Chunin Exam Preliminaries

The tension in the room was palpable as the preliminaries of the Chunin Exams continued. Each battle brought forth a new level of intensity, with the Genin from various villages displaying their skills, determination, and willpower. Despite the absence of Team 7, who had been pulled out of the exams due to recent events, the remaining Konoha Genin, along with the other participants, were prepared to give it their all.

### **Match 1: Kiba Inuzuka vs. Ino Yamanaka**

The first match was between Kiba Inuzuka of Team 8 and Ino Yamanaka of Team 10. Kiba, with Akamaru by his side, relied on his speed and strength, while Ino used her Mind Transfer Jutsu and various techniques to keep Kiba on his toes.

Kiba smirked confidently as he crouched low, his hands hovering over the ground. "Ino, you should just give up. You know you can't beat me and Akamaru."

Ino narrowed her eyes, determination shining in her gaze. "I'm not backing down, Kiba. I've been training too hard to let you win without a fight."

The proctor gave the signal, and Kiba immediately dashed forward, Akamaru by his side. Ino quickly formed a hand sign, ready to use her Mind Transfer Jutsu, but Kiba's speed forced her to abandon the technique and dodge to the side.

Kiba and Akamaru moved in sync, using their Four Legs Technique to attack with ferocious speed and power. Ino barely managed to evade their relentless assaults, using her agility and quick thinking to stay out of their reach. She sent a barrage of kunai and shuriken toward them, hoping to create some distance.

But Kiba was too fast. He easily dodged the projectiles and continued his assault. Ino knew she had to do something drastic to turn the tide. She quickly formed the necessary hand seals and launched her Mind Transfer Jutsu toward Kiba, but he was already anticipating the move.

Kiba leaped into the air, avoiding Ino's jutsu, and then came down with a powerful kick aimed at her head. Ino barely managed to block it, but the force of the impact sent her skidding backward. Akamaru took advantage of the opening and attacked from behind, biting down on her leg.

Ino cried out in pain but quickly kicked Akamaru off. She glared at Kiba, knowing she couldn't keep up with his speed. Her Mind Transfer Jutsu was too slow to catch him, and he was too strong for her to fight head-on.

But Ino wasn't about to give up. She had one last trick up her sleeve. She quickly formed a new set of hand seals and created a clone. Kiba watched with narrowed eyes as the two Inos stood side by side.

"Trying to confuse me, huh?" Kiba said with a smirk. "It won't work."

Ino smirked back. "Let's see about that."

The two Inos split up, one charging at Kiba while the other stayed back. Kiba, confident that he could handle the clone, focused on the one coming toward him. But just as he was about to attack, the Ino he was targeting vanished, revealing that it was just an illusion.

Kiba's eyes widened in surprise as the real Ino appeared behind him, her hands glowing with chakra. Before he could react, Ino struck his chakra points, disrupting his flow of energy and weakening his movements.

Kiba staggered, feeling the effects of the chakra disruption. "Damn it… You're better than I thought, Ino."

Ino smiled, pleased that her strategy had worked. "It's not over yet, Kiba."

But just as she was about to press her advantage, Akamaru lunged at her from the side, forcing her to dodge. Kiba quickly recovered and retaliated with a powerful punch, sending Ino crashing to the ground.

Ino groaned in pain, her vision blurring as she tried to get up. But Kiba was already on her, pinning her down with his strength.

"Ino, it's over," Kiba said, his voice gentler now. "You fought well, but you can't beat me."

Ino gritted her teeth, knowing he was right. She had given it her all, but Kiba and Akamaru were too strong together. With a sigh, she nodded in defeat.

The proctor raised his hand. "Winner: Kiba Inuzuka!"

Kiba stepped back, helping Ino to her feet. "You did great, Ino," he said with a smile. "You had me on my toes."

Ino smiled back, though there was a hint of disappointment in her eyes. "Thanks, Kiba. You're really strong. Good luck in the next round."

As they walked off the battlefield, Kiba and Ino exchanged a nod of mutual respect. The match had been tough, but it had also shown how much they had grown as shinobi.

**Winner: Kiba Inuzuka**

### **Match 2: Temari vs. Tenten**

Next up was Temari from the Sand Village against Tenten from Team Gai. Tenten's prowess with weapons was impressive, but Temari's Wind Release techniques rendered her weapons useless.

The moment the match began, Tenten unleashed a barrage of weapons from her scrolls, filling the air with kunai, shuriken, and various other tools. But Temari, with a confident smirk, opened her giant fan and unleashed a powerful gust of wind that deflected every single weapon with ease.

"You'll have to do better than that," Temari taunted, closing her fan slightly.

Tenten frowned, realizing that her usual strategy wouldn't work against someone like Temari. But she wasn't about to give up. She summoned even more weapons from her scrolls, combining them into a complex formation of chains and explosive tags.

Temari's eyes narrowed slightly, impressed by Tenten's creativity, but she wasn't worried. With a single sweep of her fan, she unleashed another wind scythe that tore through Tenten's formation, sending the weapons scattering across the arena.

Tenten gasped in shock as her entire arsenal was neutralized in an instant. She quickly tried to form a new strategy, but Temari wasn't giving her any time to regroup.

"Wind Scythe Jutsu!" Temari shouted, sending another powerful gust of wind toward Tenten.

The force of the wind knocked Tenten off her feet and sent her crashing into the wall of the arena. She groaned in pain, struggling to get back up, but her body refused to cooperate.

Temari walked over to her, her fan resting on her shoulder. "You're out of weapons and out of options. Just give up."

Tenten gritted her teeth, refusing to surrender. But as she tried to stand, her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground, completely exhausted.

The proctor stepped in, raising his hand. "Winner: Temari of the Sand!"

Temari closed her fan and turned to walk away, but she couldn't help but glance back at Tenten. Despite the one-sided nature of the match, Temari had to admit that Tenten had put up a good fight.

**Winner: Temari of the Sand**

### **Match 3: Gaara vs. Rock Lee**

The third match saw Gaara of the Sand Village face off against Rock Lee from Team Gai. Lee's speed and Taijutsu skills were formidable, especially after he removed his weights and opened several of the Eight Gates. However, Gaara's sand defenses were nearly impenetrable, and despite Lee's best efforts, Gaara emerged victorious.

The match began with Lee launching a series of high-speed attacks, his fists and feet moving in a blur as he tried to break through Gaara's sand. But Gaara's sand shield reacted automatically, blocking every strike with ease.

Lee quickly realized that he needed to up his game if he wanted to have a chance. With a determined shout, he removed his training weights and immediately became even faster, his movements becoming almost impossible to track.

Gaara's eyes narrowed as he felt the pressure increase. For the first time, he had to actively command his sand to keep up with Lee's speed. But even as Lee's attacks became more ferocious, Gaara remained calm, his sand forming an impenetrable barrier around him.

Lee, refusing to give up, opened the first of the Eight Gates, pushing his body beyond its limits. His speed and strength increased dramatically, and he finally managed to land a solid hit on Gaara, sending the Sand shinobi skidding backward.

But Gaara simply smiled, his body unharmed as his sand absorbed the impact. "You're fast," Gaara said calmly. "But it won't be enough."

Lee knew he was running out of options. He opened more of the Eight Gates, unleashing his full power in a final, desperate assault. His movements were a blur as he launched a barrage of kicks and punches, his fists glowing with energy.

But Gaara's sand held firm, absorbing the blows and retaliating with crushing force. Lee tried to dodge, but Gaara's sand was relentless, wrapping around his limbs and holding him in place.

With a final, powerful squeeze, Gaara's sand crushed Lee's body, causing him to cry out in pain before collapsing to the ground, unconscious.

The proctor stepped in, raising his hand. "Winner: Gaara of the Sand!"

As the medics rushed in to tend to Lee, Gaara turned away, his expression cold and indifferent. The match had only served to confirm what he already knew:

his sand was unbeatable.

**Winner: Gaara of the Sand**

### **Match 4: Neji Hyuga vs. Hinata Hyuga**

The next match was between Neji Hyuga and his cousin Hinata Hyuga. This battle was more than just a fight; it was a clash of ideologies within the Hyuga clan.

As the two stood facing each other, the tension between them was palpable. Neji's cold, piercing gaze bore into Hinata's, who stood nervously but with determination.

"Do you really think you can beat me, Hinata?" Neji's voice was calm but filled with disdain. "You've always been weak. You don't have what it takes to be a shinobi."

Hinata swallowed hard, but she refused to back down. "I'm not the same as I used to be, Neji. I've been training hard, and I won't give up."

The proctor signaled the start of the match, and both activated their Byakugan, their eyes revealing the intricate network of chakra pathways within each other's bodies.

Neji was the first to strike, moving with incredible speed as he targeted Hinata's chakra points with pinpoint accuracy. But Hinata managed to evade his attacks, her movements more fluid and controlled than before.

"Impressive," Neji remarked, his tone still cold. "But it won't be enough."

Hinata countered with her Gentle Fist technique, striking at Neji's chakra points. Neji blocked her attacks effortlessly, but there was a hint of surprise in his eyes as he realized that Hinata had indeed improved.

The battle continued with Neji maintaining the upper hand, his strikes becoming more precise and relentless. Hinata struggled to keep up, her chakra beginning to wane as Neji's attacks took their toll.

But Hinata refused to give up. She pushed herself to her limits, using every ounce of strength and willpower to stay in the fight. Her movements became more desperate, but there was a fierce determination in her eyes.

Neji, seeing that Hinata was nearing her limit, decided to end the match. He moved in for the final strike, his fingers glowing with chakra as he aimed for Hinata's heart.

But just as he was about to land the blow, Hinata surprised him with a last-minute counterattack. She managed to strike one of Neji's chakra points, causing him to stagger slightly.

It wasn't enough to defeat Neji, but it was enough to earn his respect. Neji stopped his attack, looking at Hinata with a newfound sense of acknowledgment.

"You've grown stronger, Hinata," Neji admitted, his voice softer. "But this match is over."

With those words, Neji delivered the final blow, striking Hinata's chakra network and sending her to the ground, unconscious.

The proctor raised his hand. "Winner: Neji Hyuga!"

As the medics rushed in to tend to Hinata, Sakura quickly joined them, using her medical skills to stabilize her friend. She looked up at Neji, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and understanding.

Neji simply turned and walked away, his expression unreadable.

**Winner: Neji Hyuga**

### **Match 5: Shino Aburame vs. Kankuro**

The next match saw Shino Aburame of Team 8 facing Kankuro of the Sand Village. This battle was a clash of strategies, with both shinobi using their unique techniques to gain the upper hand.

Kankuro immediately revealed his puppet, Crow, and began his assault, using the puppet's hidden weapons and traps to try and catch Shino off guard. But Shino was prepared, his insects swarming around him in a protective barrier.

Kankuro smirked, confident in his puppet's abilities. "You think your bugs can stop me? Let's see how they handle this!"

With a flick of his fingers, Kankuro sent Crow flying toward Shino, its arms extending with hidden blades. Shino, however, remained calm, his insects moving in unison to block the puppet's attacks.

Kankuro tried to outmaneuver Shino, but the Aburame's strategic mind and quick thinking kept him one step ahead. Shino's insects began to infiltrate Crow, slowly disabling its mechanisms and weakening its movements.

Kankuro's eyes widened in surprise as he realized what was happening. "Damn it… You're good."

Shino, ever the quiet strategist, didn't respond. He simply continued his assault, his insects swarming over Crow and eventually rendering it useless.

Kankuro cursed under his breath, knowing that without his puppet, he was at a disadvantage. But he wasn't about to give up. He quickly formed a new plan and sent a barrage of smoke bombs toward Shino, hoping to create an opening.

But Shino was ready. His insects swarmed through the smoke, seeking out Kankuro and forcing him to reveal himself. Kankuro tried to fight back, but the insects overwhelmed him, draining his chakra and leaving him weakened.

With no other options, Kankuro conceded the match, his pride wounded but his respect for Shino's abilities growing.

The proctor raised his hand. "Winner: Shino Aburame!"

As Shino walked off the battlefield, Kankuro couldn't help but feel a grudging respect for the quiet, insect-using shinobi. He knew that he had been outmatched, but he also knew that the finals would be a different story.

**Winner: Shino Aburame**

### **Match 6: Dosu Kinuta vs. Ame Ninja**

The sixth match was between Dosu Kinuta of the Sound Village and a ninja from the Hidden Rain Village. Dosu, with his sound-based attacks, quickly proved to be a formidable opponent.

The Ame ninja started with a flurry of Water Release techniques, hoping to keep Dosu at a distance. But Dosu's quick reflexes and sound-based attacks allowed him to counter with ease.

Dosu's melody arm unleashed sound waves that disoriented the Ame ninja, causing him to stumble and lose his focus. Dosu took advantage of the opening and moved in for a close-range attack, using his sound waves to disrupt the Ame ninja's chakra flow.

The Ame ninja tried to fight back, but Dosu's relentless assault left him with little room to maneuver. With a final, powerful sound wave, Dosu knocked the Ame ninja out, securing his victory.

The proctor raised his hand. "Winner: Dosu Kinuta!"

As Dosu walked away, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He knew that the finals would be even more challenging, but he was confident in his abilities.

**Winner: Dosu Kinuta**

### **Match 7: Choji Akimichi vs. Random Ame Ninja**

The final match of the preliminaries was between Choji Akimichi of Team 10 and another Ame ninja. Choji, known for his size and strength, was ready to show what he could do.

The Ame ninja started by using a combination of Water Release and Hidden Mist Jutsu, creating a thick mist that enveloped the arena, obscuring Choji's vision.

But Choji wasn't deterred. "You think you can hide from me? Think again!" he shouted, using his Multi-Size Jutsu to increase his size and strength. His massive form tore through the mist, creating shockwaves as he charged at the Ame ninja.

The Ame ninja tried to use his agility to evade Choji's attacks, but Choji's sheer size and power made it difficult. With a single, powerful punch, Choji sent the Ame ninja flying, crashing into the wall of the arena.

The Ame ninja struggled to get up, but Choji didn't give him a chance. He quickly followed up with his Human Bullet Tank technique, rolling at high speed and slamming into the ninja, knocking him out cold.

The proctor raised his hand. "Winner: Choji Akimichi!"

Choji returned to his team with a satisfied grin, proud of his performance. His teammates congratulated him, and even Shikamaru, who usually found everything troublesome, gave him a nod of approval.

**Winner: Choji Akimichi**

---

With the preliminaries over, the tension in the room eased slightly. The remaining Genin knew that they had made it through one of the most grueling parts of the Chunin Exams, but they were also aware that the real challenges were still to come. The finals would be even more intense, and only those with the strength, strategy, and determination would emerge victorious.

As the Genin filed out of the arena, they couldn't help but glance at each other, sizing up their competition. The Chunin Exams had already pushed them to their limits, but they knew that this was just the beginning. The real test was yet to come.