(I'm not done yet.)

The next day after Naruto met with his Foot ninja to discuss about the original Shredder, he had to meet with the guardians and senseis of Lee, Hinata, Shikamaru, and Chouji about them seeking out the original Ninja Tribunal. Since Guy was already a trainer in the Foot Clan he already gave Lee permission so that just left Hinata, Chouji, and Shikamaru. Naruto was at the Hyuga manor in his robe with Hun at his side as they sat across from Hiashi Hyuga and Kurenai Yuhi, "So you see Lord Hyuga, Hinata may very well be one of the very keys to stopping the original Shredder should his resurrection take place." Naruto explained.

"Please father. The very fate of the world lies within our hands." Hinata pleaded with her father to let her go.

Hiashi pondered about all he's been told, while Kurenai watched wondering what he'll say. Soon enough he reached an answer, "Very well. Hinata you may embark on this quest to find the member of the Ninja Tribunal, but come back safely."

Hinata smiled, "I will father. And sensei, take care of things here."

"Hai." Kurenai smiled.

Soon enough, Naruto and Hun left and met with Shikamaru parents Shikaku and Yoshino Nara. The two sat with Shikamaru facing the Nara couple, "As you can see Master Shikaku, Shikamaru has been chosen by destiny to help us defeat the ancient evil that once plagued the ninja land." Naruto explained to the two.

"Mom Dad I know it's troublesome but this has to be done, and believe me it's hard for me to say it." Shikamaru explained.

"Well Shikamaru, this has to be the first time you've ever been all for something throughout your ninja career." Shikaku said.

"Yes, it's a miracle." Yoshino said in sarcasm.

"I promise both of you, I'll be all right on this mission. Asuma-sensei already gave me the ok to do this. I just need your approval." Shikamaru said.

The two thought about this until they reached a decision, "All right Shikamaru, you may go on this quest." Shikaku answered.

"Thanks dad." Shikamaru replied.

"However," Yoshino began, "If you come back dead or gravely injured you're in a lot of trouble."

"Yes mom." Shikamaru sighed.

"We thank you for your time Master and Mistress Nara." Hun bowed his head.

"Yes, arigato for a moment of your time." Naruto added as they headed out.

Next they were meeting with Chouza Akimichi the father of Chouji, "And that's all there is dad." Chouji explained.

Chouza turned to Naruto "So my son Chouji is selected to help you overcome some ancient evil that threatens our land?"

"That's right Master Akimichi." Naruto nodded his head.

"Please dad. I have to do this. If I don't then Konoha and possibly all of the ninja lands will be headed for chaos." Chouji explained.

Chouza pondered about this, "Well if you're that serious about this mission Chouji, then by all means go and get yourself trained so that if there is a war, you'll be ready to fight."

Chouji and Naruto smiled, "Thanks dad, I won't let ya down." Chouji pumped an arm up and Chouza smiled.

That night at the Foot temple, Naruto in his armor with Ino in her own stood before the four selected shinobi, "Lee, Shikamaru, Hinata, and Chouji, you four have been granted permission to embark on a quest to learn from the Ninja Tribunal," Naruto said and tossed them each two sets of scrolls. "One of those scrolls contain the whereabouts of the temples of your selected Tribunal teacher, the second one contains there armor that you will learn to use."

"Hai." They nodded.

"Return to your homes, you must get some rest, for tomorrow your journeys will begin." Naruto instructed.

The four nodded and left for home, while Naruto watched them leave. Ino and Hun noticed Naruto looked worried, "Everything ok, Naruto?" Ino asked.

"Yes Ino. I just pray that the tribunal will help them. They are after all not the most kind hearted of people. They're disciplinary and expect the best of ones abilities," Naruto explained, "I can only hope the four will do the best of their skills to show they have what it takes."

When morning came, Naruto and Ino in their armors stood with Hun, Tsunade, Shizune, and their senseis and guardians, "My troops your journey begins now, whatever the tribunal throws at you, says to you, you will follow their orders without questions, and do not make a spectacle of yourself." Naruto said to each of them and they nodded, "Go forth the challenges lie ahead for each of you."

The four nodded as they headed out past the village gates. Tsunade looked at Naruto, "Are you sure they're up for it?"

"I've never been as sure in my life Tsunade-baasan." Naruto replied as he watched them all leave on their journey.

The four of them traveled through the land of Fire, until they arrived at a fork in the road. Chouji looked down the road on the right, "Well guys this is my path. I'm off to find the shrine to Hisomi, the master of Stealth."

"You take care of yourself, Chouji." Shikamaru said patting his friends shoulder.

"Arigato same said for all of you." Chouji replied as he took his path.

For three days and nights, Chouji traveled the land of Fire through whatever weather conditions be it rain or wind, he still traveled until he made it to a cave where he found a small shrine inside it, "This must be the place." Chouji said as he went to the shrine and saw writing on it, "In memory of Hisomi Shisho. I know I'm in the right place now." He said and pulled out a scroll Naruto gave him and begun reading an incantation.

'I call forth the master of Stealth, Silence, and Speed. Hisomi-Shisho, hear my cry and come forth as I call your name Hisomi-Shisho!'

Suddenly the shrine started glowing, and a light was illuminating around Chouji who shield his eyes. He opened them, and found himself in some empty void, "Whoa where am I?" he asked himself as he heard his own echo.

"Welcome boy to the realm of Silence." A voice said as two figures approach. One of them was a big guy wearing a yellow robe, while the second one who was the one talking was a ghostly apparition of a small dragon creature.

Chouji noticed the big one and was shocked, "You, you're Hisomi Shisho right?"

Hisomi responded with a simple nod of his head, and the dragon spirit answered, "He is, though you will have to excuse him. Hisomi Shisho is the embodiment of stealth and silence. So I Draco will translate for you. And right now Hisomi Shisho wishes to know who you are and why you have called upon him."

"All right then, Hisomi Shisho, I am Chouji Akimichi of the Akimichi clan from the village of Konoha in the Land of Fire," Chouji introduced himself. "I've come here to request that you make me into an acolyte, for the Shredder you once fought may return and reign destruction." Chouji explained.

Hisomi looked at Chouji and could sense his seriousness and Draco translated, "Hisomi Shisho has felt that this day would come when the three artifacts would be uncovered. But he wonders why he should train you of all ninja to combat against the Shredder."

Chouji looked at Hisomi determined, "Because my village needs my help, and the only way to defeat the Shredder is to learn from the ones who defeated the Shredder."

Hisomi looked at Chouji still scowling, until he turned to Draco who translated, "Hisomi Shisho says that true words of seldom have been spoken. He shall take you as an acolyte, but are you prepared for what training lies ahead for you?"

Chouji nodded, "I am."

"Then come your training shall begin," Draco said for Hisomi as the scenery started changing into a mountain range with a long bridge that looked like it stretched for miles while on the other side a land with a huge dragon statue could be seen, "Hisomi Shisho says being the master of stealth and speed he shall teach you the ways of stealth, speed, and silence. For they are three of they key elements of being a ninja." Draco explained.

"Don't I know it?" Chouji replied knowing that much.

Hisomi made some hand gestures with two of his fingers like they were walking, "Hisomi Shisho says your first task is to cross the Honored Tatsu Bridge; 200 yards and no cover at all. It'll be your job to cross it without being detected."

"Detected by what?" Chouji asked.

"The dragon guardians that reside within the depths of the chasm, they can sense when someone crosses the bridge foolishly and without thinking, but by crossing it in pure silence and fast velocity…" Draco explained as Hisomi dashed all the way across the bridge faster than the speed of sound he was on the other side, "The dragons shall not detect you."

"Whoa, that's not possible." Chouji gasped not being able to believe what he just saw.

"On the contrary Chouji-san," Draco explained, "All things are possible when mind, body, and spirit are harnessed to complete the same task." He said as Hisomi dashed back to the side he started.

"But I can't move that fast or act that silent." Chouji said.

"Not now, but you can," Draco explained as Hisomi pointed to Chouji's heart, "You must see it happen, picture yourself there. Focus your chi energy as a rushing wind, powerful, free floating, and invisible."

"My chi energy, you mean the force of the body and spirit?" Chouji asked.

"Precisely." Draco replied and Hisomi nodded and made way for Chouji to try it.

Chouji took a breath and stepped forward onto the bridge, "Ok gotta focus, stealth, silence, and speed," He said to himself as he started concentrating on what he was told. Soon yellow markings started appearing on his body, "I feel something now. I can do it!" Chouji said as he started running like a regular person across the bridge but after making a few feet away from the bridge his markings vanished and when he took a step the board creaked and echoed throughout the mountain range.

They heard growling from below and what emerged from the chasm was a water dragon spirit, "Oh jeez!" Chouji shouted as he started running back while trying to evade the dragon's attack until Hisomi stepped in staring the dragon in the face and bowed his head to the beast that melted into water.

"What just happened?" Chouji asked.

Hisomi looked to Chouji with a disappointed look and Draco answered, "You may have gotten partly across the bridge, but you lost concentration and ended up losing your focus on being silent."

"I'm sorry. All right I guess I just got…" Chouji started until Hisomi grabbed him by the back of his collar and held him up to his level.

"Hisomi-Shisho does not want your words of apology. He wants an acolyte who takes his job seriously." Draco explained.

"I do take my job seriously!" Chouji argued.

"Then prove it to Hisomi Shisho." Draco ordered for Hisomi.

Hisomi dropped Chouji, as he dusted himself off and concentrated yet again, "All right, now I'm ready!" he said as he started running across the bridge not making a single sound and such. He had just about reached the center of the bridge until his chi vanished and his presence was known to the dragon again. He didn't want Hisomi to save him again for it'll show a sign of weakness, so he took on the dragon himself, "Bubun Baika no Jutsu!" Chouji called as his arms and hands increased in size and grabbed the dragon restraining him until he was tired and vanished. Chouji then found himself teleported back to the starting line.

Hisomi had less of a scowl on his face as Draco spoke, "You've made it further than your first attempt, which proves you are learning something from your past endeavors, but you cannot stop until you have reached the end of the bridge in complete silence and stealth."

"Then I'll keep trying until it's over." Chouji said looking determined as he got back to it, and after three more tries of getting closer and closer to the end he was finally able to make it across the bridge in complete silence and stealth.

Hisomi dashed across with his spirit assistant at his side, "Hisomi Shisho congratulates you young acolyte for passing the first test, but you still have a long way to go."

"I understand." Chouji nodded his head in understanding.

"But until the next test you must be hungry. Come Hisomi Shisho invites you to a buffet." Draco offered.

At the word Chouji's eyes lit up, "A buffet? All right!" he cheered.

Soon Chouji and Hisomi were sitting at a huge table with a spread of food that Chouji was digging in while Hisomi ate regularly while Draco took glances of Chouji's table manners, "Oh man this is about the best meal I've ever had." Chouji said to the two.

"Hisomi Shisho is pleased to hear that, after all you are our honored guest." Draco said.

"Well I appreciate your hospitality." Chouji said as he took a bite out of some beef.

"Hisomi Shisho thanks you for your kind words, and wishes to know how you came to know of all of that's happened from the Shredder to Hisomi himself?" Draco asked for Hisomi.

"Well I know of your old team the five dragons along with Oroku Saki, were you aware that Saki had a brother?" Chouji asked.

Hisomi nodded and Draco spoke, "Yes Oroku Nagi vowed to avenge his family name by righting the wrong his brother Saki plagued their family with."

"Well over the years his descendants have studied the art of ninjitsu while leading the Foot clan, and just recently one of his predecessors was named after his brother and a friend of mine found his old temple in the village of Konoha and decided to become the new good Shredder and raise the Foot clan to protect the Land of Fire." Chouji explained.

Hisomi gives a little smirk, and Draco responded, "Your friend has chosen a dangerous path, and yet he managed to come this far, he must truly be a special one."

"You don't know the half of it." Chouji said to himself.

An hour later after their meal, Chouji and Hisomi were by a mountain range where a path was constructed throughout the entire range, "What're we doing now?" Chouji asked Hisomi and Draco.

Draco answered, "So far you have learned to master the art of stealth and silent, now you must learn the art of speed."

"Speed, but I hate running?" Chouji complained.

Hisomi smacked the back of his head, "Ouch!"

"He will not stand for indiscipline." Draco lectured him.

"Yes Hisomi Shisho, I understand." Chouji said remembering he promised he wouldn't disobey an order.

"Good. This test is simple you must race against Hisomi in a race of speed until you reach the end." Draco explained as he pointed into the distance of a finish line that looked miles away.

"I don't think my feet can take it." Chouji gulped looking into the distance.

"Remember all you were taught about harnessing your chi acolyte." Draco said for Hisomi. The two got in a starting position and took off running.

Hisomi was running a marathon, while Chouji was straddling behind a majority of the way due to him being a bit out of shape for this kind of stuff. Chouji then got an idea, "Hisomi Shisho, I got this race in the bag!" he said forming a hand sign, "Baika no Jutsu!" he shouted using his family trademark move increasing his body size into a giant boulder and started rolling along faster than before keeping up with Hisomi, but Hisomi started tapping into his Chi and started moving faster than before.

Chouji was rolling as fast as he could but was running out of chakra and ended the jutsu and continued running slower than before, while Hisomi was already nearing the end, "Oh man, it'll take a miracle to catch him now," He panted until he realized what he was taught, "Wait a minute it's just as Hisomi Shisho said. See it happen, myself there, focus my chi!" Chouji started focusing as the symbols appeared on his body again, and suddenly he took off like a speeding bullet catching up to Hisomi who was shocked to see him caught up so easily.

Hisomi smirked as he challenged his acolyte by running faster. Chouji knew he couldn't lose like this, so he focused harder and was once again neck and neck with Hisomi who couldn't help but smile. Soon the two were nearing the finish line and Chouji concentrated with all his might and passed Hisomi and reached the finish line before him,

"The winner is Chouji Akimichi!" Draco announced.

Chouji panted, "Wow, I think I might've burned off twenty pounds."

Hisomi approached Chouji and smiled as he put a hand on the boys shoulder, "Hisomi Shisho congratulates you for mastering the art of speed and is proud to call you an acolyte." Draco explained.

Chouji smiled hearing that's what Hisomi would be telling him if he could speak. For the next number of days, Chouji continued training with Hisomi in the art of stealth, silence, and speed. And before long, Chouji had soon became a force of nature just as Hisomi was.

Soon Chouji stood ready to face Hisomi wearing his chosen Shredder armor, 'Hinata, Lee, Shikamaru, I hope you guys are doing well as I am, because we're all going to need to do the best of our abilities!' he thought right before he engaged Hisomi in a spar to test his strength.

(Chouji's training is in the books. Can the others master the same?)