Despite it All

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"Good work Team Nine. Team Seven, I saw you strategizing. A step in the right direction, but you needed to be prepared to work together from the start. My team did so and was able to touch Kakashi. Who is a significantly more powerful ninja." Kurenai hammered the message in with efficiency.

Naruto and Neji were obviously upset, visibly reigning themselves in. Meanwhile, Ino just looked slightly agonized.

"Heads up kids! The next one is easier or harder, depending on your preferences. Where have you all beat the tar out of each other, ne!" Kakashi said, childlike wonder somehow in his tone.

Kurenai glared at the eccentric Cyclops who, rubbed his head and stepped back. Once he was cowed properly, Kurenai added on. "The first fight is Naruto VS Yuno and Ino. Afterwards it'll be Neji Vs Shino and Choji."

"You heard the lady." Kakashi timed in. "Chop, chop."

The noncombatants left the field, leaving Naruto standing against the two females. The blonde gulped nervously. Ino could be scary as hell and these days was growing quickly. Yuno was a bit of an unknown, but he knew she was a Uchiha. Which, was one of the big clans in the Leaf. Even in its diminished state. Which meant she was probably crazy strong. Hell maybe just plain crazy with that weird behavior earlier. He was in deep trouble. He thought back to his intelligence training. Naruto knew his plan, if he did it right they wouldn't even get to fight back. He looked over at them planning. Who knew what kind of devious plan they were cooking up.

Ino wasn't one to be embarrassed. She was popular in the academy. Had paramours all around. And tended to get her way. Yet this Yuno woman had her back foot. So much so Ino considered retreating.

"You're telling me you don't think he's hot?" Yuno asked with a giant smile.

"Not really, he's a giant goofball. Do you remember that orange jumpsuit he wore in year one?!" Ino asked incredulously.

"I thought it was cute. But come on, the weird whisker thing. Giant warm smile. One of the few genuinely nice guys. Plus blonde means bonus points." Yuno listed.

"Being blonde is awesome. But firstly, sure he's nice and funny and all that. But where's the interest at?" Ino asked. "He's no Sasuke or anything. Secondly, I need something different, some normal guy won't cut it."

"Firstly, Sasuke is my cousin. That is gross." Yuno countered. "Secondly, my cousin is a stick in the mud. Thirdly, if you really think Naruto is just some nice guy you don't pay attention. I barely know him yet I've seen such pain in his eyes. I was merely informing you to be kind. I may want him for myself." Yuno said as if discussing the weather. Ino looked at her. She knew she had no right to do so but wanted to cut that off. She growled, this no way Naruto would want a floozy like this! Besides, what did she know about Naruto?

"I don't like the way you're talking about him." Ino said, her voice sounding annoyed. "But before I talk about boundaries. Let's win this thing!"

At this shout, Ino and Yuno immediately fled back, seemingly filling the air with Kunai. Naruto merely grinned at this. He drew his tanto and took an odd stance. Legs spread out and his body hunched. The man holding the tanto as if planning to slice from the ground to the heavens.

"Uzumaki Style: Rising Spiral!" He said, slashing upwards while spinning. Visible chakra swirled from the blade, deflecting the storm of weapons. "Like my new technique!" The blonde called a foxy grin challenging the ladies. "My turn! Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Fifty clones surrounded the woman.

"I hate him sometimes." Ino said as she drew two kunai and a scroll. Placing the scroll in her mouth. "I think I have a way, to take care of these clones."

"Excellent, I'll pursue the real deal," Yuno said, dashing forward, weaving hand signs as she did. "Water Style: Water Geyser!" She said as she slammed her palms into the ground in front of her. A miniature geyser formed underneath a group of clones destroying all but one, who rolled away desperately. Yuno went to pursue dodging various clones who tried to stall her. Ino jumped into the air, spitting out the scroll and releasing its contents. Flower petals flew into the field from the scroll.

"I Was saving this for Kakashi but you and your damn clones Naruto!" Ino yelled as she formed a hand sign. "Scattered Petals: Explosive Beauty!" As she said this, various flower petals fell from her sleeves. The petals that had filled, one side of the fields started booming with mini explosions. These destroy most of the clones and filling the clearing with smoke. Ino and Yuno go back to back once she lands, attempting to spot the blonde.

But with a sudden burst of speed, two of him appeared holding kunai to the two girls' throats. "Sorry ladies, but this fight is mine."

"You men. Always trying to end things too fast." Yuno said with a smile.

"Unfortunately, we women like to play it patiently." Ino continued. As she finished this sentence, she and Yuno faded.

"Demonic Viewing: Shifting Reflection." Yuno stated simply as she and Ino formed behind one blonde each, both of them, now holding Kunai to his neck.

"You're not wrong!" The clones answer at once. "But we're not him, we're much worse!"

"They sure are." Naruto replied, walking in the field from the opposite side. "Ino, you know what my walking landmines can do. This match is over."

Ino looked at Yuno and nodded. Yuno smiled. "Advice for next time. When facing a Genjutsu specialist, expect layers." Naruto's eyes widened as he formed a hand sign to dispel it. Once he had, he saw Yuno inches away holding a kunai to him.

"I like you, Naruto, you're fun." Yuno said to the blonde. "Lemme know if you ever want company," she said, patting his face. The Uzumaki rolled back, escaping her touch.

"Something about you freaks me out." Naruto called from a distance.

Ino bumped Yuno's shoulder as she walked by. Seemingly perturbed by Yuno's mannerisms. "Back off." She said,

Yuno chuckled. She doubts either of them knew it quite yet. But the blonde was spoken for. Yuno would have to find another toy. Shino may be broken yet.

Kurenai walked up as the fight concluded. "Good work everybody there. Naruto great job going on offense when you're outnumbered. You wanna be on offense not defense. Also playing cautiously is wise. But keep in mind how your opponent will react to what you're doing. It was smart using your clones to set a trap. I guarantee Yuno would've been much more problematic otherwise. Ladies did an excellent job hunting him down and dispatching his plans. As well as, having a backup plan like that. Naruto would've won if you hadn't put two genjutsu on him. Bold of you to risk it like that I must comment though. If he had caught on he may have blown you to bits."

"Nothing risked, nothing gained." Yuno responded with a shrug.

"Very true!" Kakashi called it merrily. "Your turn grumpy."

Neji, Choji, and Shino walked out. Akimichi and Aburame on one side. The Hyuga on the other.

"Begin!" Kakashi called.

"I warn you both now. You cannot defeat m-"

"You shouldn't waste time talking like that." Choji said as he enlarged his hand. "Take it from a guy who knows you don't wanna give Shino time."

Neji responded by charging. Choji swept his giant hand horizontally attempting to knock Neji out. He ducks this and jabs at his chakra point. But to his shock, Choji didn't react. Merely slammed his hand this time. Neji rolled out of the way his nearly 360 vision showed Shino behind him aiming a roundhouse for his head. Neji ducked this and jabbed at the man who rolled back instantly, dropping back. Neji, still seeing Choji as he focused on Shino, jumped in the air avoiding Choji's giant palm slam.

"Sorry!" Choji called. "My chakra points are too large to damage like that!"

"That's the beginning of the end." Shino started. As he said this, Choji expanded into a ball. As well as giant patches of insects covered the front of trees. "That's because you wasted time with idle threats." Shino continued. Choji started to violently wheel about clearing every time he slammed into a tree, a patch of insects seemed to allow him to bounce off with increasing speed. "Choji made this technique using an insect of mine that is, filled with gas making them function as a cushion. This nearly making them immune to being crushed. Pair this with the Choji Full Body Expansion technique. And you make a deadly combo. Neji stuck to a tree.

"Then I will merely hold the high ground." Neji taunted.

"The high ground almost always applies to me." Shino replied casually. As he said this, swarms of insects came from the forest. "You really must get that ego in check, Hyuga. Neji desperately dodged the insects and looked to the ground. But Choji was getting even faster. Even the Hyuga would be helpless against that. He dodged even more insects, but Shino was adding to the barrage, with the ocassional shuriken or kunai. Every time he tried to retreat to the forest, more insects came and the kunai would pepper him.

Eventually, Neji decided to risk it. He landed and within seconds Choji was coming in fast. Neji smiled just enough time to activate Kaiten. As he did so though insects flew into it. They absorbed a large portion of the jutsu right when activated allowing Choji to land a blow absolutely flooring Neji. He rose to his feet with a murderous expression on his face.

"I saw we call it there, ne?" Kakashi said walking between the combatants. "You ok Neji?" Neji sighed and nodded. Looking a bit angry but still able to control his emotions.

"Alright, a bit more straightforward on this one." Kakashi informs. "Neji you may be strong, but when you're outnumbered like that. You should play for keeps. Act like that and there's no doubt in my mind Naruto will defeat you."

"That is preposterous! That loser could never!" Neji countered.

"Kakashi sensei!" Naruto called out calmly. "Allow me to fight Neji right here. Right now." He then eyed his sensei.

Kakashi thought about this. He had given the week timeframe so Naruto would have a chance to catch up. But honestly, apparently, the extra training for Kushina was working wonders. The blonde seemed determined as well. "Are you sure about this Naruto?" Kakashi asked.

"Damn straight," Naruto replied

"Neji?"

"Indeed."

Kakashi sighed heavily. "Kurenai do you mind?"

"Not at all besides. Your old team was always like that too." Kurenai replied.