Chapter 4: A Date, Girlfriend, and Exams Oh My!
Team Ten finally reached the gates of Konoha and was now walking towards the Hokage tower; the journey back had been surprisingly peaceful. Sakura didn't even go on a rant about Sasuke which stunned everyone else to the point where Naruto almost asked her if she was over him but didn't want to be blamed for breaking the much needed silence. Making their way to the tower Naruto ran through everything he wanted to do after he settled back in. Twenty minutes or so later they all entered the Hokage's office then Asuma gave his report about how the mission went from C to A-rank, the battles with Zabuza and Haku, Gato's death and the freedom of Wave country. The Hokage then dismissed Team Ten, Shino and Sakura left but Naruto and Asuma stayed behind. The Sandaime asked what Naruto wanted to which he saw a grin appear on his face before answering "I want to make a trade with you."
"A trade for what exactly?"
"The secret to the defeat of your paperwork problem for everything on this list." He answered while pulling out a piece of paper.
The Sandaime hesitantly reached for the list and read each of his demands "This is it, I agree to this and I'm finally free of my problem for good."
Naruto just nodded while the Hokage agreed and listened intently to the boy. "Just two words jiji Kage Bushin, they know everything you do and you learn everything they do after they're dispelled."
To say the Sandaime felt like an idiot was the understatement of a lifetime. He kept thinking to himself how stupid he was that he didn't think of it himself. "As much as I hate to admit a deal's a deal everything should be set by 3pm today." The Hokage said.
"Thanks jiji I hope things are easier for you from here on out." Naruto said heading for the door.
Before he left he turned around and asked Asuma "Hey sensei where do you buy your trench knives?"
"I have to get a new pair tomorrow because mine got messed up in the fights with Zabuza so you and I can head over there after training tomorrow."
"Alright thanks sensei, jiji see you later."
Naruto walked over to the Yamanaka Flower Shop to see if Ino was working there today and set his plan in motion. He entered the shop and saw Ino's mother at the counter then said "Hello how are you doing today Mrs. Yamanaka is Ino around?"
"I'm fine Naruto thanks for asking and I'm sorry but Ino is with her team right now but I think she said she'd be on a mission or at training ground twelve."
"Oh thanks for telling me have a nice day." He said before leaving.
Naruto made his way to training ground twelve but they weren't there he walked around a bit and found Team Eight completing a D-ranked mission that included painting a fence, pulling weeds and picking up the trash in the grass. After finishing their mission Ino, Kiba and Shikamaru spotted Naruto waving to them as they were walking towards home. He decided to join them and told them about his mission until Shikamaru and Kiba split from the group, he walked with Ino the rest of the way to the Yamanaka compound. During this time he was thinking to himself "Alright just remember what Sakura said just calm and politely ask her if she would like to go out with you plain and simple. Plain simple yeah right if that was the case then I would have already asked her."
Naruto was brought out of his thoughts by Ino when she asked him if he wanted to come in. "No thanks Ino-chan I have things I need to care of but…"
"What is it Naruto?"
"Would you like to…"
"Would I like to what?"
"Alright here's your chance now or never." "Ino would you… like to go on a date… with me… tonight." He asked while trying to hide his blush.
"Sure I would like that a lot."
"Alright well I tried and WHAT?"
"I said I would like that a lot so what time are you going to come and get me?"
"How about 7:30pm that good."
"Sounds great I'll see you later tonight." She said then closed the door behind her.
Naruto left with one of the biggest grins on his face he looked to see what time it was and a clock read that it was a quarter past 3pm. He decided to make sure everything was set for tonight starting with the reservation at the restaurant. When he arrived he looked around and saw that it was pretty fancy but not too fancy and he thought it was good enough for a first date. Naruto made his way to the front desk and asked if there was a reservation for 'Uzumaki' and the waiter nodded. He left the restaurant and went to the clothing store the Hokage said that he would talk to the owner about his arrival. When he entered he met with the owner who was surprisingly hospitable and it didn't look like it was forced. Naruto told him what he needed, and what size they needed to be. The owner brought out exactly what he needed then tried the clothes on to see if they fit. After paying for the clothes he made his way to his apartment to get ready for his date.
Ino at the moment was rummaging through her closet looking for something to wear for her date. While she was looking she thought about what Naruto had planned for tonight which just made her more excited about tonight. Ino finally found what she wanted to wear then went to the bathroom to take a shower.
Naruto arrived ten minutes early and in his mind went down the list of what Sakura told him to do "Arrive early, compliment attire, be a gentleman throughout, and walk her home." He knocked on the door and it was answered by Ino's mom Koneko Yamanaka. "Hi Mrs. Yamanaka is Ino ready yet?" he asked.
"Not yet she's still upstairs in her room right now but why don't you come in and wait a little bit."
He entered the house and Koneko yelled up to Ino that Naruto was here, they sat down in the living room waiting for her. Five minutes later Ino came down the stairs then saw Naruto talking to her mother and cleared her throat to get his attention.He turned his head and saw Ino wearing a purple halter top, black skirt that went down to her knees and a pair of purple flats. Ino also took the chance to see what he was wearing which was a red short sleeved button up dress shirt, a pair of navy blue jeans and a pair of black sneakers. "You look really great Ino ready to go?" said Naruto.
"Thank you Naruto and you look much better without all the orange, alright let's go."
Naruto and Ino entered the restaurant then were seated immediately at the reserved table for them. Naruto remembered to be a gentleman and pull Ino's chair out for her then pushed her back in then they ordered their drinks and entrees. They sat there for a couple of minutes before Ino asked "So what finally made you man up and ask me out huh Naruto."
Ha ha ha Ino your hilarious, it was because I wanted to that's all."
"I knew you wouldn't be able to resist my charms too much longer."
"You're right your charm have been ignored for too long and I am no longer able to resist." He said playfully giving her a wink.
But you must have also given into my own awesomeness as well to say yes."
Before she could say anything the entrees were brought out placed in front of Naruto was a plate of Grilled Chicken Teriyaki, Ino had a bowl of udon and they shared a tempura platter. To Ino's surprise she didn't see him scarf down his food as he did while he and Choji did during their eating contests. After finishing their meal, Naruto paid the bill and they left. He walked her back to the Yamanaka compound and said "Goodnight Ino sorry it couldn't be a longer first date but I have team practice tomorrow I hope you enjoyed it anyway."
"I understand and I did enjoy it thank you."
When he turned around and started walking away he heard Ino say "You're forgetting something Naruto."
"I am what is it?" he replied while running down the list in his head earning a giggle from Ino.
"Come here and I'll tell you."
When he was close enough she grabbed him and planted a firm kiss on his lips then let him go and saw his face had dazed and confused look on it. "You're mine now Uzumaki." She whispered in his before giving him a peek on the cheek.
"What huh." Was all he said before she looked at him.
"I really like you and I want to be more than friends, that's if you want to be."
Naruto was just stunned hear was a girl he knew for years wanted to be more than friends. "I'd like that to Ino-chan well I'll see you later." He said then gave her a kiss goodbye and went home. When he went inside his apartment he changed in to his pajamas then fell asleep.
Morning came waking Naruto who then went to the bathroom brushed his teeth, took a shower and got dressed. He finished his breakfast and went to the training ground early to work on some chakra control exercises. While walking he had a smile on his face and ignored the usual glares on his way. He arrived an hour early before the rest of the team showed up then got to work on his stretches, a quick jog around the grounds, some push-ups; sit-ups and then began his chakra control training. Asuma called Naruto over when the rest of the team arrived and he walked over with a smile on his face that didn't go unnoticed. "Well someone seems to be in a good mood this morning what's up with that." Asked Asuma.
"What is there a problem with that?"
"No not really, any reason you're so happy today."
"Maybe I'll tell you later sensei."
"I think it's because his date last night went so well" Sakura added.
"Oh a date with who might I ask?" Asuma asked with a grin.
"Ino Yamanaka." He muttered
"Who was it?" Asked Asuma and Sakura simultaneously
"Ino Yamanaka." He said and this time they were able to hear him.
"WHAT?"
"Yep Ino and I are a couple now."
" I'm so (sniff) proud, you complete your first C technically A-ranked and now you go and (sniff) get a girlfriend I'm so happy (sniff).Asuma said with fake sobs.
"Alright let's get straight to business I have nominated all of you for the Chunin exams here are the forms to fill out if you want to participate and be at room 301 at 11:30 am on Saturday two weeks from tomorrow."
"Alright so what are going to work on today sensei?" Sakura asked.
"Well since the exams are coming up I'll let you decide on that since you know what you want and need to work on the most." Asuma replied.
"Hey sensei what do you know about genjutsu?" Inquired Naruto.
"Not much on using it but I can definitely dispel it if I come across ?"
"Well I just need help with dispelling it, but maybe I should ask Team Eight's sensei if she could help me instead."
"Oh I see you want to be closer to that Ino girl eh maybe a little make out session when the teacher isn't looking." Asuma said while snickering.
"Sh…Shut up sensei that's not why." He said back. "Well it is part of it and that make out session doesn't sound bad either." He thought to himself.
"Well whatever I can still teach you how to dispel genjutsu anyways. Is there anything else you guys want to learn before the exams?"
"No thank you I'll be learning some of my clan's jutsu." Shino said.
"Maybe another jutsu of a different element." Sakura said
"Alright let's get started Sakura here's a low level Doton jutsu scroll maybe you'll have an easier time with it, Shino you can leave if you want and get started with your clan jutsus and Naruto you'll start dispelling genjutsu tomorrow because I don't have any genjutsu in my arsenal so I'll find someone to volunteer to cast some and you can work on releasing it."
After Asuma told them the plan for today's training Shino left for home but not before Asuma told him to be here for team exercises tomorrow at 10am then he supervises Sakura while she is learning the new jutsu and helping Naruto with the trench knives. Two hours pass and their sensei dismisses them for the day. Naruto follows to the weapons shop that he buys his knives at. When they arrive he realizes that the shop is the same one that the Sandaime told him to shop from now on. They enter the shop and the owner walks to greet them and ask how he can help them. Asuma tells him he needs a new set of knives made and that Naruto wants a set of his own made. The owner tells them that the knives will be ready in three days he then sees Naruto and gives him his order of clothes that were ready before the mission to Wave country. "Thanks I actually almost forgot about these he he." Naruto said sheepishly scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.
Naruto and Asuma left the shop and went their separate ways until tomorrow's training. A little while later he caught up with Ino and Kiba he kissed in Ino in front of Kiba who just grinned before saying "It's about time you two got together."
"What do you mean by that Kiba" Both Naruto and Ino asked.
"Oh nothing it's nothing at all."
Well I'm going to escort the lady home see you around Kiba." He said as he held his arm out for her to take
"Aww you're such a gentleman Naruto-kun." She answered and wrapped her arm around his.
The couple walked for a while before they heard someone yelling at someone else to let them go. They round the corner to see a blond girl with four pigtails and a battle fan strapped to her back. The guy was wearing a suit that had catlike ears on the top of his head, war paint that looked like make up and something bandaged on his back. "Hey I said let me go." A little boy said.
"No way, you bumped into me and you need to be taught to watch where you're going." The older male said.
"Kankuro put the brat and let's go he could be watching." The girl said.
"Hold on Temari it won't take too long and he'll never find out okay."
"Hey put the kid down." Naruto yelled.
"Why should I?"
"You will because I'll make you."
"Ha I'd love to…" before he could that sentence Naruto and three clones appeared with kunai pointed at all sides of Kankuro's head.
"Don't push me, now put the kid down and walk away."
Kankuro slowly released his grip on the kid's shirt and let him go. The kid ran over to Ino where he met up with his friends. Now Kankuro was pissed and he began to unwrap the bandages on his back. Temari tried to stop him but he didn't stop until he heard a gravelly voice come from somewhere else. "Kankuro, Temari you idiots you're an embarrassment to our village." A red headed boy said.
"But Gaara I didn't… they started it."
"Shut up or I'll kill you."
"Sorry Gaara." They said to him.
Gaara looks over at Naruto and asks his name. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki."
"I'm Gaara I hope to see in the exams."
"You bet I'll be there."
The three foreign ninja left and Naruto walked over to Ino and the kids. "You know Konohamaru you have to be more careful."
"I was careful and how was I supposed to know that jerk would be right around the corner."
"Whatever just try and not to make a habit of this okay."
"Hey boss you promised you would play ninja today."
"I don't remember that."
"Hey Konohamaru I think from what just happened that Naruto doesn't need to play ninja." Ino said patting him on the head.
"You don't think I know that you blond blimp."
"What was that shrimp?" She asked while cracking her knuckles and walking towards a trembling Konohamaru.
"He said you're very pretty Ino-chan oh so very pretty." Naruto said trying to save the boy from her wrath by wrapping his arms around her.
"You make think that boss but she looks like a blond blimp to me."
"Naruto let me go or I'll make sure you'll never have another bowl of ramen in your lifetime."
"O-o-okay Ino-chan" he quickly let her go not going to chance it on her going through with that threat.
As soon as he let her go she chased Konohamaru around while Naruto joined Moegi and Udon watching the carnage unfold. A few minutes later Ino left an unconscious body with three lumps on his head and walked towards Naruto with a smile on her face then grabbed his arm dragging him off with her. Naruto finished escorting Ino home and gave her a kiss goodbye then left but was caught by Inoichi who told him to come inside and talk for a little bit. He grudgingly went inside and sat on the couch with Ino sitting next to him. He was a little tense until he saw Koneko in a chair across from him smiling and relaxed a little. There was an awkward silence for a little bit until Inoichi spoke up "Naruto I want you to know I have no problems with you dating my little princess I just want to make one thing clear."
"What would that be if you don't mind my asking?"
"That if you do anything to make her cry I'll make sure no one will ever find your body am I perfectly clear young man."
"Inoichi calm down. I'm sorry about that Naruto he can be a little overprotective at times." Koneko said
"Don't worry about it I understand completely." I mean who wouldn't be that protective if they had a daughter like Ino." He said while wrapping an arm around Ino pulling her closer.
"Flattery won't get you everywhere; you know that right Naruto-kun." She said after playfully smacking his shoulder.
"Can't blame a guy for trying but I hope it at least got me another date. So how about it will grace me with your presence for our next date?"
Naruto left the Yamanaka compound after dinner and gave Ino another kiss goodbye. He got and home and saw that his apartment was broken into again. He searched the place to see what needed to be replaced and if anything was taken from his special hiding spot. He finished cleaning up his apartment then went to bed.
The days leading up to the exams were tough to say the least, the team exercises were easy to handle but when it got down to what they needed to work on the most that's where things got difficult. Naruto and Ino went on more dates after team practices were over for the day. The Chunin exams are now only three days away and all the genin teams were pushing themselves harder than ever to prepare for whatever is thrown at them.
The day of reckoning has finally come as Naruto prepares everything he needs and makes sure he left he'll need at home. He goes to meet his team at their usual meeting place, Sakura sees him approaching but is stunned to see he isn't wearing the kill me orange jumpsuit but in an entirely different set of clothes that included a cobalt blue sleeveless muscle shirt, fingerless gloves of the same color as his shirt with a metal plate on the back, gray pants and steel toed combat boots. After Sakura stared at him for a few seconds they started heading over to the academy. When the team reached the academy they went to the room their sensei told them go to. When they reached the right floor they saw that the room was labeled 201 instead of 301 the group knew that it was a genjutsu and proceeded into the room.
After entering the room they see it's packed with genin not only from Konoha but other nations. While looking around his saw Teams Seven and Eight near a seething Sasuke Uchiha then walked over and asked "What the hell is the matter with him?"
Kiba answered while laughing in between his words "The oh so great Sasuke Uchiha got his ass handed to him by that green spandex freak over there."
Naruto looked over to where Kiba was pointing to see a boy wearing green spandex, orange leg warmers, a bowl cut hairstyle and eyebrows that were so large if you look close enough you could've sworn you saw one of them move. He then walked over and inquired "Hey are you the one that beat the Uchiha?"
"YES I ROCK LEE WAS THE ONE WHO DEFEATED SASUKE UCHIHA why do you ask." Rock Lee shouted everything but the last part of his reply.
"I just wanted to say that on behalf of most of those who have a problem with the arrogant son of a bitch we would like to thank you for putting a huge dent in his pride." He said while putting out his hand for him to shake.
Lee shook his hand "IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO SHOW EVERYONE THAT MY FLAMES OF YOUTH SHINE BRIGHT…" he was interrupted by his female teammate that scolded him for yelling about his 'flames of youth.'
"Yeah, I just wish I was there to see it for myself, hearing about something like that isn't the same as seeing it in person."
Before Lee said anything else Ino glomped Naruto then turned his head so she kiss him on the lips "Naruto-kun did you miss me I would've caught you sooner but I didn't see you."
Tenten muttered fangirl loud enough for Naruto but not Ino to hear it and stated "Trust me Ino is one of the farthest things from a fangirl and she is my girlfriend so I would appreciate it if…"
Naruto was not able to finish his sentence as group of at least Chunin ninja entered the room led by a man with scars on his head "ALRIGHT YOU PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR GENIN TAKE A SEAT AND SHUT THE FUCK UP." He shouted while releasing a little killer intent.
All of the genin took a seat then same man introduced himself as Ibiki Morino the proctor of the first part of the exams and after his introduction explained the rules for his written test. As soon as he completed explaining the rules he then told them to begin. While taking the test Naruto looked around the room noticed there were some having trouble and some who were caught cheating and kicked out of the room along with the rest of their teammates. Time just seemed to want to torture him today as Naruto looked at the clock he saw that only six minutes had passed since the exam started.
The jonin senseis were watching the test in another room Asuma spoke up "I'm starting to wonder who I should start to feel sorry for Ibiki or the genin."
"Honestly I feel sorry for the genin." Said Kakashi
"Why would that be?" Kurenai inquired.
"That's right you haven't been a jonin long enough to know that Ibiki Morino is the head of the ANBU's Interrogation and Torture division." Asuma said.
Back at the academy there was only eight minutes left before the test is over. While the others have either finished or given up, Naruto was still having difficulty answering the rest of the questions. He read each one over and over before time was up and Ibiki told them that it was time for the final question. "Alright everyone the tenth question has a different set of rules. First off you have a choice to answer it or not, second if you answer it correctly you pass this part of the test, and third if you answer it incorrectly you will never be able to advance in rank."
After his speech there were cries of 'that's not fair' and 'you don't have the authority to do that.' Ibiki then gave them the option to leave and about four or five teams left the room. He then looked around to see if anyone else was going to leave and still heard some of them complaining about the rules. Silencing everyone's complaints Naruto stood up and proclaimed "It doesn't matter what happens because I will still be the Hokage later on sure it'll be hell trying to do it but it won't be impossible. After he was done talking he seemed to have given not only his own team but the rest of the genin that were still there the confidence to face the final question. Ibiki laughed a bit then said "I got to hand it to you brat you've got guts and as for the rest of you that stayed you all pass."
There were cheers from some and others that wanted an explanation. Before he could explain a black ball crashed through the wind then popped open and when the smoke cleared there was a banner that read in bold letters 'THE SEXY AND AWESOME ANKO MITARASHI.' Then a woman with purple hair and less than modest clothing appeared she began counting the amount of remaining genin and then said "Damn Ibiki you've gone all soft on me I mean come on there's twenty-eight teams left oh well it doesn't matter oh well more fun for me."
"Don't blame me blame the blonde gaki in the third row." He said as he pointed to Naruto.
"Whatever, alright you maggots head over to training ground forty four and if you're late you and your team is disqualified. She ordered then shunshined away.
The teams that passed got up from their seats and went to where they were told to go.
Author's Notes
I have finally decided not to turn this story into a harem, but I will do a harem fic for another story the details are on my profile.
I know there are some that don't like harem stories but at least give my next project a chance you don't have to like or favorite it but at least read it once.
I didn't write how Konohamaru and Naruto met but you can watch the anime, read the manga, make up your own scenario or just not care and enjoy the story.
Also I didn't write the interaction between Kabuto and the rest for the same reason.