-A/N—

Hey guys it's me again. I got a quite odd review of someone who thinks that he is perfect. Stating things like how can their be a mob in a village. I state a fact that mobs can form in an instant and Kakashi did eventually interject. But whatever. I did some actual reading of the actual genin, chuunin, and jonin( which means lead man) of Japanese history. Some fact for you people. Jonin were captains as they are in Naruto, but the main difference is that jonin were always anonymous. They never let anyone ever know they're true identity as to avoid being found out if one of their agents were tortured. They used Chuunin (or middle men)to incorporate their orders on the field. However the chuunin weren't the actual ones who did the missions, they were passed to the genin (or low men) who all the Japanese lore of the ninja is based. Hope you enjoyed that little insight of real ninja. Also, a bandit ninja hero (kinda like a cowboy), his name was Sasuke Sarutobi. Enlightened yet?

-Training-

Team 7 was currently training in their new art with Anko. They didn't know where Kakashi had gone; only that it was 'official'. Team 7 was smart enough from their recent lessons, that Kakashi was teaching or showing their new art to the old Hokage.

Anko looked beat, bruised, and tired as she looked at Team 7, who barley looked phased. They were in the famed forest of death, to secretly train for the exams. Anko wanted to see their new way of fighting, and challenged them all. She didn't predict that three genin would defeat her, heck all three of them didn't even attack at once as usual. She fought them one on one and was defeated by each, almost as if she was nothing.

She wouldn't be deterred though; she was a jonin of the village hidden in the leaves. She chose her next opponent after eating a food pill and looked at the slightly calmer blonde. Naruto looked more relaxed and focused then when they last met. Anko was impressed that the boy was just running after her. Smiling she runs at the boy kunai in hand, and with her incredible speed, attempted to stab the boy. Naruto didn't move until the precise time. He shifted his weight dropping back and out of her attack his hand grabbed hers. However, his hand didn't just grab onto her. His thumb ended up in her hands pressure point allowing him to twist her wrist with one hand. Thus, contorting her off balance, and when he stepped back once more. She fell.

Anko was confused as she was still down in pain her wrist being twisted by Naruto, just enough to keep her down and in pain. Naruto was merely using leverage and her own aggressiveness against her. He was just leaning into her wrist slightly, keeping it turned awkwardly. Once she tapped out he released her as she sighed in defeat. Truly this was an art one should know. (Yes that is an actual ninjitsu move and you can't use it in UFC because it works.)

After wards she helped them with some new Chakra control measures by meditating on water, which is harder. Mostly because the genin will have to produce chakra over the legs as well as the buttocks to stay atop the water. She also informed them of using Shadow clones to help make it go faster. (Think how Kakashi tells Naruto in shippuden about all its uses.)

So currently they were on the water focused floating, and surrounded by 5 clones doing the same. But they also cast a genjutsu on themselves, or in Naruto's case has Sakura help him. In these illusions they have encounters in which they use their art against an opponent. Believing it really happened and gaining all the experience from it. (Form of meditation the ninja used, envisioning an encounter and believing it happened, so to gain all the timing experience, and technique in movement.)

-Sasuke and his team—

They were training after another d rank mission which was to help clean a farm of debris from a pretty rough storm. They were doing some Team building and Sasuke was talking more, but still ignoring Ino's playfulness, he was focused on getting better then Naruto, and Ken. (Random note: Anko's last name is an actual family that helped keep ninjitsu alive in Japanese culture.)

Shikimaru had learned and perfected the shadow strangulation jutsu, while Ino learned to improve her old one, and even a few earth jutsu. (Guess who taught her? Lol) they were talking strategy and working on their weaknesses. Sasuke was working on his team work; Shikimaru and Ino were improving heir stamina and chakra reserves. To prepare for the exams which were one week away now. Sasuke was still angry about what he witnessed, about 2 days prior.

-Flashback—

Naruto had spotted a red head with an odd gourd on his back, traveling with a blond girl with pigtails that were, well odd, and some other guy in make up with a mummy looking thing on his back. Naruto, and soon Ken and Sakura all saw them as they walked trying to relax. They knew that the ninja were from sand village thanks to headbands and their symbols. However, Naruto sensed something of about the one with red hair as they walked by them casually. However, they had to stop. Konohamaru had heard that his hero, Naruto Uzumaki, had returned and was running to surprise the blond. He only ended up bumping into the one with the puppet. (Much like the anime. And they don't know it's a puppet, just for ease so you know who I mean.)

Konohamaru apologized and attempted to walk away, not noticing that the three were outsiders. They boy was grabbed by the puppet guy's hand, the ninja went to pick up the boy but found his own hand grabbed as well. He looked up to see the blue eyes of Naruto, who looked into the puppeteer's eyes. "Don't touch Konohamaru, he apologized now let him go." Naruto growled. Kankuro scoffed, but was amazed 'I didn't even feel him turn or walk back to help.' He thought. "Yeah and what are you going to do about it?" he asked challenging them; Ken and Sakura were nearby, behind each of Kankuro's teammates both having gone unnoticed. "We will be forced to detain you, you're in a foreign land and you threaten the Hokage's grandson, you will die in prison for such offences in other lands." Ken said calmly as Gaara looked at him. Ken did have a point; Naruto just gritted his teeth, as Kankuro let go and dropped back to pull off the thing of his back.

Gaara stopped him as their team moved, Temari apologizing out of fear. She was amazed at the entire team of leaf genin; they had got behind them, without making a sound. Even Gaara was surprised by them. Gaara looked at them and pointed "Who are you?" he asks Team 7. Naruto answers first as is his still slightly brash personality which couldn't be tamed 100% even with training. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, future Hokage of the hidden leaf village." He said with a smile still having the same dream. Sakura sighed shaking her head but smiled slightly, Naruto would never change, and she had grown to like Naruto's childishness. It had been refreshing to see him laughing and just having fun.

She didn't hit him as much, and joined in on the jokes lately, she wasn't sure why. "I'm Sakura Haruno, greatest Kunoichi of the leaf village." She said showing off to drive her point in a bit more. She couldn't help it. Ken secretly smiled behind his mask and said "My name is Kenny. But only my friends know my real name" he says trying to toy with their minds. Making them think that all leaf ninja have code names that are made up for secrecy. All to test how trust worthy they were. By how much they seemed to contemplate it and squirm, team 7 knew, be wary of them.

Afterwards Konohamaru thanked them for their back up, and asked when they got so cool. They all sweat dropped.

-End flashback—

Sasuke remembered watching from a tree, he was unnoticed by all but Team 7, he only knew that casue Sakura waved and winked at him. Even she seemed to have passed him. He was focused on catching up and surpassing them.

-Later—

Sasuke was walking tired and worn from his last day of training before the exams, they were already entered for them thanks to Asuma, they entered a week early as did all other teams. Teams 7, he thought, were the only ones not entered and it was too late now. What he didn't know was that they entered before they're long trip. He walked alone to a food stand and began eating a hearty meal to help recover his sore body and low chakra when he looked next to him and almost jumped. Sakura was right next to him smiling as she said "I snuck up on you didn't I Sasuke-Kun? See I'm getting better, can we date now?" she asks hoping that with her improvements that she'd be good enough for him now.

Sasuke sighed, he admitted that she had indeed improved, but he didn't like her like that, heck he doubted he'd ever like her, or any girl log as his brother was alive. "Go away, your still annoying, flirt with Naruto. He might like it." Sasuke paid and took the remainder of his food and sulked away. Sakura was crest fallen. Sasuke had rejected her, once again. She didn't know why she even tried anymore. She wanted to make the Uchiha happy, let him feel love and compassion since his family was gone. Then why didn't she feel the same towards Naruto? The boy had lived alone and treated like trash. Even with Ken and Anko the boy was still threatened and hated.

She would think on this. Meanwhile, Ken was meditating in a flower field; it was Ino's flower shops back area. (Think something like Wal-Mart or home depot's garden area's that's outside with some fencing.) He had snuck in to enjoy all the smells and beauty as he meditated. Ino walked out to water them for the last time that day as it was getting dusk. She jumped when she saw someone in all black cross legged facing away from the main door. Pulling out kunai she stepped as quietly as possible towards the intruder.

Ken didn't move but smiled, he felt her coming, the insects, birds, and grass all reacted to the new presence. He just waited until she was right behind him and used substitution with a clone as he snuck up on her. Ino put her kunai to the person's neck and says "identify yourself or I won't hesitate" she said as it poofed away. She paled as she felt her arm bending the wrong way. It was too late she was captured. Ino started fighting and screaming but was shushed. "Now now Ino-chan, that anyway to greet a friend?" he asked smiling as she recognized the voice. Ino was released as Ken removed his mask to prove it as he.

Ino couldn't help but smile and hits him playfully, "don't do that I thought you were a threat!" she says happy that he's back. Ken just shook his head and says "who said I'm not?" he asked jokingly. They spent the time watering the flowers and talked of small things, like their training.

Meanwhile, Sakura had been walking around to take her mind off things when she met up with Naruto, who was still training. She walked up to the still working boy. "hey Naruto, take a break, want to go eat?" she asks a bit unsure why she did. All she knew was that Sasuke made her sad, and Naruto always made her smile. Naruto stopped in his tracks and looked at her. "Who are you and where is Sakura?" he asks poking her making sure she's real. Sakura giggled and just took his hand, "it's me goof, let's go, you need to relax." She said dragging the still confused, but happy, Naruto.

They stopped at the Dango shop and were having meals, Naruto had accepted that it was indeed his teammate and had relaxed and was joking with her. They were having a good time eating a meal together. Sakura didn't realize it till then, Naruto was easy to get along with, while Sasuke was more forced or just trying to impress him. Naruto didn't need any impressing, he got along with anyone. Naruto seemed to make a new friend every day. The boy was talking about Zabuza's training and what he had told Naruto of the chuunin exams. Zabuza described the general Survival test that took place in every village. As well as the individual fights that helped choose the most talented, and smart ninja.

Sakura left the dango shop with Naruto, and after he ran off with Ken and Rock lee, she actually could smile after talking to a boy. That boy was the blond, Naruto Uzumaki, what this meant she didn't understand. Sure she got along with Kenny, but he didn't seem to care for her feelings like Naruto did.

-The Exams!—

Team 7 walked calmly towards the exam building, which was the academy building, just a different section, the east wing. The three genin entered not unnoticed by the many genin from many villages, most from Konoha, heard them enter. Most of the genin kept talking ignoring their presence; others stared, or even glared. Team 7 kept walking when they noticed that Sasuke and Rock lee's team had stopped at door '301'. Sakura noticed the genjutsu first and alerted her teammates by touching their sides with her elbows. (she's in the middle of the two boys, hint to a lemon? Lol nah)

Sasuke was glaring at the bushy eyebrow Lee who had caught his foot and another genin's. Apparently they were fighting over who would enter first. Lee stepped in at the last second, to look cool for Sakura. Lee had gotten a crush for the pink haired girl during physical training between the two teams. Sakura was flattered, but didn't like Lee. Lee was too clingy and wanting of her attention, like Naruto used to be. Not that Naruto didn't want her attention; he just learned to tone it down.

Sakura saw ken and Naruto nod at her as she clears her throat. "What are you guys doing? This isn't the right room." She says calmly but tapping her foot like she was disappointed, that Sasuke would stoop so low as to fight over entering first. In fact she was, she also frown slightly at the Uchiha. Team 7 went up the stairs as they two boys blocking the door way smiled.

-Exam room—

Once everyone realized they hadn't been on the right floor and moved on, they gathered in assigned seats of the room. Ibiki had been waiting for them and had a list of names and seating places. Naruto looked around and noticed that no one from the same team were seated close to their teammates. This would not bode well. He was right when Ibiki announced that it was a written test. Naruto was not in a good place, despite all his training, he was no good at written tests, and worse he didn't know any math. Hinata who had been seated next to him was to busy blushing and fighting her natural action of fainting to notice Naruto's gloom.

Sakura was behind both her teammates, she could see the back of Naruto's head, and the side of Ken's mask. She wasn't worried; she knew that her intelligence would help them pass, as well as Ken's. Naruto in this one situation was the weak link. As the test were handed out Ibiki described the test, how they lost 2 points if caught cheating. Not only that but the fact that the last question wouldn't even be given till 15 minutes before the end of the test. What really shocked her was that if the points went to zero from cheating, then they and their teammates would fail.

Kenny (lets say it's a variant of Kenshin, but his name was changed at the orphanage to hide his origins). He didn't like this test, already he knew they had to cheat, were expected to. Why else deduct points for cheating instead of instant failure? Also, all the chuunin surrounding them, watching their movements. They were testing their ability to gather information in any situation. He only hoped his teammates had realized this. He also noticed the person next to him, and the cold glares shot at him. Gaara, looked ready to strike, but didn't move.

-some time later—

Sakura had just copied her answers on a small piece of paper and folded it. She put it on the ground as a hand grabbed it from the floor. The hand then rose to Naruto's lap as he was sweating the questions and saw it smiling. Ken was using a earth jutsu to travel in the ground silently as his shadow clone sat in his place. Naruto took the paper and saw the answers and smiled at the message. "Here you go Naruto, were your team. Even if we could do this wit out you, we wouldn't want to" but, it wasn't the message but who had wrote it. "Your favorite Kunoichi, Sakura". He smiled as he copied the notes as Ken flashed back how they executed it.

-Flashback-

Kankuro was faking a bathroom break, this caused enough distraction for Ken to make a shadow clone and switch places as he only answered four questions himself. He moved slowly under the floor with his jutsu, making sure to use as little chakra as possible. He knew Sakura could do the same move, but wasn't sure if she thought of his plan. So he went below her seat and poked her leg.

Sakura who had just wrote her last answer sighs, proud of herself till she felt a hand on her leg. She almost screamed and jumped, till Ken showed his face making a shush motion. He wrote that she should copy her answers for him and Naruto, for they couldn't answer the questions. She only nodded as Ken 'melted' into the floor to hide.

-end flashback—

Team 7 was now 100% safe, all they had to do was wait. Ken was noting what all the genin had visible for items or weapons. Sakura was smiling at the back of Naruto's head, happy to see him relaxing after copying the answers. Naruto was smiling at Ibiki, almost as if challenging the older man.

-many eliminations and 17 minutes before end of exam—

Ibiki moved standing thus getting their attention before he spoke. "Ok it's time for the last question, but first." He paused as he moved to the desk. All eyes were on him all fretting over the question. "If you do not feel you can answer the last question, you can leave now and fail. However, if you answer it wrong. You will never be able to take any chuunin exam again." He says sadistically. All ninja were caught off guard by this comment and one spoke up. "Wait! You can't do that! Theirs people here that have taken this 7 times!" the genin says angry. Ibiki smiled and says "True, but you have me as your instructor and I make the rules for the exam as I see fit." He says with a convincing tone.

Almost immediately people raised their hands quitting. Most had their team comforting them as they left the room. Naruto saw that Hinata was about to raise her hand. He couldn't let her do that. So he stood up and exclaimed, "I won't give up! I don't care if I fail. I will become Hokage, you and your test won't stop me!" he said as Hinata looked at him wide eyed. Naruto smiled proudly, Ibiki smiled, and Sakura smiled. They all thought the same thing "Naruto as always". Only Ibiki thought 'Naruto, you just made everyone left believe in themselves, how interesting. He just smiles.

After waiting two minuets he says "So no one else is leaving is that it? Ok. You all pass!" he says loudly making all of the genin thoroughly confused. Noticing the looks he smirks. "Wait what about the question? And this test?" asked Ken as he was now lost. Ibiki pulled his head covering off showing his scarred scalp. "On a mission you need to be able to gather information, often without your enemy ever knowing about it. But that's not all, as Ninja you cannot predict what may, or may not happen on any mission. The last question was an example of such a hard impossible choice." He paused to make sure they were listening. Once he saw they were he continued. "On any mission a chuunin knows his team is in danger. Ninja must execute any mission given to them, but understand the risk and face it fearlessly." He explains.

-Later—

Team 7 was outside the academy smiling at one another. "Way to go with your idea Ken" Naruto said in his way of thanking the boy for his actions that helped him greatly. Ken held his hands up defensively, "All I did was take a piece of paper, Sakura is the real hero." He says. Naruto nodded, "I agree, Sakura you're a key part of this team, we owe you one" he says smiling brightly. Sakura blushed at the praise of her intelligence and only says "well I wouldn't let you guys down." She said as all three turned around immediately ready to attack. But didn't, Kakashi had appeared and was congratulating them on passing.

Kakashi said that the hokage had given him a 'mission' and hats why he had gone for the last month. But they all knew the real reason. Despite this team 7, with Kakashi were headed to training ground 44, the forest of Death. Little did they know Orochimaru would meet them there.

-with Orochimaru—

The paled skinned Sannin was smiling evilly. He had switched places with a grass nin, by killing the genin and taking her face. He was in the crowd, noting that Kabuto was in his place, near Sasuke. Soon the Uchiha would be his new host, and this village will burn. The only thing in the way was in the blond. If the boy could use the Foxes chakra, they would not be able to compensate, even with Gaara. Orochimaru would have to fight the boy. The goal still hasn't changed.

-A/N—

Sorry this one is shorter. I hope you all liked it though. Review and tell me what you think. And tell me your ideas are as to what I should make Ken's Origin. Enjoy!