Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and only use it for entertainment purposes.
Tsunade was reading through the results of the latest Chunin Exam that took place in Kiri not more than two weeks ago. Three Konoha Gennins made it to the Finals, Hyuuga Neji, Rock Lee and Akimichi Chouji. Considering only two teams went this time it was rather impressive. What was more impressive was that both Rock Lee and Hyuuga Neji passed the Chunin Exam. She found herself with more than a little pride at the news, both were close friends of her Son and both had been patients under her care not more than a few months ago. She was especially impressed with Rock Lee's performance, his training with that Youkai really paid off in his ability to deal with Genjutsus. Before his operation and subsequent increase to his chakra system Lee's primary weakness was his susceptibility to Genjutsu, he could fight just about anyone in Taijutsu and dodge most Ninjutsu. With the training and the addition to his fighting style Lee proved himself worthy of the Chunin rank.
Thoughts of the new Chunins brought back memories of the last few months since she Naruto left on his training journey. The former Rookies Gennins, they could not be Rookies because of how long they had been shinobi, and Gai's team were all progressing in skill and power. And while only Gai's Team and the reformed Asuma Team, consisting of Chouji, Ino, Kiba, were allowed to go to the Chunin Exam it was easy for anyone to see that were the most talented graduates in many years. In fact the only real down side to the current up incoming shinobi was Uchiha Sasuke.
Sasuke had calmed down enough to be released from his cell but was put on suspension for over a year and he would not be allowed to do any kind of mission in or out of the village. She had him under constant Anbu watch and according reports she was given by the Anbu he would only leave his home to buy groceries and would train inside his property. When Kakashi was not on missions he would stop in and see how his student was doing. According to Kakashi, Sasuke still somewhat resented the fact that he was being treated like he was, but he was making progress. She was also informed that Sasuke did not take any visitors, not that there were a lot to begin with. In fact the only people that actually came around were his Teammate Sakura, even though he never let her in.
"I wonder how Naruto is doing," Tsunade thought. All this thinking about the not too recent past made her think about him. Even though as a leader and kunochi she understood the need for Naruto to be taken away from the village to become stronger, the part of her that was mother that just recently been reawakened felt horrible that she was not with her son. "I just hope the pervert Jiraiya doesn't corrupt him. I couldn't stand the fact to see that."
The door to the office opened up and Tsunade walked in with more paperwork, "Here are some more reports for you to look over Tsunade-sama."
"Great more paperwork," Tsunade said with obvious sarcasm. "And Naruto wants this job," she mused looking over the top sheet. "Maybe I'll just give him the job as soon as he gets back, then again what kind of mother would I be if I subjected him to this kind of torture."
"Miss him don't you," Shizune pointed out the obvious.
"Of course I do," Tsunade said with a sad voice. "I just get him back in my life and he had to leave."
"He'll be back soon Tsunade-sama," Shizune assured her mentor and friend.
"I hope you're right Shizune," Tsunade said. She started to look through pile once more and frowned, "All this talk has me depressed. I can't concentrate on all of this I need a drink." And before Shizune could protest Tsunade was already out the door heading to the best bar in Konoha.
At their usual training grounds Gai's team were having a small celebration with their friends from Kiri who had come back with them from the Chunin Exam. Currently the only one of the group that was not wearing a Chunin vest was Tenten. Yuki passed after showing great tactical skills against a fellow shinobi from Kiri. Tenten was a bit upset that she was the only one, besides Naruto, that was not a Chunin. "Next time I see that Temari I'm going to cut her arms off," Tenten said to herself. She faced the fan wielding Suna-nin in a preliminary match and lost, though just barely. It irked Tenten a great deal that she was once again denied even getting to the Finals.
"Don't worry Tenten-san," Sora responded, "You'll get yours next time."
"YES YOU'RE FLAMING YOUTH WILL BURN AS A BEACON FOR THE JUDGES AT THE NEXT EXAM!" shouted Lee. With his new vest he was almost the exact duplicate of Gai, it made the creepiness of their rants even creepier than before.
"Thanks Lee," Tenten said with a sigh. "But come on we're hear to celebrate you're promotion not mope about me being the only one not being a Chunin."
"Well not the only one," Yuki commented causing the rest to frown a bit. When the friends joined up in Kiri several weeks ago Neji, Lee and Tenten informed them of Naruto's departure from the village for an unspecified duration for a training trip. They wee disappointed they would not see their blonde friend. The one that was the most upset was actually Yuki. The two had shared a common past and formed a fast friendship during their time together. In fact some people often thought it was slightly more than friendship. "I wonder how Naruto is doing?"
"I would not worry about him," Neji said. "When he gets back he will probably be stronger than we can believe. He is training with Jiraiya-sama after all."
Then others nodded understanding what Neji was saying. Sora wanting to change the subject asked, "So Yuki what have you been doing since you became Noza-sensei's official apprentice?"
Yuki smiled at the question, "Well he gave me a new sword." She paused and took a long dual edged sword off her back. "He said it was his before he got his official sword, Suisho Yaiba (Crystal Edge), as a member of the Seven Swordsman. He says it'll be perfect for the new sword style that I'll be learning."
"And what's the sword style?" Lee asked.
"He hasn't told me the name yet but he said it was very old," Yuki answered. "It requires fast, piercing strikes that are designed to get around an opponents defenses."
"Sounds like it's opposite to that of Naruto's Omega Style Kenjutsu," Neji commented.
"That's what I said," Yuki replied, "Noza-sensei did not say anything about it though." After a brief period of silence Yuki asked, "What about you Neji what are you going to do now that you're a Chunin?"
"I have already been taken as Hiashi-sama's apprentice," Neji said. "He will be continuing my training and I will assisting him in helping Hinata-sama and Hanabi-sama."
"How is Hinata doing?" Sora asked.
"She is doing well," Neji replied, "Though she is actually a bit disappointed that she was not able to go to Kiri."
"Well with the team restructuring Tsunade-sama probably felt she needed to get used to her teammates before attending a Chunin Exam," Tenten explained.
"I'll be continuing my training under Gai-sensei!" Lee proudly proclaimed.
"We know Lee," the others said at the same time.
"You've been a Chunin for months now," Tenten said to Sora, "What's it like?"
"It's quite a bit different from being a Gennin," Sora answered. "For one you get a lot better missions. The average is middle to upper C-Rank and the occasional B-Rank. Next you don't stick with the same team all the time, you get switched around a lot."
"Have you gone on any official B-Rank yet?" Neji asked.
"Only two," Yuki said. "First one we encountered a couple of Chunin level Oto-nins the second one a Jounin level Missing-nin from Konoha actually."
"I remember Gai-sensei mentioning something about a Konoha Missing-nin's head coming in a few weeks after we left for Kiri," Lee commented.
"That was probably the one we took care of," Sora said. "A little word of advice to you three," she said looking at Neji, Lee and Yuki, "If you are forced to get gate duty, try to get the day shift. Gate duty is really boring work, the only up side is that occasionally you meet some interesting people in the caravans but that only happens during the day. Night time is the worst."
"Thanks for the advise Sora," Yuki nodded. She really did not like standing around for long periods of time and from what her friend said that's all a Gate Guard really does. Yuki then looked at the sky, Sora's statement about nighttime reminder her that foreign shinobi are not allowed to wander around at night so she decided to check the time. "It looks like it's getting late, we should be getting back to our hotel room."
The others looked up and nodded in agreement. "I guess we'll see you later then," Sora said preparing to leave.
"Yeah," Lee said. "When are you two returning to Kiri?"
"Not until the end of the week," Yuki said. "We'll be traveling with a couple of merchants that are going to Kiri and we'll be their protection for the journey."
"I will not be able to see you for the rest of the week then," Neji announced. "Haishi-sama wants to increase me to supervise Hinata-sama's training schedule this week because he will be attending various meetings for the council."
"That's fine Neji," Sora said starting to walk off. "We understand." Yuki nodded as she and her fellow Kiri-nin left the area for the evening.
In another part of the village Kakashi was torn between joy and sadness. Joy because he was reading the latest issue of Icha Icha Paradise. Jiraiya had completed his latest volume just before he left with Naruto and it just came out from the publishers. And sadness because this would be the last issue of his favorite reading material for many months. "I can't wait for the next issue," Kakashi thought. "I hope there is not another cliff hanger like the last issue. I still can't believe Yoshi was able to convince the twins to do that." Thinking about that particular scene caused Kakashi to let out a perverted giggle.
"Don't tell me you're reading that smut again?" a familiar female voice came from his right. Kakashi lowered his book and confirmed what his ears were telling him, Kurenai was leaning against the wall of a near by shop with a frown of disgust on her face. "I still can't believe you read those books in public."
Kakashi smiled under his mask putting his book away, "So how is you new team shaping up?"
"Hinata is coming along well," Kurenai informed, "Sakura seems to be progressing well in her medical studies and that new kid from the reserve list is a little behind after being inactive for so long." Her face turned rather serious, "How's Uchiha doing?"
"Still a bit stubborn," Kakashi answered honestly. "Understands why he's being punished but thinks the duration of time is unfair." Kakashi then shook his head, "The Seals Jiraiya made over the Curse Seal are holding rather well. I think I've convinced him that the Curse Seal will do nothing but make him weaker in the long run."
"That's good," Kurenai said. "At least there is some good news coming from him. Hopefully he'll wake up a bit more and actually do his Clan proud." Kakashi gave a brief nod before moving away with Kurenai following shortly after, "Have you heard anything about Orochimaru lately?"
"No," Kakashi answered. "Our spies tell us he's laying kind of low. Tsunade-sama thinks he's worried about Jiraiya's location. Orochimaru will never admit it but he's afraid of him. For every jutsu he learns Jiraiya seems to have a way of countering it."
"Nature of their powers I think," Kurenai said. "From what I heard Orochimaru always wanted to learn as many jutsus as he could while Jiraiya-sama learned a lesser amount but knew how to use what he knew better."
"Fare assessment," Kakashi agreed. "Kind of like me and Gai really. I know a lot more jutsus than he does bit he knows how to use all of his a lot better than I do."
"SO MY ITERNAL RIVAL ADMITS THAT I AM THE BETTER SHINOBI!" Gai shouted after hearing Kakashi.
Kurenai sighed at Gai's appearance not really wanting to deal with the Jounin. Kakashi just took out his book his preferred way to ignore Gai, "You say something Gai?" Kakahsi's usual greeting.
Gai turned away hiding his depressed face, "My eternal rival with his hip cool attitude." After a few minutes he became serious, "Tsunade-sama wants a meeting with the Jounin-senseis in the morning to rearrange the remaining Gennins again."
"Thanks for the message." Kurenai said jumping off before he could start up again.
"IT IS BECAUSE OF MY EXPERT TEACHING THAT NEJI AND THE BEAUTIFUL LEE WERE ABLE TO PASS THE CHUNIN EXAM!" Gai shouted again.
"You say something Gai?" Kakashi asked again from behind his book causing Gai to once again frown in sadness and start muttering about how cool his eternal rival once again. As Gai rambled on about his eternal rival both Jounin could not help but think just what kind of person Naruto would come back as.
Authors Note: This Chapter is much shorter than the others simply because I could not think of much to say about what was happening in Konoha while Naruto was training. I just felt that some news was needed about the growth of Naruto's friends.