Chapter 50 The Finals

The rows were packed with people. All expecting to see the best Genin each village has to offer. The Hokage and Kazekage watched from the Kage box. They patiently waited for the Genin to arrive. Before they did the air became colder. They Turned to face a man with bronze skin wearing brightly colored and elaborate robes. He was adorned with Golden decorations.

"Who are you", asked The Hokage.

The man sat in the seat next to the Hokage. He looked at him and smiled.

"I have many names, but you may call me Pharaoh"

"These seats are reserved for kage", said the Hokage.

The Pharaoh smiled as ANBU came to restrain him. He merely lifted his hand. slowly the ANBU calmed as did the two Kage. They smiled and nodded to him as they looked down.

"An excellent day for the finals would you not agree Pharaoh", asked the Hokage.

"It most certainly is", said the Pharaoh.

The Hokage nodded. He turned to the Kazekage.

"I understand your children are in this tournament", said the Hokage.

"Indeed, they show much promise for ones so young", said the Kazekage.

"Perhaps that is for what one contains within", said the Pharaoh.

"Indeed Pharaoh, tell me from where do you hail", asked the Kazekage.

"You would not have heard of it snake", said the Pharaoh.

Only the Kazekage could here that last word but he was not worried. It was as if he were calmed by the mere presence of the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh smiled as he watched the chunin hopefuls enter the ring.

Naruto watched as the Procter explained the rules. His eyes were drawn to the Kage box. He could tell their were three people watching him, but the man not dressed as a Kage did not stand out in his mind almost as if he were someone of unimportance despite his unusual choice of clothing. He shrugged it off. Soon everyone left the ring until only he and Neji remained. They faced each other.

"It is your fate to lose today Uzumaki", said Neji.

"I'm sorry, but you know my stance on fate. I also have to say that I am not here to fight you Neji", said Naruto.

Neji looked at Naruto confused.

"What do you..."

"I am here to humiliate you", said Naruto.

Neji narrowed his eyes as he took his stance. The Procter looked at each of them.

"Begin", he said.

Neji lunged for Naruto who did not even move. He stood there with his hands behind his back. When Neji went to hit he disappeared. He stood behind Neji. Naruto cleared his throat to gain Neji's attention. Instantly he attacked but once again Naruto was gone. He stood next to Neji. With each attack Naruto moved without being seen dodging every single attack without even moving. As Neji scowled Naruto smirked.

"You won't lay a finger on me Neji", said Naruto.

Neji continued his attacks but Naruto just kept seemingly teleporting around the field.

"Is this the Hyuuga prodigy they speak so highly of Neji. I am not impressed", said Naruto.

Neji was furious. He continued to attack though it seemed like no matter what he was unable to hit Naruto. Then Naruto stopped. Neji saw his chance and aimed right for Naruto's chest. He was shocked when Naruto's arm moved to fast for him to see and grabbed his forearm. His fingers less than an inch from Naruto's chest.

"Come now Neji, surely you can land a single hit", said Naruto.

Neji attempted to attack with his other arm but it was stopped by Naruto with his free hand. Neji kicked at Naruto but he vanished before it even connected. Neji scanned the battle field with his Byakugan. He saw Naruto stood in the branches of a charged for the tree but was caught off guard when he was punched from behind. He turned to see several clones of Naruto standing behind them.

"How could I miss them", said Neji to himself in disbelief.

Naruto's clones walked forward. One of them with a tentacle lashed out cutting his ear lobe causing him to bleed on his shoulder. Neji grabbed his ear as he watched the clones.

"Two reasons, one is you have tunnel vision for the real Naruto, the second is a...weakness in the Byakugan. You did not think I would face an opponent with a month of foreknowledge and not research everything I could on him did you", asked Naruto.

Neji narrowed his eyes as he watched all the clones surround him. Naruto smirked as he remembered the files he read and came to a conclusion. It was not difficult to find reports on Hyuuga members who were KIA, what was most interesting was that over ninty percent of all deaths were from behind. More specifically directly behind. Logically that must have meant a blind spot of some kind. After some guess work he found it.

"Truth be told you are doing better than expected, but it matters not. Your arrogance and contempt blinds you to a state of superiority you do not truely possess. You may be a member of one of the most influential clans in Konoha, but that is where your weakness lies, when generations of clan techniques are passed through the ages, then you become predictable. Your clan has failed to adapt, and those who do not adapt perish in the sands of time. Truthfully this is true for every clan that functions like this. Most of my class from the accademy use clan techniques and are more than happy to show them off. That makes detecting weakness as simple as watching. As for me, well I don't reveal everything, though right now I think that I can make a few acceptions", said the Clones in unison

All the clones made several hand seals around Neji. They stood in a circle around him.

"Wind release: Great Breakthrough", said Naruto.

At once a torrent of wind from all around Neji hit. The force was so great that he was unable to move in any direction. The force of the wind even began to suck the air from his lungs leaving Neji light-headed. When the Jutsu stopped Neji was having difficulties catching his breath. Naruto bit his thumb and slammed it on the Ground. A Gug appeared, this caused several screams from around the arena. Though the Gug Did not attack Neji. Instead it dug it's claws underground and pulled out a pipe. Soon the field was covered in water.

"Most water Jutsu I know require existing water, So I had to improvise. Hopefully the restrooms still work after we're done", said Naruto.

He began creating hand signs while Neji finally catching his breath backed away from the Gug. The Gug ignored him and instead repaired the pipe before it disappeared.

"Lightning release:Paralyzing palm", said Naruto.

Small sparks came from his hand. He lowered it to the water still on the ground. Neji realized to late he was standing in the same puddle of water. Naruto stood and brushed his hands off. He walked up to Neji.

"Like it, I made it myself. Not overly flashy but good with momentary paralysis, though with the water it was difficult to aim for the nerves correctly so it will last a bit longer, you should be able to move normally in a few hours", said Naruto.

"Winner Uzumzki Naruto", said the Proctor.

Naruto smiled as he kneeled next to Neji.

"Or I can do this", said Naruto.

His hand surrounded in small sparks and he touched Neji on his shoulder. While he did Some of Neji's blood got on his hand. Neji now found he could move normally, Naruto offered his other hand to Neji who refused it to get up himself.

"I didn't even land a hit", said Neji.

"Of course you didn't, you were at a disadvantage against an enemy who knew everything about you while you knew nothing about me. Arrogance was your fatal flaw Neji, and I exploited the hell ot of it", said Naruto.

Neji looked at Naruto for a moment before turning away. Naruto cleared his throat to get Neji to turn to him.

"Please Neji, you are not invincible, And your plight is not bad enough to justify killing your cousin. It's not her fault how things work in your clan. Besides the future isn't set in stone, maybe one day that barbaric seal will be nothing more than a faded memory", said Naruto while pointing to Neji's forehead.

Naruto placed his hand in his pockets wiping Neji's blood on a rag and went back to the booth. Once inside he Secretly put it in a petri dish. It could come in handy latter.

Hiashi Hyuuga was dumbfounded, not only did Neji lose, but he hadn't landed a single hit. Hinabi was in much the same state. Hinata smiled as Naruto left. Most of the audience was in a similar state before they began cheering. Sakura who sat next to Ino could think of nothing to say and simply watched Naruto leave. When Naruto got back to the booth He sat next to Shikamaru.

The Pharaoh nodded as Naruto left back to the waiting booth. It was entertaining to see. He turned to the Hokage.

"Clever child", said the Pharaoh.

"Yes, he is. Always has been", said The Hokage.

"I look forward to his next match, perhaps he still will surprize us. Perhaps you should hold back your plans Kazekage", said the Pharaoh as he glanced at the Kazekage with a smile.

"I understand", said the Kazekage nodding.

"What plans exactly", asked the Hokage.

"Nothing you need concern yourself with my dear Hokage", said the Pharaoh.

"Yes, I understand", said the Hokage.

Nyarlathotep smiled. It was both simple and enjoyable to change the minds of humans with force. Rather cathartic actually. He turned back to the arena.

Naruto waited for Sasuke's match to begin, though he had yet to show up. While Waiting Shikamaru cleared his throat.

"Impressive match Naruto", said Shikamaru.

Naruto shrugged.

"I try", said Naruto.

Shikamaru nodded.

"Hey Naruto can I ask you something"

"I don't see why not", said Naruto.

"You remember those Great Old Ones and Outer Gods you told us about, well I was wondering. Do you think they are real", asked Shikamaru.

"Why bring this out all of a sudden", asked Naruto.

"I thought nothing of it until what happened at Dune and the Star Village", said Shikamaru.

Naruto nodded.

"I see, I do Shikamaru, My summons do not lie to me and I listen to them often", said Naruto.

"I was afraid of that", said Shikamaru.

After a while The judges decided to give Sasuke more time. They skipped his match for now and went for Shikamaru and Temari. It was a very long match that ended with Shikamaru having Temari right where he wanted her and...Surrendering.

"That was anti climactic", said Naruto.

He wasn't really paying attention to the matches as he went over a few things in his mind. His back was still sore from the surgery but not by much, he could manage. Really he was wondering what Herbert cold be working on. He said it was a weapon designed to fight Cthulhu but something like that was bound to be complex, and all it looked like he was doing was outfitting the Lab. He said he was almost finished but could not show us until it became nessisary to use. Then Naruto felt a clones memories going to him. Apparently as a message from Konohamaru about the color.

The creature cold not be properly studied because opening it's cage made everyone in the lab feel sick so it was obviously against being studied. What was interesting was exactly how the color retaliated. It would attempt to force Star Chakra into anyone close enough leading to them getting sick. While doing this it would try and convert them. Many clones were being studied after this and the results were interesting. So far all that could be researched was the effects it had on humans and nothing about the color itself.

It turned out Star Chakra was not Chakra but a newborn color. Using human bodies rather than a meteorite as a home. The Color was a parasite though it seemed that for the color to mature it needed to be around it's parrent otherwise nothing could happen which made it simple to research it's effects on human bodies. The Color in the meteorite had found a way to use Chakra as a form of reproduction. In many ways a Color was like the tailed beasts, a sentient form of chakra, though rather than being made of Chakra it was made of something similar yet different to chakra.

Konohamaru was working on ways to use this against Cthulhu though the behavior of the Color made it difficult. And the clones infected with Star Chakra would weaken. They had to be removed from the Color immediately for tests. A main difficulty was keeping them from dispelling. Should that happen some of the Star Chakra would be split among the other clones and Naruto. No one wanted to know what would happen should the Sentient Color meet with The Sentient Chakra of the nine tails. No one could guess what could happen though all tests showed a literal war going on in Naruto's chakra coils as the two forces battle for supremacy. And with the alien nature of the color lead it possible for the foxes attacks to be ineffective. And with Naruto and the fox being so closely intertwined the Color could possibly kill them both.

Naruto was drawn out of his thoughts when he looked up to see Sasuke and Kakashi appear in a cloud of smoke. It was time for his match against Gaara. Naruto watched intently. Things were bound to get interesting now.

Sasuke stood across from Gaara. He smirked. Gaara was nothing to be afraid of, at least thats what he thought. Now that Sasuke thought about it, ever since he saw the illusion Naruto showed him, it took a lot for him to feel fear. He ignored that for a moment to look at his opponent. Gaara's eyes were drawn to Naruto. Now Sasuke knew what both Naruto and Gaara held, hell Naruto told both him and Sakura, so it made since he would be interested in fighting Naruto. However that did not mean Sasuke was not peeved for being ignored.

"I'm your opponent, your eyes should be concentrated on me", said Sasuke.

Gaara's eyes turned to Sasuke and he smiled. The proctor stood between them both before raising his arm.

"Begin", he said as he brought his arm down.

Naruto watched the match with renewed interest. Sasuke was performing adamantly, though Gaara's shield moved much to fast for him to properly retaliate. Unless he had acquired something necessary to penetrate the shield he would not last long. That was when Sasuke held his hand out. Sparks began to form followed by the sound of many chirping birds. Sasuke ran toward Gaara while his hand was enveloped in lightning,, he dragged it against the ground while he ran. He plunged it into Gaara's shield.

"Chidori", screamed Sasuke.

The damage was intensive and it punched a fair sized hole in the sand. Naruto was impressed by the move. Though judging by Sasuke's breathing it took allot out of him. As the match went on Sasuke did not use the move again, but he was playing offensive more and managed to make Gaara actually move.

Sasuke was tired he felt like ending the match quickly so he prepared to make another Chidori. While he concentrated he could see the sand moving to him. He quickly took a quick leap to Gaara. Who was forming an orb of sand around him. Half way there what looked like a monsters eye appeared on the orb.

Sasuke smashed his Chidori into the 'eye'. It exploded into s barrage of sand. Sasuke was blown back. He hit the ground hard. When he looked up to see what happened he saw Gaara glaring at him. Sand flowed over his skin and looked like he was turning into some type of monster.

The Pharaoh watched the match with disinterest. He had come to view what Naruto would do and this was growing old. Even when the sand child began to change into a beast it did little to catch his attention. If anything this would result in the invasion starting when it originally was supposed to. Nyarlathotep couldn't have that. He lifted his arm and pointed to Gaara.

Gaara snarled at Sasuke. He walked slowly toward him, however with each step sand fell from his body. His monstrous form was no more. He looked at his sand in confusion.

"Mother?", he said with the slightest fear in his voice.

He turned frantic. He couldn't hear Shukaku. He turned to Sasuke, his face a mask of insanity.

"You", he said the word with fury and disgust.

His eyes widened in an insane display as he roared and ran toward Sasuke. Soon afterward Sasuke was enveloped in Sand. Gaara ran to him and continued to punch his exposed face in an enraged display of brutality. When Sasuke Fell to the ground his face was unrecognizable. Garra stomped on his chest.

"What did you do", said Gaara.

Gaara wanted to make Sasuke suffer. He was about to throw everything he had at Sasuke when the Procter appeared before him.

"It's over, you win", said the Proctor.

Gaaras eyes still were focused on Sasuke. He walked up to him.

"Take another step and you are going to be disqualified", said the Proctor.

Gaara froze. His eyes went from Sasuke to Naruto. They went back and forth until sand flowed into the gourd on his back. He slowly walked back to the booths.

"Fine", he said while still looking at Naruto.

Naruto glared at Gaara. He was an untaimed animal. Not exactly something that should be fighting against children no matter their profession. Sasuke was taken away on a stretcher. Naruto focused back on Gaara. Their was little doubt who would have to fight who at the end.

The Next match was

"The next match will be Naruto against Temari", said the Proctor.

Narto prepared to get up.

"I forfeit", said Temari.

That, was unexpected. Naruto looked at Temari who seemed more wary of Gaara than usual. Actually she seemed to be confused about something and her eyes kept looking to the sky as if she were expecting something. After that it was Shino and Gaara with Shino forfeiting as well. Dosu was staring at the sky much as Temari was but he had left after a while.

Nyarlathotep altered the decisions of the other ninja so that Naruto would fight again. With Temari forfeiting it made him irate though all he had to do was change the decision from Shino. Dosu was absent so that was of no consequence. Finally the Final match would start.

"Ok Naruto and Gaara", said the proctor

Finally a match was set up. Though Naruto was focused on the man in the Kage box. No matter what it was impossible to focus on him. It was like he was there but wasn't at the same time. It would have driven him crazy if he wasn't immune to it. He shook his head as he focused on Gaara. Who's face said that he wanted to end Naruto.

"Begin", said Genma.

Sand shot toward Naruto. He simply would disappear and appear all over the field. Long rande was going to be a problem. Mid range was going to be difficult. That ment Short range had to be chanced. Though with that shield of sand getting in would be nigh impossible. Though there were plenty of options most of them would give him away.

Naruto Turned his left arm into a blade. His right was a tentacle. The tentacle would slash at the sand before it got to close. He aimed his sword arm at Gaara. It extended an incredible length in the blink of an eye. It impacted with the sand shield and was stopped by the dense sand. The blade receded back to normal size before both arms turned into tentacles and slashed at the sand coming for him, dissipating it. Naruto stepped back. With each attack he was driven back as he tried to figure out something to do.

Summoning was possible though Naruto did not want to do that quite yet. He wanted to win this particular match without them. Naruto disappeared from sight. He reappeared in a tree hiding from Gaara he took a minute to come up with some way to break that shield without revealing what he was capable of.

He thought if it for a moment until he thought of something. Slowly his eyes looked back to the field. It was still wet. Naruto smiled as he jumped back onto the field. He lifted his hand with index and middle finger extended.

"Hidden Mist Jutsu", said Naruto.

The puddle on the ground became a mist so thick and saturated with chakra even the strongest of dojutsu could not see through it, but the Eyes of Azathoth was no normal dojutsu. The mist would condense into Gaara's sand causing it to lose cohesion. While Naruto used the ability to see sound to navigate the mist. He walked up to Gaara stood inches from him, and yet Gaara could not see him. Naruto shifted into Eldritch mode and grabbed Gaara's head. He began to read his thoughts.

Alone. Love only myself. Alone. Found friend, betrayal. Sand. Demon. Alone, always alone. Despair. From despair comes envy, from envy comes anger, for anger comes by being alone. Sleep, can't sleep. Won't sleep. Mother. Tanuki. Desert.

A range of thoughts, concepts, and ideas flooded into Naruto's mind before he let go. The mist would not last long without his access to Chakra.

"Where are you", screamed Gaara.

"Right here", said Naruto mere centimeters from his ear.

Gaara turned to the creature. The mist made it hard to make out but whatever it was only vaguely resembled human. Then a pain. Like four blades pierced his skin. They drank his blood. It did not last long.

Naruto retracted his tendrils. Gaara's blood made him feel weaker. He gained nothing from him. He breathed heavy as he turned back to normal. It was difficult to move for a moment. Apparently drinking toe blood of Jinchuriki was not a good idea. Naruto fell to his knees and vomited. It scratched at his throat. He looked down to see what came from him. He had vomited sand. He coughed at the feel of sand in his throat. It just kept coming. Then the sand forced its way out of him. It was painful. He was able to see the sand flow toward Gaara. He once again looked like a monster even as the water caused the sand to fall in clumps, His eyes seemed to glow as he glared at Naruto.

Back in the Booth Nyarlathotep had seen enough entertainment and it was growing increasingly trivial. He stood up and faded into the wind. He returned to his palace of chaos to watch the universe as a whole.

The two kage shook their head as if they were just woken from a spell. The Kazekage looked around before his eyes narrowed.

Naruto was healed rather quickly. He no longer held the mist ability up as it seemed as if Gaara could now see him. Some type of sixth sense to detecting chakra based on how shadow clones were confusing him. Though it was of little consequence. Naruto was drawn more so the the crowd. They all were not looking at the match bt rather looking up to the sky.

Naruto did as well but he saw nothing. Then the crowd seemed to grow tired after a moment a large explosion was heard. This did not bode well. Naruto stood as he saw smoke billowing in the distance. He turned back to Gaara who was being carried off by his siblings.

"Of course this happens. Nothing can ever be simple can it", said Naruto to himself.

Naruto created several Shadow clones. He looked at all of them.

"Ok I need several of you to awaken the spectators and ninja, tell them we are being attacked. One of you needs to dispel. Make sure the clones there know to suit up and see if they can stop this. Tell them stealth kills only", said Naruto.

"Yes sir", said the clones in unison.

Naruto looked around before taking out a kunai. He slashed his thumb.

"Time for reinforcements", said Naruto as he smacked his hand to the Ground.