Path of Good and Evil- Naruto Fanfic Book One

Chapter Seven: Preliminary Rounds

    The Hokage was present along with each team's Squad Leaders. Anko was also there. She had encountered Orochimaru in the forest after discovering the corpses of three Grass Ninja. They were the ones Orochimaru and two others were masquerading as. Lord Hokage and the Anbu were aware that Orochimaru had returned to the Village.

    He instructed them not to make a move but instead to just keep on guard just in case. They didn't know his plans so they were unable to proceed with counter measures. Lord Hokage explained what would happen now that the final count of teams had made it through the Forest of Death.

    "Because there are so many teams that survived the last exam," he started, "we will be holding preliminary rounds to begin immediately."

    "What? You mean we don't get time to rest?" Someone asked.

    He shook his head, "There's not enough time to rest and wait to do this. From all of the nations, Shinobi and leaders of Villages along with delegates are traveling to the Leaf Village to bear witness to the Chuunin Exams. They only want to see the very best. In order for that to happen, preliminary rounds are necessary."

  "The matches will be decided via the computer randomly matching each person," Hayate explained.

    With all the explanations out, the computer randomized all of the names. The first two names appeared; Sasuke Uchiha Vs Yoroi Akado. Looked like Sasuke had the first match. The two stayed on ground level while everyone else including Senseis went up to the higher level to watch the match from a safe distance.

    It wasn't a very long match and in the end Sasuke won it. Each match proved to be intense. Neji was against Hinata who were Cousins. Temari was against Tenten. Lee against Gaara. Directly after Sasuke's match, Kakashi had escorted him out of the building. He needed to seal the curse mark so that it wouldn't take over Sasuke.

    Kakashi had set everything up in a private spot for the sealing process. He had just performed the Jutsu for it when Orochimaru showed up. Kakashi stood ready to fight to protect the now unconscious Sasuke.

    "What do you want here Orochimaru?" Kakashi asked.

    He replied, "I'm here because of Sasuke. One day he'll come looking for me and you and your sealing Jutsu won't be able to stop him. It will be of his own choosing."

    Apparently he hadn't come there to fight him. Instead he was giving him a heads up about Sasuke and his thirst for power. They had a short lived conversation before Orochimaru disappeared laughing.

    Zemaria was a little nervous. She made a trip to the bathroom to gather herself and to clean up some of the blood on her. After getting washed up she looked into the mirror and Orochimaru hiding himself looking like a Jounin leader was standing behind her. She turned to face him.

    "Father, what are you doing in here?" She asked him.

    He smiled, "I came to tell you not to lose here today. I'm going to need your help later on and I'd like to see how you fair in the final battles."

    "I won't lose, I promise," she told him and left the bathroom.

    Zemaria was up. Her match was against Zaku. Orochimaru still looking like a normal Jounin was on the upper level watching her closely.

    "We meet again. I won't be as kind as Sasuke was," She said and smirked.

    "Am I supposed to be afraid of you little girl?" He said smiling.

    The match began. Both of Zaku's arms were wrapped up and in slings. He couldn't use his arms in the match right away. Zemaria used her vines to attack first. He dodged them except for one which whipped him and threw him against the wall. She used Hidden Mist Jutsu.