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Chapter 23 - Kabuto on the Run

Your favorite pack of lovable, hard-headed ninjas in a new adventure!

Chapter 23 - Kabuto on the Run

Chapter 23 - Kabuto on the Run
“I want the Uchiha boy…I want his friends dead…and I want anyone else who might be a threat killed. Now, my Sound Ninja’s, we have another enemy to add to this list: Kabuto Yakushi. He didn’t find our newest talent, Chakaro Tamaki, to his liking. He must be killed before he can tell out secrets. Kimimaro, I know you are up to the challenge…go!”

Orochimaru’s speech had the desired effect. His troops were rallied, and Kimimaro, one of his most dangerous minions, was ready to kill.

Kabuto ran through the rain, using a genjutsu to confuse those he knew was tracking him. He knew the risks he was taking, but he couldn’t serve Orochimaru in a lesser position. He needed to act. The Leaf Village would protect him, he knew. Forgiveness was in their nature.

“He he he…little more to the left…that’s it…work with me…”
Jiraiya was sitting near the hot springs, listening and watching the women talk and bathe. Ekyt stood about twenty feet behind him, not sure if it was okay to say something. He was SURE it wasn’t okay to say the first thing that came to his mind. Jiraiya seemed to be taking fervent notes. Ekyt (Complete with big sweatdrop) mustered up the guys to ask Jiraiya a question.

“Jiraiya-Sensei…how exactly is this helpful?”
With a big grin, Jiraiya turned around. “Haven’t you ever done research kid?”
“Not like this, I haven’t,” Ekyt admitted. This is…akward. He’s a blatant pervert, and I’m supposed to learn from him. What am I supposed to be learning here? How to peep on women?
“EXCUSE ME! CAN I HELP YOU?!” A shrill female voice came from behind Ekyt. He turned to find a ticked-off group of towel-clad women, all still wet from the springs. And all violent looking.
Ekyt looked around, to explain Jiraiya was the one who brought him here. Jiraiya, however, had disappeared.
WHAP!

Ekyt was laying in a heap, the victim of multiple purses across the head.

“Mmm…you know, if you could focus your chakra better, that would have hurt less,” Jiraiya said thoughtfully, “That’s a good place to start then.”

Jiraiya had Ekyt focus his chakra as he attacked, with Ekyt softening each blow. After a short while Jiraiya tossed Ekyt a book. Makeout Pardise?
“I hope I just have to balance this or something…” Ekyt sais hopefully.
“Nope! Haha, it’s a chance to read my masterpiece! You read that while I attack. You’ll learn to focus your chakra, even when you’re distracted. Someday, it’ll just happen. Oooh, hold on, my (cough) research needs me! Just a minute!”

Ekyt tried reading the book, but he felt like a complete pervert. He was as human as anyone, and curious to a degree…but this?! This was blatantly stating “Hi, I’m a pervert!”
Of course, no situation is so bad it can’t get worse.

Sakura saw Ekyt with his head in the orange book that Kakashi-sensei was always reading. When he looked up, his good eye had an “oh, crap” look in it.
“So, you’re taking after Kakashi-Sensei,” Sakura asked brightly, trying to hide her disappointment.
“I wish,” Ekyt grumbled, embarrassed about the whole thing, “It’s homework from Jiraiya-Sensei. I’m supposed to be able to focus my chakra while I’m distracted. Why do I have to read a perv book? That’s really not…comfortable…”
Sakura breathed a sigh of relief. Of Course he’s not reading it on his own! He’s too good a guy for that! Heh heh, and to think I was going to jump down his throat…

Ekyt finished the book, actually blushing about it, even though he was by himself.
But the week of training had paid off. Jiraiya-Sensei was going to meet with Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai. The strange thing was that he insisted on bringing Ekyt. What could he, a genin, teach jonin? Maybe it was just a chance to learn? But it was interesting, at any rate. Before he went, though, he went to wish all his friends luck.

“I don’t need luck, I’m gonna blow right through this, easy! Believe it!” That was Naruto’s reaction, as to be expected.
“Hmph.” Sasuke’s reaction…no shock there.
“I will do my best. This will be a difficult test, but, with the power of youth and hard work, nothing is beyond hope!” Lee’s spirited reaction forced a smile out of Ekyt, despite his growing depression.
“Oh, thank y-you! I-I’ll t-try hard!” Hinata seemed truly thankful that Ekyt stopped by to offer support.
“Offer your luck to someone who needs it! Me and Akamaru can handle anything! Right Akamaru?” “Ruff!” Akamaru and Kiba weren’t lacking confidence, to be sure.
“No need to worry. I don’t miss!” Tenten’s perky reply was something short of cocky, with just the right amount of confidence.
“My bugs and I will serve each other.” Shino was quiet, but didn’t seem worried.
“This is a drag. I’m already a chunin. How troublesome.” Typical Shikamaru.
“Thanks! Not that I need it, of course, heh heh! Sakura better hope I don’t find her before she finds me…” Ekyt sighed at Ino’s reply, somehow not surprised.
“(chomp chomp) Thanks man, I hope it’s quick, I can’t carry too much food with me.” Choji had stopped eating long enough to answer Ekyt, which was a surprise.

Sakura was standing by herself, reading over a scroll, looking anxious. Ekyt didn’t want to disturb her, but she looked like she could use someone to talk to right now.
“Sakura? You alright?”
Sakura’s head snapped up at Ekyt’s deep whisper.
“I’m sorry Ekyt, I was just distracted. What was that?”
“Are you alright?”
Sakura gave a nervous chuckle. “I’ll be fine. I just don’t want to fail again.”
“You’re sharp Sakura, I know you’ll do good. You’ve gotta have confidence.”
Sakura snorted back a laugh. “YOU should talk.”
“Point taken,” Ekyt admitted, “But still, you’re not me. I live off depression, I guess.”
“Ahh, don’t say that! Things will come together for you, I’m sure of it,” Sakura exclaimed, leaping up.
“Likewise for you. Anyway, good luck.” Ekyt gave a small wave and walked away.
Sakura couldn’t help but notice there was some dejection in the way he carried himself.



Ekyt was on his way to meet Jiraiya at the hot springs. Boy, this makes me feel like a perv…is he trying to make me one or something?! Ekyt shook his head. To his surprise, he recognized the girl in front of him.
“Temari?”
Temari turned around.
“Well well, if it isn’t the tough little leafer.”
“Good luck in the exams,” Ekyt said, ignoring the crack.
Temari had her cocky half-smile (Which, Ekyt had to admit, was attractive) on her face. “Good luck…I’m not from here. Besides, the sand village doesn’t need luck. Thanks anyway kid. But I do need to know: Why are you nice to me? By all means, you should hate my guys.” This was something that Temari couldn’t help but be curious about.
“You haven’t given me any reason to hate you. You’re not your brother. I can sense something a little more innocent about you…”
Temari laughed. “Well, if you watch the chunin exams, I’ll destroy THAT notion easy!”
“Whatever you say,” Ekyt said, knowing his tone would needle her.


Jiraiya looked over Ekyt. “Okay kid, you can control your chakra. Now, unless you’ve got a second chakra”
“I do.”
“You…do?” Jiraiya sounded surprised. I shouldn’t be…not after what this kid has told me…
“Yeah. But I can only access it when extreme emotions are involved. And I only know two jutsus to use with it.”
“And what are those,” Jiraiya questioned.
“There’s the “Voluntary Pain Acceptance Jutsu”, which allows me to take a given amount of pain from someone else. Say someone was breaking your arm. I could absorb the pain, and even the injury.
Then there’s the Transparent Hand Jutsu: Blue Flame Protection Seal. I know it can seal Orochimaru’s curse marks, but that’s all I know about it.”
Jiraiya nodded sagely. “I’ve heard you can do a summoning jutsu…very impressive…so I’ll just have to teach you how to do it bigger and better! But, for now, you need to be in a meeting. Let’s go!”

Asuma, Kurenai, Kakashi, and Guy were sitting up in the penthouse of a hotel, where they usually sat for the first part of the chunin exams.

Asuma: Well, I know they can all survive the exam. I’m not sure about them being chunin material. Ino’s a loud-mouth, but she might be able to do it. Choji, though, he worries me.

Kurenai: I’m worried about Hinata. She tries so hard…she’s going in with a good chance of internal bleeding, if she takes another hard hit. And Neji is after her…I’m sure Kiba and Shino can take care of themselves, it’s just Hinata I really worry for…

Guy: ALL of mine are going to pass, especially Lee. (Now crying, fist in the air) That boy is so special! I can’t believe how much he’s grown! Ah, youth!

Kakashi: Try to contain yourself Guy. My team wants it enough, but I can’t see Naruto leading. And Sasuke would rather be by himself. But they’re all talented, all of them could pass.

Asuma: Shikamaru was hemming and hawing about taking the test again. Not that I blame him. I wish Lord Hokage had let me put a sub in.

Guy: We all know who you have in mind Asuma. But he’s never worked with your team before.

Kurenai: I wanted him to go in place of Hinata. But both Lord Hokage and Hinata said no.

Kakashi: From what I can tell, Ekyt would be one to pass for sure, if he had a team. Iruka, Hayate, even Lord Hokage, they all say he’s talented.

Guy: He’s a hard worker too.

Asuma: I’ve talked with him privately. I got him to take an IQ test. He didn’t want to know the results. I was surprised.

Kurenai: How did he do?

Asuma: He’s not Shikamaru, but his IQ in different subjects averaged out to 175.

Kakashi: I’m not surprised. His team took my “bell” test, and nearly beat me on the first try. He orchestrated the whole thing. He’s already created four jutsus unique to him.

Asuma: Not to mention his other training…

Guy: What training is that?

Asuma: (Lights a cigarette, smiling knowingly) Well, it seems our new genin here was once a complete opposite. Not only did he train in Karate and the Philipino art of Machete Fighting, he’s a samurai.

All: gasps!

Kurenai: A samurai?! Does Lord Hokage know?

Asuma: Of course. He knows just what effect that would have if everyone knew. He wants Ekyt to prove himself first. Rumor has it that he’s to teach some of our elite ninja in the way of the samurai.

Kakashi: All of us here, we know where his loyalties lie. But if this were to get out before he’s proven himself…

Guy: It would ruin him, if they knew too soon…samurai and ninja haven’t always gotten along…hell, they still don’t!

Asuma: But still…an entire village full of ninja that have samurai skills…



The written test portion of the chunin exams was over. There was nothing new to the ones who had taken it last year. All of them were dreading the Forest of Death part of the exam, though. As the name suggested, death was possible, even likely. Not to mention this was easily the hardest of the tests. You had to work as a team, follow a strict mission objective, and not allow yourself to drop your guard. It was torture, in a word. The exam proctor, Anko Mitarashi, liked to add to that torture.



Ekyt was pushed into the conference room by Jiraiya. Ekyt turned to say something to him, only to find that Jiraiya was gone, and Ekyt had four sensei staring at him. Thankfully, they were friendly.

Kurenai: Ekyt, good to see you. Hinata says “Thank you.”

Ekyt: She’s going to do great, she wants it.

Asuma: I thought you should know, all of us thought you were ready for the chunin exams.

Ekyt: Really? Thank you, I appreciate that. I’m glad and I can go and watch, never hurts to do recon. Besides, after this, I’ll get my training partners back.

Kakashi: Let me ask you this: If the Sound Village were to attack the five of us, right now, in an attempt to get us out of the way so they could take over the village, what would you do, if you were in charge?

Everyone looked at Kakashi questioningly, but admitted they wanted to know what he would say too.


NEXT ISSUE: THE FOREST OF DEATH! NEED I SAY MORE?!

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