1A/N: Gomen, Gomen. I am the lowest scum. I made a promise and broke it. I am a total bum. I had a slight problem here and I just kept procrastinating. Oh well enjoy and please R&R . . .
Disclaimer: Owning Naruto IS NOT something I do. Naruto being the manga/anime owned by Kishimoto Masashi et cetera . . .
- - - - - - - - - - a change in scene/ time passing
" " normal speech
' ' Thoughts
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Chapter 8: Family Tradition
Naruto walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. His father was nowhere to be seen and he had not left any note. "Hokage-baka where are you?" No response. "Hey, Otousan, where are you!" shouted Naruto as he began to walk around the house.
"I'm in my room. Come on in. I have something to give to you" shouted Minato from down the hall.
Naruto walked down the hall to stand in his father's room's doorway. "Hey what could you possibly have for me in that old closet? I thought you only had old family junk in there." asked Naruto as he watched his father rummage through his closet.
"Right well remember how I told you I would teach you a cool technique." Naruto's face lit up when he heard about the promise. "Well, there something in here you need to learn the . . . Ah here it is! Right like I was saying you need this to learn the technique." Minato walked over to Naruto carrying a large wooden box. The box was nothing special just a normal wooden box for holding miscellaneous things.
"What could possible be in this box to learn a technique? Weapons? Is it a form of Taijutsu!" Naruto barraged question after question as his walked over to his bed and set the box down.
"Well, rather than me tell you?" Minato stepped aside so that Naruto could get at the box.
Naruto did as he was told and walked up to the box and lifted the lid. The box contained what looked like old fashion adjustable weights. Naruto didn't know what to make of the weights, "What exactly am I supposed to do with these?"
"Well isn't it obvious you are going to wear them"
"But why in the world do I have to wear weights! What could that possibly have to do with learning this cool technique?" asked Naruto in a quizzical way.
"Sheesh you sure are full of questions today aren't you, Naruto? Well the weights are very important in the process of learning this technique. Plus it could hurt to start working out more." said Minato while making a quick stab at Naruto's stomach. Naruto was very skinny but he didn't exactly have a six pac under his shirt.
Naruto didn't like that gesture one bit. "Hey! Hey! I am perfectly fit. Why can't I just skip the weights and move onto the next part?"
"Well, I guess you could try but if you skip the weights, the next stage might kill you."
Naruto got the picture. "All-right weights it is than . . . How exactly do you put these on?" Naruto had worn weights before but not for long periods of time and they were only light weights. The weights were old and elaborate and had obviously been used before.
"Oh that's easy do you see that little latch right there pull that off and they will open up. To adjust them all you have to do is . . ." Minato went off into a long lecture on why and how to get the weights to a perfect tightness. "So by doing that you won't cut off the blood circulation when you wear them for long periods of time."
"So in short I just guess how tight to put it at first and then adjust it later when I need to."
"Yeah anyway you had better get going your team is probably going to waiting for you by now."
"Yeah . . . Hey, wait how did you know I had to mean my team I didn't tell you yesterday? Oh wait never mind I already know you're the Hokage. And you probably already know what Kakashi has to tell us."
Minato just grinned.
"I don't like you sometimes."
"I love you too, Naruto." replied Minato.
Naruto finished putting the weights on his ankles and began to slowly walk out the door.
"Oh and take this kunai." Minato threw a strangely shaped kunai to Naruto. "Call it an early birthday present."
Naruto spun around and caught the kunai. It was weird it had the normal blade of a kunai but close to the handle two smaller blades went out in two directions like a hilt. "Um, why exactly do I need another kunai? And what is with the weird shape and the writing on the handle?"
"That is a special kunai. Understand this I only want you to use it when your life is being threatened. Do you understand?"
"No, but fine. I won't use it unless my life is in danger. Can I go now?"
"Yeah just get your butt out ta." said Minato before he shoved his son out the door.
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By the time Naruto had managed to walk to the meeting place Kakashi was already there. Sakura was the first to speak to him.
"Naruto! You're late! I know you did it on purpose just to annoy me and Sasuke because you're just like that!"
"Aww, Sakura-chan that's not fair I have a real excuse! My dad made me . . ." but was interrupted by Sakura.
"Oh come on Naruto your father is the Hokage he wouldn't do anything to keep you from your responsibilities!"
This time Kakashi was the one to interrupt, "Sakura, enough. Naruto is something wrong it isn't like you to be late. I was almost ready to send Sasuke out to find you."
"Thanks, Kakashi-sensei. No I'm fine. I just got out of the house a little late and these weights I'm wearing slowed me down a lot."
"Um, Naruto, why are you wearing weights that are obviously too heavy for you right now?"asked Kakashi.
"Well the Hokage-baka told me I had to start with twenty pounds. I complained but he only threatened to make me wear even more."
There was a brief silence.
Kakashi broke the silence. "Alright well let's get started." Everyone's attention went to Kakashi. "You all have been doing well on your missions and you have all improved a lot. So I have come to the decision to nominate you three for the upcoming Chuunin exam."
Naruto started first, "Really, the Chuunin exams! When are the going to be held?!"
"Calm down. I haven't finished yet . . . As I said this is just a nomination and it is up to the individual whether they want to take the exam. Here are the applications." Kakashi handed the three genin small slips of paper. "If you choose to participate sign those papers and turn them in at room 301 of the ninja academy by 4 PM tomorrow. Are there any questions?"
No one spoke up. "Good then that is all." Kakashi disappeared into a cloud of smoke.
There was silence for all of three seconds before Naruto started jumping up and down and starting to cling to anything and everything in joy. His first target was immeadeatly Sakura but the death glare he recieved from her made him stop and jump back.
Naruto twitched a bit and changed the topic. "So Sasuke you intend to take the exam, right? If you didn't take it I don't think I would have any competition."
Sakura heard this and her fears were only confirmed. Naruto noticed this.
"Oh and Sakura-chan of course. With your super smarts I bet neither Sasuke or myself would stand a chance."
When Sasuke first heard this he didn't know what Naruto was thinking but when he looked over toward Sakura it was obvious what Naruto was trying to do. "Naruto is right for once. Your knowledge has saved us on more than a few occasions."
Sakura brightened up, 'Sasuke . . . Naruto. Thank You . . .'
"So Sakura you're going to be participating too of course. I mean you're the most likely of us to pass." said Naruto with a goofy grin on his face.
Sakura went up to Naruto and hit him upside the head. "Now that was a total lie, Naruto! You know just as well as I do that brains are only one aspect of being a ninja . . . But yes I think I will participate so I'll see you tomorrow, Sasuke-kun!"
"Aw, Sakura-chan what about me?" whined Naruto as Sakura began to walk away. Naruto didn't get a response.
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Sasuke and Sakura were already waiting outside the ninja academy when Naruto arrived.
"Good morning, Sakura-chan!! Sasuke!" shouted Naruto as he ran up to Sakura and Sasuke.
Sakura noticed that Naruto could run now and started, "Hey, Naruto how are you running? Aren't you wearing your weights?"
Naruto hadn't realized yet how much his body had adjusted to the weight difference already. "Yeah I'm wearing them. Wow I can't believe my body adjusted so quickly. I guess I should have added more weight this morning."
Sasuke just stared, 'Naruto . . . You're just full of surprises aren't you.'
"So I hope you guys are ready!! Let's go third floor here we come!!" shouted Naruto at the top of his lungs.
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The three were going up the stairs when Naruto stepped off to the side in the direction of the stairs exit.
"Hey, dobe, what are you doing? I thought you would have seen through the genjutsu." said Sasuke as he stopped to wait for Naruto.
Naruto stopped, "Oh I did I just wanted to see who didn't we can just peek through this little window here."
Sakura who had also noticed it scolded Naruto, "Naruto you are so immature. Does it really matter who gets caught up in the genjutsu or not? If they make it to room 301 then fine but if not its not our problem."
"Aw, you two are no fun. Fine let's go. . ." whined Naruto as he followed his teammates up to the third floor.
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A/N: I got past this annoying part so I should have one up during the next few days. I must have changed this little part like fifteen times.
