Chapter II: O f D e m o n s . . . M o n s t e r s . . .

-x-

The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome.

The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.

-Helen Keller

-x-

"This week, the seventh years will be taking the Gennin Examination. While most of the staff will be dedicating their hours to the test, our class will be joined by the others for our lessons in order to account for the missing Sensei. During these next two weeks, we will be focusing on the origins of the major Noble clans of Konoha; specifically…"

Naruto felt the heated glare aimed at him when he raised his hand, but he honestly didn't care about that Bastard's ridiculous superiority complex. It wasn't the blonde's fault that the Uchiha couldn't yet perform all of the exam's requirements perfectly, and that it irked said academy student that the Uzumaki 'nobody' had been rumored to have almost succeeded in graduation during the previous year.

"Yes Uzumaki-kun?" Iruka asked curiously. While the blonde student's scores were steadily improving with each new class period, the boy never bothered to show formal gestures like a raised hand; he usually found that speaking aloud his thoughts held greater precedence than waiting to be called upon.

"I'd like to try my luck at the Gennin Exam Iruka-sensei." His teacher just sighed as he rubbed tiredly at his scarred nose. He should have expected this from the boy. After all, his overtly large ego just wouldn't allow him to pass up such an opportunity. Again.

"Are you sure Naruto-kun? You also took the test last year but failed. Wouldn't it be best just to wait the one year you have left so that you'll be fully prepared?" If the boy was abashed at all of his failure being publicly pointed out, he didn't show it. Instead he just flashed a huge grin and ignored the snickers, most of which originated from Inuzuka Kiba's table.

"I'm positive Iruka-sensei."

And there really was no way that Iruka could say no to that annoyingly addictive confidence.

-x-

Uzumaki Naruto

6th Year

Gennin Examination: Part 1

Written Evaluation

Your team of three is being pursued by enemy Shinobi while on your way of retrieving an important scroll to the Hokage from one of your village's informants. One of your teammates is wounded severely and he happens to be the team's Genjutsu specialist. The remaining team member and yourself are Heavy Combat specialists. You decide to take shelter in a cave, but have no way of sensing your enemy. What do you do?

I use my knowledge of Kage Bunshin no Jutsu to create multiple clones to act as scouts. They dispel themselves and transfer their experience to me if they encounter an enemy. My healthy teammate and I administer any medical help we can to our injured comrade after placing traps at the cave entrance. We wait until our teammate is stable enough for travel and then continue until within Fire Country's borders. If needed, we will engage in combat to protect our teammate and our important scroll.

Your team has been given a C-rank mission to protect a client on his way back home in an allotted time frame and protect him from low level threats such as Bandits. Halfway towards the destination you are attacked by Chuunin level Shinobi and discover that there is as a B-class bounty on your client and that he had falsified his mission request. What do you do?

I would tell my team to go for continuing with the mission but be more careful. Who knows what else might be lurking out there? If the means are possible, I would contact the Hokage and ask for a small group of immediate reinforcements while continuing forward as to keep within the allotted time of the task. Also, I would suggest using a less known route to final destination in order to prevent unnecessary confrontation.

-x-

Sen Jiga narrowed his eyes as the vibrant blonde entered the dark room. He, along with the other two Chuunin examiners held no prejudice towards this… eccentric vessel, but that didn't halt the certain distaste for his extremely overconfident behavior. They had already failed him the year before and they certainly weren't expecting any different this time around.

"Oi, Uzumaki-san, I'm sure you remember the routine. Please create a perfect Henge of any of the three examiners in front of you, while following with a Kawarimi and three perfect Bunshin. You can also do any Jutsu of choice afterwards, if you so choose."

Naruto smirked as he lifted his hands to form the seals necessary for henge. This, he decided, is going to be awesome.

Ten minutes later, Uzumaki Naruto left the Exam room with a shiny forehead protector wrapped loosely around his neck, his teeth shining in a brilliant smile.

-x-

-The Next Day-

-x-

Her first thought upon seeing the newbie was orange. Of course, her class had been told that there was an early graduate that would joining them for the Team Placement part of their Gennin experience, but she never thought the boy would look so… ostentatious. Perhaps it was because she was expecting another prodigy – like Neji. But that wasn't exactly fair either. Nonetheless, Tenten certainly did not expect to see the infamous Village Prankster. However she also happened to like eccentric; so without a moment's hesitation after entering the room, the brunette immediately made her way towards the boy and took a seat.

"Hey Blondie. I'm Tonbo Tenten (1), pleased to meet you," she smiled warmly at the boy, holding out her hand to him. Surprise flickered across his face.

"Um, hi. I'm Uzumaki Naruto, future Hokage of Konoha." The weapons mistress couldn't prevent her eyebrow from quirking up at his response. It was certainly a strange way to introduce one's self, but the way he had announced oozed fact—not merely overconfidence. She was intrigued, to say the least.

"Future Hokage, eh? You have some big dreams for barely a graduate."

"Not necessarily a dream. More of a retirement plan." At her confused glance, he elaborated. "From what I see, a Hokage doesn't get nearly enough fun in his day to day life. Hell, the Sandaime practically lives behind his desk; but my Godfather has told me a bunch of stories about his past missions and stuff. I think I'd rather enjoy life as a regular Shinobi before I get an office job." Tenten smirked softly at his depiction as a shudder rippled through his body. His lips quirked upwards into a smirk. "Enough about my future of fame, what's your goal?"

"I'm just looking to continue my specialization in weaponry. You know, create a name for myself as a great Kunoichi, like Tsunade of the Sannin." The blonde could only nod his head in acknowledgment as the graduating class's teacher, Matsuri-san, cleared his throat at the front of the classroom.

"Okay everyone, we have the teams sorted out into groups of three. As the Jounin Sensei come in, I'll call out their corresponding subordinates."

After three teams had already left the building, a brunette sporting a black bandana on his head walked into the classroom. He jerked the senbon in his mouth as a greeting to Matsuri before looking out over the classroom, his eyes resting briefly on the Uzumaki kid. A flash of recognition flashed through his dark eyes; the only change in his bored demeanor.

"Team Four, under the leadership of Shiranui Genma, will consist of Shigure Suien (2), Zuki Tetsu (3), and Uzumaki Naruto." A brilliant smile flashed across the blonde's face as he stood to follow the Jounin out of the room. When he got to the door frame, he turned and threw a quick wave to Tenten before disappearing from the room. Shortly after, a new face entered the room. The brunette shivered as she took in the black bowl cut, blindingly white smile, and ugly green spandex under a Jounin flak jacket. It vaguely reminded the girl of a different student from the same graduating class…

"Team Nine, under the instruction of Maito Gai, will consist of Hyuuga Neji, Rock Lee, and Tonbo Tenten." A shout of 'YOSH!' rang throughout the room as an enthusiastic Lee hurried out of the room, his long black hair trailing in a false wind as he sprinted after their equally fervent sensei. Tenten groaned loudly as she buried her face in her palms. Lee. She was teammates with Lee. What kind of luck did she have? Her self-pity party was interrupted by a tap on the shoulder. The brunette looked up to see her other teammate holding out his hand in order to help her out of her seat. She accepted the formal gesture and slowly made her way out of the building with only one thought on her mind—this is going to be a long partnership.

-x-

Genma watched the three children in front of him twitch under his intense stare. He observed them to try to get an unbiased grasp of their personalities, rather than rely on the Academic profiles he had received previously in the week. The 'Gennin' sitting closest to him was the only female on the team, Shigure Suien (2). She sat slouched in a seemingly lazy position, her head in her left hand, allowing her fingers to tap rhythmlessly against her cheek, but the strained muscles in her tense shoulders gave away her nerves. Suien's other hand played meticulously with her messily braided scarlet hair while her grey eyes discreetly—or as tactful as an inexperienced child could achieve—watched her two other teammates. Her freckled nose subconsciously scrunched up, spiking Genma's curiosity. 'So she doesn't like something about her two teammates; that's definitely not a good thing to earn points towards them passing the test.' His analysis complete, the senbon chewer switched his gaze to the boy sitting next to Suien, Zuki Tetsu (3).

The boy extremely inefficient at hiding his emotions; everything about his rigid posture practically screamed unease. His restless hands kept flinching upwards, as if in a movement to grab at his short-cropped brown hair, before they fell back down to clench tightly around crossed arms, leaving whitened strain marks across his tanned skin. His brown eyes blanched after briefly meeting Genma's own and Tetsu instead focused his gaze on the grass near his feet. It really was to be expected from a fresh graduate, but it was rather annoying to have a child so scared by a simple situation. The Jounin repressed a sigh at the intimidated boy and turned to look at the last member of the team. Uzumaki Naruto.

The blonde definitely wasn't what Genma had expected to see from the Kyuubi vessel. The boy was lounging in the grass, seemingly not at all bothered by the obvious scrutiny. He ignored his other teammates, opting to instead watch the surrounding foliage. Bored. It wasn't what Genma had expected to see, especially not in comparison to his other teammate's reactions. But he may just be used to be observed by others. The bandana wearer shook away the thought as he decided to end the awkward silence that was descending upon the group.

"I'm just going to skip all of the formalities and get to the point, ya'll aren't Gennin yet." He ignored the startled 'WHAT?' from the three and instead continued, "You still have one test left to pass. All ya have to do is draw my blood in combat within an hour. I'm supposed to give you the night to prepare, but the way I see it, you can either do it or you can't. Time doesn't affect the outcome. So the test begins now."

Short, simple, and effective. The children immediately jumped up and took cover in the surrounding bushes of the training area. Genma just lazily remained sitting on the grass for a few minutes before slowly getting up into a standing position. 'At least they all know to at least try and gain the advantage of surprise,' he thought idly, though their effort was moot. He could feel their unconcealed chakra signatures that acted as vivid beacons, revealing their location.

After a short wait of five minutes, the Uzumaki boy was the first to attack. Kunai were sent at Genma's head as three blondes came at the Jounin from different directions. He threw a punch at one of the clones and surprised when it connected with its stomach; the clone disappeared in a puff of smoke. 'Kage Bunshin?' He quickly dispatched the other two clones and tilted his head as he pondered the student's caution. 'It seems the vessel isn't as rash and the report made it seem. He's probing me, not setting up an outright challenging. How strange.'

The next attack was no less surprising; Suien leapt out of the bushes towards Genma, arm outstretched and hand clenched tight around a kunai. As she sprang, Suien tried to slash at the Jounin's torso, but Genma just sidestepped out of the way, giving a fake yawn to taunt the girl as she rolled from the ground onto her feet. "Was that an actual attempt? How disappointing."

A small growl rumbled from the back of her throat. As she prepared to launch for another attack, the final student stepped between her and their sensei. "That's enough girlie. You had your chance, now it's my turn."

"You basta—"Suien scowled as Tetsu aimed a weak Katon jutsu at Genma, cutting her off short. Genma's lips pulled down and he quirked his senbon to the side as he watched Suien give a slap to the back of the brunette's head. While the two bickered, he shifted his head infinitesimally as he heard the third of the group try to sneak up from behind. The Jounin easily dodged the obvious attack and caused the blonde to fall into the arguing two. As the heap of children dusted themselves off and immediately tried to attempt attacks of their own, he waited for the three to end their unsynchronized volleying.

Needless to say, thirty minutes later and Genma was still scratch free.

"The three of you have failed the test. Therefore you are invited to attend the academy for another year, during which you can attempt the graduation exam again. You're encouraged to take two months of a vacation before deciding whether or not this career path is correct for you." The Jounin looked at the dejected faces of the three children sitting at his feet and sighed heavily.

"This may be the end of our short time together, but I do want to leave you three with one bit of advice. The power to believe in yourself, and your teammates, that will become the power to change your fate. Take from it what you will. I hope I'll be seeing you again next year." With that said, Shiranui Genma turned and walked away from the three failures towards the Hokage Tower, no doubt heading to deliver the news of Team Four's demise.

~x~

"What did we do wrong?" Suien mumbled to herself, pacing around the perimeter of the training area. The other two boys just watched her wearily, as if she were a crazed animal that would attack at any moment.

"We? What do you mean Suien-chan?" Tetsu asked softly, his lips pulled down into a deep frown as he pondered the previous few hours. Naruto, too, sent the girl a questioning look.

"It's Shigure-san to the two of you! Don't be so formal!" She immediately seethed, stopping her movements. "Of course it's a 'we.' The test involved the three of us as one group—I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner—so obviously we were supposed to do something!" The redhead hands ran through her mussed hair, not even attempting to resurrect her now tattered braids. "I wasn't the second spot Kunoichi of our year for nothing—"

"Shigure-chan..."

"San!"

"Suien-chan!" Naruto ignored the feminine growl directed at him. "Could you please calm down? None of us are happy with the results of our test, but it's not like we can change anything."

"Oh, and you just want to lie down and accept that we failed? Both of you are bastards! First 'Iron for brains' over there completely ruined my plan of attack and now 'Fishcakes' (4) just wants to lay back and watch the clouds go by. So I'm sorry if I'm a little worked up over my life's goal being taken away from me. And you two are way too informal. We don't even know each other, so stop trying to get fresh!"

"This is exactly why I don't like working with girls… they're too high strung," Tetsu whispered under his breath to the blonde, his hand parallel to his mouth as he tried to hide the comment from the girl. The two boys once again stared at the raving redhead incredulously. Naruto tactlessly returned the gesture.

"She does have a point—I am pissed off about this too—but she's a little over the top, huh?"

"Maybe it's because of her hair?"

"Will you stop that? I can hear every word you are saying! Just because I have red hair does not mean I am an invalid!" Suien sat on the ground with a sigh, muttering under her breathe about "how untactful boys are." The two quickly went to her side and joined her on the dirt, all facing each other. The boys were surprised to see tears collecting in the redhead's stormy grey eyes.

"Shigure-Chan, please forgive us, but we don't understand what you're expecting from us! It's not as if we can go back in time and change the outcome!" Tetsu traced lines in the dirt, refusing to meet her harsh eyes. "All we can do is try again next year and—"

"And fail again?" Tetsu and Naruto both looked at the girl in surprise. They honestly never knew what to expect from that girl's mouth! "Look, I know that we can't change what happened, but shouldn't we figure out the facts first before we return to the academy with our tails between our legs? Honestly think about the challenge. Doesn't something seem off about it to you?"

A snort. "Other than the fact that we were expected to actually harm a Jounin level Shinobi?"

Suien wiped the tears from her eyes hastily. "Now you're using your brain, Blondie! That's exactly my point! What chance would three not-even-Gennin, even if we had worked together, have at actually laying so much as a scratch on a Chuunin? Much less a Jounin! It doesn't make sense!" Brown eyes widened, a gasp leaving the brunette's lips, causing the other two to look at Tetsu. "What? Did I miss something?"

"But that's just it Shigure-Chan! Don't you think that the reason they put us in a team was so that we would work as a team to complete our goal?"

"Isn't that a little obvious?"

Suien smacked the back of Naruto's head softly. "Obviously not, since we didn't work together. Honestly, how did we not think of that sooner? It would have been so simple…"

"Didn't you just say it would've been impossible even if we had worked together?"

"Hush Tetsu. Don't ruin the good impression you've suddenly made on me."

"I don't understand girls at all…"

"I don't think anyone does."

"Do you two want to be maimed?"

-x-

The Sandaime looked up from his paperwork when he heard two resounding knocks from the large oak door leading into his office. "Danzo-kun, please some in."

The crippled man didn't seem very pleased when he entered the room, quietly making his way towards the Hokage's desk, to which he seated himself across from with a grace unlikely to be seen from someone missing two limbs. "Sarutobi-san, why have I been summoned?" Sarutobi wasn't surprised at the bluntness of the question. For the decades that he had known the man, Danzo was always straight to the point.

"What if I had just wanted to see a familiar face? Are you so against meeting with an old friend such as myself?"

"Not when we both know my presence is best suited elsewhere."

The Hokage sighed as he took a folder from his desk and handed it to the other man. "This is the Rice Field Country's most recent border patrol report. It seems that there was some most unusual activity concerning foreign Shinobi there in the past month." He watched carefully as the older man's lips turned down even further as he flipped slowly through the contents of the report.

"Are you sure that they were—"

"I assigned no ANBU operations near the Ta no Kuni territory. I could only assume that you were involved, otherwise we have multiple traitors on our hands."

"There may have been rumors of particularly troublesome origin that could have warranted some scouting at the time."

"I can't protect them if they fall into trouble. I had to deny any knowledge—not that I had received any in the first place—of the activity and promised to look into the matter in order to keep the situation purely diplomatic. Border matters have been extremely fragile in many Countries recently, and we don't need to add any unnecessary dispute to our agenda."

"You've never required me to map out my intentions before."

"I've given you a long leash because I know you have no malicious intent with your organization, but believe me Danzo; I have never just let you run your forces freely. If I need to add restrictions I won't hesitate to do so. You seem to forget what the true extent of your power in village matters are."

The crippled man grimaced as he handed the Hokage back his files. "I will have a reevaluation of my Shinobi's abilities and will ensure proper punishment is given for their mistake. Also, you should receive a report about their findings within the next day."

"Make another copy for Jiraiya to look over."

"Oh, is the sage currently in the village?"

"You already knew the second he arrived." Sarutobi ignored the sardonic grin on his friend. "He's attending to personal matters in the village before he leaves for a conference in Suna."

"If you would like to give him an escort—"

The Hokage immediately cut him off, a frown on his face. "We're trying to restore a rapport with the Sand Village. Your presence isn't necessary." Danzo became quiet as he studied the man before him.

"Then what of the Kyuubi vessel? How did he fare with Genma this afternoon?"

"Failed during the secondary exam. A sad turn of events, but both Jiraiya and I believe it's for the best."

"You do know that my offer still stands. If you let me train him with Ne, he'll flourish faster than he would with your average troops. No offense meant, but your program is slow moving and focuses on ethics rather than skill."

Sarutobi wisely ignored the obvious provocation in his friend's tone. "You already know my answer, so let us please try and skip another arguement, my old friend. Even if I was open to the idea, you wouldn't be able to get around the boy's guardian. Jiraiya would never let you lay a hand on the child."

"A challenge is always a pleasure." Danzo smirked at the warning glint in the Hokage's dark eyes. "You needn't worry Sarutobi, I won't mess the Kyuubi vessel at the present. I… trust that you'll start his career of decently."

"But once I'm dead, you'll pounce on the opportunity."

"It depends on your replacement's morals. I'm made an investment concerning the future of this village Hiruzen, and I'm not going to let Konohagakure fall, no matter the cost."

Sarutobi could only chuckle. "I don't plan on leaving this post anytime soon; I have too many loose ends to tie beforehand. Goodbye Danzo."

The older man bowed as he stood up, a small smile on his face. "I'll see you soon, Sandaime."

Sarutobi simply returned to the massive pile of paperwork residing on his desk. He was thankful that this meeting had been pleasant. While he truly adored his friend, he never knew if he could trust the man to keep his radical thoughts tame in the Hokage's presence.

-x-

Naruto wasn't sure if failing the test was a blessing-in-disguise or not. His former-teammates—if they could even be called that—were very different from what he had been expecting. Tetsu was very quixotic, which directly contradicted his large frame and near-constant stoic expression. Once he began talking, it really surprised the blonde at how idealistic and naive the boy was. But then again, that was very refreshing when compared to the ostentatious redhead of the trio.

Suien was an enigma; that was certain. She was hot-headed most of the times, with a fierce passion that could blind anyone, but then, as if a switch was flipped, she became a mellow, drastically intelligent girl. The end of every interaction with her left both Tetsu and Naruto with a major headache. The three had taken to meeting with each other every weekend for the two months they had before resuming lessons at the Academy. At first, all they did was train together in silence until the sun went down, but slowly a shaky friendship was formed between the three—shaky because of the girl's radical moods, in Naruto's opinion. Soon their sparing sessions shortened and they actually spent hours together just talking or relaxing.

When his godfather had asked him why he kept hanging around those two, despite their failure, the blonde had no answer. They made a strange trio—a firecracker, an optimist, and a prankster. Once their two month vacation ended, the two twelve-year-olds rarely were able to see Naruto, especially as their studies grew more intense in order to once again prepare for the graduation exam. Before Naruto had realized, eight months had passed and Iruka was once again announcing the Gennin exam. Only this time, it truly was Naruto's turn. He was determined to graduate with the rest of his class, and this time, he would become a Gennin. He only hoped that his two friends would be able to achieve their goals too.

-x-

Iruka smiled as the charismatic blonde in front of performed the final Jutsu portion of the exam. "Congratulations Uzumaki-kun, you've passed." The 'again' was left unsaid. "Now, for your forehead protector…" a chuckle escaped his lips as the boy pulled out his previously earned headband. "Ah, well Naruto, you're all set. Be sure to get your picture taken tomorrow and then report back here to find out the team assignments."

"Thanks Iruka-sensei!" The boy said with an unusual amount of exuberance—although, Iruka realized that nothing was quite unusual when taken into account with Naruto's strange nature—and he quickly took to the streets; he had something huge planned and only a few hours to pull it off before dusk had settled. He was vaguely aware of the increased activity of Leaf Shinobi amongst the rooftops, but he didn't give it any heed to the hastening shadows. To avoid any disturbances that could occur within the village, Naruto took to the side roads and decided to cut through the surrounding forest to make his travel time shorter. His plan was quickly ruined when instead of a peaceful journey, he was surprised by a Kunai being thrown at his head.

"What. The. Hell—Mizuki-sensei?" The boy's eyes widened as his academic teacher stepped out from behind the dense foliage, a rather large scroll strapped across his back. The malicious undertone to the Sensei's natural smirk didn't give the boy any comfort as the silver-haired man drew nearer, a Kunai clenched in his raised fist.

"Ah, Naruto-kun, you have very good reflexes." The smirk grew into a grin that stretched across his whole face as the teacher twirled the weapon in his right hand. "Now that you've passed my cursory test, I've got a proposition for you; along with a nice little piece of information that I'm sure you'll be dying to hear." The blonde's expression twisted into confusion but he chose not to answer. "I'm leaving the village, Naru-kun, and I want you to come with me."

"WHAT?" Naruto couldn't help the outburst. "Why would I want leave with a…a traitor like you?"

A traitor? Naruto thought idly, his bright blue eyes tracing the other's movements closely. It was hard for him to grasp why someone would attack a fresh graduate, a fellow citizen nonetheless. Why would anyone forsake their village? It didn't make any sense to the blonde.

"But don't you see Naruto-kun? You've already been betrayed by the village you hold so dear! That's where the information comes in. Seriously consider my offer as I tell you what actually happened on the night of your birth." Naruto's instincts were screaming at him to run, to go get help, but his legs wouldn't budge. He was transfixed; he somehow needed to stay and hear what the man would say.

"Demons can't be killed Naru-kun, despite what the history books say. No, they escape the restrictions of death only to be faced with a different challenge not easily overcome. Because they're beings of chakra, they can only be sealed into a host container. When the Kyuubi attacked, in order for the sealing to be successful, the Yondaime Hokage had to choose a living vessel with undeveloped chakra passages. I'm sure you can see where this is going Naruto. After all, haven't you ever wondered why you seem to be so hated by all of the villagers?"

Naruto may have been many things, but dense he was not.

""I don't need a damn History lesson—"

"I wasn't simply humoring you."

He growled at his former teacher. "If I have a fucking demon sealed inside of me then why would you want to take me with you?"

Mizuki only shrugged. "I screwed up. You noticed the increased security, right? Well, I wasn't as careful as I should have been and my employer won't take it very kindly to my misfortune. But, as the Kyuubi vessel, you're a valuable asset Naruto-kun. My boss would be most… pleased if you joined our cause." (6)

"What else do you know? Why would I have been chosen by the Yondaime?"

"I can't tell you anything else unless you come with me." Naruto's usual tanned face bled pale as he took in the utter seriousness of the traitor. The fucker actually believed the shit he was spilling, and that fact alone shook the usual confident boy more than anything. If it's true… than the Old Man… he knew… and he didn't… damn.

The 'vessel' sneered. "As much as I appreciate the gesture Mizuki-sensei, I'd rather stay in this village than be used by you or whoever the hell you're working for."

"That's too bad Naru-kun. I'm sorry to say that I just can't let you leave now. Pfft, such a waste," the silver-haired man raised his right hand, but the kunai stopped in the middle of its final twirl as a shout of Kage Mane no Jutsu echoed through the forest clearing. Mizuki's eyes widened as his body sat frozen, a shadow joined his on the forest floor. His plans were ruined again, only this time due to the shadow imitation technique. He really cursed his ill-luck.

Naruto's gaze shifted uneasily to the newcomer, a tall scarred man who had appeared behind the traitor. "The charges just keep piling up Mizuki. It's a shame that you had to ruin the young boy's evening too." Nara Shikaku drawled as he raised one hand to form a rat hand sign. "Kage Kubi Shibari no Jutsu." Slowly, the shadows binding the traitor traveled up the man's body, closing around his throat. Mizuki was only able to give a weak cry of anguish as the technique started to cut off the man's air supply.

Shikaku's calculating eyes turned to examine the frozen Gennin. "Naruto-san, I think it would be a good idea for you to take off for the evening and relax while you can. I'm sure the Hokage will be summoning you once this situation has been sorted out." The blonde shook of his stupor. He nodded and quickly took off into the growing twilight.

-x-

-A few hours later-

-x-

"Ah, Inu-san, please remove your mask and take a seat. We won't be discussing ANBU matters this evening." A gentle smile spread on the old man's face as he watched the silver haired ANBU member sigh before he took off the porcelain mask.

"With all due respect Sandaime-sama, you've called me into this meeting annually for the past five years and the result has always been the same. Is it necessary to still go through the formalities?" asked the Shinobi as he took a Hidden Leaf forehead protector out of his pack and placed it diagonally across his face so that his left eye was covered.

"Kakashi, I believe that the team I have prepared for you this year will be of great interest to you," the Hokage smirked as he passed the ANBU a folder. The man's only remaining visible grey eye widened as he looked over the team's academic profile. He thought it prudent to read through the entire folder, forcing the elder to wait—when regarding Kakashi, nothing ever changed, regardless of the situation—a long forty-five minutes as the man thoughtfully digested the information.

"Wouldn't Tenzo-san be more aptly suited to teach this squad?" he asked as he roughly ran a hand through his spiky silver hair.

"I'm sure you've heard the whispers about Orochimaru during your travels, Kakashi. I'd rather not have any of his past experiments under the public eye; especially when the attacks are hitting so close to home."

The man nodded abstractly. "Is that why Anko's given up her play time as assassin to be more active over at T & I? Ibiki says she's been giving the staff quite a show, especially with that Mizuki fellow they just brought in."

"Morino-san gives you details of the Torture and Investigation unit?" The Sandaime asked, not caring to answer Kakashi's question. "I was under the impression that that specific information is confidential."

"Just about everyone has heard about the idiot by now and besides, Ibiki didn't say many details other than that Anko was refining her skills with her summoned shadow snakes Jutsu with the thief. You know, to show the traitor what he had missed out on by getting caught." Kakashi sighed as he closed the folder in his hand and placed it under his arm, against his side. "But we're getting off the current topic. I'll take the brats for a test run and we'll see how they do. I won't waste any more of your time."

"You're very eager to leave this year Kakashi."

The mask covered the smirk that Sarutobi knew was there. "I do have a test to prepare, after all. I shouldn't dawdle." The Jounin got up and walked out the door with a simple wave to his superior. "It's not like I could refuse your suggestions, right Hokage-sama?"

Hiruzen just smiled. "No, not even if you wanted to Kakashi-kun."

-x-

It didn't take the Sage long to find the brat. It was only logical that he'd be somewhere he shouldn't, celebrating in a way that generally wouldn't be appreciated. Even he had to admit, the Hokage Monument was a fantastic choice.

"Damn it brat, the old man's going to have my head for this when he realizes I was a witness and didn't stop you." Said brat looked up to see the white haired man gazing down the stone Yondaime's nose, where Naruto was standing by his chakra-infused feet. "I give you the tools necessary to be an amazing Shinobi and this is how you utilize them?" The boy only laughed at the man's obvious despair as he continued brushing red paint onto the rock monument.

"Can it, old man. This is art. This is worthy of the history books. After all, what better way to celebrate becoming a Gennin than by partying with all of my predecessors?" Naruto bit his lip in concentration as he moved over the rock surface, painting intricate swirls across the Fourth Hokage's face. "Besides," he gestured towards the Sandaime's stone representation, "I even paid some homage to my Godfather. He should feel honored."

Jiraiya couldn't help but fight a smirk from forming as he laid eyes on the almost perfect replica of his Icha Icha Paradise: Volume 2 novel painted onto the Sandaime's face, along with rosy red painted circles on the stone's cheeks. He briefly glanced at the first two Kage, who were painted rather ornately, before sliding his gaze to the Yondaime, whose face was taking on a strangely feminine look. When he returned his gaze to the boy, the pervert could only shake his head. "You still have another test to complete. What it just ends up being another repeat?"

Naruto snorted while continuing his ministrations. "I'm confident in my abilities. Besides, I've had everything planned out. I put in absolutely no effort in school this year, causing me to be dead last of this graduating class so, naturally, I'll be placed in the same team as the top of the class—who just so happens to be Uchiha Sasuke. Knowing the way he's adored as the last Uchiha and also a potential flight risk to the village, I wouldn't be surprised if the Geezer and his cronies on the council want him to be taught by a fellow Sharingan user. It doesn't take too much logic to realize that the one Hatake prodigy will be our instructor, and besides, the secondary test will be easy."

"Is that why you didn't pass the first time?" The Toad Sage retorted as his godson put the finishing touches on his so-called masterpiece.

"My team was composed of complete assholes."

"Including you?"

"Of course."

"Ah, but don't you think you're a bit overconfident? If you know who your potential instructor is, then you've obviously heard of his exploits." The blonde only shook his head as he climbed back atop the mountain to take a seat next to the Sannin.

"It actually didn't take that long for us to realize where we went wrong the first time around. Genma-san gave Suien, Tetsu, and I the same objective, but instead of playing to each of our strengths, we just exposed all of our weaknesses and tried to beat each other at completing the task. The lesson was to have the three of us watch each other's backs, right Pervert?"

"I heard about the Mizuki incident. It's lucky that you happened to come across him before he left the village's borders." Naruto took the pervert's sudden change of topic as a yes. He decided to indulge his godfather's gentle prodding.

"He might have actually sought me out before leaving, I'm not entirely sure of his motives, but told me some real interesting things." He knew that Jiraiya knew exactly what the boy was talking about. "Tell me Pervy Sage, do you just hang out with me because I'm your last link to the Yondaime or is there something more to it?"

"What?" The mood immediately sobered.

"Really, at least the man had the decency to place a seal master as his son's godfather, which is admittedly the best reassurance if the Kyuubi ever gains any influence over me, right?" Jiraiya fixed a heated glare at the blonde sitting next to him, but the boy refused to meet his eyes, instead opting to watch the darkened village.

"Did Mizuki feed you this bullshit?"

"Are you denying that my own father sealed a demon into my stomach? It doesn't take too much thought to realize that there aren't very many reasons that would explain why the Yondaime sealed the fox into me; and that would also explain you being appointed as my godfather."

"I'm not denying that you are in fact the vessel of the Kyuubi no Kitsune, nor the facts that you're related to the Yondaime; but just what are you thinking Naruto?" Naruto glanced up at the older man. "Do you actually believe I would have devoted five years of my life to helping you without actually caring about you?"

The blonde snorted. "Devoted five years of your life to me? Is that what you call semi-annual visits at most? Don't get me wrong, I love you and your perverted ways, but eight out of every ten times I've needed you, you haven't been here."

"What do you think I've been doing during my travels? Just chasing all of the tail I can get my hands on? No. I've been working to keep you safe from all of the outside forces working against you and your tenant."

"I don't need to be saved from outside forces Jiraiya; I think that my own village is doing a great enough job of destroying me. Don't you realize what it must be like from me? All of those glares, all of the whispered words, it all just emphasizes at how I've been ostracized by my own home. I thought that finding out the reason would actually help ease the pain, but now that I actually know?" Naruto laughed mirthlessly as a tear rolled down his cheek.

"Goddamnit. Mizuki didn't put the puzzle together for me Pervy Sage. He just left out the pieces. If it's anyone's fault that I figured it out, it's yours; you've been the one drilling it into my skull of how perceptiveness is vital to a ninja's life." The vessel rubbed at his eyes, trying to keep the remaining tears from escaping. His shoulders tensed when only slightly stiff arms wrapped around his small frame. Naruto leaned into the older man's awkward embrace, burying his face into Jiraiya's chest. The blonde knew that the hermit wasn't the type suited to comfort, but the fact that he even attempted made the boy's troubled mind ease. That night, for the first time in five years, Uzumaki Naruto allowed himself to wallow in his despair.

He cried tears of pain, anger, sorrow, and a variety of conflicting emotions that were plaguing his mind at the moment, but the one thing he wasn't expecting to shed tears for was that of love. His godfather was there for him; Naruto may have been mad as hell at him, but he was still there.

That was all that mattered.

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1. Tonbo Tenten: So, I thought Tonbo meant one thing but I'm pretty sure it was a mistake of reseaching skills on my part. Oh well. I'll be searching for a more apt name in the meantime. (If you didn't know, Tenten doesn't have a Canon family name. I just rolled with it...)

2. Shigure Suien: The name loosely means a mist caused by a winter rain.

3. Zuki Tetsu: The name loosely means an iron counter for light.

4. These were just Suien's lame attempts at insulting Naruto and Tetsu through playing with their name's meanings.

5: Ta no Kuni: Area where the Sound Village will eventually be known to exist…

6. Spoilers for Anime: In the filler episodes before the start of Shippuuden, there's an arc about Mizuki that delves more into his character and motivations. I'm taking what was learned in that and twisted it a little to fit in more with this plot. I absolutely abhor stories that just make Mizuki out to be a demon-hating traitor. There's obviously more to him than that. (Creative liberty!)

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-tbc-

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-word count: 7,614-

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last edited: 9/04/11

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End Notes: Let's try and keep them short & sweet~

-End Scene: I feel Naruto needed this scene. He's had emotions building up for twelve long years, and with this large revelation it's a breaking point. Love it, hate it, I felt it was necessary.

-The OC's: So as I was wrapping up their part in the chapter, I totally felt like I could pull a "Genma drops from the tree and is leik 'you has passed and are team now!" moment and continue the fic from there. I love those two OC's (and I usually really don't) & I understand why people would hate if I made that decision. But they probably won't be gone forever. (but not major parts, don't worry) I don't see the point in making characters and just throwing them away.

-Danzo: He will be differing just a bit from canon. Not too much, I don't think, but yes. This is AU. ;)