Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto or any of the characters; this is purely for enjoyment, so deal with it already.

“We should just kill him after this exam, it would be much better that way,” howled Kyubi inside Naruto’s head.

You may be right but that decision is neither yours or mine to make, thought Naruto in reply.

“He almost got us both killed because of his arrogance. For a while there I thought that he was going to be a valuable teammate but it seems that he is only interested in proving to his family that he’s better than Itachi was,” Kyubi replied angrily.

How the hell would you know that?

“Didn’t you pay any attention at that meet and greet? That bastard kept comparing Sasuke’s ‘limited talent’ with that of his brother ‘genius’. Does it really surprise you that much?”

Like I was supposed to know that? Anyway, do you have any idea why that snake-freak bit him?

“It is a chakra seal that was developed by Seth. I am guessing that your great-uncle is his container. Seth was always a slippery son of bitch. It really wouldn’t surprise me if he was able to take control as he did.”

Is it dangerous?

“Very, you should warn that stupid instructor of yours about it.”

Naruto effectively ended the conversation then. It was only the second of five days the teams were to spend in the forest and his team had already finished. Though they finished almost a full day after Gaara of the Sand and his team did. As a result they still had a few days before they would have to worry about the next step.

“Naruto-sama,” said an unknown Chuunin, “The Hokage has asked to speak with you.”

“Sure,” said Naruto as he stood to follow the Chuunin. Naruto was with his team waiting patiently in the recovery area. It paid to arrive quickly.

The Chuunin led Naruto through a few different hallways to a small office with several video monitors. On closer inspection Naruto noted that the monitors were observing the exam area.

“Hello Naruto-kun,” greeted Sarutobi in a friendly voice.

“Hello Sarutobi-sensei,” said Naruto with his famous fox grin.

“Naruto-kun, I have never been your teacher. There is no need for you to call me sensei.”

“I know, but dad does and now its just habit,” explained Naruto, “So, you wanted to see me?”

“Yes, I’ve heard rumors that you had a rather dangerous encounter while in the forest with your uncle,” said Sarutobi.

“How did you . . .” but Naruto never finished as Sarutobi held up a hand to silence him.

“Anko-san came across him after she discovered the bodies of three grass-nin,” explained Sarutobi, “Do you know why he was here?”

“He said he was here to give a gift to Sasuke, that’s all I know,” said Naruto.

“So he has given Sasuke a seal then,” said Sarutobi.

“You know about the seal?” asked Naruto impulsively.

“Yes, Anko-san was his first subject,” said Sarutobi, “However she cannot use the seal without losing control. I fear that Orochimaru has since improved the design.”

“What does the seal do exactly?”

“It enhances a shinobi by forcing Chakra out of their bodies at an increased rate,” explained Sarutobi.

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Normally it would be except that the way it is forced out damages the brain of the user. It can also lead to extreme Chakra depletion as well,” explained the Third a bit more.

“Do you know why he wants Sasuke?”

“He wants the Sharingan for himself to use,” explained Sarutobi, “He initially wanted Itachi from our spies tell us but after your father was forced to kill Itachi he had to settle for Sasuke,” explained the old man before taking a long drag on his pipe.

“I think you should take our team out of the exam,” said Naruto sadly, “Sasuke has become a danger to Konoha and his teammates. If this seal gives him more power than he may well go looking for Orochimaru on his own if only to become better than Itachi in his parents eyes.”

“I would Naruto but I fear that if I were to pull you team out then Orochimaru would do something even more dangerous for Konoha,” explained Sarutobi as he exhaled a large puff of smoke he had been holding in.

Naruto waved aside the smoke, “I understand.”

“If Sasuke can make it to the next section of the exam without using the seal we may be able to place another seal over that one.”

“My father?” asked Naruto.

“He could if he were here. I think Kakashi-san is more than capable, but it would depend entirely on Sasuke,” said Sarutobi tiredly.

“Do you want me to try and talk to Sasuke?”

“No, just warn him that if he activates that curse seal again ANBU will be forced to kill him,” said Sarutobi seriously.

Naruto nodded grimly before standing to leave.

“Oh and Naruto,” called the old man causing the boy to pause at the door, “Good luck with the next part of the exam. You’re going to need it.”

“Right old man,” said Naruto with a grin before leaving.

Naruto met up again with his team.

“What was that all about?”

“Hokage just wanted to congratulate me,” said Naruto, “Sasuke, I need to speak with you in private for a moment. Could you excuse us Sakura?”

Sasuke and Sakura were both surprised by how polite Naruto was being. Sakura nodded before leaving.

“What the hell do you want?” asked Sasuke angrily.

“Look, you and I agreed from the start that we wouldn’t like each other but that we’d work together and I intend to hold up my part of that bargain. You are falling a bit short.” Sasuke was about to interrupt but Naruto continued on not giving him the chance. “I know your old man is a bastard for always comparing you to your brother but that is no excuse for you putting your team in danger just because you feel the need to prove yourself. Now, the Third wanted me to warn you. If you activate that curse seal anytime during this exam then the ANBU will kill you on sight without hesitation. Is that clear?”

Sasuke looked stunned, “What? Why?”

“That seal is dangerous to Konoha. The man that gave it to you, my uncle, is even more dangerous and he seems to have some plan for you. Consider yourself warned.” Naruto started to walk away angrily.

Sasuke looked like he wanted to yell and scream at Naruto but there really wasn’t much he could say.

Naruto stalked off to find a room to himself. He just happened to choose the wrong room. Inside the room he chose it was darkened but in the center stood a young man with blood red hair and maniacal grin on his face.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to disturb you,” said Naruto as he turned to leave but the sand stopped him.

“Blood,” said a sickly dark voice from the boy. It definitely did not sound like a boy that was near his age. This sounded more like Kyubi to Narut

“Sorry, you can’t have mine,” said Naruto dropping the genjutsu covering his eyes to face the boy.

Suddenly the boy dropped to his knees bowing deeply to Naruto, “Forgive me Kyubi-sama. I did not know,” the voice pleaded in fear.

“Eh?”

“He is Shukaku, my most loyal of servants. It would appear that this boy was forced to be a vessel despite lacking the correct bloodline,” explained Kyubi.

“Shukaku,” said Naruto, “Stand up.”

The boy did as ordered and stood, “What is your command my master?”

Naruto tried not to grin, “Tell how you came to be sealed in such a vessel.”

“I was doing my rounds as you ordered me to. I was in sand country reminding the people that I had not forgotten them. A priest somehow absorbed me using a technique I have never seen. The priest was not very powerful and I overwhelmed him taking control but I could not escape his body. After that I was seal within an urn. Not long after I was sealed within this boy. I have been breaking him over time and have nearly gained complete domination of him. If ever he sleeps I wake and take control. When he is awake I torment his mind and force him to become a killing machine. He is my play thing for now but his mind will not last much longer. Soon I will control this vessel just as I did the priest.”

Naruto was appalled by this demon Shukaku’s boasting. He wanted to kill the boy and the demon now just to end it.

“That would not be wise boy, his seal is such that if you were to kill the boy it would only set the demon free.”

Any suggestions then? I mean he was once your servant wasn’t he?

“He will obey anything you tell him. I would suggest you use him as your own personal tool of death and destruction, but that is just me.”

“Shukaku, Kyubi has been sealed within this body. He was betrayed by the Tiger Demon. He and I have come to a deal to help him achieve his revenge. You are bound to him and now therefore bound to me as well.”

“I see, then perhaps it was the Tiger Demon that told the priest how to imprison me as well. He always was trying to take my place at your side,” said the boy in the same dark demonic voice.

“Your orders are as follows. First, you are to cease your torture of that boy body. You will need it if you intend to assist me in destroying the Tiger Demon,” ordered Naruto.

“But I have almost taken the body, why should I allow this boy to continue existing when he is not needed?”

“Because I said so,” said Naruto strongly causing Shukaku to cringe in fear. “Second, the deal between me and Kyubi has been extended to you and that boy.”

“What?” demanded Shukaku angrily.

“You will teach that boy everything you know and you will give him your powers freely. You will let him sleep without fear of you taking over. And when the Tiger Demon has been dealt with you will surrender to that seal and let your existence move on to the next plane. Is that clear?”

“Kyubi-sama, why would you make such a deal?”

“It is my right,” said Naruto passing the message through, “You have your orders now follow them.”

Shukaku didn’t look happy about it but dropped to one knee and bowed his head in submission.

Naruto could feel the demon leaving and boy retaking control. His head shot up and he glared at Naruto.

“Who are you? How dare you enter my chambers?”

“Silence,” ordered Naruto slightly aggravated. The last few days had really been testing his patience and it was about to run out.

The boy was about to protest when he paused slightly startled that the sand refused to move as he ordered.

“Shukaku is loyal to me and that is not likely to change,” said Naruto, “You now have a choice. You can join Shukaku in loyalty to me or I can let Shukaku destroy you.” Naruto was not in the mood to deal with anymore shit for the rest of the day.

“How is that possible?” asked the startled boy.

Naruto looked the boy in the eyes showing him the Kyubi within. “I happen to be the container for your demon’s lord.”

He almost smiled a genuine smile, “But he . . .”

“. . . is loyal to me and will from this day forward serve you.”

“What do you mean by serve me?”

Naruto sighed but explained exactly what that meant. He explained about Kyubi’s quest for revenge and how because Shukaku served Kyubi in the past he was bound to follow Naruto’s orders. He also explained how Shukaku would no longer be a danger to him.

“I am Gaara of the Sand, I thank you,” said Gaara after Naruto explained everything.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I don’t really care about that. I’m only going to say one thing to you, don’t kill any of the Leaf Shinobi and follow Shukaku’s orders when it comes to training. Otherwise try to enjoy life a bit, maybe get a girlfriend or something,” finished Naruto.

“Why are you doing this?” asked Gaara.

“Because I can, and besides, now you’ll owe me,” said Naruto before he left once more in search of a quiet place.

Naruto finally found a quiet room that was completely empty. At this point he just wanted someplace to organize his thoughts about everything that had happened in the last few days.

First, his ‘great-uncle’ Orochimaru was stirring up trouble while his father was away. Somehow it didn’t feel like it was just a coincidence to Naruto. Naruto had been feeling even worse as that thought occurred to him.

Second, Sasuke and his everlasting quest to prove he is stronger than his brother. If Sasuke didn’t start making some changes in his attitude it could cause a lot of destruction. Not too mention that it could end up getting him killed in the process.

Third, Sakura was still just pitiful as a shinobi and was too absorbed with Sasuke despite her potential. Naruto had finally decided then that Sakura was more of an infatuation that had definitely passed. Now Naruto was left with the need to find a way to pass on that technique Kyubi showed him to Sakura. Not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination.

Eventually Naruto fell asleep in that room. His body was still messed up from that poison and as a result his Chakra was just not doing what it was supposed to do yet. He figured it was just because his Chakra was more concerned with healing that functioning.

Naruto was awoken the next morning by lavender eyes that seemed to lack a pupil.

“Naruto-kun, it is time to wake up, we are expected in the auditorium in the center of the tower,” explained a soft but friendly voice.

“Huh?” asked Naruto as he was still waking up. He blinked a few times before he realized who it was. “Hinata?”

“Yes, Naruto-kun,” she replied.

“I’m glad to see you made it here alive,” said Naruto.

“Thank you Naruto-kun,” she replied smiling slightly with a bit of pink tinge on her cheeks.

“So, what did you wake me for again? I didn’t really hear you the first time,” explained Naruto with a sheepish grin.

“We have to meet in the auditorium,” she explained quickly.

“Oh, let’s go then,” said Naruto as he stood up.

It was then that he heard someone calling his name from the hall.

“Naruto-nichan,” called a small voice, “I can smell you but where are you?”

Naruto wanted to hit himself in the head. He would have darted into the hall to stop the speaker but it was too late.

Trouble entered the room, “Naruto-nichan, I found you. I couldn’t find . . .” Trouble stopped short upon seeing Hinata.

“Shit,” said Naruto slapping his forehead.

“Naruto, Trouble is talking. Why is Trouble talking?” asked a confused Hinata.

“She does speak,” said Trouble in amazement, “I thought she was mute or something.” Trouble knew it was too late now that Hinata had heard him so he decided to go for broke.

“Of course I speak, but you’re a fox, how can you speak?” asked Hinata.

“Umm, Naruto-nichan trained me really well?” asked Trouble hopeful that she would believe him.

“Naruto-kun, why can Trouble-chan speak?”

“Well, it’s a bit difficult to explain really. I suppose you could say that I found a very special technique that changed him a bit,” said Naruto.

“Naruto-kun,” said Hinata glaring at Naruto.

Naruto sighed, “I can’t really explain what happened. One day he just started talking to me. I guess you could say that he is a summoning beast in training. Do you think you could keep it a secret for me?”

“I think I could but it will cost you,” said Hinata boldly.

Naruto’s eye twitched. He never expected Hinata to become so bold so quickly when he started to help her with her confidence. He was suddenly thinking it was a mistake altogether. “How much?”

“I don’t want money,” said Hinata a bit shyly now. It seemed like a good idea to her at the beginning but now her nerves were beginning to fail her.

“Then what do you want?” asked Trouble who was now interested since he now had a second person to speak to.

“I want . . . I want a date,” said Hinata barely audibly.

Trouble started rolling in laughter at the look of shock and surprise on his Naruto-nichan’s face.

“I’m sorry,” said Naruto cleaning out his ear, “I must be hearing things. Did you say that you wanted a date?”

Hinata nodded turning redder than before.

“Who do you want a date with exactly? It’s not Sasuke is it?”

Hinata almost face vaulted at how dense Naruto was being. “With you silly,” said Trouble for her.

“Oh,” said Naruto and then he had to do a double take, “With me?”

Hinata nodded again but this time she was trying not to laugh at Naruto’s antics.

“But your father hates me,” said Naruto.

“I know,” said Hinata with a bit of a smirk.

“I see, then you just want to annoy your father,” said Naruto. For some reason he couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.

“It’s not like that, that’s just an added bonus,” said Hinata trying to reassure Naruto.

“So, you really do like me then?” asked Naruto.

“Yes, you amazed me when you stayed in my family home,” said Hinata blushing deeply, “I just want to know you more.”

“Alright but can we talk about this after the exams?” asked Naruto.

“Oh,” said Hinata surprised. She forgot that they were supposed to go.

Trouble led the way out and through the building to the auditorium. Naruto and Hinata were the last to enter and they both looked flush earning them a few snickers from the other rookie Genin.

“Heh, idiot,” said one Genin in face paint.

“Silence,” ordered Gaara to the boy with face paint causing the one with face paint to look very afraid.

Naruto took his place in line.

“From here on you are all on your own. If you want to quit now your team will not be penalized for it,” said a sick looking Jounin.

Naruto was a bit suspicious when Kabuto raised his hand a quit. He was the only one too. Unfortunately there was nothing that Naruto could say about it at the moment. Naruto had become suspicious of almost everyone since Orochimaru showed up and as a result he was now becoming very paranoid as if waiting for the next shoe to drop.

“Since there are still too many of you there will be a single elimination round to cut down your numbers,” said the Jounin coughing every few words. “Your names have all been entered into the computer so your fights will be at random. First match, Uchiha Sasuke vs. Akudou Yoroi.” The same names appeared on the reader board.

The remaining Genin went to wait in the balcony above to watch the fight.

Sasuke stood calmly across from Yoroi waiting for him to act first.

Yoroi perform a quick hand seal causing his hands to glow blue. Beneath his mask Sasuke could see the man smirking before he charged forward and began attacking fiercely.

Up in the stands every Leaf Jounin watch anxiously hoping that Sasuke wouldn’t have to be killed that day.

Naruto watched trying to take in as much of the fight and the techniques used as possible. For the most part he found the fight between the two to be rather boring. It was purely Taijutsu and Sasuke for the most part was losing. It appeared to Naruto as though Yoroi drained chakra anywhere his hands came close to Sasuke. Naruto watched calmly as Sasuke managed to somehow win a miraculous victory. Kakashi then swept in and took Sasuke away.

After Sasuke fought, Shikamaru fought and won then Sakura and Ino fought to a draw. After Ino and Sakura fought Shino fought and won.

“Hyuga Hinata vs. Hyuga Neji,” called the judge.

“Hinata, just remember your fight with me,” said Naruto, “Don’t let anything he says get to you.”

Hinata nodded as she jumped off the side.

“Hinata,” Naruto called remember one last piece of advice, “Beat this guy fast and we’ll go on that date tonight.”

Many of the shinobi in the room snickered but poor Hinata turned cherry red with embarrassment. That didn’t stop her from nodding an affirmative.

Neji snorted, “You will lose. You main house are nothing to me.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way Neji-nisan,” said Hinata as she activated her Byakugan. Neji was truly taken off guard by this Hinata. She was confident a prepared to fight. This was not the timid, shy, pitiful Hinata he’d always looked down on in the past. This was a true opponent that could definitely hurt him if he was careless.

“Begin,” said the judge.

Hinata moved fast to attack using her family style aggressively forcing Neji on the defensive.

The pair of Byakugan users fought fiercely back and forth neither getting a clear hit on the other. Each strike was met with a block as the pair fought on relentlessly.

“Kaiten: Heavenly Spin,” shouted Neji in desperation. A whirl of chakra emerged around Neji sending Hinata crashing through the air and into one of the walls instantly knocking her unconscious.

“Winner, Hyuga Neji,” said the judge after inspecting Hinata’s unconscious form. He then motioned to Kurenai to come get her. “She’ll wake up in a few minutes. The impact wasn’t as bad as it could have been.”

Kurenai nodded and picked up her student and carried her up to the balcony to wake up.

Neji though was looking extremely pissed off and out of breath. He knew that Hinata had the potential to win that fight if only she knew the Heavenly Spin.

“Uzumaki Naruto vs. Inuzuka Kiba,” called the judge.

Naruto hopped down. His Chakra was still acting funny as it fought off the last little bit of the poison from his system. Of course Trouble had to hop down with him upon seeing Kiba and Akamaru together.

“Fox vs. Dog eh?” asked Naruto to Kiba with a grin.

“It would seem that way,” said Kiba, “Not that any stupid fox could beat Akamaru.”

Trouble growled angrily at that comment. He was not just some stupid fox. He was demon fox in training and he was not about to let some stupid dog. He yip and growled a code to Naruto.

“No,” said Naruto simply.

Trouble yipped and growled again this time it felt very angry.

“Do you have any idea what kind of trouble that will cause?”

Trouble yipped and growled a few more words in code.

“Fine, but you can explain it to dad later,” said Naruto as he made a few quick hand seals releasing the Genjutsu that hid the both of their appearances. There was an audible gasp of shock and surprise at seeing a fox with two tails standing next to Naruto.

The judge even looked slightly concerned and looked to the Third Hokage. Sarutobi just smiled and nodded giving his permission. Naruto could see a twinkle in the old man’s eye that said he was excited to see what ‘trouble’ Trouble could cause.

Naruto then locked eyes with Kiba causing him to visibly flinch at seeing Naruto’s orange eyes.

Kiba quickly recomposed himself, “What can an idiot like you hope to ever accomplish? You’re just some spoil brat.”

Now it was Naruto’s turn to be pissed. He growled and yipped in the same code to Trouble telling simply not to use demon techniques or kill.

Trouble nodded as he channeled a bit of his Chakra into his muscles just like Naruto taught him to. Naruto agreed with Trouble before channeling his own Chakra into his muscles.

Akamaru looked worried as the foxed channeled chakra when he wasn’t able to. This wasn’t lost on Kiba either.

“Kage Bunshin no Jutsu,” called Naruto forming not only six clones of himself but six clones of Trouble as well. Truth was Trouble did this for himself but the audience all assumed it was Naruto’s doing.

“Ready to lose,” all the Naruto’s called together as they each pulled a pair of kunai.

The seven Trouble’s weren’t going to wait any longer as they charge forward to attack Akamaru. Trouble was slightly surprised when Kiba fed some kind of pill to the dog causing it to grow a few inches taller and make it grow stronger as well. The first three clones vanished in a swipe of the claws and fourth popped as Akamaru’s teeth chomped down on it.

That didn’t deter the other three in the slightest. One took a swipe at Akamaru’s nose causing him to recoil in pain. It was the perfect opportunity as the real Trouble darted in and used its tail to pierce one front and rear leg on Akamaru’s left side effectively slowing the dog down. That didn’t stop Akamaru from destroying another clone an instant later.

While this was going on Naruto and Kiba were locked in some intense hand to hand combat. Kiba had quickly destroyed Naruto’s clones after he took a soldier pill for himself.

Naruto was fight at his best but he was slowed down by the excess weight he was wearing because he decided to turn this into a training exercise instead of a real test that he actually hoped to pass. Still this was one fight he desperately wanted to win, not only for himself but for Trouble.

“Alright that’s it,” said Naruto as he jumped away from Kiba.

“Giving up already?” asked Kiba snidely.

“No,” said Naruto as he pulled off his jacket and shirt to reveal the weight suit beneath. If he’d look up at the audience just then he would have noticed most of the females with bloody noses. The men however were shocked upon seeing the weight suit. Naruto pulled off just the top halve and let it drop to the floor causing a small dust cloud to rise upon impact. Naruto put his t-shirt back on. “There, now that feels much better.” Naruto then did a few punches to test himself. Overall he was please with the increase in speed and strength after only a few days training.

“You were wearing weights the whole time?” asked Kiba, “You really are stupid.”

“That was only half of the weights,” said Naruto, “But it should be enough to give me an edge over you.” Then in a blur Naruto vanished in a blur of movement.

Before Kiba could react Naruto had struck with a right hook to the side of Kiba’s face sending him tumbling across the floor.

Naruto cringed slightly, “I think that was a bit too much.” But then Kiba stood rubbing his cheek.

“I hope you enjoyed that, it’ll be the last time you hit me,” said Kiba, “Akamaru, let’s go.” But Akamaru didn’t come. Kiba looked over to where Akamaru had been fighting Trouble to find that Akamaru was unconscious at Trouble’s feet.

It was a mistake for Kiba to take his eyes off of Naruto. While Kiba looked away Naruto struck again, this time much harder and more than just one hit. His first strike went into Kiba’s stomach causing him to spit a bit of blood and double over. The next strike was from Naruto’s knee traveling straight up connecting with Kiba’s chin lifting him into the air a few feet. The third strike came from above with a spinning back fist to the back of his head causing him to face plant into the arena floor with a sickening crunch.

“Victory, Uzumaki Naruto,” said the stunned judge ending the match. This time he signaled for stretchers to come and collect the boy and his dog.

Naruto quickly put the Genjutsu back in place on Trouble and himself. His plan was that hopefully the Genin and Jounin would believe that Naruto performed a simple Hengetsu to make Kiba a bit afraid . . . hopefully.

Naruto picked up his weights and jacket before he rejoined his waiting friends. Once he was up there he peeled off his shirt again to put the top half of the extra weight suit on much to the pleasure of the women who were blatantly staring at him. Then much to their disappointment Naruto put his shirt and jacket on again.

“Naruto, why did you enter this test wearing a weight suit?” asked Sakura curiously.

“Because I don’t expect for us to pass on our first try,” said Naruto, “I’m pretty sure that every one of the Genin rookie teams in this exam was entered more for the experience of it than anything. Isn’t that right Kakashi-sensei?”

“You’re correct Naruto, most Genin meet with foreign shinobi for the first time in this exam. This is the best place for that kind of introduction,” explained Kakashi, “I’m surprised so many of you made it out of the forest of death really.”

“See,” said Naruto to Sakura.

“But Sasuke-kun could . . .”

“No, he couldn’t,” said Kakashi cutting her off, “He’s not ready. He doesn’t understand the importance of teamwork. He is selfish and because of that he puts the both of you at risk as you well found out in the forest.”

Sakura shut up with that. She really wanted to argue but had no basis to argue from.

“Rock Lee vs. Gaara,” called the judge.

Naruto stood up anxiously to watch what would happen here.

Lee began to attack quickly and accurately using only Taijutsu, which worried Naruto some. Unfortunately for Lee not one hit got through the barrier of sand. Unfortunately for Lee not one hit got through the barrier of sand. From there it just got worse for Lee, even after removing weights that made the weights Naruto wore look like feathers in comparison.

“Glad I don’t have to fight him,” said Naruto.

“Yeah,” said Sakura stunned.

“I never knew Lee-san was so fast,” said Hinata who had finally regained consciousness.

Lee continued to pound into Gaara who just stood their and took it. Nothing Lee did seemed to hurt Gaara in the slightest. Finally Lee was down and injured, though not through any action by Gaara. Gaara sensing the impending destruction sent his sand to finish Lee, Shukaku was happily cheering him on.

“Gaara,” shouted Naruto causing the sand to halt instantly.

Gaara looked up at Naruto with disdain and anger. The sand began to crawl again towards the helpless Lee.

“Gaara, stop it now, he’s lost,” said Naruto angrily.

Gaara sneered at Naruto.

“I said stop,” said Naruto, “That’s an order.”

Gaara seemed to stiffen slightly before he recalled all of his sand, “He can no longer fight.”

The judge nodded in agreement, “Victory, Gaara.”

Gaara looked at Naruto before bowing, “Sorry Naruto-sama.” Then in a whirl of sand Gaara vanished only to reappear on the balcony with his teammates.

“What the hell was that about?” demand the team Jounin.

“I must obey his orders or he will destroy me,” said Gaara simply relaying Shukaku’s message.

The Jounin seemed taken aback by those words, it didn’t seem possible. Gaara actually seemed a bit afraid of that other boy. But ‘why’ he didn’t know.

“Is he really that strong Gaara?” asked the boy with face paint.

Gaara sneered at the boy, “Shut up Kankuro.”

Kankuro paled and silenced himself instantly.

“Our plan will fail if we side with Orochimaru,” said Gaara, “We would do better to betray him and inform the Leaf. Baki, go tell my father as much now if he still wishes to gain in the events that are about to transpire.”

The Jounin nodded before running out of the auditorium.

“Gaara, are you okay? You actually seem concerned,” said the blond girl cautiously. She was the only person that could ever talk to him in the slightest.

“I’m just tired,” said Gaara, “I have not slept in months.”

“But Gaara, you know you cannot sleep,” said Kankuro nervously.

“That is no longer an issue. A deal has been reached,” said Gaara calmly.

The last two fights passed and then all of the Genin were released for a month to prepare for the final tournament.