----- I do not own Naruto or any of the characters or the licencing franchise, this is a fan fictional peice of litrature and has no relevence to future story lines (unless you read the manga) --------

it was dawn and naruto was in a more fired up mood then usual, team kakashi had received word that Sasuke was somewhere near the land of waves, and they would be heading out to find him in the morning, for now it was time to prepair but he had some time to spair and stopped to talk to Shikamamru.

Shikamaru : "well Naruto are you going to enter the chunine exams?"

he was standing as he always did, his body relaxed, eyes slightly drooped and a cigarrette in his mouth for the memory of his fallen sensei ot was something that Naruto wanted to do but as of yet had no time to dwell upon. Especialy with his missions to get Sasuke back to the village.

Naruto: "What are you talking about Shikamaru, the exams arnt for another year"

Shikamaru: "Well im glad the time has gone by so fast for you, these past few months have been a drag for me, what with training new cadets and all from the academy. The exams start this month you idiot!"

a numb disbelif started to spread through Naruto's body, had the time really passed that quickly since he arrived back at the village with jirayah? had it already been another year?

Naruto: "WHAAAAAT! YOU CANT BE SEIRIOUS, THE EXAMS JUST FINNISHED, IM ON ANOTHER MISSION SOON"

Shikamaru: "hmm, your just the same as always Naruto.. forgetful and Dumb, ive spoken to Lady Tsunade already and she wants you to take the exam this year, you have been Excused from the mission"

Naruto: "we'll just see about that"

How could this have happened, the next mission was a crucial one, they had finnaly got a lead on Sasukes position and had to move quickly to get to him, Naruto imediatly ran down towards the hokage Mansion to try to talk this over with Lady Tsunade, or as Naruto likes to call her Old Bag.

Shikamaru: "Hey Wait! oh man, if he thinks he can talk her out of it hes in for a real surprise"

and with that Shikamaru went back to kuni training with the academy students. Naruto had reached the doors of the hokage mansion however when Lady Tsunade came through and knocked Naruto back down the stairs.

Tsunade: "i guess youve herd the news from Shikamaru, and i wont let you get out of this one, you are attending the exams to become a chunine or you will be sent back to the academy"

Tsunade said this with the familier glair Naruto knew as i wont change my mind, almost defeated he stood up from the bottom of the stairs and began his counter argument.

Naruto: What do you mean i have to? The mission to bring back Sasuke starts tomorrow, i wont participate in the exams while Sasuke is still out there, i know i can bring him back, just let me go"

Tsunade: "As much as i would like to have you go on that mission Naruto, it has been cancelled. we received word this morning that Sasuke is on the move again and it could be another year before we can pin point his location, so you will be taking the exams"

Naruto: But...But..."

how could this have happened? they had missed there chance by only a day, they got word of his location only the previous morning and was getting prepaired to set out.

Tsunade: "No buts Naruto, you new mission is to triain for the exams, im actualy looking forward to seeing how strong you have become since taking the bells from Kakashi when you arrived back to the village last year... also i have another reason for you to take part in the exams"

Naruto felt defeated in a way only Tsunade could make him feel, his legs were weak, his head was spinning, he had let Sakura down again

Naruto: "What other reason? you already know im stronger than Neji, and hes a Jounin"

Tsunade: (laughing to her self) "Think of this as a step towards becoming the Hokage, in the mean time, i want you to keep an eye on one of your biggest fans"

with a dawning comprehsension he started to realise who she meant, there was only one person who he would call a fan, but he surly wasnt ready for the exams

Naruto (voice breaking slightly) You cant mean...he cant be ready yet... please i will do anything"

Tsunade: "Ebisu held him back them back for a year to get them prepaired, but beleives they are ready, i want you to enter and not only become a chunine, but to also watch over Konohamaru"

Naruto: "Why me though, surly Ebisu would be better at watchin him, i dont have time to play games with him"

Tsunade was now getting angry and naruto could see it in her eyes, the last time this happened he was almost sent to the hospital for injuries to his ribs,

Naruto: "Ok, ok i will enter"

Naruto started to walk away when Tsunade called after him

Tsunade: "oh and naruto you remember what it was like last time you were in the exams i trust, this year is much harder, so you had better train on chakra control and some new techniques"

Naruto: "Ok, ok, i get the picture"

and with this naruto raised his hand in good bye and started to head back to his apartment. the streets were unusualy buisy for this time of day, comuters were allover the place buying new dresses, ninja tools, ingredients for cooking and medical purposes. Naruto had only reached as far as Ichiramen's ramen stool, when he heard the raised voices and hidden himself asfast as he could.

Konohamaru: "The Exam will be easy, just you wait and see, i will take out everyone whos there"

Ebisu: "Dont get too cocky, you may have improved your skills enough to enter this year however i have it in confidence that Naruto will also be taking part in the exams, and i doubt you have the strength and training needed to take him on"

Konohamaru: "Really! this years exams are going to be the greatest, i cant wait to battle Naruto, afterall i need to beat him to be next in line to become hokage"

Naruto watched them for a while as they passed, he hadnt thought of this, he would have to fight Konohamaru if he maid it that far. finaly they turned a corner into the next street and there voices died away

thinking to himself "hmm, if he thinks he can beat me that easily hes mistaken, id better go train"

and with that naruto went to the forest to train.

WELL THIS IS THE FIRST CHAPTER, IVE ALREADY STARTED ON THE SECOND ONE, WHAT KIND OF JUTSU WILL NARUTO COME UP WITH TO GET HIM THROUGH THE CHUNINE EXAMS? WILL HE THINK OF USING RASEN-SHURIKEN? (SURLY NOT IT WOULD KILL HIS OPPONENT) FIND OUT IN FUTURE CHAPTERS, ALL COMMENTS ARE ACCEPTED, GOOD AND BAD AS THIS MAY NEED IMPROVING