Ethereal Uzumaki: Rise of Naruto

by IronWolverine3000

The smallest of actions can have the most devastating consequences, the choice of the Sandaime to seal away all physical signs of Naruto's Uzumaki heritage, his personality, and bloodlines will have consequences that the Elemental Nations will not be ready for. Nothing will ever be the same! Overpowered Naruto, Jiraiya/Sandaime/Kakashi/Sasuke bashing, and more! NaruHina Pairing

7. Chapter 7

that Hey guys, this is IW3000 with Chapter 7 of Ethereal Uzumaki: Rise of Naruto. Thank you for all the reviews and to those who continued to spew flames, just don't read the story at all since I'm sure other authors did the concept of Naruto possessing Superman's abilities. I will be getting busy in the next few months, so I decided to post a nice long chapter, so please enjoy it.

"Help" Human Speech

'Hmm, that's interesting' Human Thought

"Shannaro" Inner Sakura

"Useless human" Tailed Beast Speech

'You're weak brat' Tailed Beast Thought

"Fire Style: Intelligent Hard Work" Jutsu Name and Hand Seals/Signs

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto.

Chapter 7 – Bridge Battle Conclusion, Chunin Exams start and Family

(Previously on Ethereal Uzumaki: Rise of Naruto)

Haku then got up and observed this, noting how the Uchiha found strength he didn't know he had due to protecting his precious person. He asked, "Is this the first time you've seen a friend die in battle? This is part of what it means to be a ninja," and merged back into his ice mirror. "Shut up, I hated you too Sasuke, and yet…" steam started to form around YNaruto as he put down Sasuke. "You'll pay for this." The steam then engulfed him, and a vortex of orange chakra swirled upwards from Naruto, leaving cracks in the floor of the bridge. As he got up the orange chakra formed a cocoon forming the head of a grinning fox on top, the head of the fox then went forward with wide jaws as if attacking as the cocoon dissipated as if it never existed. A red-haired Naruto stood there in the place of the yellow-haired kid although with the same clothes and he was looking up into the sky and said, "Finally… I am free!" He then looked at Haku, his violet eyes staring a hole through him, and with a broad grin, he said, "So, lightspeed attacks huh? Well, I can do better than that!"

(A few minutes ago)

While Naruto was still in the cocoon of chakra and Haku trying to figure out what Naruto was, both Kakashi and Zabuza sensed the malevolent and foul chakra of the nine-tailed fox. Both realized that it wasn't their opponent, Kakashi then came to realize that it was the Naruto tapping into the chakra of the fox and he panicked knowing that it would put everyone in danger since Naruto didn't have control of this power. He needed to put a stop to it!

(Now)

The real Naruto was now standing next to the body of Sasuke, his grin present on his face. Haku looked at him and said, "So my theory was correct, there was something or someone else in control of your body. Your previous fighting tactics and mindset versus that I witnessed in the forest contrast each other like day and night." "It's nothing for you to concern yourself with so don't take it personal…" Naruto replied nonchalantly whilst looking around in the dome. "I see, very well then, let us finish this fight." was Haku's response as he armed himself with more senbon.

With everything said, Naruto readied himself as an image of Haku appeared in all the ice mirrors. Haku tried to strike from Naruto's blind spot however he was too slow as the attack was dodged, Naruto then looked up at the boy and said, "These reflections of yours are useless, I can see your body heat and you stand out like a fish on dry land," as he attacked and destroyed the mirror Haku was occupying seconds ago since he was still getting accustomed to his body with all his abilities still catching up. "I see, but it seems your still slow compared to what you promised…" Haku replied. "Do not fret about that, all in due time but enough about this, it is time I finish this fight. I have more important things to do." with that said Naruto disappeared and started smashing mirrors, each attack missing Haku by seconds and dodging as Haku was evading and attacking every chance he got.

(With Kakashi)

As he was starting to calm down since the chakra of the fox has subsided but sensed a foreign chakra signature that snuffed out Naruto's made him worried. He decided to quickly end the battle with Zabuza to see what was happening with Naruto and Sasuke. Retrieving a scroll from his flak jacket, opened it, swiped his blood over it, and closing it once more, he said, "Zabuza I don't mean to spoil your fun, I know how you like to stretch these things out but how about we put an end to this now? C'mon, what do you say? We're both busy people." "Hmm tempting, I'm curious to see how you back up such brave words. Show me Kakashi!" Zabuza's voice echoed throughout the mist.

(With Naruto)

He finally caught Haku jumping between mirrors and subsequently punched him through one of the mirrors. Haku came to a tumbling stop after being punched luckily using chakra to reinforce his mask to absorb most of the force generated by the punch. Naruto walked out between the shattering mirrors and stopped a few meters away from Haku who was getting up and as he turned around, half of his mask fell off his face as he thought, 'Zabuza, I am no match for this boy.' The other half then followed, 'Master, I have failed.' "Why don't you finish the battle?" Haku asked.

"This battle was over the moment those ice mirrors shattered but before I do tell me your story, how did a kind-hearted person like you end up in the services of Zabuza because I know you didn't kill that Uchiha brat," said Naruto. "This day has shown that I am no longer of any use of Zabuza, there were once others who mattered to me long ago. My father and my mother, I was born in the Land of Water in a small village where the snow lies deep in the winter. My parents were farmers and very poor, our life was hard, but we were content, and my parents good to one another and kind to me. Yes, we were happy once but then everything changed… because of events that happened long before my birth, everything changed…" Haku replied. "What happened?" asked Naruto.

"It wasn't my doing. It is in the blood… it was my father who changed, he killed my mother and almost killed me!" Naruto looked in shock at the revelation of the boy who continued his tale, "After years of suffering the horrors of civil war, the people of my land had come to fear and hate anyone who carried the Kekkei Genkai in their blood. Because of their unique abilities, the clans were used as mercenaries, they fought many battles and were much feared but when the wars were over, they were despised and shunned by the people who feared their presence would only incite more war and misfortune. After the war, these clans went into hiding, denying the bloodline trait in their veins, hiding these abilities with the knowledge that if discovered would mean certain death. For years my mother was successful in hiding her bloodline trait, she met and fell in love with a simple farmer, married and she thought that she would lead a peaceful life to the end of her days."

Haku then thought back to the first time when he discovered his special abilities, his mother horrified at this scolded and even slapped him, "My father had seen and so he knew our secret. When I was myself again, I was no longer myself, my parents were gone but something more important was taken from me and that was when I truly despaired. I lost my purpose and in all the world no one needed me, I was unnecessary. You see it is only through the eyes of others that our lives have any significance, when no one sees or even looks at you, it's as if you don't even exist. Then Zabuza came along, looked at me and his eyes were not full of hate or fear, he did not shun me for my strangeness with my special powers being just what he wanted. He made me necessary again," This time Haku had a flashback of his and Zabuza's first meeting.

"I was happy… I have failed you Zabuza, I am like a broken weapon and is of no further use." Haku then looked at Naruto with eyes that told you 'the lights were on, but nobody was home', took a few steps forward, and said, "Naruto, kill me."

(With Kakashi)

Kakashi was holding the previously mentioned scroll in his hands in unison with the Tiger hand seal, he then formed more hand seals with the scroll, Snake, Dragon, Dog and exclaimed, Ninja Art Summoning: Earth Style: Fanged Pursuit Jutsu after pressing the scroll into the bridge as a sealing formula and smoke traveled into the bridge from the scroll. "I don't know why you bother, of what is your jutsu if you can't even find me, but I can find you," Zabuza's voice echoed in the mist. "Blindly falling into my trap, you disappoint me Kakashi. I think you're right it is time to put an end to this." Zabuza then heard a rumbling noise akin to something big burrowing under the bridge's surface area. Dogs then came out of the bridge, one failed and the other succeeded to latch onto his legs, more of them came out and latched onto him.

Tazuna and Sakura were very puzzled by this noise and scared by it, "I realized if I couldn't see you; I'd have to smell you out. That was a Summoning Jutsu, I was calling forth my ninja hounds, they can track a scent anywhere. When you attacked me, I let you get past my guard, I wanted you to cut me. You see it's the smell of my blood on your blade that led them to you. Surprised? Looks like I wasn't the only one who was blind… falling into my trap, you disappoint me Zabuza." Kakashi explained to the man as the mist cleared revealing he was only a few meters in front of Kakashi who noted the clearing mist and reiterated in seeing Zabuza's death. "Talk talk, do you mean to talk me to death?" Zabuza asked cynically. "In a way, yes. Right now, my hounds are only playing with you but one word from me and they'll tear you apart. Poor Zabuza, see where your ambitions got you? You are always pushing things too far." Kakashi replied and continued again.

"There was the failed Mizukage assassination and your attempted coup d'état, you were forced to flee with the few followers you had. Your country's tracker ninja hot on your heels, you became a rogue ninja whose name was quickly known even in the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Now you're crazy to wanna go back and try it again but for that you need money and to get it you stooped so low as to be the hired thug of a swine like Gato. Alright, Zabuza enough talk, time to finish you but it won't be with Sharingan imitations of some other ninja's tricks, no it's time I introduce you to my own jutsu." Kakashi formed Ox, Rabbit, Monkey hand seals, he then started to manifest lightning chakra in his right hand, "Lightning Blade!" he exclaimed with Zabuza in a stupor by this noting the strength of the chakra. "I won't allow you to kill Tazuna, he is a brave man with a noble dream. The bridge he is building is the hope of this land and all its people, you're like a disease by attacking one you infect all and you don't care. That is not the way of the shinobi." Kakashi said.

Zabuza replied, "You're right, I don't care! These useless little people and their petty little dreams, why should they matter to me? I have a dream of my own." "But to have a dream you need to have a future, you don't! your future is all used up Zabuza." Kakashi answered in a decisive tone.

(With Naruto)

As Naruto looked at Haku and asked him if it was really what he wanted, the boy confirmed and urged him to finish him. Respecting the Haku's choice, his eyes started to glow red, and just as he was about to fire, a light of determination shone in Haku's eyes as he sensed a noticeable output of chakra. Knowing that Zabuza was in trouble, Haku said, "Sorry Naruto, I'm not ready to die quite yet." As he disappeared into the air with Naruto just looking on without saying a word.

(With Kakashi)

Kakashi was sprinting, his jutsu in hand, towards Zabuza with the intent to kill, as he thrust forward, an ice mirror manifested and Haku jumped out of it with Kakashi's Lightning Blade piercing the boy's heart. Whilst Kakashi was shocked by his unintended target's fatal injury as big amounts of blood fell and some splashes of blood tainting the boy's ice mirror, Haku grabbed hold of Kakashi's arm and wheezed Zabuza's name who said to Kakashi, "So, my future is all used up huh? Wrong again Kakashi." The ninja hounds disappeared in a puff of smoke as the scroll that was keeping them there was pierced with senbon.

(Tazuna's house)

"Don't be ridiculous, you're not going to the bridge by yourself," said an angry Tsunami to her son who replied, "I have to go by myself since no one else wants to come with me. I have no choice," "You shouldn't go at all," Tsunami tried to dissuade him. Inari picked up his wooden crossbow, walked to the door as his mother continued, "Stop this, you're only a child. What do you think you can do?" "You're right, I am only a child but a child who knows what it means to stand and fight. I am my father's kid." His response was with a big smile as Tsunami saw Kaiza's face overlapping Inari's. The boy then left out the door and as he did, he saw all the villagers of the Land of Waves at his doorstep waiting for him.

(On the bridge; with Naruto)

As Naruto saw Haku sacrificing himself for Zabuza, he ignored it and said to himself, "All right, I have adapted well so far to my body but I'll have to do intensive training for the time that I'm here, I can't walk into Konoha like a new-born. Time to see if my visual prowess is intact," and with that said, Naruto channeled chakra into his eyes as his iris turned light blue with a white pupil, tomoe started to swirl into existence around the pupil, however as the fourth tomoe appeared in both eyes, Naruto had already lost half of his chakra reserves and decided to withdraw the chakra as his eyes turned violet once more. He then looked at his left hand and closed it into a fist and said, "It seems that even though I had full power over my eyes while locked inside my mind, the same doesn't apply to my physical body. I need to train my chakra to use the minimal chakra for my visual prowess, I don't want to end up like an Uchiha, able to copy and predict the techniques but the body not being able to keep up." He then looked at the downed Uchiha a few meters away and without a word, walked away towards the others.

(With Kakashi)

Globs of blood were falling out of the wound Haku was inflicted, Zabuza closed his eyes for a second as if paying his respects and then laughed as he spoke, "Well done Haku." Zabuza grabbed his sword to strike Kakashi down even if it means slicing through his former tool however Kakashi got out of his range in time. Kakashi placed Haku's corpse down gently as Zabuza said, "Not bad for having a corpse in your arms." Kakashi closed the boy's eyes and looked to his right as he saw a red-haired Naruto approaching instead of a yellow-haired one and opted to deal with that situation later. Sakura then also saw Naruto, stunned by him now having red hair, she then noticed he was alone and asked where Sasuke was. "He is lying somewhere back at the last battle site; he is alive but in a temporary death state. It's a real pity though, I was hoping Haku could have killed him since I wouldn't have to deal with him." was Naruto's uncaring response, shocking everyone but Zabuza.

Sakura yelled at Naruto for saying such things since Sasuke was still their teammate, Tazuna then offered to walk with her to the boy, that way she doesn't disobey her sensei. Zabuza then yelled, "Kakashi, I'd stay focused if I were you." He went for a horizontal swipe with his blade that left his upper body open, allowing Kakashi to kick him in the face, as they came off their last clash Zabuza's left bicep was pierced with two kunai. As he took quick deep breaths to recover, he thought, 'Why can't I keep up with him?' He sprinted towards Kakashi once more wielding his massive blade with one arm and anger coursing through his veins, on his first attempt he was simply punched back by Kakashi and received a spinning backhand. "I'll split you in half!" he yelled as his frustrations were boiling to the surface.

Two attempts to cut Kakashi in half failed as the man appeared behind him and said, "Look at you, you're falling apart. I knew you didn't have what it takes for the long haul." "What did you say?" asked Zabuza. "You have no idea what real strength is. Game over, you lose!"

Kakashi replied as he stabbed two more kunai in Zabuza's right bicep whilst he was attempting a decapitation and the blade sliding away. "Now both your arms are useless, what now?" Kakashi asked. "You can't even make hand signs." Kakashi then noticed someone else on the unfinished part of the bridge revealing it to be Gato who said, "Did quite a job on you didn't he Zabuza? You look like yesterday's sashimi; I must say I'm disappointed." With a large group of thugs behind him wielding various weapons. Zabuza looked at his employer and only said, "Gato… I don't understand, what is all this? Why are you here? And who are these thugs you brought with you?"

"Well, you see there has been a slight change in plan. According to the new plan, you die right here on this bridge Zabuza," answered Gato. With Zabuza stunned by this revelation, Gato continued, "That's right, you're too expensive, so I have decided to take you off the payroll. Of course, even these thugs cost something, so If you could manage to take a few of them out before they take you down, I'd appreciate it. Think you can manage that Demon Ninja of the Mist? Look at you, you look as demonic as a wet kitten." The thugs behind the man laughed at this. "Well, Kakashi it would seem our fight is at an end. Since I'm no longer employed by Gato, Tazuna is safe, we have no quarrel." Zabuza told Kakashi who answered, "Yeah, I suppose your right." Gato then walked towards Haku's lifeless body and said, "That reminds me you little punk, you grabbed me and nearly broke my arm. I've been meaning to repay you for that," and he kicked the boy in the face, "I only wish he was alive to feel it."

Having enough of standing in the background, a puff of smoke appeared next to Naruto signaling the creation of a Shadow Clone which promptly attacked Kakashi by surprise and knocked him out after a valiant fightback attempt from the man. Naruto then squatted as he picked up Zabuza's blade and said, "The Shinobi Way is truly a dark and cruel path, I see now that Haku was never meant for that life. He died without dreams of his own and those that he did have belonged to you. He lived for you; did you at least feel something for him?" "While he fought you, his heart was breaking in two, you see Haku was always too soft and too kind. He felt pain and sorrow and curse him now I feel them too and something else, I feel content that this is the way it ends!" Zabuza said as he tore off the bandages around his mouth and revealed his shark-like teeth. "Even shinobi are human, no matter how hard we try to escape that simple fact, we always fail. Well at least, I have failed. Boy, give me your kunai."

Naruto walked next to Zabuza with the man's sword dragging behind him, he then hefted the sword on his shoulder and said, "Since this will be your last battle, do you mind if fought alongside the Demon of the Mist whilst wielding his sword as a farewell?" Zabuza laughed in content as he replied, "I have no problem with that boy, just don't get in my way and remember that Gato is mine." "I have no problem with that," said Naruto as he threw his kunai for Zabuza who caught it in his mouth. Naruto's then added, "I'll clear the first wave for you and after that, it is your battle," they sprinted towards the thugs as Gato who saw them coming ran towards the back of the group. Naruto using the Executioners Blade bisected and decapitated the first two rows of thugs and retreated to watch as Zabuza fought his way through the crowd as if possessed by a demon. As Zabuza made it out of the crowd, he had Gato in his sight who saw the visage of a demon behind Zabuza as he ran towards him.

Zabuza pierced him in the chest with the kunai, the thugs then stabbed more weapons into his back. Gato said in a wheezy voice, "You crazy fool if you're so eager to die then go ahead but you're not taking me, not this time." "I won't be joining Haku. Where he's gone, I cannot follow." Zabuza then walked towards Gato a little bit wobbly, got in his face, and continued, "We wouldn't be welcome where Haku's gone to, Hell's where we are going Gato! I can't think of a more fitting place for a Demon ninja like me, I'm told there are many demons down there, of all shapes and sizes. Oh yes, I should fit right in, you on the other hand Gato… well I fear you are in for a long and very painful eternity!" Zabuza plucked out the kunai, twice slashing Gato across the chest with his glasses falling off, he then swiveled around the man and on his third strike, the visage of a demon overlapped his face with Gato falling into the ocean below afterward.

He menacingly looked at the group of thugs that were still looking on, scaring them as they made way for him to walk through. A few steps in, he fell on his knees as he was losing strength and said, "Haku, so this is goodbye… at last, not once did I ever thank you Haku. Forgive me for that." and fell on his face. On the other side of the bridge, the Uchiha finally woke up with the Haruno giving him an update of current events along with seeing an unconscious Kakashi. One of the thugs then said, "Hey, don't go getting too comfortable, this party isn't over yet, who's gonna pay us now that Gato is gone? No way we're gonna leave here empty-handed so we'll just hit that village and see what they got for us," with all of the thugs agreeing, an arrow came out of the sky, piercing the pavement right in front of the thugs and stopping them, Naruto looked back and saw Inari along with the rest of the villagers of the Land of Waves, all armed, as Inari spoke about the hero always arrived at the last minute, one of the villagers then said, "There's one thing you're forgetting about before you set one foot in our village, you'll have to go through all of us," with everyone agreeing.

With the thugs stunned in fear by this, Naruto capitalized on it but creating a hundred Shadow clones which finally scared the thugs off. All the villagers then laughed in celebration of their victory. Naruto then walked towards the fallen Zabuza with a look of empathy on his face as the man said to him, "Boy, your name is Naruto, right? It sounds like it's over," said Zabuza. "Yes, it is. On both accounts," confirmed Naruto. "I'll be sure to remember that. Do me one last favor and take me to him. Before I go, I need to see him one last time." responded Zabuza. "No problem, it has been an honor to have fought beside you Zabuza." was Naruto's only reply as he removed the weapons from Zabuza's back and carried him to Haku. Snow started falling as he gently laid Zabuza down next to Haku and walked away as Zabuza gave his thanks.

Zabuza looked at Haku and said, "You were always at my side, the least I can do is to be beside you at the end. I know I cannot be, but I wish I could go to where you have gone, how I wish I could join you there Haku." and with his last words said, Zabuza passed on with one of the sunrays that penetrated the clouds, falling on the duo as Naruto had tears welling up in his eyes but not falling.

(Later that day)

On a cliff overlooking the village, we now see team 7 except Naruto after they have buried Zabuza and Haku with the former's blade serving as a grave marker. Sakura then asks, "Is that it Kakashi-sensei? Is that the ninja way? to use and be used by people like tools?" "Shinobi are all merely tools in the hands of destiny, no point in wondering whether it's right or wrong. It just is, it's the same in the village hidden in the leaves." Kakashi answered.

(A few days later)

With the bridge finally complete, team 7 was on the entrance of the bridge as the whole village was seeing them off. "We could never have finished the bridge without you, I can't tell you how much we're going to miss you," said Tazuna as he thanked them. "Do be careful." Tsunami added. Kakashi thanked them, with Naruto saying, "See you around Tazuna and Inari, don't be getting teary," and walked away without saying another word. The rest of Team 7 then followed afterward. "It was all his doing, that boy made you stronger Inari and you in turn made the rest of us stronger. It was thanks to that boy we were able to build a bridge to a place we've never known, a place where we found our courage, a place to fulfill our dreams." One of the villagers then asked what the name of the bridge should be with Tazuna deciding name it 'The Great Naruto Bridge'.

(Several hours later; Konoha)

After arriving and signing in at the gate, Team 7 made their way to the Hokage Tower. As the entered the office of the Hokage, we see an old man sitting in a chair behind a desk with the leaf insignia on the front. The man then lifted his head, revealing how old he is with wrinkles and liver spots adorning his face. Kakashi then said, "Mission accomplished Lord Hokage." "Very good, Sasuke and Sakura you're dismissed, and you can have the next few days off, your mission pay will be paid into your accounts. I have something to discuss with Kakashi and Naruto." the Sandaime said with a kind smile after which Sasuke and Sakura left the office with Sakura persisted in asking the Uchiha out which he declined.

The Hokage then looked at the two ninjas in front of him, dismissed his ANBU guards, and activated a privacy seal in the office. He then looked at Naruto who was standing against the wall and said, "I see you have a different look now Naruto, how was your experience outside the village?" "You can lose the fake smile Sarutobi. You and your perverted student failed in your attempts to make me a submissive weapon of this village so don't play coy with me." Naruto replied as he immediately got down to business. "All I did was for the safety of this village; did you think that this village would tolerate a rebellious Jinchuriki? The people needed an outlet for their grief, and I gave it to them, it was your purpose in life above all!" the Sandaime said.

Naruto then laughed and said in seriousness, "You can spin it any way you want, the baseline is that you and your student screwed me over, it's only that position of yours that is keeping you from feeling my wrath. Besides, we all know that you can dish it out, but you could never take the hits, you are a disgrace to my parents and to think they entrusted you to look after me." "That is no way to talk to your Kage Genin." the Sandaime uttered with a look of anger on his face. Naruto just rolled his eyes and said, "Throwing rank around huh? Well, no matter this conversation is over already. Hatake, I will deal with you another time for your attempted assassination on me when I was younger. Sandaime, you will give me my inheritance and remove the Uzumaki Clan insignia from your Chunin and Jonin gear or else…" "Or else what? In case you can't see it, you are outnumbered a thousand to one by the Shinobi of this village." the Hokage threatened…

"I'm sure you wouldn't want your enemies to descent on you since that is exactly what will happen to this village if you don't abide by my simple requests." Naruto then walked in front of the desk and placed his hand on the center of it, looking the Hokage dead in the eye and continued, "Or else this will happen," as he removed his hand from the desk, we saw a sealing formula on its surface which instantly turned the Sandaime's face from anger to apprehension border lining on fear. Looking away in bitterness he said, "Very well then, you win this time around." he got up, retrieved scrolls from a safe behind the portrait of the Fourth Hokage, and gave them to Naruto who then turned to look at Kakashi and said, "You have a week to remove my clan's crest from your Chunin and Jonin attire, one last thing Hatake, do not bother me unless you decide to recommend Team 7 for the Chunin Exams since I have a lot of training to do, Chunin Exams or not." and walked out of the office.

"What was that all about?" Kakashi asked. The Sandaime then looked at Kakashi and said, "To keep things short, My student, Jiraiya and I sealed away from those abilities of Naruto but to ensure he never broke the seal on them, we had to seal his mind away also and created a fake to take his place," Looking in shock at the Hokage, Kakashi asked an important question, "But why?" "I don't know if you still recall it but for some time after your attempted assassination of the boy, things went downhill, with villagers disappearing, some hanged in public and some just blatantly dismembered in broad daylight. The Yamanaka Clan had a lot of work and therapy to do since there were so many traumatized, some of them were so bad they died talking about what they saw since their minds could not comprehend what they saw or handle that stress and uncertainty of if and when they were next to die a gruesome death. Never forget whose child he is Kakashi, his potential was not something we could ignore, he was also a Jinchuriki and couple that with those strange abilities… I had to put Konoha before him and now we have no clue what he will do next since you know this will only be the beginning because he is still growing, and in control of his body once more. A rebellious Jinchuriki is a dangerous Jinchuriki and I could never allow that, they are just mere tools for weapon holders like me to wield. They do not have a say over their lives once the tailed beast is sealed inside of them."

"So, should I recommend my Team for the Chunin Exams?" Kakashi asked. Looking as if he had eaten a sour lemon, the Hokage admitted, "As much as I hate to say it, we need to enter this year's rookies or at the very least your team since clients would want to see the Uchiha in action and with Naruto's abilities, he could easily double our client base whether he knows it or not." "I see," was Kakashi's only response.

(Three Days Later)

After sowing some destruction after leaving the Hokage tower, Naruto moved in and explored his parents' house now belonging to him. After putting on training clothes and founded the training grounds of the house, Naruto immediately jumped into training. He found out his nature affinities were Water, Wind, and Earth, he then created one thousand clones and distributed them in the following ways. One hundred clones per training exercise or task which included sparring with and without his dojutsu active, working on mastering the steps for the Rasengan, doing chakra control-related exercises like tree climbing, water walking, etc., nature affinity control exercises, reading scrolls on jutsu, and theories on possible jutsu, collecting intel on every shinobi in the leaf from the past to the future, practicing calligraphy for sealing jutsu and working on using his chakra as a medium for writing sealing formulas instead of a brush. All in all, it was a very busy sight while Naruto was meditating inside the house as his clones were training to regulate the information overload and prevent a searing headache.

(Elsewhere)

As the rest of Team 7 finished their daily chores, Sakura asked Kakashi about Naruto's whereabouts with the man telling her not to worry too much about it. After seeing a bird circling in the sky, he then said, "All right guys, let's call it a day. I have to file my report on this mission." Without saying a word, the Uchiha walked away as Sakura called for him and said, "Sasuke, I'll go with you." Sasuke waited for her as she continued, "So, why don't we… I mean let's do something more personal to improve our teamwork?" "Instead of flirting, why don't you practice your jutsu and make the team stronger?" he asked and walked away. Sakura got depressed as Kakashi disappeared in a cloud of smoke behind her. She then walked away, as she did a mysterious box started following her. She noticed it and being in a bad mood that she yelled for those inside the box to reveal themselves or get a beating of a lifetime.

The box then exploded into three colors of smoke and as the smoke cleared, it revealed three small children possibly students at the Ninja Academy. As they were in a coughing fit, the boy in the middle said, "I think we used a little too much gunpowder, you guys." They looked up and started their intro. The girl went first and said, I'm Moegi, the sassiest kunoichi in pre-school, check me out!" "I'm love algebra call me Udon!" "And I'm the number one ninja in the village Konohamaru, and when we're all together…" "we're the Konohamaru ninja squad!" They all exclaimed with each striking a pose. Sakura looked at them with her eyebrow twitching in annoyance, Konohamaru then asked, "You're on big brother Naruto's team, right? Do you know where he is? He promised to play ninja with us today."

With a look of disgust on her face, Sakura replied, "A ninja playing ninja that is so twisted." "So, are you by any chance brother Naruto's girlfriend?" angered by this question, Sakura punched the boy on the head and yelled, "As if, I would never date a loser like him," and walked away in anger. As Udon asked Konohamaru if he was okay, the boy said, "I don't even think she is human, did you see how wide her forehead is?" Hearing this, Sakura stopped, turned around, and chased after the boy with his friends also running scared, as Konohamaru turned a corner he ran into something and fell back on his butt. He then looked up as he saw a ninja dressed in a black, baggy, full bodysuit with a red and yellow circle on the front with a different insignia on his forehead, who looked at Konohamaru and asked, "Do you need something?"

(With Naruto)

While clones were still busy with their training, one of them stopped as his super-hearing picked up Konohamaru being in trouble. As he looked for the boy using his x-ray vision, he saw a foreign ninja holding Konohamaru by the front of his shirt. He created a Shadow Clone and said, "Go help the boy, just because we hate his grandfather doesn't mean he should also pay for his sins." The clone nodded and flew off towards the confrontation as the clone continued training.

(With Kakashi)

As he was handing in his report on his latest mission to Iruka, the man said, "All right, thanks for the report Kakashi-sensei, how's Naruto doing? Is he getting along okay with the other students?" "Well, I don't know, after we returned from the Land of Waves, he bought along with a new look, abilities, and a dislike borderline hatred for Konoha. Something to do with the villagers ostracising him for something he was innocent in," replied Kakashi. "What? How did that come to be?" he asked with concern on his face. "Only Naruto can give you that answer I'm afraid."

(Elsewhere in the village)

At a training ground in the village, we see a fair-skinned woman of slender build, she had long untamed black hair and eyes that were red with an additional ring in them. Her outfit consisted of a red mesh armor blouse with only the right sleeve visible and over this, a very broad material akin to bandages with a pattern on it resembling rose thorns, her hands and upper thighs were also wrapped in bandages. She was standing behind her group of Genin as they were all tired from training, she then heard the call of the hawk and looked at it. In another location, a shinobi wearing the standard Konoha Jonin uniform who had a cigarette in his mouth also looked at the hawk while sitting with his group of Genin outside a shop.

(With Sakura and Co.)

As the foreign ninja was holding Konohamaru by his shirt, he then asked the boy, "So does this hurt punk?" Looking around, his female teammate said, "Put him down Kankuro or you know you'll pay for it later." Sakura then apologized on the behalf of Konohamaru and accepting the blame for it while wondering who the shinobi were. Kankuro lifted the boy higher and said, "I don't like runts or any other scrawny weaklings, I just wanna break them in half." He then lifted his fist as his female teammate relented and disassociated her with this incident. As pulled back his arm to punch Konohamaru, a sonic burst was heard as

Konohamaru disappeared from the hand of Kankuro and he felt a hand squeeze his throat and lifting him effortlessly. "You foreign ninja should know to control yourselves when in a different ninja village. You shouldn't go around punching people you don't know especially when it is the grandson of the Hokage, wars have been started for less than that." Konohamaru then opened his eyes and yelled in excitement as Naruto saved him.

The female teammate of Kankuro then got on her guard as she thought, 'Who is this guy? His speed is unlike anything I have seen, and he can fly…' Naruto then looked towards the tree and said, "You can come out now Uchiha, you too desert rat." Sasuke, who was in the tree, looked shocked as Naruto sensed someone he didn't, and the boy was just an arm's length away from him. As Kankuro was struggling in Naruto's grip, Naruto then threw him towards his female teammate and told Konohamaru to get back to the academy which he and his friends did. The 'desert rat' then appeared in the alley with sand swirling around him, he had fair skin, green eyes, and short auburn hair with the kanji for 'love' on the left side of his forehead. He wore a black bodysuit with t-shirt like sleeves and almost full-length leggings. Over this he had a white cloth over his right shoulder and left side of his hip and a wide leather band with which he carries his and gourd, he looked at Kankuro and said, "You're an embarrassment to our village." Shocked by his arrival, Kankuro immediately played it cool and said, "Hey Gaara." to the 'desert rat' now identified as Gaara.

(Hokage Office)

"I have summoned you for a very important purpose, seeing your fellow Jonin here, I'm sure you realize what this is about," said the Sandaime as he started the meeting, most of the Chunin and Jounin attire were void of the Uzumaki Clan insignia with some still bearing the crest. "I take it all the other lands have been notified about the coming event. I noticed some of their Genin have already arrived here in the village." Asuma, sensei of Team 10, said. "And when do we start?" asked Kurenai, sensei of Team 8. "We will begin in one week." the Hokage confirmed with Kakashi noting that it was short notice, after blowing smoke from his pipe the Hokage continued, "Take heed, in seven days, it will be the first day of July, the Genin will be gathered and tested. Only the very best will be selected as Chunin," so was the declaration from the Third Hokage.

(With Clone Naruto and Co.)

Gaara continued, "Have you forgot the reason we came all the way here?" a nervous Kankuro then answered, "I know, I mean they challenged us, they started the whole thing really, see here's what happened…" "Shut up or I'll kill you." Gaara threatened. "Uh right, I was totally outta line, I'm sorry Gaara," apologized a still nervous borderline scared Kankuro. Gaara then looked towards Team 7, more specifically clone Naruto, and said, "I'm sorry for any trouble we caused," while Sasuke was noting that Gaara had an evil look in his eyes. Whilst Gaara was thinking that Naruto was worth keeping his eye on due to his speed and physical strength, he then turned around and said, "Let's go, we didn't come here to play games" and jumped away.

Sakura then tried to get answers from the Sand Genin about their purpose here and she told them about the upcoming Chunin Exams afterwards she turned Naruto for answers about his whereabouts and the clone dispelled itself without a word. Meanwhile, another group of Genin with a sound note on their headbands were watching the confrontation from another tree. "What do you think Dosu?" asked one of the team members. "The usual weaklings' nothing special but the one with the red hair, the Uchiha clan, and that desert rat, we should watch them carefully."

(Hokage Office)

As the meeting was continuing, the Sandaime then said, "Alright, it is time we chose our candidates for the Chunin Examinations, to begin will those in charge of the rookie Genin step forward. Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma, what do you say? Are there any in your squads you'd recommend who are ready for the exams despite their inexperience? As you know any Genin who has carried out eight or more missions is technically eligible for the exams. Beyond that only you can decide when they are ready, of course, most Genin requires much longer training period and at least twice that many missions. So Kakashi you begin." "I lead Squad 7, Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sakura Haruno, I, Kakashi Hatake, recommend all three of them for the Chunin Exams." And so, it continued with the squad leaders of Team 8 and Team 10 recommending their Genin for the Chunin Exams.

The Chunin and Jonin behind them started whispered, surprised by this development. "Hold on, just a minute," "Yes, what is it Iruka?" the Sandaime asked the man. "Lord Hokage with all respect, the nine names that were just given were all my students at the Academy. I know their skills and abilities, every one of them has great potential and promise but it is too soon. They need more experience before the tested, if they try now, they're sure to fail the exam." answered Iruka. Kakashi then responded, "When I became a Chunin, I was six years younger than Naruto is now…" Iruka then responded that Kakashi and Naruto are nothing alike and asking if the man is trying to destroy him, Kakashi then told him of his team's complaints of not being challenged enough and maybe failing these exams will be a good lesson. The Sandaime interrupted the two men and said, "Iruka, you have made your point I understand, accordingly I have decided that the best thing to do is to hold a preliminary test."

(The next day)

At a bridge that served as the meeting spot for Team 7, Sasuke and Sakura were waiting on Naruto and Kakashi. During their wait, the Uchiha had to suffer in listening to the complaints of Sakura on how Naruto didn't answer her and what a beating she would give him the next time she sees him. A few moments later Kakashi arrived with Naruto shortly after with Kakashi giving a lame excuse of getting lost, he continued, "I know this is a bit sudden but I recommended you for the Chunin Exams, all three of you." He handed them the application forms, told them that it was completely voluntary and that they just need to sign the application form and go to room 301 at the academy at 3 pm five days later. He dismissed them as Naruto flew off once more without a word with Sasuke looking on in envy and anger whilst Sakura was yelling for literally leaving them in the dust. As the day continued, more foreign ninja and dignitaries were entering the village.

(Evening)

At another training ground, we hear kunai thrown into a wooden object as a ninja dressed in green spandex with a bowl cut and caterpillar sized eyebrows started talking, "Did you hear we're gonna have rookies at the exams, first-year Genin? That has not happened in five years." "No way, I bet it's just some jonin trying to boost their ego." said the female of the group whilst twirling a kunai her hand. "No, there is more to the story than that. Three of them are from Kakashi's squad." "Huh, interesting." Said the last member of the squad who had pupil-less white eyes. "But not really," His female teammate responded as she threw the kunai. "Either way, it's too bad for them." The white-eyed teammate said.

(Five days later; Naruto's house)

Since returning to Konoha, Naruto has been keeping with the same training regimen. He has only stopped two days earlier to allow his body some rest, as he was preparing for going to the Ninja Academy, we now see him wearing the clothes he wore when sealed inside his mind, his muscles were a bit more defined with his forehead protector tied around his right bicep. After checking if he had all his equipment, he headed for the door, placed a chakra and blood locking seal on the door when closing it, and flew off towards the academy.

(At the academy)

We now witness seeing Sasuke waiting alone in front of the academy with it almost being time, Sakura then arrived with a little bit of hesitance present in her eyes as Sasuke noted that something was different about her. Naruto then landed a few meters away and without another word proceeded to enter the academy with the rest of the team following. As Team 7 entered, they saw a big crowd of ninja standing in a hall as we heard somebody being kicked back revealing it to be the green spandex wearing ninja. "You're taking the Chunin Exams, but you can't even get passed us?" asked one of two random Chunin who was standing in front of the door to room 301. "Why don't you give up now before you get hurt." "Yeah, I think I hear your mommy calling ya." They continued to tease the boy; his female teammate also tried begging them to let allow entry but got punched in the face for her efforts with all of them getting a big speech from the random Chunin.

Team 7 arrived at the front of the crowd as the Uchiha spoke, "Real nice speech, now both of you step aside and let me through and while you're at it remove the Genjutsu, we can see through your illusion anyway. We're going to the third floor." The Chunin commended him for noticing the Genjutsu. Sakura then took credit for something she did not even notice but since the Uchiha complimented her, she supposedly saw it. One of the Chunin's then tried to test Sasuke's combat skill with him responding with a kick however both of their attacks were blocked by the green spandex Genin. Naruto just looked on with mild interest since the boy's speed was at a snail's pace in his eyes. Sasuke then thought, "He stopped my kick, that is some chakra he's got in his arm." The Genin's teammates approached him as the white-eyed boy asked him, "Hey, what happened to the plan? I thought you were the one who said to keep a low profile and don't let anyone see our skill level."

"I know but…" the green-clad boy responded with his female teammate interrupting him with and dismissing the issue altogether. The boy then walked towards Sakura and said, "My name is Rock Lee, you are Sakura, right?" with the girl confirming this. With a bright smile, he then said, "Please be my girlfriend, I vow to protect you with my life." With a mildly shocked look on her face, the girl said, "Definitely not." As the now rejected Rock Lee asking why as Sakura told him that he was a weirdo. "Hey, you, over here." the white-eyed teammate of Rock Lee called at Sasuke who turned around to look at the boy. "What is your name?" he asked. "It's common courtesy to give your name before asking someone else's." was the response of the Uchiha. "Hey, you're a rookie, aren't you? How old are you anyway?" he asked with the Sasuke's response being, "I'm not obliged to answer." As the white-eyed ninja got angry at this remark with his female teammate thought that the Uchiha was cute.

Team 7 then got on their way to the third floor as the two random Chunin from earlier was peeking from behind two doors as it was revealed that they were two different ninja's using the Transformation Jutsu. With Rock Lee's team looking at them, the white-eyed ninja thought, 'Sasuke of the Uchiha Clan' "He's pretty bold, you gonna challenge him?" His female teammate asked with the boy just walking away without answering and Rock Lee then telling them not to wait up for him as he was going to check something out and went in the opposite direction. As they were taking the stairs to the third floor, with a smirk on his face Sasuke thought, 'So this is the big bad Chunin exams huh? It's a freakshow…' Team 7 was now crossing a vacant floor when they heard, "Hey you, with the attitude hold on." When they turned around, they saw it was Rock Lee again with Sakura freaking out by his appearance again.

Sasuke asked him what he wanted with the Lee wanting to fight since he heard how good the Uchiha Clan were and with the boy declaring his immediate love for Sakura as she screamed that the boy's eyebrows couldn't be real as if she was in a nightmare and continued to highlight everything weird about him. Lee then complemented Sakura, blowing hearts at her with the latter dodging it in a moment of flexibility she has never had. Sasuke then said, "You've heard of the Uchiha Clan yet you're challenging me, you must be even more psycho then you look if that's possible. You wanna know more about my clan, then I'll teach you the hard way." Lee then readied himself as he thought, 'Excellent! A matchup against the number 1 rookie, I will draw him out and get him to reveal his technique and prove myself to you Guy-sensei.' "You see Sasuke, out of all the top Leaf Genin, I am the best. Fight me and I will prove it to you."

Naruto rolled his eyes and looked on as he thought, 'Yeah, that's what you think…' "This will be fun, let's do it." was the Uchiha's response as he accepted the challenge. Sakura then saw the time and urged the Uchiha that they had no time since registration was a 3 o'clock. Naruto then replied, "Don't worry so much Haruno, let the Uchiha fight and get his ass kicked by a stronger opponent. It will do his ego good to be knocked down a peg or two." Sasuke, infuriated by this comment just glared at Naruto and chose to do nothing since the boy's skill level was far above his own. He then ran at Lee with his first punch hitting the air as Lee disappeared and reappeared yelling, "Leaf hurricane!" with a kick for Sasuke's head missing and his second connecting in the face despite attempting to block the kick. As the Uchiha flew back, he then got up and said, "I've been waiting to try this out," and activated his Sharingan.

As the Haruno was having a mental orgasm on Sasuke's 'greatness', Naruto just observed with a look on his face that said he was not impressed. 'Genjutsu or Ninjutsu, whatever magic he's using I'll see it now,' was the thoughts of Sasuke as he sprinted towards Lee once more only to get kicked hard in the chin into the air as Lee said, "You see my technique is not Ninjutsu or Genjutsu," and ran at the Uchiha who landed on the floor. After a series of exchanges culminating with Lee hitting Sasuke in the stomach with an elbow and continued talking, "You get it now? I am using Taijutsu, meaning no tricks Sasuke," Lee disappeared and reappeared behind Sasuke, "It is just straight martial arts nothing more," as Sasuke got angry and attempted a backhand with him being too slow for Lee. "I know your technique, forget it, it will not work on me. I know you can see through your opponent's jutsu, that Sharingan gives you the ability to read his chakra and decipher his hand signs and movements. Guess what he's going to do almost before himself, the problem is Taijutsu is a little bit different." was Lee's comments, dissecting the Sharingan.

"So, what is your point," Sasuke asked. "I do not try to hide or disguise my moves, I do not have to even if you can read them, you still cannot stop them. You are too slow, your eyes may be quick enough to stay one step ahead of me but if your body cannot keep up, what good does it do you? You know what? Here is what I believe, there are two different kinds of ninja. Those like you who are born with talent and do not have to work at it and those like me the ones who have to train every day of our lives." As the Uchiha continued his attempts to hit the boy and failing, Lee continued speaking, "Fact is your Sharingan is the worst match for my extreme Taijutsu, here is what I mean," and went on the attack as he kicked Sasuke into the air once more, reappearing behind him and said, "Now I will prove my point, that hard work beats natural talent." The bandages loosened on his left hand as Sasuke wondered what his next move was going to be.

However, before Lee could finish his move, a red pinwheel pinned his bandage to the wall

with a red turtle with swirls on its shell yelled, "Alright, that's enough Lee." As Lee left Sasuke high and dry in the air with Sakura running to catch him, he went and kneeled in front of the creature and asked, "You were watching us the whole time?" "Of course, that last technique is forbidden, you know that!" the turtle answered with little patience in its voice. "I am sorry, I did not mean to." Lee apologized with the turtle looking him on with anger as he tried to make excuses. "You're a disgrace, you think you'll get away with a bunch of lame excuses like that. A shinobi never reveals his techniques unless it's necessary. It's such a basic rule you should know it by now." the turtle ranted with Lee asking for forgiveness.

Meanwhile, the Uchiha was seething in anger at losing to such a freak, "Hey." Sasuke heard as the voice broke him out of his anger and saw it was Naruto, "I hope this serves as a lesson for you, there will always be those stronger than you but anyways who are you to learn a lesson? You're an Uchiha, you think your God's gift to the world when it is not the case. No wonder you and Itachi are the last of your kind. Let's go, if we are late because of your ego, then I will make sure Itachi becomes the only Uchiha alive."

Naruto then walked away as Sasuke's anger was at a boiling point but managed to calm himself and did nothing since Naruto's strength was unknown to him as he and Sakura just followed. After Team 7 left, the turtle summoned Lee's sensei to determine his punishment with the man being just an adult version of Lee with a flak jacket over his green spandex. He then punched the boy away as his punishment and they did their patent Sunset Genjutsu as they hugged and left for the first part of the Chunin Exams. As Team 7 approached Room 301, they saw Kakashi waiting at the door, "Glad you came Sakura, for your sake and the others. Now you can all formally register for the Chunin Exam." he commented as Sakura asked the meaning of it, "You see, only groups of three can apply for the and take the exam. That's the way it's always been." He then stepped aside and wished then good luck as Team 7 entered the room.

Team 7 saw a bunch of other Genin from Konoha and other villages taking the Chunin Exams, Naruto looked on with zero interest while Sasuke and Sakura were intimidated by this sight. A voice then yelled out of nowhere, "Sasuke, where have you been?" as a platinum blonde-haired girl jumped on Sasuke's back. She then commented on how she hoped the boy would show up and how she missed him, "Hey you porker, back off, he's mine!" yelled an angry Sakura. "Miss forehead, they let you in? still got those frown lines on those billboard brow, I see." The girl commented as Sakura yelled for her forehead to be left alone. "That's ENOUGH!" yelled Naruto, "one would've thought that the two of you have grown up since becoming shinobi, but I guess I was wrong. You're still those weakling fangirls from your days in the academy running after the Uchiha." Naruto then promptly walked away as a stunned Ino asked, "Uhm Forehead, is that Naruto?"

Sakura answered, "Yes, it is." "What happened to him? And why does he have red hair instead of blonde?" asked a curious Ino, "We fully also don't know but a few things are for sure, he is strong… the strongest of our class I would say. He doesn't like the villagers that much and he can fly." "No way, I'm pretty sure Sasuke-kun can take him down without a sweat, he is or was the dumbest of our class after all," commented a nonchalant Ino.

Sakura, with a look of defeat on her face, just shook her head as she said, "Unfortunately not Ino, while we were on a mission outside the village, he decimated an entire forest section and left deep craters in the ground and that was just a training session." Sasuke seethed in anger once more as he thought back to the event. "Oh, it's you guys, I knew this was gonna be a drag, but I didn't know it was gonna be this lame." comment a different voice revealing it to be Ino's teammates, Shikamaru and Choji. "Well, what do you know, it looks like the whole gang is together again," commented a feral boy with red fangs on his cheeks, he also had a white puppy on his head whose name is Akamaru. This was Kiba Inuzuka along with his teammates Shino Aburame and Hinata Hyuga.

"You guys too huh? Man, everyone is here for this stupid thing," commented Shikamaru. Kiba then commented on how fun it was going to be for those of them who were good enough. A still chewing Choji noticed how delicious the dog looked and stepped forward for a possible inspection however he was stopped by Shino to allow a bug safe passage on the floor. "Hey, you guys, you might wanna try keeping it down a little. I mean no offense but you're the rookies, right? Fresh out the academy? I wouldn't go make a spectacle of yourselves, just cool it." Another leaf ninja interrupted them. Ino then asked the ninja who he was, and he replied, "I'm Kabuto Yakushi but really look around you, you've made quite an impression." As the rookies except Naruto looked around, they saw all the other ninja glaring at them. "This exam makes everyone tense and you don't want to rub them the wrong way right now," Sakura then asked Kabuto if this was not his first time in the exam, to which he confirms it to be his seventh attempt.

Naruto, who was observing these interactions, thought, 'Seventh time huh? Either the Sandaime is more senile than I thought, or you are a spy, and I'm inclined to believe both.' He then confirmed the Chunin Exams being held twice a year with this being his fourth year. Kabuto then took a deck of cards out of his back pouch and telling the rookies all about them. He then used one of the cards to show them a map of all the countries in the exams and the number of candidates they have entered, Sasuke then asked Kabuto for information about Gaara and Rock Lee, he then read the cards for the rookies, "Okay, first up is Rock Lee. Looks like he is about a year older than you guys, mission experience: 11 C-ranks and 20 D-ranks, his squad leader is Guy, in the last twelve months his Taijutsu has radically improved but his other skills are pretty shaky. Last year he got a lot of attention as a Genin for some reason he chose not to participate in the Chunin Exam, this will be his first time as a candidate the same as you guys. His teammates are Tenten and Neji Hyuga."

"Okay, now for Gaara of the Desert, mission experience: 8 C-ranks and one B-rank as a Genin, there is not a lot more information on him. This guy was a rookie from another land but there is this, He survived every mission without getting a scratch on him." Kabuto finished his analysis on Gaara with the rookies looking stunned by this. "That is no doubt the work of Shukaku, the One Tail. Of our group, he was the one who always boasted having the ultimate defense but from what we have seen of his Jinchuriki is that the boy is now an insomniac, no doubt threatening to take over should the boy go to sleep." commented the Nine-Tails as he and Kushina were also listening in with Naruto's thoughts being, 'The One Tails sure doesn't like humans.' as he continued looking on. As he gazed over the crowd his eyes caught a crimson-haired girl with the same color eyes, wearing glasses and though to his sealed companions, 'Do you guys see that? I think we just found another Uzumaki clan member and does she have a massive chakra pool. But how did she end up in the Grass village?' 'You can ask her that when you see her in the next stage of the exams if she is an Uzumaki we must get her and her mother out of that village!' was the comment from his mother Kushina.

Kabuto then commented that all the countries have sent exceptionally talented candidates but nonchalantly blew off the Sound Genin since they were a relatively new village, in the crowd said Genin heard his comment and decided to do something about it. They then disappeared, weaving through the crowd, one threw two kunai at Kabuto forcing him to jump back as Dosu punched at Kabuto and missed. Kabuto let a confident smirk show on as his face, his glasses then cracked and he commented, "Oh, so it was that kind of attack." Sasuke then said, "Hang on, I saw it all. He dodged the attack; how did that happen?" "It must have come closer than it looked, look at him acting like it was nothing, real tough guy," commented Shikamaru. "Your eyes are really slow Uchiha and to think you were the rookie of the year in our class. To answer your question, he just utilized his villages namesake in his attack hence a sound-based attack so even if he physically misses you, his attack will still connect." Naruto commented as everyone looked at him.

Dosu just looked at Naruto without saying a word, he then focused his attention back on Kabuto and said, "Maybe not such a tough guy after all, maybe that is why he is on his seventh try." "Write this on your little card punk, 'the Genin from the Sound village will be Chunin when this is over', guaranteed." A massive puff of smoke occurred in the front of the room as a voice yelled from within, "Alright you babyface degenerates, pipe down and listen up. It's time to begin, I am Ibiki Morino, your proctor, and from this moment, your worst enemy." The man introduced himself with a large group of ninjas behind him. As everyone was looking at the man, he continued, "First, you candidates from the village hidden in the Sound knock it off, who told you, you could fight? You wanna be failed before we've even begun? I'll say this once so listen up, there will be no combat between candidates, no attacking each other without my permission and even then, the use of fatal force is strictly prohibited. Anyone who even thinks otherwise will be disqualified immediately got it? Now if we're ready we'll proceed to the first stage of the Chunin Exams, hand over your paperwork, each of you will get a number which determines where you will sit. We'll start the written test once you're all seated."

After everyone has taken their seats with their test in front of them, Naruto found himself seated next to Hinata who wished him good luck, although blushing and stuttering as she did so and he returned the gesture meanwhile Kushina was gushing that the girl had a crush on Naruto and teasing him about it. Ibiki then explained the rules of the written test to all the candidates and before he could tell them to begin Naruto looked back at Sakura and with a sweet smile that promised pain on his face, said, "Haruno, if you or the Uchiha mess this up for me, I will make sure to put you to the sword." and faced forward as Sakura was as pale as a ghost with Hinata looking a bit shocked. Ibiki then told them to begin as everyone anxiously got on with the test. Some candidates discovered the true purpose if the test and decided to cheat using various methods ranging from utilizing their bloodline to using pre-fixed objects and some using just plain smarts. During this time many candidates who got caught and the rest of their team got failed in the exam.

Ibiki spoke up as there were fifteen minutes left, "Now that we've weeded out most of the hopeless cases, fifteen minutes to go. Time for the main event… Alright listen up, here's the tenth and final question but before I give you the question, there are some more rules you need to be aware of." Kankuro then entered with Ibiki commenting that he hoped the boy's trip to the bathroom was enlightening with Kankuro panicking that the man saw through his disguise, Ibiki only told him to get to his seat and continued where he left off, "These rules are unique to question ten, listen carefully and try not to let them frighten you… Rule number one, each of you is free to choose not to be given the final question." Temari then asked what the catch was with Ibiki explaining that if they choose not to take the question, they will get a zero regardless of the answers on the other nine questions meaning they and their teammates will be failed. He continued, "If you do accept the question but the answer is incorrect, you will not only fail but be barred for taking the Chunin Exams ever again!"

Several more teams quitted, choosing not to take the question as Ibiki then thought, 'Hmm 78 left, more than I expected but I don't anyone wavering, I think that is it.' "For those of you remaining, there is only one thing left to do and that is for me to tell you… that you've all surpassed the first exam!" This left everyone in surprise as Sakura asked about the tenth question, Ibiki went on the explain that it did not exist as their decision to stay was the answer, explaining the purpose of the test, to cheat if they wanted to pass. He then revealed his scarred, burned, and punctured head to the remaining candidates and told them how important information was in battle, to always consider their source since enemy intel was not always accurate and after a long speech and hypotheticals declared the first part of the Chunin Exams completed. An object then bursts through the window as two kunai embedded themselves into the roof as a woman was saying, "Heads up boys and girls, this is no time to celebrating. I'll be your next proctor, Anko Mitarashi. You ready? Let's go, follow me!" Ibiki then looked out from behind the banner and said, "You're early again."

She then chastised him for leaving so many behind with his test being too easy and claimed more than will be eliminated after she's done with them, Anko told them that their squad leaders will be telling them where to meet her for the second part of the exams and dismissed them.

(The Next Day)

As everyone was staring at a fenced-off forest with its gates heavily locked, Anko told them that it was the location for the second phase of the Chunin Exams. Training ground number 44 or better known as the Forest of Death. "Now before we begin this test, I have something to hand out to you all. It's just a standard consent form, before the test all of you are going to have to read and sign this form. Some of you may not return from this test and I have to get your consent for that otherwise it will be my responsibility. Now I'll be explaining what you will be doing on this test, the first thing you need to know is that this test will test every one of your survival skills. A brief oversight into the terrain is as such, the forest of death has 44 locked entrance gates with rivers and forest inside, in the center is a locked tower located ten kilometers from each gate. It's in this confined area that you will undergo the survival test, the test consists of an anything-goes battle to get your hands on these scrolls. You will be fighting to get both heaven and an earth scroll. Altogether 26 teams will be taking part in this test so halve of those teams will be going after the heaven scroll and the half the earth scroll. Each team will be getting one kind of scroll and vying for the other one." explained Anko to all the teams.

Sasuke then asked how they will pass the test with Anko telling them that the entire team must bring both Heaven and Earth scrolls to the tower. She then told them that their time limit will be five days with Choji asking borderline panicking about food as Anko told him that the forest had plenty to eat. Anko then told them about the ways of getting disqualified and told them to exchange their consent forms for the scrolls at the booth, pick a gate, and be let inside with her last word of advice for them not to die. As they were starting to hand out scrolls, Naruto was standing with his team and whispered to them, "I can see which team has what scroll, so when we enter this forest I want you guys to head straight for the central tower while I eliminate the competition and collect the extra scrolls, I will create a clone to stand in for me and whatever you do, don't stop for anything. Should anything bad happen, just destroy the clone, and I will know and come help." After everyone has received their scrolls and waited at their gates, said gates opened as everyone rushed except for Team 7 who walked in with Naruto switching with a clone and flying off as his team ran inside with the decoy.

Inside the forest, Team 10 almost got spotted not even five minutes in due to Choji's eating habits by a group of Taki ninja with them going a different direction moments later whilst Team 8 was standing in the open as they were located by Ame Genin. Akamaru's nose picked up their scent as the one who was the leader commented, "Bunch of fools just standing out in the open like they wanna get caught," a bulge occurred on his back as his teammates asked what it was which was revealed to be a leech as more of the parasites fell from the forest canopy sucking the Genin dry of their blood. As they were screaming for the leeches to get off, Kiba commented, "Well, it looks like the leeches found them, they sense body temperature and perspiration and then swoop down on their prey in a group. If they suck your blood for five minutes, it's all over." as the Ame Genin was lying there with leeches on them, there tried to get up but rigged a trap instead that their whole group in a net in the air and continued screaming as Kiba commented that one team is down.

Team 7 was still walking through the forest when they heard the screams and saw birds flying away from said location. An Ame Genin also confronted their group this time, he was wearing an oxygen breather along with a yellow bodysuit as he asked, "So which one of you has the scroll? Fine then, I guess I'll have to take you all out." He then rushed them as no one gave him an answer and Team 7 was prepared for battle. Sasuke then jumped into the air weaving hand seals, and thought, 'Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu' releasing several small fireballs from his mouth however the ninja was fast enough to evade getting hit and clashed kunai mid-air with Sasuke who pursuit him afterward as the ninja threw knives at Sasuke with a paper bomb tagged kunai in between which exploded moments afterward as Sasuke got blew back but managed to land taking minimal damage as the ninja appeared behind him with a kunai and said, "Sorry, this is one test you fail. Now hand over the scroll or you die!"

Suddenly, he was knocked away with massive force revealing it to be clone Naruto who asked the boy if he was okay. The ninja then groggily got up but regained his bearing quickly, as he was planning to retreat a frustrated Sasuke channeled chakra to his soles and kicked the kunai at the ninja with following afterward. As he turned around to mount a defense, he was stabbed in the chest by the Uchiha, Sakura then called for him as Sasuke chastised her not to just stand around and check for their attacker's teammates. However, he confirmed that he came alone and what a big mistake it was, he then retreated into the forest to his teammates. A while later, the group was in a small meeting as Sasuke started, "We have to come up with a way of knowing that each of us is who we say we are." Sakura then asked what they should do with the Uchiha telling them that they should have a password, he then gave the question and answer to the group to ensure they have no imposters.

The Uchiha then decided to take the scroll, however before clone Naruto could say anything, a sharp wind passed his cheek. He then looked in the direction the wind went, his eyes widened as he saw a figure in the darkness with a massive gust following afterward. After the ensuing giant dust cloud settled down, their attackers were revealed to be three Kusa Genin, the leader in the middle then told her teammates to fan out and keep watch as she will handle this battle alone. Sasuke was hiding behind the bush when Sakura approached him and he asked for the password, she gave it to him with Naruto approaching moments later and doing the same. Sasuke then yelled for their attacker to show themselves as clone Naruto looked at the ninja using his X-ray vision and thought, 'Do you guys see that he is wearing this woman's face… how disgusting.' Kushina then focused on the image she saw through Naruto and panicked as she said, "Naruto you have to get out of there even if you are a clone, that is Orochimaru an S-rank criminal. You may be able to give him a run for his money, but his battle experience will tip the fight in his favor at least until the real you can arrive!' 'I'm gonna buy some time, my real me will receive these memories when I disperse.' was the clone's final thought.

Naruto then said, "You guys have to get out of here, I can at least buy you guys some time for my real self to find and catch up with you." "What are you talking about Naruto, this is just a normal Genin, we can surely take her," Sasuke replied. "No, she is not. Her chakra is off the charts, definitely not Chunin or Jounin level." Sakura then asked, "But what about the real you? He said we should destroy you in case something like this happened." "Don't worry, he will receive this anyway, now go." The clone urged them on as he handed the scroll to Sasuke and the two of them escaped. "The disguised ninja the looked and Naruto and let out a cruel laugh and said, "I'm impressed that you sacrificed yourself for your teammates but I'm not here for you." "Let me guess, you are here for the Uchiha," replied Naruto. "I'm only here to have some fun…" the ninja evaded the question and tried to speed blitz clone Naruto but failed, the clone tried to connect a punch to the stomach but missed and retreated.

The grass ninja then said, "You have good reflexes and is fast, but you are wasting my time, and seeing as you are a clone, I will destroy you now, I have no interest in you. My only interest lies in Sasuke-kun." What ensued was a high-speed battle that destroyed a significant portion of the environment with clone Naruto utilizing Heat Vision as the only giveaway on his abilities besides his speed and reflexes. This bout eventually ended with the Grass ninja emerging as the victor having some bruises and lost hair due to the Heat vision narrowly missing her head. She then commented whilst creepily licking her lips, "That clone was more trouble than it was worth, you may be strong Naruto but I'm sure you are subpar in comparison to Sasuke-kun or his Sharingan."

(With Naruto)

As the real Naruto was in the process of eliminating another team via severe beatdowns and then taking their scrolls, he still has not found the girl who could be a possible Uzumaki as he thought, 'Damn another team without her. I must find her soon or she could die,' the memories of his Shadow Clone then came in as he thought, 'So, that's Orochimaru. That is a different level of creepiness but anyways I should send some clones to help them, who knows why he is after Sasuke.' Naruto then created ten clones to help his teammates with secondary objectives to keep an eye out for the girl. The clones then flew off in search of their teammates with Naruto walking away from the team that was lying on the forest floor groaning. After a few hours and finding no teams, he received memories from a clone that found the girl and spied on her group for a few minutes, the clone saw how poorly they treated the girl and from the looks of it biting the girl to heal themselves and dispersed after seeing that they left their Earth scroll with her whilst the other clones were still looking for his teammates. He then flew off with a sonic burst towards the location of the girl knowing that time was of the essence.

(With the red-headed Kusa Genin)

As the girl was sitting at the base of a huge tree after her teammates left her with the scroll, she then tucked her legs in as she thought back to how bad her life turned out. Her mother was dead, and the village only used her as a healing chakra battery since her mother passed away doing the same thing. How she wished her life could be different… she then heard a growl and when she looked up, saw a massive angry bear. The animal then swiped at her but missed, she then ran however she tripped on a tree root losing her glasses in the process. As the bear charged her, she was still looking for her glasses, she heard the bear going silent and when she found and put on her glasses she saw a red-haired boy floating, his eyes red, with the bear cleanly cut in half from the front to back.

A few seconds later, Naruto's eyes returned to their usual violet color and with a smile on his face said, "Hello, I am Naruto Uzumaki. I am only here to check theory and no I am not here for your scroll we have the same one. What is your name?" The Grass kunoichi then responded, "Thank you for saving me, my name is Karin. It depends on what you want to test because I don't trust you." She ended with a look of suspicion. Naruto then laughed and said, "Don't worry, it is just a blood test," he then took out a scroll and after finishing the formula told Karin to place a drop of blood on the center of the scroll. As she did so, the scroll light up with the sealing formula absorbing the blood, a few seconds later the sealing formula turned red as it shaped into the Uzumaki Clan crest. With a look of curiosity, Karin asked, "So what does that mean, it's just a weird symbol." Naruto with a somber look on his face said, "I'm surprised you don't recognize is look of sadness in his eyes, Naruto said, "I'm surprised you don't recognize it at all, it is our clan's insignia after all…"

"Wait, you don't mean?" Karin asked with hesitance, "Yes, welcome to the family. Contrary to what you may believe there were survivors when the other great villages decided to wipe our clan out, I have decided to gather the remains of our clan," answered Naruto. Getting angry Karin yelled, "Yeah right and I am supposed to believe you based on a piece of paper?" Remaining calm Naruto looked Karin dead in the eye and said, "It's either that or return to that despicable village where it will probably cause your death," his eyes the softened as he said, "One of my clones saw how your teammates treated you and used you as a healing chakra battery. I know that you have great sensory abilities since you detected the clone but chose not to alert your teammates. For the Uzumaki, the family stands above all. I'm sure your parents at least taught you that."

It was when hearing this that Karin thought back to her childhood with her mother and everything she was taught including this creed and to always search for others like her even if her mother did not give a clan name at the time. A tear then escaped her eye as she thought, 'Mother, I finally understand what you meant.' She then wiped the tear and looked at Naruto with her reply being, "Yes, she did teach me that family should always stick together no matter what." With a smile on his face, Naruto said, "So does that mean we'll stick together?" "Yes," confirmed Karin. Naruto then had a serious thought as he asked, "Wait a minute, you said 'did' when talking about your mother, has she passed away?" Karin had a look of sadness on her face as she confirmed this and showed him the bite marks on her arms telling him they did the same thing with her mother to the point of exhausting her chakra reserves, Naruto then gave his condolences for her loss.

Naruto then asked, "So now that you are free, what would you like to do after this part of the exam is over? And what about your teammates, won't they be a problem and report you the village officials should they make it out of here alive?" "Yes, that is true, I think we should take them out while we have the chance, a bit of family bonding if you will," Karin confirmed with a cruel grin on her face as they thought up plans and traps to cause the best possible damage.

-Chapter End-

(Author's Note: And so we came to the end of the Land of Waves Arc, I also know that the Naruto/Sandaime confrontation was underwhelming since most of you guys would've expected Naruto attacking everything in sight the moment he stepped into Konoha. I only received one review of someone wanting to see what happened to the fake personality, so I decided against adding the scene of what happened to it. I know I will be getting flames for this chapter also since give or take 65% of the comments are just that, I will be doing the standard matches for the preliminaries but should you guys want different matchups in the Preliminaries, leave it in the comments and should more of the readers want the same I will do. Take note, if you are the only one who wants that matchup I will not do it anyways the Chunin Exams has started, the Sand Siblings along with others have made their debut here, Naruto is training to be a walking powerhouse having found a member of his family, and what was this 'mysterious' sealing formula that was capable of scaring the Sandaime into submission? What happens next, is anyone's guess. Stay tuned, next on Ethereal Uzumaki. IW3000 OUT!)