Across the four elemental nations, people gathered, from the populace of the ninja villages in bars and coliseums to watch on screens to small civilian settlements listening on crackling radios. The streets of Center Spring were packed, and a constant sea of people moved through. Almost every bar and restaurant was full to the brim with people waiting, eyes glued to screens in anticipation.
The venue did not disappoint; it was the largest arena in recorded history, holding over 40,000 people. Built through an unprecedented collaboration between the nations, Iwa's finest earth-style architects shaped its foundation, its framework reinforced by Kiri's master craftsmen, and its aesthetics refined by Konoha's artisans. Its relative short time to build and collaboration was a symbol of what unity between ninjas villages could achieve
It was mid-afternoon in the main tunnel of the arena, where the teams would enter. Small rooms were available for teams to rest in before the event.
Anko was in her more formal white and red attire, and to her entire team's surprise, for the first time since meeting her, Anko Mitrashi had her hair down. Her usual spiky, unkept ponytail was now neat, flowing down her back and giving her slight bangs. Kakashi and the genin kept staring astonished at the foreign style.
Anko, catching their expressions, crossed her arms
"If it looks bad of something tell me now, I don't wanna to look like a dumbass in front of a million people" her tone was light, but there was a flicker of vulnerability in her voice.
Sakura fumbled for words. "No sensei, it's not that it's just…"
"Sis, you just look like a whole different person," Naruto blurted
Sasuke nodded silently, arms crossed.
Anko scoffed "Yeah right its just hair"
Kakashi tilted his head, his lone visible eye crinkling in amusement."I have to agree with them. You should wear it down more often."
Anko's cheeks flushed. "Oh, shut it. Why don't you take your own advice, Mr. My-Hair-Just-Stays-Like-This-Naturally"?
Kakashi's eye widened in shock; he was meticulous in his choice of hair gel and took extra lengths to mask the scent. Not even Gai had caught on to it. "How did you know?"
Anko smirked. "I didn't, but I do know."
"I Knew It!" Naruto yelled, pointing accusingly. "There's no way that just sticks up like that!"
Before Kakashi could retort, a knock sounded at the door. An attendant peeked in. "We're about to begin."
Team 7 stepped out of the room and began to walk down the tunnel.
In the skybox of the arena, anyone of significance was watching: politicians, influential merchants, celebrities, and village leaders. Onoki was in a notably sour mood due to the loss he had taken a few days earlier. Konoha and Kumo had succeeded in adding powerful bloodlines to their ranks. He hoped with Yasuba's resolve that he could delay the inevitable for at least a few more months, but suddenly, the coward lost all of his backbone and rolled over.
"Damn that coward" Onoki muttered under his breath.
The thought angered him, causing him to grip his glass of sake tightly. His son, Kitsuchi, noticed this and gently touched his shoulder. "Dad, come on. Now's not the time to be angry. Kurotsuchi is about to show the world just how formidable Iwa is."
Onoki exhaled. "You're right." Onoki scanned his vision across the room, lightly scowling at the other Kage, "No matter what happens after today, Iwa will be on top in the end."
The loudspeaker of the arena began to ring with slight feedback as it boomed to life, from the announcer's voice sounding throughout the arena.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, today's finally the day after months of anticipation, the first Chunin Exam to unite all five great nations!"
The crowd exploded, the wave of cheers shaking the stadium's foundation.
"We thank every participant for their courage! Now, without further delay, let's meet our teams!.
"From the Leaf Village, young prodigies of Konoha's most prestigious clans! Kiba Inuzuka and his loyal ninken, Akamaru! The genius of the Aburame, Shino! And the gentle yet deadly heir of the Hyuga, Hinata! Trained by the illustrious Kurenai Yuhi. Here They Are!"
The crowd cheered widely as Team 8 emerged from the tunnel.
Shino remained stalwart and focused. Kiba and Akumaru basked in the cheers howling in unison, hyping up the Inuzuka in attendance. They replied in kind as the arena turned into a concophany of yelling from Inuzuka and ninken alike. Kiba's mom and sister were among them. The pride he saw on their faces filled him with immense confidence.
Hinata was surprisingly calm as she walked to the center of the arena, mainly because Kurenai had cast a minor genjutsu on her to calm her nerves and help her focus. Her mind wasn't on all the people staring at her but on how she was ready to showcase how much she'd grown.
"Next from the Hidden Waterfall, we have Fu, Yoro, and Kegon!"
Fu came out with her two teammates, who were stone-faced, a sharp contrast to Fu, who was jumping and waving to the crowd. Her bright attitude made her a crowd favorite, and she managed to hype up the crowd further.
"From the Leaf, we have the weapon specialist TenTen!, A prodigy of the Hyuga, Neji, and the fiery disciple of the Green beast of Rock Lee! Led by the youthful MIGHT GAI"
Gai and Lee struck synchronized poses, earning thunderous applause. TenTen gave a few nervous waves as she looked on in awe at the massive crowd, and Neji stood upright, only looking toward the Hyuga elders he spotted in the crowd.
"Now from Iwa, Suzemebachi, the future heir of the Kamizure clan! Ibuki, a master of Iwa's infamous explosion release, and the granddaughter of the Tsuchikage, KUROTSUCHI!"
The three walked forward with Kurotsuchi at the helm. The Iwa section of the crowd roared in cheers as they waved flags furiously.
"This next team has become the talk of the Leaf, trained by the Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake, and the Viper of Konoha, Anko Mitarashi, Naruto UzumakiI! Sakura Haruno! Sasuke Uchiha!"
Team 7 entered the arena to massive cheers,
Naruto grinned wildly at the deafening noise, Sakura stood tall, any nervousness she may have had in the past gone, and Sasuke remained composed, but the sharp look in his eyes held a fire in them.
"Huh. 'Viper' of Konoha'," Not the nickname I wanted, but I'll take it."
"From the Hidden Cloud—Ōmoi, Samui, and Karui! Though their sensei, Killer B, couldn't attend, his disciple Yugito stands in his place!"
The Kumo shinobi walked with disciplined grace, the crowd cheering for the famed Lightning Village's representatives. In contrast, their Kage was in the sky box yelling their praises, "My brother's students will wipe the floor with everyone here."
"And finally—from the Hidden Sand, the Kazekage's children! TEMARI! KANKURO! AND GAARA!"
The crowd's cheers faltered as Garra's gaze lingered over them as they stepped forward.
Several proctors jumped down as the teams stood in the center of the arena. Genma stepped forward and began speaking.
"This tournament is set up in three brackets. We will proceed with all three brackets' first-round fights and continue to the next round. If you win your first round fight but cannot fight in your next battle by the time it starts, you will be disqualified.. Is that clear?"
Everyone nodded in affirmation.
"Then let's begin. If all the other contestants and sensei leave the grounds, the first match will be Ibuki vs. Kiba."
The arena buzzed with anticipation. Kiba cracked his neck, rolling his shoulder. Akamuru growled low in his throat, "You're right, boy. That Iwa guy's got a weird stench, like gunpowder."
Across the field, Ibuki flexed his gloved hands, the specially crafted fabric stitched together to withstand his techniques. He couldn't afford to lose here; he had played out this fight in his head for months, and now was the time for him to execute it.
The board on the screen counted down as the crowd screamed in unison
"3…2…1!"
Ibuki went through hand signs before he placed them on the ground
Explosion release: Landmines.
His chakra seeped into the earth like liquid fire, branchin outward in invisible veins. To most, the ground looked unchanged.
In the competitors' area, Kurenai looked on
"Come on, Kiba, think before you act."
Kiba's nose twitched. Something was wrong, but what?
Akumaru barked sharply, getting Kiba's attention. As he clawed at the dirt,
"What's up, boy?" Kiba quickly crooked down as he pressed a palm to the soil and took a deep breath. He picked a faint, acrid tang, like the spilt second before a fireworks goes off.
In realization, he turned to Akumaru.. "He's trapped the field."
Ibuki didn't wait. He slammed his hands onto the ground. Earth Release: Shattered Boulder Barrage.
The earth ruptured as jagged stones tore free and began hurtling toward Kiba and Akuamaru. Kiba dodged to the left.
BOOM.
The first landmine erupted, throwing him off-balance. His momentum made him avoid most of the blast, but the sharpneel pelted him, causing bruises and scratches.
Akaumaru yelped as he narrowly avoided another landmine that kicked up dirt near his paws. Kiba snarled. "We need to rush him, Akamaru; track the chakra!"
Akaumaru barked in affirmation as he began to rush toward Ibuki, leading the way through the minefield with his keen nose.
As the opponents zigzagged their way through his minefield, he snarled. he hoped his projectile attack would at least lead to one of them being taken out; the minefield itself already took a significant amount of chakra.
Their quick adaptation made it useless, dispelling the jutsu, and Ibuki prepared to engage in close quarters.
Kiba noticed the smell faded across the battlefield, he smirked knowing he made his opponent drop his jutsu, he lunged toward Ibuki hoping to land a strike, Ibuki wisted his wrist Explsion Release: Detonation Fist his glove split at the seams, revealing bright swirling charak
Kiba barely pulled back in time.
KA-BLAMM!
The shockwave sent him skidding across the ground. As his ears rang, he looked to see his partner's condition; Akamaru was slightly singed but still upright.
Ibuki flexed his smoking glove. The fabric was already fraying; it wouldn't last much longer.
Kiba wiped blood from his lip as he tossed a soldier pill to Akamaru. After Ingesting it, Akamaru's fur turned red.
"Like we praticed"
Beast Human Clone
Akamaru transformed into a perfect copy of Kiba, and without hesitation, both Kiba's performed Tunneling Fang vanishing into the earth.
Ibuki laughed at the absurdity. "That's a death sentence!"
He formed the Ram sign Earth Release: Bedrock Tremor.
The ground quaked, as spikes erupted, impaling any underground foe….
CRACK!
From behind him, Kiba burst from the earth, having curved his path at the last second. He landed a brutal claw strike to Ibuki's kidney, launching him upward.
Then the other burst forth from the ground and kicked Ibuki's face, sending him skidding across the ground.
Ibuki, shaken up, began to get desperate. he looked down at his arm; he hoped it wouldn't have to come to this so early. Hopefully, he could get it healed between rounds. He ripped off his glove.
Fang Over Fang
As a swirling whirlwind of claws and teeth rushed toward him, Ibuki pumped chakra through his whole arm.
Explosion Release: Final Spark!
Akaumaru's senses kicked in at the last moment, knocking Kiba off course. As Ibuki's fist slammed the air, a deafening explosion went off, shaking the arena and causing a wave of gasps throughout the crowd.
Smoke covered the arena. As Kiba got up from the ground, his ears were ringing.
He began desperately looking for his partner; this was the only thought in his mind. As the smoke cleared, he saw Akaumaru with blackened fur and shallow breath.
Rage burned within him as he quickly opened his senses to get the bastard who hurt his best friend,
Ibuki struggled to his feet as he held his limp arm. He couldn't feel it at all, besides the immense pain. Maybe he couldn't continue after this, but at least he didn't shame his village by losing in the first round.
His blood then ran cold as feral eyes gazed at him through the smoke.
"Fang Over Fang," Kiba snarled, his voice raw with rage.
His charka surged, swirling around him like a storm; the air vibrated as he dropped into a crouch.
Wolf Fang Tornado
Kiba's body uncoiled as he launched himself forward, his claws scraping against the dirt, kicking up a spray of dirt and dispelling any smoke still left in the arena. The air around him screamed a high-pitched shriek, his chakra flared, and he flickered a blue and white aura that wreathed his body like the jaws of a rabid wolf, snapping shut with every rotation. The debris spiraled around him, obscuring his position.
Ibuki only had time to raise his arms before Kiba was on him.
The first rotation raked across his ribs, shredding his armor and skin, leaving deep gashes. The second spin slammed into his cut, lifting Ibuki off his feet as Kiba's momentum carried them into the arena's wall. The impact cracked the wall, sending a cloud of debris that obscured the area.
A hush fell over the crowd as the dust settled. In the crater, Ibuki lay gasping and bloodied, as Kiba sat crouched in front of him his breath ragged, and his claws bloodied,
The crowd erupted, and the Inuzuka were stunned and silent. Hana spoke, " Mom, what was that?"
"I.. I don't know." Tsume's look of shock turned to a wide grin. "But what I do know is that that's my son!" Tsume screamed in cheer, and the rest of the Inuzuka followed. The competitor's area was in a similar state of shock.
Shino's eyebrows were raised higher than anyone had ever seen. "When did Kiba learn such a technique?"
"I have no idea," Kurenai replied, dumbfounded.
Suzemebachi and Kurotsuchi stared at their cratered teamate. Kurotsuchi held her fists tightly at her sides before she exploded in anger.
"You WEAKLING, get up this instant. This isn't how you represent Iwa. Get up right now!"
Up in the skybox, Onoki's glass was hanging on for dear life as it began to shake in his hands, and a small crack began to form. His son placed a hand on his shoulder, giving a weak smile.
"It's okay, father. Ibuki put up a great show of tactics and skill."
Onoki exhaled and gently let down his glass.
"You're right, you're right." Onoki began to mutter this mantra until it was interrupted by the loud laugh of the Raikage, "The Inuzuka are a hell of a tough bunch. What the hell do you guys feed the?" A's laugh echoed through the room.
Hiruzen laughed lightly, "I don't know, but Tsume certainly runs a tight ship."
Underneath his smiling exterior, Hiruzen was ruminating on his deep knowledge of Konoha's clan techniques and jutsu, trying to figure out what he had just witnessed.
As Kiba caught his breath and returned to reality, he quickly turned away from his foe and looked back to Akamaru, still in a heap on the ground. He sprinted toward his partner to check on his condition. "Are you okay, buddy?"
Akamaru gave a weak whine, flooding Kiba with a sense of relief. Kiba collapsed beside Akamaru, pressing his forehead to the ninken's. "Stay with me, buddy. We're not done yet."
Med Nin began to enter the arena, and Genma appeared next to Kiba. "Don't worry, kid. We're going to get him right as rain."
Kiba looked up and gave a fang-filled smile. "Thank you."
Genma looked up and addressed the crowd.
"The winner is Kiba Inuzuka"