Naruto and the Village Hidden in the Ice

Chapter 11

One year had passed since the defeat of the Akatsuki leader. Things in the Ice had changed dramatically. Kisame and Itachi have integrated very well. Both of them are Tokubetsu Jounin. Kisame is a Kenjutsu (sword) specialist, while Itachi is a Ninjutsu and Genjutsu specialist. Naruto's genin team had also improved dramatically. They are currently low to mid Jounin level ninja. The reason they weren't promoted yet was simple. They were currently on their way to Konoha. They would be promoted when they returned, but they had a mission to complete. They were going to gather intelligence, find out who was loyal and who wasn't, and who wanted war with the Ice. After the Akatsuki confrontation in Suna, it was decided that the Ice village would reveal itself.

It sent shockwaves throughout the shinobi world. What shocked people the most was that an unknown village had managed to defeat a group of missing-nin that not even the leaf village, which was considered to be the strongest of shinobi villages, was able to do. What was even more shocking was that Suna, Kiri, and snow country had alliances with the village; and not just any alliance, but a solid pact. However, they were still considered a minor village, until the day that Kumo challenged them. Apparently, Kumo didn't like people on what they called their turf. So it was agreed upon that the Raikage and the Hyukage would fight. The stakes; if the Hyukage won, then the Ice would be recognized as the 6th great shinobi village. The reason being is that in order to have the title of a great shinobi nation, you must be recognized as great from three nations at least, a majority. However, if the Raikage won, then all of the Ice's land would fall to Kumo. Needless to say, it was a one sided fight. The Hyukage kicked his ass, and he won. The Ice was recognized as the 6th great shinobi nation. The Raikage was so impressed with the skill that such a young 'whipper snapper' as he called Naruto, that they signed a trade agreement. That was an unprecedented even, since a nation hasn't been recognized in over 60 years. The last nation to be recognized was Earth.

Needless to say, many nations were wary of the Ice, especially Konoha. They prided themselves on being the greatest of the five nations. Now, here is a newbie, whose military power is unknown, is currently in an alliance with both suna and kiri. Trade agreements from Kumo and snow, and their kage defeated the leader of Akatsuki. Yeah, Konoha had a reason to be worried. The kage of ice, who was also unknown, supposedly no one has seen his face except the Kazekage and the mizukage. However, there were rumors that he was a heartthrob.

But I'm getting off-topic; I believe I was with Naruto's genin team. The team was currently on their way to Konoha. Nina had changed her wardrobe. Currently, she was wearing a dark blue t-shirt, and light blue jeans. Her abilities had changed dramatically. Her hearing is now a hundred times better than before. Her vision had also increased. She now has excellent night vision, but not as good as Reho's. Her medical skills are where she really improved. She was apprenticed to Hinata for a while. She learnt how use her medical skills in combat, like a certain silver haired glasses wearing person (coughKabutocough). That is, using the chakra scalpel. She is able to perform surgery on a fly, and because of her great chakra control, she had a talent for genjutsu. Her genjutsu were brutal. Her personal favorite involved a giant three-headed cat tearing a person limb from limb, which was plain scary. Her hitai-ate was worn on her right arm.

Next up is Reho the vampire. She had improved dramatically as well. Her clan hails her to be just as great, if not greater than the founder of her clan. Her shadow abilities are her greatest accomplishment. Before, she was able to melt into the shadows for a certain amount of time. Now she can stay in the shadows indefinitely. She can also take other people into the shadows with her. She is even able to use shadows as weapons. Her speed and strength also increased dramatically, making her the fastest and strongest of the team. Because she is a vampire, she has natural strength and speed boost. She was able to raise it even higher. Another of her talents was a technique she herself invented. She is able to drink a person's blood, and temporarily learn the strengths and weaknesses of her opponent, whereas before she learned memories and techniques. It was a very useful technique. She was also the sneakiest member of her team. She also learned how to prank people. Being on a team with a prankster, and having a prankster for a sensei, she learned a great deal about loosening up. However, during the past year, she has come to hate her uncle even more. On several occasions he had tried to have her assassinated because she was becoming too strong. All attempts were foiled by her sensei, which became very angry with the man. However, without proof, even Naruto was powerless to arrest him. That, however, didn't stop Naruto from making threats against the man. Since then the assassinations have stopped, but for how long, nobody knew. Naruto had Itachi keeping a close eye on the man. Right now, Reho is currently wearing all black; she had on a black t-shirt, with black ninja pants, and a black cloak, with her clan symbol on the back. Her hitai-ate was worn around her neck.

Yamamoto Musashi had changed as well. His skill with the sword had changed dramatically. Since it was discovered that his talent laid in kenjutsu, Naruto had him training around the clock with the sword. Sometimes Masamune and Kisame would help train him. He is currently trying to invent his own style. He used a standard katana at first. But when his skill reached a certain level, Naruto, Kisame, and Masamune took Musashi out to get a customized sword. The sword he had now was a standard katana shape. But its hilt was made covered in deep blue cloth. Underneath the cloth was a seal. That seal is a security seal. It allowed no one other than Musashi, and his sensei to touch it, very handy. The hilt guard, though, was truly magnificent. It was made out of the most rare and toughest jewel in the region. It's called Ice diamond. It's as hard as a diamond, but it's the color of deep blue ice. When you touch it you can feel a chill run through you. It was also said that anyone with an ice affinity could unlock its true potential. Musashi's affinity was ice, just like Naruto. Because of this, his sword was able to perform ice jutsus. He even invented some jutsus that his sword could use, and only his sword. Not even Itachi was able to copy them. The blade of the sword itself was made from what looked like to be silver, but with the toughness of the steel. The blade itself was in fact made in kiri, because that's their specialty. He also wore weights, more than enough to make Rock Lee jealous. When the weights were taken off, he was as fast as lightning. He had made his family proud. Naruto even had a gift for him and his team, but that will be revealed at a later time. He was currently wearing a deep ice blue shirt with his clan symbol on the back. He may not belong to a ninja clan, but he still wore his family symbol, it was his pride. He also wore dark ninja pants. His sword was at his left side. His hair was worn in a ponytail that went down to the middle of his back. He wore his hitai-ate around his left arm (think what Sasuke wore in shippuuden, only different colors, and no duck butt on his head).

Overall, the team was the ice village's pride and joy. Naruto was certainly proud of his team.

Currently, the team was walking down a road headed to Konoha. Naruto, their sensei decided to stay in Ice for the time being. He would return to Konoha soon enough. The team was bored out of their minds. Or, they appeared that way. Contrary to their appearance, they were very alert. Soon enough they reached the village gate.

"Halt! State your names and business in Konoha," demanded a chuunin guard.

Reho stepped forward and said, "We are the genin team from the ice village, here to partake in the chuunin exams. Here are our documents."

The guard looked over the documents. He nodded and let them through. Once they were through, they made their way to the Hokage tower.

Hokage tower

Tsunade was not having a good day. Her coughing had gotten worse over the last year. She hasn't heard a thing from her son, and to make matters worse, the council had forcibly made her announce that the title of Rokudaime would go to Sasuke, despite her objections. She wanted konohamaru to become kage, but the council said that a demon lover could never become Hokage, despite his relations. The next day, Konohamaru started a slandering campaign against the council. Now, the entire village knew that Koharu and Homura had been having a decade's long affair, that Inuzuka Tsume was in fact infertile, and cheated on her husband, the fact that Uchiha Sasuke was gay, and even posted pictures to prove it. And last but not least, Hyuuga Hiashi was a child predator. It was general mayhem. To make matters worse, none of the former rookies stopped him. In fact, it was rumored that Neji was helping him. The Hyuuga clan, or the main house at least, was rampaging trying to clear their name. Though Tsunade did have a good laugh. Sakura, on the other hand, was on lack of better terms, the bitchiest person alive. Because of Tsunade's teachings, she had become even more arrogant then before. In fact, many ANBU had to forcibly restrain her from killing Ino. However, Tsunade smirked. There was one thing that she had not taught to Sakura. She may have taught sakura her strength, but she didn't teach Sakura on how to maintain it and make it permanent. So, as far as the village and the council was concerned, as long as a person had chakra, which Sakura had little of, then the strength would last. That was false. Tsunade made hers permanent. Even Shizune had the permanent version. Tsunade would have the last laugh.

But, her thoughts drifted back to her son. When Jiraiya had returned and told her about seeing Naruto, she asked for all the details. However, all he would tell her is that he is strong, and what he looked like now. She knew he was holding something back, but he said when Naruto made his return, then he would tell her everything.

Knock knock

She shook her head clean of the thoughts and let the person in. Now, standing in front of her, were three ninjas who said they were from the Ice.

"Hokage-sama, we are here to present this letter to you. Our sensei, the Yondaime Hyukage, had requested to come here in one month's time for the chuunin exam finals. He is eager to see you, and see us go against the best that Konoha has to offer," said the slightly pale one.

Tsunade nodded, and then gave permission. With that, the trio left, but she couldn't shake a feeling, that a massive storm was on the horizon, and that it would spell dire consequences for the leaf.

Konoha: 12:00 midnight.

The trio of ice-nin had split up, each to their own devices, and Intel gathering. Reho was currently staking out the large home that was said to comprise those loyal to Naruto. According to her intelligence, they were all out at a bar drinking. Musashi was checking that out. She used her shadow ability to slip into the house unnoticed. The first room she entered in was the living room. She slowly made her way around the house, looking at papers, documents, pictures, everything. She noticed that in every room there was a picture of Naruto with his friends, when they themselves were genin. In the room that belonged to konohamaru, she found a flag with a nine-tailed fox on it. She also found a shirt lying on the floor. It read, 'Uchiha's suck, Uzumaki's are better'. She couldn't help but smile. It indeed did seem that her sensei was still loved by his friends, even after all these years.

Nina the cat lady was stalking around Konoha. She had a contact to meet. When she arrived in a clearing several miles from the village, the infamous white-haired perverted Sannin stepped out.

"When the fox roars, he says?" asked Jiraiya.

"That I want ramen," replied Nina, giving the code.

The Sannin nodded and performed several hand seals, putting up a massive camouflaging genjutsu, sound barrier, and every concealment he knew of. When he was done he turned and spoke to Nina.

"So, how is the gaki?" he asked with a grin.

Nina smiled and replied, "He's doing well, and he will arrive in one month's time for the final exams as promised. Are there any threats he should be aware of? And any other Intel for that matter?"

Jiraiya smirked, and he told her what he knew.

At a bar

Musashi was currently sitting with the entire rookie twelve or rookie eight as it is known now. It didn't take long for him to get the group liquored up. He himself had a high alcohol tolerance, so it took a lot alcohol to get him drunk. He was currently getting information out of them, like what they thought of Naruto, what they would do if he returned, and their loyalties to the village. It was quite amusing actually, at one point Lee climbed onto the bar and started dancing. Musashi was scarred for life after that.

Ice-nin hotel room

When they had returned, they put what they knew in a scroll, and sent it off with a bat, instead of a bird. Their Intel mission was complete, so they all went to bed.

Day of the chuunin exam

The team of ice-nin made their way to the academy, and when they by-passed the genjutsu corridor, they entered the room with all the other teams. Immediately the killing intent of all the room's occupants was directed at the three, who in turn raised their own killing intent. Once everybody in the room looked away, many with fear radiating off of them, team seven made its way to a wall to lean against and wait.

As they sat there, Nina, with her enhanced hearing, was picking up tidbits of conversation.

"That's the ice team."

"Yeah, did you feel that killing intent?"

"I heard that they were trained by the Hyukage himself."

"I heard a rumor that they are already sennin level."

Nina smirked at that last one, thinking it was ridiculous. When she told her teammates what she heard, they smiled. This would prove interesting.

Fifteen minutes later, a scarred Jounin, by the name of Ibiki appeared, telling everyone to shut up. He then explained the test and the rules. Then he had everyone get into a random seat. It appeared that this test was the same one their sensei told them about. It was so easy.

What they did was rely on Reho. She created a clone to take her place, and the real her melted into the shadows unseen. She would sneak around and find the right answers, then get into the shadows of her teammates and whisper the answers. It was so easy. They were also the first to finish. When they were done, they all simultaneously, laid their heads on their desks and took naps, causing many people to have their eyes twitch.

When the test was done, they headed to the Forest of death. Again, the same test as when their sensei was a genin. They were seriously wondering if Konoha was too lazy to change the test, or just plain stupid. They agreed on the latter.

When they entered the forest, they quickly found another team, a leaf team, and beat them senseless, took the scroll and made it to the tower. They used one of Reho's abilities to get there. It was called shadow travel. Because the forest of death was so dark and filled with shadows, she took them and melted into the shadows and sped off. They were able to go straight to the tower in a straight line, saving time. They even broke the old record of 3 hours, set by Gaara. Their time was an hour, and needless to say, the Jounin watching the security cams were very surprised.

After the forest, there was no preliminary match, because there were fewer fighters than normal. They drew up numbers, and were in for quite the surprise. They had each drawn a number to fight the people that were on the same team. The ice team was going to fight against the Uchiha team. Sasuke had his own team, and like him, they all had arrogant smirks. The ice team was looking forward to beating them till they were all a bloody mess.

When the exam was over, they refused to do serious training, except the basics like running, sit-ups, push-ups and the like. They didn't want to reveal any ice jutsu. Also, they knew Sasuke was following them in an attempt to learn them, but gave up when it became obvious they weren't doing any.

1 month later

At the gate to Konoha, there was a welcoming committee. Tsunade, Jiraiya, the entire rookie 9, Gai's team, Sasuke, sakura, and the entire village council were there. The ice genin were also there, awaiting the arrival of their sensei. When the gates opened, five figures walked through, the Hyukage had his hat covering his face so no one could see.

"Hello, I'm the Godaime Hokage, Tsunade, welcome to Konoha Hyukage-sama," she said in a polite tone.

"Well, thank you for the warm welcome. It has been a long time since we last seen each other hasn't it----"

He then removed his hat, showing the all too familiar yellow hair, blue eyes, and whisker mark cheeks.

"---mother?" finished Naruto.