It was a hot day in the middle of summer, and a month had already gone by when we saw Goku running about as quickly as he could, hopping from tree to tree to catch up with the three siblings who came from the Sand Village.
Goku: What the hell was going on here, shit shit? In a split second, everything went to hell quickly when fighting with Gaara. Why did the sand start attacking us? I need to question her to get to the bottom of this.
While Goku was following Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro, he kept his thoughts to himself and continued to think.
Flashback
It was early in the morning, and residents of the village, those from the surrounding areas, and the lords of other lands started to make their way to the spot for the last phase of the Chunin examinations. The vast majority of them were delighted to see the last of Uchiha. Still, once word spread about the fact there was also a soul survival of the long-vanished Saiyan Clan taking part in the event, their excitement level skyrocketed. Even some other Daimyos from other lands try to beg the Fire Daimyo and the third Hokage to modify the order of the fight and have Goku and Sasuke fight each other instead. Sasuke and Goku are the two most powerful fighters in the tournament.
●First match Naruto Uzumaki vs. Neji Hyuga
●Second match Shino Aburame vs. Kankuro
● The third match was between Shikamaru Nara vs. Tamari
● Fourth match Sasuke Uchiha vs. Dosu Kinuta
● Fifth match Gaara vs. Son Kakarot
The remaining Genins had appeared and stood in the middle of the arena in front of the spectators, but three were still missing. Sasuke, Dosu, and Goku haven't arrived yet. As the final exams began, in the stands, two girls were worrying. One was a pink-haired girl concerned that Sasuke hadn't shown up yet. The other was a long-haired blonde who was her friend. She was also worried, but Ino was worried about Goku.
The Chunin Exams started with Neji facing off against Naruto in the opening match. Neji was considered the overwhelming favorite to win, but Naruto pulled off an upset by beating Neji with a left uppercut to Neji's chin.
Shino faced off against Kankuro in the second match of the tournament. Shino was declared victor in the fight due to Kankuro forfeiting before it had started when calling by his name to report at the arena, which allowed him to take advantage of the situation.
That ought to have been the first warning sign that something was awry and that something was on the way. Goku pondered to himself as he reflected on everything that had transpired since the previous morning.
The third fight was Shikamaru vs. Temari.
Shikamaru lazy ass quit the match, stating that he had run out of chakra after capturing Tamari with his shadow possession jutsu. Many of the spectators were angry at Shikamaru for forfeiting the match and started to throw garbage at him.
The fourth fight was between Sasuke Uchiha and Dosu Kinuta
After ten minutes of waiting for both competitors, they ended up getting disqualified after Genna had called out their names.
People who traveled from other nations were disappointed with the situation since they could not watch the last Uchiha battle. As soon as it was revealed that the fighters had been disqualified, the crowd began booing and tossing trash into the arena. Despite this, the competition continued.
As Goku and Gara's names are called for, the fifth and final match of the first round is set to begin. Then, they were instructed to enter the arena.
Both combatants faced each other as they stood in the center of the arena, and suddenly, between them, a blast of smoke arose. After the cloud of smoke dissipated, Kakashi and Sasuke emerged from the smoke.
Genma walks toward Kakashi and Sasuke.
Genma: I'm sorry, Kakashi, but both you and your student are required to exit the arena. You are currently delaying the start of the fifth and final bout, which has already resulted in Sasuke Uchiha and his opponent getting disqualified for failing to appear to the fight on time.
When they found out about this, it took both Kakashi and Sasuke aback. As Sasuke continued to argue with Genma to let him go and fight, his fury grew to a boiling point until Goku spoke.
Goku: Sasuke, enough is enough. Your complaining will not solve any of your problems. You are the only person to blame for this situation. Even though you knew that today was the last day of the Chunin Exams, you arrived late. Now, behave like a decent spectator and sit in one of the stands.
As Goku was finishing up his slight mockery of him, Sasuke swiftly got him prepared to engage in a physical fight. Still, Kakashi eventually restrained him and escorted him to the spectator seats.
When Genma saw both Kakashi and Sasuke had cleared out of the arena, he signaled both Goku and Gaara to begin.
Genma: Gaara of the Desert will face off against Son Kakarot in the fifth and final battle.
Gaara did nothing more than stand there, expressionlessly staring at Goku while the former quickly warmed up by stretching his legs and arms. After his warmup, Goku assumed a particular fighting stance in preparation for the fight. That was enough to get the attention of a few of the shinobi who were present in the stands, especially Guy and Rock Lee, who had just arrived at the stadium.
Rock Lee: Sensei Goku stance.
Rock Lee spoke as he stared at Goku but was cut short by his Sensei Might Guy.
Guy: I know Lee. Since his last encounter with you a month ago, he has significantly improved his hand-to-hand combat skills. There are at least two and possibly three gaps in his defense that I can perceive.
Lee: I don't recognize him anymore. Who are you, Son Goku? It's possible that I can challenge him to another fight once I've recovered fully from my injuries.
At that precise moment, Asuma and Kurenai approached Guy and Lee and started talking to them.
Asuma: What are guys talking about?
Lee: Asuma sensei and Kurenai sensei.
Lee quickly faced them and gave a slight bow to show respect.
Guy: What have you two been up to, Asuma and Kurenai? I just finished explaining to Lee how, over the past month, Goku has demonstrated a significant amount of growth.
Kurenai: How can you tell?
Guy: It's his stance, for when he fought during the fight against Lee, he had around five opportunities that I could have taken advantage of. I can now make out two. It's astonishing how much progress he made in such a short amount of time.
Asuma: He's a genuine prodigy when it comes to fighting. For strategies, I'll put him at the same level as Shikamaru.
Kurenai: Do you not think you are giving him too much credit? You just shared with me that Shikamaru possessed an IQ higher than 200. You now claim that Goku, like Shikamaru, has an IQ higher than 200.
Guy: Make sense.
Kurenai: How so?
Guy: During the preliminary, Kakashi revealed that Goku can learn his opponent's moves by merely observing them being performed once or twice and then committing them to memory and creating a strategy for a counterattack. It is almost as if he had a Sharingan in his possession.
Kurenai: And speaking of that fool, where's Kakashi? Shouldn't he have been up here by now?
Asuma: Probably too embarrassed to come up for arriving late and getting his student disqualified.
Kurenai: It's about time that idiot gets what he deserves. Hopefully, he will start arriving on time now.
Guy: Alright, Lee, as soon you heal 100%, you will increase your training by three folds.
Lee: Yes, sensei.
In the arena.
While Goku adopted his fighting position, Gaara stood there with his arms crossed and stared intently at Goku. As soon as Genma gave the command to begin the fight, it didn't take long for Goku to vanish, and he reappeared right before Gaara. Goku attempted to punch Gaara in the face, but Gaara's sand quickly blocked him. Goku vanished once more and made multiple attempts to strike Gaara from various directions, but just like the first time, Gaara's sand prevented him from doing so. Gaara sand was almost the perfect shield-stopping blow from Goku, even if Goku's base speed had increased from the fight with Lee. Genin couldn't follow Goku's movements; the only ones that could were the upper-rank Chuunin, Jounin, and the Kages. Kakashi and Sasuke finally made their way up to the stadium, where Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai were. Sasuke couldn't believe how fast Goku was moving. Sasuke couldn't follow him even when using his one tomoe Sharingan, which caused Sasuke's anger to rise to see someone more talented than him.
Goku stopped attacking Gaara and jumped backward to put some distance between the two.
Goku: I can see that the sand you have is not ordinary. It acts as a living shield, moving about to defend your entire body in all directions. What the heck am I supposed to do? Oh, now I know. Gaara, I know you are difficult to battle, but I enjoy a good challenge, so now that I've finished warming up, you should also get ready. I am going to attack you with everything that I have.
Goku vanished once more, but this time, his speed was significantly faster than before. This time, Gaara was unable to track Goku, and the only time he was able to spot him was when he used his sand to stop one of Goku's attacks.
Goku: There are no perfect things in the world. Every single item is vulnerable to something.
Goku's hand started to have a green glow surrounding it. Goku was preparing to put all his strength into that punch as it was powerful enough to punch through Gaara's sand barrier and land a hit to Gaara's face. Gaara's siblings were more just shocked. Tamari was scared for her little brother, not knowing how he would react after being hit for the first time. Goku saw how disoriented Gaara was that he quickly jumped into the air and, with great speed, made some-handed seal.
Goku: Fire-style Fireball jutsu.
Gaara was about to be hit by a massive ball of blue flame going in his direction. When the fireball made contact with the sand that Gaara was standing on, an explosion occurred that was powerful enough to send Gaara flying toward one of the arena walls. As soon as Gaara stood up, his look morphed into that of a crazed person. Gaara brought both hands together and made a symbol with his hands. Sand began to enclose Gaara in a sort of sand dome as it continued to move around him.
Goku began to run at Gaara as he shielded himself with his sand, creating a small sand-domed. Goku attempted to break his way through the sand dome Gaara had made. However, as soon as Goku drew close, sand spikes would fly out. Goku performs several backflips to create some distance between them before returning to his fighting position and thinking of a strategy in his head for how to put an end to the fight.
Goku: I got it. The question is whether I should finish this by Fire, wind, or lightning. I'll use lightning. I haven't had a chance to show off my lightning jutsu.
Goku looked at the wall behind him and decided to run up the wall. As soon as he got up, he grabbed hold of his right hand. Goku's right palm had been surrounded by an intense concentration of purple lightning chakra that was being channeled to his right hand.
Goku: Gaara, I don't know if you can hear me inside your cocoon, but this fight is over. Lightning-style Violet Bolt. It might not be as strong as the original Chidori, but it is enough to finish this fight.
Guy: Don't tell me, Kakashi, that you taught him that move also.
Kakashi: I didn't. He must have learned it when I used it when we were in the Land of Waves. So, this is how it feels when someone steals a technique.
Goku started to run down the wall, leaving a line of destruction on his way.
Goku: I need to focus only on my target; everything else is a distraction to me. Not enough speed; I need more for this to work. Kaioken times two.
A fiery red aura surrounded Goku, and his Violet Bolt changed colors into more of a darker purple. In a slit of a second, Goku arrived where Gaara was and spears through the sand cocoon of Gaara.
Goku: Lighting releases Violet Bolt Stream.
As an electrical discharge flows from his hand, Goku unleashes his Violet Bolt in all directions at the same time. The terrified cries that Gaara let out as Goku's strike was electrifying him could be heard by everyone in the stadium. A good many of the onlookers were forced to put their hands over their ears in order to muffle the sound of the screams.
Everyone noticed that Goku's hand was covered in blood as soon as he removed it from Gaara's cocoon. As soon as Gaara's cries ended, the entire arena was immediately enveloped in an unsettling calm. Everyone began to believe that Goku had killed Gaara.
Gaara: Mother, what is this so warm and wet? It's my blooooooood.
The screams of Gaara began again. Suddenly, a large hand of sand covered in blue markings shot out and tried to grab Goku. An animalistic roar came from inside the sand.
Goku: Something is wrong. I can sense it. Even Genma sensei feels it also.
The sand cocoon that had been surrounding Gaara fell apart and collapsed, exposing Gaara with burn wounds and blood that had been on his left shoulder. His expression shifted, and it was no longer dispassionate as it had been before. His eyes reflected those of a sycophant's eyes perfectly. At that very instant, Tamari and Kankuro appeared directly in front of Gaara, trying to come him down, while simultaneously, the Sand Village initiated their invasion of the Leaf Village.
After a few moments have passed, Tamari, Gaara, and Kankuro are taken aback when they see Baki standing before them. He issues the order for Tamari and Kankuro to evacuate to take Gaara with them to a safe place far away from the conflict zone. Genma walks toward Goku, congratulates him on earning the rank of Chuunin, and informs him that his first mission will be to apprehend the three ninjas from the Sand Village. Goku agrees and starts his pursuit.
End of flashback.
As Goku continued his pursuit to catch up to Gaara and his siblings, he became aware that five more people were following, and one was closely behind him. When Goku noticed Kankuro waiting for him, standing on one of the branches of a tree a few treetops away from him, he came to an immediate and total stop.
Kankuro: I can not allow you to pass any further.
Goku: We both know that if we fought, I would come out as the victor and you dead.
Kankuro: I'm willing to sacrifice myself for my sister and little brother so they escape this stupid war that we didn't want to take part in.
Goku: Well, it's your lucky then because it seems that I won't be your opponent.
Goku would look behind him as Shino stepped out behind a tree.
Shino: You knew I was following you.
Goku: Yes, roughly five minutes ago, I became aware that I was being followed, but I was unsure as to whether or not my pursuer was a friend or foe.
Shino: Go ahead, Goku, and leave him to me. I have unfinished business with.
Goku agreed and left Shino to handle Kankuro and continued his pursuit of Gaara. Goku was finally able to catch up to Gaara and Tamari. Goku noticed that Gaara's face was cracking. Gaara quickly noticed Goku was right behind him. When Gaara saw Goku, he couldn't contain himself and broke. Gaara's right side of his body started to transform and attack Goku.
Goku was capable of evading Gaara's blows and continuing to fight. Goku ensured that there was enough separation between the two of them. Goku could sense an increase in Gaara's power and speed, but rather than being afraid of him, he smiled and became excited to confront him. Goku went into his fighting pose.
Goku: Gaara, I know, believe what you are. So, I need to stop you from causing more significant destruction. So let's finish this Kaioken.
Goku's body was once more covered in a fiery aura. Goku jumped to attack Gaara by delivering a straight hook to Gaara's face. Still, he could dodge it and counter by throwing an uppercut, which Goku dodged but was struck from behind by Gaara's tail.
Goku stood up and started to remove his shoes and bracelets that contained weights. Goku vanished for a split second before reappearing square in front of Gaara. He then threw a supercharged punch to the red-haired boy's face, which caused him to fly in the opposite direction.
Temari, watching from her hiding place, could only think how fast Goku became as she saw Goku reappear on Gaara's opposite side while he was still in mid-air and sent him crashing through a tree with a mighty axe kick. Goku reappeared behind Gaara while he was in midair and struck him again with another kick that sent Gaara flying in the opposite way and into another tree. As Gaara was being smashed through the tree, Gaara could only think about how Goku was actually overpowering him.
Not willing to sit back and watch as Goku uses his superhuman strength to chip away at his defense. Instantaneously, Gaara opened his jaws and unleashed a tremendous wind-based attack on Goku. Goku could not respond quickly enough to evade the strike and instead took it head-on. After that, Gaara brought forward his demonic sand arm and grabbed Goku, slamming him toward the ground.
Tamari kept watching from afar with tears in her eyes, staring to collect from seeing her little brother and what may be her first friend ever fight each other. At that moment, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura arrived. As time went on, Gaara was losing more control of himself, and Goku was starting to feel the effects of the Kaioken on his body.
Goku took advantage of Gaara's distraction while trying to keep from losing his control. Goku delivered another kick to the stomach, sending Gaara flying a couple of meters. Goku did once more the hand sign to use his Violet Bolt but stopped when he felt something coming from the village.
Naruto: Why did he stop?
Sakura: I don't know, Naruto. Maybe he ran out of chakra.
Sasuke: Hey idiot, stop daydreaming and finish him off.
Goku would ignore Sasuke's comments and only stare in the direction of the Leaf Village. Goku then turns his eyes in the direction of Naruto.
Goku: Hey, Naruto, I was hoping you could do me a favor and take care of Gaara.
Naruto: What, why me?
Goku: Naruto, you are the only one who can. Trust me, use what you learned from Jiraiya this last month.
Naruto: Alright, leave it to me.
Sakura: What are you going to do, Goku?
Sasuke: Don't tell me you're running away.
Goku: The Hokage is in danger. I can sense his life force decreasing. I need to go back and help him. Sakura, you and the emo princess need to take cover and let Naruto finish handling Gaara. He is the only one strong enough to do so.
Goku started to run at full speed toward the village. Sasuke anger rose when Goku completely ignored him and, in a way, also called him weak. As Goku was arriving at the village, he saw a dark purple pillar shooting toward the sky from one of the rooftops of the building near the stadium. Goku arrived at the rooftop; he saw two Anbu and approached them.
Goku: What's going on?
Anbu: You're the kid who took place in the Chuunin Exams. Lord 3rd is inside fighting off Orochimaru and the first and second Hokages.
Goku: Can we do anything about the barrier?
Anbu: No, we can't. Our attacks do not affect them, and if you come in contact with them, you'll drop dead. As long as those four stay focused, the barrier can not be penetrated.
Goku looked at each corner and was a member of Orochimaru's team.
Goku: If we can't attack from upfront or from the sky, then how about from underneath?
Goku smiled at the Anbu and then jumped off the building.
Inside the barrier.
Orochimaru: It's over, sensei. I've won.
At that moment, the second Hokages under Orochimaru's control cast his infinite darkness jutsu, turning Hiruzen's eyesight to complete darkness. Orochimaru started to attack the third Hokage as he could see anything.
Hiruzen: Sealing jutsu Reaper Death Seal.
Hiruzen started to couch blood as the Reaper death seal activated.
Orochimaru: Oh, what's wrong? You are reeling from fatigue already. Goodbye, sensei.
Orochimaru took out a sword from his mouth and began to change Hiruzen when, all of a sudden, everyone heard a voice coming from underneath the roof.
Goku: Fire-style, Fire dragon roar.
Goku brought his hands up to his mouth, accumulating fire chakra in his mouth, and then let go of the fire in the direction of the ceiling, generating a gigantic, explosive torrent of fire that caught Orochimaru and the first and second Hokages, injuring and burning them up in the process.
Thanks to Gokus's distraction, Hiruzen was able to create two extra clones of himself. Each went straight to each Hokage, and the original Hiruzen finally caught Orochimaru.
Orochimaru: What are you doing?
Hiruzen: This is the end for both of us, Orochimaru. I'll drag your soul to hell with me.
Orochimaru eyes were full of fear when he saw the Reaper behind Hiruzen. Orochimaru continued to fight back and keep his soul intact.
Hiruzen: I don't have enough strength to take your soul with me. But I can take what's most precious to you, Orochimaru, and that is your jutsus—reaper death seal.
The manifestation of the Reaper behind Hiruzen this whole time grabbed his knife and cut down part of Orochimaru's soul, which was his arms. That left Orochimaru without the use of his arms, turning the skin color black. Orochimaru received a kick to the head from Goku, sending him flying across the roof. Goku grabbed hold of Hiruzen's body before hitting the floor. Jiraiya and some of Anbu arrived as well.
Goku: I'm sorry, Gramps. If I only would have gotten sooner, I could have helped.
Hiruzen: You arrived at the perfect time. Thanks to you, I could seal off the first and second Hokages and put a stop to Orochimaru. So don't apologize. I feel tired. Son Kakarot Senju, congratulations on becoming a Chuunin.
Those were the final words from the third Hokage making official Goku's promotion. The few ninjas there were shocked to hear that Goku was a Senju. Jiraiya quickly advised them that this was still an SS rank secret punishable by death if one said anything to anyone.
End of Chapter.