Chapter 30
Tenten stiff with anger glared at the Haruno girl, how dare Sensei agree to put that thing on their team so they could take the Chuunin exam, even after trying to slap some sense into her this morning literally, she was still a blot on the good name of Kunoichi everywhere because she was more interested in catching boys or a certain boys attention than becoming stronger. Sighing for the umpteenth time that morning she noticed Neji gritting his teeth as they walked into the Academy where the first part of the Chuunin exam was being held.
Sasuke had faded into the background as soon as the first candidates started to enter the room to take the test. Smirking as he saw his classmates, the rest of the rookies enter the room he thought to himself this was going to be fun, especially now that Kiba with the two whirlpool Genin rounding out his team walked in behind the other two teams from Whirlpool. So many of the Genin teams froze at seeing them enter because years ago it was so rare for Whirlpool to send Genin’s to outside exams, preferring to let their Genin take the exam they hosted once a year. He was brought out of his musing when Sakura was being louder than normal talking to a silver haired Genin with glasses and a Konoha forehead protector on.
“So,” Sakura pointed to the stack of cards in Kabuto’s hands, “those cards have information about everyone on them and all you have to do is channel some chakra into them to find out what is written there?”
Pushing his glasses up Kabuto smiled, “All I need is a name, who wants to go first?”
Grinning at finally getting some information about her crush Sakura yelled out, “Uchiha Sasuke, what do you have on him?”
Looking at the floor to hide his grin, as he shuffled his cards before pulling one out of the deck, channeling chakra into it Kabuto looked up, “Hmm, Uchiha Sasuke. The last Uchiha living in Konoha, let’s see here, it says he achieved Chuunin Rank by attending the secretive and powerful whirlpool Chuunin exam during a diplomatic mission to that country. He’s completed twenty D-Rank missions along with two C-Rank and one A-Rank missions,” looking up into the adoring eyes of the pink haired girl he smirked, “Impressive for a newly minted Chuunin.” Especially since he is out of reach of my master at the moment, I’ll need to find out where he will be so Orochimaru can claim him as his own. “There are of course a few other things but I don’t think we need to go over them seeing as he is not going to be one of our fellows in the exam, anyone else?”
Kiba stepped back quickly, he had moved forward and read the information card over the Konoha Genin’s shoulder and it had so much more information than he told them, information that he should not have known. Spotting Sasuke standing near the wall he moved over and whispered to him while looking out into the room, “That Kabuto guy over by Sakura, those cards of his have way to much classified information on them, much more about your skills than what he told everyone.”
Frowning Sasuke stepped forward to get a look at those cards himself when Sakura hissed out, “How about Uzumaki Naruto, what do you have on him?”
Time seemed to slow down as Sasuke walked over to stand behind the strange Genin and his far too accurate cards. Watching him shuffle the cards and pull one out of the deck his frown turned into a scowl as he started to read the information on the card.
Smiling to hide his shock Kabuto stammered out, “Well, well, well, it seems this Uzumaki person reached Kage level at the age of ten. Formally a citizen and Shinobi if Konoha, this Naruto person is both the Daimyo and Kage of Whirlpool, fascinating power he holds don’t you think? Not only that his skill levels are off the charts, not much is known about him personally or his missions, besides the ones he did here in Konoha while one of our Shinobi. But you show know all about him right, after all you were on his team.”
“How is such a thing possible,” Sakura wondered out loud as she tried to come to grips with the dead last of her Academy class and this new powerful version of Naruto.
Sasuke stood up and closed his eyes tightly, the information on the card was close to the truth, but in some areas it was dead on. No way was this a simple Genin, keeping in mind the recent spy that had been ferreted out he looked up at Shino who was standing in the back of the room and signed to him as he rubbed the side of his head on his shoulder in Kabuto’s direction. ‘spy…this one…what?’
Rubbing his nose Shino signed back asking, ‘dangerous?’
Nodding his head slowly Sasuke glanced around the room; to all intents and purposes he looked like he was having a silent conversation with himself. That was until he saw Shino scratch his neck from one side to the other, nodding once more he tried to decide on how best to eliminate the threat.
“SASUKE-KUN,” Sakura screamed out when she saw her fantasy man walking through the room.
SLAP
Tenten flexed her stinging fingers as she stared at the pink haired she banshee standing before her, voice low and quiet she growled out, “grow up you pathetic excuse for a Kunoichi.” Moving closer as Sakura backed up until she hit the wall Tenten got mere inches from Sakura’s shocked face, “You are weak and pathetic. You should never have been allowed to graduate the Academy…and while you may have been placed on my team so we can take the exam, I will make it my personal pleasure to either make you a proper Kunoichi or to make you run screaming from the Shinobi forces in shame.” Moving closer she glared at the frightened eyes looking back at her, “Do you understand you worthless excuse for a Kunoichi?”
Sakura nodded slowly, the tears falling as the older girl in front of her scared her to death.
“Good,” she backed up before pointing to the desk to one side, “Now sit down and shut up.” Moving back towards Neji she glanced over her shoulder to see Sakura doing as she ordered, “Good there is hope for you yet. From now on I own your ass, you eat, shit and sleep by my command. When I am finished with you, you will have earned the right to call yourself a Kunoichi and a Shinobi of the leaf.”
Ibiki stared in wonder at the young Kunoichi as she dressed down one of her fellow Kunoichi, he knew he should have stopped it a lot sooner, but he realized she was right. Looking over the assembled Genin he nodded, she would definitely be one to watch out for, maybe in time she would be worthy of being trained by him. “Alright you maggots…Sit down and shut up the first phase of the Chuunin exam has begun.”
Sasuke moved over to the wall where he was to spot those cheating on the written portion of the test all the while staring in wonder at the young woman, she was someone worthy of bearing his children. She was formidable even as a Genin, sitting on the stool provided for him he watched her in amazement…I have to get to know her better was all he could think of as Ibiki gave his speech.
Hinata looked up at the approaching gates to Konoha with trepidation, she had been not only accepted in Whirlpool but the past seven weeks had taught her so much about herself and how skilled she truly was that being back here again made her nervous, especially knowing her father had planned to betray his word.
Taidachi spied the walls surrounding Konoha and glanced down at his two companions, “Hinata-chan, it is time to activate your Byakugan so you look like a Hyuuga once more. Roka I think it is time to send the signal to the infiltration teams, the branch family needs to be neutralized before we get to the Hyuuga estates.”
“Yes father,” Roka glanced down at Hinata to see she was troubled, “Don’t worry Hinata-chan. None of the branch family members will be harmed, they will just be ordered to remove themselves from the upcoming conflict. That will leave us with only about thirty main house members to worry about,” less death that way he thought. Pulling out his radio he clicked the mic several times before whispering into it, “The birds need to fly…”
All over the Hyuuga estate Mika family members who moments before had normal looking eyes activated their bloodline, all of them suddenly sported pure white eyes as they dropped what they were doing and commanded the stunned branch house members to follow them out of the estate.
The Chuunin guards recognized Hinata of course as she walked through the gates, in fact they did not even challenge her two companions because it was evident to anyone who had eyes they were Hyuuga’s and thus trusted citizens of Konoha. Of course no one outside of Whirlpool and Hyuuga Hiashi knew the true clan resided in Whirlpool not Konoha.
“Pathetic,” Roka whispered to the others as they walked down the street towards the Hyuuga section of town.
“Um…In their defense they don’t know about the Mika clan,” Hinata glanced over her shoulder before shaking her head, then again maybe not.
Ten minutes later Hinata walked through the gates to her family’s estate, glancing sideways at the guard posts that were always manned, it seemed very strange not seeing anyone guarding the gates. “This way please, my father’s office is near the clan hall, we should find him there.” Hinata pointed over to one side hoping against hope her father had found his honor while they waited.
Ignoring the looks of several Hyuuga clan members as she escorted Roka and Taidachi towards the clan hall Hinata stopped in front of the open door and knocked on the frame to get her father’s attention, waiting until her father looked up she did not quite smile at him, “Father, Mika-sama and his son are here to finalize the treaty with the Hyuuga clan.”
Eyes sternly gazing at his oldest daughter it was not lost on him that she did not bow respectfully towards him, in fact she seemed almost cold, “So I see Hinata.”
Glaring ever so slightly at her father for the lack of any common courtesy she knew he had not changed his mind, she had to wonder when the man before her, her father had turned his back on honor, the honor he so highly preached at her and her sister daily.
Standing up Hiashi examined the two Mika clan members standing next to his useless daughter, calculating their strengths and weaknesses by their posture and their rank pins, “Shall we move to the clan hall. Hinata will show you to the hall while I call the elders; we can get this over with so all of us can get on with our lives.”
And some of us are not going to be able to see another sunset Taidachi sighed mentally as he followed Hinata to the clan hall, looking around the empty room he motioned for Roka to prepare by pointing to his sons head, this next part would be overseen by the Sand Dragon. “Hinata-chan,” he glanced down at the young girl, “Daughter, why don’t you find your sister and take her to lunch.”
Gazing down at the ground Hinata felt a sudden weight descend on her shoulders and nodded without looking up or speaking.
“I promise you daughter, there will be no deaths unless we have no choice. I would prefer to enslave them like their arrogance has blinded them to do to their own family instead, maybe then they will learn their lesson,” Taidachi pulled the young girl into a hug before releasing her so she could leave.
Roka donned his uniform and helm and melted into the shadows, watching as his father moved to the head of the table and sat down waiting for the criminals to arrive.
As the Hyuuga elders entered the room they spotted the stranger at the head of the table and hissed in displeasure, Hiashi who brought up the rear closed the door and saw who was sitting in his seat and fumed. Technically the Mika head had the right to sit there but it galled him to see him in the clan heads chair, “Mika-san, it is rude to sit in another’s place.”
Staring at the Hyuuga head blankly Taidachi’s voice was chilly, “That might true after we have signed the treaty to allow you to be a legal clan, and once the agreement is signed and the terms followed you may have your seat back.”
Anger overriding reason Hiashi activated his Byakugan as he snarled at Taidachi and immediately collapsed in pain as Taidachi activated the suppression technique, forcefully deactivating Hiashi’s Byakugan. “That is enough of that nonsense,” he growled out, “your arrogance will cause my patience to run out and declare you targets for death, instead of allowing you clan status.”
“You are the arrogant one here,” one the elders scoffed as he prepared to launch himself out of his seat. “Coming into our home alone without backup, once we kill you, your so called main clan will be in turmoil. You’re outmatched hundreds to one, so you will do as we say not the other way around.”
Putting his elbows on the table so he could rest his chin in his hands Taidachi sighed, “I had hoped by giving you time to reflect on the benefits of being acknowledged as a legitimate clan and not criminals would have changed your minds. I had even gone as far as making arrangements to give your clan the technique we use to safeguard our Kekkei Genkai from being stolen.” Releasing the chakra to his eyes he smiled at the stunned silence as his eyes returned to their normal brilliant blue.
“Genjutsu…A simple Genjutsu is not going to fool us,” one of the elders sneered in disdain.
Shaking his head sadly Taidachi muttered, “So much arrogance.” Looking up as he nodded to the corner where his son was standing, it was time. “Since none of you have honor we will go with the backup plan.” Glaring at the sneering faces he smiled, “As of this moment there is not a single branch member left in the Hyuuga estate. We removed every single one of them, by this time tomorrow we will have removed all of their curse seals and will relocate them to Whirlpool and welcome them back into the clan.”
Standing as he felt the killing intent rise from the fools around the table, he snorted in amusement, “You’re attempts at killing intent is pitiful. The cost of your dishonorable treason and the continuation of the criminal acts that branded your ancestors to be killed on sight have a price, and I am the one who will enact retribution for enslaving our family.” Cracking his neck as the Hyuuga elders had jumped up from their seats he grinned evilly, “If I were you I would accept the caged bird seal as punishment, but knowing none of you have honor I will settle for your deaths…Dragon-sama, if you would.”
Startled cries from the Hyuuga elders amused Taidachi as Hiashi went flying across the table coming to rest near the wall not breathing. Shaking his head he walked past the traitorous elders, “All of your lives are forfeit, though the rest of the main family will be branded with the caged bird seal, unless of course they put up a struggle. The children of course will be taken away to be raised properly,” seeing the shocked faces as he reached the door and looked back he shrugged, “The Mika clan has strong ties to the Uzumaki clan so he leant me a few of his Dragons so a war could be avoided.” Closing the door behind him he looked up at the sky as he heard screams of pain from behind him cut off suddenly, hopefully no one else would have to be killed, he prayed the deaths would remain to that building alone.
Kiba smiled at Tora and Hishi as they left the Academy having passed the first part of the Chuunin exam, “I’m not sure if I should be glad it was that easy or insulted that was what is considered standard to test our information gathering skills.” Spotting Shino walking purposefully he motioned the others to follow, “Hey Shino hold on a moment.” having spotted Sasuke and Shino passing message back and forth before the exam started he was more than curious to know if he was right, glancing around and only seeing the other two teams from whirlpool within earshot he lowered his voice, “Shino who were you and Sasuke talking about? Do we have a traitor to the leaf in the room that we should watch out for?”
Pushing his glasses up Shino thought about what to say, finally deciding on answering so the Whirlpool Genin would not be in danger “That Genin you and Sakura were talking to, his information is to thorough, too much of what Sasuke spotted on those cards is classified. He should not have access to some of the information to place into those cards, not only that, only a spy would fail the exam seven times and act like he does. Sasuke has gone to the Hokage with the information and we will attempt to capture him,” seeing that Kiba understood he walked off before anyone could accuse Kiba of garnering favoritism.
Frowning as he watched Shino walk away Kiba missed it when the other two teams from Whirlpool joined them, it was only when Hishi bowed slightly to the person behind him that he was drawn out of his thoughts.
“Uzumaki-sama,” Hishi bowed before tilting his head in a questioning manor.
Haku took a deep breath as he watched Shino walk away, looking back at the three teams waiting on him he glanced around, “The next phases of the Chuunin exam allow deaths to occur. All of you will adhere to Whirlpool policy in the exam from now on except for one thing,” eyes boring into each of their faces he nodded when he was satisfied with what he found there. “If you cross this Kabuto from this point on during the exam you are ordered to kill him,” eyes boring into Kiba’s startled face he went on, “This is to be considered an assassination. He is to be given no warning or mercy, no chances to retaliate, kill him and move on after stripping his body of all useful intelligence and items. There is to be no fight, your orders are to execute him, above all he has on him some type of chakra cards that have critical information on them, they must be seized or destroyed.”
Accepting the acknowledgments from the teams Haku’s eyes never left Kiba’s, “Do you have a problem with this Kiba?”
Shaking his head slowly Kiba found his voice, “No…” standing up after looking at the serious expression on his partner Akamaru face he came to a type of attention, “No Uzumaki-sama I don’t. I guess I will have to tell anyone that asks that Akamaru and I were watering a tree at the time the incident occurred.”
Nodding Haku smiled, “All of you have you alert flares, use them if you need to. And don’t forget your summoning scrolls in case of medical emergencies; I’ll see you after the second phase is over, above all remember this…Stay alive.”
Watching the teams move off to where the rest of the candidates were gathering for the second phase Haku spoke soft enough not to be overheard, “Hetsuru I want all of our people to be on the lookout for this Kabuto person, I would prefer to capture him to find out what is going on.”
Following Uzumaki-sama as he started in the direction the candidates were rushing towards Hetsuru frowned as he mumbled, “It is harder to capture a target then to assassinate them, so that is why you gave the orders to the teams.” Nodding in understanding he spoke up, “Uzumaki-sama, we have a Mind Walker in the village right now, Wookaa Satori is the Jounin leader of team Satori and he is gathered with the rest of the Jounin senseis.”
Smiling Haku looked over his shoulder, “From what I understand the Jounin sensei’s are supposed to have no contact with their teams, so if anyone gives you any problems remind them he is being summoned by me.”
Bowing slightly Hetsuru grinned as he disappeared, leaving behind a small fading whirlpool of dust on the ground.
Reappearing in the hallway outside the lounge where the Jounin instructors for the teams competing were being kept Hetsuru ignored the two Anbu guarding the door and reached for the door handle.
Fidgeting the fish masked Anbu hesitated until the dragon touched the door, “Excuse me Dragon-sama, but the Jounin-sensei’s are to have no contact with…” he trailed off as he felt the sheer pressure being exerted by the Dragon Warrior, it was intense and it had no killing intent linked to it, how much more devastating would it be if he used killing intent on them.
Flaring his chakra Hetsuru grabbed the door handle and glanced at the Anbu brave enough to try to stop him, “The Jounin-sensei for team Satori has been summoned by Uzumaki-sama, as such he will be escorted by myself to Uzumaki-sama and be within reach at all times so he does not have contact with his or any other Whirlpool teams.”
Backing down quickly the Anbu wearing a fish mask nodded.
Throwing the door open Hetsuru walked into the now silent room glancing around he spotted the Whirlpool Jounin’s over in one corner, “Satori-san I need you to come with me, Uzumaki-sama has need for you.”
Placing his cards carefully down on the table he glanced at his comrades who suddenly became tense and nodded ever so slightly, there was only one reason he could be needed in the way the request was phrased. Standing up he silently made his way over to the door stiffening as he heard the Dragon Guard say something to put the other Jounin-sensei’s minds to ease.
“All of you need to relax, it is not like this is suddenly turning into a mission,” Hetsuru emphasized certain words and nodded as he saw most of the room relax.
Kurenai watched most of the Jounin in the room relax at the comments as the two walked out the door, but her knowledge of how to read body posture told her that the whirlpool Jounin-sensei’s had suddenly gone into what she termed mission stance. Moving over to their table and taking the now empty seat she picked up the cards from around the table and shuffled them, in a loud voice she smiled at them, “So what are we playing for?” As she dealt the cards she whispered out, “Alright time to come clean, all of you have suddenly gone to active duty mode. What is so important with the Sensei for team Satori being called to Naruto's side?”
Mitzu glanced at his cards as he threw his chip into the center of the table, “I bet five…” lowering his voice as the rest threw their chips into the pile, “Satori-san’s family specializes in interrogation. For Haku-sama to call for him while in Konoha is troubling.”
“Hokage-sama,” Sasuke called out as he entered the office of the village leader, “I think we have a problem.
