Chapter 11: Tales of Konoha

As much as I would love to continue straight into the final exams I want to flesh out some characters more or look more into the relationships of our characters. So this chapter will be a series of one shots leading into the chunin exams. They aren't in any particular order or anything like that. This is heavily inspired by the tails of ba sing se and avatar. We will have one stop in Iwa though.

(Iwa 3 days before the chunin exams)

Onoki sat staring at a map with a frown before he sighed rubbing his large nose. If onoki was younger he realized he would have turned on the peace between them and konoha in an instant. However he was older and wiser with a granddaughter who he cared about deeply and feared would suffer or lose in a war. He also saw clearly what a major war might cause for the shinobi of konoha. Frowning he groaned before summoning his anbu squad.

"Get me Kuma(bear)." Onoki requested and before long 2 chunin and one jounin stood before the aged kage.

"Whats up gramps?" Asked the female on the time as Onoki finished writing in a scroll and handed it to the jounin.

"I have a mission only you three are trustworthy enough… I need you to deliver this scroll to Minato Namikaze." He explained as he only gained silence back.

"Are… have you lost your mind old man?" The female of the team as onoki simply shook his head.

"No now get going I need you there as quickly as possible." Onoki said, causing the team to look at each other before they turned as left.

"I hope this is the right thing…" Onoki said as he floated over to a window overlooking his village.

(Konoha 2 Days before the chunin exams)

Naruto stood excitedly at the gates of konoha as people stood around watching the delegations enter and go filling the main road of konoha. He had received word from temari that they would or should be here today so he spent almost the entire day waiting for his fiance.

Finally the teen saw the face he had been waiting for when he spotted the flag of suna in the distance he couldn't contain his excitement when they finally arrived at the game so the boy jumped through the crowd.

"Temari!" Naruto shouted only to be clotheslined by one of the kazekages guards who upon seeing who they took down blushed and apologized.

"Naruto-dono, I'm sorry for that, my guards are tired after a long journey." Naruto heard the voice of rasa say as Naruto regained his bearing.

"No worries I should have realized just bursting through a crowd like that would result in at the very least being taken down." Naruto said with a grin as he stood up.

"Jeez not even a month gone and you are getting yourself into trouble naruto-kun." Temari said as she helped him up, giving the teen a peck on the cheek.

"It's good to see you're growing up to be a fine young man and shinobi Naruto. You look a lot like your father." Rasa said with a smile offering Naruto a hand to shake who happily returned the gesture shaking the man's hand.

"Naruto it's good to see you again." Kankuro said, making his presence known with a smile.

"Sorry we could fight in the chunin exams but.. I'd rather not face gaara." He said as his brother simply rolled his eyes.

"Oh yeah temari tonight is the festival… would you like to go with me?" Naruto asked as Temari blushed and nodded.

"Great I'll see you tonight!" Naruto said before shushining away in his excitement forgetting he and temari lived in the same much to her annoyance. The night was a blur as Naruto got ready and planned out the night once he was satisfied he left his room in a burnt orange kimono with the namikaze clan symbol on his right arm, the uzumaki on his left and a large konoha symbol on his black. Hidden in his sleeve was a bracer with his sword and weapons as well as a kunai holster hidden underneath.

Waiting in the living room naruto fidgeted as Haku came out in a blue kimono which accented her curves. Causing a blush to quickly form on Naruto's face as he looked away.

"Oh hello Naruto-kun temari will be out soon… But ah she said to send a clone out with me." Haku said with a blush of her own wanting to spend the night with naruto though she wished it wasn't a clone.

"Oh yeah of course." Naruto said with a smile before a clone appeared leading Haku out into the night. After another couple of moments the twins ran out in their own namikaze-uzumaki kimonos.

"Naruto-Nii will you take us out to the festival?" They shouted excitedly as Naruto simply smiled before forming a clone sending them out with it.

"Alright I'm ready." temari called out before coming down the stairs and naruto was dumbstruck. She wore a simple purple kimono which showed off her forming breasts and curves. She radiated elegance with her make up causing the girl to giggle into a small fan.

"Like what you see?" She asked him to kiss the boy and taking his arm as she led him into the night.

"Where are we going?" She asked as naruto regained his senses as the boy began leading the way.

"Dinner first of course." Naruto said and before long the two where outside of one of the fanciest restaurants in konoha which was of course Akimichi restaurant.

"No… No way you can get us a seat here even as you on this night of all nights.." Temari said and watched as Naruto simply walked up to the hostess.

"Ah Namikaze-sama your table is ready." She said with a bow leading the now shocked Temari and confident Naruto into the restaurant and to a secluded table overlooking the lights and festivities.

"..How?" Was all temari asked as naruto grinned.

"I have my ways." He said simply as she sighed the two ordered their couples dinner and a small bottle of genin sake.

"How was suna?" Naruto asked as temari smiled.

"Trying to get secrets on my new techniques huh? You'll have to wait and see." Temari said. "It was nice to be home though I think I've grown far too accustomed to the climate of Konoha to stay there for a month." Temari explained

"That good I'm glad you enjoyed it but I'm also happy you're back." Naruto said with a smile as they enjoyed an appetizer.

"How was your month?" Temari asked.

"It was good I learned a lot from everybody so we'll see how the chunin exams end but I have a good feeling about them." Naruto said with a grin as temari simply smiled and nodded knowing he wouldn't just give away his secrets either. One the meal was eaten and paid for they returned to the festival enjoying the games and shops.

When both teens were exhausted they returned home and snuggled up falling into a deep sleep.

(That same Night)

Shikamaru normally wasn't one for going out at nights or going to festivals for that matter but someone had actually asked the lazy genius much to his parents' shock. So the boy donned his grey kimono with the nara symbol Shikamaruo left into the night.

It didn't take him long to reach the house of his date taking a deep breath he knocked once before the door opened up revealing Yakumo in a pink kimono with the kurama clan symbol on her left sleeve.

"I figured you'd be late but you're actually early… that's good." She said as the two left into the night enjoying themselves running into naruto and haku at one point before continuing on with their date.

(4 Days before the Chunin exams.)

Naruto was always excited for festivals though this year it was a festival based around him or at least the chunin exams he was a part of. So to say it was nice to get people walking up to him and wishing him luck was nice.

"Hey Naruto!" He heard someone shout, causing the boy to turn around and see Fu.

"Oh hey fu!" Naruto said with a smile.

"Hey! I was wondering if you wanted to hang out?" Fu asked, causing Naruto to smile and grin.

"Yeah of course!" Naruto said as Fu smiled following Naruto around the festival as they enjoyed one another's presence they had fun with some of the games that were set up before heading up to the top of the hokage monument at sun down.

"Who this is amazing!" Fu said in awe as she saw the village.

"Isn't it? Hey ah Fu… How do they treat you in Taki?" Naruto asked timidly as Fu frowned.

"Well honestly they don't treat me horribly but they aren't kind either… The transfer of the nanabi was a rather safe one so they didn't lose anyone or anything like that. Fu said, rubbing the back of her head as naruto nodded.

"I wish us jinchuuriki were more than just tools of war." Naruto said with a frown as fu nodded

"I know… I think we all do in our own way." She said as the two sat in silence watching the hustle and bustle of konoha for a while before going their own ways.

(Festival Date night)

Sasuke straightened his kimono as he left the uchiha clan compound and he spotted a familiar mop of pink hair as he smiled. While in the academy he would have shrugged off the girl but he saw her grow after the 6 months out of the academy and in the second round against ino.

"Sasuke-Kun!" Sakura said happily as she ran over to the teen.

"Sakura you look ah lovely tonight." He said, causing the girl to blush.

"Thank you." She said as the two took hands making their way through the night Sasuke activated his sharingan at one point to always remember the image of Sakura leading him through the festival with a large smile on her face as he felt happy once again after gaining the curse mark. That night Sasuke swore to protect konoha at all costs no matter what he had to do.

(Same night jounin lounge)

"I still can't believe it… what the hell did you teach those kids to get them to all make it through to the third round?" Anko asked as Her, Kakashi, Kurenai, Gai, Asuma, Izume and Itachi sat in a group sharing drinks.

"Well… I think their just talent is all I didn't train them that much they worked on their own and as a group." Kakashi said with an eye smile.

"Well how is training Naruto coming along?" Asuma asked as kakashi laughed.

"I think he's going to go all the way in the exam. The kids good and he has so many people training him." Kakashi said confidently causing the other jounin to laugh.

"Someone is confident in his student." Kurenai said with a smile.

"Well of course I am. I think you'll all see what I'm talking about soon." Kakashi said as the night continued its liveliness for the jounin in the lounge.

(1 Day before the chunin exams)

"Do we really have to go?" Naruto whined and complained much to Shikamaru and Temaris annoyance.

"Jeez why can't we get another month… Yes Naruto we're being touted as the rookie 12 and as such everyone wants to get to know each other better." Temari said as they entered an Akimichi BBQ.

"Ah you must be part of the rookie 12 we've been expecting you." Said the waitress as she led the group to a back room which opened to reveal the 3 other teams who greeted the final team to arrive.

"Sorry we're late everyone… Naru kept up waiting." Temari said with a small chuckle as she pushed her elbow into his ribs.

"No worries we all just got here anyways." Choji said with a smile as the team sat down joining the conversation. Naruto spotted Sai reading a book and he frowned.

"Hey, Sai why aren't you talking with everyone else?" Naruto asked, causing sai to look up.

"Oh sorry I was reading this book on how to make friends and it suggests to give people you wish to befriend nicknames… So for instance sakura would be chestless and um choji would be fatso." Everyone stopped what they were doing in that instant staring at Sai in shock. Kiba still had a piece of food held in his chopsticks, Temari was in the middle of drinking her water. Shino was being shino.

"What did you call me!" Choji and sakura shouted as everyone quickly moved with the speed of jounin to hold back the two scorned ninja. By the time they calmed down everyone agreed that maybe the hot springs would be a great way to relax and cool their heads.

The boys went to one side and the girls to the other as they talked amongst themselves. Naruto stared at the wall for a while before a grin snuck its way onto his face as he submerged himself in the water.

"Hey Kiba." He asked after he came back up.

"Whats up Naruto?" Kiba asked, looking at the young namikaze heir."

"Have you ever thought what it looks like on the other side of that wall?" Naruto asked as he held back a look that only promised trouble for Kiba.

"You know… I always have." Kiba said wrapping a towel around himself as Sasuke came over.

"You know he might get a look at temari right dobe? And all over a prank" Sasuke asked, causing Naruto to gain a look of horror as he stood up quickly running over to Kiba who was already climbing up the wall.

However running over caused the teen to lose his balance crashing into the wall knocking it over causing kiba to yelp and go flying into the hot springs. Naruto rubbed his head as he heard footsteps seeing feet. Naruto started to look up only for a foot to smash down on his head, keeping it looking down.

"Naruto… what do you think you're doing?" Ino asked as kiba was sent flying over the head of naruto.

"Um ah nothing Ino-chan I saw Kiba climbing the wall so I thought I'd try to ah stop him." Naruto tried to explain before he was sent back into the hot springs himself.

"Likely story pervert!" Ino shouted before huffing and returning to her spot. Everyone else was laughing at the two's expense. Sasuke himself sported a smirk as he snickered at the expense of Naruto.

Once everyone was relaxed they all separated their own ways agreeing to see each other at the stadium the next day.

(That night)

"Hokage-sama this Iwa team was apprehended at the border of Hi no Kuni with a diplomatic seal from the Tsuchikage." Explained a member of the anbu that held Team Kuma in front of the hokage. "They also had this scroll which was to be given to you and you only in their words."

Minato frowned and looked at the team who said nothing whether it was hatred or fear Minato chose not to think about it or care as he opened up the scroll. Seeing no explosive seals or traps Minato let out a breath before reading the scroll. A face of intrigue turned into one of shock and confusion and then anger.

"So that's what he's been up to?" Minato said with a sigh before summoning a runner team. Another Runner however burst into the door before he could say anything.

"Sir shinobi and samurai movements have been reported on our borders but they haven't crossed yet." The messenger shouted, catching his breath causing minato to frown.

"So its really true huh? Have all troops move to defensive positions Ich and await possible orders or attacks and recall the second and their battalions to konoha." Minato ordered as the runners bowed before rushing off.

"I want the chunin exams to continue as planned and make sure nothing seems out of order. More orders will come through the night and morning also wake up Shikaku" Minato ordered his anbu who nodded before he turned back to the iwa team.

He looked at all of them knowing who they were based on appearance. The first man and obvious leader was a very tall and brawny shinobi. He had dark eyes and short dark-grey-coloured hair as well as a beard and a bulbous nose. He wears the standard Iwagakure shinobi uniform with a left sleeve and a right lapel. He also wore a hitate-ate in a bandanna style and bandages around his right arm. This was none other than kitsuchi.

The second man was a large and imposing man, with dark eyes and black hair that spikes out at the back from underneath his bandanna-styled Hiate-ate. He also has large cheeks, and a plump nose which give him an overall look of constant joviality. He wore the red Iwagakure uniform which has both its sleeves, underneath his flak jacket, and accentuates it with a yellow scarf which he wraps around his neck. This was none other than the shield of Onoki and Iwa Akatsuchi.

The last and youngest member of the team who was mentioned in the scroll had short, black hair and distinctly black eyes which are accentuated by her eyelashes running upwards at the corners. She wears the standard attire of the Iwa-nin consisting of a red uniform with her right sleeve missing and a lapel over her right leg, the brown Iwagakure flak jacket, fishnet tights and a skirt over them. She also wears regular shinobi sandals and a pair of gloves. Her hiate-ate was on her forehead and while he didn't know her by her exploits as she was naruto's age he knew her name was Kurotsuchi.

"You've brought both great and troubling news in a single scroll… Have you read it, Kitsuchi?" Minato asked as the man looked at his daughter which was all the Minato needed to know as he understood how the man felt.

"Yes Minato-dono and as much as I don't want to agree to it I've lost many friends in the third great shinobi war and if this is how we bring peace then I will accept it." He said with a small sigh.

"Kurosutchi is it?" He asked the girl simply nodded staring the the killer of Iwa who gave her a warm smile.

"There's someone I want you to meet." Minato said before calling over one of the anbu who had replaced his original team whispering into his year the man nodded before leaving.

"Please sit relax, you've come a long way you might need it." Minato said as some sake was brought out. Before long Naruto was brought in with a confused expression on his face. Looking at the Iwa shinobi he looked back at his father and his confusion was even worse than before. The Iwa shinobi were shocked to see a young teen who looked so similar to the hokage

"Whats up dad?" He asked which answered the question circulating the Iwa shinobis mind.

"I want you to meet a delegation from Iwa… There's no easy way of putting this but Kurotsuchi is to be betrothed to you to secure an Alliance and peace with Iwa." Minato said, simply causing both Naruto and Kurotsuchi to shout in confusion looking at each other.

"Her/Him, from konoha/iwa!" The both shouted, trying to wrap their heads around it as Akatsuchi looked at the jounin of the team in shock who simply nodded.

"I mean he's cute and all but he's a tree fucker!" Kurotsuchi shouted.

"I agree that she's cute but she's got rocks for brains!" Naruto shouted at the same time before they turned and glared at each other.

"What the hell did you say- Stop copying me!" They both shouted as Minato simply laughed and smiled.

"Already acting like a married couple." He said causing the two to blush and turn from each other with a huff.

"What about other sets of clothes and supplies?" Kurostuchi asked as Minato nodded.

"Your grandfather will be arriving in the morning and will be bringing your stuff with him." Minato explained, causing the room to go quite.

"You really have no say in the matter.. Just like temari." Naruto said with a frown before he sighed.

"I guess you'll be staying with us so I'll take you to the namikaze compound." Naruto said as Kurostuchi frowned but accepted her fate if this was really her grandfather's wish.

"There are some things I need to discuss with kitsuchi so explain your situation on the way there." Minato said as the two teens left the room.

"For what its worth as we will be in laws together perhaps soon I'm truly sorry for what happened during the war my actions and every life I took weighs heavily on me but I did what i could to protect my village." Minato said as kitsuchi frowned but nodded.

"It was war Minato-Dono. I understand I killed many Konoha shinobi and I remember all their faces as well." He said as the two veterans shared saki and war stories as they discussed the treaty to be in place by the morning.

(With Naruto)

The two walked together in an awkward silence for a while saying nothing before Naruto spoke up.

"Seeing as I guess we're engaged now I should ask if you know what CRA is?" Naruto asked as Kurostuchi nodded, most villages had their own version of the act.

"Well simply put the Namikaze clan and Uzumaki clan both rest on my shoulders so I've been placed under it. I already have a fiance from suna from a situation like yours as well as a few girls who might become my wives in the future." Naruto explained as Kurotsuchi frowned.

"Did you have any choice in the matter?" She asked as naruto simply shook his head.

"Much like now I don't and neither did temari or you for that matter and for that I am sorry that you must leave your home. But I promise to treat you well and with respect and that your time here will be filled with happy memories I hope." He said causing her frown to narrow out.

"Thank you Naruto I hope that comes true." She said as they finally arrived at the compound. Walking inside they were treated by Kushina and Temari.

"Minato-kun sent a messenger ahead to explain the situation… I want to say welcome to the family Kurotsuchi-chan." Kushina said, giving the girl a hug.

"I understand how you must feel this is all so new so if you need to talk I'm here to talk to." Temari said with a smile which Kurotsuchi half returned. Kushina took Kurotsuchi to the spare room next to Narutos while Naruto and Temari made sure she was comfortable before they went to sleep or at least tried to before the chunin exams that began in the tomorrow.

(At the edge of Hi no Kuni)

All along the border Mercenaries, Samurai and Shinobi flooded into the nation as well as into Kaze no Kuni while a smaller force pushed into Taki no Kuni. On the coast line Kiri boats landed dropping off shinobi and from kiri and Shimogakure as well as the invasion force that Orochimaru numbered around 3,000 shinobi and samurai as the rest of the alliance's forces took up positions ready to attack.

(Outside Konoha)

Onoki stood in front of an iwa force of 300 jounin as two konoha shinobi arrived.

"Tsuchikage-sama we are here to escort you to konoha and your force to the staging area." The lead anbu Neko explained as onoki nodded.

"Good I would like to get off the road and so would my men." He said as they nodded leading them most of the way before splitting off. The chunin exams would change many lives forever our rookie 12 included

Dundundun and so it begins Orochimaru's invasion which culminates into the beginning of our next arc. How will Obito react to this and the shinobi world as a whole. I really hope the 11 chapters that have built to his point have built it up well. I know this was a slow episode but I wanted to just focus on character building which I'm not great at as an author. I thought about adding in Haku and the twins' story but I figured it was full enough with one shots and world building. Please follow and favorite if you've liked the story so far and review to tell me what you think. And the next chapter begins the final exam so I'll see you guys next time!