Stadium was packed to capacity. Thousands of spectators cheered from stands waving flags of Fire Wind and Earth countries. Feudal Lords sat in VIP boxes fanning themselves and betting millions of Ryo on outcome of battles.
In center box Third Hokage sat next to Fourth Kazekage.
"Kazekage dono" Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe. "I am glad you could make it. Journey from Sand must have been tiring."
"Not at all" Kazekage replied his voice muffled by veil. Underneath robes Orochimaru smirked. "I wouldn't miss this for world. It is time to see which village holds true power."
Down in arena finalists gathered.
Naruto Uzumaki looked around anxiously. Neji Hyuga stood with arms crossed calm and arrogant. Shikamaru Nara looked at clouds wishing he was in bed. Shino Aburame was silent. Temari and Kankuro whispered to each other glancing at their brother.
Gaara stood alone. He was staring at floor ignoring cheers.
And then there was Team Rain.
Uehara Naraku stood relaxed hands in pockets of his purple raincoat. Beside him Shigure was hyperventilating clutching his three umbrellas like lifelines.
"Captain" Shigure squeaked. "I think I am going to throw up. Look at that crowd. Look at Gaara."
"Deep breaths" Uehara advised. "Just remember your training. Step 1: Surrender. Step 2: Run."
"Where are Sasuke and Dosu?" Naruto asked looking around. "Sasuke is late!"
"Dosu is missing too" Uehara noted.
Proctor for finals Genma Shiranui walked out. He had a senbon needle in his mouth and looked significantly tougher than sickly Hayate.
"Listen up" Genma announced. "Welcome to Main Tournament. We have a few changes. Sasuke Uchiha has not arrived yet. If he doesn't show up by his match time he will be disqualified."
Crowd booed. They wanted to see Uchiha.
"Also" Genma looked at clipboard. "Dosu Kinuta of Sound Village was found dead this morning outside village walls."
"Dead?" Shikamaru blinked. "What happened?"
"Mauled by wild beast apparently" Genma said eyes flickering towards Gaara.
Gaara didn't react.
"Therefore" Genma turned to Uehara. "Match 5 between Uehara Naraku and Dosu Kinuta is cancelled. Uehara Naraku advances to next round by default."
"What?!" Uehara threw his hands up. "Default? You mean I don't get to fight?"
"You won" Genma shrugged. "Be happy."
"I am not happy!" Uehara complained. "I wanted his loot! I mean... I wanted to test my skills!"
[System Notification: Opponent Deceased.]
[Match Result: Win by Default.]
[Reward: 50 Gold Coins.]
"50 Gold?" Uehara scowled. "That is pity money. Dosu you useless mummy. You couldn't even stay alive for me to kill you."
"Captain!" Shigure cried tears of joy. "You are so lucky! You made it to semi finals without lifting a finger!"
"Luck is a skill" Uehara grumbled. "Fine. I will go sit in VIP section."
"Everyone else clear arena" Genma ordered. "First match: Naruto Uzumaki vs Neji Hyuga. Remain here."
Candidates walked to waiting area. Uehara walked up stairs passing Gaara.
"You killed him didn't you?" Uehara whispered.
Gaara stared ahead. "He challenged me. He was weak. Weakness is a sin."
"You owe me 100 Gold for stealing my kill" Uehara tapped Gaara's shoulder.
Sand spiked up aggressively but Uehara was already walking away using Sorcerer's Shoes speed boost.
In arena Naruto and Neji faced off.
"I told you" Neji activated Byakugan. "Destiny cannot be changed. You are a failure Naruto. Withdraw now before you get hurt."
"Shut up!" Naruto formed a cross seal. "I am going to win! Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
POOF.
Hundreds of Narutos filled stadium.
Battle began. It was clash of quantity vs quality. Naruto threw waves of clones at Neji but Hyuga genius spun like a top.
"Rotation!"
Blue chakra sphere repelled every attack destroying clones instantly. It was absolute defense of Hyuga clan.
"Impressive" Uehara watched from railing. "Rotation blocks physical attacks. But I wonder how it handles magical damage? My Void Staff should be able to penetrate that chakra sphere."
Neji dominated fight. He shut down Naruto's chakra points leaving boy gasping on ground.
"Proctor" Neji looked at Genma. "Call match. He is done."
"Not... yet..."
Naruto stood up trembling.
"I am not done..."
Red chakra began to leak from Naruto. Nine Tails was waking up.
"Here it comes" Uehara leaned forward Scrying Orb recording data. "The plot armor."
Red chakra healed Naruto's wounds instantly. Speed increased. Power skyrocketed.
Neji looked shocked. "What is this chakra?"
Naruto charged. Clash was blinding. Red chakra vs Blue rotation. Ground shattered.
In end Naruto burst from ground delivering a massive uppercut to Neji's jaw.
CRACK.
Genius of Hyuga flew backward crashing into dirt defeated.
"Winner: Naruto Uzumaki!" Genma shouted.
Stadium erupted.
"He did it" Shigure gaped. "The dead last beat genius."
"He had a demon fox inside him" Uehara muttered. " Hardly fair. But a win is a win."
[Side Mission Failed: Defeat Neji Hyuga in Finals.]
[Reason: Target eliminated by another contestant.]
"Tsk." Uehara clicked tongue. "There goes Wit's End. Naruto you owe me big time."
Genma checked time.
"Next match: Sasuke Uchiha vs Gaara."
Crowd cheered again but Sasuke was still missing.
"He is not here" Genma looked at Hokage box.
Kazekage (Orochimaru) leaned over to Hiruzen. "Hokage dono surely we can wait a little? Everyone came to see Uchiha."
Hiruzen nodded. "We will move this match to end of rotation. Proceed to next match."
"Next match!" Genma announced. "Kankuro vs Shino Aburame!"
Kankuro looked at Gaara then at Shino.
"I forfeit" Kankuro raised hand.
"What?" Shino adjusted sunglasses.
"I am saving my chakra" Kankuro said walking away. "I don't want to reveal my puppets yet."
"Strategy" Uehara noted. "Sand Village is planning invasion. Kankuro doesn't want to get tired before real war starts."
"Winner by forfeit: Shino Aburame."
"Next match: Temari vs Shikamaru Nara!"
Shikamaru sighed. "What a drag. Do I have to?"
Naruto pushed him over railing. "Go get her Shikamaru!"
Fight was tactical masterclass. Shikamaru used shadows to trap Temari despite terrain disadvantage. He outsmarted her completely catching her in Shadow Possession Jutsu.
Crowd held breath waiting for finishing blow.
"I forfeit" Shikamaru raised hand.
"Hah?" Temari blinked.
"I am out of chakra" Shikamaru shrugged releasing jutsu. "And my back hurts. You win."
"Winner: Temari."
"Another forfeit?" Uehara shook head. "This tournament is a mess. Half fighters are quitting or dead."
"Next match!" Genma shouted. "Shigure vs Gaara!"
Uehara turned to his teammate.
Shigure was hugging a pillar shaking so hard his teeth rattled.
"It is time Shigure" Uehara said gently. "Go out there. Make Rain Village proud."
"Captain..." Shigure looked at arena where Gaara stood waiting sand swirling ominously. "Can I just forfeit too?"
"No" Uehara smiled cruel angelic smile. "If you forfeit I will tell Konan sensei you called her an old hag."
"You wouldn't!"
"I would. Now go."
Uehara kicked Shigure over railing.
Poor boy landed in arena stumbling to his feet.
Gaara looked at him.
"You..." Gaara's eyes were dead. "You are with Raincoat guy. I will kill you to annoy him."
"Begin!"
Shigure screamed. "Ninja Art: Senbon Shower!"
He threw three umbrellas into air. They spun rapidly raining down thousands of needles.
"Die! Die! Die!"
Needles hit Gaara's sand shield bouncing off uselessly.
Gaara raised hand slowly.
"Sand Burial."
Sand rushed forward.
"Captain help me!" Shigure cried.
Uehara stood on balcony watching. He had a card in his hand. He could intervene. He could save Shigure like he saved Lee.
But then he put card away.
"Sorry Shigure" Uehara whispered. "But this is war. And I need Gaara to think he is invincible."
Sand engulfed Shigure.
CRUNCH.
Blood sprayed onto sand.
Shigure's scream was cut short.
Stadium went silent. It was first death of tournament.
"Winner: Gaara" Genma announced grimly.
Gaara looked up at balcony locking eyes with Uehara. He licked blood from his sand.
"You are next" Gaara mouthed.
Uehara looked at red stain that used to be his teammate. His expression didn't change.
"Rest in peace Shigure" Uehara muttered. "Your sacrifice will buy me Zhonya's Hourglass."
He checked his bracket.
"Since I won by default and Gaara won... I fight Gaara in semi finals."
"Round 2" Uehara cracked knuckles. "Uehara Naraku vs Gaara of Desert."
But first Sasuke had to arrive. Or invasion had to start.
"Come on Orochimaru" Uehara looked at VIP box. "Start the party."
…..
Author Note
Hi guys! Thank you for reading my fanfiction.
I wanted to let you know that I'll be releasing bonus chapters for Power Stones. Here are the goals:
15 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
30 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
50 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
75 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
100 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
Thanks for the support!