Team 7 was impressed. Lee had put on an excellent display. Though Kurotsuchi would be someone to watch out for in the second match. The last thing they need is for her to melt Hinata's other hand. Hinata was already planning out how to deal with the girl, but it would certainly be difficult.
They collectively watch in amusement as Ino shoves Shikamaru down into the arena for his match against Temari. It should be interesting, Shikamaru was lazy to an almost religious degree, but he was easily one of the smartest people in the village.
"I've got money on Temari."
"I didn't know you were the gambling type Hinata. But I'll take that bet. 500 ryo on Shikamaru."
"You're on Sasuke."
"Can I get in on this bet?"
"Depends what you want to bet."
"I'll bet you Naruko-chan's virginity."
"Fuu you can't just bet my virginity, bet your own." The green haired girl pouts.
"What would you do if Hinata-chan agreed?"
"She wouldn't agree. At least I hope not." Hina-chan had no reason to agree, she basically only had to ask if she wanted the redhead's virginity. So there would be nothing to gain from that bet. Of course none of this even touches on the fact that they would be treating her like an object, which she has found is starting to get to her as time goes on. Naruko doesn't like it. She doesn't mind her girlfriend being possessive, she had long grown used to it, and even appreciated it a little, but saying things like she outright belongs to her is a little much.
"Yeah that's not happening, if you want to bet use something else." Fuu pouts once more but drops the issue. Hinata would never offer up Naru-chan's virginity to another. "Take Sasuke's or something, he needs to make more Uchiha anyways."
"Sasuke may be feminine but I'm still not into guys."
"Fair point. Sorry Sasuke looks like your crush will go unrequited."
"I don't have a crush on Fuu."
"Do you have a crush on anyone?" She had never really looked at his love life, but he was her friend and teammate. So Hinata had to admit, she was curious.
"Nope, as it stands I'm not really into any of the girls here in Konoha." They were all too fake for his tastes. He was too well known as the last Uchiha here in Konoha. Well he's in no rush, he has no intention to fall in love like it's going out of style. His teammates and Fuu seemed to beg to differ about how fast it is reasonable to fall in love. Though to be fair Naruko and Hinata had known each other since they were five or something like that. He turns his attention to the arena as he tunes out his teammates bantering and flirting with Fuu. At least the matches were a good distraction from them.
***
Shikamaru was annoyed. He had no time to think and Ino had to push him down quickly rather than giving him time to plan. He couldn't even hide in the trees to come up with a strategy. All he was doing at the moment was dodging blades of wind the Kunoichi was launching at him. Well he didn't have to sit still just to plan, Asuma had seen to that after he suddenly changed his demeanor, but it still helped him think. He was tempted to just surrender, but his mother would be such a drag if he did that. Not to mention Ino, oh god she would be so annoying.
Alright he has a plan, though if it fails it won't work again. He rushes forward intent on engaging in a bout of Taijutsu. He wasn't particularly good at it, but he wasn't bad either. Hopefully he could fool her long enough for her to think that she only needs to gain a little distance. As he goes he decides to pull out a kunai, it would help make the plan go smoother. She seems to buy his act and strikes back at him with the fan. He grunts as he deflects it with the kunai. He moves quickly darting another hand into his kunai pouch to pull out a second one, though this one had a Fuinjutsu tag inscribed on the hilt, hidden under his hand.
They continue to engage in a rather mediocre bout of close combat before she knocks his second kunai behind him. He quickly pulses his chakra and the Fuinjutsu activates. A bright flash erupts from it, though not bright enough to wipe away his shadow, and he tosses his first kunai into the air and quickly flies through the hand signs for his family's signature jutsu. He smirks as he feels it connect. " Kagemane no Jutsu (Shadow Possession Technique) success." He quickly makes an action to drop the fan and then reaches out his hand. Making the motion to catch a kunai.
But he wasn't the one to catch it, rather the girl across from him did. He moves so she holds it against her neck. "Surrender." The girl sighs and calls out.
"I surrender." The boy nods and ends the Jutsu.
"Victor Nara Shikamaru!" Shikamaru shrugs and walks off. He was a little drained and would likely forfeit in his next match, as Sasuke would likely be too much for him to handle, and if the green haired girl beats him then she would definitely be too much.
Temari looks annoyed. He so casually defeated her and didn't even seem happy about it. Still it was a smart tactic and she had to give him credit for his craftiness. As she wasn't injured she was allowed to return to the competitors box, or to the general audience if she so chose. She decides to go to the competitors box, not wanting to deal with the teasing she would no doubt face from Kankuro for losing to a rookie three years her junior.
The crowd was cheering pretty wildly, it was mostly made up of citizens of Konoha and fire country so of course they were excited to see Konoha win, even if it was versus their allies.
Raza was pissed. All three of his children had failed miserably. Two of them hadn't even made it to the finals and the one that had ended up losing in the first round. It was disgraceful. He had sent them so they could win and show off Suna's strength, not so they could lose and embarrass the village. He's going to raise hell when they get home. But for now he is going to keep up the cold visage he is so well known for.
Hiruzen on the other hand was quite pleased. The Nara had put on an excellent showing despite being at a disadvantage in both terrain and experience. He made the right choice by punishing his son the way he did. Yes it was another sacrifice, but it was worth the results if the rookies were going to put on as good a showing as they were.
The other Kage were mostly ambivalent towards the match. Onoki was displeased Konoha had won, but outside of that they had merely mentally noted the strengths and weaknesses of the next generation.
Konan was feeling eager, Fuu was up next and she was up against one of Naruko's teammates. This would be an exciting match, as it was one of the few she was actually invested in. She had no doubt Fuu would win, those were her orders after all and that girl was an excellent kunoichi, so she was sure the orders would be followed through.
***
"You ready Sasuke?"
"As ready as I'm gonna be."
"Good enough. What about you Fuu?"
"Sorry if I kick your teammates ass."
"Go fuck yourself Fuu."
"I'd rather fuck the pretty little redhead right next to me."
"You could at least pretend you don't want to fuck my girlfriends brains out."
"Yeah but why would I do that, when I can let her know how hot she is? Which by the way, is very hot."
"I know, I'm dating her, she's gorgeous. Whatever, just go fight Sasuke." Fuu shrugs and jumps down into the arena. "So do you think you have a shot at winning?"
"Probably not, she isn't as strong as Kurenai-sensei, but she still managed to hold her own against me for a while, and will probably kick my ass. But as the proctor said, becoming a chunin isn't determined based on sheer victory."
"So do you have a plan?"
"Kind of, it's hard to plan when she's shown so little."
"Fair enough, well good luck out there. We'll be cheering you on."
"Yeah you can do it Sasuke, Team 7 is unstoppable."
"Thanks, you two." With that he heads down into the arena for his match.
"So do you think he can win?"
"Not a chance, Naru-chan." They both knew Fuu was too strong for any of them at the moment.
"Well it should still be interesting, Sasuke is definitely going to put up a good fight." He was too tenacious to do anything less. They're distracted from their current conversation as the Kiri nin approaches them, Haku if they recall correctly.
"You two seem to know her from before the exams, why are you so confident she'll win?"
"She's a ringer." Hinata responds simply.
He raises an eyebrow. "Oh, how so?"
"She can go toe to toe with Jonin, she's definitely not what a genin should be. Unless Ame just has crazy high standards." Naruko decided not to mention the fact that she was also a missing nin from Taki, as she originally wore their forehead protector.
"I'll have to watch out for her then." Seeing Haku break the ice, Samui who had been calmly watching the other matches until now approaches.
"You put up a good fight earlier, it was pretty cool." She says towards Hinata. She did love her lovers to be strong, and Hinata was an appealing specimen.
"Thanks, you have the last match right?" Samui nods. "That should be an interesting match."
"I'll win, Kumo is stronger than Iwa so I won't lose to that guy." She stated it as a fact, fully confident in her ability to win versus everyone here.
"We'll have to wait and see, there are still two matches until yours begins." Counting Sasuke and Naru-chan of course. Speaking of Sasuke, Hinata turns her attention back down to the arena as his match is about to start.
Naruko does much the same, but feels a shiver run up her spine. Something deep within her is telling her that something horrible is going to happen soon. She doesn't know why. She can't even tell if the instinct is her own or if Kaguya is trying to send her a message for some reason, all she knows is it feels like something bad will happen. Maybe she should enter Sage Mode, and see if any chakra feels wrong. Looking around she curses. She doesn't want to miss Sasuke's match, but she doesn't want to let the others around her know that she can use a sensory technique.
With an internal curse she ignores her instincts and doesn't activate Sage Mode. Maybe it's nothing.