Chapter 14 Seiryu's plan and the test of strength

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Konoha Hyuga Compound

Hinata and Seiryu were standing in front of the entrance to the Hyuga compound, Hinata took deep breath finally all of her training was for this moment she will faced her father and how him she is no longer a weakling. Seiryu saw her determination and smile he knew she was going to do fine he has seen her progress and her strength growing in three years there was nothing to be worry about. She open the door and enter the house follow by Seiryu they walk the long hallways of the clan compound; Hinata had a good idea where her father could be she took a turn in the hallway until she reach the dojo. When she enter she saw her father looking serious as always holding his cane he was watching someone practicing his moves she knew who was the person training.

She look at her cousin Neji who has change in the couple of years his dark hair has grown even more he was still wearing his leaf headband on his forehead, his clothing was different it was a white uniform with a grey skirt and grey ninja sandals. Hiashi notice Hinata and she could have swore that he smiled at seeing her maybe she was dreaming he has never seen her father smiling especially smiling at her. Neji stop his practice and notice Hinata too unlike Hiashi he smiled seeing his cousin again, she was the first to act as she ran to him an embrace the Hyuga surprising him.

She broke the hug and smile at him" Neji how are you I missed you very much"

"I missed you too but I was upset you didn't say goodbye when you left" the Hyuga prodigy said.

"And I'm sorry for that but now I'm here so there's nothing to worry about"

Neji nodded and he heard somebody clearing his throat it was Hiashi who went next to him and in front of Hinata.

"So you have return Hinata" he said in his usual serious tone.

Hinata erased her smile giving him a serious look while Seiryu was still watching the family reunion.

"Yes father I have return from training in the hidden mist village"

Hiashi's eyes never left Hinata's" did you fail the training?"

Hinata tighten her fist in anger while Neji was also holding his anger after Naruto change him for the better he has hated the way his uncle treated her.

"No father my training was successful" she said while locking eyes with him.

Hiashi could see in her pale eyes anger but he ignored it" have you become strong?"

"Yes" she replied quickly.

"Then prove it fight Neji"

Neji was surprise at this" uncle are you sure?" he said worry.

"If Hinata says she's strong then she won't have a problem fighting you"

"So you're going to test Hinata Hiashi"

Hiashi and the rest look at the entrance to the dojo and saw Tsunade and Shizune.

"Tsunadesama what an honor to have you in my house" Hiashi said while bowing to the blond Hokage.

"I have decided to watch this little sparring match between Neji and Hinata if you don't mind Hiashi?" Tsunade said.

"No of course not I have no problem with it"

(Tsunadesama is watching so I have to give it everything I have) Hinata thought.

The rest of went to the corner of the dojo letting the two opponents facing each other in the middle, Neji has activated his byakugan he went to his gentle fist stance he just meet her after three years and now he was going to fight to test her strength. Hinata went to her gentle fist stance but something was wrong everyone notice that Hinata hasn't activated her byakugan Neji got worry without the byakugan it will be impossible to see the chakra points of the opponent.

The Hyuga heiress gave him a smile" it's all right Neji I don't have to I have memorize all of the chakra points in the chakra network"

Neji was stun along with Tsunade Shizune and Hiashi was more shock.

(Impossible memorize every chakra point without the need of the byakugan) Hiashi thought.

Seiryu was chuckling in his mind (and that's only the beginning what Hinata can do beat him good Hinata)

"Prepare yourself Neji"

Neji nodded and made the first move using a palm strike she dodge it easily he continued with a barrage of palms and kicks but the Hyuga heiress was dodging all of his attacks while Hiashi was shock Neji's accuracy was far advanced and Hinata was dodging all of his attacks like it was nothing. Neji launch a kick but Hinata jump out the way and she landed in front of she charged at a speed that Neji's byakugan couldn't see and she hit him with a palm strike hitting him in the middle of his chest. Everyone gasp except for Seiryu who was calm and smiling in his mind at Hinata's victory.

"It's over Neji I hit your central chakra point making the rest of your chakra point useless you can't attack me anymore"

The Hyuga prodigy was shock he could not believe he was defeated quickly and what shock him the most was that she defeated him without using her byakugan. Hiashi was more shock than Neji all the training he gave to his nephew all the hard training he went through to finally achieve the rank of jounin was for nothing as his own daughter defeated him in seconds and without using her byakugan. Tsunade on the other hand was smiling with pride she was shock at Hinata's performance but she was proud at how strong she has become she was no longer the shy quiet kunoichi she was the new and improved Hyuga Hinata confident and strong, she smile thinking about the person responsible for her development.

(Genjurosama has done it again)

Neji look at Hinata with a smile he bow to her" Hinata congratulations you have beaten me and you have become so strong I have missed you"

She smiled while taking her cousin in her arms again" thank you Neji you don't know how much it means for me to hear you say that"

"Well done Hinata I'm impressed" Tsunade said.

"Congratulations Hinata" Shizune said.

"Thank you everyone" she said when she look at her father and she saw something she has never seen before from her father he was smiling.

"Father?" she said to the elder Hyuga expecting to hear his opinion of her performance if he's not please then all her training will be for nothing after all her father's approval was the main reason why she wanted to get strong.

"Well done my daughter congratulations Neji I suggest you continued with your training" he said in a normal tone.

Hinata felt like crying after years of trying to prove to her father that she was not weak she has finally won his approval he acknowledges her as a strong ninja, she hold her tears she wasn't the old Hinata but still she couldn't hold them and they started falling. Seiryu saw how happy Hinata was and she deserve the credit after everything she did to become as strong as she is now, he remember all the hard training he did with her he remember she was so tire after doing the exercises that she ended up falling asleep and he always took her to bed. He then grin to himself with an idea that pop up his head he wanted to make Hiashi more impress at his daughters progress.

"Hey Hinata why don't you show them your skills with Undine?"

Hinata look back at her friend with a smile" I guess it wouldn't hurt to give them a little show"

"Undine?" Neji said puzzle.

Hinata nodded and remover her cape that's when they saw the sword strap on her back, the sword caught Hiashi's attention.

"Hinata you can used a sword?" Tsunade said sounding more impressed.

She nodded" I will give you a demonstration" she then left the dojo follow by the rest.

She looked at the large tree next to the dojo" see the tree?" she unsheathed Undine a little and vanish in a blink of an eye and reappear again while sheathing the sword.

"Nothing ha….." before Hiashi could finish the tree was cut in half and it was wet it seems like it was cut by water.

Tsunade, Shizune and Neji had their mouths wide open at the sight of the cut tree while Hiashi look calm.

(Wow) Shizune thought.

(Maybe I should promote her to jounin) Tsunade thought.

Hinata look back at the shock group while Seiryu had a big smirk on his faces she then look at her father and she saw a small glint of sadness reflected in his pale eyes she didn't understand why he was disappointed with her or there's was something else.

"Hinata I'm impressed keep it up and you might reach chunin sooner than you think let's go Shizune" Tsunade said while leaving Shizune followed her.

"Thank you Tsunadesama" Hinata said while bowing.

"Hinata why don't you catch up with Neji" Seiryu said while leaving.

"Where are you going?" she said.

"I'm going to go look around the village bit" he then left heading to the streets looking for a particular someone.

(Now if I was Naruto where would I be?)

In a bar a silver hair mask ninja and a white hair older man were seated on a table.

"Akatsuki have begun to move things will get dangerous from now on" the white hair man said who was obviously the toad sanin Jiraiya said.

"Yes Hokagesama is already aware of it will be ready for them according to the message Genjuro gave her they are after the nine bijus and if it's true that they will be capturing in order of their tails that means they leave Naruto for last" the silver hair jounin said who was obviously Hatake Kakashi said.

"And I already warn the rest of the villages about them so they will be on guard if they spotted any members of Akatsuki anyway Kakashi I must talk to you about Naruto"

"Is it about the training did he succeeded?"

"Well he has improved but he's still needs more training however they are some bad news about him"

"What do you mean?" Kakashi said worry.

"It's about the seal in Naruto's stomach"

"The seal of the fourth?"

"Yes during these past years the seal have been weakening allowing the Kyubi's chakra to take control of him more and this happens by his emotions if he becomes too angry then the Kyubi's chakra leaks and that's not at all when it happens Naruto's whole body is cover by the red chakra in the form of a fox I call it the fox cloak"

"The fox cloak?" Kakashi said with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes when Naruto is too angry the Kyubi's chakra leaks and it turns into that form and slowly the Kyubi influence on him but that's not all when Naruto is in the fox's cloak he has one tail of the Kyubi however the angrier he gets the faster another tail appears it happened when we were training on the road at first Naruto was still his normal self when he had three of the Kyubi's tails but when the fourth tail appeared…." He paused looking worry.

"What happened Jiraiyasama?"

"I will only tell you that he completely losses his human conscience and turns into a miniature version of the Kyubi and its power let's just say it's extremely powerful that's why Kakashi I'm giving you this it will suppress the Kyubi's chakra changing him back to normal but make sure you use it when he's still on one tail" he gave him the suppress tag" actually I'm going to give you a couple more since Seiryu will be staying in the village"

Kakashi blink" Seiryu?"

"I guess Tsunade hasn't told you yet Genjuro's student is staying here and since he's a jinchurikki too it's wise to have a couple more of the suppress tags"

"I see I should talk to her about it"

"Just make sure if the same thing that happens to Naruto happens to Seiryu don't hesitate to use the tags and make it sure to do it when he only has one tail"

"I will Jiraiyasama"

"Okay now that we have that aside Kakashi tell me have you read my new book?" the toad sanin ask with a hint of anticipation.

"Well yes I have read it and it's very good you have outdone yourself this time Jiraiyasama"

Jiaraiya had tears in his eyes" oh thank you Kakashi I'm so happy when people appreciates my work it really pays off"

"Well I better get going now I'll see you later" Kakashi said while vanishing in a cloud of smoke.

"Now what to do now?" he said while grinning" it's time to do some research" he left the bar while having a nose bleed.

Naruto was having his fifteen bowl of ramen from Ichiraku, once he was finish with the bowl he left his money on the counter and said goodbye to Teuchi and Ayane when he left the shop he spotted Seiryu heading his way.

"Oh hey Seiryu"

"Hey Naruto glad I found you can we talk somewhere a little private?"

"Sure I guess"

They left the ramen shop and went to a small corner in the street that wasn't crowded it was the perfect place to have a conversation although Naruto was more puzzle what Seiryu wanted to talk to him about.

"So what do you want to talk to me about?"

"Well first of all Naruto I know about the Kyubi and you"

Naruto stood quiet but he was shock he look into his eyes and he couldn't see the hatred someone has for a jinchurikki he look the other way not wanting to make eye contact with him.

"Okay you got my attention so what do you want?"

"Don't worry Naruto I'm not going to hate you I can keep secrets I just hope you can keep a secret too"

"What do you mean?"

Seiryu took a deep breath this was going to be the first time he was going to tell about Fenrir to anyone" Naruto I am a jinchurikki too"

He saw the blond's eyes widened slightly he was surprised he gave him a smile" so you…."

"Yeah I was hated by my village too I hated that place so much the only reason I stay there was because of sensei and he didn't care if I was a jinchurikki he still took me under his wing and train me so what I'm trying to say is I hope we can get along"

Naruto gave him a big smile and a thumbs up" of course Seiryu if you have been through the same pain as me as a fellow jinchurikki I will be your friend"

"Thanks Naruto you don't know how much that means to me you're actually the first person I have told my secret I don't want anyone else to find out about it" (especially Hinata)

"No problem your secret is safe with me"

"Good since we have that solve it's time to talk about the second issue at hand it's about Sakura?"

"What Sakurachan what about her?" Naruto said in a nervous tone (don't tell me that he likes Sakurachan?)

"Tell me how do you feel about her?"

"How do I feel about her she's my friend"

"I mean do you love her" Seiryu said breaking the ice.

Naruto gasp but he got a little angry" why do you want to know do you like her?"

"No I don't like her I'm asking you if you have any romantic feelings for her and please be honest"

The blond ninja stood quiet talking about his feelings about Sakura was a delicate topic next to the Kyubi.

"I do" he said softly.

"How long?"

"For a while now"

"Naruto tell me exactly how long a week a month………"

"FINE I like her since I was five" Naruto retorted"

Seiryu was shock" you mean to tell me that you have been in love with her for years and you haven't told her anything"

"Hey give me a break it wasn't easy back then Sakurachan was different she didn't respected me like she does now"

"Then tell me why was it so hard for you?"

Naruto sighed" fine but it's a long story so listen"

Seiryu nodded and so Naruto told him when he became team seven with teammates Sakura and Sasuke, he was surprised to find out that the Uchiha that left to join Orochimaru was on the same team with Naruto. He felt sorry for him when he find out that Sakura is in love with Sasuke and she was one of his many fan girls he smirk a little reminding him of Genjuro. Naruto finally told him about his promise of the life time to Sakura that he was going to bring back Sasuke no matter what.

"So there you have it Seiryu I promised Sakurachan that I will bring back Sasuke because is the only way to make her happy "Naruto said with a sad smile.

Seiryu was shock (dear Kami he doesn't likes Sakura he loves her adores her he's willing to sacrifice his own happiness just to make her happy that's a true sacrifice I know I will do the same if it was Hinata)

"Naruto I can't believe you will do so much for Sakura so what do you think do you think she feels the same way about you?"

"What are you talking about she doesn't love me she loves Sasuke" he said trying to hide the tone of hurt in his voice.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah she always keeps talking about him I know she does"

"What about now does she tell you that she misses him?"

Naruto was about to say yes but he stop" now that you mention it ever since I got back she hasn't mention a word about him but I'm sure she doesn't says anything about Sasuke so she doesn't hurt me"

"I see maybe that's the truth or maybe you will have to look it from another point of view"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean about Sakura you said it yourself she was always rejected by Sasuke every time she try to ask him out and she did the same thing to you maybe when Sasuke left the village she finally figure out the pain of rejection and maybe she now's understands how you feel"

Naruto was shock" yeah I guess you could be right but wait she still rejects me I just recently ask her out on a date and she told me no"

"Maybe she's been stubborn or maybe she doesn't know it yet that she likes you"

Naruto's eyes widened" what that can't be Sakurachan doesn't like me like that"

"Come on Naruto I'm sure that by now she realized that Sasuke wasn't worthy and now she could be having feelings of her own for you"

Naruto felt like crying" you think Sakurachan' likes me?"

"I'm certain and that's why I'm going to help you win her over"

Tears started pouring out of his blue eyes" Seiryu you mean it you will help win Sakurachan's heart?"

"Yup but let me warn you it won't be easy it will take time but if we play all the cards right then maybe you and Sakura will be together as a couple"

Seiryu didn't saw it coming the blond ninja just lunge on him giving him a tight hug he was surprised and he was also thankful that there was nobody watching this because the hugging look like a gay scene.

Naruto broke the hug with a smile" thanks Seiryu and I already know it won't be easy but I won't give up I never back down on my word it's my ninja way believe it"

"Good then I'll see you later oh and by the way do you know where to find Sakura right?"

Naruto turn pale" why don't tell me you're going to tell her that I like her?"

"No Naruto relax I just want to have a talk with her too"

"Oh well she must be at the library or maybe she's at the hospital since we don't have a mission granny Tsunade gives her a shift in the hospital"

"Thanks I'll go there I'll see you later Naruto" he then left.

Naruto stood still for a few seconds before leaving he smile to himself thinking about Seiryu.

(I have found a new brother)

Seiryu arrived at the hospital he was walking the halls until he spotted a nurse.

"Excuse me do you know if Sakura is working here?"

"Oh Harunosan yes she's at the reception desk straight ahead"

"Thank you"

He continued walking straight on until he saw the pink hair medic ninja sitting at the reception desk with a frown on her face Seiryu smirk.

(Looks like from the look of her face she's enjoying her job) he thought sarcastically as he went to the desk.

"Hey Sakura"

Sakura look at him with a smile and a sigh of relief" Seiryu hi what can I do for you?"

"I wanted to talk to you but I see that you're a little busy"

"Oh no I'm just on my break so let's go outside and talk" she said quickly while getting off from her desk.

(Wow that was fast I wonder why she left so suddenly) Seiryu thought.

(Thank goodness Seiryu show up I was so bore)

(Yeah and that shift at the reception desk sucks) inner Sakura added.

The left the hospital until they were in front of the building.

"So what do you want to talk about Seiryu?"

"First let me show you something" he took a small scroll from his kunai hostler.

He opened the scroll and from a cloud of smoke appear a crystal ball with filled with water also the ball had a small hole, Sakura stared at the crystal ball with admiration shinning in her jade eyes.

"It's so beautiful"

"It is isn't it this was a gift that I receive from sensei this is a magic ball filled with the water of the water spirit Undine that resided in the water country why is magical because you ask any question while shaking it and it will tell you the correct answer pretty cool huh?"

"Oh it's like a magic eight ball" she said with a smile" I have one too"

"Well it's like a magic eight ball but it's better you see the magic eight ball's answers are fifty percent accurate but this water ball answers are a hundred percent accurate, however they are some bad news the person who uses it can only ask a question one at a time meaning once you ask it a question it will tell you the answer but if you ask the same question again it won't give you answer so you have to be wise when it comes to ask the questions"

"I guess it's not so easy like the magic eight ball so why did you show me the ball?"

"Well Sakura we are going to play again in telling the truth so here we go first tell me about Naruto"

"Naruto what do you want me to say about him?"

"What do you think of him?'

"Well I think he's a strong person after everything he's been through he's hard working a little goofy sometimes and a pervert too but he has his smart side too and I think………." She paused.

Seiryu was staring at her with a big smirk on his face while Sakura was talking about her blond teammate she had a blush on her cheeks while she was acting a little nervous.

"Okay Seiryu why are asking me this?" she sounded more nervous.

"I'll ask you this question and I want an honest answer from you do you like Naruto?"

Sakura felt like an atomic bomb just fell on her, her eyes widened" say what?"

"I said do you like Naruto?"

"On what meaning you are referring to the word like because it better be to the one referring as liking him as a friend" she look at while giving him a warning glare.

"Now I'm referring if you like him to have him as your boyfriend"

"WHAT" shouted a shock Sakura" no I don't think Naruto like that I would never I……" she was more freak out.

"Sakura why are you nervous if you don't like him like that you could just give me an calm answer there's no need for you to act so nervous"

"Fine I don't like Naruto like that" she said sounding calm with a glint of being nervous.

"Okay my next question do love Sasuke?"

"What how do you know about him?"

"Naruto told me now answer the question?"

"Look Seiryu I'm sorry but I don't have time to play your games so I'll see you later"

She was about to enter the hospital until Seiryu grab her wrist.

"Please Sakura listen to me I promised you won't regret it"

The pink hair medic ninja sighed" fine"

"Good now answer my question do you love Sasuke?"

"I…..I don't know" she said unsure.

"Fine then I will have to get a clear answer from my water ball" he shake the crystal ball" does Sakura loves Sasuke?"

"WHAT Seiryu what are you doing?" Sakura said shock.

Seiryu saw the answer display on the small hole of the crystal ball" well what do you know it says not in the least"

She sighed" okay so maybe I don't love him anymore after all the pain and rejection he caused me I will never love him again I understand he's been through a lot because of the Uchiha clan massacre and his brother but he should have stay and let us help him" she then growl while tightening her fist" instead he chose vengeance and power but come on he's not the only one who has been through a lot I mean look at Naruto he has been through worst hell than Sasuke"

"Because of the Kyubi?" Seiryu said softly.

"Yes and….." she then gasp" what how do you know?"

"It's all right Sakura I don't hate him"

"Anyway with everything he's been through he has the right to have revenge on the village but no instead he chose to show the village that he's no monster that he's a great ninja" she didn't realize that she had tears in her eyes she dry them off not wanting to cry anymore.

Seiryu stood quiet listening to everything she was telling him.

"When Tsunadesama told me about the Kyubi I cry I have never thought Naruto had something like that inside of him and I have been asking myself over and over again how……how could he keep bringing that smile with everything that has happened to him why he wasn't like Sasuke after he lost his clan he shut himself out from everything and everyone turning himself into antisocial cold hearted jerk, but Naruto was nothing like that I just don't know his will is like it's made of iron"

"Well Sakura I'm going to clear you a doubt for good " he shake the crystal ball again" does Sasuke loves Sakura?"

She was surprised hearing this when Seiryu saw the message he show it to Sakura.

"What does it says?" Seiryu ask.

"Never" Sakura said not sounding disappointed at all.

"There you have it he never love you it's the truth"

"I already knew with everything he did to me"

"Now Sakura do you think Naruto likes you as a girlfriend?"

"I don't know I knew three years ago he like me but with the many times I rejected him I don't think he sees me that way hey but it's all right with me I guess we can stay as friends"

(You are SO wrong Sakura if you only knew how much Naruto loves you)

"So you don't think he cares for you in that way anymore and you don't like him like that am I right?"

"Yeah that's how it is anyway I appreciate what you have been trying to do Seiryu and I'm grateful but I guess we are not meant to be"

"Are you sure Sakura don't you want to give it a chance don't you want to give a chance of happiness with Naruto?"

"No it's okay well I better go thanks Seiryu" she said while entering back to the hospital.

Seiryu saw the desperation in her eyes like she was willing to take the chance but he kept quiet" HEY Sakura?"

She look back at him while opening the door to the hospital" what is it?"

He shake the crystal ball again" does Sakura loves Naruto?"

She made a frustrated sigh" thanks Seiryu but I already know the answer" she then went inside.

Seiryu saw the answer and smirk" really you know the answer then you are wrong again" he look back at the message that says definitely.

He shake the ball again" is Sakura afraid of rejection?"

The message on the ball says yes.

(I knew it she's clueless of her feelings for Naruto and she's also afraid that he might reject her looks like she took Sasuke's rejection pretty bad but she's wrong no chance in hell that Naruto will reject her this little operation is going to be tougher than I thought but I have to make plans how can I make those two get together)

He sighed while leaving the hospital unknown to him he was being from far away by a pair of byakugan eyes.

Minutes later Seiryu arrived at his new apartment he went to his room number which was mark on the key Tsunade gave him he open the door and smile at the sight. The apartment was regular in size the kitchen was small and the living room was a little big, he went to his room and it was small too but he didn't complain.

(I will have to buy a couple of decorations for the place)

He then thought about Naruto (I can't believe I was jealous of him liking Hinata I am going to get along with him like sensei thought wait a minute Hinata THAT'S IT)

He then shake his crystal ball" does Hinata loves me?"

"Seiryu" came Hinata entering his apartment

"AH" he said startle dropping the crystal ball before it show the message it felt to the ground and started rolling.

"Oh I'm sorry Seiryu I didn't mean to startle you I just met up with Tsunadesama and she told me that you are staying here is it true?"

"You bet Konoha is my permanent home from now on" he said with a smile.

"I'm so happy" she then hug him making him blush she broke the hug and smirk at him" by the way Seiryu I know you're plan to play matchmaker with Narutokun and Sakurasan"

"WHAT you do but how?" he said sounding scare.

"I have been watching you" she said with a giggle" and I want in"

"What?"

"Yeah I want to help you getting Narutokun and Sakurasan together"

"You do but I thought you….."

"Seiryu I told you I only like Narutokun as a friend"

"Okay then the two of us will be a team of matchmakers"

"Yes we'll give it our best we'll Seiryu I have to go I'll see you later" she then left the apartment while giggling.

Seiryu smile and he almost forgot about the crystal ball he pick it up to see the answer and he gasp seeing that the answer was gone.

(Oh crap I forgot that there's a time limit for the answer to remain visible I think it's ten seconds and worst of all I can't ask the same question again damn now I will never know if Hinata loves me oh well I guess there's only one way to find out)

To be continued

Looks like Seiryu and Hinata are now an official team with one important task get Naruto and Sakura together one important thing Hinata we'll meet Kiba, Shino, Chouji and Ino the same way Naruto meet them when he return from his training which is after the rescue Gaara arc which the arc begins next chapter read an review farewell.

Next chapter: the S rank mission rescue the Kazekage