Naruto Uchiha

Chapter 36

Sorry about the wait for this chapter, was trying to balance attention for my other fics and had a few difficulties figuring out how to show the aftermath of the invasion and thus the chapter was pushed aside for a bit.

Also, I understand that I'm still learning as a writer, so there are and will be problems with my writing style. Because of that, I would like to say this: if you don't like how I write, instead of telling me that my story is bad and spending most of your review pointing out just how bad it is and why, please instead use the bulk of the review to tell me specific things I can do to improve, not just saying why what I'm doing is bad or stuff like that. I want to improve, but I can't if I don't know how.

Also, if you are going to say things like I should go kill myself because you don't agree with how I do things in my fics, I WILL block your account and report you to the admins.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Note: don't forget to vote on the poll.

The invasion of Konoha was over. The Oto and Suna Shinobi had been repelled and the village continued to stand resilient…but the true damage was not to the buildings or the streets. Even with the extra security precautions that Hiruzen had put in place before and after learning of the invasion plan, the village had suffered both Civilian and Shinobi casualties thanks to the attacking enemy Shinobi. To top it off, the Hokage himself was in critical condition in the Konoha Hospital due to the injuries he received fighting his former student. Luckily the building had been protected from the battle by several layers of Fuinjutsu arrays that had been put up by the Shodai Hokage and added to and improved on by the Nidaime, the Sandaime, the Sannin Jiraiya, and the Yondaime. The collective belief was that, the Hospital was the one building they could not afford to lose in an attack.

It was in that building that we would find Jiraiya, visiting the Sandaime as he weakly rested in a room, recovering from Chakra exhaustion and the injuries Orochimaru inflicted on him.

"Sensei," said the Toad Sage as he kneeled by his former teacher's bedside, "I'm sorry, I should have stopped Orochimaru earlier."

"Do not grieve," said Hiruzen, "this old man has many years left in him. You are not to blame for my former student's choices. If you had not intervened when you did, I'm afraid we would not be having this conversation. Do not focus on what could have been. We need to start planning for the future, and with the injuries I have received, I won't be able to continue for much longer."

"Sensei," said Jiraiya worriedly, "don't say things like that! You have many more years left in you."

"Do not fret," chuckled Hiruzen weakly, "I was not referring to my demise. I simply meant, it's time for me to retire, permanently."

"Sensei, you know my position on succeeding you," sighed Jiraiya.

"I know," said Hiruzen seriously, "and there is a solution. I have someone else in mind to take my hat in the long term. Jiraiya, I'll need you to go out on a mission. It's time Tsunade returns to her home."

"You know she won't willingly come back," said Jiraiya, "not after all that she's been through."

Hiruzen nodded, "I simply need you to deliver a message…"

xXsceneXx

Two days later, the Konoha Genin that had participated in the Chunin Exam's tournament phase were summoned to the Hokage's office to hear whom among them had been selected to advance to the rank of Chunin. When they entered the office, they found the Sandaime waiting for them, his lost arm at the hands of Orochimaru apparent by the sleeve of his robes that hung at his side, empty.

"Everyone," said Hiruzen as he faced the group from behind his desk, "first of all, I would like to express my pride in all of you. From the reports of the Shinobi in the field, your actions during the invasion were exactly what we expect of Shinobi of Konoha, and while those actions will nod lead to a Chunin promotion by themselves, they have been factored into our final decision along with your performance in the Exam itself. Now, I'm sure many of you are waiting to find out who among you has earned a promotion, so I shall continue. Akimichi Choji."

The heavyset teen, for once without his customary bag of chips, stepped forward and stood at attention in front of the Hokage.

"I'm sorry," said Hiruzen causing the boy to wilt, "while you performed adequately during the invasion, your performance in the actual Exams wasn't enough to warrant a promotion."

As the teen took his spot back in line, Hiruzen checked the scroll on his desk again, "Hyuuga Hinata."

The shy girl eeped and took a step forward. The Hokage regarded her for a moment before smiling with a nod, "Your skill with your Clan Techniques was exemplary and your actions with your team during the invasion, taking on a high-level Shinobi sent after your group showed me that you are truly ready for this promotion. Congratulations."

Hinata's eyes went wide and she gave a stiff bow before moving back in line, shocked and astounded that she had earned her promotion on her first go. Once she was back in place, Hiruzen called the next person on his list, "Hyuuga Neji."

The elder Hyuuga Clan member stepped forward to stand in front of the Hokage as Hiruzen read over the reports, "While your performance was exemplary, your tendency to let your emotions cloud your thinking detracted from the points in your favor," said Sarutobi firmly, "a Chunin must be able to keep a clear head no matter the situation and no matter his or her opponent. However, Hiashi has spoken up on your behalf in regards to the sheer talent and skill you possess, as made evident in your ability to reverse engineer several of the Main Branch techniques. Therefore, you shall be promoted, but placed under a probationary period to see if you truly possess the mindset needed to be a Chunin."

Neji nodded in agreement and stepped back into line as the Hokage called Rock Lee forward, the green clad Genin standing straight, obviously working to contain all the energy he usually had. The Sandaime regarded the energetic teen before frowning, "While it is clear you have extraordinary strength thanks to your skill with Taijutsu and your ability to use the Eight Gates shows this, however that is not all there is to being a Chunin. A Chunin must be able to think clearly and act beyond charging headlong into danger wielding nothing but your fists. As shown in your match, you were quickly caught off guard by your opponent's Genjutsu, leaving you defenseless. I'm afraid that, until you overcome this weakness, and I am sure you will eventually, I cannot condone promoting you to Chunin."

Lee stepped back into line with a disheartened look, prompting Hiruzen to call the next applicant forward, "Masamune Tenten, step forward."

The weapon mistress took a step forward to stand before the Hokage, wondering what the village leader would have to say about her.

Hiruzen nodded, "You have shown an excellent skill with the various weapons you wield and an uncanny aptitude for Fuinjutsu as shown by the scrolls you used for your final technique. Your sensei has also expressed how you continue to grow and learn despite being from a Civilian background and having the added responsibility of running one of the village's most important Shinobi Tool shops. I am happy to say that you have earned your promotion."

Tenten bowed happily before taking her spot back in line, prompting Sarutobi to call Shikamaru forward, "Shikamaru Nara," said the Hokage, "you're lazy. As a Chunin, you will not have that luxury. In the field and in command, you will need to and be expected to give your all in service to the village. If this was all, I would not condone a promotion, but your Sensei has spoken up in regards to your vast intelligence and tactical mind, a sentiment that your father echoes. Therefore, you, like Neji, will be given a probationary promotion to Chunin. I expect you to shape up within that period, you WILL be reduced in rank and disciplined accordingly. That is all."

The Nara heir gave a stiff nod, acknowledging his dressing down, and stepped back into line, allowing Sarutobi to move onto the two victors of the Exam Tournament, "Uchiha Sasuke, and Uchiha Naruto."

The two brothers stepped forward, prompting the Hokage to give them an approving nod, "The two of you have shown remarkable skill in the Exams, the fact that you both tied as the victors shows this. Sasuke, your skill with your Sharingan and Kenjutsu was complimented by your ability to control the power that your Cursed Seal grants you. You also showed great aptitude for Katon and Raiton Jutsu, having even learned Kakashi's Chidori technique, allowing me to approve your promotion to Chunin."

Turning to Naruto, the Sandaime regarded the son of his late predecessor, "Naruto, you have grown so much from your days in the academy. You've shown skill in all five elements, with enough aptitude for Suiton Jutsu to use them without a prior water source, a high-level technique. You have also shown aptitude for the Yondaime's Rasengan technique and, coupled with your Doujutsu, this makes you a formidable opponent. As stated earlier, this is not all we look for in Chunin level Shinobi, but your sensei has spoken of your ability to quickly learn through actions and interactions, despite a difficulty in scholastic environments. Your mastery of the Taju Kage Bunshin Kinjutsu adds to my decision that you be promoted to Chunin."

"Finally," said Sarutobi, "Yamanaka Ino. I'm afraid that, like Akimichi-san, your performance was not enough to warrant a promotion."

Regarding the gathered Genin, Hiruzen let a smile form on his face, "To all that have been promoted, congratulations, but remember that there is always steps ahead to reach for and room to grow. To those that have not, you must continue to work and strive to be as great as you can be, you all have the potential to be great Shinobi. You are all dismissed. Expect to receive your Flak Jackets by the end of the week."

The gathered Shinobi left and, once they were gone, Jiraiya stepped into the room, "I've looked over your proposal sensei, are you sure Tsunade will agree to it?"

"She will," said the Sandaime, "I have given her much leeway in her grief, but it is time that she return home once more. In the wake of this invasion, we need her services more than ever."

"I will set out immediately," said Jiraiya, "but I would like to also invite Naruto to join me. I intend to use the trip to further train him on utilizing the Kyuubi's Chakra and to tell him of his parents."

"I agree that this will be a good opportunity," said Hiruzen, "his parents also left some letters for him to read upon his promotion."

"I'll see that he gets them," said Jiraiya before he made his exit out the window.

xXsceneXx

"I'd like to say that I am extremely proud of the three of you," said Kakashi, his single visible eye glowing with pride. The group had met up in front of the Konoha Memorial Stone after the announcement of their promotions, where Kakashi had said he had some gifts to congratulate their promotion from Genin, "it is customary for Genin to receive a gift from their sensei upon their promotion to Chunin. The Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka families usually receive an earring from their sensei as is custom for their clans, and I have items for the three of you."

Pulling out a scroll, Kakashi unfurled it to reveal three Fuinjutsu Storage Seals. Placing his hand on one, Kakashi unsealed a set of wristbands that he passed to Hinata, "These bands have been engraved with storage seals that can hold Kunai and Shuriken, allowing you to take full advantage of your marksmanship without having to fish for a weapon."

Hinata took the bands and placed them on her wrists, feeling how they fit her perfectly. Moving on, Kakashi placed his hand on the second array and unsealed a sheathed tanto. Drawing the blade, he revealed that it was made of a black metallic alloy, "This blade is made from a metal that is highly conductive of Chakra," he said as he passed the weapon to Naruto, "it will compliment your skill with Futon Chakra if you use them in conjunction."

Naruto smiled and placed the sheathe on his back so it was held perpendicular to his body, allowing Kakashi to unseal the final item: a large scroll, "Sasuke, I would like to offer you the chance to sign the Dog Summoning Contract, as I believe their tracking skill will compliment your Sharingan quite well."

Sasuke grinned as he stepped forward and bit his thumb to sign his name in blood. Once he was done, Kakashi smiled at his students with pride. They had come such a long way, and he believed that they would one day become Shinobi that could rival ones with renown such like the Sannin if they worked hard enough. They had become his pride, and his legacy.