over.”

Going back to the original question Naruto scanned the cards, “So far Sasuke and Shino will end up being awarded a promotion to Chuunin if they don’t do something very stupid.” Slipping Hinata’s card out he looked at it, “Hinata on the other hand, while not failing any part of the exam has two questionable marks, her leadership skills and reliance on only a single style not suited to her. She has an equal chance of passing or failing tomorrow, it depends on if she can master the non aligned Jutsu’s and bring forth her skill in combat against something other than dangerous animals.”

Hiashi looked scornful, “Those results seem more than a little…biased.”

Shrugging Naruto walked to the door to Kiba’s room, “Not by me, I have no part in scoring the candidates, I just have to accept them or veto them and have a good enough reason.” Smiling at Kiba as he walked into the room Naruto threw a treat to Akamaru, “Hey Kiba how are you feeling?”

Turning his head slightly Kiba turned away from his mom at hearing a voice, “Hey Naruto-senpai. I’m ready to leave so I can finish the exam, did you come to break me out?”

Pulling over a chair Naruto sighed, “Afraid not Kiba, you’re going to be here another three days at least, and that is if you do everything the medic-nin’s tell you to do.”

Kiba’s face fell, “But…but…”

Leaning forward Naruto smiled, “Kiba, I don’t want to sound harsh, but it is the same for the other two teams that got injured badly during the exam, the proctors pulled you from the exam…I’m sorry.”

Fighting back several emotions, anger and shock led way to disappointment, “but what about Sasuke and the rest of team, they lost their chance to make Chuunin too.”

“If it had happened during the first two parts of the exam you would be right, but it happened near the end of the third stage of the exam,” Naruto looked at Kiba’s disappointed face, “Cheer up Kiba you’ve done something to be proud of. And by going through the exam now you’ll be ready to go through the exam back in Konoha in a little over a month, and this time you’ll pass.”

Sitting back Naruto looked at Kiba, “I don’t think you realize what your team did when they found out you were seriously injured, instead of being just a scenario of infiltrating and destroying the installation, they did destroy two sections of the maze to get to the end so you could get help, hoping that by winning and a quick trip to the medics you would be able to participate in the final phase.”

Nodding slowly the small smile slipped off of Kiba’s face, “Not to be ungrateful, but if the others pass, how will I take the Chuunin exam in Konoha, if it is anything like yours I’ll need a team to take it with me.”

“And if you can’t find two others you can work with to take the exam, I’ll send two of my Genin to make up your team,” Naruto promised him. “Now Sasuke, Shino and Hinata have been told you are going to be alright, but you can’t leave for a few days, and because they can’t leave the dorms until the test is over they won’t be able to visit until the exam is over tomorrow, so rest up.” Standing up Naruto grinned, “I’m sure they will be in here as soon as they can to tell you all about the last exam.”

Giving a wave Naruto stopped at the door and glanced at Kurenai, “I’ll leave telling him about his weakness’s he needs to overcome to you; he’ll take it better from you, his sensei.”

Sensing Hiashi and Shibi following behind him Naruto looked over his shoulder, “Shall we go to my office, something tells me you wish to talk to me.”

 

Sitting calmly behind his desk Naruto watched the Hyuuga clan leader stare out the window without saying anything, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Shibi he waited, he was not going to be the first to speak.

Finally after several long agonizing minutes Shibi spoke up, “Hiashi-san, if you would prefer to talk with Naruto-sama alone I can wait until you are finished.”

Turning around Hiashi blinked as he felt like sighing, “I have had several preconceived notions utterly destroyed by coming here.” Walking away from the window he took a seat with a heavy heart. “Your country is beautiful and peaceful you are truly lucky Uzumaki-sama,” chuckling darkly he looked over at his fellow village councilor. “I truly did not know the reason you held Uzumaki-sama in such high regard, even without you saying anything I knew something none of the others wished to see, you saw something great in him while the rest of us wished he would go away.”

Looking back at Naruto, Hiashi felt torn between two duties, the duty of a father who had been too harsh and unyielding to one of his children growing up and the duty to his clan, “The elders of my clan wish for me to rescind my offer to you in regards to my daughter. They instead wish for me to bring her back so she may be replaced as clan heir after having the caged bird seal applied before allowing her to be used as a bargaining chip for a marriage of alliances.” The is as much as I can do for you my daughter, whether you deserve it or not, your mother would have rightfully killed me for what I and the clan have done to you. Shaking his head sadly he wished he did not have to word things in such a way he had to manipulate others to do what was right.

“I see,” Naruto said as he stared at the Hyuuga clan head, there was something not being said here, he just knew it. Thinking about the discussion he held yesterday with Hinata he had to do something, searching his mind he smiled as remembered something from back in the Academy, “I’m afraid that until the exam is over Hinata cannot be reached if this is what you set your mind to do.” Carefully choosing his words Naruto put on a serious look, “of course there is one slight flaw to the elders of your clan’s plan.”

Enjoying the shocked look on Hiashi’s face Naruto weaved what he needed to happen around his words, “If your Daughter is promoted to Chuunin tomorrow than she is an adult, as an adult she may not have the seal placed on her or your clan will be violating the charter you signed with Konoha when you first settle there. If that were to happen you could face being banished from your home, or if the Hokage is feeling generous execution of all involved parties.” Naruto was enjoying the man squirming, “I seem to remember this is taught to all Academy students during the third year of history of the founding of Konoha.”

Sitting back and folding his hands together on his desk Naruto's smile turned calculating, “Besides I have the honor of informing you that I have agreed to a marriage contract to your daughter from one of our clan heads for his son.”

“WHAT…” Hiashi came up out of his chair halfway as Naruto ignored him and continued on as if he had simply sat there.

Grin threatening to split his face Naruto went in for the kill, “And because of the way you worded the offer of your daughter to be used to mother children I think that it would be best if Hinata did in fact marry Mika Seiba, nephew of the head of the Mika clan.” Seeing the sudden pale face and white knuckled grip Hiashi had on the arm of his chair Naruto looked at him with a knowing grin, “I see you recognize the name.”

Hiashi hissed through his clenched teeth, to find out the main clan was still around was frightening, the chronicles he had read told of techniques and controls that could be used against them, “I…” closing his mouth the proud and arrogant clan head looked out the window. Defeated and outmaneuvered he open and closed his mouth several more times, “I have no choice it seems.”

Naruto starred at the man with a frown in his face, “Of course you have a choice, but this is the best way possible heal the rift between the clan.”

“What will the main family require of us now that they have found us?” Hiashi nodded, he had been outmaneuvered well, and from someone who had been doing this job a lot longer than a few months.

Nodding Naruto pushed a button on his desk without bothering to speak into the intercom before sitting back in his chair. A few minutes later Naruto smiled as the person who entered his office greeted him.

“Uzumaki-sama you called for me,” Taidachi bowed.

“Thank you for coming,” Naruto offered the empty seat to the left of the Hyuuga head. “Mika Taidachi, clan master of the all Seeing Eye clan, your subordinate clan master Hyuuga Hiashi of the splinter clan renamed the Hyuuga’s. Hyuuga-san has asked what will be required of them to be recognized as a full clan by you, and not the splinter group in exile they are now.”

Hiashi winced in pain with each and every word out of Naruto's mouth.

Seeing the look of pain and knowing if pushed to far rage would take the place of the fright the man was feeling now Naruto sighed, “Hyuuga-san, I did not bring Mika-san here to bring you back under control. Or even to control you, it is way past time that the clan heals the rift that started all those years ago.” Seeing Hiashi look up at him Naruto smiled softly, “this arrogance and enslaving of family has gone on long enough. It is time to mend the family and move on separately, both sides must move on honorably.”