Chapter 9 – New Things Are Happening

Naruto walked along side Shizune, Tsunade, Tonton and Jiraiya. They had just left the resort town and were a day out of Konoha. Naruto talked to Tsunade and she was talking back. The relationship between the two changed after the battle. While Naruto called her bitch and Tsunade called him a brat, the two were friendly. It was mostly due to the conversation they had a day ago.

***Flashback***

Naruto watched as Jiraiya tried to talk down the village leader. He was crying anime tears as price came up for the damage Naruto caused. This made the blond smile a bit.

"What's so funny brat?" Naruto turned to see Tsunade.

"Just getting some satisfaction at Ero-Sennin's (Pervy Sage) expense." Tsunade saw her teammate hand over a check with tears in his eyes. It made her smile. The two stood in silence for a while before Tsunade spoke.

"I… may have been out of line when I insulted your dream. I shouldn't have unloaded my baggage on you. I also apologize for slapping you through a wall." She said. Naruto gave her a sideways glance before turning back to Jiraiya.

"I guess, I was out of line to use your family. It was a low blow on my part. I'm also sorry that I soaked you, giving Ero-Sennin material. No woman should have that happen." Naruto said.

"Okay then, slates clean between us." Tsunade said.

"Yeah." Naruto replied. They were silently watching as Jiraiya wrote another check.

"I still want that rematch." She stated.

"Not happening." He answered.

"Scardy cat." Tsunade muttered.

"Sore loser." Naruto muttered back. The two blondes had smirks on their faces. They watched as Jiraiya handed the leader another check.

***Present***

Both Jiraiya and Shizune were happy for the change. Tsunade seem to be happier talking to Naruto. They continued on their way to Konoha.

XXX

Jakken was doing gate duty. He was really bored. How could anyone enjoy this? He looked at the two who seem to like this position. He just shrugged and waited for it to end. That's when he caught sight of a group of four and one pig. He recognized Naruto and Jiraiya but did not recognize the other two. He especially wanted to know who the blond was with the amazing rack.

They arrived to the gates to check in. Naruto walked up to Jakken.

"Why are you doing gate duty?" Naruto asked.

"It's a long story." Jakken answered. He was about to ask about his companions when two shinobi appeared. They were Raido and Genma. They bowed to the blond.

"Lady Tsunade, the elders await your arrival." Raido said. The woman sighed before nodding.

"Okay brat, you're dismissed for now. I'll see you around." Tsunade said and with that she walked away with Jiraiya, Shizune and Tonton. Jakken looked at them go and was surprised. He turned his attention to Naruto.

"Wow, so you actually succeeded. I thought you would have pissed her off so that she would kill you." Naruto looked at him with confusion. "You have a tendency to frustrate people." Jakken said.

"Whatever. So is Anko-sensei and Yakumo in the village?" Naruto asked.

"About Anko-sensei…" Jakken began to tell him about Anko's problems. Naruto did not look please as the story progressed.

XXX

Tsunade put her hand over Kakashi's head. After a while, she removed her hand and watched as his lone eye opened.

"Welcome back to the living Kakashi." Tsunade said.

"I… know… you…" Kakashi said groggy. That's when the door was kicked open. The two saw that it was Naruto.

"Hey Kakashi, we need to talk about your student!" Naruto exclaimed. That's when he saw Tsunade. "Oh, hey Tsunade-obaasan. What are you doing here?"

"I was healing him. Now, why did you just kick in the door and why are you being noisy? This is a hospital. Is this about your sensei?" Tsunade asked.

"I figured you would know but I'm here to let Kakashi-sensei know that if Sasuke wants some, he can come get some." Naruto said, directing it at Kakashi.

"Wait… What is going here?" Kakashi asked with confusion.

"You'll know about it when you are healed up." Tsunade said to him before turning to the blond. "And you, you aren't getting into any fights during my reign. I will deal with the Anko situation and Sasuke. Now go home and relax." Tsunade ordered. Naruto listened and left the room. Kakashi was still confused, making her sigh.

XXX

Three days passed and Tsunade was already hating the Hokage position. This was the third meeting today. With a sigh, she faced her one o'clock.

"So, you're the sensei of the blond brat?" she asked.

"Yeah, sorry if he was a handful. If it is any consolation, he a lot better from before. He used to be very rude and prank everybody. What he might have done to you must have not been that bad." Anko said with a smile.

"He called me names and then challenged me to a fight. He then proceed to soak me during that fight, which allowed Jiraiya to put me in his book." Tsunade stated. Anko was grinning nervously at that. She made a promise to kill Naruto the next time she saw him. After a while, she spoke again. "You can unclench Mitarashi. I have reviewed the incident and you are not going to be removed from the ninja forces. You will however still be punished for your actions. I will suspend you for two more days and you will have to complete one hundred D-rank missions."

Anko groaned but did not argue. She was curious about something.

"I thought that the council would have fought tooth and nail after I did what I did." Anko said.

"Oh they did but I let them know that I am the Hokage and my word is law. Yes, you stepped over the line with the boy but a lot of other jonin would have done the same. I remembered Jiraiya doing the same when he had students. Plus, Kakashi put in a good word and said that he would also deal with his student. We're done here. Go and enjoy it with your students because they are going to be very busy in the coming days." Tsunade said. Anko was confused but she did as her leader said. She left her office to go and find her team.

XXX

Kakashi was not happy. It showed in his posture and his narrowed eye. It made Sasuke uncomfortable to see him so serious.

"I want you to know that I dealt with your council buddies. No charges are going to be made against Anko." Kakashi said seriously. Sasuke was stunned.

"What? Look at what she did to me!" Sasuke shouted.

"You threaten her student. I would have done the same." Kakashi stated, shutting Sasuke up. "First off, it was foolish of you to even go after Itachi. Did you really believe that you had a chance? I trained and worked with Itachi. He was strong then and he has only gotten stronger. You are not on his level yet and it was foolish to believe that you were." Sasuke was snarling at those words but Kakashi did not care.

"Secondly, you should show some gratitude. Naruto saved you from the same fate as me. He protected you and you thank him by threats?"

"I didn't need his help." Sasuke growled.

"Like you did such a great job against Itachi in the beginning." Kakashi mocked, infuriating Sasuke. "You can be angry all you want but it is the truth. You are in here because you are acting like a child, not a ninja. You are damn lucky that Anko did not kill you on the spot. She cares about her team and would do anything to protect them. You are also lucky that Tsunade was in the room to stop Naruto from challenging you."

"If that loser wants a fight, I'll give him a fight." Sasuke stated loudly.

"You go anywhere near team Anko and I will personally see to it that you are removed from duty and put on lockdown." Sasuke looked at Kakashi with shock.

"Why are you defending him?!" Sasuke demanded.

"Because like you, he is my comrade and I won't allow you to harm him or anyone else just because your ego can't handle it. You need to realize that everything between us has changed. You have disappointed me Sasuke with your actions and I will no longer cater to your wants. I will train you to be strong but from here on end, I will be your sensei and you will do as I say. Are we clear?" Kakashi demanded.

Sasuke was not at all happy but the seriousness in Kakashi's tone made him nod. Kakashi turned to leave. He stopped at the door and looked back at him.

"You have the potential to be great Sasuke but your hate holds you back. If you allow it to control you, you will be no better than Orochimaru. If you go too far, I will put you down. I will not make the same mistake the Sandaime did." With that Kakashi left. Sasuke was left alone to stew. His hate was growing. It was growing for Itachi, it was growing for Kakashi, it was growing for Naruto and it was growing for Konoha.

Kakashi exited the hospital with a heavy heart. He didn't want to do that to him but he had to. He had to let Sasuke know just how serious he was. Sasuke was going down a dark path and he wanted to stare him away from it. However, as his sensei, he would do what had to be done. If Sasuke got out of line, he would stop him. He wouldn't like it but he do his duty.

"Hey." A voice called out. Kakashi turned to see Anko. She saw that he was not in a good mood. "You alright?"

"Somewhat. Sorry about Sasuke. I don't blame you for acting out." Kakashi said.

"Glad you don't. I heard I have you to thank for keeping my job. Granted, one hundred D-ranks is a pain but it's better than nothing." Anko stated.

"Like I said, you did what you had to do." He then sighed. "I don't know what else I can do to get through to that boy."

"You just do your best. You think it was easy for me with my brats? You just have to work with what you got. You'll find a way." She explained.

"Thanks for that. You want to grab something to eat?" Kakashi asked.

"Why not? I could eat." With that, Anko took his arm and the two made their way to get something to eat.

XXX

An explosion rocked Ryuchido. Midoshi stood in front of a mountain wall and looked at the damage. She smiled at the damage she created but she needed more training. However, it would be powerful. Not like that Rasengan jutsu but very close. Like that jutsu, she didn't need hand seals. Her attention was taken away by the arrival of Kotohime and Kagero. Midoshi just looked at them.

"Well?" she asked.

"Arashi, Jigumo and Kamikiri will not join. When we suggested it, we almost came to blows. They are loyal to Orochimaru." Kotohime explained.

"What about the rest of your clan?" Midoshi asked.

"Do you think it is wise to ask a bunch of thieves to join you?" Kagero asked.

"This Hanzaki refused Orochimaru. He must have a strong will. He can be a big help in the future. Arrange a meeting for me. What about the others?" she asked.

"A few are considering you offer. Others are scared. I don't know if this plan will work mistress." Kotohime said.

"I'm not worried. My plan will succeed because I am offering them a chance to grow. Otogakure can become a true village, not just Orochimaru's lab." Midoshi stated.

"What about Guren-sensei? Will she help us?" Kagero asked.

"That I don't know. She still doesn't like me and she is still too loyal to Orochimaru. However, I will try to convince her. She is strong and I could use someone like her on my side." Midoshi said. She then turned to the two. "Continue to get stronger and pass the word along. We will have our day." The two nodded and vanished. After a while, she was joined by Mamushi. The two did not look at each other.

"Something I can help you with? Or are you spying on me?" Midoshi said.

"Neither. Call it curiosity. You never gave a damn about anyone or anything. Now, you want to take over Orochimaru's troops and village? Since when did you care?" Mamushi asked. She did not answer her and the large boa looked at her carefully before scoffing. "Whatever, it has nothing to do with me." With that, she slithered away. Midoshi just turned back to her training.

XXX

A week passed and things in Konoha was getting back to normal. Tsunade manage to get everything on track, despite hating the job. She managed to add her own additions to the village. She improved the academy and she created a medical class. A few had a problem but she dealt with them in her own way. In all, it wasn't too bad.

Now, she was standing in front of team Anko. The three, plus their sensei, were waiting for whatever was going to happen. Shino was also with them, as was Kurenai. Everyone stood at attention and waited for Tsunade to speak.

"Alright then, according to the judges, you four did very well in the exam finals." She said and turned to Naruto. "The judges called your match 'beyond genin level'. Sarutobi-sensei would be proud." She then turned to Jakken. "The judges called you unorthodox and crafty. I would call you crude and perverted but who am I to judge your strategy." She then looked at Yakumo. "You have come a long way in your dream of becoming a kunoichi and you showed just how dangerous the Kurama clan can be." And finally looked at Shino. "What can I say about the Aburame clan? You're ability to stay cool under pressure is an asset to the village."

She looked at all of them with a smile as they were presented with their chunin vests. "Congratulations, you have all been promoted to the rank of chunin. Wear this vest with pride." Each genin got their vest and put it on. Team Anko was cheering, not caring who was looking. Tsunade called for attention.

"You are all dismissed for now. However, be prepared. I will be calling on you soon." Tsunade said.

"Alright then, let's go and party until we drop!" Anko shouted. Her team cried out yeah and were out of the door. Tsunade just scoffed and went back to work.

XXXXX

Authors' Notes

Well, I got this chapter out. I hope you enjoy it. I have a plan for the next couple of chapters that would include each chunin, so please be patient as I plan them out. Anyway, enjoy the new chapter.