A/N thanks for the reviews guys. Sultry it is somewhat of a panic attack. It's partly from being close to his goal and mainly due to his insecurities. He still fears the rejection of Hayate and Chun.

He also fears the rejection of his friends. This is due to him never having friends or anyone to care about him before becoming a ninja.

Naruto's POV

The pain in his chest slightly receded when they reached a gate. Behind it was a giant forest. He had his right hand inside his jacket rubbing at the spot. He pretended not to notice the looks the two teams were giving him.

They all stood around the front of the gate as the proctor said," All right you maggots this is the Forest of Death. You will spend the next five days in this forest. Each team will be given one of two scrolls. You are to find the second scroll and make your way to the tower at the middle of the Forest before the end of the five days. You have to arrive there with both scroll and all of your teammates to pass. You will not like the consequences of looking at the scroll before then."

In other words if they looked at the scroll or didn't make it to the tower they failed. That also meant only half of teams would make it at best. She never said they couldn't gather more scrolls. The minimum was a pair. It would probably be in their best interest to take as many as they could. It would cut down on the competition for later.

His attention was drawn away from the proctor as he felt Sien move. The wolf said," Be careful kid. That red haired guy is here. Not just that but someone is here that shouldn't be. They feel extremely powerful like the Sanin woman did."

He asked carefully," Are you sure, Sien? There's only two other Sanins."

Sien growled out," Positive. He's the snake summoner. I can smell the darkness inside him."

Naruto discreetly tried to search the crowd of genin. He didn't see anyone that looked like they could be a Sanin. Then again not much was known about Orchimaru. At least not to a genin like himself. For now they would have to watch and wait. He would have to let the others know about such a dangerous guy being here.

Anko continued oblivious to one genin's sudden tension," I also need everyone to sign one of these waivers. Its to say that if you die out there we aren't liable for you. In an hour you will hand them over and get your scrolls."

With that said she began to hand out the waivers. Naruto led the two teams away from the others. Once they were far enough away from the other teams they sat in a circle. This allowed them to have all their backs covered.

He said tiredly," There's something I need to tell you. Kiba, Hinata, you only know one part of my secret. Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, there is something none of you were told. You remember the story of the nine tailed fox?"

They each nodded. He continue," The fox wasn't killed. It was sealed within a newborn child."

Shikamaru's eyes widened as he worked through it. The others looked confused though. He said fearing their reactions," I was that child. Inside me below a powerful seal is the Nine Tailed Fox."

Shikamaru said," That's why you have so much chakra. That's why the adults treat you like you don't exist. Why are you telling us this?"

He said not meeting his first friend's eyes," Because my team knows and I trust you guys with my life. There is also something else i haven't told anyone. Not even Hayate sensei."

Now that had them even more shocked. Everyone has sat in on at least one of their trainings. They had seen how much he adored the older man. So for him to keep this an absolute secret it must be worse than the nine tails.

He took a deep breath and said," It was thanks to this secret i was able to save Hayate. What it means to be a vessel of two. I have met two others like me. Chun is one of them and the man from the restaurant is another. We are known as guardians. I am the vessel to the guardian of the forest. His name is Sien and is a giant black wolf."

Shikamaru asked confused," Guardians? Naruto I have never heard of them? Are you sure you have it right?"

Before he could answer thought Kiba said," You wouldn't have heard of them Shikamaru. They are things of legend. In the Inuzaka clan archives there is a book of fairy tales. I read it once. There are five guardians. Forest, mountain, sky, desert, and ocean. The most powerful being the guardian of the forest. It is said that takes all four of the other guardians working together to bring down the one of the forest. That's all I remember off the top of my head."

It was Hinata who spoke up next in a small but confident voice," Our clans gentle fist technique is derived from a guardians technique. It's nowhere near as dangerous as theirs, though. It is said that the original technique could destroy the body from the inside without leaving a mark on the outside..."

Naruto said softly," The inner strike technique."

She nodded wondering how he knew that. He moved toward a nearby tree and pulled his arm back. He focused his chakra so that it moved in time with his movement. When his fist hit the tree the trunk exploded bringing down the entire tree. Luckily they were far enough away from the other genin's not to notice.

When he turned back everyone had shocked looks on their faces. He said tiredly," Without knowing what it would do to him i almost used this on Sasuke. Chun didn't tell me what it would do to someone. It's the reason I don't use it very often. I have enough control now that I could use a lesser form and only break a few ribs."

Hinata said thinking it over," It was said that the guardians were created when the ninja and Murim world last collided. I always thought that the Murim were a myth."

Naruto shuddered as he said," As we aren't neither are they. According to Chun sensei most are just as powerful as high level Chunin to even Hokage level depending on the clan."

He had been given a basic run down of the clans of Murim. If their techniques were anything to go by it would end badly if they were to go to war again. Luckily there was a barrier separating the two. Only with special permission or being a guardian could one pass. He knew when Chun came back he would have a decision to make.

Chun wanted him to spend at least a year in the Murim world training. It would mean being away from the village for a long time. He didn't know if he could do it. Still he had at least a few months before he had to make the decision.

Kiba said looking at him in a new lighy," I'm glad your on side, Naruto. But what was the point of telling us this?"

He said looking at them and rubbing the back of his neck," Sien is different from the fox. He has been helping me by giving me clues and warning me of dangers. You all know about the Sanin. Well somewhere in this group of genins is the Legendary Sanin Orchimaru."

Everyone's face went from excited to pale. They had heard of Naruto's fight with Tsunade and she beat the living hell out of him. If it hadn't been for the one attack agreement he would have lost.

Shikarmaru said," Then we will need to avoid him at all costs. Naruto maybe you should go to the proctor and tell her."

Naruto shook his head and said," Tell her that i sense a legendary Sanin. Someone that no one else noticed. She would think I was crazy Shikamaru. I don't have any proof or any idea which person it could be."

His friend said closing his eyes," Your right. We need to be careful during this exam. No one goes off on their own. No running into battle without a plan."

The others nodded. No one could argue with the tactical genius on this. No one wanted to face a Sanin alone or otherwise.

It was an hour later when Naruto and Shikamaru took up their teams waivers. They were given a Heaven and Earth scroll. So together they had one complete set. Shikamaru gave him his team's scroll so that he could make a copy of it. He was the best out of the six genin's at making seals.

They made their way to gate 7 and team 10 went to gate eight. Naruto's team would make their way to Shikamaru's. This was because Kiba was their tracker and Shikamaru didn't have one.

Hayate's POV

It was five days before the start of the third Chunin exam. He was pacing the grounds around the academy. He had seen Naruto's team come out along with team 10. His student didn't seem him but he got a good look at the boy.

He didn't miss the way the boy was clutching the shirt at his heart. He thought worriedly,: Not now. Don't have one of your attacks.:

He could only hope that his friends would be able to help Naruto. He was worried about how the Chunin exams would affect him. He wouldn't even get to see him again until the third Chunin exam. If he made it that far.

:No.: he shook his head. He couldn't think like that. Naruto could make it to the third Chunin exam. Especially since the boy started learning one handed jutsu. He couldn't wait to see the surprised looks on the other examinees faces when he used it.

Naruto's POV

They were running through the forest. It had only been ten minutes since the start of the second exam. Kiba had caught team 10 scent trail. They weren't far behind the other team. The forest was huge and it would be nearly impossible to find their friends without Kiba.

After another two minutes they were able to catch up. Shikamaru said over his shoulder," Good of you to catch up. Hinata check to see if we have anyone coming up on us. Naruto send clones out to as scouts."

Naruto brought up a single hand and focused like Hayate had taught him. He said," Shadow Clone jutsu."

A large plume of smoke appeared around them. When it cleared there were ten clones. Kiba whistled in surprise. It was difficult to use on handed jutsu but with enough control and the right teacher most can learn it. He had to learn how to in order to learn Dance of the Crescent Moon.

He sent the clones out to scout ahead of them. Hinata said looking staring out ahead of them," We have a team out ahead of us. Two hundred yards."

Shikamaru said motioning for them to fan out," My team will prepare a trap them. Naruto your team will attack them and lead them to the trap."

Naruto nodded and they split up. He took a position in the trees closest to the enemy team. Kiba was ten meters across from him. Hinata was five meters to his left. The enemy team was from the village hidden in the mist. Time to play the part of number one knuckleheaded ninja of the hidden leaf.

He jumped down to face them and said," You might as well give me your scroll unless you want to get your ass kicked."

The team looked at each other and one said," That's one of the rookies. You think you can beat us brat?"

Naruto grinned and said," Well yeah. After all one day im going to be Hokage."

He could see a twitch of anger in the leader's face. Let them underestimate him. It would just make things easier for him in the long run. His team jumped down to the forest floor with him.

Kiba faked yelled angrily at him," Naruto stop running off all the time! We don't even know if these guys have the scroll looking! Ugh your such an idiot."

Hinata just stayed quiet watching their opponents. They looked annoyed at the two arguing genin. Naruto was waiting for the group to attack them. Like he expected they attacked him. Naruto jumped. He then blocked an attack by the same person. Kiba and Hinata attacked with the other two.

Naruto had the leader as his opponent. He let the man keep coming at him playing like a weakling. He wasn't weak by any standards and hadn't been for a long time. He blocked the taijutsu that the rain ninja came at him with. It was boring to him but gave a good idea about their skill. It wasn't an impressive amount of skill only slightly better than academy level.

He led his man straight to where Shikamaru was waiting to grab him in a shadow possession. Like planned the other boy froze as the jutsu completed.

He turned to aid Hinata only to hear her say," Eight triagrams 64 palms," she hit his chakra points expertly in time with her saying," 2 palms, four palms, eight palms, sixteen palms, thirty Two palms. Sixty four palms!"

He smiled faintly. She had finally done it. Her opponent went down and stayed down. They both looked to Kiba who had knocked down a line of trees. Fang over fang. What a dangerous technique. They searched each of the three ninjas pulling out their scroll.

Naruto found it on his opponent. Once he had it he knocked the genin out. It was a heaven scroll. Well that was one down. Only one left to go.

Shikamaru said as he came over," Well done. Now we only need one more for two complete sets."

Naruto nodded with a faint smile. They were one step closer to completing the second exam. Still he felt a sense of unease. He had to wonder if it was because of who shared the forest with them.

Chun's POV

He sat in a room with several others. A blond haired man with a sword on his hip sat to his left. To the left of him sat the mountain of the Black Forest Defense Group. Even for him it would take all he had to bring him down. Those two together were nearly impossible to beat.

To his right sat unfamiliar members of the Black Forest Defense Group. It had been a few years since he last appeared at a meeting. He was a member but only did occasional missions. He felt guilty about leaving his disciple alone to face the exams but he had to come.

The door across from the table opened revealing a dark haired woman. She grinned at him and he had to force himself not groan. It was Shiho. They had worked together on missions before but he couldn't stand her. She always got in the way of his extracurricular activities. She made the others around him move so that she sat next to him.

The next time the door opened an old man walked in. They all gained their feet out of respect for the man. Kaiser leader of the Black Forest Defense Group. The old man looked around the room taking in everyone who had arrived.

He said nodding in approval," Welcome all. Goomoonryong it has been awhile since you have attended a meeting. Do you have any news?"

Chun said rubbing his eyes tiredly," I have spent most of my time the last two months in the Elemental Counties. An old friend of mine was seriously ill. He is better now and has even taken a student."

Takeshi asked looking at him," Your swordman friend, Goomoonryong?"

Chun said nodding," Yes. Hayate is better now."

The blond man nodded but didn't say anything else. Their eyes turned to Kaiser. Kaiser said motioning for everyone to sit," Everyone take your seats. We have much to discuss."

Chun sat as did everyone else. Kaiser said a screen coming down behind him and showed a picture," This is the head of the Sun Woo clan. She is currently being held as a hostage by the Martial Arts Alliance. In six months time she will be in Sosul. I need a team to be in place to retrieve her when we get an opening. Goomoonryong I would prefer you to be on this team."

Chun sat back to think on it. On one hand it would be good to get back in the fold of doing things. Ever since he left to visit Hayate he knew the others were doubting he would come back. On the other hand he had a disciple to train. Then again Naruto needed to be introduced to how things work in the Murim world. Things were much more blood thirsty here than in the Elemental Counties. You either were strong or you served the strong.

He said finally," I'll do it. I must return to the Elemental Counties in little more than a month's time. When i return I'll likely be bringing back a student with me."

That had everyone's attention completely on him. Takeshi let out a sharp whistle as he said," Oh boy your finally settling in. Never thought I would see the day when you would get yourself a disciple, Goomoonryong."

Chun shrugged and gave a bored yawn," The kid is good. He already used inner ki strike like no tomorrow. He can control the power of the strike to kill or not depending on the situation. I showed him the basic foot techniques before I left. So he's probably trying to figure out how to use them."

:And failing.: he thought with a snarky smile. Naruto was a good student but only seeing foot techniques once wouldn't do him any good. It took years to learn the techniques to properly use them.

He said to Takeshi," He's learning the way of the sword. Maybe you could take him under your wing hmmm?"

Takeshi snorted and said," Nah I don't need a disciple, Goomoonryong. Besides he's already your student."

Too bad their personalities were compatible. Kaiser said interrupting their conversation," That is acceptable, Goomoonryong. Be sure to allow me to meet the your disciple when you return. You must be back before the six months are up. With or without your disciple. Now onto our other operations."