"Alright then," Sasuke accepted.
"Sakura-san! I'll prove and demonstrate the burning flames of my love for you!" Lee said happily as he blew a kiss at her which led to, logic be damned, a genjutsu of floating hearts to fly from out of his lips and over to Sakura. The pink-haired Genin panicked and dodged all of the floating hearts sent her way before falling to the ground on the back of her head.
He seriously has a huge crush on Sakura! Naruto thought while he, out of respect for his friend Lee, bit his tongue down hard to hold the laugh that so badly wanted to come out.
"Hn," Sasuke muttered as he assumed and fighting stance with Lee assuming a taijutsu stance. A moment later, both combatants charged at each other and as soon as Sasuke reached Lee, Lee seemingly vanished and reappeared behind him. The next thing that happened was that Lee delivered a swift swing kick to Sasuke's left side. The Uchiha barely had time to block the attack as he was sent flying backwards. Sasuke managed to regain his balance and keep from falling and hitting the ground.
Lee, however, didn't give Sasuke time to coordinate himself as he rushed at him fiercely. Sasuke tried to resort to his Sharingan but Lee didn't allow him time to gather the needed chakra, as Sasuke was being forced to block as many speeding blows as possible with several punches and kicks landing. The next thing that happened was that Sasuke was sent flying backwards again with no time to regain his balance. Sakura, seeing this, hurriedly rushed over to Sasuke and used herself as a landing cushion as Sasuke collided with her. Both Genin landed on the ground disheveled.
Lee stood upright with a look of disappointment. "Sasuke-san, from what I heard Naruto-kun say about you earlier, I was honestly expecting more out of our match."
Sasuke was seething at how he was floored by Lee before being told that his performance was a disappointment.
"Sasuke-kun, are you-" Sakura was about to ask, but was interrupted.
"I'm fine," Sasuke said as he got back up off the ground with Sakura following as she stood back up also.
"Impressive Lee," Naruto complimented, "You've gotten better than before."
Lee turned his attention to Naruto and said, "Thanks Naruto-kun! As always, I work hard to strengthen the flames of my burning youth!" Lee turned to Sakura and asked, "So how about it, Sakura-san? Will you go out with me?"
"No way!" Sakura screeched. Lee's head dropped down in dejection as Tenten shook her head and sighed.
"Anyway, we've wasted enough time here so let's continued to room 301 please," Neji suggested.
"Sure, let's go," Naruto said as he began to walk away before turning to face Tenten again. "Oh and Tenten, you should try letting your hair out of those cute buns occasionally. I bet you'd look even more cute like that, and you'd have a few guys entranced by your cute face," Naruto said smoothly earning another blush from Tenten as her hand unintentionally went to one of her hair buns after hearing that.
"See ya later," Naruto said as he rejoined the team and went on his way.
The Konoha Genin and the rest of the crowd continued on their way to the room. As Naruto and the others entered the designated room, they came to see that there was a large amount of competition this year. Genin from both major and minor villages were all over the room.
"I get dibs on the strongest ones here!" Naruto shouted, earning a few stares from some of ninja in the room.
"Hey Naruto," said Shikamaru as Choji and Ino made their appearance behind him, "Nice way to make an attention grabbing entrance. You must really want to make enemies."
"Whatever," Naruto retorted. Ino, Shikamaru and Chouji remembered what their fathers told them the other day about Naruto. Shikamaru found the whole ordeal troublesome, though he was angered by the amount of lies and cover ups he was told and taught to believe. Chouji was shocked and outraged. Their fathers explained that they and Inoichi tried to adopt Naruto into one their clans but were overruled by the majority in the council and the hierarchy. Though the three Genin accepted that, they were angry that more wasn't done for Naruto and much of their trust and respect in their parents and older clansmen was lost.
"Hey Naruto, Shikamaru and I were told the whole story about you and your clan. I have to say that Konoha really did you and your clan a great injustice," Chouji sympathized.
"Reparations are in order. Don't worry about it too much, especially since we're about to take the Chuunin Exams," Naruto suggested.
"He's right, so don't become troublesome please," Shikamaru added. Sasuke saw Ino making her way over to them. Catching Sasuke in her sights, she went and hugged him from behind, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
"Sasuke-kun! I missed you!" Ino purred.
"Get off me," Sasuke said with a tone of utter annoyance.
"That's right pig! Get off my Sasuke-kun!" Sakura barked.
"Troublesome. Why don't you two do everyone a favor and go find a guy that's actually worth your time?" Shikamaru said in exasperation. Ino was about to give a retort when her eyes fell on Naruto.
"That reminds me," Ino said as she released Sasuke and went over to Naruto.
"Naruto, I heard some rather amazing and shocking news about you and the lies we were told all these years. I know I can't take back all the bad things I said and did to you but I just wanted to say, I'm sorry," Ino said honestly.
"I accept your apology, but that doesn't mean you and I can't be friends, right?" Naruto asked with a toothy smile.
"Of course not! And as new friends, perhaps you can fill in some missing gaps about yourself. I mean, I've been finding out things about you that don't seem to quite make sense, and I've been trying to dig up the facts," Ino said.
"Ino, now isn't the time for you go looking for the latest gossip," Chouji remarked.
"Chouji," Naruto rebuked, "It's never too late for young maidens to invest and spend their time investigating my greatness."
Most of the Genin in the room sweat-dropped at Naruto's self-absorbed proclamation.
"Don't get big headed Naruto!" Ino replied. "You may have some interesting secrets to yourself but Sasuke-kun is still first place in my book!"
"I like to have a short word with you," Naruto said he gestured for Ino to follow him to the isolated part of the hallway. The group watched as Naruto whispered something into Ino's right ear. Moments later, Ino's eyes widened as the complexion on her face changed to a red that could rival Hinata's blush. Ino's head lowered a short moment before Naruto was done. The blond Jinchuuriki grinned as he walked and left the silent and blushing Ino where she was, looking as meek as ever, something that wasn't common.
How did he know? How did he find out? Ino thought nervously.
"What did you tell her," an intrigued Sakura asked.
"Nothing important," Naruto replied with a shrug. Sakura and everyone else didn't buy that obviously. It was clear that Naruto told her something that truly embarrassed her, and considering how shameless she and Sakura act towards Sasuke, it was saying something. Ino was known for always digging up the latest dirt and news about people and events, but whatever it was Naruto told her must have been deep dirt Ino didn't want to come out into the light.
I wonder if Ino's being blackmailed. I can't help but wonder what embarrassing secret Naruto found out about her, Shikamaru considered as he looked at still quiet and nervous Ino thinking about whatever it was Naruto told her. Troublesome! I just hope that Ino's plight doesn't serve as a hindrance during the Chuunin Exams!
"Hey you guys," Naruto said as he looked over at Team 8, who was just arriving. "Glad to see that you all made it here. And thanks for escorting my girlfriend here safely."
"Whatever Naruto," Kiba grinned. "We didn't come all this way for that. Like you, we came here to kick some ass and get promoted!"
Hinata walked over to Naruto and just as she was about to say something to him…
"Naruto," a masculine voice devoid of emotions called out. Naruto and the others turned to see Gaara. The Suna Jinchuuriki went over to Naruto until they were face to face with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Gaara, how nice to see you again," Naruto replied with a smile while secretly being on guard.
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