Chapter 20 Preliminary Match.

The group rested by a nearby river. Naruto and Sasuke was out in the river grabbing some food. Arata was with Sakura lying down with his head look at the sky, while Sakura was building a fire.

Arata laid there thinking about his path. At this point, battling other genins like this was taking too much time as his level was far above theirs. So far there were no one that he has came across with that was able to give him a hard time since Haku and Zabuza, but his strength now was different from then. With his strength, just a little more time and he would have the confidence and strength to go explore the lands to look for the scattered Uzumaki clan. Arata eventually decided. After this chunin exam, he would go challenge Kakashi for a serious match. If he has the ability to win, that would put him on the jonin level where it will give him the ability to survive in the outside world.

Naruto: " We're back with food."

Arata's thoughts were interrupted with Naruto and Sasuke coming back with several fishes spiked on a stick. After a period of time of eating. The four of them got up and left to find an additional another team so they can get the required scrolls. Traveling for a distance, Arata and Sasuke stopped, causing alarm to Naruto and Sakura.

Arata: " Someone's here."

Naruto: " Huh?" Naruto looked around, " I don't see anybody."

As Naruto said that, strange forms began to surround them. It came from the trees and the ground. The forms basically took form into a ninja with a white mask that covered their eyes. There was also some kind of breathing tool.

As Naruto's impulsive self, he immediately punched forwards at one of the ninja's that came out. But as he punched him, Naruto's fist broke through as if it was slime and Naruto fell forwards. The person that Naruto punched towards, divided in two as one half of the person twisted around and threw a shuriken at Naruto.

Sasuke: " idiot, watch out behind you."

Sasuke threw his own shuriken which blocked its path as it tried to hit Naruto.

Naruto: "what?"

Arata: " Sasuke quickly use Sharingan to see what jutsu it is."

Sasuke: " 'Tch' Don't always be telling me what to do."

Sasuke used sharingan, but as he used it, his body started to shut down and he fell down.

Arata saw what happened. " Whatever, I will deal with this quickly, Sasuke rest as much as you can, because we still got another stage ahead of us. Naruto carry Sasuke up the tree. Sakura you too."

All three of them moved upwards.

Ninja1: " Wanting do deal with me yourself? Idiot."

Seeing Naruto and the others move out of the way. " Naruto, watch out for the real person's movements and then make your move."

Naruto: " Huh? okay."

Arata activated his rinnegan, " Almighty push" 'boom' Everything around him was pushed away. 'bang' The three ninja hiding in the bush was blasted away and knocked into a tree. Before he could get away and use his technique again, Arata appeared before him. "Give up your scroll or die and I can just take it from you."

Ninja 1: " Let's see you try." Before he could make another move, Arata had already moved and killed him. He then searched for the scroll and found it.

When Naruto and the other's saw that move, that were utterly speechless.

Sasuke: " 'tch' what the hell was that. When did he get so strong."

Sakura and Naruto recognized the move. But didn't think that it can be used to this much extent to blast his entire surroundings. If they hadn't been prepared, they would've been caught in the blast too.

Arata: " Let's go."

When Arata thought of his path, he just wanted it to quickly end this game and get going towards his goal.

A day later, they arrived at the assigned place. When they walked into the large room they saw the Hokage, many other jonins, and other people who has passed.

Hokage: " So you guys are the ones who made it huh. Out of the 80 people that went into the second stage 21 were left over, and they were all the younger generation. "

Instructor: " Since there are a lot of people left over, before we move on to the next match, we will be have preliminary matches with a one-on-one match." An electric board popped out from the wall. " With this electric board, we will determine the match by random. Before that though, if there are any individuals that want to drop out, then do so now."

Sasuke: " So these are the strong people that made it through huh. Let's see how far I go."

Sakura still worried at Sasuke's mark, " Sasuke you should drop out. Your body won't be able to take much more pain. You've been enduring the pain for so long. "

Sasuke: " Shut up Sakura. I told you before right, I'm an avenger. This isn't just an exam for me. This is for me to test my power. Right now there are many people who can test my limit. Don't interfere. I won't forgive even you if you take away this chance for me."

Arata: " He's right Sakura, you have no right to interfere in his path. "

Sakura: " Hey, I just don't like watching Sasuke get hurt."

Arata: " Then close your eyes."

Sakura: "...'

Arata: " If you really do care for him, just watch him and support him. Do not be the one that holds him back."

Instructor: " Since there is no one leaving then, let me explain the rules. The loser is determined if a person loses conscious or surrender. If there is nothing else, then let the first match begin!"

The first match: Sasuke vs Yoroi

Although match was tough for Sasuke as he couldn't use chakra and Yoroi used a jutsu that sucks chakra once his palm touches him, he won in the end with a copied and alternative move from Rock Lee's move. After Sasuke won, Kakashi took him to the back to seal the curse mark placed on him.

Second match: Arata vs Shino

Arata and Shino walked on stage.

Naruto: " Go Arata, beat him."

Arata: " Shino. Surrender, you are no match for me."

Shino: " I would like to see what you got."

Kakashi: " So it's finally his turn huh."

Kurenai: "So this is Arata Senju. Let's see how he does."

Instructor: " Match begin."

Arata used the body flicker movement and instantly disappeared from his position and instantly appeared before Shino.

Third Hokage: " What, body flicker technique at such an age? What talent."

Kakashi and the other Jonins narrowed their eyes. The body flicker technique, although it is a simple move, to be able to use it as quick as Arata shows his skillfulness in chakra distribution. The other genins were surprised at his speed. They could barely keep up with his speed.

'boom' Shino put up a guard, but Arata's kick was too strong for Shino as he was sent flying. Arata waiting for Shino to get up, since it wasn't a fight to the death, he didn't need to finish him.

Arata: " Surrender."

Shino: "... look behind you."

Arata looked behind him and saw numerous bugs.

Shino: " Those bugs are parasitic insects that suck out chakra. Based on their numbers if they managed to attack you, then you will be sucked dry. You can choose to attack them but once you do that, I will make a move and finish you. If you attack me, then those bugs will finish you. You are cornered, surrender."

Arata looked at the bugs on the ground and then at Shino. " Who says I can't do both?"

Arata pointed his hands together and performed a series of hand signs at a fast pace. Just then water began to surge at his location and spread across the ground and reached both Shino and the bugs behind him. Just as it covered them, Arata put his hands together again, but did not need any multiple hand signs. He used his hands to generate chakra which then turn into electricity. When Shino saw the electricity in his hands, he jumped up as he did not want to get to get electrocuted. However, his parasitic insects were all burnt to a crisp.

Kakashi: " What, he can use water jutsu? When did he learn how to do that."

Other jonins were also surprised, to be able to use two jutsus which belong to two different chakra natures for a genin, he was already a considered to be a genius.

Arata started generating electricity from his hand, he threw one of his special kunai's at Shino. As Shino was still in the air it would be difficult to dodge the attack. He took out a kunai to deflect. However, Arata quickly appeared by the kunai. " It's over." Arata put his palm on Shino and Shino was instantly electrocuted. Shino fell to the ground. As Arata landed on the ground, he saw Shino slowly getting up. Arata pointed his finger as water gathered at the tip.

Arata: " You still want to continue?"

Arata's speed, strength, and battle tactics were extremely advanced. As Shino as he is now, he wouldn't stand a chance.

Shino: " I surrender."

Instructor: " Second match Arata's victory!"

The battle was completely one sided. Shino was also not a close combat person as he utilizes bugs to attack. Arata did not give him enough time to utilize the bugs in the fight. He was just too quick.

The jonins and genins saw the battle and were utterly surprised by the quick fight.

Kakashi: " It seems like Arata is in another league of his own."

Kurenai: " Yes."

The genins did not understand the kunai knife throw technique but they did. It was the flying thunder god technique from the Second Hokage and the Fourth Hokage.

Third Hokage: " It seems like he was trained very well."