A/N: First of all, thank you all of your reviews. Made me happy to know that this many people likes my story. Thank you and keep at it. I always enjoy of reviews.
A/N: About pairings Im not sure yet. Maybe Hinata, maybe Sakura or some OC. Lets see how things work out.
A/N: I wrote this chapter with dificulties. Like most of you have realized, this story is mostly about dialog or such. Im not that good with 'action' scenes so I will limit them. But I will TRY to make them usefull as possible. And clear.
A/N: If you have ideas, share them please. I will not say I will USE them all but they may give me more inspiration. For example who you would like to 'have' Naruto next. Or will his next relationship take more 'romantic' steps. Anything works. Thank you.
Disclaimer: I dont own Naruto. If i would, this would not be a fanfic.
Review please! Thank you!
Eight chapter: Training and tests
Naruto woke up early next morning. He usually woke really early. He had gotten used to it while training. So again this morning he stood up stretching.
"Good morning." He looked down to ground. Kibi was sleeping on the ground, rolled as a ball. "Wake up! It's a morning already!"
Fox opened his eyes and yawned. "Don't shout! Im not deft ya know." Then he looked around. "What's for breakfast?"
Naruto reach to his pocket again and sighed. "There's nothing but food pills."
"Not those things again! Isn't there anything food?" Kibi shouted angrily.
"What I look like? Walking food stand?" Blond boy said back annoyed. "You're the one with the nose. Smell something to hunt."
Fox sniffed quickly and shook his head. "There's nothing but few birds that wouldn't even cover for snack."
"Yeah… And Im not so much into birds anyway…" Naruto muttered and looked around. "I guess its time some ramen-take-away."
Kibi jumped eagerly-looking to his shoulders. "To Ichirakus!"
--
Ichirakus old man was just opening his ramen stand when a figure appeared from morning mist.
"Naruto? Is that you?" He said recognising silent figure.
"Yo! Ossan." Naruto greeted.
"What are you doing out at this hour? Did something happen?"
Blond boy shook his head. "I just… got hungry so…"
"I hear ya." Old cook nodded his head. "Give me a minute and you will have a large bowl of ramen under your nose, ready to be eaten. You can tell me everything inside."
"Where's Ayane-neechan?" Naruto asked looking around.
"She's still sleeping." Old man answered starting to cook. "I have hired a trainee so she should be here any second now."
"She's not quitting is she?" Blond boy asked terrified.
"Noo… she just asked for some time for herself. That and these 'dates' she's been having, I decided to hire someone to help me with the shop." He started to look angry again when talk turned to her daughter. "Luckily after this last guy she hadn't had any dates since. And she's been more here. I just realized… you came back the same day… didn't you? I guess that shows it." He smiled. "Best customer is like a lucky charm. When you have it everything starts to work."
Naruto nodded showing he understood.
"Could you make it two bowls?" Naruto said rising his fingers. Kibi looked hungry as hell. Then he saw movement from the corner of his eye. He stepped inside. "And could you make it a go?"
"Go?" Ichirakus shouted surprised. "Why? You don't want to eat here anymore?"
"No no! It's not that!" Naruto shook his head. "I just…" He sighed and sit down to chair. "I just need someplace to think alone." He looked to emptiness. "So much has happened after I returned that Im not sure I keep up with everything."
Just outside of the shop three ninjas walked though mist.
"Gosh, this is a drag. Now we have to go some stupidass mission." Lazy as ever Shikamaru complained to his team mates. One of them was fat and one of them was smoking.
"Don't be so negative Shikamaru!" Chouji smiled. He was eating potato chips while walking. Naruto could see that he had been getting only wider and wider.
"Does he always eat?" Kibi asked looking disgust. "And those chips are… grill garlic curry-flavour. I think I just lost my appetite, don't you too…" He looked at Naruto.
"I wonder where he got those…" He gulped down saliva.
"I pray from Kami-sama that's only because you haven't had any breakfast." Kibi looked away.
"Now, now boys. This was very awkward mission that Hokage asked us to do." Smoking Asuma said looking ahead.
"But where is that bi- Ino I mean." Shikamaru looked around lazily. Asuma looked at him hard knowing what word he was about to use. "I thought this mission would take four men team."
"Ino had a special mission with other kunoichis yesterday." Smoker told them. "So this mission will be on us."
"God! This is such a drag. I was thinking this mission and it would be so much easier with four people." Black haired boy complaint when they voices fainted.
"Here you go." Ichiraku handed to him bag witch contained two plastic cups of ramen. "Be sure to eat them while they are still hot."
"Sure. Thanks Ossan." He smiled.
"Anything for my number one customer." Old cook smiled back. He had already maid his own conclusions of what he had just seen.
"Then could you do me a favour?" Naruto looked at him. "I will be training couple of days hard, so if you could bring me some ramen now and then I would be more than happy and grateful."
Ichiraku wondered. "Has this 'training' to do anything with the… avoiding attitude of yours?"
Blond boy looked shocked but quickly recovered and nodded.
"Then Ill do it." Ramen cook smiled widely. "It won't be that big of a deal."
"Thank you." Naruto smiled and bowed slightly. "Ill be at training ground seven."
"Training ground seven." Old man repeated.
"And if you could, don't mention anything to Ayane-neechan or your new trainee." Blond boy asked. "I don't want many people to know where I m."
Ichiraku thought he understood. "Sure thing Naruto. I will personally bring you fresh cooked ramen." He smiled. "But you have to promise to mention what food made you stronger when you become Hokage."
"Sure thing." Naruto nodded and walked away. Ichiraku watched back of his robe. Then he jumped off to building roof and disappeared.
"Im here Ossan!" Young girls voice yelled from back.
"How many times have I told you not to call me: 'Ossan'! It makes me feel like Im an old man!" Old cook yelled back.
Black haired girl with big smile walked to restaurant. "Sure thing Ossan!"
He gave out a sigh. "Clean the shop. And quickly! People start to come in any minute now, Misao-san."
"Why didn't you clean it? I thought that's why you always get up so early?" Black haired girl tied her apron behind her back.
"Because I had a customer just before you came in." Ichirakus told her annoyed. He had regretted hiring this girl from day one. She was always smiling, doing her own things and never listened. But he had to admit; more male customer had started to visit when word had got out of her. And one day when Ayane and Misao had worked together, there had been a new sales record. So it would be eternal dilemma.
"Who?" She asked looking her fingernails and grinned ugly. "I need a manicure."
"An old friend." Old cook smiled and looked at the spot where Naruto had jumped off.
--
"That was good!" Naruto yelled happily. Sun was already high and shining. They sit over the poles. "We should have gotten more than just ones."
Kibi licked his bowl and smirked. "Too much before training will only harm you."
"Then-" Naruto raised and reach to his pocket pulled out two leather gloves that revealed ends of fingers and pulled them on. "Shall we?" He removed his headband letting his hair go totally free.
"How many you thought?" Kibi asked rising.
"Lets say… it has been few days now since the last time soo… lets try four." He grinned. "And I can try these new techniques I developed."
"Cant wait." Kibi grinned. "But let's start with easy one-on-one sparing."
"Sure. Four tails here they come!" Naruto grinned too and threw his robe, shoulder bag and his shirt off. Strong muscles were eager and ready.
"Show off." Fox snorted and grew another tail. He raised his tails too eagerly looking.
"Here goes." Blond boy smirked and bit his thump. Then he drew line over his stomach with blood and started to concentrate chakra. His fathers seal appeared to his stomach. Blood line cut that in half. "Kyuubi power release jutsu!" He yelled.
--
Saya and her friends where just walking down the street chatting lazily.
"That guy was so lame!" Gogo yelled. "Did you see his green jumpsuit? I don't care even if he is a ninja. I wouldn't touch that guy with a stick."
"Here here." Other girls agreed.
"Why is it that there isn't any good man around here?" Asuka thought herself. "Everyone is either taken or just other way lame."
"I know!" Tsumura smiled. "Lets go to that ramen stand on main street. I heard there's a lot guys around this time of day."
"Yeah, ever since that Misao started to work there." Saya answered.
"Ramen? Yeeh!" Kikyo grinned. "Are you serious?"
"I don't mind getting something to eat myself." Gogo smiled. "What about you Saya?"
"I guess Im hungry. Let's go."
The entered little ramen stand.
"Welcome!" Ichiraku shouted happily. "What can I give to you?"
"Some diet ramen and water please." Saya and her friends sit down in front of counter. They gave quick glance around the shop.
"Only some regular guys." They criticized guys around. "Nothing good."
Saya sighed. "Doesn't matter. I have already chosen my man." She smirked. "That blond boy with that fox… I wonder where he is?"
"You mean Naruto?" Ichirakus had heard them talking over while reaching over their ramens.
"You know him!?" Girls shouted together.
"Of course." Person to answer was Ayane. She gave them cold glares. "He is our best customer."
There was sound of shuttering glass. Misao had just walked from back from break. "You never told me about this?"
Ayane looked amazed at their trainee.
"You never asked." Ichirakus said looking confused. "I didn't know you too knew him."
"He's my neighbour." Black haired girl smiled. "But if he's your best customer, why haven't I seen him around?"
"He just returned the village two days ago, idiot." Ayane answered coldly. "Of course he's busy with his ninja life."
"That's reminds me…" Then Ichirakus looked at clock. "Is it already that much. Almost lunch time. I almost forgot it. Ayane, Misao, could you look after the shop for a while. I have an errand to run to." He took two large bowls of ramen and put them in the bag.
"Where?" Ayane looked surprised.
"Just something I promised. Ill be back soon. See ya." Old man walked away while carrying a plastic bag.
He left the shop with fight ready girls, some wondering man customers, who looked interested girls argue over some guy they hope would be themselves. And of course some ramen that was about to boil.
--
Naruto was breathing heavily. Sweat was running down his shirtless chest.
"You've little angry today." He smirked. A giant fox stood before him. It was so great; it was almost high as the trees. It four giant tails whipped around cutting everything they crossed.
"You've seen nothing!" Kyuubi No Kitsune yelled smirking and charged towards him. Naruto hold out his hands and yelled. "Odama Rasengan!"
They collided with power.
After that Naruto was bleeding from dozens small cuts around his body. Kibi smirked.
"You didn't charge high enough." He smirked. "Ready to give up?"
"You're just asking me to let you win, aren't you?" Blond boy smiled. "Are you just tired? Or realizing that you have no chance."
"DIE!!" Fox yelled and whipped one his tail. It hit hard on the ground, crushing Naruto under it. But when he raised the tail he smirked. "Shadow clone, eh? You know, Im getting tired of that move!"
"Here some other one! Obama Rasengan!" Naruto jumped from behind holding in his hand a giant blue orb.
"How predictable." Kibi grinned and grabbed boy with his tail. He hold him tightly when again he disappeared in a puff of smoke. "Another? How many do you have these things?"
"Count yourself!" Dozen Narutos yelled around him. Everyone was holding a blue orb.
"Stupid." Kibi whisperd and attacked. After fiers battle there was only real Naruto left who was about to loose it.
Kibi looked at him. Pathetic human! Holding him down only because his father had chosen it. All his powers were inside him. He wanted it! He wanted more!
Naruto stagger and looked at fox and then his seal. It was loosing power fast. Fifth tail was starting to appear.
"Okay, Kibi! Its time to end this!" He yelled and started to form a seal. His fingers moved fast. "Lucky me. I have always wanted to try this one out." He smiled and ended it. "Bijuu binding down jutsu!"
Four gigantic iron weights appeared from nowhere. They were connected with two steel chains to each other. Weights dropped exactly over Kibi holding it down while it resisted with all its might. Naruto looked at him. All tails were still free and his limbs had some mobility still. He would have to remodel this jutsu.
"This will probably hurt quite bit." Naruto whispered and form another seal. "Kyuubi to Kibi jutsu!" He yelled and hit struggling fox to head.
Suddenly pain run trough them both while chakra was pulled out from Kibi and pushed inside Naruto. Suddenly seal started to strengthen once again until it stopped. Kibi was lying on the ground senseless and Naruto was almost there himself. Lastly he dispelled binding jutsu from around Kibi and smiled.
"I… thought so." He panted. He could feel himself fainting. "This technique… far… from ready…" He fell down to his face next to little fox.
--
"Naruto! Wake up! What happened to you? Are you okay?"
Naruto could feel someone slapping his cheeks and calling his name. He opened his eyes lazily to see Ichiraku to be standing over him.
"Are you okay?" Old cook repeated when he saw boys eyes. "What happened?"
"Im fine…" Blond boy rose from ground and looked around. The forest looked like after the battle. "I guess we over did it a bit?" He looked at fox who was lying down.
"We?" Ichirakus repeated amazed. "You did this?"
"Me and Kibi were practicing." Naruto said grinning. I guess we should have tuned it down a nudge."
"Ill say…" Man looked around absolutely astonished. "Here, let me help you. I had just arrived to poles when I saw your clothes on the ground. I decided to leave ramen to there but then I saw damaged woods behind it. And started to look for you."
"Our training is a bit… harsh." Blond boy raised tired fox from the ground and carried him away. They walked together back to the poles. Naruto dressed while Ichiraku was re-cooking food at campfire.
"Will you finally tell me about it?" He said looking at boy.
"About what?" Blond boy looked back worried. He petted small fox.
"The reason why Im sitting next to campfire in the middle of the forest feeling worried about my number one customer."
Naruto looked to heating pot. "Ossan… have you ever been chased?"
"By who?" He looked surprised. "If there's someone who chased you, I thought you would be strong enough… I see…" He finally got up to it. "It's about girls huh?"
Blond boy nodded. "Im always have been a joke among the girls." He looked really sad suddenly. "Then I return to village and suddenly every girl I meet smiles and asks me these stupid questions. Where I have been? Why anyone has seen me around? Then at the Baa-chans office…" He told what had happened yesterday.
Peaces started finally to fall to their places. 'This is the reason those girls were so eager to heard about Naruto. And that Misao. If I remember correctly, she's his neighbour. No wonder he chose woods.'
"Say no more. Say no more." He rushed to stop blond boy. "I know everything about you."
Naruto looked to him. "So? What I do?"
Ichirakus wondered for a moment. Because he knew his past, he knew what kind of shock it has to hear this kind of thing from people. And now he was confused.
"I think you should what you do best." He said.
Blond boy looked puzzled. "What?"
"I think you should train some more." He looked around and stood up. "Its ready. Train, let that adrenaline run trough your veins. Shout like never before. Train and shout until your legs don't carry you and you lungs give out. Then you will find your answer."
"Great idea. But it has to be put on the hold for now." They looked up. Kakashi was standing next to them raising his hand to greeting. "Naruto, Hokage-sama sent me."
"Is it time for the test?" Naruto looked eagerly to his old teacher.
"Yes." White haired man nodded. "I think you have destroyed the training grounds enough now." He smirked beneath his mask. "And thank you about that book. You don't believe how much it meant to me."
Blond boy smiled. "Its okay. It was not hard to get one from Ero-sennin."
"I must be going now." Ichirakus stood up and waved his hand. "I would love stay and see how soon-to-be-hokage will fight but I left my daughter and that trainee to hold my stand. If they haven't burn it down yet, I have to hurry before they do. Eat while it's still hot. Ill bring you some later, okay?"
"Thanks Ossan! See you later."
Kakashi looked after the man who walked away. "Now then... Could you eat it fast? I have just reach and interesting part of my book and I want to get back to now."
He looked to boy and the fox who were eating like there was no tomorrow.
"That was great." Naruto smiled and looked to Kibi. He looked to him with his puppy dog eyes and gave a small squeal. "I don't have any. Go look for yourself if you want some."
"Fine." Kibi growled and walked away. "But don't expect me to come and save your ass!"
"Like you could do something like that." Boy shouted back.
Kakashi looked at the two of them. It reminded him bit of Sasuke and Naruto. The same way of fighting over the small things.
"If you are ready, lets get started." Kakashi said reaching down to his pocket.
"Wait." Naruto yelled removed his robe and shirt and put on his battle gloves. He also removed his headband again.
"Show off." Man snorted looking at boys muscles. "Okay, rules are same as last time." He hold one bell in the air. "You come at me with intent to kill me. You must take this little bell away. Time is before sunset."
"Those are the rules? Simple enough." Naruto grinned and suddenly his face went serious. No emotion could be seen.
For a moment Kakashi was about to drop to bell. He looked exactly like Minato. Even the same look on his face.
"Are you going to say start? Or are you waiting me to rush in and then say it?" He said quickly.
Kakashi shook his head. "Ready… Start!"
--
Tsunade was sitting on a branch and looking down to field where Naruto and Kakashi where fighting and was she had slipped away by an excuse: "Narutos progress must be determed before sending him to any missions. And I have to do it personally."
She had rushed away to training grounds.
She watched from the ground when Naruto charged directly against Kakashi. White haired man disappeared in a puff of smoke and turned into lug.
Tsunade saw Naruto smirked little. He had been obviously expecting it. Then he disappeared and followed his teacher into woods.
"See anything you like?" Voice asked next to her. She turned around to find Kyuubi No Kitsune sitting on the same branch. She hadn't realized she was there until he had spoken. He was waving his two tails behind his back. "How did you do that? Hide your chakra?"
"Ooh that? Its just something I picked up during my life. Funny what kind of things you can learn just by moving around." Kibi smirked. "You didn't even notice when I was on my four tailed-form.
"Four tail!" Tsunade shrieked and almost fell out of the tree. "You guys were training that hard."
"Yep." Fox looked proud of himself. Then he looked at fighters. Five Narutos, all with rasengans charging ahead surrounding their target. "Of course I gave him couple of tips now and then."
"Tips?" Old blond looked angry. She didn't like that Naruto picked any tips from a nine-tailed beast.
"Yeah." Fox looked at her. "It would be shame if he died. I kinda like the boy."
Suddenly four all four Narutos disappeared. "He used genjutsu!" Tsunade whispered. "I didn't know he could do that."
"He couldn't. Until I came out. He still cant use them that effectly and I doubt he ever will train that hard."
"Why not?" Tsunade looked at Naruto who had entered into taijutsu fight with his teacher.
"Cause it too damn boring." Fox laughed. "During these three years he has learned several dozens seals and other ninjutsu techniques and also…" They watched how Kakashi flew trough the air. "Some very cool taijutsu."
They watched from side while Naruto and Kakashi fought each other. But after half and hour, Naruto was already ringing the bell and smiling proudly.
"He has developed a lot." Kibi said with grin on his face.
"He sure has." Then Tsunade realized one other thing. "He wears that wakizashi all the time but he didn't use it at all? Why is that?"
Fox suddenly transformed back to small.
"Hey! I was asking you a question!" Old blond shouted to him but he didn't seem to listen. Then he gave a small look back that said: 'None of your business.'
--
"So I pass?" Naruto grinned and rang the bell.
"Yeah." Kakashi mumbled looking completely defeated. "But that was dirty trick."
"I cant help it." Blond boy laughed. "You should have finished that damn book, you wouldn't have fallen for it."
"But telling me what happens at end of the book…" White haired man whispered.
"Was perfect plan!" Boy smiled. "You shouldn't run around with those books so much. Everyone would know its your weakness if they would only think about it."
Kakashi couldn't deny it. And hated it.
They stopped arguing to tapping sound of someone. "Excellent Naruto." Tsunade said. Kibi was sitting over her shoulder. "You have outdone yourself."
"Thanks Baa-chan." Boy smiled and extended his hand. Kibi jumped from her to him and run by his hand over to his shoulder. He walked over to his clothes.
While he was dressing, Tsunade spoke. "Some of those moves were very high class skill that even some of jonins would find hard to try. And that taijutsu was excellent. Reminded me some of Lees moves."
"I know." Naruto smiled while fastening his head protector over his forearm. "I made myself go hell of training to be able to use those moves." He grinned. "Of course I didn't run around carrying those damn weights. It was so stupid."
"Glad we agreed on that." Kakashi nodded himself. He had always thought Gais training methods little… off. Including his dressing style and that 'flame of youth' crap. "Im glad you have grown to see that Naruto." He smiled beneath his mask.
"But those green suits… damn those looked good." Naruto said looking puzzled. Kakashi was about to fall down. "Maybe I should add something green to my outfit…"
Both Tsunade and Kakashi were about to attack him when Kibi barked loudly.
"Nothing like that!" Blond boy yelled back. "Of course it looked good. But when I met Fuzzy-eyebrows back then I realized how..." He looked at Kakashi giving him understanding look. "My first thought was to thank Kami-sama that my genin instructor had been you, Kakashi-sensei."
This made one eyed man smile proudly.
"But anyway-" Tsunade ended them. "I think it's a bout time to send you to mission." She smiled proudly to. "And about chunin exams-"
"I wont take them." Naruto said quickly. Both looked astonished.
"Why? You know that you are last one of your year!" Old blond started to yell angrily. To Kakashi it resembled mom getting angry to a child who refused study more. And in many ways it really was. "Do you want to be a genin for rest of your life!?"
"He's not a chunin." Naruto said holding his ground.
Both of them blinked. "What?" Hokage asked.
"Sasuke isn't a chunin. So Im not going to be one either." Naruto looked at Tsunades eyes and smiled. "I don't want to graduate with anyone else but him."
Then he walked away. Jounin and Hokage looked at his back. "And besides… only a genin but stronger than the legendary Sannins. I would like that."
Tsunade blinked. She didn't know if she should attack him and put him to his place or laugh.
Compromise. She run to him fast and hit him to his back. He pierced some trees and while he was lying on ground, she started laughing hard. Tiers run down her cheeks. Kakashi looked at situation and felt like was in the wrong place at the wrong time. So he decided to take his leave. And somewhere safe to read his book – and make sure Naruto did lie.
Tsunade had meanwhile whipped his tears. "Listen, Naruto." She said with warm smile and voice. "We play that I didn't hear that and you didn't say that. Next chunin exams will be held at Hidden village of Sand in one month. So better get yourself ready."
Naruto look at her from ground. "I wont." He stood back up with difficulties. "Tsunade-baachan-" He looked up but another fist threw him towards another tree.
They continued this for a while. It had been the whole day if Shizune had come and dragged her boss away from her ear.
"You have been having fun all day! Now is time for work! We need to get working fast! We have a lot catching up to do." Black haired woman said to struggling blond.
"We will talk about this soon, Naruto!" Were her last words before she disappeared from sight.
"No we wont." Boy stood up. All bruised up. "This will take forever to heal."
"So? What will you do now?" Kakashi asked while reading his book. "She's only thinking about you."
"I know." Naruto said. He started to pet his friend again. Thick red hair moved away of his fingers. It had come a habit like Kakashi book reading. "But I don't want any useless titles if it wont make me any stronger."
"Makes sense." Kakashi said chancing page. "But others wont take your seriously if you wont have that title."
"So I will get my own title." Naruto smiled and looked up to clouds. "Nibansannin."
"Second Sannin?" Kakashi looked down surprised. "You're serious?"
"Sakura-chan, Sasuke and me. We all are students of Sannin but started from the same teacher. I think we will deserve it."
"Nibansannin…" Kakashi tasted words in his mouth. "It may work. But you must make people see you as worthy of it."
"We will be… don't worry." He smiled. "I can feel it."
"So what are you going to do now?" White haired man asked.
"Naruto! Where are you!? Are you face on the ground again!?" They looked at direction of voice. "I brought you some dinner."
"I guess I follow the advice of the person what made sense the most." He grinned. "Tell Baa-chan that it wont be back for few days so keep this area closed for now. Im going to train my ass off. Until I know what to do."
Review it please! Thank you.
