10. The Chunnin Exams Begin!
Story Begins: Tazuna's Bridge
Kakashi sighed as he put out the fire at the end of the bridge with low level water dragons before turning to see Naruto transformed as strange grass type that had a large tail that looked like it was made out of ferns and seeds growing out of its back healing Zabuza's shoulders with his modified Synthesis 'attack'.
As that was happening, Naruto's clones dropped their transformations and helped the villagers tie up Gato and his thugs and began carrying them off the bridge to warehouses where they would be held until they would be dealt with.
Tazuna walked up and ran a critical eye over the bridge and sighed before saying "Well, there was some damage done to the bridge due to the fire obviously, but thankfully, none of it is structural. With Naruto's clones helping us we can make repairs easily and still finish right on schedule in a couple of weeks like planned."
Kakashi nodded and said "That's good to hear."
Both turned as they saw an untransformed Naruto and a fully healed Zabuza who was moving his shoulders around as the two walked towards them.
"You sure got lucky with this one Kakashi. Shadow clones, ability to transform into virtually anything he wants, and a medic to boot. In a few years I just might have to pay the Leaf to send him to come give me a hand with a few things once I get everything ready." Zabuza said.
Kakashi chuckled good naturally and said "I'll tell Lord Hokage to expect a mission request from you in the future in my report then." He then turned serious as he said "So what are your plans for now?"
Zabuza rose a hand to his chin and rubbed it before saying "Hm, well for starters, I'm thinking of grabbing what Gato owes me from that place he owns on this island, maybe a little bit extra if you know what I mean. You're welcome to join me. After that, I think it's best if Haku and I make tracks as soon as possible. It's best if we don't stay around in one spot for too long."
Kakashi and the others nodded before Zabuza called Haku over and the two Jounin and the ice user took off to where Gato's mansion was.
Scene Change Tazuna's Bridge Two Weeks Later
Team 7 was standing in front of Tazuna's family and the rest of the village as they said their final good byes.
"Thanks again for everything you did. Especially you Naruto. You have no idea exactly how much of a difference your clones made in getting the bridge done as fast as you did."
Naruto smiled and nodded while Sasuke fumed at how Naruto was once again getting praise.
'Damn it! It's always the Dead Last! I was so close to getting my Sharingan on the bridge back there during that fight, I'm sure of it, and then he steps in and ruins it! And now he gets all the praise! I should be the one being congratulated not him.'
Naruto was currently ignoring the glare that Sasuke was giving him while Kakashi was mentally frowning. Sakura of course was daydreaming about her Sasuke.
Naruto glanced over to Inari and said "Remember what I told you alright Inari?"
The boy nodded and said "I'll try Naruto."
Naruto smiled and said "That's all I ask."
"Well now, I guess we better get going then." Kakashi said as he turned to start walking.
"Actually Kakashi-sensei, I think I can get us home a bit faster than if we walk home." Naruto said grinning sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Oh, and how's that Naruto?" Kakashi asked as he turned to look at the blond beginning to have a bad feeling on the inside.
Naruto was still rubbing the back of his head as he said "Well you see, while my clones had been working on the bridge, I figured out how to use another skill that Psychic types used called Teleport. If they were ever at a location before, they could instantly teleport there. I had thought it would be a good thing to learn so that way we could get home quicker once we finish our missions."
Kakashi rose an eyebrow and thought 'That's certainly useful.' He then sighed and said "I really wish you would tell me when you learn these things Naruto. Alright, go ahead. Just make sure we end up at the main gates of the village and not somewhere else."
Naruto grinned not noticing the glare that Sasuke was giving him before he made a hand sign and transformed into an Alakazam.
"Right! Now then, everyone put a hand on unless you want to walk home." The transformed blond said and the other three quickly did as instructed before Naruto closed his eyes and focused on picturing the main gates of the Village Hidden in the Leafs. Specifically, the spot right in front of the sign in booth. Then he just let the Alakazam's natural psychic powers go to work as he called out "Teleport!" Team 7 was covered in a blue light before they vanished without a trace drawing sounds of amazement from everyone else.
"That was amazing." One villager breathed out earning murmurs of agreement from the others before they all shook themselves out of their shock and one asked Tazuna "Hey Tazuna! What are you going to name the bridge?"
Tazuna grinned and said "I'm glad you asked. I put a lot of thought into it, and only one name seems to fit considering all he's done for us. The Great Naruto Bridge!"
Scene Change Hidden Leaf Village Main Gates
It was another boring day for Izumo and Kotetsu as they had guard duty as they laid down at the sign in booth with their heads on their hands just staring out at nothing in particular.
That is until three members of Team 7 and some weird four foot eleven brown bipedal fox like creature holding two spoons appeared in a flash of blue light right in front of their faces causing both Chunnin's eyes to widen as they both fell backwards.
"Gaah!"
"Thump"
"Crash!"
Sakura and Sasuke both sweat dropped at the two Chunnin who were shakily standing up while Naruto burst out laughing dropping the transformation unable to keep it under proper control as he fell down laughing while holding his stomach. Kakashi merely rose an eyebrow at the two Chunnin who were still trying to get their breathing under control from suddenly having a Gennin team and their Jounin sensei suddenly appear right in front of them right out of the blue like that. Quite literally in this case too.
"Hatake Kakashi and Gennin Team 7 retuning from C-rank mission to Land of Waves."
"R-right. Just sign in and head on through." Kotetsu said eyeing Naruto warily knowing that the blond was somehow responsible for all of this but having no clue whatsoever how.
Said blond was still lightly chuckling to himself as he and Kakashi walked into the mission briefing room so Kakashi could give his report. God, he wish he had a camera so he could have taken a picture of their faces at the time.
"Ah, Kakashi, welcome back. I take it your mission was successful?" Sarutobi asked as he and Iruka spotted the two coming in after the Jounin in front of them left the mission desk.
Kakashi nodded and said "Yes. In more ways than one, although there were a few complications as well."
Chunnin and Hokage both rose an eyebrow and Sarutobi said "Please explain."
Kakashi nodded again and said "Of course. As you know, our mission was to escort Tazuna home to the Land of Waves until he finished his bridge-"
An hour later Kakashi was done giving his report and Sarutobi was studying Naruto intently.
"So let me get me this straight Naruto. As long as you have been to a place, you can turn into one of these Psychic types and use this Teleport and go there instantly?"
Naruto nodded and Sarutobi sighed as he massaged his forehead and said "The council is going to have a field day when they hear of this. It sounds exactly like the Fourth Hokage's Hirashin Jutsu."
Naruto shook his head and said "At first glance maybe. But it's not a battle technique, it's a traveling one. It was actually used by Abras and other wild Pokemon that could use it to escape battle. There is no way to use it multiple times quick enough to use it effectively in battle anyway since it takes at least a second or two to activate. Now the Extreme Speed attack, that is one that could possibly be compared to the Hirashin, even if it slightly. Although I'm nowhere near ready to learn how to perform anything on that level yet."
Sarutobi nodded and said "I see. Well, regardless, congratulations on finally learning on how to perform Pokemon attacks and good luck on learning the rest in a timely manner. The same goes to your partners evolving. Now then, your payment for the mission will be in your accounts by tomorrow. Kakashi, give your team the next few days off, I think they've earned it, don't you?"
"Of course Lord Hokage" Kakashi said as the two shinobi bowed at the dismissal and left the room leaving the old man with a bit to think about until the next shinobi came in with her report.
Time Skip: One Month Later Naruto's Apartment (Author's Notes: In the time between Wave and the Chunnin Exams, the council had Kakashi help Sasuke unlock his Sharingan.)
Naruto woke up and stretched in his bed and smiled at his partners who were all curled up next to him. It had been interesting seeing the furniture store owner's reactions when he asked if he could get his sheets with fire proof seals for the then Charmander to sleep with him. But when he had showed his partners the man had agreed it would be necessary.
Now the four were sleeping in an even bigger bed from the same store that could hold all four. Naruto was kind of scared about going back when his partners evolved again but Sarutobi had told him that he would help cover the cost for a new bed when the time came when Naruto had confided with his grandfather figure a couple of weeks ago.
After watching his partners sleep for a couple of more minutes, Naruto said "Alright guys, time to get up."
The three Pokemon all yawned and began stretching like cats before all four began their daily routines.
Scene Change: Hidden Leaf Village Streets One Hour Later
Naruto was making his way to the bridge where Team 7 would usually meet up for missions when he sensed a familiar presence and looked back and spotted a mop of pink hair running to catch up to him.
"Naruto, wait up!" Sakura shouted before she caught up to the blond and slowed down to match paces with her blond teammate who hadn't changed pace at all. After a moment of silence she asked "So do you think we'll get another C-rank today?"
Naruto shrugged before stopping and said "You know Konohamaru, rocks normally aren't square."
Sakura looked at him like he was crazy but turned around as he did just in time to see a painted cardboard box that was behind them blow up in smoke.
The smoke blew away revealing three kids who were coughing from all the smoke as one of the kids said "I think we used to much gun powder Konohamaru."
Naruto shook his head and said "That's not the only thing you guys did wrong. First of all. Like I said, rocks aren't square. Second, they don't move. If you're going to be following a moving target, use better camouflage. Now then Konohamaru, who are your friends?"
The third's grandson smiled and said "These are Undon and Moegi. And together, we're the Konohamaru Corps!"
Naruto smirked and said "So what are you three up to?"
Moegi put her hands together and said "Naruto, will you play ninja with us please?"
Sakura rose an eyebrow and said "A ninja playing 'ninja'? Are you kidding?"
Konohamaru and the other two finally noticed Sakura and he said "Hey boss, who's this chick? Your girlfriend?"
Naruto and Sakura's eyes widened and Naruto said "What, are you insane?"
Sakura was a bit more vocal.
"Why would I go out with this idiot when I could go out with Sasuke?"
Konohamaru looked at her funny and said "Sasuke?" Turning to Naruto, he said "Isn't he that prince of emos that's on your team that you were telling me about?"
Naruto's eyes widened as Sakura's own narrowed dangerously before he said "Run guys!"
"What? Why?" Konohamaru asked before seeing a dark aura surround the kunoichi and the four took off running with Naruto keeping himself in between his teammate and the four academy students.
Now some of you may be wondering why Naruto was running from his teammate when he could easily just transform into a Pokemon and beat her senseless right? Well the answer is simple. When Sakura gets angry enough, she gets stronger than Tsunade herself and right now she was down right pissed.
"Naruto! You get back here and take your punishment like a man!"
See what I mean?
The three academy students turned around a corner and Naruto was right behind them when Konohamaru suddenly slammed into an older teen who was wearing a black cat suit with a mummified figure with a brown mop of hair sticking out and fell backwards.
Undon and Moegi were slightly behind Konohamaru and so were able to stop before running into the boy and the blond girl with a large fan on her back who was next to him while Naruto skid to a stop behind them. Sakura meanwhile came around the corner and was about to say something before stopping as well when she saw what was happening.
"Ow, that hurt you brat!" The boy said as he grabbed Konohamaru by his shirt collar and hoisted him up.
"Kankoru, stop making a scene." The girl said.
"Don't worry Temari, I'm just going to teach this boy a lesson." The boy said.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Now put him down." Naruto said with a dangerous tone in his voice as he began walking past the other two academy students towards the two older teens who he noticed both had the logo for the Sand village on their head bands.
'Sand shinobi then. Wonder what their doing here? Sensei was probably bringing political documents for the Hokage. Still gives them no right to pick on Konohamaru though.' Naruto thought.
The boy holding Konohamaru sneered and said "Oh yeah, and what are you going to do to stop me brat?"
Naruto smirked before making a hand sign and said "Transform!"
The resulting smoke cloud put both Sand shinobi on edge, but nothing prepared them for the brown blur that rushed out or the foot that slammed into the older teen's chest sending him flying as an arm grabbed Konohamaru keeping him from harm. The boy went flying for a good ten feet before landing and skidding another five before stopping as everyone else got a look at what Naruto had turned into as he calmly put Konohamaru down.
Naruto was currently a Hitmonlee. A four foot eleven mostly brown figure with long legs that looked like they could do some serious damage.
Naruto dropped the transformation before as Konohamaru said "Wow boss, that was so cool!"
Naruto merely smirked and said "Thanks Konohamaru. Hey Sasuke, you just going to lounge around up there all day? And don't think I don't know you're up there either coon boy. I can smell the blood on you as well."
Everyone's eyes widened as Naruto looked up at the tree that was beside the road towards the two figures while Sasuke began wondering how someone could sneak up on him without him noticing like that. The two Sand ninja on the other hand.
"G-Gaara. When did you get here?" Kankoru asked the red head who was hanging upside down from the tree branch as he began getting up from where Naruto kicked him.
Gaara shot him a dispassionate look and said "Kankoru, you're a disgrace to our village. Shut up or I'll kill you."
Kankoru paled and instantly slammed his mouth shut as Naruto rose an eyebrow and thought 'Forget waking up on the wrong side of the bed. This guy looks like someone came in and threw his whole bed out the window with him still in it. Actually, it looks like he hasn't gotten any sleep for a month at least.'
He barely registered Sasuke hopping down towards him in an exaggerated manner trying to act like something special or Sakura glomping the Uchiha scion although when the redhead disappeared in a whirlwind of sand and reappeared in another beside the blond girl his eyebrow shot right back up.
"Well that's certainly cool." Naruto muttered to himself earning a small nod from Konohamaru who was still by his side.
The red head studied the blond that was standing across from him and said in a sandy voice that matched his apparent control over sand "What is your name?"
Sasuke walked forward arrogantly thinking that the redhead was talking to him and said "Sasuke Uchiha."
Gaara's eyes flickered over to the Uchiha briefly before returning to Naruto and said "Not you, him."
Sasuke sneered and thought 'It's always the Dead Last!'
Naruto rose an eyebrow and said "Naruto Uzumaki. Yours?"
"Gaara of the desert. I apologize for my brother's behavior. It won't happen again."
Naruto nodded and said "Apology accepted. If you don't mind me asking though, what are you guys doing here?"
"We're here for the Chunnin Exams. I'm Temari by the way." The blond haired girl said.
Naruto rose an eyebrow again and said "Chunnin Exams? I thought those weren't for another month. Huh, well good luck then."
Temari nodded before Gaara said "Kankoru, Temari, we are leaving. I look forward to seeing you again Naruto Uzumaki."
"Likewise Gaara." Naruto said as he watched the three Sand shinobi turn and walk down the street. Turning to Konohamaru and his friends he said "Do me a favor and keep your head down for the next few months Konohamaru. With foreign shinobi in the village you never know what could happen if a prank goes wrong."
"Right boss!" Konohamaru said before the three kids took off running the other way leaving Naruto chuckling before Sasuke hmphed and began walking towards Team 7's meeting spot with Sakura right on his heels. Naruto shook his head before he said seemingly to no one "It just had to be one of those days huh guys?"
On his belt, his three Pokeballs vibrated in agreement as he began walking after his teammates.
Scene Change Team 7 Meeting Spot
Team 7 was currently waiting at a bridge that spanned across a channel waiting for their sensei so that they could missions like they usually did doing like they usually did while they waited.
Meaning that Sasuke was being the prince of emos as he brooded while Sakura tried to get a date while Naruto flipped through his Pokedex as he carried on a conversation with his partners who were relaxing around him.
A poof of smoke on one of the arches at the end of the bridge drew all six of their attention as Kakashi appeared in a crouch.
"Yo." Kakashi said with his customary eye smile and wave of his hand.
"You're late!" Sakura screamed out causing everyone to wince although they were pretty much used to it by now.
Before Kakashi could spout some excuse though, Naruto said "Jounin meeting discussing the Chunnin Exams I take it Kakashi-sensei?"
Sakura and Sasuke looked at Naruto like he was crazy while Kakashi merely rose an eyebrow.
"That's right Naruto. May I ask how you knew?"
Naruto shrugged and said "We ran into a Gennin team from the Hidden Sand village that was here for them. You can't always be late because you got lost on the road of life so it wasn't much of a stretch."
Kakashi chuckled and said "Fair enough." before taking out three pieces of paper and tossed them to his students before saying continuing "As it happens, I actually nominated you three, my bad, six to take those exams. If you think that your up to the challenge, report to room 301 at the Academy tomorrow at 4:00. Well, that's all, so see ya!"
And with that, he disappeared in a blur of speed leaving Naruto shaking his head as he said "Typical. Making us wait for hours only to leave two minutes later. Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm definitely going to take this thing. Right guys?"
He said this last thing to his partners who nodded with determined looks in their eyes.
Sasuke smirked and said "You know Dead Last, for once I agree with you. You up for this Sakura?"
Sakura bit her lip for a minute but nodded and said "If you think we're ready than so do I."
Scene Change Naruto's Training Grounds Hokage Monument One Hour Later
Naruto and his partners were currently tearing through targets as Naruto's clones replaced targets. Naruto and a shadow clone were currently transformed as a Charmeleon and Warturtle shooting out Flamethrowers and Water Guns alongside his partners. Safely off to the side the Konohamaru corps was watching in awe as barrages of leafs and streams of water and fire tore through the flying disks.
The original suddenly stopped shooting Flamethrowers for a moment as a scent passed through his nose causing the others to stop as well.
As Warturtle asked him what was wrong, Naruto turned his head to the tree where he smelled the hidden person and said "Alright, I know you're there. So come out before I burn you out."
A ninja that looked to be about as old as Kakashi and Iruka wearing a straw hat with a metal plate on it that bore the four lines of the hidden Rain village on it stepped out from behind the tree. Held loosely in his hand was a chain that had a ball weight in his hand.
The man chuckled and said "I saw you and your teammates get your entry forms for the Chunnin Exams. Do you really think you have what it takes to become Chunnin? Hah? Don't make me laugh! Oh well, I might as well get rid of the competition now then later."
Naruto and his partners as well as his clone frowned before Naruto said "Guys keep Konohamaru and his friends safe. I'll deal with this clown. You too Warturtle."
His partners and clone nodded before rushing over to the three kids and took defensive positions while the original took a more offensive one and took a deep breath through his nose and grinned as he finally recognized what he was smelling.
'Looks like he wants to test me. Understandable considering he taught me and the others for a good four years. So no Barbequing. Oh well, old school it is then!'
"You know," Naruto said "Normally I'd just roast you and be done with it. But considering you're from the Rain village, you'd probably just use some water jutsu against me so why don't we go with something different eh? Transform!"
The usual smoke cloud surrounded the blond putting the 'Rain ninja' on guard. When it cleared, Naruto was standing at three foot eleven and had fur that was a combination of blue, black, and yellow. There were pointed ears at the top of his head and a pointed muzzle but what really got everyone's attention were the spikes that were in the Pokemon's hands and chest.
Seeing the widened eyes, Naruto smirked and said "Allow me to introduce you to Lucario, a Fighting, Steel type hybrid. Now then, lets get started."
The Lucario seemed to disappear before the 'Rain nin' suddenly went flying with the Lucario reappearing in its place, a blue aura surrounding it with its eyes closed and flaps behind its head raised.
Scene Change Leaf Market Place
Kakashi was standing on top of a roof over the deserted market place looking down on it when Iruka landed next to him rubbing his jaw.
"So? How did it go?" The scarecrow asked.
"Well, you were right. They all did quite well. I think Naruto knew it was me though. When I first showed up he was doing some kind of fire attack with his partners. But when we fought, he switched to a fighting type. Didn't stop him from kicking my ass though with those aura techniques of his. I'm going to be sore for a month I tell you."
Kakashi chuckled and said "I hear you. I remember the first time I fought him when he sparred with me as a Lucario. He actually managed to put me in the hospital with a broken arm. And that was before he could use that aura they used. Those things must have been truly something to have seen in a fight when they were still around."
"Yeah, I bet. I'm just glad he went easy on me. If the judges don't make him Chunnin in a month based off of his fighting skills, then they're insane." Iruka said.
Kakashi smirked and said "Agreed. Goodnight Iruka."
Scene Change Academy Entrance
Naruto walked up to the entrance of the academy with his partners safely in their Pokeballs and nodded to his teammates as the three began walking into the building. It was time to take the next step in their ninja careers.