Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. Except for the ones I make up. Those are mine. MINE.

Author's Note:

Another Chapter done and published. This is the beginning of the Chunin Exam Arc.

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Chapter Four: Getting Some on the Side

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"Congratulations on a successful mission. Everyone but Naruto and Kakashi can leave. You all have a couple days to rest before I expect you to be back here for your next mission." Minato said to the group of ninja standing in front of him, just having finished their debriefing.

Everyone but Kakashi and Naruto made their way out of the office. When the door to the office closed behind them Minato spoke, "Kakashi, you mentioned how you managed to get some information out of Taji Sonja before he died?"

"That's right Minato-sensei, I managed to get some possibly vital information on what's been going on in Ame."

Minato nodded, signaling Kakashi to continue.

"According to Taji, Ame has been taken over by a man by the name of Suijin Oyamatsumi. If what Taji said is true, then Suijin was once a member of the Akatsuki like Taji once was, and was responsible for the death of the founders of Akatsuki itself before taking the position of leader for himself. He then lead Akatsuki to victory against Hanzo and took control of Ame. Taji then said that he did all of this as part of some master plan to 'completely destroy the ninja system.' Whatever that means."

Minato sighed in thought, pondering this new tidbit of information. "Well this Suijin Oyamatsumi was been doing a better job of leading Ame then Hanzo ever did. Their ninja have doubled in strength and size, with their economy improving exponentially. If Ame keeps it up they'll take Suna's position as a Major Village. This isn't the only news I've gotten about Ame in the past month. The last time Jiraiya-sensei was here he told me that Ame had managed to make some back door dealings with the other Minor Villages, with Ame now being unofficially allied with every Minor Village in the Elemental Nations."

"Wait, even our allies?" Naruto asked in alarm.

Minato nodded, "Yes, which is very troubling. Never before have so many nations been allied to each other like this, not even during any of the Great Ninja Wars have so many people united under one alliance."

"The only good thing about all of this is that they haven't officially come out and said they've formed an alliance. The day that happens will more than likely be the day the Fourth Great Ninja War is declared." Kakashi said crossing his arms.

Naruto looked between his father and Kakashi, "So what exactly do we do here? The alliance is still pretty new right? Maybe we can convince our allies to back off."

Minato shook his head, "No if we do that it will make us look like the big brother bullying the little guy. That's not something we need right now. No, I think we should use this to our advantage and try and form an alliance with some of our fellow Major Villages, just in case."

"But who? We're already allied with Suna, and Iwa is obviously out of the question even if our standing with each other has improved. Do you really think we could convince Kiri or Kumo?" Kakashi asked.

"Kiri right now is out of the question. According to Jiriaya-sensei Kiri and Iwa are in talks of an alliance, so it would best to see how that goes before making a move on Kiri so as to not step on any toes." Minato answered, "Kumo is our only option right now. That and it helps that all of Kumo's allies at the moments are Minor Villages that have allied with Ame. Whether Kumo knows it or not they're alone in the water with a school of sharks lurking in wait. Now all we have to do is be the Coast Guard." Minato said making it sound a lot simpler then it was.

"And just how exactly do you plan to do that?" Naruto asked.

"Simple, I know from personal experience that the Raikage of Kumo is an incredibly competitive man, all I have to do is invite him to the Chunin Exams taking place here in a couple months. The man will see it as a challenge and send his best Genin to compete, at least on person will make it to the final exam and when the Raikage comes to watch them compete I'll use that as an excuse to have a meeting with him." Minato said.

Kakashi and Naruto nodded in agreement, the plan made sense. They'd both heard of how…eccentric…the Fourth Raikage was. There was a rumor floating around that he doesn't believe he has time for doors and just smashes his way through walls instead.

"Do you still plan to invite Ame to the exams?" Kakashi asked.

"Of course, we can't let any of the other countries think anything is out of the ordinary."

Once again the two across from the Hokage nodded their heads in agreement.

"Alright Kakashi thank you, you're excused." Minato said.

Kakashi bowed to his sensei then turned around to leave. When Kakashi was out of his office Minato turned his attention to his son.

"Naruto…how're you doing?" Minato asked his son in worry, knowing of the emotional distress his son had felt on the previous mission.

"I'm fine sir. Thank you." Naruto said blankly.

"Naruto, I'm not asking you this as your Hokage. I'm asking this as your father. Are you okay?" Minato once again asked.

Naruto remained quiet for a long time before he finally broke eye contact with his father, looking down at the ground he said, "I lost my cool dad. I lost control of my emotions and acted out of pure emotion. All I could feel was rage when I saw the man that killed that boy." Naruto closed his eyes in frustration, "But why!? Why did I lose control like that? Obito-sensei trained me better than that, Kakashi taught me better than that, YOU taught me better than that!"

Minato could clearly see that his son was struggling with what happened, and it was here that he saw his son not as the mature Jonin he tried to make himself out to be, but the 13-year old boy who was still trying to find himself, "The reason you feel this way Naruto isn't because you can't control your emotions. I know for a fact that you can keep your cool if you want to. No, the reason you reacted the way you did is because you subconsciously believe that boy's death was your fault. You gave him the pouch that lead to his death, so you believe that the boy could've lived had you not helped him the way you had." This kind of thing wasn't uncommon. Every ninja at one point or another went through what his son was going through now, "But it wasn't your fault. You saw a boy who needed help and you helped him. It's not your fault that the man did what he did. Don't let that senseless act of violence affect how you see this world." Minato finished.

Naruto nodded his head in understanding. His dad was right, he wouldn't allow Cau's death to cloud his view on society. Naruto looked up in surprise as his dad got up from his desk and made his way over to him. Standing in front of him, Minato kneeled down in front of him and put both his hands on Naruto's shoulders.

"I'm proud of you Naruto, you know that right?" Minato said as sincerely as he could muster, "Me, your mother, Obito, Kakashi, we're all proud of you. You've become a fine young man." Minato then brought his son into a hug.

"Thank you, dad." Naruto said smiling into his father's embrace.

Minato released his son from the hug before standing back up and making his way back to his desk and then sat down. "Alight Naruto, go ahead and get out of here. Your mom is probably dying to see you." Naruto nodded with his smile still in place. He turned around after giving a departing bow to his father and then left, mentally preparing himself for the smothering he was going to get when he got home.

Minato smiled at his son's retreating back, and using the time that the door was open he shouted out to his secretary, "Ami, could you please send for Itachi Uchiha? I have a mission for him."

"Yes sir!"

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Two Hours Later At The Uchiha Compound

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Aiko sighed in relief as she finally took off her sandals at the front of her house. She only now managed to make her way home, what with her team wanting to have a celebratory meal at the Akamichi Bar & Grill to celebrate their first successful A-Ranked Mission. Noticing that only her mother's sandals were there she shouted out, "Mom! I'm home!"

"Aiko? I'm in the kitchen honey!" She heard her mother yell out, letting her know where she was.

Aiko quickly made her way to the kitchen where she saw a woman that looked like an adult version of her sitting at the kitchen table drinking tea, "Aiko! How was the mission dear? It went well I hope?" Mikoto asked.

"Uh yeah it went well…it got a little complicated though." Aiko answered.

"Oh really? Complicated how?" Mikoto asked.

"Well it turned out the client had lied about the difficulty of the mission, and that he was being targeted by missing ninja hired by the billionaire Gato of Gato Corporation."

"…wow."

"Yeah, we found out when we got ambushed by two missing nin from Ame. Sakura, Sai, and I were able to take them out without Kakashi-sensei's help. That wasn't the end of it though because we were ambushed again by two really strong missing ninja from Ame and Kusa. Kakashi handled them and they were forced to retreat. After that we made our way to the client's house and that's when Naruto Namikaze and a girl name Kuna Inuzuka and her dog came and assisted us as our back up."

"Wait, little Naruto was there?" Mikoto asked in surprise.

"Yeah?" Aiko answered confused, wondering why out of all things she said Naruto was the thing that got her attention.

"Oh I haven't seen Naruto in so long! Kushina can't seem to not brag about how he became a Jonin faster than Itachi. He was such a nice boy." Mikoto said, remembering the happy blonde haired boy that would run around the compound with…Sasuke.

"Why did he stop visiting?" Aiko asked.

Mikoto smiled sadly, "Your brother Sasuke and him were best friends, but after Sasuke passed away he stopped coming over to visit. I can't blame him though, why would he?" Mikoto said sullenly, remembering how devastated Naruto had been when he was told that Sasuke was sick.

Aiko looked away from her mother in sadness for a moment before continuing with what happened on her mission, "Well after they arrived Kakashi had us learn about our elemental affinities, Kakashi helped Sai and I, and Naruto helped Sakura."

Mikoto, happy that Aiko had changed the subject, asked, "Oh really, and what's your affinity dear?"

Aiko gave a big smile, "I have two actually! Lightning and fire." Aiko said, pleased to see the proud smile her mother's face.

"That's great Aiko! Your father will be so happy to hear how strong you're getting!"

Aiko smiled at her mother's excitement. Now she couldn't wait to tell her father about her affinities, "Well after about a week we finally fought and defeated the two missing ninja and managed to take care of Gato and his men, freeing the country he oppressed."

"Only a Genin for a couple months and you're already freeing countries, very impressive Aiko."

Aiko turned to see her older brother, Itachi, leaning against the kitchen door frame, looking down at the sitting Aiko in amusement.

Aiko scoffed, "Hmph, whatever Itachi, you're just jealous that I've already become more successful in my ninja career in two months then you have in ten years."

Itachi simply smirked in amusement before making his way over to his sitting sister and mother. While sitting down next to Aiko he poked her in the forehead, "Don't start acting all cocky Aiko, you're still a little too green to be bragging about your 'career.'"

Aiko simply rubbed her forehead in annoyance before huffing and getting up from her seat, making her way out of the kitchen to her room. Mikoto looked at her oldest child in amusement, "Hello Itachi, how was your meeting with Minato."

Itachi face got a little serious, "Lord Hokage has given me a mission, I'll be leaving in a couple hours."

Mikoto sighed in disappointment, "Minato is working you too hard Itachi, you just got back from a mission yesterday!"

Itachi smiled at his mother's worry for him, "You shouldn't worry so much mother, the last mission wasn't anything too difficult, it only took a day to complete. Besides it not like I could decline, this is a very important mission."

Mikoto looked at her son, she couldn't help but feel worried. The reason he left the ANBU was because the stress was getting to be too much for him. Itachi had a habit of bottling up emotions, and she was afraid that he'd snap one day, "Okay Itachi, but promise me you'll request for a break when you return from this mission."

"Okay, I promise." Itachi conceded, "Alright mother I have to go, tell father I said hello."

"Okay honey, be safe!" Mikoto suddenly smile a teasing smile, "Oh and make sure to tell Izumi I said hello!"

Mikoto giggled as she saw Itachi try and hide the blush on his face. Hearing Itachi open the door to the front of the house Mikoto shouted, "Just make sure you don't give me any grandchildren dear! I'm still too young to be a grandmother!"

Mikoto didn't hear Itachi respond, only hearing the door close behind him.

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The Next Day

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Naruto was sitting in his house when he heard someone knock on his front door, "Naruto, can you get that?!" He heard his mother shout from upstairs.

"Yeah mom, I got it." Naruto yelled back.

Opening the door, he found Kakashi standing there, "Yo Naruto, you got a minute?" Kakashi asked.

"Oh uh yeah sure Kakashi, come on in." Motioning for Kakashi to follow him inside the house. Both made their way to the living room at the same time Kushina made her way downstairs. Seeing Kakashi she spoke, "Oh Kakashi! How have you been?" Kushina asked in her usual bubbly attitude.

"I'm good Kushina, how are you?" Kakashi answered politely.

"Oh you know, same old same old. Can I get you anything? Some tea maybe?" asked Kushina.

"No I'm fine thank you, I'm here to talk to Naruto for a few minutes and then I'll be on my way."

Naruto, thinking that some tea sounded pretty good, said, "I'll like some tea mom." Naruto said hopefully.

Kushina simply walked into the kitchen, "Oh well then you can make some yourself, you're a big boy now Naruto." Kushina said dismissively waving her hand.

Kakashi chuckled at Naruto's face, "Let me guess, you forgot to tell her you were going on a mission before you left for Wave?"

Naruto nodded, "Yeah she's been giving me the cold shoulder since I came home. When we had dinner last night she didn't make anything for me because she said 'she didn't know if I'd be off on another mission or not.'" Naruto said, remembering how amused his dad had been at his wife's antics.

"Anyway, I came here to ask you for your opinion on something." Kakashi said wanting to get to why he was there.

Naruto nodded, "Okay shoot."

"As you know, the Chunin Exams are coming up in a couple weeks here in Konoha, and I've been pondering the idea of entering my team. You're the only Jonin that has seen them in action, so you're the only one that can give an unbiased evaluation of what they can do and if they're ready."

Naruto pondered it for a few seconds before speaking, "Well as a team I'd say that they're ready to take the Exams. Individually, I'd say that only Aiko is skilled enough to actually pass. Sai and Sakura, while both mentally prepared to become Chunin, aren't physically up to par with the standards Konoha has to become a Chunin. But that's as they are now, you still have a couple months until the exams. You never know, you might be able to make them up to snuff. Doubtful, but maybe." Naruto answered as truthfully as he could.

Kakashi nodded, "That's a pretty solid assessment." He said. Kakashi then got up from the couch, "Alight Naruto, I think I know what to do."

Naruto looked up at Kakashi as he made his way to the door, "And what exactly is that?"

Kakashi continued to walk as spoke, "I plan to enter them. Like you said I have enough time to train them to the level they'll need to at least survive the Exam. Even if they fail it will be a good learning experience for the three of them." Kakashi opened the door, "Alright Naruto, thanks for the two cents." He didn't give Naruto any time to respond as he left and closed the door behind him.

Naruto shook his head at the now absent man, "Rude bastard." Naruto mumbled quietly enough that his mother shouldn't have been able to hear him curse.

Kushina, sadly, heard him, "Language young man! I mean where the hell do you hear that kind of language from? Not in this house, that's for damn sure!" Kushina shouted from the kitchen.

Naruto sighed.

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Three Months Later

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"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes sir, I'm 100% sure."

"…This is very troubling news Itachi. If Ame is truly behind the attacks on Jinchuriki in Iwa and Kiri, then that means they're attempting to weaken the Major Villages."

Itachi nodded his head, "And sooner or later they will come for the other Jinchuriki of the Major Villages…even ours."

"Kushina," Minato thought, "Then we must act before they try. Ami!" Minato shouted out for his secretary, in a few minutes Ami poked her head out the door, "Tell the guards at the gate to immediately inform me when the Raikage arrives." Ami nodded her head before leaving to do as she was instructed. Minato then turned his attention back to Itachi, "We can't afford to procrastinate with A. As soon as he arrives I'm going to have a meeting with him to inform him of what's happening and to try and form an alliance to try and combat Ame."

"And if Ame tries anything during the Exams?" Itachi asked.

"Only a single Genin of Ame made it to the finals, all the other Ame ninja left except for the girl's sensei. Even then Suijin sent a notice informing me that he's going to be attending the finals to watch his Genin compete. I highly doubt Suijin would be stupid enough to try and do something drastic here by himself." Minato said. "Even still, I'd like to ask you to be my guard during the finals in a couple days."

Itachi nodded, "Of course sir, and who else will you have guarding you?" Kage were usually allowed two body guards at a time when in the company of another Kage. Enough people to assist them should anything happen, but a small enough amount that it didn't put the other Kage on edge immediately.

Minato smiled, "I was thinking about asking Naruto if he wanted to do it."

Itachi once again nodded, the boy was strong and it would say a lot to the Kage if they saw the boy guarding his father, "There is one more thing sir." Itachi said remembering what his mother said before he left.

Minato raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"

"I would like to request some time off." Itachi said with slight awkwardness.

Minato now had both eyebrows raised. Itachi had never requested for time off before. The only time Itachi had any time off was when Minato had ordered him to after little Sasuke's passing.

"Oh uh, sure don't worry about it. I'll just ask Obito or Kakashi to fill your spot when I have my meeting with A." Minato said nonchalantly.

"Thank you sir, if that is all I'd like to take my leave." Itachi said gratefully.

"Yes Itachi you may go, good work. I expect to see you here on the morning of the Exam. Enjoy your time off."

When Itachi left the room Minato got up from his desk then turned around to look out the window, looking over the village he had sworn to protect. Minato couldn't help but notice the feeling he had, the pit that he felt forming in his stomach. Minato knew this feeling, it was the feeling he felt when the Third Great Ninja War was about to begin. Unless something was done, and done soon, then war was coming. A war on a scale that had never been seen before. This wouldn't be a war like any of the previous Great Ninja Wars. This would be a World War, a war where everyone would be forced to pick a side, a war where by the end borders would be redrawn and renamed. This war could lead to the end of the current ninja system, their current way of life.

"Ami, please send for Naruto! I need to speak with him!"

"Yes sir!"

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End Chapter

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Author's Note

As you can see I completely skipped the beginning and middle of the Chunin Exams. This story revolves around Naruto, and since Naruto is a Jonin who doesn't have any students he doesn't have anything to do with those parts of the exams. The finals are different since those are public. Next chapter we have Minato and A's meeting, and the finals. Also next chapter we'll be seeing Suijin for the first time. Please review, favorite, and follow. I want to know what you guys think so far.