Chapter 4
Walking through the village Naruto was in his loose kimono that showed off his chest and he had Umewakamaru beside him dressed as usual and with a katana held in his hand sheathed, the only difference was that he had the hidden lead head band wrapped around his forehead and his old Smoke group headband wrapped around his waist along with his beige sash "Do you know where Kagibari, Setsura and Kurotabo are, I sent word for them the same day as I sent for you. They're taking too long."
Staying silent and walking beside his leader with his eyes closed Umewakamaru finally answered his impatient leader "Last I heard Kurotabo was on the farthest boarders of Iwa exploring the smaller nations beyond, Kagibari I believe is seeing how far the deserts of Kaze no Kuni stretch for. But I believe she was last sighted at the ruins of Roran City. Setsura on the other hand is somewhere in the land of demons possibly even further than that."
Frowning at his second in commands answer Naruto grunted in annoyance "But we both know that if Setsura heads any further east they are countries dominated by samurai much like the land of Iron. Regardless given the time frame Kurotabo and Setsura should be arriving with in a week or so as for Kagibari she'll turn up when she turns up." He then press his fingers to his forehead and thumb to his cheek and rubbed back and forth "Being leader is so stressful."
Umewakamaru allowed a ghost of a smile to adjourn his face "Indeed...What our are orders for the chunin exams leader?"
Stepping round a street kid and a couple of people who had yet to realize who he was considering while he was still in the village he fooled everyone except the hokage that he was a five year old runt and not a eight year old which was around the time he left the village. "Your orders for now, I want you and the others to watch any and all Sound Ninja who are in the village like a hawk and make sure they don't confront you alone."
His only answer and indication his second was listening was the nodding of his head. Stopping outside the Hokage tower Naruto stopped as did Umewakamaru "Thank you for escorting me not that you needed to, anyway head back to the compound and get the others for your mission and report to me and the Hokage at the end of the day. In the mean time Tsunade, Jiraiya, the old man and I shall be enjoying a drink and watching the first exam of the chunin exams...Oh this is proving to be most exciting."
Shaking his head at his leaders gleeful look Umewakamaru bowed a little before turning around and heading back intent on getting Gozumaru, Zen and Shoei for the mission they were given.
Having made his way to the Hokages office and finding the others were already present Naruto took a seat and was somewhat surprised to see that a pipe and everything had been set up for him. Raising an eyebrow at it in confusion looked over at Tsunade who was sipping on a Sakazushi full of sake "I don't recognise this pipe whose is it?"
Tsunade looked over at him while Jiraiya grumbled at being ignored "Shizune saw it in a store and thought you might like your own one instead of the second hand one you have been using, Sarutobi sensei has provided the other parts." She then muttered "I have no idea what she see's in him."
pouting at her mean words Naruto ended up shrugging and setting about filling and lighting his pipe and looking at the crystal ball that was sat in the middle and frowned "Oi Ossan not being rude but are we really going to be looking at a small crystal ball for an entire day?!" he asked slightly perplexed at having to stare at such a small screen.
Hiruzen ignored the old man comment "Mito said the exact same thing when she was alive and I was just starting out as Hokage...When I told her yes she stole it and wrote a seal on the bottom that acts as a projector and will be throwing the visual up on the wall right now." as he said that he touched the seal on the bottom of the ball and a flicker of light happened before the entire blank wall of the Hokages office was covered in a picture of all the assembled chunin hopefuls were waiting for the exams to start.
Naruto then lent over towards Jiraiya "I always wondered why one wall was always blank...and now we do."
Jiraiya nodded "Just imagine we could use this to spy on the ladies in the hot-spring and have a large life sized version right in front of us." Naruto just nodded but they soon had a fist embedded in their heads courtesy of Tsunade.
Quieting down the two men looked at the screen just as one of the sound Ninja attacked a leaf genin. As it was happening Jiraiya commented "Both have fluid movements, quick attacks and high agility to avoid."
Naruto nodded "But didn't you noticed that the leaf genin noticed the attack before it got in range and didn't do anything and I bet you anything you like that the gauntlet on the sound ninja's arm has a special effects."
Just as he finished they all saw the leaf genin fall to his knees and throw up. Tsunade hummed and rubbed her chin "I see the gauntlet must have created small sound vibrations in the air and effected his inner ear."
Sarutobi at that point added his own two cent's "Don't you find it strange he just stopped and didn't retaliate, it almost seems like he knew what was going to happen."
Jiraiya at that looked at Sarutobi "Your not thinking that was a set up right I mean that would..."
Naruto then cut across his former sensei "It would mean we've become to relaxed and allowed a spy from another village to enter our ranks."
"Aren't you three looking into it a bit to much?" Asked Tsunade while not taking her eyes off the screen as she watched Sakura Haruno go to help the silver haired genin off the ground.
Sarutobi shook his head "Remember what I taught you Tsunade, suspect everything discount nothing. It would be worth looking into, you both have contacts in the underground."
Naruto shrugged and pulled out a small bell from his pocket and jingled it as the last chime rung out a dove appeared in front of him "Kurotsume, it's time I called in a favor from the Fuma in the land of rice. Tell them I want all the information they have on the sound village."
The dove nodded and flew off out the open window. They then turned back to the screen in front of them and saw that Ibiki was in the process of explaining the first test.
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Having sat through the first exam which was an hour long the four of them had been watching at each of the methods that were used to cheat off of the strategically placed chunin in the room. The only methods that caught the attention of the three advisers and Hokage were one being from a leaf kunoichi who was called TenTen who managed to deploy mirrors with wires attached so she could see other peoples answers while also allowing her teammate who was an interesting fellow called Lee. The other one that caught Naruto's attention was the Kazekages son using a puppet to duplicate himself and trick one of the chunin allowing him too get his answers.
Naruto who had been to the hidden sand village a few times before he was branded an S rank criminal for various reasons, that didn't involve him fighting Sasori. But he couldn't help but chuckle a little "What are the rules around other villages sending their jinchuuriki into another?"
At his question Jiraiya who was quietly conversing with Tsunade stopped and looked over at Naruto as did Tsunade. Hiruzen on the other hand puffed on his pipe and mulled over the question for a second before answering "Close to if not outright declaration of war on the nation they sent their jinchuuriki to. Why?"
Naruto casually pointed at the the red headed boy with a tattoo on his forehead "That is Gaara no Subaku, youngest son of the Yondaime Kazekage and Jinchuuriki of the One Tails Tanuki Shukaku...Now tell me what the sand is thinking sending a little homicidal psychopath to our Chunin exams."
Hiruzen at that frowned "I wouldn't have a clue...But for now we should wait and see what they are going to do."
Standing and stretching a little Naruto made his way to the door "Unfortunately we can't watch whats going on in the Forest of Death so if you don't mind I think I will retire for the day and meet you at the tower in five days..." He then paused at the door before looking over his shoulder "...Before I forget I'm having Umewakamaru, Shoei and Zen follow the Sound ninja, I will return here this evening and wait for Umewakamaru to arrive with a report on them."
Hiruzen nodded and waved him off "That's fine, see you then."
With that Naruto left the room. Leaving the tower Naruto slowly walked down the street in his loose open chested plain blue kimono and was slowly smoking on a cigarette and allowing the smoke to billow out of his mouth as he went. He couldn't help but silently be amused by the civilians a mere nine years ago he was scorned and hated by the villagers, but then again they did think he was a five year old so some people well most people thought he was someone else completely, it was all rather amusing for him.
Stopping outside a liquor store he looked in and hummed a little before turning away and continuing on. While he was walking around aimlessly he, frowned a little when he came across the leaf village grave yard. He didn't understand but he continued walking in and wondering along the lines of graves until he came across the date of his birthday 17 years ago, sighing a little sadly he walked along the line with dispassionate eye until he came across a slightly more decorated pair of headstone.
Stopping in front of the headstones he looked at the names and smiled sadly as he read the first headstone out loud
"Minato Namikaze
The Yellow Flash of the Leaf, Fourth Hokage
Loving Husband and Father
Born in the 50th year of the Village, Died 75th year of the Village."
He then looked at the next one and let a lone tear run down his cheek as he read aloud again while placing a hand on the top edge of the flat marble headstone.
"Kushina Uzumaki Namikaze
The Hot Blooded Habenero of the Leaf
Loving Wife and Mother
Born in Uzushiogakure, Died in the 75th year of the Village."
Standing a little longer in silence he wasn't quite sure what to say, he had known about them for years yet this was the first time he had come to visit there graves. He sometimes wondered if that made him a bad son or not. Giving the gravestones a somewhat longing look "I didn't bring flowers this time. Actually I think I've developed a form of whimsy, next time I'll bring you a large bouquet and wreath of White Chrysanthemum, Daffodils and Yellow Camellia's. Until next time Mother, Father."
Turning away from the graves he walked out the grave yard and continued walking until he came across the Konoha market place. As he was he felt his hand brush against the pipe he had placed in his sash around his waist, walking along the many stalls he stopped when he saw a stall that was being run by a merchant who had been calling out to people saying he had the finest silk Kimonos and jewelry from the land of birds.
Now Naruto had been to land of Birds and had to admit they had some very high quality kimono's, silks and jewelers. Stopping he inspected some of the wears the man had and nodded when he noted a gold necklace that had lots of red rubies inlaid into the gold links that had silver around the outside connecting the tear drop shapes together to make a rather fetching necklace. Picking it up and looking at it as it glinted off the sunlight he hummed and nodded in approval which he noted made the merchants face light up somewhat as he watched him inspect the jewelry "That is a fine piece Sir, it would look very pretty on the woman your buying it for..." At that Naruto nodded his head agreeing it would look good on Shizune. The Merchant then produced a pair of matching earrings that had been set nearby the necklace "...perhaps I could interest you in these matching earrings as well good sir?!"
Smiling around his cigarette Naruto nodded "You know what I think I will...How much for the set?"
"989 ryo good sir." Was the merchants immediate answer.
Not really in the mood to do any bartering to lower the price and it wasn't like 989 ryo was that expensive, heck he had eaten meals that was more expensive than the necklace and earrings although he was guessing he was getting a deal since he was buying the set. Nodding his head he pulled out a roll of notes and slowly counted it out and handed the merchant the money "Good price."
He then accepted the medium sized square box that the merchant had placed the necklace and earrings in "It was a pleasure doing business with you."
Naruto just tilted his head and walked off into the crowd. While he was walking along he was greeted by multiple peoples who had no clues as to who they were, most likely they were civilians who wanted to schmooze up to him a bid to get the civilian council reinstated. But it would be a cold and peaceful day in hell before that happened.
Making his way back to the Senju compound since he was still in the process of having plans drawn up for a large building complex for his own Uzumaki compound which would encompass the Uzumaki Mask Shrine that sat on the outskirts of the village and on the right most boarder of the Senju lands and because of that Tsunade said she had no qualms about his compound extending into Senju lands, since they were technically family through Mito being their mutual ancestor.
Speaking of money he should see how Tetsu and Tomoko were doing. Tetsu and drafting up an argument to get the money he was owed from being swindled out of it thanks to the fox tax and Tomoko he wanted to know how far she had gotten in transferring all of Gato's asset's to him. But then again he wasn't all that into business hence why he had those two and would employ someone who would know what they were doing.
Deciding not to annoy Tetsu and Tomoko. Naruto made his way back to the Senju lands and decided he would go and enjoy nature a little and walk through the gardens that had been established since Hashirama's reign as Hokage.
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A little later having returned to the main compound building where he had taken up residence Naruto sat on a cushion covered tatami mat. Puffing on his pipe he sighed with something akin to impatience, excitement and trepidation. Any day now he was expecting Gozumaru to come walking through the door right in front of him with a small 13 year old red head following him. That and he was still thinking about the fact that a war could potentially break out at any moment thanks to the Kazekage being a right pillock and sending his jinchuuriki son to the konoha chunin exam.
While gazing off into space he didn't notice Shizune slide one of the sliding walls back a little allowing her entrance to his little sanctuary from behind him. Dropping to her hands and knees she slowly crawled along the floor relishing at the fact he was wearing his open fronted Kimono giving her full and easy access to him.
When she was close enough she slide her arms about his waist and rested her head against his shoulder and kissed his neck a little making him look at her from the corner of his eye. "So your shift at the hospital finished...I've been so bored."
Shizune blinked a little at that before pulling her arms away and then draping them over his shoulders and leaning against his back "Well I'm here now...What's on your mind." As she said that her hands brushed against the necklace box.
Not at all worried that she had found his gift to her which was a way to say thank you for the wonderful pipe, allowed her to snatch the box from within his robes. He then watched as she stood and walked around so she was knelt in front of him.
Shizune opening the box was completely shocked by the bit of jewelry she had just been gifted lifting it out delicately she held it in front of her and looked at all the detail. Placing it back down in the box she brushed her fingers against the earrings. Placing the box down she lunged at Naruto and hugged him tightly before leaning up and tentatively claimed his lips in a series of short, sweet and gentle kisses that he returned "There beautiful Naruto thank you."
Nodding he held her close to his chest "War possibly looms."
At that Shizune pulled back a little "What?!"
Pursing his lips Naruto sighed "The Kazekage is being a complete and utter sand dune fucking bastard and sent his homicidal psychopathic jinchuuriki son Gaara to the chunin exams." Not letting her pull away anymore he pulled her back close to him and continued to hold her.
To think he had come so far in the last week or so it seemed like a life time ago that he had been sleeping with anything that had set of sexy legs and a rack to match, smoking and drinking until he couldn't wake up in the morning and killing people for a job. Now look at him he was all but tied down to one woman mostly, he was smoking less but that was the woman's fault and instead of killing people he was advising the Hokage on various things and helping run the village that had once hated his very being and sending people on kill missions.
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Three days before the end of the 2nd Exam
Sitting in his usual spot in the Senju compound Naruto was rather relaxed, pipe in one hand, cup full of sake in the other, woman he loved sitting close by doing her own little thing that he was to lazy to find out was what. But he had a nagging feeling that was stopping him from relaxing completely and it was pissing him off to no end and that was why he was looking for a distraction of any kind. A distraction that seemed to have eluded him all day, a day which had started at five in the morning cause Shizune couldn't sleep for some reason or other and proceeded to wake him up in the process as if to make the point if she couldn't then he couldn't.
His prayer for a distraction was soon bought to fruition when he saw Gozumaru fly into the room and kneel before him while a rather cute little 13 year old red head was stood in the door way looking at him nervously.
Naruto wasn't quite sure what to make of it one minute his chakra had been rather sluggish but then all of a sudden it played up. Focusing on the girl he could almost feel her chakra resonating with his own until they quietened down considerably. But it was then that both pointed at each other "UZUMAKI!"
Calming down and taking a deep pull of his sake and pipe "Well then I don't have to convince you then...you felt it too didn't you your chakra it resonated didn't it."
Karin nodded "Yeah that was weird, kaa-san explained various things in her journals and everything, but she never said anything as to what the resonation would feel like."
Humming Naruto motioned for her to take a seat next to Gozumaru, which she did a little gingerly but smiled towards the boy who was about the same age as her. "Before we proceed, I would like to give my sincere condolences for the death of your mother, I don't have any words that can express how deeply her loss has effected me."
Nodding a little sadly and wiping her eyes and at the same lifting her glasses slightly "Thank you, can I ask did you feel it in your chakra?"
Shrugging a little "I wasn't aware until it was bought to my attention and that was when I was able to feel it...It probably means we are to distantly related to feel each others deaths keenly."
Giving a slightly sad smile Karin nodded "Thank you."
Seeing her calm a little Naruto puffed on his pipe "Would you be willing to join the clan Karin?"
At that Karin who had been absently allowing her eyes to wander about the room and at the various figures that were sat about "EH!? But the Grass Village leaders would never allow it."
Waving her off dismissively Naruto chuckled a little "Nonsense, trust me come the end of the week your sensei will be under the impression that you fell prey to one of the many beasts that reside in the Forest of Death...After I'm assuming that Gozumaru had to save you from something. So what do you say?"
Glancing at Gozumaru who had stayed silent completely in the presence of her elder cousin looked over at the woman she was yet to be introduced to and was gifted a gentile smile that put her nerves at ease and was only reinforced by her words "Karin, Naruto is quite capable of protecting you, he is after all classed as an S rank ninja in four of the five great villages and one of the advisers to the Hokage, and perhaps you've heard of the Smoke wraith."
At that Karin nodded a little bewildered, she never imagined he was the infamous smoke wraith. That meant her cousin was a total bad ass...that was so totally awesome "Yes I will join..." she then faltered somewhat "...Um, I ah never, ahh wanted. That is to say I was forced into being a shinobi."
Getting the gist of her nervousness Naruto waved his hand that displaced some lingering smoke "I understand you don't wish to be a shinobi right, that's fine, I don't mind. My retainers and I gather enough income and not to mention I should be getting a couple of big pay days in the near future." He then paused as he exhaled some smoke so he didn't end up in a coughing fit "Although...wait recite the clan laws to me surely your mother had those written in her journals."
Karin nodded understanding what he was getting at she knew what would happen if she decided not to be a shinobi she would have to be married by the age of twenty to someone of inferior blood and not of a bloodline, in clan marriage was preferable but she had a feeling that Naruto was off the table considering with her variations of the Uzumaki Kekkei Genkai she could sense Naruto's chakra all over the other woman and vice versa. Taking a breath she repeated the Laws she had committed to memory.
"1. All Non shinobi family members must be married by the time they are 20.
2. Your not considered an adult until you are at least an Intermediate level Fuinjutsu user.
3. Never expose the way to the shinigami mask to outsiders
4. Never teach clan techniques to outsiders
5. The Uzumaki bloodline must stay pure, inter clan relationships are prohibited. Marriage to non clan Ninja is acceptable as their blood is inferior.
6. Never reveal clan secrets to outsiders.
7. Family comes first.
8. Clan heads word is law.
9. All those who awaken some form of the Kekkei Genkai must be protected by all non Kekkei Genkai holders.
10. Infidelity is a crime punishable by banishment unless the woman is taken as a concubine."
Hearing her finish Naruto spoke a little somberly "Well I'm a little more relaxed and progressive than our ancestors, so I'm going to amend the first one just make sure you have a fiancee by the time your 22, otherwise I'm going to have to find potential suitors and that would be a hassle."
Karin nodded happily hearing she had an extra couple of years of freedom "I understand, um I'm only classed as adept in Fuinjutsu...So I was wondering if you could help me progress to Intermediate."
Naruto who was by no means a master in Fuinjutsu was good at seals and like one or two levels off of mastery level by Uzumaki standards that is, compared to someone like Mito Uzumaki he was like a child, a novice. "Sure I can help, since your in luck I'm one of four masters in the village The hokage being one, Jiraiya being the other and Danzo being the third one but he's more into cursed seals and Juinjutsu instead of our fine art of Fuinjutsu."
He then motioned for her to come closer. As she crawled closer he reached out and gently removed her grass village head band and blew out some smoke and watched rather boredly as the smoke melted the metal headband, looking around the room he saw Gozumaru smiling and the two female gawping at the sight, which reminded him Shizune hadn't actually seen him fighting and using his jutsu. "Smoke Release: Acid Smoke Tendrils Jutsu. Now that takes care of that, wow one day in the forest and you already reek. Shizune could you take her to the compound hot spring and then take her shopping for clothing. Ah before it slips my mind do you have anything you need or want from your home in grass."
Karin shook her head and pointed at the seal on her wrist which was a small swirl pattern "Nope Kaa-san's journals and everything are inside here."
Nodding Naruto smiled and waved the two woman off and watched as they left to go wash. Turning to Gozumaru he stood and walked so he was stood next to the sitting boy he then ruffled and patted his hair messing it slightly "Good work Gozumaru."
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Preliminary Rounds
Standing with the Hokage, Jiraiya and Tsunade. they were all looking at Anko who was sat on a couch in the top floor observation room of the Forest of Death tower clutching a black mark on her shoulder. Naruto who had unfortunately come across a person with the same mark frowned "Why hasn't it been sealed?"
Hiruzen puffed and shrugged "It's incomplete it has only ever shown any activity if Orochimaru is close by."
Shaking his head Naruto dropped his cigarette and crushed it with his heel and removed Anko's hand from her shoulder and did a couple of handsigns "I learnt this one while I was trawling through the ruins of the Uzumaki's old village in the land of eddies Fuin: Tenshi no ketsugō-sei."
As he said the last words he did a dragon hand sign and placed his right hand over the mark on her shoulder while keeping his left hand in the half seal of the dragon. There was a slight burning sensation on his palm. When he moved it away around the curse mark was a silver chain with a Halo above the seal.
Immediately Anko felt the effects of the seal wore off and looked at him "What the hell was that?!"
Pulling out another cigarette and lighting he spoke around the smoke in his mouth "A fuck load stronger seal than the evil sealing method, as long as I'm alive and breathing the fuin: Tenshi no ketsugō-sei won't wear out. So why don't you tell us what happened."
A few minutes later Naruto inhaled and exhaled heavily making smoke come out his nose and mouth, Jiraiya had taken to have a cold stony look on his face, Tsunade's jaw tightened and had a slight twitch and the Hokage remained impassive having listened to Anko's explanation of what had happened in the forest.
Being the first to break the silence Naruto breathed in a shed ton of smoke before emitting it out his nose as he spoke "Is it me or is the fact that Orochimaru has shown his ugly mug now of all times to much of a coincidence considering who else is in the village?"
Hiruzen nodded "It seems to coincidental to be not planned...but on a more pressing matter what are we going to do about Sasuke Uchiha."
"I'll seal the mark after the preliminaries. What should we do now." Naruto asked as he ended up flicking the but of his cigarette and relit another one.
Surprisingly the answer came from Jiraiya "Nothing for now we act as if nothing has changed or happened and we'll revisit this in greater depth tonight...Anko are you able to proceed with your duties."
Anko nodded "Of course I'm feeling better than ever in fact my chakra feels stronger than ever."
They all nodded and Naruto felt the beginning of a grin appear on his face before he whispered in Sarutobi's ear getting a nod and rare broad smile from the old man. Naruto then walked over to Anko and whispered in her ear which ended with her getting a full blown grin that matched Naruto's.
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In the Arena where the Chunin hopefuls were standing in their teams facing a pair of giant hands in a ram seal, as well as their sensei's and proctors standing in front of them. Anko who was standing with them looked at the assembled sensei Asuma, Kurenai, Kakashi, her old teammate Kiyiomori, Might Guy, Baki of the wind sword from the sand village and some wierdo from the obscure sound village. Also with the sensei but off to one side was Ibiki and six of the chunin helpers that had been helping with the 2nd exam.
Clearing her throat "Congratulations on finishing the second exam...'Heh there were 78 Ninja who took the exam frankly I'm surprised that even 21 passed I knew less than half would make it, but I really thought the number would be in the single digits hmhmhmhhm.'Now your about to be in the presence of the Great and Exalted Third Hokage and his all powerful advisers."
As she finished speaking there was an explosion of ash and smoke all about them that slowly billowed out of the air ducts and entrance revealing the Hokage and his advisers standing in the middle of a slightly raised podium. The Hokage was holding his pipe in one hand garbed in his ceremonial Kage robes and hat. Jiraiya was sat cross-legged on top of a medium sized orange toad behind Hiruzen. Tsunade had a hand on her hip while the other was gently pressed against the toads flank on Hiruzen right. Naruto was still clad in his kimono with the exception to the fact it was so loose that because he was slouched and using his left hand to lean against the toad his entire torso from the hips up was exposed. His right thumb was hooked into his sash that was holding his kimono together and every time he breathed smoke billowed out of his nose and mouth and he had a somewhat bored look on his face as he looked at the genin assembled before them.
The Genin however were a vary of emotions Temari wasn't sure if she should blush, shiver with awe or back away with trepidation 'What's he doing here...This isn't good at all.'
Kankurō, just looked plain worried he was looking at a group of people that were feared internationally and one of them just so happened to gain an S rank felon status in their village thanks to his little killing spree of 20 top Suna Jonin and the fact he had drawn with fighting Suna nukenin Sasori of the red sands. 'No, No, this isn't good at all...Are we really gonna go through with the invasion with two of the Sannin and him in the village.'
Gaara on the other hand was ecstatic he could feel his mother writhing and calling for their powerful blood 'Soon Mother, Soon you shall have your blood and I will prove my existence.'
Kabuto allowed a trickle of sweat to bead on his temple as he subtly glanced at the sound jonin and saw a look of out of this world well concealed fury as he glared at the four figures. Maybe it would be best to not to go through with the invasion and attack on the Hokage cause if they were always around him then killing him would be even more of a challenge than originally thought out. But then there was also a possibility that they could garner more fame and followers if they managed to kill the Smoke Wraith, Hermit Toad Sage and the Slug Princess.
The other leaf ninja looked in awe, respect, jealously, a little lust and a little fear. All four of them cut intimidating figures.
The Sensei however were completely different, Kakashi and the other leaf ninja were silently laughing at the chunin hopefuls expression and knew that if they met these people in a less formal setting they were goofy and down right eccentric. Anko was trying not to outright go googly eyed as she eyed Naruto's near sculpture perfect abs and chest silently cursing Shizune for scoring such a hunk of a stud stallion.
Baki however was all but gleeful as he stared at Naruto's back 'OH this is perfect not only will I be able to bring Suna back to prominence but I'll be able to avenge my brother and all the fallen he killed four years ago.'
Naruto surveying the area smirked when he saw a couple of looks from the sand genin, he then looked at the green jumpsuit kid he had never met and chuckled "Oh, I like that look in his eye..." he then felt something familiar, looking to his left slightly "Oi Old Man, I know you've been looking forward to giving a big speech and everything, but duty calls Smoke is on the Horizon."
Sarutobi nodded and tried to ignore the looks of shock from the genin at what Naruto called him, well except Lee he was positively pumped at Naruto's words to him "Of course dismissed."
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Having left Naruto made his way at a leisurely pace back to the Senju compound, he took in the sights and sounds of the village and was a little surprised while on his walk back he noticed Kabuto run passed in the tree tops at speeds well above that of a genin heck it was nearly as fast as an experienced Jonin. Focusing on the young mans chakra he frowned even more as he felt Jonin Chakra reserves something a genin shouldn't have.
Putting that bit of information away for later when he had his meeting with Jiraiya, Tsunade and Hiruzen. Naruto continued on his way.
He soon found his way back to the Senju compound and was greeted by a Karin who was wearing a simple black kimono with flower motifs all over it, with a light pastal green inner. Around her waist was a yellow obi with a pastel green cord round as well. "Itoko, Itoko...We have guests."
Naruto smiled at her "I see...Hmm your looking quiet kawaii in your kimono Karin, is it one of the ones you got the other day?"
Nodding at his observation she did a little twirl "Hai, Hai...Your guests are waiting in your normal room, Shizune-chan is serving tea to them as well."
Giving a smile Naruto stepped around his bouncy cousin, who had found out was quite the spit fire when she wanted to be and she wasn't much for his bad habits of smoking and drinking and had taken it upon herself to hide his cigarettes away from him and annoyingly she was exceedingly good at hiding them. "Have you been studying your Fuinjutsu today?"
Karin walking up so she was next to him nodded "Yep, but I need help I'm not sure on a couple of things and I was hoping you would look over it with me."
Nearing his room Naruto hummed a little "Sure why don't you go get your stuff and bring it and we can look at it together, this isn't that important of a meeting anyway."
Giving her elder a cousin a quick bow she ran off down the hall towards her own section of the compound. Naruto removing his sandals walked into his own area where he kept his pipe and everything stepped between the two seated figure and smiled to Shizune who was sitting next to his usual spot. Sitting down he looked up and smiled a little as he looked at the woman of the pair that was sat in front of him she had black, blue, and white hair with two wavy black horizontal lines along one side of her head. Her eyes are slightly slanted and red, with multiple rings inside them and she is wearing a furisode with a butterfly motif along the hem and the bottom of the sleeves.
Naruto then looked at the male of the pair was quiet tall but not as tall as Shoei and only slightly taller than himself more like Jiraiya height. He had long blue-black hair and blue eyes, appearing in his early twenties. He was dressed in a black monks' robe and a conic straw hat topped by a diamond shape. He had a white scarf around his neck and an olive-colored kesa fastened by a ring over his robes (signifying his full ordinance as a monk). Apart from the standard warrior monk's shakujō that he always carried, Kuratabō's long robes hid many weapons in his arsenal something that caught a great many people off guard.
Giving them a mischievous sneer that played off the glee filled sparkle in his eye "It's took you long enough to get here, I was about ready to send a search party for you two."
The woman rolled her eyes and gave a flirty smile, something that made Shizune slide a little closer to Naruto's side "Oh master, you care..." she then flashed a somewhat devilish smirk at Shizune while lifting her furisode covered arm allowing the large sleeve drape downwards. An action that made Naruto sigh knowing she was trying to get a rise out of Shizune "...Does that mean Setsura gets a smooch."
Sending the Yuki clan member a pointed look Naruto wrapped his arm around Shizune's waist and pulled her close "Pfft good joke Setsura, there is a reason you've become known as the Yuki onna or do you prefer Death Kiss Setsura."
Setsura at that pouted a little before looking away in a huff. Naruto then looked at the man who was silently laughing at his female companion "Kurotabo my friend I didn't get to see you at our last gathering a few months ago how has everything been Black Priest of Bishamonten."
Kurotabo smiled in return and bowed his head "Things have been well Leader; But I must confess never did I think you would rejoin your old village...But that being said Zen explained some things to us when we arrived..." He then bought his hands together in front of him while also crossing his legs. Bowing his head so it was nearly touching his hands it was a simple monks bow that he learnt from the Bishamonten shrine located deep in the mountains at the farthest boarders of Iwa "...I am prepared to swear on my faith and loyalty to continue serving you as our leader and by extension my future blood and kin will forever be the Vassals and religious retainers of the Uzumaki. As will any aspiring shrine maidens and priests who wish to learn the ways of Bishamoten-sama."
Smirking at his Black Priest he glanced at Setsura who had placed her hands together on the floor and was leaning over facing the ground "You probably already know my response Master Naruto, I would be most happy to serve you in anyway possible now and forever, my life and that of my future kin will serve the main family loyally, I also reaffirm my oath as a member of Smoke."
Having lit his pipe while she was talking Naruto took a deep breath in and out allowing smoke to swirl about him and Shizune who wrinkled her nose up at the smell but remained silent knowing now wouldn't be the best idea to chastise him for his bad habit that he would likely never break and it's not like it actually effected him the Kyubi saw to that making sure that all toxin's that entered his body was cleansed and destroyed by it's chakra. "I would have you share cups of Sake with me, but it would be more appropriate to wait for Kagibari's return. Don't you two agree."
They both returned to their normal sitting positions and nodded at his words. Naruto then looked up and saw Karin was waiting by the door looking a little nervous about entering since it did look really important. Waving her in Naruto smiled "Karin, come, come, I said I would help with your Fuinjutsu didn't I."
Karin nodded and moved quickly to his side and handed him some of her sealing work she was practicing out of the clan scrolls. Taking the sheets of paper, Naruto shifted his side table that contained his tobacco and lighter and patted the Tatami mat beside him. While examining her brush strokes, form and various other things that she may need to work on to progress he spoke somewhat absently "Ah you haven't been properly introduced yet. Karin; The woman in the Furisode is Setsura Yuki one of the last members of her clan and a formidable ninja and while I know you don't want to be a ninja I want you to be able to protect and defend yourself from others so I'll be leaving your self defense and other lessons to her I'm sure that's alright with the both of you."
Setsura smiled and hid a happy smile behind her sleeve that also muffled a squeal "Oh she just the cutest thing ever. Naruto who is the girl though."
Naruto hummed a little as he pointed out a slight error in her sealing "Karin you need to tighten up the vertices and this line needs to be more perpendicular than angled..." He then looked over at Setsura and answered her question "Oh Karin's full name is Karin Uzumaki...My younger cousin."
Blinking at what he said Setsura nodded happily and shuffled forward "It's a pleasure to meet you Karin, you can call me Setsura Nee-chan."
looking a little put out and nervous with what was going on Karin nodded and allowed a smile to take over her face at the thought of having another elder sister figure beside Shizune "Ok Nee-chan please take care of me."
Naruto at that chuckled a little and tapped the crown of Karin's head making her swivel and see him pointing at the other rooms occupant "That's Kurotabo, also known as the Black Priest of Bishamonten the god of Warriors and Guards. He's a little bit shy around new people at first."
At that Kurotabo huffed a little and shuffled a little and knocking his shakujō making it jingle a little "I like to think I have grown out of that phase...But on another note it is a pleasure to meet you Princess."
At being called Princess Karin gushed a little making Naruto frown a little "Careful Kurotabo don't want to inflate her ego to much she's more of a little troll than a Prin...OW Shizune that wasn't very nice, Ah Karin this seal is incomplete you've left out an entire matrix."
Karin looked a little sheepish at that as she watched him write down somethings so he would remember what was wrong with each seal so he could help her fix the problems. Naruto then looked at Shizune "Right fine she isn't a troll" Karin at that huffed and gave a victorious smirk as her cousin was put in his place.
Naruto the pointed at his silently laughing subordinates "Kurotabo, Setsura this is Shizune my ah um whats the word I'm looking for I almost want to say mother..." Shizune at that glared at him playfully since he was getting back at her for the old man comment days ago.
Cutting him off she finished for him "I'm his girlfriend/partner/lover."
(AN: I feel the terms boyfriend girlfriend is a little inadequate, but at the same time Partner and Lover don't really suit their relationship and their not quite at that stage where he is willing to get on one knee and marry her, he's young and well not ready to commit that seriously. So to surmise, their together but there past the juvenile boyfriend girlfriend title but also not quite at that stage of committing to marriage...If you can think of a word to help me describe their relationship in future chapters be a champ and review or private message me.)
At that Setsura frowned a little knowing her chances to be with him were slim but there were probably plenty of hunks out there for her to snap up and get cozy with. Kurotabo smiled "So you've finally stopped your infidelious ways."
Naruto shrugged a little "Well not voluntarily but yes, yes I have..." He then paused "I've already informed everyone else but there is the possibility of war looming on the horizon, so your return is much appreciated. I can't go into to much detail but I am assigning you two to watch over Karin, the compound, Tetsu & Tomoko is that understood also if an invasion or attack does happen I want this place evacuated and I want you to take everyone to the Uzumaki Mask Shrine that I'll show you later."
Setsura and Kurotabo nodded and stood from their spots, Setsura then answered for the both of them "Since Karin is going to be with you we'll take a look around the compound, Will you be going anywhere for the rest of the day?"
Naruto nodded and looked at his watch "Yeah in a couple of hours I need to head to the Kage Tower for a meeting."
Kurotabo at that nodded "Then I shall escort you Leader and leave everything in Setsura's hands."
Humming a second Naruto nodded "Very well but Umewakamaru and the others will be reporting to the Tower as well so they will bring me back so there will be no need to for you to wait around for me."
With that the two Smoke members left the room, Shizune also stood as she noted the time on Naruto's watch "I have to go for my shift at the hospital so I'll she you later." She then lent down and kissed him gently on the lips before walking out.
Karin at that made a slight face but couldn't help but blush at the thought of doing something like that with Gozumaru. Naruto seeing the slight blush smiled and pulled her closer basically engulfing her entire form with his relative large bat wing like sleeves that hung off him and began pointing things out and explaining various tips and even drew some things for her showing her the proper penmanship.
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