Return to The Past : Naruto Fic

27

Chapter 26 – Chunin Exams Final Day I

Fifteen Genin were standing in the middle of the Arena as it slowly began filling up with people. The VIP box was already filled with, interestingly, more Daimyō in attendance than in living memory — not that it was shocking, as the Chunin Exams were a relatively new institution, being instituted at the end of the Second Shinobi World War, which ended about thirty years ago.

In the Kage Box, The Sandiame Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat with The Sandiame Tsuchikage, Ōnoki; The Godaime Mizukage, Terumi Mei; The Yondaime Raikage, Ē and the Yondaime Kazekage, Rasa. The presence of all Gokage was a bit nerve wracking to many of the spectators and some of the participants. The absence of Uzumaki Naruto also drew much speculation. He was afterall the proctor, and time was nearing the start of the Exams.

At five minutes to noon, a massive plume of smoke appeared in the middle of the stadium. When the smoke cleared, a large green toad was seen standing there with Naruto sitting on it's head. Standing up, Naruto said, "Sorry for being nearly late, but I had a last minute meeting with the Toad Boss. Anyway, welcome to the finals of the Chunin Exams. This year, it will be a three day affair with an exhibition match between the Legendary A-B combo from Kumo and myself on the third day right before the finals. Everyone, please enjoy the exams. Now it is time for the first match between Yamanaka Ino and Rock Lee. Will everyone except the two mentioned please leave the arena?"

Within moments, Naruto had jumped down from the toad as it disappeared in another burst of smoke. When the smoke cleared, only Ino and Lee were left in the arena. The other participants found themselves in the participants waiting box.

"This will be a no-holds-barred match with killing forbidden. The match will be declared over if one or both participants are unable to continue or I say so. BEGIN!"

Ino — knowing that Lee had the advantage against her in Taijutsu — didn't waste any time. Focusing her not so menial mental faculties, she released a destructive wave of telekinetic energy at Lee as she took the air, to the astonishment of both Ninja and Civilian alike.

Lee frowned as he was thrown back from the powerful attack but with a subtle application of air bending, was easily able to deaden the blow and land back on his feet without much disorientation. Using the cloud of dust as cover, Lee conjured a ball of compressed wind and threw it at the floating Ino.

Ino didn't even blink as she caught the spinning orb of wind between the palm of her hands and crushed the technique with ease. Bending the released winds to her will, Ino launched a stream of fast flowing winds into the dust cloud, dissipating it and revealing Lee sitting on a ball of swirling winds.

Manipulating the ball of winds below him, Lee easily evaded the stream of wind before causing the ball to explode upwards, throwing the Taijutsu expert at the surprised Ino. Lee grinned as he appeared in front of Ino and threw a punch only for Ino to easily dodge by floating to the side and retaliating with a fist engulfed in swirling winds. Lee's eyes widened in surprise as he raised is arms in front of his face just as Ino's fist struck him. An explosion of winds threw the green clad Genin back from the Yamanaka Heiress, a little worse for wear.

As Lee flew away towards the Arena walls, he manipulated the winds to correct his posture and cushion him, allowing him to softly crash into the wall and rebound with a burst of wind, catching Ino by surprise.

The spectators watched in shock, awe and excitement as the two Air Benders battled it out. It was truly a sight. The high-speed battle in the air between a girl, who could float, and a boy, who could command the very winds to level the playing field, was truly impossible to describe with words.