Chapter 182

"Good to see you Hokage-dono," Replied the Kazekage in a deceptively soft spoken voice as he took the seat on the Hokage's right.

"I hope the long journey wasn't too much trouble for either of you."

"It was a little boring, but there was no trouble," The Raikage replied.

"I had no problems getting here," The Kazekage offered. "Though it is a good thing these exams are being held here this year. You're starting to get up there in your years, Hokage-dono. I fear the trip may have been too much for you. Perhaps it's time for you to decide on who will take your place as Hokage."

The old Hokage let out a low chuckle, "Please, don't treat me like an old man. I still have plenty of years left in me. No, I feel I'll be doing this for some time yet."

Standing up Sarutobi made his towards the railing before giving his announcement, "Thank you for coming! I would like to welcome you all to Konoha's Chunin Selection Exams! We will now begin the main tournament between the ten participants who made it through the preliminaries!"

The crowd began to cheer as the Hokage finished his announcement; however a few people were staring at the arena floor. Two of which were the Raikage and the Kazekage, both whom looked over to Sarutobi.

"Forgive me if I am wrong Hokage-dono, but I only count eight participants," The Kazekage said.

"I think your eyesight might be getting worse in your old age, cuz that's all I can count as well," The Raikage put in.

Sarutobi ignored the two comments as he went back to his seat, waiting for the matches to get started.

"Alright you guys, take a look. This is the lineup for the main matches," Shiranui Genma held up a sheet of paper with the matches shown on it.

"As you can see there will be five matches in the first round. Now while the arena is different, the same rules from the preliminaries apply here. This basically means there are none. Matches will be fought one on one until someone dies, is knocked unconscious, or admits defeat. However, if at any time I deem that a fight is over I'll step in and end the match, is that understood?"

"Just one question," Naruto spoke up as he kept his face hidden behind his hat, "what happened to the sickly looking guy? I thought he was our proctor."

Out of all of the people there only Naruto, Neji, Shikamaru and Yugito noticed the man wince.

"His illness came at a bad time and I was forced to sub," Genma replied, "anymore questions?"

Every one there shook their heads and Genma decided to get the matches started.

"Will Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuuga Neji please step forward? All other contestants go to the fighter's booth."

Naruto watched as the other participants left, leaving him with Neji.

"Man I can't believe Naruto of all people is in the finals," Ino said as she sat next to her pink haired rival for Sasuke's affections. "Especially since he had to go through that Gaara guy; that kid was a monster."

"I know what you mean," Sakura said as she looked at Naruto. "He's changed so much since the time when we were in the academy, sometimes I barely even recognize him anymore."

He really has changed so much; Sakura looked around for a moment before frowning and looking around the stadium,

I wonder where Kakashi-sensei and Sasuke-kun are.

"Man I can't believe how stupid these people are to place their bets on that Hyuuga kid," Anko said in her typical loud, uncaring and slightly childish voice.

Kurenai looked at her best friend and smiled, "So sure he's gonna win are you?"

Anko gave the red eyed beauty a grin, "Of course I am! Can you honestly picture the gaki losing?"

"Had you asked me that one month ago I would have said yes," Kurenai looked into the stadium where she saw the two contestants. She could not see Neji's face, but could very well picture the permanent sneer of arrogance the boy always wore.

Naruto on the other hand was in clear view but his face was hidden by his hat, yet she remembered the confident and slightly bloodthirsty smirk he had on his face, one reminiscent of Anko and could imagine him wearing it now. "However after seeing him take on that Gaara kid, well, let's just say I know who to place my bets on."

"Which is why I put all my bets on the kid," Asuma interrupted the conversation as he sat himself down next to Kurenai. "No way is he gonna lose," a smirk came onto the chain smoking Jonin's features, "he's not only strong but he's damn intelligent too, even if he doesn't like to act like it."

"Oh?" Kurenai raised a delicate eyebrow while Anko grinned.

"Yep," Asuma nodded, "that kid down there is the only person I know besides Shikaku who can defeat Shikamaru in shogi."

"Watch closely Hanabi," The Hyuuga clan head said to his youngest daughter. "Among the Hyuuga, there is no better prodigy than Neji."

"Yes Tou-sama," The little lavender eyed girl replied.

"It's surprising to see the Uzumaki kid is actually fighting in the finals," Kotetsu, one of the Chunin proctors said. "Who would have thought."

"Yeah it is pretty surprising, especially with all the rumors I've been hearing about the kid," Izumo said. "However, I fear it's all over for him now. He may have done well against other opponents, but that Hyuuga kid is supposed to be in a class all on his own."

Hinata looked at the blond boy whose face was hidden under his hat, a small look of longing passed by for a second.

"You alright Hinata-chan?" asked Kiba as he looked over at her.

Hinata looked away from Naruto and towards Kiba. She gave him a smile before taking his hand in her own, "I-I'm fine Kiba-kun, thank you."

Kiba gave the Hyuuga heiress a grin, "So who do you think is gonna win?"

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