Chapter 85: The Next Matches Revealed!

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Naruto's POV (Corridors of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)

Naruto felt conflicted as he watched Ino get carried away. While he had appreciated and approved of Ino's efforts and intent. He was unsure if he was simply willing to allow things to settle already. Naruto understood Ino had made a simple mistake. But it had been a telling mistake all the same.

Naruto didn't doubt Ino's intent, but if she couldn't handle the consequences of being his friend. Wouldn't the event simply repeat itself? Naruto had learned that sometimes in life one had to learn from previously made mistakes. Ino couldn't handle her reputation being ruined, Naruto wouldn't so casually expose her to such again. He wasn't a fool, if she proved herself willing and ready he would relent. Better to forgive than to forget after all. 'I need a minute.' Naruto decided as he got and explained to Shikamaru he was going for a walk.

Naruto drifted to the lower levels of the stadium content to let his mind drift as he mulled things over. Between his coming clash with Gaara and the complicated status of his friendship with Ino he had plenty of problems to consider. Annoying both problems had arguably simple solutions.

Naruto needed to defeat Gaara and therefore at least in the mentally compromised jinchuriki mind. Prove his ideology superior. Ino he could, at least in theory, simply forgive and that would work out. Yet despite Naruto's confidence in his own strength he doubted defeating Gaara was as set in stone as he would like. As much as he treasured Ino part of him didn't want things to simply smooth out and work better. Truthfully Naruto had been offended by her words as unintended as they were.

His musing were interrupted by a set of lazy footsteps. Naruto looked up to see Tsunade Senju of all people standing before him.

"Aye brat, imagine running into you here." Tsunade said with a smile. "Not aloud to drink on the job so was getting some air before I send a important political figure flying."

Naruto chuckled mirthlessly at that. Something Tsunade tutted at.

"I had heard what happened between you and Ino from your mother, we share a drink from time to time, sounded dreadful. I imagine this sudden pensive mood is related to the match that just happened?" Tsunade said with a smirk.

Naruto nearly yelled in response before he tempered himself. "Why do you care?"

"I don't truly brat." Tsunade replied bluntly. "But you remind me of someone I once knew. It cost me little to offer you advice. And it's the least I can do as a very distant relative." Tsunade listed honestly. Naruto was sure some would be perplexed by her bluntness but Naruto felt relieved. He often struggled to understand people who spoke indirectly, so it was refreshing to hear someone just put it out there.

"Touche." Naruto replied with a sigh. "I guess I'm just not ready yet, she hurt me and part of me is upset about that. I don't hate her, just not ready to talk it through yet. Too much going on to give it the thought it needs, ya know?"

Tsunade nodded her head. "Jiraiya said you occasion spoke with great wisdom yet I had never expected it to be true. I can understand this situation well enough, I did something similar to Jiraiya in the past."

"Did you two work through it?" Naruto asked curiously.

"We did not unfortunately." Tsunade responded with a frown. "Jiraiya tried to forgive me constantly irregardless of whether I deserved it. Truthfully I appreciated it, but now with the benefit of hindsight I question if it did more harm than good. Even now we never truly addressed it. He forgave me and I avoided the topic. Felt it didn't need addressing. A regret I live with now."

Naruto frowned at that. If the odd but admittedly wise Pervy Sage and Tsunade had been unable to work through it did Ino and him stand a chance?

"But don't worry shortstack." Tsunade chuckled.

"The fuck you call m-" Naruto was silenced as Tsunade shoved him away by his head.

"Just this once I'll give you some help." Tsunade said. As Naruto looked up he saw a weak looking Ino standing in the hallway staring his way. Naruto flinched but Tsunade grabbed Ino by the shoulder and bodily dragged her off. "We're going to talk girly." Was all she said as the two went on.

'Should I have stopped that?' Naruto wondered confused.

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 Shikamaru's POV (Contestant Section of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)

As Shikamaru watched the next fight, it cemented that he might want to consider dropping out of the exams. Ino, of all people, had proved to be a considerably powerful opponent, only for her to be beaten rather soundly by Samui. Who seemed to be just as impressive. Now, he witnessed Yuno and Shino put on a remarkable back-and-forth. Shino was naturally resistant to her Genjutsu due to his insects.

Furthermore, the insects could defend their host and attack Yuno. The woman proved challenging to pin down and crafty, but with Shino's surprising tactical skill, Yuno was sure to be drained of chakra if the fight lasted any time. To keep things just as interesting as ever, Yuno had prepared for it. Using weak fire jutsu with a large area of effects and impressive kunai skill, she kept Shino on his toes and could not launch a more effective strategy than slowly draining Yuno.

Shino had gained the advantage throughout the fight. With an impressive use of insect clones and insect traps, he drained Yuno of a massive amount of chakra. As if this was not enough, Shino was proficient in Taijutsu, giving as good as he could get whenever Yuno managed to close the distance. Shikamaru had been confident of his victory at this point.

Indeed, this made it clear Shikamaru wasn't cut out for this. 'These damn bastards are treating this like it's life and death. How's a slacker meant to prosper?' He thought, annoyed.

Yuno had shown to be more adaptive in the end. She had discovered how to cast Genjutsu on an Aburame effectively. Shikamaru had noticed it quicker than most. Yuno had simply layered several weak and realistic Genjutsu, enough to where even the advanced senses of his insects could not decipher the truth of her illusions. From there, Shino had shown skill on the backfoot, but it was merely a matter of time before the disorientated Shino got caught up. Yuno did so in a minute once she was in control. Leveling a kunai to a downed Shino who surrendered with grace.

Shikamaru looked at Naruto as he entered the contestant area with an odd look on his face. "Naruto? You alright?" He asked. Though honestly, Shikamaru hoped not. Between earnestly having to compete in these nightmare exams and helping Tenten and Sai reintegrate into everyday life, he had his hands complete.

"Uh yeah, just distracted. Did I miss anything good?" Naruto asked.

"Eh, not really; Yuno beat Shino." Shikamaru replied.

"Not to c-contradict you, Shikamaru-san." Hinata interjected. "But they had a rather good match. They both performed well and admirably."

"I suppose so; I just got bored watching after a while." Shikamaru relented. "Simply don't get why shinobi must be so gung-ho about combat. I'd prefer to experience as little pain as possible."

"Damn shame,I was excited to see those two fight." Naruto complained. "Who's next anyway?"

"We're not sure, Naruto-kun. I do not have a match in these rounds. And they never showed the matches past the first tier." Hinata explained.

"Naruto-kun?"

"Naruto-kun?"

Shikamaru and Naruto asked in unison.

"Neji-kun speaks very highly of you. Anyone who can make such an impression on him is worthy of praise. Your match was impressive as well."

"Well, flattery will get you nowhere, ya charmer!" Naruto said excitedly.

"Very believable. Please don't inflate Naruto's ego; I can barely tolerate him as it is." Shikamaru teased. "I wonder what the plan will be. It's already midday."

"S-seems they intend to answer such now." Hinata pointed out as Kakashi poofed onto the field.

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 Kakashi's POV (Courtyard of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)

'Quite the day of battles. It was on a different level than even my own exams. Neji and Ino, unfortunately, will not be proceeding past this point. But there is a chance the two may be considered… depending on the mood of Kami and the Kage.' Kakashi thought as he prepared his speech.

"The Chunin Exams Final will take the rest of the day as a recess between the First and Second Round. This allows us to repair the field and not present an unfair advantage in the next rounds. It also ensures no one falls in combat because of injuries sustained in the first round. To a certain extent, anyway. We have shinobi doctors, not magical healers. Now I know what you're all wondering. Who are we to expect to clash in these exams. Well, the giant board above the arena contains the answers. Let's peek, shall we?" Kakashi explained as he lazily gestured to the board he had mentioned.

First Match

Kurotsuchi of the Stone VS Naruto Uzumaki

Second Match

Shikamaru Nara VS Yuno Uchiha

Third Match

Mangetsu Hozuki VS Samui of the Cloud

Fourth Match

Hinata Hyuga VS Sai of the Leaf

Fifth Match

Sasuke Uchiha VS Fuu of the Waterfall

Bye Round

Gaara of the Sand

"Tonight we celebrate the exams so far. Please enjoy the festivities provided by all Five Great Villages and the Land of Iron. That concludes the first day of the Chunin Exams." Kakashi finished as the audience erupted into celebration.