A/N: I only posted this story yesterday and my e-mail has been flooded with Author and Story Alerts. Also I was going to post this chapter when I posted the story but my friend convinced me that I should wait to see if I got a good response for it and I was going to wait a week but considering all the alerts I got in under a day I decided to post it now.
After seven years of training Tsuyoshi Ryū and his apprentice Naruto Namikaze were returning to Konoha for the chūnin exams. Throughout the training trip they travelled around the world going from village to village. As they walked along the dirt road which lead to Konoha Tsuyoshi could tell his student was nervous though he showed no emotion and even though Naruto was wearing a black cloak identical to his and a hood that hid his face completely he could see from his student's body language that he was nervous.
"Relax nothing's going to happen while we're there except you graduating to chūnin," the Dragon Sage said to his student.
"But what if someone attacks me they all know about the Kyūbi now so there's a possibility that people my age will attack me."
"You think I've been training you for seven years just for you to be killed by a child who can't even catch you?"
"No sensei it's just I thought I escaped the nightmare of being alone when I was five but when we get there I'll either be attacked or ignored the whole time."
"Does it really matter if you're all alone in one village? You've got friends in other villages who'll probably be there for the exams and even if they're not you still have your summons so you don't have to worry about being alone."
"Thanks sensei," Naruto said. They were soon at the gates and showing the guards they're forms for the chūnin exams and continued walking.
1 Hour Later – Ichiraku's Ramen Bar
Naruto had gone straight to his favourite place in the village after unpacking his stuff in the hotel he and his sensei were staying at. As he walked in he saw Teuchi preparing food in the kitchen and his daughter Ayame was watching him.
"Hey what can I get you?" she asked.
"I'll have ten miso pork ramen please," he said.
"You sure you can eat all that?" Ayame asked sceptically.
"Don't you remember me? I used to eat double that amount and I was five," Naruto stated. A clang came from the kitchen and the two turned to see Teuchi had dropped the pot he was using out of shock.
"N-Naruto i-is that you?" he asked.
"Hey old man it's good to see you again, you to Ayame," Naruto said. Said girl turned back to Naruto and gave him a tight hug while tears flowed down her face. Of course Naruto was blushing, though no one could see it, because certain parts of Ayame's body were pressed against his chest. "Is everything alright Ayame?"
"We thought you died when we heard you disappeared," Teuchi explained for his daughter because she was currently drenching Naruto's shoulder with her tears. When she finally let go she apologized for her outburst but Naruto told her it was fine.
"We'll give you those ten bowls of ramen on the house because you haven't had our ramen in years," Ayame said cheerfully, though Teuchi seemed slightly saddened but one glare from his daughter and he was more than happy to. He set to work on the ramen while he listened to his favourite customer talk about what he'd been doing over the years. He was slightly surprised to hear about all the missing ninja he helped capture or kill but was even more surprised by who he said was training him. When he finished he left a small pouch on the counter and turned to leave.
"Wait Naruto we told you it was on the house," Teuchi called out.
"It's alright I have more than enough money and besides I don't like getting things for free," he said as he left. Ayame opened the pouch to see a large wad of cash that could pay for ten times as much as the blonde ate.
Meanwhile Naruto was walking around the village trying to remember some of the few good things about it when he heard someone cry for help. He found the source of the cry was the Hokage's grandson being held by his collar by a sand nin with purple war paint on his face while a girl with a battle fan strapped to her back was harassing him.
"Hey Kankurō put the kid down," Naruto shouted at the sand nin, who turned to him and his face became pale.
"Of course Naruto," he said while putting the academy student on the ground who instantly ran behind Naruto.
"Hey Konohamaru wait up!" came a voice from behind Naruto, he turned to see a pink haired girl followed by the Uchiha and Yamanaka heirs.
"Sakura this guy just saved me from that guy wearing makeup," the Hokage's grandson said excitedly.
"You brat this is war paint!" Kankurō shouted while his sister tried to contain her laughter.
"I don't know Kankurō the purple really makes your eyes more noticeable," Temari said smugly while her brother fumed.
"Anyway thanks for saving Konohamaru, I'm Sakura Haruno by the way," the girl said happily.
"I'm Ino Yamanaka," the young heiress said.
"And I'm Sasuke Uchiha," the brooding boy said. "I'm guessing you're here for the Chūnin Exams."
"Yep," Naruto said happily.
"Where are you from and where's your forehead protector?" Sakura asked.
"I don't wear a forehead protector and as for your other question I represent Kumo, Iwa, Suna and Kiri but I come from Konoha."
"That's impossible how could you be a ninja for four of the five major hidden villages?" Sasuke asked.
"Our father, the Fourth Kazekage, made an arrangement with the other Kages," said a cold voice.
"Gaara I was wondering where you were," Naruto said as Gaara appeared by his side via his sand.
"I had to talk with father and he says the offer is still open," the red head said.
"Could you please tell him I don't want to marry Temari," the blonde said while the elder girl walked up to him.
"Why am I not good enough for you?" Temari asked menacingly causing Naruto to sweat.
"Of course not Temari but I just think I'm not ready to have a wife I am only twelve after all."
"But what about when you sixteen?"
"I don't know if your dad will still keep the offer open until then," Naruto told his fellow blonde.
"I'll make sure he does," Gaara said. "After all you're the only one I deem worthy of being my sister's husband, Naruto."
"Wait a second you're Naruto Namikaze the jinchūriki of the Kyūbi aren't you?" Sasuke asked to which Naruto nodded causing the eyes of Sasuke's companions to widen with shock then Sakura narrowed hers with rage evident in them.
"You! My mom told me you're the reason I never met my dad!" Sakura shouted angrily.
"Shut up billboard-brow Naruto's the reason we're all still alive," Ino said. "Besides he's the son of the Fourth so that proves he's a hero."
"I don't care if he is the son of our previous leader he's the reason why most of the villagers lost their family!"
"I think I should point out that I'm not the Fox I'm simply the container," Naruto said.
"Yeah Sakura if he was the Fox he'd have nine tails and fox ears and fur," Konohamaru said innocently.
"Thank you Konohamaru," Naruto said while patting the boy on the head. He then pulled out a slip of paper and handed it out to the Hokage's grandson. "Here can you take this note to your grandfather for me please."
"Sure Naruto," he said while grabbing the paper and running as fast as he could to the tower.
"Now where were we," Naruto asked when he turned back to the pink haired banshee. "Ah yes I believe I was telling you I'm not the Kyūbi and the only reason you think I am is because some of the adults have made you believe I am."
"Shut up you're lying!" Sakura shouted while cocking her fist back ready to punch him however all she hit was a wall of sand that was as hard as a diamond. She retracted her hand which was throbbing with pain.
"Do not attack Naruto again if you value your life," Gaara said menacingly while releasing a bit of killer intent that made her shake slightly. "Kankurō, Temari let's go."
"See ya Naruto," the puppeteer said.
"Bye and don't worry I'll make sure my dad keeps the offer open for you," Temari said while smirking, she promptly left with her two brothers towards their hotel.
"I look forward to seeing you in the exams," Naruto said politely before a ring of blue flames surrounded him, when the flames died down he was gone.
"I can't wait till the chūnin exams when Sasuke will kick that demons ass," Sakura said.
"Shut up forehead," Ino said as she walked away.
'When I kill you demon it'll prove to my father that I am worthy of the secrets of the sharingan,' Sasuke thought as he walked away while being followed by his most annoying fan-girl and her annoying friend.
A/N: That's the end of the second chapter. I'll try to make the chapters longer but I'm not very good at writing long chapters.
