Chapter 16 - Reality Check

It would be two days after the race. Idate won the race by quite a distance after he took off his weights. He easily caught up to the Wagarashi's runner and quickly outpaced him. Kyuroku was pulling his hair out at the result. He decided to accuse Jirocho and his family of cheating along with minister Aruno. However, the daimyo was not open to listen. He revealed their plans and their corruption. They were arrested and dragged away. It would be the end of the Wagarashi family.

Team Naruto spent two days in Cha no Kuni (Land of Tea), enjoying their success and the small break before returning to Konoha. Naruto received word that a team was coming to pick them up to secure Aoi. The former Konoha nuke-nin (missing ninja) was being kept in check with the help of Jirocho's men. Idate was able to move around despite Kiba's disagreements. The teen had made an agreement with Naruto to go with him back to Konoha and face his punishment.

Team Naruto led their prisoners toward the dock to meet up with the team that Tsunade sent. When they got closer, they saw just who they sent. It was Ibiki Morino. He was flanked by two others. They walked up to team Naruto. Ibiki looked at the group and upon seeing Aoi, he smiled.

"I always knew that we would meet again. This time, you will be the one who feels everything." Ibiki said. He then turned to Idate. The two brothers just looked at each other for while. Surprisingly, Idate did not flinch away despite his nervousness. This made Ibiki smile. "You don't have the eyes of a coward any more. I'm glad to see that." This surprised Idate.

"Uh, thank you. I-I'm sorry for the trouble I caused." Idate said nervously. Ibiki scoffed but it was an amused one. He then looked at Jirocho.

"He's your responsibility now." Ibiki said. Jirocho nodded as the team was confused.

"He's a Wasabi now, a member of my family. He will be taken care of." Jirocho said. Ibiki made a motion to Naruto who just let Idate go. Kiba was about to shout but was stopped by Shino. Jirocho continue to speak. "As of today, Idate has been pardoned for his role of the theft. This only works as long as he swears loyalty to the Wasabi, officially." That shocked everyone, including Idate.

"S-Sir, I... I don't know what to say." Idate said.

"It's okay. The ceremony will be tonight. I will allow you to say your good-byes." Jirocho walked away as Idate turned back to the group. Kiba wasn't happy about it but did not what to spoil the mood. He quickly made his way to the boat followed by Shino who just nodded. Hinata nervously congratulated him before catching up with her team. This left Idate, Ibiki and Naruto alone.

"Don't let the boss down Idate." Naruto said.

"I won't. I am also sorry about how I treated you. I was just jealous." Idate said.

"Don't sweat it." Naruto said and held out his. Idate took it and they shook. "Until we meet again." Naruto followed Ibiki back to the ship. Idate would stay, bowing to his brother as the ship sailed away.

XXX

Tsunade looked at the hilt of the Raijin no Ken (Lightning Sword). She was not happy when she learned of its' theft. She would have invaded Amegakure (Hidden Rain) to get it back if she wasn't also in debt to a couple of loan sharks in the area. Now, it was back and she couldn't be happier. Her mood changed when she looked up to face Naruto. She hated to admit it, the brat did well leading his team. However, she wasn't looking forward to this especially with the smug smirk on his face.

"Good work everyone. You all did an exceptional job and brought the village a new client. You have also returned a priceless artifact back to my clan. I am happy and you should all be proud of your success." Tsunade said.

"Thank you Hokage-sama." they all said. This surprised her as Naruto was actually be respectful.

"I'm surprised brat. I figured that you would be mocking me or make a smart-ass comment." she said.

"I was but Shizune stopped me. She said that you were in a good mood and she didn't want me to ruin it. She stressed out and I didn't want to add to it." Naruto explained.

"Are you accusing me of stressing out my apprentice?"

"Is that a serious question?" Tsunade glared at him but calmed herself.

"You're dismissed." The team bowed and left the office. Tsunade sighed before reaching in her draw for her secret sake only to find it gone. Instead, she found a small note. She took it and opened it.

'Helped Shizune find your stash. Thanks again for the praise.' it read. Tsunade sucked her teeth in annoyance. "I have to kill him. I now realize this. He has to die." With that, Tsunade stood up and walked out of her office. Outside, Naruto and team Kurenai faced each other. Naruto figured he had about two and a half minutes before Tsunade chased him.

"So, you guys were great to work with. I can see why you guys are the best among the rookies." Naruto said.

"Seriously? Hell yeah! I am just glad to be known as the best. I was getting annoyed about how great Sasuke was." Kiba said with a feral grin. Naruto just smirked at the group before vanishing using the Shunshin (Teleport). The team turned to each other, trying to figure out what they wanted to do when they saw Tsunade exit the building. She saw them but did not seem to acknowledge them. She also vanished using a Shunshin.

"I w-wonder what that was a-about?" Hinata asked curiously.

"Maybe it has to do with that bottle Naruto took out of the Hokage's desk." Shino answered.

"Man, he must have no fear of the Hokage to do that." Kiba added. The three shrugged at what was happening and decided to go and see if they could find Kurenai-sensei.

XXX

Kakashi was standing in front of the memorial stone, his mind in another world. Usually, he would stare at the stone and lament about his failures. However, he was thinking about a decision that he needed to make.

"Sensei, Rin, Obito, what should I do?" he whispered to himself.

"Eternal rival! I have finally found you!" Kakashi turned to see Gai jog up to him.

"Sorry Gai, I'm in no mood for a challenge." Kakashi said seriously.

"I am not here for that today." laughed Gai. He then looked at Kakashi seriously. "I was worried that you were falling back into your old habits." Kakashi was amused by that but he understood why. It had been a while since he stood in front of this stone with his usual troubles. A lot of his comrades would say it was thanks to his close friendship with Anko, which they weren't far off about.

"No, I haven't fallen on my old habits. My mind is somewhere else. I was looking for answers to my current situation." Kakashi said.

"So, you have reach your limit with them?" Gai asked.

"Yes, I have reached my limit with team seven?" he said seriously. Kakashi believed in second chances but his team had just used them up. There was Sasuke, the biggest problem. The boy would challenge him at every turn. He refused to do the missions below a C-rank. He also refused to work with the team or train with them. He knew from his contacts that he was trying to strengthen his Chidori (One Thousand Birds) and he was using the curse mark.

Sakura was very vocal in her displeasure of his treatment. She was grossly insubordinate and refused to train in anything. It got to a point when he publicly dressed her down, sending her home in tears. Sai was still spying for his true master, which scared him. His team was considered the worst among the genin teams and had the most failures.

"If you ask me Kakashi, the decision to disband your team is the right one." Gai said.

"Yes but my concerns are many. Sasuke doing traitorous things and Sai's master lurking in the shadows, if I disband my team, only darkness I see for the future." Kakashi explained. Gai understood where he was coming from. Suddenly, Gai had an idea.

"I think I have a solution." Gai said with some excitement. Kakashi looked at him with interest.

XXX

"I'm not in disagreement of this plan. I just think it would be simpler to just arrest the little brat and disband your team. Is all this really necessary?" Tsunade asked the two jonin. When they came to her with this idea, she also had the same concerns as Kakashi. However, she believed in the direct approach. Lucky for Gai and Kakashi, Jiraiya was also in the room.

"I think it is necessary. It will help if the council starts up a stink and it will make him have to pause in any plans." Jiraiya explained.

"Fine, I'll agree to the plan but why this team?" Tsunade asked with annoyance.

"Come on Tsunade-hime (princess), you can't still be angry about the sake thing? That was three weeks ago. Besides, her team has actually gotten the respect of the council. Not just her but her chunin have either led or helped in several mission. Their approval rate is the highest among teams." Jiraiya said. Tsunade just sighed and tossed Kakashi a scroll.

"This mission should be down your alley. You were once there when you were in the ANBU." she said. Kakashi opened the scroll and looked it over. Rolling up the scroll, he looked at his leader.

"I will accept the mission."

XXX

Team Kakashi stood at the entrance, waiting for the next team. The mission was a protection mission for actress, Yukie Fujikaze. Her manager, Sandayu, hired them to protect her and the movie crew that was doing some big movie. It was a C-rank mission but it had to potential to go up in rank. Kakashi looked at the members of his team and could see that Sasuke was pleased to be on this mission. Sakura was gushing over Sasuke as usual and Sai was just Sai.

"It's about time we got a good mission, huh Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked. Sasuke didn't answer her but Kakashi did.

"That is due to your lack of skills genin Haruno." Kakashi said with a tone that made her flinch. Sakura decided to keep quiet. Sasuke was just waiting until he saw something that really pissed him off.

"What are you doing here?" Sasuke demanded. The others turned to see who he was talking to. The only one who wasn't surprised was Kakashi. It was team Anko.

"Good, they're here. It's time we get going." Kakashi said.

"What are they doing here?!" Sakura demanded.

"Careful genin, you act like that and you can kiss your career good-bye, all of you." Anko said with seriousness. Sakura looked very confused while Sasuke looked pissed. Kakashi decided to clear up the confusion.

"Since you, Sai and Sasuke have proven to be incompetent shinobi when it comes to your duties to the village, I have recommended that all of you be put under review. Team Anko will be the reviewers and they will report to the council after this mission." Kakashi explained, surprising his team.

"You can't do that! You especially can't trust her team!" Sakura shouted.

"My team has a high approval rate big mouth." Anko said. "All of my charges are chunin and have already led missions. Also, we don't let petty things, like breaking a knee cap, to change our views. My team can be objective and we only speak the truth when it comes to fake shinobi."

"I will not accept this." Sasuke snarled softly.

"You don't have a choice." Kakashi said. Sasuke was about to say something but was hit with Kakashi's intent that stopped him from speaking. "I warned you Uchiha. I have repeatedly warned you, all of you, that there will be consequences. Let's see how well you do without me as your safety net." Sasuke glared at Kakashi while Sakura looked like she was have a mental breakdown. He stormed out of the gates, Sakura following him. Kakashi looked at Anko's team who just nodded. Both teams walked out the gate.

XXX

In Oto no Kuni (Land of Sound), various clan leaders were gathered in a secret location. They were called here to discuss something with the person who gathered them. They were curious about this because the person made promises of power and improvement. They also spoke of the 'future' of Oto no Kuni. Their attention was focused when three women entered. The two older looking females flanked the smaller one. Everyone knew who this was and wondered what she would want. She jumped on top of a boulder and faced them all.

"Welcome to you all and thank you for coming. Now, let's talk about everyone's future." Midoshi said.

XXXXX

Omake #2

Everyone just watched the carnage that was happening. No one was prepared for the scene before them. It was just surreal and yet, not uncommon. Naruto was a whiz at pissing people off, including important people. His prank on the Hyuga was still talked about because they thought that it would have never been done. However, Naruto may have gone too far this time. The reason was because the destruction the Hokage was doing to the area to attempt to kill him. Already, Tsunade had destroyed Naruto's apartment and several other apartments just to get her hands on him.

A crash caught their attention as Naruto was sent flying out a window from the second floor. He hit the ground hard, causing him to groan. Tsunade was right on him, landing next to him and looking at him with the intent to kill. She raised her fist to end him when she was tackled by Jiraiya. The man called out to several other who quickly restrained Tsunade. She fought them off but Jiraiya was much stronger than her as he forcefully dragged Tsunade away with the help of several brave ANBU. Shizune checked on Naruto and was apologizing to him for whatever it was.

The crowd slowly began to go on about their business but they would never forget this day. It was a day that showed every one that Naruto Uzumaki may just be the most ballsy ninja in Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf).

Authors' Notes

Hey, a new chapter. Sorry that this took so long. I recommend that you go back and read chapter 15. I didn't particular like that chapter i put out and I re-typed it. So, go and re-read it and let me know what you think. Enjoy.