Manipulating Time, Again

Chapter 6: Progress in training, closer to your goals

Jiraiya hadn't believed it when Kakashi had told him. It was impossible. So the 2 days they spent travelling and relaxing in every hot springs they came across, only served to prove it was more impossible. However on the third day, they had stopped to get some training done and now Naruto was showing off a display of his skills.

Jiraiya wiped away the sweat off his brow. Jiraiya was just astounded, simply astounded. Naruto had not only mastered the rasengan at the age of 12, he had mastered it - fully. Then he had perfected the technique his father couldn't perfect and had created multiple variations of it. This boy was a genius.

Now he watched as Naruto took in sage chakra. The boy was a prodigy, already bekng able to take in sage chakra without even having a summoning contract. Jiraiya had once heard of an extremely powerful clan that could do that, rumour was that they had all died out.

"Sennin Mode," Naruto exclaimed as he opened his eyes. It was incredible; the boy had become a perfect sage. His ninjutsu was clearly over jonin level. "Ero sennin, I need a summoning contract with your frogs," Naruto explained "I also need to meet the elder toad sage guy, I think that I need his advice."

Jiraiya was speechless, how did this boy know about the toad sage. All he could do was nod, before taking the scroll off his back and handing it to Naruto. Jiraiya just watched as Naruto signed the scroll without needing any instructions. Then he watched as Naruto made some random seal, before holding on to Kakashi and Jiraiya.

Poof

They were in Mount Myoboku. How had Naruto summoned them to Mount Myoboku. "Ero sennin, lead the way to the giant toad sage," Naruto said before Jiraiya started to lead them there. It all seemed like a dream, like Jiraiya was going crazy.

At the academy.

Sasuke just tried to hide his face as people the age of Konohamaru just pointed and laughed at him. Apparently Sasuke hadn't mastered the basics like he was supposed to, so Ebisu had sent him back to the academy for a trial of his skills. Was Ebisu crazy, Sasuke had been the rookie of the year - the top of everyone who had graduated.

Now Sasuke, hiding his face between his sleeves, looked at the blackboard for maximum chakra efficiency and control. Perhaps this would be useful to him, like Kakashi sensei's training. Maybe Ebisu was right, maybe he did need to master his basics, so he could defeat people like Lee and Gaara.

"Umm, sir would you like to be my boy... to be my...," an 8 year old girl next to him stuttered, blushing "Would you like to be my boyfriend."

All the other 8 year old girls around him giggled and blushed while he smacked his forehead. Maybe not.

At Mount Myoboku

"I have been expecting you," said the giant toad sage "Uzumaki... Naruto." Fukasaku and Shima stared in awe, the great sage never remembered names, whether they were in a prophecy or not. As for Naruto and Kakashi, they were surprised too, since Naruto wouldn't meet the great sage for many years to come.

"Around 3 days ago, I had a prophecy of someone returning from the future, to savs this reality. I remember who you are, in the other reality, Naruto. It seems you have failed to save the world in the future. Which is why you are here," the sage continued.

"However I have had another prophecy. Your return has set many darker things in motion. You will need help this time. More than the friends that have returned with you. I can give Jiraiya his memory of you back, as well as Shima and Fukasaku. However they will not be enough. You will need to gain more strength and gather more companions that will fight this new war with you," The Toad Sage finished.

"What do you mean - from the future? Is that why this boy is so powerful," Jiraiya shouted, simply being ignored.

"What do you mean by - set many darker things in motion. I already know about their biggest plan, Project eternal Tsukuyomi." Naruto asked. What could be more dangerous than Madara?

"I fear that I cannot tell you. However there are worse things to fear than Uchiha Madara," the giant toad answered "You do not have much time. So I will give Jiraiya boy his memories back but you must go find 'her'. You know who I am talking about, you have already been trying. Find the first member of your resistance. I fear my brothers and sisters have realised of your journey from the future. They will not be happy." That was the last thing he said before ushering Jiraiya to come closer.

"We sages are keepers of this reality. Find 'her' and bring 'her' to me," the giant toad advised as he put his index finger to Jiraiya's head. The toad summoner's forehead glowed for a second before he collapsed, falling to the ground. Kakashi caught him just in time, then jumped back to Naruto, who was performing a seal. Kakashi came into contact with Naruto and they vanished.

All the while Shima and Fukasaku just stared in awe. What had just happened. What was all that about Madara. Then Fukasaku watched as the great toad touched Shima's forehead and she collapsed. So all Fukasaku did was watch as the great toad's index finger came close to him.

In a bar somewhere in Konoha

Sakura just watched as her new master just sipped away at some sake in the middle of the day. The two were the only females in the bar, so naturally they were the centre of attention. And it wasn't as if they had just done training either, last night Anko sensei had had a hangover, so she woke up at 11 in the morning. And then she had said that to get rid of her hangover, she would drink some more alcohol. The dark wooden room wasn't helping ease her tension either.

Where had Sakura got herself into, she thought, as a civilian with huge muscles sat right next to Anko. "So may I know you're name pretty lady," he said, as Anko just casually ignored him. "She is my sensei and I don't think she wants to talk right now," Sakura said politely "We were just about to go train."

"Train?" he asked as a couple of other men gathered around "You know I could give you two some... private lessons if you want," He said laughing with the other men. "Please let us be," Sakura just replied. She didn't have time for this, it had already been two days and they hadn't even trained for an hour.

"Why should we let you be," another man said, forcefully grabbing Sakura's arm, while the others held down Anko.

This was it, Sakura had had enough. She quickly punched the man square in the face, sending him right through the ceiling and into another country. "Hell... Yeah," Sakura said as she faced all the other men, beating the crap out of them. This girl was good, Anko thought as she placed her head over her arm on the desk. However, all that beating up, meant Anko would have to fill out paperwork and neither would the civilians or the sandaime be happy.

"Wait a minute, you guys are ninja," another man implored before getting it right in the stomach. Anko liked this vicious girl, she reminded her of Anko's younger self. Okay, the pinkie had passed the test. She hadn't drunk any alcohol, she hadn't annoyed Anko too much about her not training pinkie and Pinkie was bloody strong.

"Enough," Anko yelled as a dozen snakes broke through the floorboards and covered the men. "You pass my standards, I like you. So now I will train you," Anko said to Sakura. But Sakura didn't understand - Anko had drunk 50 times the normal amount but she was still sober. Either Sakura's observation was wrong or... Anko just drunk a hell of a lot.

At a hot springs motel

"So, what are we going to do, Naruto," Kakashi spoke with a new warmth to his face. He sat, cross-legged, at the low dinner table with Naruto opposite him. Jiraiya was still unconscious.

"I think you know. I have the original rinnegan - the eye that the Byakugan, Rinnegan and the Sharingan were descended from. So obviously it has the powers of those doujutsu," Naruto replied "I think the reason why you came with your Anbu gear was not only because of battle but because you want to teach me the art of the sharingan and stealth."

"Good observation skills, my young one," Kakashi joked "However I think we're going to have to get you a new uniform for stealth. What I meant was what we are going to do long term.

"Long term? Well I think that we should hunt down the akatsuki after we stop the invasion of Konoha during the chunin exams. In doing that, perhaps I can convince Nagato to teach me how to use the abilities of the rinnegan. Maybe I can get Hinata to teach me how to use the byakugan too. that brings us to our third motive, to find out how I got the original rinnegan because I am sure time travel didn't cause it," Naruto replied.

"So 1st objective - Stop invasion of Konoha. 2nd objective - hunt down the akatsuki so we can stop Madara. 3rd objective - find out how you got the rinnegan," Kakashi repeated "But tomorrow morning, we're getting you a new uniform."

Kakashi was right. The cheap orange jumpsuit was all he had got from the villagers that had hated him. He had payed double premium price for it but it had no practical use either. He didn't even look cool when he wore it. So before he started training with Kakashi - on how to use his sharingan and training with Jiraiya - on how to perform better seals, he was going to look somewhat cool.

At Bar-B-Q

Sakura looked at the rest of the rookies, plus Lee's team and minus Naruto. She had had a long day with Anko, who got frustrated with the tiniest things - and bringing up Kakashi sensei's teaching did not help. Kakashi's name was like a taboo for Anko. She wondered what relationship she had had with him in the past.

"We definitely are the strongest rookies ever," Kiba blasted at Neji, who was poking away at his food.

(Seating description at the end of chapter, for people who like knowing that sort of thing)

"We may be the strongest konoha rookie grade on average but that would only be because of the strongest of us - who is not here," Shikamaru stated. No one argued with the Nara because they all knew Naruto was definitely the strongest, remembering his legendary bloodline.

Sasuke snapped clenched his fist around his chopsticks. He had been left behind by Naruto, the dead last of the academy. Sakura noticed this gesture "Surely Naruto baka isn't that strong. I mean he is such an idiot - I am sure Sasuke could beat him easily if he tried," Sakura was interrupted by Sasuke.

"Don't try to flatter me, Naruto is powerful he is strong. Don't you dare badmouth him, it is you who is weak," Sasuke defended Naruto because he knew Naruto would always defend everyone sitting there. He knew that Naruto had never thought of badmouthing anyone in his life.

"Ok guys, better eat the chicken before Chouji gets to it," Ten Ten joked to ease the tension. Chouji didn't mind, especially after Shikamaru had taken him to one side and told him that eating a lot was nothing to be ashamed of.

Ino, who was sitting right next to Sasuke, wrapped both her arms around one of Sasuke's and started to lean on him "You know, Sasuke, Sakura is just trying to make you feel better. You don't need to be so hard on her," she said grinning at him. The sight of this further infuriated Sakura.

"Sorry Sakura, I guess Ino is right. I just mean, Naruto has progressed so much in this time," Sasuke said, looking into Ino's eyes. Had Ino's eyes always been this blue and deep, he thought. Their almost romantic moment was interrupted by Chouji's quick snapping and the couple were sitting right in front of the chicken.

"Naruto sama has made so much progress because of his hard work. Much like others," Shino stated, obviously referring to Hinata.

"Thank you Shino, but really, I've only gotten stronger because of Neji neesan's training," Hinata said politely, sliding another small piece of pork into her mouth.

"My teaching can only go so far Hinata chan," Neji expressed, his arm around Ten Ten, that both of them seemed to ignore

"Let's stop being so formal. We're the best of friends celebrating each other's efforts, let's enjoy this night. Especially since so many people are going to be really busy training for the Chunin Exam Finals," Kiba said, tossing some chicken up at Akamaru who was sitting on top of his head.

Everyone, except Sakura, was feeling good. This was a near perfect night at one of their favourite restaurants. Then, as if by some miracle, one of their favourite teachers approached. In fact it was this year's graduate's home teacher - Iruka sensei.

"Mind if I join you?" Iruka asked, waiting for a few smiles and 'of course nots' before taking a seat next to Chouji.

"My, my you guys have surely become strong," Iruka continued "and some of you will be the same rank as me in about a month's time. I guess that proves how much of a good teacher I am,' he said half laughing, half smiling.

"I don't want to waste your time and I have... plans. I just wanted to give you guys some advice. No matter how far ahead you get or how far you are left behind - never let go of your friends. I'm sure you've been told this but - those in the ninja world, who break rules, are regarded as scum. But those who abandon their friends are worse than scum," Iruka continued "Many of my friends died, following the rules and orders of this world, many of them abandoned each other to become the strongest they could. And now we all regret."

That was all Iruka said before he got up and left. Everyone knew that there had been others like Mizuki from his generation that tried to gain power. But there were also happy people like Kotetsu and Izumo who were always there for each other. This generation knew well, that individual power wouldn't get you too far. You needed teamwork to go places.

At a market village.

Naruto, Kakashi and Jiraiya walked through the entrance to the trading village. "Remember we are here, only to get Naruto some new ninja wear. Not for anything else," Kakashi said, mainly speaking to Jiraiya.

"Oh I almost forgot. Don't get Naruto a cloak, I already have 3 that his father would have wanted him to have," Jiraiya replied, while Kakashi slapped his forehead.

"Why didn't you tell us this before" Kakashi asked, he respected his teacher's teacher a lot. bjt sometimes he could be a handful.

"Well you guys already know about the sage cloak that Fukasaku gave him during his training, so I figured you wouldn't be looking for a cloak anyway. The other two cloaks... well they are a lot more intricate so I'll just show them to you later," Jiraiya said. When young children get old, they start treating their elders like children. Jiraiya especially didn't want to be treated like a child, especially since he had been treated like that most of his life.

Then the next few hours of the day were like hell, there was nothing that fit into their needs. Especially since Naruto was a child and they didn't really sell high quality ninja gear for around that age. Even for genin.

There was literally nothing that fat Naruto- that was suited for the type of battle he was most likely to go into. It was during those few hours that Naruto had ever been the closest to giving up, at least from what Kakashi had remembered. Then when it was time for lunch, they finally headed towards a restaurant for a break

"I have an idea," Kakashi said, while picking at his fresh food "I still have my old anbu gear from when I was around Naruto's age. Maybe it will fit him, even though it was specially made for me."

"However, I don't think fhe sandaime will be happy, if he participates in the chunin exams in anbu gear. Won't that take away the point of getting a chunin flak jacket if you full anbu gear," Jiraiya questioned.

"Its not like he'll need the gear in the chunin matches. After the sand and sound launch their attack, We'll give him the anbu gear and then he can fight," Kakashi replied "We'll just make him take it off for the chunin exams."

"I think that'll work out but first we should see if it actually fits the brat," Jiraiya joked.

Naruto exclaimed an "Oi" for formalities, just grinning, before continuing to attack his food.

In Kumogakure

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT THE ORIGINAL RINNEGAN HAS BEEN FOUND," shouted he 4th raikage as he smashed through his desk "WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN, WHERE IS IT?"

Mabui noted the broken table down before answering "A Konoha genin by the name of Uzumaki Naruto unlocked it during the preliminaries of the chunin exams. He will be participating in the finals of the chunin exam in about a month from now."

"Well, then it seems we are going to be honorary guests attending the finals then," the calmed raikage said with a smile.

At the hyuga estate

Hinata didn't like this. Her father didn't want her to meet up with her friends at the end of the week. Together the rookies had decided that the Bar-B-Q night had been such a success, maybe they needed another night off.

"Father, I do not wish to stop meeting my friends, I do not think that being the heir to the hyuga family should influence my social life, at least not at the age of 12," Hinata argued with her father - Hyuga Hiashi

"Nonsense Hinata, just a few days ago I was rethinking the decision about abandoning you as the heir to the head family and making your prodigy sister - Hanabi - the heir. But you proved yourself when you got through to the chunin exam finals. Your friends will just be a hindrance, you should just focus on training from now on," Hiashi tried to persuade Hinata to stop meeting up with her friends, especially since last night's get together was a hindrance towards her training.

Hinata had never refused him before. Only when he mentioned her friends, did she get set off like her mother used to. Maybe she was a suitable heir. Maybe she was growing her own backbone instead of listening to everyone

At a hot springs in Konoha

Orochimaru looked at the naked body of Haruno Sakura from far away, while he met with Kabuto. "She has a nice body doesn't she," he said like some weird paedophile. Kabuto knew what Orochimaru was really checking for. He was checking for any signs of her being a senju or Uzumaki.

"So who do you plan to take over," Kabuto asked. He knew the answer. He just wanted to hear it from Lord Orochimaru himself.

"The whole reason I made this technique was so I could take over a stronger body, so I could finally become a sage. However, then I met Uchiha Itachi and saw his visual prowess and then I've wanted the sharingan. One thing is clear, to get to the boy with both body strength and visual prowess, I have to take over one of the other two," Orochimaru answered "Lately I've been starting to doubt that Itachi holds no feelings towards Sasuke."

Orochimaru stopped talking because he had observed another interesting spectacle. It seemed that his old apprentice, Anko, was there with the girl. Anko had however used her towel to cover up her neck, instead of her body. Orochimaru knew why

"Sasuke hasn't even awakened the mangekyo sharingan, so all his eye would do for me, is boost my observation skills a bit so I can copy other ninjutsu. A nifty ability but one that I do not need right now. So the person that I will take over is the pinkie and it seems that she is already used to my snakes," Orochimaru stopped talking to observe the pair more closely.

Orochimaru had hidden the true reasons for why he would leave Sasuke alone. Really, Orochimaru was scared of Itachi and even with a 3 tomoe sharingan, Itachi was stronger than him.

What Orochimaru couldn't observe was another pair of ninja. Standing on a rooftop about 50 metres away from where Orochimaru stood a pair of sharingan glared at the snake summoner. Itachi was back in konoha and he was in time for the chunin exam finals.

End of Chapter

Bar-B-Q seating plan

_Kiba, Shino, Lee, Sakura

Ten ten...Chouji

_Neji...(Iruka later)

_Hinata, Ino, Sasuke, Shikamaru

Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. I rushed the end bit because I was feeling tired and I don't want to release two chapters at the same time this weekend.

About the Hiashi and Hinata scene. The only reason Hiashi doesn't want Hinata to be in such regular contact with her friends is because he finally thinks of her as a suitable heir.

How you can influence the story.

Pairings. Sticks your preferred pairings in a review, I am very flexible about the romance side of things. However I do not like harems over 3 people and I try to steer away from them because then it becomes hard to write romance scenes without any awkwardness.

some of the people who already have pairs are:

Sakura

Hinata

Anko

Kakashi

Lee

Ino

I will be reviving someone who is dead for the story. Please stick a person who you want revived in a review. If you like that sort of thing

Special Mention to dajuanwilliams and .Naruto. I love reading reviews and hearing about your opinions - negative or positive. So please review.

Also the releases are a bit irregular so the set times for a chapter release are every Friday and Sunday. Chapter from now on will be approximately the length of this chapter. More so longer. Thanks for reading