A Quake in the Way of Life
Jiraiya was furious when he looked at the jounin in the meeting room of the Hokage Tower, the level of animosity that had accumulated when they were notified of Danzo's recommendation, and the pure anger at the insinuation was more than most of them could bare.
"Let me run a Chidori through his chest!" Kakashi was muttering the entire time. Like Jiraiya, he had a connection with Naruto that was borne through the boys father. And to even dare think of executing Sasuke, oh hell no!
"No, let me use his spleen for swordplay" an angered Genma said, his Chakra flaring at the thought of hurting two thirteen year olds for your political means. The other responses weren't any better. Kurenai wanted to insist on using a genjutsu form of the Tsukuyomi on the Council, while Gai was muttering about how unyouthful they were being, and that they needed to be taught a lesson.
However, what surprised him the most, was Asuma's attitude. He, more than anyone, had a closer connection to Naruto, even one that would make Genma jealous. He was there as Naruto grew up, and was there when his father trained the boy for hours on end, as he regaled the newly appointed Jounin of his "otouto's" progress.
And so it was, that a group of pissed off jounin were discussing the best way to deal with the council when the objects of their talk walked in.
Sasuke paled, and was about to turn away when Hyuuga Neji and Nara Shikamaru walked in, followed by a furious Tsunade. She looked at Jiraiya, and the audience in the office and calmed down just enough, only to see Danzo enter her office at the last second.
"Hyuuga Neji, Nara Shikamaru, Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumkai Naruto, I, Tsunade, acting Godaime Hokage of Konohagakure hereby name you Chuunin, with all the rights and responsibilities thereof. You have all shown considerable eptitude of the heaven and earth, and your help in the recent invasion has provided this village with far more resources than what would have before become avaliable. In light of recent events, I must stress upon you not to reveal too much of your hidden abilities, or they might be seen as a threat to the village.
Hyuuga Neji, the fact that you've become a Chuunin over the Head Family Member, Hyuuga Hinata means you may be in for a problem if, when, you return to the compound. in light of this situation, Hyuuga Hiashi has asked that I provide you with temporary room and board while he works on removing the Caged Bird seal from the other Branch family members of the Hyuuga Clan."
Neji looked at Gai, and clearly shook his head before looking at Naruto, and seemingly pleaded. Naruto shrugged.
"Nara Shikamaru, you have proven beyond a 'shadow' of a doubt that you are a genius in hiding, and seemingly the most brilliant strategist to come through the Ninja Academy. Due to this, you are hereby instated with the rank of Chuunin, due to your knowledge, and will be required to broaden your jutsu base.
Uchiha Sasuke, there were many who called for your execution, to be honest, due to that cursed seal you wear on your shoulder. One such person, Danzo here, has called for your head, after removing your eyes and... bestowing them upon another person. In light of this, I hereby grant you the position of Chuunin, and offer you a mission, to be taken for an extended period of three years, with Hatake Kakashi, to find information on your brother, Uchiha Itachi.
You are, if possible, to find out the reason for his betrayal of Konoha. While you are away, you will take missions in the area that you, and Kakashi, are in, that would be made simpler than sending a team out to that area.
Uzumaki Naruto, as with Uchiha Sasuke, it has been declared, by Danzo, that you are too dangerous and therefore need to be stripped of rank. However, as Hokage, I see your actions during the recent invasion as honorable, and bestow upon you the Rank of Chuunin. For your incomparable strategy ability, which while not on the level of a genius, can be more damaging, and your pure Chakra capabilities make you a worthwhile component of any team in Konoha.
With the ranking of so many to Chuunin, that means the structure of teams will change somewhat. Because you are leaving with Kakashi, Sasuke, team seven will temporability be broken. Haruno Sakura will apprentice under myself, and Inuzuka Kiba will train under his sister, Inuzuka Hana.
The rest that advanced will be placed in command of their teams. You will start missions in three weeks. Jiraiya, you will be joining the Council. Now, Kakashi, Sasuke, you are dismissed."
The two nodded and vanished in a rush of wind.
"Danzo, what remains are the top ranked Jounin, a Sannin, and the newest Chuunin in Konoha. You will address your problems with Uzumaki Naruto in front of us, and him and we will decide on the proper course of action."
The man sneered. "It's simple, Tsunade-hime, Uzumaki Naruto is a problem that needs to be stripped of his right to do any jutsu, especially his summoning jutsu! Summoning an uncontrollable Demon is downright dangerous! Not to mention completely stupid!"
His license must be revoked and he thrown in jail for keeping this a secret from the village!"
Genma stood up and said, "he didn't keep it a secret, he told those that were necessary, so that argument is unimportant. And Sandaime Hokage knew, therefore if it had been important for you to know, then he would have told you. As far as I know," he winced as his injuries flared for a moment, "the only ones that didn't know are the former teammates of the Sandaime and the rest of the council, unless you knew Hiashi-sama. Sandaime always told me you approved of Naruto."
The man smiled and said, "he did, in fact, tell me."
Danzo sneered. "If your opinion were important, Jounin, then I would have asked for it. You got beaten by a Genin for Kami sake!"
"Enough! The genin in question was the personal apprentice of Orochimaru, and medic-nin, and it was not known he was spying on Konoha, unless you know something of that, Danzo?" Tsunade said.
The man growled. Kurenai smirked as she spoke up, "And, as it stands, it took a Jinchuuriki to even lay a hand on him. Isn't that right, Naruto-kun?"
He blushed under Kurenai's praise. Jiraiya smirked. "Danzo, please, tell us how, in your old age, you would have taken care of the problem without resorting to using the villagers as protection?"
The man turned and said, "listen you brat, I may not be as young, but you Sannin are without a doubt the most coddled bunch to ever pass through training! You have a brat that thinks because her grandfather was the Shodaime Hokage that SHE is the best person to deal with this time of need!
Sarutobi was a fool, and he should have passed the position on to someone that could actually perform well in a fight. In case you've forgotten, Jiraiya, I am the only one in the village that could even lay a finger on your old Sensei!"
Shikamaru sighed, "we're off the subject." When the crowd turned to him, the genin placed his head down, and whispered, "troublesome."
"The issue is whether or not Naruto-san is a menace to Konoha. In my opinion, he isn't. In fact, if I didn't know any better, I'd think that he held the contract with the Foxes, and therefore, perfectly capable of controlling any of the summons."
Danzo sneered. "Shut up, Chuunin! Your opinion isn't wanted here."
Shikamaru sighed, and sat down on the floor. Looking at the bandaged old fool, Shikamaru said, "if my opinion wasn't wanted, Tsunade-sama would have dismissed me with Sasuke."
The woman smiled. When Danzo raised his hand to backhand the Chuunin, he was surprised to feel a vice-grip encircle his wrist. Asuma stood there, the anger completely clouding his features.
"My father was not a fool, and will not be made a fool by you, and yours, Danzo. If you cannot see that, maybe it is time for you to step down from the council!"
The man snorted, "shut up Asuma, you're no better than any of the others here, protecting this... jinchuuriki like you are."
The way he'd said Jinchuuriki alerted Naruto to the fact that Danzo didn't see him as a person, but the demon himself.
"Enough!" Tsunade again commanded. "You will quit your unjustifiable accusations, Danzo, and will quit with your prejudicial attitude, or I will have you removed. I believe if we had Naruto tell his perceptions of the fight with Sabaku no Gaara, this situation can be averted. You will, of course, Naruto, need to submit to a truth jutsu so we can verify what you say is truthful. If he does this, and it can be verified that he was truthful, Danzo, then you will have no further argument.
Do I make myself clear?"
The man sneered as if she were something on the bottom of his shoe, but nodded. Shizune, who had just entered the room ran back out. A few minutes later, Morino Ibiki came into the room, looked at Naruto and to the Hokage. "May I ask why I've been brought here to interrogate a Shinobi of Konoha?"
The woman explained the situation, and he sighed. "It'll just be easier to place him under Reverse Hypnosis, Tsunade."
The woman nodded and, as he nodded, went through the five set seal and said, "Jigyaku no Jutsu."
Naruto's eyes closed softly and his arms fell to his side, as Jiraiya caught the prior standing genin. They placed him in a chair and Danzo said, "tell us about your fight with the Sand jinchuuriki."
I met Gaara outside of the village, where he had met with the initial force of Oto-nin, and told them I was on my way. When Kyuubi first saw the ANBU and Jounin force, it shrugged them off, before behind me, a voice said, "take the Jinchuuriki alive."
At that time, I realized I had been set up, and asked why? Orochimaru wanted the Kyuubi, I was answered, and then realized that the situation had become worse than anticipated. It was then a group of ANBU arrived, and began one on one battle with the invading force, while Gaara, ran farther into the outer border of the Fire Country.
I knew my duty, and ran after him, finally reaching him, as I dispelled the Kyuubi, I knew that I needed to conserve energy until after we needed to get back to Konoha, and his chakra filled my reserves again.
Gaara was standing in the middle of the thick forest.
When I approached him, he smirked at me and said, "Uzumaki Naruto, it is time I repaid your kindness from the Waterfall, prepare to die."
Then, he attacked. The first three jutsu, Sabaku SouSou, Suna Shuriken, and another jutsu I'd never seen before, were launched in quick succession. I barely had time to dodge. When I got back up, he had changed, half of his body sand, and the other half human. His eyes were bloodshot, and one appeared to have a yellow eye with four dots, and a star in the center.
He started wheezing, and going on about how he was going to feast on my blood, and nothing I did could stop him. I'd beaten him before, and even took on his... altered state, and a summon with the Kyuubi. But... the form was completely under his control, and the Shukaku chakra was evident.
For the first time... I feared whether or not I'd be able to beat him, because I'd used the Rasengan, and other jutsu during the day, and barely had the energy to stand.
He taunted me, saying that I should only fight for myself, and not for the people of Konoha, that, that was the reason why he was as powerful as he was. And that, the first chance he got, he was going to come back to Konoha, and feast on the blood of my friends, and even those that would do me harm.
When he attacked, I was frozen, the killing intent that he was displaying so powerful I couldn't even feel my legs.
Jiraiya looked at Naruto and said, "did he say "Kanashibari no Jutsu" before you were unable to move, Naruto?"
Naruto nodded. The man sighed. "That's an original technique created by Orochimaru. It's possible that Gaara had been taught by them before."
Danzo smirked. "Well, don't let us stop you, Jinchuuriki, continue."
Naruto mumbled an "ok" in his sleep and continued. It wasn't until just before he attacked that the Kyuubi sent a burst of Chakra through my body, and I was able to move again. He explained that the technique overloaded my ability to think and that, no matter what, only two things would be able to break anyone out. A burst of Chakra like the Kyuubi gave me, or pain to counteract the senses.
I dodged just as the attack neared my face, and turned, using a Metsubou Sentou punch to try and hurt Gaara just a little bit. His sand protected him, obviously, but that was what I figured would happen."
He frowned a minute here.
Gaara's sand control before was eratic, almost like he couldn't control it, and no matter how much he tried, the Sand would act almost instinctively. This time, it seemed like he could almost control it, and used it to punch at me, a couple times connecting.
I was being wore down, I could tell, and so could he. I ran in there, almost... arrogantly, and could barely hold my Chakra together, when his sand wrapped around my lower legs, and he tried to snap them again.
Only this time, he succeeded.
Genma gasped. "Nani! Naruto, reports showed you were completely healed. When you were attacked the first time, you... it took you a week to heal!"
Naruto frowned as he was again interrupted. Danzo snorted, as if he didn't believe the boy, but was shut up by a quick burst of the Kanashibari from Jiraiya.
Kyuubi helped me, this time. He told me that the seal would allow for me to control it, and that if I opened it just a bit, that I could speed up the healing process, and that my Otousan had set it so I could open or close it as needed. I did, about half-way, and the healing chakra flowed inside of me. My leg healed in seconds.
What he didn't tell me, and what I didn't realize until it was too late, was that the further I opened the seal... the more of the Kyuubi Chakra I would absorb."
The crowd gasped as this news penetrated their minds. Danzo, still frozen from the Kanashibari wanted to say something, but was again forbidden because of the increased power Jiraiya had placed into it.
When I opened the seal, I gained three tails without meaning too, and merged parts of my body with the Kyuubi. When I channel Chakra to those parts, I can manifest physical changes, vision, hearing, reaction. Because of this, I could feel the attacks coming from Gaara, and could dodge them faster.
I dodged the next three that were thrown at me, and sent one of my own, the Suiton: Suiryuudan. It drenched so much of the sand, that it became mud. Genma-sensei can confirm that Water Jutsu are my worst element, and that I have hardly no control, but because of the increase in my Chakra, well... the water that came out was my strongest yet.
Gaara got mad at this point, and used a new technique called, the Sabaku Taisou. A wall of chakra crashed down on me, and I responded with the Koukaku that my kaasan passed to me. It was barely enough. The sand compressed me so hard, that I could barely move, and then got harder. It hardened, and I could... feel the killing intent the sand had.
Chakra burst out of me, at this point, and I scattered the sand that was compressing me. Then I drew a kunai and threw it, and used the Hiraishin no Jutsu to get out of the sand, before it came and crashed on me again. When I hit back on the ground, Gaara was holding his head, as if he were in pain.
It was then I realized that Gaara was being controled by Shukaku to the point that he had no self-will.
Then he looked at me again, and the Sand had covered the rest of his upper body. I knew that if I didn't do something soon... the sand would completely cover Gaara, and I'd have to resort to more drastic measures.
He blushed at this point, and said something that chilled Genma, I must apologize to Genma-sensei. I had a thought before the Third Round to get a Technique that would make me look like an idiot, that had the potential to humiliate a person, and went to Kakashi-san.
I wrapped an explosive note around a Kunai at this point, and used Kage Bunshin to get around to his backside... and used the Konohagakure Hiden: Taijutsu no Ougi: Sennen Goroshi."
Jiraiya looked at Naruto and snickered. The... the visualization of that in his mind was so powerful that he couldn't help but want to see it.
"It worked, and the next thing I know, Gaara had lost a lot of the sand that was covering him. It didn't last that long, though. It was enough though for me to pierce his Suna no Yoroi with the Naruto Ninpoucho: Shihou Hapou Shuriken No Maki which is basically a Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu and a lot of Shuriken.
Gaara didn't like that, but I could see a bit of blood coming from him, and knew that I'd done some damage, though I didn't know how much. It probably would have been better at this point to end things, but I figured that the Village couldn't be doing any better. That's when I felt something come from the Village that got the Kyuubi wound up. I knew that I had to end things soon, but because I was distracted, Gaara had used his sand to cover himself again.
He ran at me, and I dodged again, only to miss his newly formed tail come and grab me at the neck. It raised me off the ground, and I wished for nothing more than to get out.
When a tail protruded from my backside, I didn't know what to believe. It wasn't a tail like Gaara's, artificial, but real.
It was one of those physicial changes that only I would be able to use. I used that new tail to pry myself lose and shot a Fire Jutsu that I'd been working on using straight into Gaara's chest. He didn't like the Katon: Dekitate Houkakyanon no Jutsu very much, especially since his chest was covered in a huge burn, but got back up and shot a Sabaku Ryuu at me.
It connected a minute later, of course, because I was distracted, again, by one of the Oto-nin that tried to grab me. I got out this time with a Rasengan and ran, tired and irritated. A minute later, I connected with Gaara's head and sent him flying.
He stood up, and ran at me, going through a lot of fast seals, and sent a Wind jutsu at me, the Ninpou Fuusajin. I got hit, but it didn't take long for those to heal, and went through a fast set of seals myself, intent on finishing it.
Genma-sensei, the jutsu I used next made Kyuubi very entertained. The Raiton: Ku Bakufuu hit him squarely nine times, and he fell. When the shinobi from Sound realized that Gaara was knocked out, they immediately came after me, but I had to get back. Kyuubi was irritated and wouldn't take no for an answer.
So... I summoned him. He still had his nine tails, and told me that in this form, he could draw Chakra to replenish what he lost, and that each time I drew from him, that I would eventually gain enough from him to actually present a challenge.
Then, the Konoha ANBU left dropped to the ground as Kyuubi dealt with the Oto-nin. Kyuubi gave a yell of victory, I picked Gaara up, and we raced back to Konoha, just to see a tag being placed in my Otousan's head, and Orochimaru laugh. Kyuubi begged to be let loose and I agreed. He ran towards Otousan, and they fought."
"That's enough Naruto, we know the rest of that story. Now, tell us about your fight with Kabuto."
Naruto nodded. "Well, I saw Genma-sensei hurt, and on instinct threw a Kunai over there, using the Hiraishin. By this time, Kyuubi had been sent back and told me that Kabuto smelled like Orochimaru. So... I did what I had to. I... I flowed Chakra throughout my body, and manifested the physical changes that before had only been genjutsu. After that... I blacked out, and don't remember much.
I remember waking up right after he was sent into that hole, and used my newest jutsu, the Baruda-Bomu Renda.
Tsunade nodded to Ibiki and the man said, "Kai!"
Naruto looked at the people and said, "can you tell me if you recovered his body?"
Tsunade said, "No, we didn't . We found limbs, and knew that he'd definately been hurt, but I felt the presense of medical chakra, and knew that he'd started the process of self-healing, and probably regeneration.
Naruto, make no mistake, Kabuto is dangerous. Danzo, I believe that we've successfully proven that Naruto is safe to us. You are dismissed."
The man sneered and turned, glaring at Naruto.
"Alright, Naruto, I agree that you did what was needed. Why didn't you kill Gaara?"
"Because... I think I helped him. He... he had been hurt since early in life, and was used to only fighting for himself. I... I reached out to him, Tsunade-sama. I told him that it was alright to be different, as long as you helped those precious to you. Where is he, can I talk to him?"
The woman shook her head, "no, his sister and brother picked him up right after the Kyuubi was defeated and they fled, I can only assume they're back in Sunagakure.
Alright, I believe you Naruto. You served Konoha well.
As it is, however, there is information that I need to give to the Jounin, so I need you, Shikamaru and Neji to leave... dismissed!"
They nodded and left. Naruto smiled as they entered the quite atmosphere of Konoha and said, "Want Ramen?"
Neji nodded and, Shikamaru said, "yes. Are you paying?"
Naruto nodded.
"Naruto-san, I honestly believe that Hiashi-sama is truly happy for me, because I did what I had to, and played a large part in the Suna-Oto invasion plot. It is the other members of the Head Branch, and Hinata-sama herself. I am afraid they will attack me, as is Hiashi-sama. I... I just wanted to thank you for allowing me to stay at your place of residence."
Naruto shrugged.
Next Day
There was a big difference in the atmosphere, Naruto noticed, as he looked up and down the street. The glares were intense, and it seemed that people he'd literally known for his entire life were suddenly his most hated enemies. Luckily, the Jounin of the Village were still his friends, and had once, saved his life from an angry mob, Ibiki even going so far as to threaten them with bodily harm.
Neji, it seemed, was even worse off. More than once he'd complained of headaches, and the glares coming from the Main Branch of the Hyuuga Clan were made worse with the Byakugan.
In between the two of them, a young genin-to-be stood with his head held high. His name was Konohamaru, and he was the grandson of the Sandaime Hokage. He was the honorable Grandson. The fact that he was talking with, "that demon child" as the village had started to call Naruto, was only held by the belief that he had neglected to tell the honorable grandson the truth.
Danzo, the one that had leaked that information, made sure to tell everyone that the "honored grandson" did not know, and if someone were to tell him, the child would, naturally, run.
"Stay away from the Honorable Grandson, Demon-Child!" a well-known and respected villager called, throwing a tomato at Naruto. He slightly smiled, and looked at Konohamaru, who threw a Kunai at the man and said, "My name is Konohamaru! And Naruto-niisan was trained by my oyaji-san!"
The crowd paled, and then backed in fear as a shadow covered the two Chuunin and genin-to-be. The tomato that had been dodged had hit a black haired woman, holding a pig, and known to be the personal apprentice of the Godaime Hokage.
Naruto had only seen Shizune one time, and had yet too see anything bad about the Jounin-level, if not ranked, woman. So, when she handed the pig to Naruto, and created a set of heavy seals, the crowd backed in horror.
"I demand to know who told you about Naruto-kun!"
A man in the back, holding the hand of his daughter in one, and in the other a spoon, said, "It was Danzo. He came out and started the rumor about Naruto-kun. Personally, I don't care if he is a Jinchuuriki, like Danzo said, as long as he eats my ramen! Anyone that likes Ramen is a good guy!"
The crowed looked at the man in disgust before Shizune said, "I am Shizune, the assistant of the Godaime Hokage, and I will tell you know that Naruto-kun has not deserved your disrespect, in fact, he defeated a Jounin-level Oto-nin by himself, and defeated Sabaku no Gaara. The Council has the account, under Morino Ibiki no less. If I see this level of disrespect, I will let Tsunade-sama know!"
Naruto sighed and said, "Sandaime-sensei told me this was the reason he didn't want anyone knowing. He said that no one would give me a chance, and now I'm seeing what Gaara went through for the years before he became a Suna-nin. And... I've shopped in each of the shops on this street before, I've been to many of your houses to eat, and not once have I made trouble.
I... I am disappointed that you would so easily forget the sacrifice, and the pain that I went through before I found out that my father was the Yondaime Hokage... I still remember the disbelief, and absolute hatred that I was given because I dared even exist... as a child... when the Yondaime was dead.
When... when have I ever been anything more than good to any of you?"
The crowd stepped back in horror as Naruto looked up at them, pain showing in his eyes the first time as Hyuuga Neji, noticed for the first time, stepped forward and said, "I find it most dishonorable that anyone in the Hyuuga Clan would condone this level of animosity, when I know for a fact, that Hiashi-sama has been one of Naruto-san's closest friends."
The Hyuuga in the audience shifed slightly and, other than the slight ache of his caged bird seal, Neji turned away from Naruto as Shizune took TonTon and said, "come, Naruto-kun, Tsunade-sama has need of the new Chuunin at a Chuunin/Jounin meeting... I was sent here to get you."
Naruto, looking at Neji, thanked her and said, "Konohamaru... go to Ichiraku... and talk to Ayame-chan about a bowl of Miso Ramen...
The boy nodded and, as Ayame held out her hand to the grief-striken genin-to-be, Naruto felt his heart ache at the pain the boy must be going through.
They disappeared as soon as he was out of sight.
Hokage Tower
"Alright, right on time... well except for Kakashi. First, I would like to welcome our newest Chuunin to the group. Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Nara Shikamaru, and Hyuuga Neji all proved themselves loyal to Konoha to a greater extent than I could have asked.
Now after this meeting, Uchiha Sasuke will be leaving on a three-year training mission with Hatake Kakashi, therefore new Ranking Jounin is Maito Gai."
"YOSH!"
"The ranking structure, therefore, remains the same, though any mission where you cross paths with Kakashi, he will be ranking Jounin. ANBU recruitment is up this year, with fifteen new ANBU filling the open positions, and seven more to that, making a grand total of fifty ANBU, the highest allowed number at this point in time.
Now, as you have undoubtedly already guessed, because of certain problems that have arisen lately the Suna/Konoha alliance is terminated. This is a problem, because they were our only ally among the five elemental nations. Because of the amount of damage we have sustained, Konoha is in trouble. We need to keep the appearance, however, of running smoothly. So, from now until I say otherwise, every Chuunin and Genin are hereby called from active duty and will be staying around Konoha until we can clear up this problem.
Jounin and ANBU, you are to take missions, no matter how small. The Chuunin will be overseeing the construction, therefore cannot take the C-Ranked Missions that are required of them, and construction of the town will cover any D-Ranked missions that come in. Therefore, we will need to restructure the new Chuunin Cells. To make things simpler on the new Chuunin, you are hereby banded as New Chuunin Cell 15.
Now, because of their attack on Konoha, Sunagakure is also in a bad state. While we were under attack, Sunagakure Elder Chiyo found the decayed body of the Kazekage. While this could be a trap, Chiyo is a Medic-nin as myself, and as such, has the honor to tell the truth in these matters. She has, personally, requested aid from Konohagakure, and also sends her thanks to you, Naruto, for helping Gaara. It seems your actions against him worked like you had hoped."
Kakashi, who had arrived a few minutes ago, said, "anosa, Hokage-sama."
She looked at Kakashi and said, "hai?"
"I was wondering... ano... whether you would be sending Sasuke and myself mission details, since we're sending bi-weekly reports. If so, we could take care of most of those missions, and keep most of the Jounin within a few day's travel to Konoha?"
She nodded. "Hai, we will be doing that. Alright, I need volunteers for the Suna request."
Two newly instated Jounin stood and said they would go, and she nodded. They sat down, having been aknowledged. "Yosh! Now, onto the last matter. As the Jounin know, three days ago, Village Elder Danzo came with a request to execute and jail two of the new Jounin in our group. He then, after it had been established that there were no cause for concern from either of these chuunin, spread a rumor around Konohagakure.
As you know, I have forbidden this knowledge and will enforce this to the strongest of my ability. I will not have two Shinobi of Konoha persecuted, or ridiculed, for using everything at their disposal to protect us, as long as it's voluntary."
Here she looked at Uchiha Sasuke, and he nodded, wincing as he touched his shoulder slightly.
"Or under complete control."
Here, she looked at Naruto. He nodded. "Now, I would like to say, if I see or hear of any Chuunin or above instigating this rumor, or helping in the persecution of any Shinobi, you'll be fined and jailed."
The shinobi gasped. "I am also making it forbidden to even broach the subject to any non-Shinobi of the village. If you hear Danzo, or any other Council member discussing this, or spreading rumors, you are to charge them with treason.
Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Nara Shikamaru, Hyuuga Neji, Hatake Kakashi, Shurenai Genma, Sarutobi Asuma, and Maito Gai, you are all to stay. Everyone dismissed!"
The other Shinobi scattered, while Jiraiya dropped from the top. Her fist collided with his face a moment later, and he said, "Ohayo Tsunade-Hime!"
She growled but said, "you're on time. Good. I am pleasantly surprised. Now, for the next six weeks, Hyuuga Neji, Nara Shikamaru, Uzumaki Naruto, you three are to assist in the reconstruction of Konoha. It will be your job to make sure the builders are doing their job correctly, and properly. Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Sasuke, you are to leave post haste to your training mission, after I dismiss you!
Dismissed!"
They disappeared. She smirked. "During this time, Gai, Genma, Asuma, you are to train your Genin to act as a team, and then separate them into teams of three. This will free up the new Chuunin to work with you, Jiraiya, on getting stronger.
You will also, when the next six weeks are up, start on C-Ranked and B-Ranked missions, where your skills will be needed. Chuunin, Dismissed!"
They nodded and each of them disappeared in their own way.
Outside
"It's troublesome, but I can't say that I'm surprised. Chuunin can do D-ranked missions, but can also act in case of attack." Shikamaru said. "Just... don't be so troublesome."
Neji sighed. "We will not, but I wonder whether things will get better."
"They almost certainly have too" Shino said, coming towards the group. "My bugs are growing less anxious."
They nodded as another said, "but... are we ready for what is to come?"
They looked at each other and sighed, as the rest of the Rookie Genin came to join their respective group leaders.
Naruto, who was held as the leader of the new Chuunin, threw out his arm and said, "YOSH!"
With that, they scattered.
End Chapter: End Arc one
A/N: Yosh! This ends the first arc, which instead of ending with the "Sasuke-retrieval" arc, shows the change from "Canon" Naruto to "AU" Naruto.
Also, this FanFiction is special to me because I've finally broken 100,000 words, something I've neglected to do on any other FanFiction I've ever written, in a lesser amount of time. Thank you!
Thank you! Ja ne, William!