HunterX097: Hello guys, it's me again and the new chapter tags along with me xD. The Chuunin Exam Arc will start in the next chapter and I'm still completing it. I'm glad you like the idea of Indra being a female, you ask why I do that? Because it will be more interesting...I think. Naruto won't all know about the past of Ashura now, I will find out it slowly and I also want you to guess what it is xD.

Should Gaara be the female or not? Please let me know in your reviews? I still need your ideas and thoughts, so please leave reviews.

Thank you guys for supporting my story. I hope you like this chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. All rights go to Masashi Kishimoto.

The next week, Team 7 had off to recover from their A-rank supposedly C-rank mission. They weren't allowed to receive any mission higher D-rank ones, much to both Sasuki's displeasure, but she didn't have to spend it in the ninja hospital either and she could took the time to train, so that was a great big plus.

They had had a hectic week since getting back from the mission in Wave.

After learning that Sasuki unlocked the Mangekyou Sharingan. Her sister trained her using Sharingan much more than before, but not too much about Mangekyou. Izumi and her mother usually came to the library of the Uchiha clan to find documents or scrolls for prevent her eyes from becoming blind.

For Naruto, he and Sasuki maintained their rivalry, but the Uchiha girl had become much more protective of him and rarely let him out of her sight. She overreacted to civilians who mistreated the Uzumaki sometimes, and even was going to attack them a few times. Of course, Naruto was always there to stop her. He was glad she defended him but he didn't want her to get herself into trouble as they were ninja, and they couldn't do anything harm the villagers unless it was self-defense. The blond usually called her by nicknames as 'hime' or 'Sacchin', which made Sasuki please because she felt that she was someone special to him, she would never told it out though.

"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Bomb!" The Uchiha shouted, holding the tiger seal. The massive burst of flame was more controlled, but not mastered. And the jutsu still left her breathless and exhausted.

On a more positive note, the absorption/protective seals Naruto put on the training grounds prevent her and him from causing too much devastation while training were working. She had probably paid half the cost of her house in reparation expenses.

"That went well." Naruto said, he was still watching her training attentively from the start.

Sasuki turned to him and looked down "I do not have enough chakra..." She gritted her teeth.

"That's obvious. You just did a B-rank fire jutsu, which most of normal genin don't even try because it consumes a lot of chakra. In fact, you can manage to do that in more one hours, it's a big step for you." He said with a foxy grin.

Sasuki, however, shook her head, "In battle,..." she started, "The jutsu leaves me vulnerable. It's the main reason that Haku girl nearly defeated me. Yet, there could be scenarios when I need to use it, right?"

Naruto was just quiet, unable to respond.

"I know that with training and determination I can get my reserves up and now I have the Mangekyou Sharingan... but I still find difficult to gather enough patience." She concluded, starting her usual conditioning set. 'In addition, I don't want to feel useless and weak anymore. I don't wanna have to helplessly watch as my most precious person in my life is dead right in front of my eyes. I need to be stronger and I will surely protect you on our next missions!' She thought to herself.

Sasuki was taken out of her thoughts as Naruto approached to her, putting his hand on her shoulder, "You are pushing yourself," He said in a gentle tone, "I understand your desire for making yourself more stronger, but it'll be very easy to counteract if you're impatient. Everything need its time. By the way, I think Kakashi-sensei actually wanted us to rest this week..."

"Hn. He isn't that deluded. He gave us the week off because he wanted to read his porn in peace." She replied annoyingly.

Naruto chuckled amusingly, "That's likely." He commented. "I have some ideas. Would you like to hear about it?"

"Of course!" Sasuki replied quickly.

"Alright." He started with a serious expression. "At first, I will tell about your strength, Sacchin. Your technique was flawless and your speed was excellent. Your strikes didn't pack as much power as they could have, but that's something you'll likely be fighting your entire career. As it is, your strength is above average for your age and gender." He informed and Sasuki smirked at that. Naruto continued. "However, I'd recommend you avoid grappling at all costs. Most of your opponents will try to physically overpower you, and you can't afford to fight on their terms. Many kunoichi employ weapons instead of relying solely on Taijutsu for just that reason. You may want to consider picking up some Kenjutsu. Izumi-neechan is your big help now."

The raven haired girl nodded, "I see. I will ask onee-chan later."

"Yeah. And I'm sure Kakashi-sensei will help you. He used to be in the Anbu Black Ops, so he surely has a little experience in Kenjutsu." He then turned to look her. "In addition, your elements are lightning and fire, the library of the Uchiha clan surely had basic scrolls for techniques, and I'll also give you some tips that I got from my collection."

"Your collection?"

"Ah, they're books from the library."

"I see." Sasuki said quietly, her cheeks flushed. She never felt happier than now. "Thank you Naruto." She smiled a rare sincere smile.

"No problem Sacchin." He replied and smiled back. "Ok, continue your practice. Now is Taijutsu!"

The Hokage Tower

The Hokage sat on a blue padded armchair, in front of him a table with his crystal ball. On the wall at his shoulder was hung a banner with the symbol of Konoha. In front of him, a small contingent of jounin and chuunin was assembled. The elderly Hokage quieted the murmuring jounin with a raised hand, his eyes surveying those present. When he was sure that they focused on him, the Sandaime started saying.

"As all of you know, the chuunin exam will be coming to Konoha next week. Genin teams from all over Elemental Nations are trickling into our village every day. It is time for all jounin sensei present to either nominate or disqualify their teams from participating in the exams."

His attention started to waver as jounin of older Genin teams began designating their students for advancement. Maito Gai, an eccentric but kind-hearted ninja, was the first to nominate his team. He did so in a very exuberant and most youthful fashion.

Everyone sweat-dropped with the enthusiastic jounin. They knew Gai because he had been Kakashi's friend since two them had been students in the academy. Gai always said that Kakashi was his eternal rival while the copy nin usually tried to ignored him. Naruto had a big respect for the thick eyebrows jounin, Gai had not passed the entrance exam in the academy due to his lack of talent in ninjutsu and genjutsu. He, however, hadn't given up and continued training, he hadn't let his weaknesses hold him back and Guy ultimately proved himself to be a late-bloomer, growing up to be an extremely powerful shinobi, recognising as one of Konoha's strongest.

"I, Sarutobi Asuma , jounin Sensei of Team 10, nominate Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino and Akimichi Chouji for participation in the Chunin Exams." Asuma spoke out.

Iruka gaped softly from his place. 'What?'

His surprises didn't stop there, however. Kurenai stepped forward as soon as Asuma stepped back. "I, Yuuhi Kurenai, jounin Sensei of Team 8, nominate Inuzuka Kiba, Hyuuga Hinata and Haruno Sakura for participation in the chuunin exam." She said.

And finally, Kakashi stepped forward and moved his right hand to form the half ram seal, "I, Hatake Kakashi, jounin sensei of Team 7, nominate Uchiha Sasuki, Uzumaki Naruto and Aburame Shino for the chuunin exam."

Immediately, everyone in the room directed attention to on three jounin of the rookie team. Most of jounin senseis of the rookie teams often refused their team in joining the chuunin exam in the first year after becoming genin.

Hiruzen let out another puff of smoke, pensively. "Mmm... I see. It's a good thing as all of them join in. It has been years since rookies have taken part of the exam." He said with a pleased smile.

"Please wait a second!" Iruka stepped forward.

"What is it, Iruka?"

"Please let me speak, Hokage-sama. I taught night of them at the Academy and while each one of them is very talented... it's too early! They need more experience."

Hiruzen sighed, he should have known this. Iruka had been guarded his students like a mother hen but couldn't blame him. The chuunin exam was an opportunity for genin to be promoted to chuunin, it was open to all villages started being held bi-annually, with villages taking turns for hosting responsibilities. These shared exams improved relations between the villages, present up-and-coming ninja to clients, and create an opportunity for gambling.

However, hosting the chuunin exam was a double-edged sword. There was plenty of hidden dangers in the exam and required experience, careful preparation, and much training from genins. There have been cases that candidates was injured or even dead during the exam happening, the number of them was more often than anyone liked to admit. Not to mention the First and Second Tests was always different from Exam to Exam, the Finals were a no-holds-barred one-on-one tournament.

But those were just concerns for the normal genin. Most rookie genins were the heir of their clan in the village, except Sakura from a civilian family. Hinata of the Hyuuga clan; Kiba from the Inuzuka clan and the Ino-Shika-Chou trio of three clans: Yamanaka, Nara, Akimichi; Sasuki from the Uchiha clan; Shino from the Aburame clan.

It would be an underestimation if someone thought that they weren't ready to the chuunin exam.

Kakashi half-glared at the scarred chuunin. "I was half of their age when I became a chuunin."

Iruka started walking towards him. "All of them are different from you? Are you trying to ruin them?" He grunted.

"Yes." Kakashi deadpanned. "My genins are always up to a new challenge so I thought put them in a dangerous situation and possibly ruining them could be fun."

"What did you...?"

"That was a joke." Kakashi said. "Iruka-san, I value your opinion, and know that you must be upset, but..."

"Kakashi, stop." Kurenai warned.

"... don't interfere! They aren't your students anymore. They are our soldiers now."

"But..."

"Iruka, this is their decisions." The Hokage then reminded as he looked at the chuunin in the room. "You should not let personal feelings get in the way." He then stated in a sagely matter.

Iruka silenced, then bowed and apologized as he backed down, but his face had an expression of worry and fear.

Kakashi then noticed what the chuunin was must be thinking as he sighed. "Calm down, our genins are stronger than you think Iruka." He advised. "You need to let them be able to grow up, they are shinobis now." He then reminded. "They can not stay children forever." He reassured. "They will be fine. Most of them are heirs and heiresses of famous clans in the village, and some have great potentials. I believe they will overcome all obstacles." He added with total confidence.

At this statement, Iruka had calmed down as the image of a every single former student appeared in in his mind and ended with the grinning trouble maker blond, the chuunin could help but smiled at this. "Yeah...I think your right." He replied with calmed tone.

"Ok good." Kakashi happily responded with an eye smile.

The Hokage turned serious once more, "Alright, this meeting is over for now, make the preparation necessary for the upcoming exams." He ordered

With that all done, the shinobi bowed and started leaving the Hokage's office. There were just jounin of three rookie teams, Gai and Iruka.

"It's been 7 years since the last time rookie genin teams joined the chuunin exam after they had just barely graduated for a few months. This is unexpected." Hiruzen commented amusingly.

"Yosh! Let our genin all go brighten the flames of youth with their youthful vigor!" Gai exclaimed and everyone sweat-dropped.

"But I can't help concerning about them." Iruka got out. "Everything can happen in the chuunin exam." He then glanced at the silver haired jounin, "Especially team 7. Shino is an Aburame and Sasuki is from Uchiha clan, you know the rivalry between two clans..."

"I know, Iruka, but there is no other way. In addition, if Sasuki wants to become a chuunin, she will have to get used to working with the other fellow shinobi, because her family will not always be around her. It will be difficult, but necessary for her." The Hokage stated. "Don't worry, everything will be fine." He then glanced at the silver haired jounin. "From what I heard from Kakashi, Naruto helped Sasuki get along Shino."

Iruka chuckled, "I should have known it. Naruto is still the only one who she is awfully close to and listens to." He said with a soft smile as Kakashi and Hiruzen couldn't help agreeing with him.

Meanwhile, the others couldn't help but stared in shock at them. That was a given. Everyone knew about Uchiha Sasuki and her circumstances. She was antisocial, indifference and cold towards everyone except her family. Everything became more curious since she got along with the Kyuubi jinchuuriki. She still had the same icy attitude towards everyone but the youngest Uchiha had become much brusquer. She lost her patience with people easily. They heard about some cases of students beaten out of it by the raven haired girl without reasons. Some civilians blamed for the blond boy for her changing attitude and claimed that he corrupted her.

If only they knew the reason Sasuki did that because those students insulted Naruto and called him by 'names'. She was just overprotective of her best friend, the only one viewed her as herself while most just kissed her ass because she was the daughter of the Uchiha clan head.

It seemed there was something special in team 7 which they didn't know and they also wondered about Uzumaki Naruto. They didn't know much about him except his tenant and he was an orphan. Asuma was the only one among them who knew the truth about the blond boy's status as his father was his good friend, but that was all as he didn't know about his relationship too.

In the academy, Naruto had been the Uchiha's classmate and their relationship really intrigued everyone. Both usually argued and insulted each other by names, and then they was seen going together as if nothing happened. They just thought there was a normal friendship between children, but look like it wasn't simple now. Sasuki who was from the Uchiha clan, a honorable clan in the Hidden Leaf Village was ready to hear and contact with an orphan, an outcast in the village.

Gai approached the silver haired ninja, "Kakashi, a word?"

Hearing Gai calling from his side, Kakashi turned, "Yes?"

"What is the relationship between two of your students?" He asked, talking in a stage whisper that had Kakashi sweat-dropping.

"What did you do to them?" Kurenai was the next. ''Did you threaten them with torture to get the to behave or something?" A sweat-drop appeared and Kakashi wondered how was it that he was always accused of being the insane one.

"Is that what I'm thinking it is?'' Asuma asked, his intent clear in his eyes and the silver haired jounin thanked his lucky stars that there was at least another sane person here.

"Maa, maa, you seem troubled by it. Why?" Kakashi asked curiously, not seeing what could possibly be bad about this development. If anything, nothing better could have happened. He just wondered when it had started and how he hadn't noticed it before now.

"We are not troubled. Far from it. We're just curious as to what would cause such a thing to happen, especially for someone like Uchiha Sasuki." Asuma explained. "And with Naruto, after everything I heard about them in their academy days."

"Is there a problem it's with Naruto, if it is what you are thinking?" Kakashi asked in a nonchalant tone but his eyes said a whole different story. Both Sasuki and Naruto were his students. He had been ready to die to protect them. Not only them but his Aburame student.

"As I told you, I am simply curious. I have nothing against it, especially if it's with Naruto. I think that it's a pick not even I could have paired up better. They seem pretty compatible to me. And..." Pausing a little, Asuma continued. "You know, the kind of bond..."

"What is everyone talking about?" Gai asked, both he and Kurenai puzzled. Iruka must have gotten it but he stayed quiet, probably wanting to confirm his own guess. They didn't see anything strange here other than the Uchiha actually making a friend. The Sandaime sighed, not knowing how to begin explaining this to people who have never felt such a connection to anyone ever before. It was rare as it was, but for an Uchiha to feel it...it happened once in a generation, if at all.

"Well, you see... Oh, how do I explain this?" Asuma tried to find the words so Kakashi took over, only to realize he, too, didn't quite know how to explain it either. "You see...Naruto and Sasuki...they could bond through their relationship..."

Kurenai widened her eyes, "You mean to say Uchiha Sasuki and Uzumaki Naruto are a couple?"

Asuma's cigar fell out of his moth as he choked on the smoke he had just inhaled, Hiruzen and Iruka facepalmed. Gai suddenly looked delighted.

"That is wonderful news! Love is blossoming in the spring time of life! Hurray for eternal youth! Hurray for free love! You thought them well, Kakashi!" Now Kakashi had joined the other two face-palming men, not believing his ears as he looked up to regard the beaming and crying man who called himself his eternal rival.

"Although it surely has my complete support, unfortunately not." Kakashi said with a sigh. "If it is about Sasuki, maybe she really get a thing for Naruto but because of the Uchiha clan's annoying pride, she doesn't openly admits it, and I'm not sure about our dense blond." He then looked out the window, "However, after the first mission of team 7, I saw something interesting and I can surely confirm that they are on the way to become something more than friends...and it isn't not only some kind of boyfriend and girlfriend."

"What do you mean?"

Hiruzen sighed and was about to take over, but Kakashi shook his head at him. He had started it and he was damn well going to finish it, "I'd like to talk a little bit about their life." All focused on Kakashi when he started. "Like you know, Naruto is an orphan and Sasuki is from one of the four noble clans of Konohagakure, the Uchiha clan. Like usual, everyone worship Sasuki and Naruto is ignored and mistrusted for... I'm sure you guys know about it." Kurenai, Gai, Asuma frowned and nodded, "Villagers viewed Sasuki as an goddess, a mighty princess who needs respects, but Naruto didn't. He just sees her as Uchiha Sasuki, a normal girl and kunoichi, no more and no less. They even spar sometimes and Naruto is always the winner." Everyone was surprised, the Rookie of the Year lost the dead last. But Asuma and Iruka just smiled softly, they knew Naruto was a hidden genius, "Not only Sasuki but he is close to the entire Uchiha clan in the present time. Everyone can think they do that for his tenant, but Mikoto-sama really wants to protect him, and I'm sure everyone heard about rumors of the Black Guardian of the Kyuubi jinchuuriki, it's Uchiha Izumi."

More one unexpected information, who could think of the Uchiha prodigy was the shadow ninja who struck fear into mobs and anti-kyuubi's hearts? When did the Uzumaki boy become very precious to Uchiha?

"Come back with Sasuki, she and Naruto aren't simply best friend to each other. She was aggressive with students in the Academy because they took her bad side by insulting Naruto. And our blond never cares what others tell about her and he treats her as a friend, a true person, he saw her as Uchiha Sasuki, not the youngest daughter of the Uchiha clan head or the little sister of the Uchiha prodigy. They trust each other, and even ready to die for the other. I believed their bond is more stronger than what I think and expect."

Kurenai, Gai and Asuma were rather taken aback. They didn't realize how deep their relationship went...except the Hokage, Kakashi and Iruka as they seemed to realized that a long time ago.

"Iruka, do you knew that?" Asuma asked as he noticed the scarred chuunin wasn't not surprised.

"Yes, I knew it for a while. It's not really difficult to realize. The look Sasuki secretly gives Naruto, she surely feels something for him" Iruka answered sincerely. "However, looks like Naruto's quite obvious and doesn't notice it." He finished with a sweat drop.

Kurenai sighed in annoyance. There were still so many men who was thoughtless and indifferent to a lady's love for them. She silently glared at a certain jounin who turned away to avoid her look.

"I have no doubt that Sasuki have had some special feelings on Naruto for a long time." Kakashi spoke out. "But it might or might not merely the normal crush of a teen girl for a boy I think."

"What do you mean?" Gai asked confusingly.

Kakashi looked them, then spoke, "Well, you both must have heard of shinobi developing a team mentality, yes?"

"Of course. It's the reason we put genin in teams of three after they graduate from the Academy. What's that got to do with what's happening with Uchiha now?" Kurenai asked, getting impatient. Why won't he just say it plainly?

"A shinobi can develop a team mentality, but they can also develop a partnership mentality." Asuma finally took pity on the black haired woman and explained in plain terms, "Like those with a team mentality become attached and protective of their team members, those who develop a partnership mentality come to cherish one person more than anyone else, sometimes even their own family. They might be extremely protective and possessive of that person, and even if they had or get their team mentality developed over time, the third party, or even the entire team, will be less important than that person in the eyes of that shinobi."

"That still somehow sounds like a lover to me." Gai commented, arms crossing his arms

"Just like your most important person can be your sibling, your sensei, your pupil or your best friend, your partner can be all of that, as well as a lover. It's a very thin line that can easily be crossed and your partner can become your most important person." Iruka explained, even though he was only going on rumors. He himself has never felt such a connection.

"But isn't that kind of bond a little dangerous in a three man team?" Kurenai asked in suspicion "I mean, the two partners will help each other, but what about the third teammate? Or if its not a shinobi from their team, what about the other two? Won't they be in a direct line to danger since the shinobi will firstly look out after their partner?"

''It won't be that bad, if a shinobi manages to develop a team mentality as well. However, for Sasuki... that's going to be a bit harder, plus she is an Uchiha. Oh, sure, she will protect Shino when he is in danger, she already has, but it's more thought than instinct to do that. For a partner," Kakashi explained, "A shinobi doesn't need to think before putting their own life in danger if it meant saving their partner, and Naruto was the best proof for this. The bond between him and Sasuki existed without even being aware of by themselves.

"It, however, only gets stronger over time." The Hokage went on, "The longer the bond is acknowledged by both partners, the stronger it gets. At one point, the partners will be able to sense each other from across villages, say, from here to the Hidden Sand Village. They will know how to complete each others moves, sentences, thoughts and will be aware of each other on a whole new level. Some even say that partners must be able to eventually communicate mentally, but that is nothing more than a false rumor people have started up to make other shinobi fear such partnerships. And because they can read each other so perfectly, there is more than enough reason to fear them. Imagine one ninja having two bodies. That is the extent of their bond."

"Unbelievable." Even Iruka hadn't heard of something like that.

"I suppose I should talk about something interesting I had found out in my team's mission in the Waves and then everyone can see that my words aren't wrong." Then, Kakashi started talking about his mission with team 7, about the C-rank mission turning an A-rank, which made Gai, Asuma, Kurenai and Iruka paled. How the hell were they alive when they had bumped into an A-rank missing-nin and his subordinate? Even when they had a jounin in there, it was very reckless. Ignoring their disapproval looks, Kakashi still continued with his presentation, he told about Inari's father and the kid's slightly overreacted words, then Sasuki's outburst with that words and Naruto's reaction at that time. Finally their battle on the bridge and that Naruto almost died trying to save Sasuki, the Uchiha awakened her Mangekyou Sharingan in there and she nearly killed Haku in cold blood...if it wasn't for Naruto getting there in time to stop her.

Everyone couldn't help shocking. Too much had happened for only a short time. A genin team had done an A-rank mission in the first travel outside the village, a member of the team put his life on the line for his teammate, then the said teammate went rampaging up and wanted to avenge her comrade, and no one could prevent her except that said companion himself.

"I see." Gai spoke out. "That's not so strange, then. Teams bond most on missions. The more dangerous it is, the better it is for making friends and comrades!"

"Honestly, I'm a little surprised with it." Kakashi said, scratching his head, "Sasuki and Naruto are just 12 years old, they could know in years, but the speed of developing bond nearly has the unimaginable."

"...I see." Asuma muttered under his breath. "It would seem that their bonding is developing so quickly and we never even noticed."

"Well, if I were to think real hard about it, it wouldn't be too surprising.'' Iruka confessed, "Ever since she was little, Sasuki was burdened by her sister's shadow of greatness and high expectations from her father and clan. Kids tended to give her space, some admired her from afar while some were either jealous or wanted to use her to become more popular. Sasuki was almost always alone in a group of people, because even when they were crowded around her, they weren't in her personal space, let alone touching her. But, one day, I saw her and Naruto getting along, then it gradually developed a very close friendship between them, they're inseparable, they're there for each other."

"So they created the bond sooner than we thought." Kakashi said, looking thoughful.

"Yep." Iruka nodded. "Back when they were my students, that's the most interesting I've ever seen in Sasuki. All the other students would gush over her and call her name, talking to her, but she would ignore them as if they were less than particles of dust someone should have cleaned up. Then Naruto walked into the room and she immediately focused all the attention on him."

"Then it might as well be irreversible if it has been going on this long." Asuma huffed out.

"But isn't it good for Sasuki? To have a friend like that?"

"I agree with Kurenai. They are now in the springtime of their youth! They should be making bonds that will last them for the rest of their lives."

"Have you forgotten just what it means for an Uchiha?" Gai's eternal rival asked with a half glare. Of course he would forget. Gai hadn't had to deal with Uchihas in his lifetime. And that was only up to now.

"What are you saying Kakashi?" Kurenai asked and Asuma staying quiet for now. He fully knew what Kakashi was mentioning. Just looking at his father and his expression, no wonder Kurenai didn't know and he supposed Gai forgot it. The deja vù which the younger of Sarutobi felt when Kakashi was telling about his students was still fresh.

"It's hardly surprising as you don't know Kurenai as not many people know about it..." The younger Sarutobi said as he narrowed his eyes, "...Or they just don't want to believe in it."

Hiruzen stayed quiet for now. He didn't fully understood what it means for an Uchiha to have a partner. He knew about them and their most important persons, but he never got to ask Uchiha about it. It had seemed cruel to ask Mikoto, who was still having a hard time since she had been pulled away from her blond teammate, and so suddenly.

"What I can say now, Kurenai, don't underestimate Uchiha and their feelings, especially Uchiha in partnership mentality." Kakashi stated while he was looking up a certain blond's picture, "They can do everything for their precious people, even killing for them." Kurenai and Gai widened their eyes, the silver hair jounin continued, "Sasuki and Naruto's case is not the first one. This bond type appeared many times, and the nearest one...it may be not as strong as my students I think. But, coincidentally, one of them is an Uchiha." Kakashi recalled his past, and it wasn't the death of Obito. They were what he had heard from a few Konoha shinobi in the front line of Third Shinobi War, "You know, Minato-sensei had to separate from us and headed to the front lines. He met up with the surviving and out-numbered Konoha ninja and single-handedly wiped out the opposing Iwagakure forces." They nodded, no one didn't know about the battle that created the reputation of the Yellow Flash of the Hidden Leaf Village, and that battle convinced the Third Tsuchikage to accept a peace treaty. "However, it's not the whole truth."

Kurenai, Gai and even Asuma and Iruka became confused by Kakashi's words, "What do you mean Kakashi?" Gai asked.

"Some shinobi in the front line talked to me. According to them, sensei indeed confronted with a thousand Iwa ninja with the Flying Raijin jutsu, but it was still outnumbered and he was severely wounded in the battle field." Kakashi stated, "So, in that situation, he was not strong enough to keep on fighting and the size of Iwa shinobi was about more 400." Everyone became tense and...more curious. From what they heard, Iwagakure forces were wiped out and none survived.

"I know everyone is wondering, let me continue." They refocused on the jounin, "Minato-sensei was injured and couldn't continue his battle, that was true and he could have died...if it weren't for his teammate, Uchiha Mikoto." Kakashi tried glancing at their expressions and he had to say that it was quite humorous, "You guys hear correctly, Mikoto-sama was there. She is elite jounin rivaled only by her husband Uchiha Fugaku, Minato-sensei, and Uzumaki Kushina so I think it's not a exaggeration." The silver head cleared his throat, "Observers said that the battle had turned into a grotesque massacre soon afterward. They claimed that Mikoto-sama went into battle, her eyes just lost all sense of life and she would become an emotionless killing machine, she didn't speak, didn't react if she was injured, hell they believed she stopped breathing entirely when they saw her like that. And when the fighting ended, she'd go back to normal and act like nothing happened. All remaining Iwa ninja were brutally killed without mercy, and since then, in the Third Shinobi War, she has been known as..."

"The Dead Eyed Goddess of Death." Kakashi glanced at the Hokage who just told for him, then turned to jounin and chuunin, and nodded.

'Kakashi doesn't mention that Mikoto-san herself helped Minato back for healing. She didn't leave his side until she was sure he was totally fine and she even was ready to attack anyone getting too close him if she felt they weren't need to be there, including the fellow Kohoha shinobi. Anyways, I think he is right when he decided not to tell about it.' Asuma thought with a sigh.

Kurenai, Gai and Iruka got chills down the spine by what they just listened to from the silver hair man. They knew that Uchiha Mikoto was a very gentle and kind woman, but could also be stern and strict when she needed to be. They knew that the Uchiha Matriarch was a talent kunoichi, but elite jounin...they didn't expect that. But again, Mikoto came from the Uchiha clan and she even was the descendant of Uchiha Izuki, the younger sister of the legendary Uchiha Madoka, it's no wonder... and Uchiha Mikoto was Namikaze Minato's partner... they didn't expect it.

"Hey Kakashi, talking about Uchiha Sasuki. You said that she was going to clash the Haku girl, but Naruto stopped her. Was she really serious to kill someone?" Gai asked, looking from one of his jounin friends to the other.

"Yes, and I'm sure no one can stop her, including me, unless Naruto himself interfers." Everyone flinched at the answer, "Well, that's not really surprising. I have seen many shinobi felled by avenging partners, some of them so strong that they would have been candidates for Kages in their villages. Never underestimate the bond between theses partners, it could cost you your life."

"I see." Gai, now a little paler than before, muttered. Not only him but every jounin here felt complicated now. They knew they would have to make sure their students didn't end up on the Uchiha's warpath should something ever happen to Uzumaki Naruto. If what they heard right now was true, then the girl would definitely not rest until whoever manages to hurt the blond was dead. It was bad enough for taking Uchiha Mikoto's bad side, they didn't want to deal with her youngest daughter's wrath too.

The Hokage coughed into his fist, "Anyway, this meeting is over for now, make the preparation necessary for the upcoming exams." He then ordered in a serious tone.

With that all done, the shinobis bowed and left the Hokage's office.

The training ground 7

"Hello, team!" Kakashi exclaimed, appearing in the middle of the clearing.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

"Water Style: Raging Waves!"

"Earth Style: Stone Fist Jutsu!"

Kakashi smiled at the usual spectacle of Sasuki and Naruto sparring. Shino was instead fighting Naruto shadow clones, to avoid killing his bugs without reason.

"Ohi, sensei." Naruto greeted as the three genin stopped their training to get near him, "What was it this time? Some old lady wanting your help?" The blond asked with a grin.

Kakashi shrugged at Naruto. "A black cat crossed my road and I had to take the long route to get here. You know, bad luck and all."

"It's good you did it, or you could have sunshined into the middle of our spar." Sasuki smirked, crossing her arms. "So, what now, sensei? New missions?"

"They do. But not right now." Kakashi said. "Now we have a chat. You had time to think about what happened in Wave, right? How do you feel?"

"Mmm, enlightened." Naruto answered first. "I knew that our team was stronger a little than the average genin. However, the mission made me realize that it is not nearly enough. Haku was very strong and as young as we are."

"Now I know that the academy's and my clan's lessons are not enough. We still need more training and experience if we want to be alive in next high rank missions." Sasuki glanced at Naruto, 'And to get the power for protecting my precious people...'

"I think I'm a little outclassed." Shino said. "Why do you ask? Naruto, you are so unpredictable and determined, I'm quite sure you're one of strongest genin in our generation. Sasuki, you managed to do effectively powerful jutsu during battle and have Sharingan. So I asked Tou-san for help."

"You can catch up in no time!" Naruto exclaimed, giving him a thumb up.

Sasuki nodded beside him. "Yes, without doubt you are much better than us at tracking."

Kakashi eye smiled. "I'm very proud of you, you handled the mission very well. You are more than ready for a true, standard C-rank, but we'll wait a little bit for that. I want to train you more extensively for a while."

The Uchiha widened her eyes, "No more chores?"

"You have already a good team work, a respectable record and a fair amount patience. We may still do some, but not every day." Kakashi said. "Now, is there something you feel you need to learn? Or you want to?"

"Sensei." Naruto intervened. "Why don't you choose D-rank mission that can help us training? I dunno, something that requires lifting something heavy, for example."

"Good point." Kakashi said. "I'll look out for them."

"Can you teach me Kenjutsu?" Sasuki asked instead. "I asked onee-chan but sometimes she's busy with her ANBU missions."

Kakashi chuckled. "It's not my expertise, but I know someone who is good at Kenjutsu on a par with your sister. I can ask her teach you the Katas and you can practice them. You will spar with her everyday to see your improvement." Sasuki nodded.

"Shino, would you like to learn how to use a weapon as well?" Kakashi asked.

"It would be logical." Shino said. "Probably a long range one, that can also adapt to close range though, should I find myself in a sticky situation."

"Sasuki and I are going to a weapon shop later... you could tag along." Naruto said. "Browse a little with us."

Kakashi eye smiled at the display of team boding. "Just let me know, Shino. I suppose your clan will teach ninjutsu...and I can work with you on tracking. I know a couple of tricks about it myself."

"Good. I think I may focus on that." Shino fixed his eyeglasses. "I really like it."

Kakashi nodded in approval. "It's good to see you are already finding your calling, Shino." He then turned to the two ninjutsu freaks of the team. "Anything else?"

"Because Sasuki and her family help me with Fire ones and I can research about Wind myself. I want to know about Water techniques." Naruto informed. "Can you help with that?"

"Sure thing." Kakashi then looked at the Uchiha

"I'm perfecting Dragon Flame Bomb right now." Sasuki stated. "But my next goal is to become proficient with a Lightning technique at least B rank level as well."

Kakashi nodded, "I see. I will teach you my special technique. A lightning one but not now because you need to improve many things, including your chakra control." The Uchiha nodded.

"Alright, I think it's time to start. Shino, I'll start working with you on taijutsu, as always, but then I've a little surprise for you...Naruto, I'll be teaching you Water techniques. Sasuki, we'll work on your skills with Fuuma Shuriken."

"Hai, sensei!"