Preliminaries 2

Shikamaru vs Kin

Shikamaru tries the Shadow Imitation Technique but Kin easily evades and throws some senbon with bells attached at him. Shikamaru recognises the trick and mocks her for using such basic techniques. Kin then rings the bells on the senbon, starting her genjutsu. Shikamaru gets caught in Kin's Bell Ring Genjutsu, unable to move, while Kin proceeds to attack him with more senbon. Hovewer, when Kin tries to attack again, she suddenly realises that she can't move. Shikamaru tells her that he extended his Shadow Imitation Technique through the shadow of the wires she's holding. He then throws a shuriken at Kin, which she imitates. When Shikamaru ducks backwards to evade it, Kin is forced to imitate him, but she did not realise that she was too close to the wall, hitting her head and knocking herself out.

Naruto vs Kiba

'Hey look Akamaru it's us against the dead last.Looks we just won the lottery.' Kiba

Akamaru barked in agreement

'Next match Kiba Inuzuka VS Naruto Uzumaki, will the contestants please come down.' Called Hayate.

'Sorry Kiba don't take it personally if I blow you away.' Naruto

Ugh that is just what I was going to say. Only not so politely right Akamaru

Akamaru barked in agreement.

Talk is cheap Kiba let's wait until the end of the match. Naruto

Sorry Kakashi but your boy doesn't stand a chance against Kiba. It doesn't matter how much he has changed Kurenai

Is that so. Like Naruto said talk is cheap. Let's make a bet if Naruto wins you will treat him to all you can eat ramen. Kakashi

And if Kiba wins you have to stop reading those perverted books for a year and come early to all your meetings.'

They both agreed to the bet.

Naruto show us how much you have grown. Thought Kakashi

I wonder how much stronger he has gotten since he became a genin. Probably not much. Thought Kiba

Look I feel sorry for you so I am gonna finish you with one blow. Kiba

Let's just fight Kiba. I got better things to do then waste my time on you. Naruto

You sure talk tough you dead last. Kiba

If you are ready you can begin. Hayate

Yes both Naruto and Kiba said.

Begin said Hayate

Kiba threw a punch at Naruto. The punch hit Naruto in his face.

Is that what you call a punch. That tickled. Let me show what a punch is. Naruto

He hits Kiba with a powerful blow which sends him flying into a wall knocking him out cold.

Winner of the match Naruto. Hayate

Everyone stared at Naruto and most were thinking something along the lines of when did Naruto become this strong,while Gaara stared at him with a crazed look.Meanwhile the leaf villagers were glaring at Naruto

What just happened?This is impossible how could Kiba lose. And only just from a punch. Kurenai thought

Kurenai don't forget our bet. You have to go buy Naruto ramen. Kakashi

Medics came to pick up Kiba. After they took Kiba Hayate announced that would have a small break.

Time skip

On with the next match.' Said Hayate as the board started going through names before landing on.

Neji Hyuuga VS Hinata Hyuuga.

Both walked down, Neji with a purposeful stride and Hinata with a timid stride.

'I never thought that we would have to fight each other Hinata.' Said Neji.

'Nor I, brother.' Replied Hinata.

'Huh, brother. Are they brother and sister?' Asked Naruto while slightly raising his left eyebrow.

'No they're both members of the Hyuuga clan. Technically they're cousins.' Answered Kakashi.

'Still they're family it must be hard for them.' Said Sakura.

'It may not be as hard you think, I heard that there is some bad blood between the main and branch houses. The branch family, which Neji is a part of, is upset with something the main family, which Hinata is a part of, did. Additionally Neji is considered a genius of the clan while Hinata is seen as a disgrace. Furthermore Neji, being a branch member is forced into being under the control of the main branch.' Finished Lee.

'Give up Hinata. You can't deceive my eyes when you looked up, you remembered your past, your bitter past. Then you glanced down and thought what would happen if you fought me and realised you would lose. Also your habit of raising your arm up in front of yourself while touching your lip is your way of putting a wall between us. People can't change, once a failure always a failure. You never really wanted to be in the Chunin exams but to apply you need a team of three and you didn't want to let Kiba or Shino down, didn't you.' Said Neji with increasing intensity.

'No you're wrong I wanted to see if I could change.' Said Hinata.

'Like I said once a failure always a failure. People can't change.' Said Neji.

'Don't listen to him Hinata, me and Shino believe in you. You can change.' Said Kiba.

"Hmm some fire has returned to her eyes." Thought Neji.

Hinata made hand signs before shouting 'Byakugan'. Hinata took a stance and said 'Defend yourself brother.'

Neji mirrored the stance.

'Let the fourth match begin.' Said Hayate.

Neji charged and shot an open palm strike at Hinata which she blocked with her own palm thrust to the inside of Neji's arm which sent chakra flying out of their hands. This kept up until Hinata struck Neji in his stomach.

'Did she get him?' Asked Sakura.

Kakashi raised his headband and had a look 'Amazing.' Was all he said.

Neji pulled Hinata's sleeve back and there were a bunch of angry looking red marks on her arm.

'You mean, all this time you were...' Mumbled Hinata.

'Yes, I have sealed all the chakra points in your arms. You can no longer use the Gentle Fist as you can no longer eject chakra from your hands. Give up.' Commanded Neji.

Hinata trembled, unsure of herself, when Neji spoke up again.

'Hinata you are the pampered offspring of the main branch. Despite this, you are too gentle and caring you should never have become a shinobi. As a shinobi you are meant to be cruel, uncaring and hold no sympathy for others in your way, you can't do this as it conflicts with your very nature and therefore you are suffering.' Spoke Neji condescendingly.

'Brother while it is true I have been suffering, you have been suffering much more than I.' Hinata said softly.

Neji's eyes hardened in an instant and he sent two palm thrusts, one to her gut and one to her face.

She then tried to rise but coughed up a fair bit of blood. After regaining herself she got up again but Hayate could tell it was over and was about to say so, but Neji charged at Hinata with murder in his eyes. As Neji was about two metres away Naruto ,the leaf Jounin and Hayate jumped in to save Hinata.

You how dare you hurt Hinata. Naruto said as his blue eyes became pitch black.

Naruto started to release some killing intent at Neji.He was about attack Neji but was stopped by Hinata who told him to. Naruto looked Hinata to see her eyes had the mark of the Goddess.

Has Hinata also awakened.Thought Both Anko and Naruto

'Neji you told me you wouldn't let this whole main branch thing affect you.' Said Guy.

Hinata coughed up more blood and Kurenai called for medics. The recovered Kiba jumped down to attack Neji but Shino created a wall with his bugs stopping him.

'You'll pay! You hear me I'll get you.'Said Kiba.

'Hmph there is no way you can beat me.' Scoffed Neji before walking off.

As Neji walked back up Naruto confronted him.

Neji if we fight in the final round.I am going to destroy. You should be grateful you are related to Hinata or else I would have killed you.' Said Naruto who walked away before Neji could respond.

Temari vs Tenten

Tenten makes the first move and Temari easily dodges it. Team Guy was surprised that no weapon could even scratch or hit Temari. Tenten tries another attack that Temari repels using wind from her Giant Folding Fan, before warning Tenten that if she sees all three stars (moons in the English anime) in her fan, the fight will be over. Tenten uses her Twin Rising Dragons technique. Uncovering the second star, Temari repels the attack, then Tenten uses strings to re-use the weapons. Uncovering the third star, Temari repels the attack and traps Tenten in a cyclone. When Tenten falls from the cyclone, Temari makes her land on her fan, knocking her out. After being declared winner, Temari tries to throw Tenten on the many weapons scattered on the floor, but Rock Lee descends and catches her. He then attacks Temari, only to be stopped by Might Guy, who warns the Suna shinobi to not underestimate Lee.

Lee vs Gaara

After a long wait, Rock Lee is matched to fight against Gaara. He begins the fight by attacking with taijutsu, but his attacks are blocked by Gaara's sand. To bypass the speed of his shield, Guy permits Lee to remove his leg weights. In doing so, Lee's speed increases and he manages to land hits, only to discover Gaara's body is coated in sand. Opening the first of the Eight Gates, Lee launches Gaara into the air with several kicks. Catching him with his bandages, Lee uses the Front Lotus, only to discover he used it on a clone.Lee's target was actually only a decoy - a hollow clone made of sand. Gaara reappears and fights Lee, who is now weak from using his Front Lotus again. Lee quickly recovers , demonstrating his ability to open the Second Gate. He then powers himself up by opening the Third Gate, frightening even Gaara. Guy and Neji have flashbacks to before Lee became a genin and right after he became one, showing his determination to be a respectable ninja through only the use of taijutsu.

Lee's speed proved too much for Gaara, and his sand was no longer able to form a shield fast enough to be of use. Lee opened the Fifth Gate, and used his most powerful attack, Reverse Lotus. Gaara survived this final blow due to him softening his fall by turning his gourd into sand, and used the sand to crush Lee's left arm and leg. Gaara moved his sand to finish Lee, but Guy jumped in to protect his student. Lee, although unconscious due to the pain, rose to continue the battle, his desire to win fuelling his broken body. Guy wept at Lee's dedication, and Lee was taken away to recover. The medical ninja announced that Lee's injuries were too severe to be completely healed, and that he would never be able to fight as a ninja again. Guy regretted teaching Lee such dangerous techniques, and vacated the ring for the final match.

Dosu vs Choji

Chōji used his Human Bullet Tank technique with the assumption that he was safe from Dosu's sound technique, but Dosu attacked and defeat him with one blow.

After the final fight all the Genin who made it through to the finals came down.The Hokage told them that the exam finals would happen in a month to give them time to prepare and allow important dignitaries to arrive.

'Now to decide who will face who in the finals you will each draw a number.' Said the Hokage.

After everyone drew and said their number the matches were determined as follows.

First match Naruto VS Neji.

Second match Gaara VS Sasuke.

Third match Kankuro VS Shino.

Fourth match Temari Vs Dosu.

Fifth match Fourth Match winner VS Shikamaru.

You now know who you will be facing so use this month to plan accordingly and also to rest and recover, until then let us adjourn until next month.' Finished the Hokage.

Line break

Elsewhere, Kabuto prepares to kidnap Sasuke under Orochimaru's orders, but he is stopped by Kakashi and is forced to retreat.

Line break

After the Hokage's announcement Naruto left.Naruto went to the hospital to visit Hinata. When he got to Hinata's room he saw her talking with Anko.

So you finally decided to come captain. Anko

Naruto ignored her and went to Hinata to give a hug. He hugged her and cried.

There is no need to cry Naruto. I am fine. Hinata

Naruto wipe off his tears and asked her a question.

Hinata do remember everything about your past life. Naruto

Yes Naruto I remember everything. Hinata

How do you feel. Naruto

Don't worry Naruto I am healed up. Hinata

Anko told me about the CRA(Clan Restoration Act). Said Hinata activating her Byakugan.

I told her I would not accept and it was a bad idea. Naruto said scared

I accept it Naruto. Naruto you have a way of attracting others to you. Especially women in your past live. Merlin and Zaneri loved you. You chose me and in the process you broke their hearts. I want to avoid that this time. You are allowed to date others but remember this I am still your number 1. Hinata

Yes mam. Said Naruto frightend

You heard what Big Sis said captain. Said Anko kissing him on the cheek

"Anko I want you to look after Hinata for me while i train." Naruto

"Yes captain." Anko

Naruto kisses Hinata on the lips before he leaves. He goes to see the Hokage. He tells the Hokage he wants to leave for the month. The Hokage asked why. Naruto told him he wanted to get some experience fighting bandits and ninja. The Hokage tells him he can leave and that he must return safely.

To be continued