Hello all. Back with another chapter. Please remember to review as much as possible. That is very important in terms of inspiration for me to get new chapters out. Anyways, onwards we roll
Chapter 10: Truths and Lies
The small smile on Naruto's face disappears as he notes his own confusion at his reaction to seeing his female teammate. He steps through the door, after removing his shoes, as Satsuki stands aside to let him in, her brother still on his back.
He walks into the household, looking around and observing the grand and regal interior design of the household, matching it's exterior architecture which stands out even amongst the rest of the compounds impressive construction as well. He looks on in concealed awe. The Hokage's compound was itself impressive and a sheer display of opulence and wealth but even it didn't match this. And Naruto having spent the vast majority of his nights since turning five years old, sleeping under a tree for shelter was amazed by a home of such status.
"Satsuki, who's at the door?" the blonde hears a feminine voice call out accompanied by the sound of footsteps. A dark-haired woman emerges from another room dressed in a dark purple blouse with a red plum skirt and an apron on and comes to a stop in front of the two, her long straight black hair forming bangs on either side of her fair-skinned face, and roughly framing her cheeks and eyebrows.
"Naruto!" Mikoto happily greets, seeing seeing her best friends eldest child.
"Evening , Lady Mikoto" Naruto responds formally with a bow of the head for the Uchiha matriarch. Mikoto looks on taken aback bit, the fact that she hadn't seen Kushina's eldest in years only occurring to her now. Not since... Kushina's other three all referred to her as 'Aunt Mikoto', considering her family because of the close bond she holds with their mother as a sister and because of how she had watched them grow. They had all visited and slept over at the compound many times years ago but now that she thinks about it, this is Naruto's first time setting foot here since before he was around five years old.
She had heard the rumors that the boy had packed his belongings and left his family's home and Fugaku had confirmed them for her, not divulging much else much to her chagrin. Kushina seems to alway be nowhere to find these days for the past few weeks and so the opportunity to question the red-head about what was going on hasn't presented itself.
" I see you're with Sasuke " she says looking to her son on the blonde boys back, his clothes dirtied and his body sporting a fair amount of bruises.
"Is everything OK? What happened?" the smile on her face turning into a look of concern as she walks towards the blonde carrying her son on his back.
"We were training " Naruto responds " and...he took a knock. Nothing severe I assure you" Naruto responds plainly casting a glance at the unconscious boy on his back before looking back at the boys mother now standing in front of him
"Really?" Mikoto raises an eyebrow at the blondes response, looking him up and down. Not a single scratch, bruise or speck of dirt on the blondes body indicating combat. Fugaku wasn't exaggerating about his male students ability.
Satsuki looks on at Naruto with an eyebrow of her own raised, not surprised that the blonde had beaten her brother handily but rather that the two had trained with one another. The eyebrow lowers as she muses about what likely happened. Naruto wouldn't have gone looking for Sasuke or perhaps anyone for that matter.
'Sasuke must have gone looking for Naruto to fight him, because of what he heard from dad and I '. Such would be typical of her twin brother. His desire to get stronger and be the best meant that when ever he came across someone who was stronger than or rivaled him he would do all in his power to match and surpass them. A result of this mentality had been years of one-upsmanship between him and Menma and a close friendship, now no longer existent. Herself and Sasuke were once equals and she even remembers being superior to him at a time but now it's clear to her that her sibling had surpassed her, even if marginally. As talented as he is, such a fact is as much the result of Sasuke's burning determination and hunger for an increase in strength as it is his natural ability. Perhaps her new eyes will help close he gap though.
"Well, alright then" Mikoto says concern still present in her voice. "I'll check on Sasuke in a few moments but first I need to check on the food. Satsuki, show Naruto to Sasuke's room " the Uchiha woman says walking off before turning her head.
"You'll be joining us for dinner right?" Mikoto asks .
Naruto's eyebrows rise for a moment.
"I'd rather n-" the blonde is interrupted by the sound of the door behind him opening. He turns to see his Jonin leader walking into the home.
"He will be joining us. I insist " Fugaku says with a small smile on his face looking right at the blonde boy.
Naruto's mouth opens and then closes, sighing inwardly. If it's Fugaku then there's no point in arguing.
Training ground 11
Kaori drops down onto her knees, gasping for breath, logs laying before her in pieces with hard clumps of earth amongst them. Her clothes stick to her body soaked with sweat. She places her hands to the ground, bent over in order to support herself. She shuts her eyes tight as the sensation of tears stinging them arrives. The blue-haired kunoichi balls her hands into fists, gathering clumps of dirt into her palms.
A young girl, about 7 or 8 years of age with black eyes, hair of a light blue colour tied into a spiky ponytail stands still with a look of horror etched across her face as a large white snake slithers up her body, wrapping around her as she shakes like a leaf in the wind.
"G-" Kaori isn't even able to utter a word as the breath leaves her body and she collapses forward, laying out on the ground with a thud under the starry night sky.
Elsewhere in the Hidden Leaf
The elderly man looks to his left out at the impressive view of the village from atop the restaurant, sitting alone at the table. The fedora hat atop his head and dark glasses obscuring his eyes matching the black suit he has on. His eyes stay glued on the view even as his ears register the sound of footsteps approaching his position.
He turns his head to see a sharply dressed young male with brown slicked back hair. The male places the silver platter in his right hand onto the table and sits opposite Danzo without a word. Finally Danzo turns his head to Hisateru who sits back in his waiter disguise.
"Mission accomplished old man" he utters casually while lifting the lid on the silver platter, grabbing a pair of chopsticks, separating them.
Danzo watches on as the boy pulls the platter of food he had ordered and begins eating casually.
"Mh, quite quick" Danzo muses looking at the boy from behind his dark shades. "So Mizuki is dead?"
"Affirmative" Hisateru replies using one hand to ruffle his own hair, attempting to get it back to its usual spiky look. He can't wait to wash this stupid dye out.
"I see. And you ensured not to leave any trace of distinctive evidence?" the old man asks. The boy in response shoots him a deadpan look, showing his feeling of being insulted by the question before continuing with the meal before him, the old man watching in silence.
"In his last moments " Hisateru says after a few moments of silence, bar the sound of his eating " he seemed...rattled. Talking to himself, seeing things, displaying paranoia. His psychological state clearly wasn't stable. It's possible that the T and I department may have broken him before I got to him" he muses casually, not looking up at the old man but rather fully focused on his incredibly delicious meal. He'll have to check this place out himself sometime.
"Perhaps. Perhaps not. That is of no concern to us. He knew nothing of the Foundation and any affiliation or ties we may have had to his master. The clients request was the elimination of Mizuki. That has been done and the payment for our services has been given" he says plainly.
Hisateru looks up from his platter for a moment an eyebrow raised in curiosity. What had Orochimaru offered or perhaps rather what had the old man demanded in exchange for this mission' s completion? Money? Necessary when running a top secret organisation of military black operatives but gramps isn't short on that and certainly wouldn't waste an opportunity to leverage the snake on just money. He resolves to do mental gymnastics about that later. The point is his work is done. Mizuki's remains won't offer the opportunity for any information to be retrieved either. Hard to retrieve Intel from ashes, at least from his knowledge.
"You understand that this doesn't count as an official mission report right?" Danzo asks his chin rested upon his interlocked hands, one of which is hidden by a black glove that seems to extend up his sleeve. He watches on as Hisateru places the last bit of food left on the platter in his mouth.
"I know." he responds standing up "I'll do that tomorrow. I'm tired gramps. See ya" he yells running towards the edge of the rooftop dining space and jumping off , disguise and all, disappearing in a burst of smoke.
"Hey!" Danzo calls out to the boy in vain as he leaves abruptly. He turns his head back to the platter of food he had ordered, not a shred of it left. He sighs heavily shaking his head.
'Mhm. There's quite a lot to be desired but...you're coming along nicely ' he says inwardly before turning his head, his shaded eyes once again glued to the grand view of his home.
Uchiha compound.
A groan escapes the boys mouth as his eyelids flutter and rise. Sasuke's eyes are met with the white ceiling of his bedroom once again. He turns his head to the left, looking out of his bedroom window and seeing the night sky. How long has he been unconscious? He reaches for his face and touches it, wincing at the pain in his jaw and taking note that the cuts and bruise all over his body are now concealed by band aids. He continues staring out of the window at the night sky in thought. The last thing he remembered was a fist rushing at his face in the light of the setting sun. He had been...
"Naruto" Sasuke says to himself outloud. Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze had beaten him, and had done it handily. Sasuke, still laying on his back, balls his fists in a gesture of prideful frustration. He had been thoroughly outmatched. He had landed one measly and ultimately ineffective kick and hadn't landed a scratch on his flesh.
He places his hands on either side of himself and pushes himself up into a sitting position, once again wincing in pain, placing a hand to his hurting stomach.
How is that guy so strong? Why and how had he hidden such ability for so long?
'He's not like his brother. Or sisters. He's...different' the Uchiha says inwardly narrowing his eyes in thought.
With Naruto
Naruto and Fugaku walk side by side, each with his hands in his pockets, the latter having asked to speak with the former in private.
Naruto looks around at the compound an eerie silence hanging over it save for the chirping of crickets. He looks through the windows, the inside of each household they pass dark and silent, staring in thought.
"You remind me of my son" Fugaku says breaking the silence between the two and causing Naruto to turn his head to his sensei, an eyebrow raised in thought. Who does he-
"Well, technically he was my nephew but he and his older brother became mine after his father, who was my elder brother, and his mother passed" Fugaku continues looking at his student.
"His name was Shisui." Fugaku says looking up at the sky. Naruto recognises the name easily. Shisui the Teleporter. One of the most formidable shinobi the Leaf had seen in recent history, touted to be, at the time of his death, the second strongest of the Uchiha clan, second only to the man that walks next to Naruto right now.
"I suppose he was a bit more of a jokester than you at times but besides that, you two are pretty alike" he says turning his head and once again laying his eyes on his student. He figures the best way of allowing the boy to be open and honest with him is opening up himself.
Naruto looks at his sensei silently and looks away, not knowing at all what to say.
"I know about Mizuki".
The blonde stops in his tracks at the words. He doesn't panic looking down at the ground in thought. He'd been silently awaiting this. He hadn't expected Mizuki to tell the truth. He would have thought the embarrassment of the 'Demon brat' taking him down and perhaps being praised isn't something he would have wanted. And even if the rogue Chunin told the truth if Naruto denied it, he would have hoped there wouldn't be any concrete evidence proving his involvement in the Chunins arrest. But this is problematic. If Mizuki had told the whole truth, then not coming forward with the knowledge of Orochimaru's involvement in the plot to seize the Forbidden scroll could and would be interpreted as wrong doing.
"I see..." Naruto responds after a few moments of silence. He raises his head to look at the Uchiha. "So I take it the Hokage knows as well?" the blonde questions.
"He knows what he needs to, including Orochimaru's involvement. But as for who stopped Mizuki. His interrogator unfortunately just couldn't find that out" Fugaku says, a small smile gracing his lips as Naruto's eyebrows rise in surprise.
Fugaku walks closer to the boy, standing in front of him.
"Tell me Naruto, Why didn't you tell your father the truth?" Fugaku asks with a feeling that he's getting closer to what he needs to know.
Naruto shrugs inwardly, knowing where this is going. He's not giving up any personal information that could be used against him in this case so he doesn't care.
"Because I couldn't put it past Lord Hokage and other circles linked to him to assume I was complicit and act on said suspicions. Because I don't trust him" he responds plainly. Fugaku's eyes narrow in thought. It seems to him like the boy doesn't trust anyone, not even the comrades he fights alongside. Nevertheless he continues to dig.
" Why don't you trust your father?" the Jonin asks.
The blonde responds
With Menma
The red and black haired boy skids and rolls before jumping to his feet in a display of agility. The last 7 clones rush toward him at once. He runs towards them as well. He lowers his head, dodging a kick from one, sweeping it's other leg out from beneath it and punching it. As it explodes into a cloud of smoke, the other six rush and pounce on him, dog piling onto him. Beneath the pile he closes his eyes, staying still for a moment and they snap open, his once purple eyes having turned red with his pupils having become slits. He rises pushing the clones away, sending them flying in an incredibledisplayof strength.He speeds at each of them one by one, scars, bruises and all, dispatching of them with singe strikes until they're all gone and he's standing alone in the training ground under the starlit night sky.
He raises his his right hand, looking at it in the darkness before balling it into a fist, his eyes having returned to their normal colour by now.
'So you've gotten stronger. Well...I can get stronger too. Much stronger! Just you wait. It'll be you and me. You'll lay at my feet and finally be forced to acknowledge me!'
He jumps away landing at the top of the tallest tree in his sight, laying eyes on the Hokage monument, visible even from here.
"I will be the greatest!" he exclaims punching a fist into the air.
Uchiha clan compound.
"That is the truth sensei" Naruto says as Fugaku stares at him blankly.
"I won't try to prove anything to you. Whether you choose to believe me or not is your choice. I've simply told you because as my sensei as well as someone I've come to respect, I feel the need to answer and be honest to your question " Naruto says to the still silent Uchiha clan head. He continues to walk on.
"Forgive me but I simply can't join your family for dinner" he says while walking away.
"I won't stand here and claim I understand precisely what you've experienced. That would be a lie" Fugaku says causing his student to stop in his tracks.
"All the pain that you've endured, has taught you to be weary of those around you, hasn't it?" the Uchiha patriarch speaks. The blonde stays silent at his sensei's question, needing not speak to answer it.
"It's clear. In obvious ways like your refusal to give away any information about your skills to subtle ones, like the way your eyes are always moving over your surroundings alertly even in the calmest moments with comrades near you" he continues causing Naruto's eyes to widen at the Uchiha's astute observations.
"Respect isn't enough Naruto. Strength isn't enough. Not for me, you or anyone. Sooner or later, you're going to have to start trusting me as your sensei. Trusting your comrades. Trusting those close to you." he says watching the blonde boy, whose back is still turned to him. His student stays silent for a few moments before finally speaking.
"Have a goodnight Fugaku sensei" he utters plainly before disappearing in a blur.
Uzumaki Namikaze household
"But mom-" Menma pleads with a hand on the chair he's pulled out.
"BUT NOTHING MENMA! YOU'RE NOT EATING AT MY TABLE UNTIL YOU'RE CLEAN! HAVE YOU CAUGHT A WHIFF OF YOUR OWN STENCH?" Kushina yells in response, her hair swaying from her head in Nine tendril-like bunches as though having a life of it's own.
The other four in the room watch on at this scene, sweat-dropping. Kakashi looks on at the scene before looking over at his sensei who chuckles as his student shoots him a look that says;
'Ya sure know how to pick em Sensei' the masked shinobi says inwardly before looking back at the scene, afraid by some magic the red-head had heard his thought .
All eyes in the living room turn to its entrance as a new-comer walks in.
"Uncle Fugaku" Menma says seeing Satsuki and Sasuke's father.
"Fugaku. What a pleasant surprise. Have you come to join us?" Kushina smiles.
Fugaku looks at her for a moment, usual stern expression in place, before looking at Minato.
"He told me everything. Naruto told me everything " he utters. Minato eyes widen for a second before his head lowers, hanging in shame. Mito does the same as does Kushina, whilst Yayoi feels the sting of tears in her eyes once again. Kakashi all the while, watches on at this scene with an eyebrow raised and eye narrowed in confusion and curiosity.
"Hmph. And just what did that lying loser say to you?" Menma scoffs. He yelps in pain as Kushina smacks him over the head, silencing him.
Fugaku continues to look directly at the Hokage, as though the boys words and his received smack haven't registered at all. He sees the shame on the blonde's face and knows the answer but chooses to ask anyway, still holding out hope for his friend.
"Is it true?" he demands in a calm voice. Minato remains silent giving the Uchiha his answer. The blonde Hokage stands up walking towards the Jonin.
"He spoke to you?" Minato asks coming to a stop in front of Fugaku " He spoke to you openly and honestly? How did...What exactly did h-" Minato asks in a voice laced with desperation only to be cut off by the man in front of him.
"Under normal circumstances I would just be letting you know how bitterly disappointed I am in you as a friend " the Jonin says, the Hokage's head lowering in shame once again.
"But that boy is my student. Which means he's one of my own. So telling you I'm disappointed, unfortunately, is not all I'm obliged to do" Fugaku says before cocking his fist back and launching it forwards at his friends face.
Minato sees the punch coming and stays still, not dodging. He deserves this. The fist collides with his cheek, sending him backwards and laying him out onto his back. A shocked silence hangs over the room for a split second. It is quickly broken as Menma lunges at the Uchiha, yelling angrily. He doesn't get close though as with a thud he suddenly finds himself on the floor on his stomach, with both his hands pinned behind his back, Kakashi kneeling over him on one knee, holding him down.
"-Bastard! Do you have any idea whose house this is? That's the Hokage! Let me go big bro Kakashi! Lemme teach this asshole a lesson! Kick his ass dad!"
Menma yells angrily, struggling to no avail beneath Kakashi. The masked ninja watches on at the scene calmly, sighing to himself. If anyone would have the audacity to walk into the Hokage's home and punch him right in front of his family, it could only be Fugaku Uchiha. He looks over at his sensei, who deliberately took the punch amd stays calm, trusting his teacher to handle himself but stays ready at a moments notice, to incapacitate the struggling boy beneath him and jump in if things get seriously heated.
Fugaku continues looking down at Minato, still not acknowledging the shouting child. Kushina yells Minato's name as he falls, rushing to his side and kneeling to check on him. She grits her teeth and stands up to face her husband's attacker only to suddenly see Minato suddenly standing in front of her, facing her, hands raised.
"No. Don't do anything stupid. " he says firmly.
"Minato, he c-"
"It's nothing. I deserve a whole lot more" he says, causing his wife to look down again, tears forming in her eyes again. The sight piles further weight on the mountain of guilt already crushing him.
"Fugaku I-" he turns only to see his friend is gone.
He sighs as the sound of his wife shaking and weeping is clear behind him. It hurts having to turn around and face what he's responsible for.
An ANBU shinobi appears in front of him in a burst of smoke, in the standard kneeling position.
"Lord Hokage. I have some urgent news"
Time skip: six days later
'All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.'
Naruto shuts the book and places it on his made bed. He'll continue reading when he gets back. Like he's done countless times. He stands up, walking towards his bedroom door. He'll be meeting his team today after six full days off, a messenger hawk having dropped off a message to attend for duty as usual on his balcony yesterday morning. During his time off Naruto had done a bit of training but not much intense work unfortunately. The reason; space. He'd been mostly confined to his apartment during these days. Satsuki's brother, quite annoyingly, had decided not to honour the terms of their deal and come looking for him again. Naruto, not in the mood to deal with him, had left his training ground as soon as he sensed his chakra signature approaching the first time. It became apparent to him on the second occasion, the day right after, that Sasuke wasn't going to leave him alone, so he chose to steer clear of the training ground for the time being. Thankfully the boy doesn't know where he lives because if that were the case and Sasuke comes knocking on his door, there will be trouble.
He closes his bedroom door behind him, locking it, scoffing in a show of frustration at the predicament. It's annoying. The blonde wants to continue training properly and was already in a predicament trying to decide whether to diversify his ninjutsu arsenal further, increase the intensity of his taijutsu regimen or hone his kenjutsu. He's felt his speed and strength plateauing for a little while now and has also been recently contemplating the acquisition of a special weapon of choice. An annoyance like this is plain unnecessary.
Hokage tower: Hokages office
Minato sits back, the files on all the villages genin teams neatly sorted on his desk. He props his chin on his fist in thought. The exams commence in seven days and today each Jonnin sensei willing to allow his or her team to participate is to declare so to him as well as notify his or her team and inform them on the exams and give them time to decide if they are willing to participate. He's allowed to deny entry to certain teams but this year he believes the decision will lay largely in the hands of the Jonin Sensei responsible for the teams.
The exams will present the opportunity to observe some of the 'Hidden Sounds' ninja closely for himself. He's already begun arrangements to dispatch ANBU operatives disguised as merchants into the Land Of Rice soon to gather intel. Having some of the Sounds ninja on hand in the village will perhaps give him an idea of what the enemy is made of.
Fugaku after his successful interrogation had told him the 'Hidden Sound' wasn't really a Hidden village but a series of laboratories and hideouts situated throughout the Land of Rice. That would make gathering intel harder. The original source was out of the question. Even if there was more intel to be retrieved from him that isn't possible anymore. After the debacle that had occurred a few days ago at his home, an ANBU shinobi arrived to notify him that Mizuki had been murdered in his cell, his body burnt to a crisp. As of yet, not a single trace of evidence had been found leading to the killer. He or she had vanished into thin air, either infiltrating the prison and leaving later or already being within its walls. The former seems a bit too farfetched for Minato. No one has ever, breaking in or out, bypassed the Hidden Leaf Strict Correctional facility's security. None of the prisoners could have done the deed with the chakra suppressors on them, which can only be deactivated by a select few of the guards. He thinks that's where he'll start digging.
It was clear to Minato, from the moment he heard, what exactly happened. Orochimaru had moved to protect the information concerning his operations but the rogue Sannin had moved to late.
He'll worry about Fugaku later. They're best friends. They've been through all sorts of turmoil and hell together. Besides, Fugaku isn't really the one he needs to apologise and mend bridges with.
He turns in his seat, looking out at the village and sighs out loud to himself.
Training ground 12.
Fugaku stands in front of his students, the three seated before him.
"The Chunnin exams?" Ino repeats her sensei's words, still in a bit of shock.
"That's right. These exams allow all genin, those who participate anyway, the opportunity to have their skills assessed. Those who are evaluated and deemed by the examiners as having the adequate skills to be awarded an ascension in rank then become Chunnin, shinobi who among other responsibilities, are allowed to lead their own squads on missions" Fugaku briefly explains, knowing his students know all about the exams but simply following procedure by explaining it to them .
"Now under normal circumstances, rookie Gennin teams do not compete, not because of any existing regulation, but because they're commonly seen as not being ready. But the three of you have shown yourselves to me as a unit of being capable of competing against Shinobi above the level of Gennin so I'm going to allow you the opportunity to enter" He watches as a determined smirk is etched across his daughter's face. He looks next to her to see Naruto try to keep his trademark blank expression but notes his eyes sharpen.
Satsuki can't contain her excitement. This is a huge opportunity to test herself against other ninja and get stronger. Becoming a Chunnin would be a huge stepping towards her goals.
Naruto visibly tries to stay relaxed but he is excited. Battling against shinobi from different villages in different nations with different arsenals. He almost feels like jumping.
Becoming a Chunnin would be valued verification of his growth to new levels as a shinobi. It would be a stepping stone towards the heights he aims for and it would mean he's a step closer to being able to actively pursue that goal... Akisada's parents had taught him much of what he knew and he had imparted said knowledge to his children. Yet they had all been killed. Whoever was responsible was far more than likely a formidable shinobi. He needs to keep getting stronger to prepare himself to face that threat when he comes face to face with it.
Ino watches on nervously at her teammates. These two have helped her and held her up all the way. She doesn't think she's ready for this. Fugaku makes eye contact with her, noting her reaction.
"Participation isn't obligatory. If any one or two of you feels you're not ready, you can refuse entry and the other two or one will compete." he says lying through his teeth. All three need to compete as a three man squad otherwise they do not qualify. His intention is to ensure none of them feel pressured into competing. He proceeds to hand the three of them a series of forms to register for participation.
"The exams commence in seven days. My responsibility is to notify the Hokage today of whether I have granted you permission to compete or not. Yours is to decide in the time between now and the day before the exams if you wish to participate. Of course it's important you understand what this entails and the implications. The exams permit the use of lethal force and killing as well as other things standard under normal mission conditions. Competing will mean placing ones life on the line" he says sternly. Satsuki finally takes notice of the expression on her female teammate's face and places a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, we're in this together. We fight, fall and win together " she says looking into her comrades eyes reassuringly. The Yamanaka looks over, smiling at her friend. She wants to get stronger so she can fight alongside her teammates and having the two of them enter without her there just doesn't sound right. She feels as though she would be forsaking them. She turns her head to her Jonin sensei.
"Fugaku sensei, I'd like to enter" she declares determinedly.
"So would I " Satsuki says immediately after. All heads turn to the male genin of the team.
"I will be competing in the exams." he says .
A small smile comes onto Fugaku's face.
Hokage Tower Hokage's office.
Minato sits back watching the sunset, his chair and back turned to his desk. The meeting to decide participation in the Chunnin exams had taken place hours ago. In an interesting turn of events almost all the rookie teams would be competing. 'Almost ' because the Jonin captain of Team 12 hadn't been present for the meeting. Minato sighs and immediately as he does he hears his door open. He turns to see Fugaku walk in and shut the door behind him. The Uchiha walks toward the desk and places three files on them.
"I hereby grant permission for Genin Team 12 to compe in this years Chunin Selection exams" he speaks. Minato nods, not surprised Fugaku doesn't feel the need to explain his decision like all the other Jonin Sensei.
An awkward silence hangs over the room as Fugaku stands with his hands in his pockets and Minato sits back in his chair.
"Look" the blonde speaks " I understand th-"
"Don't " Fugaku cuts him off raising a hand "Don't explain yourself to me. I don't care about what happened the other night anymore. You and I go way back and I'm not willing to let it come between us. If you feel angry about it, then so be it. I just needed to make you understand as a brother, the weight of your actions. And I can't apologise for that." Fugaku says.
Minato listens, his face blank before sighing once again. He smiles to himself. After all these years, Fugaku is still one of the only people he knows who doesn't see him as the Fourth Hokage, who doesn't see him as the 'Yellow Flash'. Who still sees him as Minato. Still sees him as the lonely orphan kid he would give food to back in the academy when he had nothing to eat and let sleep in his room at his clan compound for months, when he he found himself on the streets. He stands up reaching his hand out and offering it to the Uchiha. Fugaku takes it and the pair shake hands smiling at one another. One step at a time Minato is determined to make things right.
Seven days later.
Naruto walks down the street. His destination, the Academy, the first venue of the exams, the day of their commencement having finally arrived. He is clad in his usual attire. Black shinobi sandals and black ANBU pants tucked into combat tape wrapped around his legs as well as a black tight Jersey top with sleeves that end just below the elbows, the head of a golden lion on display on his upper right sleeve. Over this he wears a black sleeveless hoodie with gold lining and zipper, with said zipper left open. He forgoes his black wrist bands this time, choosing from now on to keep his storage seal hidden in his jacket. The element of surprise is vital. Of course with all of this his headband is wrapped around his head .
"Hey, let me go!" he hears a shout coming from around the corner he's about to turn. He raises an eyebrow, keeping at a normal pace. He turns the corner to see six individuals standing together. The first he easily recognises is Ino. Three are younger than the rest, Academy students recongnisable by the goggles atop their heads. The last two he doesn't recognise. One is male and one is female, the male gripping one of the three academy students by the scruff of his shirt. Both don headbands of the Hidden Sand and look relatively young. They must be exam participants, the blonde surmises. The male is dressed in a black baggy cat like suit and has purple paint on his face with a strange bandaged object on his back. The female, who has sandy blonde hair tied into four pigtails and teal eyes, is dressed in a single light-purple coloured off the shoulders garment, that extends to halfway down her thighs with a red sash tied around her waist. Her headband, as opposed to her comrade who has his tied around his head, is tied to her neck.
Naruto rolls his shoulders and stretches his neck a bit, staying relaxed but ready for confrontation. Then he senses it. An incredibly malevolent and menacing chakra in the tree hanging above the scene. He keeps his eyes on those in front of him in order not to alert the one who is clearly the biggest threat here that he is aware of his presence. All heads turn to him as he comes to a stop in front of the group.
"Naruto" Ino greets with a voice of relief. One moment she's chasing a brat for making a derogatory comment about her outfit the next he's smashed into and gotten himself in trouble with a foreign shinobi.
Kankuro raises an eyebrow. Who's this guy? Konohamaru's eyes widen a bit. It's big brothers brother. The one everyone hates.
Temari's heart skips a beat as she lays eyes on the new-comer. His golden blonde hair. His heart-shaped face. His striking, almost paralyzing cerulean blue eyes. Those naturally red lips. She realises her mouth is slightly ajar, at the sight of this stunning male and closes it.
'Naruto' she repeats the name the other leaf ninja had uttered to herself.
"Ino" Naruto greets nodding at her before looking at the strangely dressed male.
"You should really let the kid go" he says plainly.
"Who's gonna make me kid?" Kankuro scoffs "You?" he half taunts.
"I'm sure I'd have no trouble at all handling a professional circus act like you" Naruto says looking the boy over again, still intrigued by his strange attire. Kankuro grits his teeth in anger at the kids insult, while Ino and all the genin present chuckle, even Temari letting out a giggle much to Kankuro's anger.
"What'd you say ya lit-"
"Honestly though I'd be the least of your worries" Naruto shrugs "considering the fact that that kid you're manhandling there" he continues, pointing at the boy in Kankuro's hand "is the grandson of the late Third Hokage if I'm not mistaken" he utters casually. Kankuro's jaw drops and his complexion almost seems to go a shade paler, Temari also gasping in shock.
"Not too many people are gonna clap for that trick. Are you trying to cause an international incident?" he questions. Still stunned by the revelation, before Kankuro can release the brat himself, a stone strikes his hand. He yells in pain, releasing the boy who runs and hides behind Naruto immediately.
"Leave now" Naruto says sternly, not even glancing at the three children hiding behind him. They comply running down the path in the direction he came.
Kankuro looks up at the tree above in annoyance to see who threw the stone.
"You're a long way from home to be running around causing trouble, clown" Satsuki says sitting on a branch with another rock in her hand.
"Hah" Kankuro chuckles " fights with smart-mouth snot-nosed brats and smoking hot girls? Just what kind of place is this?" Kankuro smirks looking up at Satsuki who simply raises an eyebrow at him.
"Satsuki get down from there!" Naruto shouts. The Uchiha's eyes widen, not used to hearing him shout.
"Your blood smells...delicious" a low voice whispers in Satsuki's ear. The Uchiha reacts quickly jumping away, down from the tree and landing next her teammates, a kunai drawn, looking up at the tree. The two Sand shinobi on the ground, react in response to the action, the male drawing his own kunai and the female pulling the large war fan on her back off and holding it out in front of her at the ready. Ino pulls out her own kunai as well. The two groups stand off glaring at one another except for Naruto who stands as calmly as before, hands still in his pockets, his eyes still on the tree, not showing any concern for the shinobi in front of him with weapons drawn. The two Sand shinobi, weapons in hand, look on in awe at Naruto.
'He sensed Gaara's presence. Just who is this guy?' Kankuro asks inwardly.
'He sensed Gaara. Naruto of the Leaf huh?' Temari stares as the cute blonde , saying the name to herself again to ensure not forgetting it.
A figure stands upside down from one of the trees branches, his appearance obscured by its shadow. He jumps down from the tree, landing in front of the two Sand shinobi, revealing himself to be a male with fair skin, green eyes and short spiky auburn hair with seemingly no eyebrows or distinctive pupils. Black rings adorn the spaces around his eyes. The kanji for 'love' is carved into the left side of his forehead in a strange looking scar. The boy wears a black full body suit with an open neck, short sleeves, a white cloth over his right shoulder down to left hip and wide leather band from his left shoulder to his right hip that tethers a large gourd to his back. His headband is tied to said leather band.
"Kankuro. Why are you being a nuisance?" the red head questions, not even turning to look at his compatriot, rather staring straight at Naruto.
"You're a disgrace to our village " the red-head speaks, eyes still on Naruto.
"I-I'm sorry Gaara. I was j-" he stutters out only to be cut off
"Shut up. Or I'll kill you" he says turning his head to his compatriot causing him to stiffen in fear, as does Temari. He looks back at the group, staring directly at Naruto again who looks back at him blankly.
'His eyes. They look just like..'Gaara says inwardly.
'Those eyes' Naruto muses at seeing such cold dark eyes.
"We've wasted enough time. Let's go" Naruto says to his teammates who nod. He starts to walk off, attempting to walk around the three foreign ninja only to be stopped by the red-head.
"Wait." Gaara speaks stopping the blonde in his tracks.
"What is your name?" Gaara asks.
Naruto raises an eyebrow before responding "Naruto. My name is Naruto" he responds.
"Naruto. I am Gaara of the Desert." the red haired boy introduces himself. "Mother is afraid of you. She says you're dangerous. That your blood must be spilt. I will enjoy tasting it" the Sand shinobi speaks coldly, an eerie smile on his face.
The two other Sand shinobi's eyes widen in shock at their teammates words.
'What? OK, seriously! Who the hell is this guy?' Kankuro thinks staring at Naruto in shock. Temari looks on also in shock, whilst Naruto's teammates look on in confusion and slight fear at the strange ,intimidating red haired ninja. Naruto shows no outward reaction but inwardly notes to himself.
'Mother? What does...this guy. He's dangerous.' The blonde walks off without another word his teammates following behind him.
Leaf Shinobi Academy.
The members of Team 12 stand before the entrance to the academy they left only months ago, ready to take another big step on their paths as shinobi.
The three stand side by side, taking a moment to look one another in the eyes, before nodding and walking in.
The Chunnin exams are here! Very excited and hope you all are too. That's chapter 10 people. After this chapter drops we'll likely hit 1000 favourites so thank you all in advance. Remember to review. Share your thoughts please. Have a fantastic new year everyone! Peace!