Chapter 5
"The final match is between Sasuke Uchiha and Hinata Hyuga, please step into the ring."
"Go Sasuke-kun, you can win this." His fangirls shouted their support drowning out all others.
"Are you ready?" He looked from one to the other for confirmation. "Then you may begin."
Sasuke charged her with intent, once in close he swung his right arm at her head causing her to duck and try to sweep his legs. Jumping to avoid the attack, Sasuke attempted a kick her on the way down only to have his leg smack away in a painful manner. Sasuke was careful not to get within her range knowing it could prove fatal. The fight showed their individual styles and left their fellow students awed as the display.
"And the winner is Sasuke Uchiha, great fight you two. Now make the harmony sign to end." Both complied before exiting the ring.
Sasuke may have won the fight, but his right hand hanged limp to the side and his left leg pained him while Hinata also sported several bruises to her arms and torso.
Walking back to her friends, Hinata was greeted with smiles.
"Good job Hinata, you really kept him on his toes during the match." Kiba said loudly.
"Keep up with your training and you might beat him next time." Choji encouraged picking up where Kiba left off.
"Thanks guys, your support means a lot to me." She then reached into her pack to retrieve her healing ointment.
'Now that Neji-nii-san is a genin, and learning new training methods from his sensei, he's been using them in our sessions.'
Heading back inside the classroom now that taijutsu practice was over, Naruto and his friend chatted among themselves until reaching their seats.
"Alright everyone listen up, I will not repeat myself. I am very proud of your performance today in taijutsu; it tells me that you have been practicing in your off time."
"This is your last year at the academy and as such we will be in the field a lot. You will also be placed in groups for the year for tracking, strategy, genjutsu, poison, and antidotes classes."
Almost everyone started murmuring, clearly excited about doing hands-on training. While this was happening, Iruka opened the door to let an unknown individual enter.
Iruka asked for the class to be quiet, but was ignored; having had enough of the unruly behavior he performed his big head jutsu which got the desired effect.
"Good, now please welcome Mizuki sensei." Doing as they were told, the class stood, bowed, and echoed their greetings to the new teacher.
"Mizuki sensei will be responsible for your taijutsu, tracking, and ninjutsu classes. I expect all of you to be respectful and cooperate with him. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Iruka sensei."
Turning to Mizuki, Iruka inquired if he would like to say a few words to the class, but he declined.
At the end of the school day, Naruto had his friends meet him at the back of the building for an impromptu meeting.
"Thanks for meeting with me, I know you all need to get home, but I wanted to propose something that might help us with learning strategy."
"What is it Naruto?" Shino inquired wondering what new idea the blond had concocted.
"Well I was thinking since Shikamaru loves to play Shogi and some of us play Go, we could all meet up on the weekends and play against him and each other."
"What a drag," Shikamaru muttered not liking that his cloud watching would be interrupted, "you really are a troublesome guy you know, but I guess it would be helpful to all of us."
"Sounds like a good plan to me too. Where would we meet though?" Choji wondered, already looking forward to spending time with his friends. "I'll even bring snacks for everyone."
"Akamaru and I are in as well, not sure what we'll contribute yet, I'll have to ask my mom and sister."
"Shino, Hinata, what about you guys?" Naruto asked the duo.
"If it's in the afternoon then yes I'm in," replied Hinata, "I'll also bring a bento box for everyone."
"I would be happy to be there as well; after all, it is something that I can benefit from." Shino stated in his usual flat tone causing Kiba to shake his head.
"Is everyone good for the afternoon to meet up?" Naruto asked and got nods in reply. "Great, we'll meet at the back of the Hokage Mountain, there's a training ground just back of it and that will be our routine from now on, thanks, guys."
"No problem Naruto."
"Not for you, my mom's going to kill me if I'm too late getting home." Cried Shikamaru as he turned to leave.
One week later…
"Good morning students," Mizuki sensei greeted as he entered the classroom, "today we have three shinobi with some downtime who will be assisting with honing your tracking skills. I expect you to give them due respect and your full attention to what they have to say to you." Opening the door the three shinobi entered, as Mizuki introduced them. "Please greet Hana Inuzuka, Muta Aburame, and Ko Hyuga."
The entire class stood and bowed while chorusing welcome.
"Thank you for having us. It's not often we get to be lecturers; however, you have twenty minutes to meet us at training ground 27." With that said the three guesses disappeared in puffs of smoke.
Arriving with seconds to spare and out of breath, the students found the Inuzuka, Aburame and Hyuga waiting on them.
"Good you're here, let's begin," Hyuga spoke in a commanding tone, "first thing is to know what you're tracking, whether human or animal, makes it easier to determine which step of tracks or evidence are relevant."
"However, there are times when it's not clear and you will have to use deductive reasoning until it becomes clear." Hana Inuzuka added as she beckons the students to follow.
As they walk into the woods back off the training ground the Aburame took over the lesson. In order to be an effective tracker you need to know what signs to look for. Before he could go further Hibachi raised his hand to ask a question.
"Yes, you wanted to ask something?" All eyes turned to Hibachi waiting for him to speak.
"How good are we expected to be at this if we don't have dogs, bugs or eyes like you guys?"
"That is a fair question," Hana injected, "like we're teaching you to be able to find evidence; someone also taught us how to do this. It's not an automatic ability because you have a kekkai genkai or companions; you have to train and hone your skills to become good.
"Shall we continue," Ko asked trying to bring the lesson back on track, "tracking is to follow or find someone or something by looking for evidence that shows where they have gone."
Taking over from Ko, Muta continued. "First, by watching for tracks or traps; muddy depressions on the trail serve as a treasure trove of information. Can anyone list the tips you'd receive from tracks?"
A few hands went up and Muta pointed to Ino. "It would tell you the person's shoe size or what animal the paw print belonged to.
"Yes, it would, very good. Anyone else?"
Pointing at Hinata he indicated for her to speak. "It tells how heavy the person is or if they are carrying additional weight."
"Very good. Unagi, you wanted to add some?"
"Yes, tracks tell the direction the person or animal is traveling."
"Excellent answer; now there's also looking for aerial spoor. Anyone knows what that means?" Sakura raised her hand and waited to be acknowledged then spoke.
"It means looking for broken branches of trees and shrubs or disturbed spider webs, anything that indications the vegetable was forcibly moved."
"Yes you are absolutely correct. "
"Third, there's litter that may have been intentionally discarded or items accidentally drop that the individual is unaware of." This time it was Hana that provided the next point. "This means that you have to determine if it's a false trail that's being laid or if the person is unaware he is being tracked."
Ko picked up the next point. "Next find the rhythm; what that means is most people walk in a very deliberate and predictable way. They also have a typical pace for different situations; take measurements to find the average to find missing tracks or lost trail. Now bear in mind that measurements will give the pace of the steps, in other words it tells if the person is walking normally, hurriedly, if they are jogging or outright running."
"Finally have a lost spoor procedure. Odds are you'll lose the tracks at some point. You can retreat to the last sign discovered then circle around it." Muta finished off the lecture
"We need you to divide into your groups for this exercise we set up for you." Handing each group a set of instructions, Hana wondered if they'll be able to finish in time. "You have till lunch to locate the person holding the item you must retrieve; if you follow what we shared with you then you'll be fine. You start now and good luck."
The students set off in their groups leaving behind the three shinobi.
"Think they'll find him?" Muta asked; not sure if the assigned target would make it possible for the kids to find him.
"Knowing Kakashi it will be a week before they find him if he gets bored." Ko supplied, still unsure why they asked the jonin in the first place.
"Well that will teach them a valuable lesson," both men looked at her for clarification on her statement, "They'll learn that not everyone can be found, especially if they don't want to be." She said as if it was the most logical answer.
Weeks into the academic year, Naruto received a message from Jiraiya via his toads about his book; the book had been accepted for publication after minor changes to some of the details. Contained in the message was a seal holding Naruto's copy, he was pleased with the finish product. This time around his book would be distributed throughout the entire elemental nations instead of just Konoha.
As it was the weekend Naruto was off to meet up with his friends for their usual Shogi and Go games; he decided he would introduce them to the book as well as let them in on his little secret.
Arriving at the training ground he called out to them.
"Hey guys, hope I didn't keep you waiting."
"Nah, we all just got here." Answered Kiba.
"Okay great, before we begin I have something to show all of you." He whipped out his book and handed it off for them to inspect.
Shikamaru was the first to put the pieces together. "You wrote this, didn't you?
"Yep!"
"Wow, Naruto I didn't know you were this good at telling stories." Choji stated excitedly at what he was seeing.
Hinata and Shino offered congrats on his book.
"Hey Naruto, if I buy one will you sign it for me?" Inquired Kiba, clearly excited at the possibility of being first to get Naruto's signature.
"You bet I will Kiba, what kind of friend would I be, if I didn't sign it for you."
With that out the way, they settled down and started the first round of challenges.
Neji Hyuga was sure he was about to become the first of his clan to go to prison. Why? Because not only was he going to murder his sensei; but also, his male teammate as well. 'Why oh, why does kami hate me so much? Why did they put me on a team of crazy people?' He wondered to himself not for the first time since he became a genin.
"Guy sensei, I have asked you repeatedly, to refrain from hugging me!" His whole face twitched in annoyance at the man's antics.
"Come now Neji, we must celebrate the springtime of our youth." Guy responded in his booming voice, not letting go of his student.
"Yes Neji-kun, Guy sensei is right, we are a youthful team!" Lee exclaimed as he too joined the hug.
Neji looked pleadingly at his remaining teammate for help, but she just shrugged and continued practicing. Guy sensei being excited was nothing new, but today he's particularly happy with Neji for keeping up with both he and Lee in their daily routines.
Once Neji managed to extract himself from his crazed sensei and teammate he made his way over to Tenten.
"You could have helped out a little Tenten, I thought we were sticking together against them.
"Yes are but I also know what battles to fight and that was not one of them."
Around a month later
Naruto woke from his sleep suddenly, looking around for a sign of what pulled him from his slumber he glanced at the clock to see the time. A quarter after midnight, the witching hour where evil walks uninterrupted.
Tonight he was alone; Chinami was on assignment for Jiraiya and wasn't due back until the end of the week. He was sure no one had entered the apartment; the sealing wards he and Jiraiya placed were undisturbed, but there was an ominous feeling that lingered in the back of his mind.
As he laid in bed trying to figure out the cause for his confusion, he felt the familiar tug on his mind and before he knew it, he was in the Spiral with archivist.
'Hey, you okay? Chimon greeted, I felt your anxiety, is everything okay?
'I good for now, but I'm not sure that things are okay.'
'Want to talk about it?'
'Not really. Is there a reason you pulled me here besides wanting to know if I'm okay?'
'Yes, there is, I've been going through some of the tomes looking for anything that speaks to our situation, us being a jinchuuriki and I came across the technique and seal used.'
'The reaper death seal is a technique that invokes the death god to aide in the task at hand, but it carries a steep price of the caster's soul. The eight trigram seal on the other hand comprises of two four symbols seal because they don't completely overlap, this allows for a very small quantity of the beast's chakra to flow into ours.'
'So you're saying, the nine tails' chakra mixes with ours and that's because the seal was designed to allow it. But why, why would the Fourth do that to me?'
"My guess would be so that your body adapts to it and that you can eventually use its chakra without side effects."
"It makes sense in a way, but how does it work?"
'You will have to tame it or fight it for the right to use its chakra as your own.'
'You do realize that you're talking about the nine tails right, the creature that nearly leveled the village. How am I supposed to accomplish that?'
'It's the only thing I've found so far, but there may be someone that knows how it's done.'
'Yeah, maybe, but that will be when I'm much older, stronger, and have no other choice.'
'Try not to worry too much, you have me and we have this vast library at our disposal. If there's one thing we specialize in, it's not giving up on something we want.'
'That is so true. Speaking of; have you found anything on the seals I asked about the other day?'
'As a matter of fact, I have found the tracking seal, a low-level barrier seal, chakra transfer seal, genjutsu detection seal; notes on being a good sensor, medical scroll, and prisoner scroll (living and dead), and finally mimicry seal.
'Sweet, can't wait to start practicing, I've already created a master scroll to store all my creations. That protection seal that we worked on is now completed and will keep all my work safe from theft.'
'One last thing before you go, I want us to meet the fox on our own terms. So decide on a time convenient to you and we can get it done.'
'Okay, I'll think about it and get back to you. Good night.'
'Good night.'
XXXXXXXX
A crisp breeze flowed across the village giving the evening a pleasant feel. At the Hyuga estate, the members were gathered in the dojo for the monthly spar sessions between main and branch houses.
"Out next up Neji and Hinata," called Hiashi, waiting on the two to step forward, "you will fight until there is a clear winner. Do you understand?"
"Yes." They chorused in unison.
"Then take your stance," Hiashi commanded.
Both dropped into their stance immediately and waited for the signal to being. Without further delay, Hiashi gave the go-ahead. "Begin!"
Just as the signal was given, Neji whispered to Hinata. "Come at me with your all you have Hinata, let them see what you are made of."
"As you wish Neji-nii-san."
Both activated their byakugan at the same time.
Hinata lunged towards Neji, her arm outstretched, aiming towards a vital tenketsu, only to be easily deflected by the Hyuga prodigy. She stumbled a few steps across the floor before turning around and adopting the Juken stance. Neji faced her calmly, mirroring her stance. His hand held out, palm upward, he beckoned her to come at him again. An odd smile snaked across his face before she attacked again.
Neji dodged her attack a second time, sidestepping neatly at the last second. However, this time he grabbed her arm and jerked it, trying to unbalance her. Hinata twisted her trapped arm to get a hold on his and spun around, tearing off his grasp on her. She grabbed his forearm with her other hand too and used it as a lever to perform a flip so that she stood too close for him to block. Her right elbow darted towards his face, but he bent his head back at an impossible angle avoiding the blow. Hinata sank to the floor and swept her leg across it trying to unbalance him, but he back-flipped avoiding her legs while aiming his right foot at her hoping to catch her under the chin; however, she jerked her head backward at the last minute.
Getting up she once again resumed her stance, this time however, she beckoned for him to come at her, without hesitation he obliged. For the next five minutes or so they exchanged an unrelenting barrage of strikes before Neji was able to step inside her defense for the win.
From the murmurs, they could tell that some liked what they saw the stoic expression on Hiashi and the elders' faces gave nothing away.
Taking the pause in proceedings and the silence of the clan head as a good sign, Neji again whispered to Hinata. "Don't be nervous, I think you did well."
XXXXXX
Months passed since they returned to the academy. It was the weekend, the weather was great and Sasuke was hoping to train with his brother, but that was not possible. Since the event that transpired during his second year at the academy, his brother and Shisui have been rather busy with the affairs of the clan. He still found it difficult to wrap his head around the fact that his father along with others had been planning a coup d'état.
Flashback
"Mom, I am home."
"Welcome back Sasuke-kun; how was your day?"
"The same as usual mom."
"Okay, dinner will be awhile so you can get your homework done in the meantime."
"Alright mom, call me when it's ready."
"Will do son, will do."
Sasuke paused to look at her, thinking something was off about her, but thought better after she gave him a bright smile.
About an hour later the call came and he presented himself only to find both his brother and Shisui already seated at the table. Their facial expressions mirroring each other which was unusual considering Shisui normally wore mischief as his default look.
"Big brother, you're here, I thought you had a mission."
"There was a change of plan Sasuke, the mission was changed for another."
"What! I don't get a hello Shisui from my baby cousin. You wound me Sasuke."
"First of all, I'm not a baby and you are far from wounded. Besides I see you all the time."
"Itachi, I swear he's…" Before he could finish, Mikoto placed the last dish on the table, sat, and asked to give thanks for the food.
Dinner was quiet for the most part even though Shisui attempted to rile Sasuke up further before Mikoto put a stop to it with a look. Having finished his meal Itachi indicated that he had something important to discuss which got him their immediate attention; however, when he hesitated to begin his brother became worried.
"What's the matter big brother; is everything okay?"
"I'm afraid everything is not okay Sasuke and I'm not sure it ever will be." As he spoke his gaze never left his mother's, who wore a worried look.
"What does that mean?"
"It means that you have to listen to what I'm going to say and hold off on questioning me until I'm finished. Can you do that little brother?"
"Yes, big brother."
Still looking at his mother he began his explanation. "Things within the clan have been strained for a long while as we all know and apparently news reached the Hokage and his advisors of an unrest brewing. I want to say right now that I do not regret my actions and believe that it was the right choice."
Seeing the questions in Sasuke's eyes, he wished not for the first time that he could spare his brother the heartache that their father never sought to spare them.
"This is now easy to say, but it's the truth, our clan has been planning to overthrow the Hokage and seize leadership of Konoha for themselves regardless of how many lives that might be lost." He watched as the shocked expression marred his brother's face, but knew that the same would not show on his mother's confirming his suspicion that she at least knew of the plans.
"But why, why would they do that? We're all part of the village."
This time it was Shisui that answered. "It all goes back to the night the nine tails attacked the village, there are those who believe the clan had something to do with specifically because the sharingan can somehow control the beast. It was not true, but it's what was perceived by the villagers and those in leadership positions."
"Does the Hokage really believe we would have done something like that, brought destruction on the very village we live in? For god sake, our families and friends died too." This was Sasuke's cry of disbelief at such an outrageous accusation.
"Mom!" Sasuke called.
No response.
"Mom, are you listening to this?"
"Yes, Sasuke. I'm listening, but I think your brother has more to say. Right Itachi?"
Closing his eyes trying to block out the pained expressions of his mother and brother, he dropped the bombshell he'd been holding onto all day.
"As of midnight, last night all the Uchiha men plotting the coup d'état were arrested and awaiting their fate."
"Oh god! Fugaku." Hands covering her mouth as her body trembled and tears flowed freely down her face. She looked like at any time she might collapse under the weight of grief. Now faced with the consequences of her inaction, her willingness to turn a blind eye to the actions of her husband, and the effects it would have on their children.
"Father! Was father aware or involved in this? Tell me, I want to know." This was his cry, his demand, his right to know as a part of this family. "I'm not stupid you know, all those arguments that you and father kept having, it was about this, and you disagreed with him. Didn't you big brother?"
Itachi sat unblinking in his seat, heart being ripped apart at the agony this was causing his family, but the truth was the truth and while he was unsure, he was sympathetic to his own mother; he would give anything to spare his little brother this tragedy.
'I'm sorry Sasuke I wish I could tell you otherwise, but I can't."
"We still haven't said anything to the rest of the clan, but we'll be holding a meeting first thing in the morning to inform them."
End Flashback
"No use crying over the past, I'll just have to train with someone else."
XXXXXXX
Mizuki sensei was a contradiction to those who cared to look closely at him, on the surface he appeared to be one of the good guys, but underneath he had a dark heart. He presented a front to his students, coming across as their caring sensei, but during one on one interaction, he was anything but. Mizuki was especially nasty when instructing Naruto during taijutsu sessions; he made it his goal to frustrate the boy in hopes of having him show his true colour as the nine tail fox.
Bitterness bubbled beneath the façade he wore daily and the more he interacted with the people he truly despised the more his true self appeared. So, he plotted their demise, starting with his underhanded and ruthless methods to sabotage his students' education, his manipulation of Iruka, and finally the death of the nine tail brat.
'By the time I'm finished with this village, it will never recover; it is after all what they deserve for their treatment of an exceptional ninja such as myself.'
'I will need to take something of value for myself and for the person, I am going to, that way I would have proven my worth even more to them.'
'Now all I have to do is get that Iruka to agree to my idea for the final examinations and everything will be set for me to have my revenge.'
"Hey Iruka, I've got a good idea for the graduation exams."
"Yeah, well let's hear it."
"How about we have the students do a mission like task that will showcase their skills in tracking, tactics, camping, and so on. Lumping them together saves time and gives up a better idea of how well they actually understood what was taught."
"That sounds very good, I can see it actually working and the kids might actually do well on this aspect especially those that might not do well in the written part."
"If you want I can organize it while you work on the written test and start writing up the student profiles."
"You got a deal, just make sure to run it by me."
"No problem." 'Don't worry Iruka, this graduation will be one for the ages.'
XXXXXXXXX
End of one journey
They had a simple plan; be at the back of the academy at least an hour before the start of the exams so they can talk and strategize.
"Good morning, I see we're all here." Stated Naruto as he took in the faces of his long-time friends.
"Yeah! Akamaru and I had to walk away without breakfast cause we didn't want to miss being here."
"Yeah well it's such a drag, I think we all missed breakfast judging from the rumbling stomachs." Shikamaru lamented.
"I thought that might happen so I prepared for it." With that, he pulled out one of his scrolls and unsealed it to reveal seven meals. "Go ahead and take one, we can eat while we talk."
"So, what outcome are we hoping for the exams?" Asked Shino; deciding to get the conversation going.
"Like I said the other day, I think we should all go out with a bang." Naruto declared.
"I think what Naruto-kun means is we should give our all in the exams." Hinata clarified.
"Oh man this will be troublesome, I was just planning to do enough to pass and then sleep the rest of the time."
"Damn you really are a lazy ass." Kiba asserted with Akamaru barking in agreement.
"Shikamaru, I believe you did that for four years, it's time you show your mettle especially in the physical aspect of the exams." Shino asserted.
"So are we all in agreement?" Naruto asked looking at everyone expectantly.
"Yes!" They all chorused.
"Great, let's clean up, we only have fifteen minutes before they start and we don't want to be late." With that they disposed of their garbage and made their way inside.
"Students!" Iruka yelled out.
A silence fell over the classroom immediately.
Iruka took the time to survey each face before him, taking in their express one last time in this setting. Today was the beginning of the graduation examinations and within days his students would become genins and take to the field.
"First of all, I would like to say good luck with the exams; I expect all of you to do your best."
Smiles blossomed across some faces while others nodded their heads at his sentiments. Papers were placed on desks as he spoke.
"You will have one and a half hours to complete the written test; you may turn over your paper and begin." Finishing he took his seat where he monitored them for signs of cheating or should anyone need clarification.
"Time! Please stop writing and pass your papers to the front." Murmurs of relief at finishing for some while others seemed displeased because they weren't quite finished. However, they all complied with his orders.
"Alright listen up, it's time for your taijutsu and weaponry exams, please report to Mizuki sensei. File out in an orderly manner and keep your voices down, others are still doing their tests."
Arriving at the designated area, they found Mizuki arranging the weapons.
"Listen up, arrange yourself according to your last names, so we're starting with Aburame, the next will be Akimichi and so on." Mizuki instructed them.
"Alright Shino, before you are ten kunai knives and ten shurikens. Your task is to hit the middle of the targets, begin."
On and on they went until the last student was finished, then they moved onto the taijutsu matches.
"Next is taijutsu, you have to last three minutes in the ring to get full marks; how long you actually last will determine your score. Again we with start with Shino; ready, begin."
One by one each student stepped into the ring to face off against Mizuki, trying to demonstrate their skills while attempting not to get knocked out of the ring. No student lasted the three minutes, but several came close earning them the highest marks.
"Next up ninjutsu and genjutsu; everyone will do the transformation at the same time as Mizuki sensei and I inspect them." Obediently the students performed the jutsu. "Good, now three at a time, step forward and perform the clone jutsu." On and on until the last three finished. Luckily for Naruto, he remembered to bring along water, so he had no problems doing his water clone jutsu.
"Final excise, I will cast a genjutsu and your task is to break it," stated Iruka, "once you've broken out please step to the side; you have three minutes before Mizuki sensei or I break it for you. Do you understand?"
"Yes sensei."
"Here we go." After the genjutsu is cast they waited and at the one minute mark, Sakura breaks out followed by Hinata, Sasuke, Ino, and Shino. Naruto, Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba stepped out at one and a half minutes. After two minutes a few more students broke out leaving Iruka to release the last of the students.
"Good job everyone," Iruka called out, "now listen up, you have one hour for lunch, when you get back we will begin the last part of your exams. Your parents/guardians are already being informed about the nature in which you will be evaluated and so they will not be expecting you until late." He further explained. "Off you go."
"Alright everyone, lunch is over, please get inside," Iruka ordered them.
"Welcome back," declared Mizuki as the student ushered into the class after lunch, "while you were out we organize you into three groups of nine."
"Also joining us is Ryoshi sensei who will supervise one of the groups." Informed Iruka as the man waved to his former students. "When I call your names come forward and stand with your sensei."
"Ino, Kiba, Ami, Hideki, Himari, Shino, Sara, Sakura and Mayuri; you are with Ryoshi sensei. Shikamaru, Choji, Sasuke, Ena, Botan, Ayane, Yume, Yua and Ichika you are with me. Naruto, Hinata, Niko, Hibachi, Unagi, Daisuke, Arakan, Akira and Deichi go with Mizuki sensie."
It was Mizuki's turn to explain the next portion of the exams. "Now that you're sorted into your groups, this is what will be required of you. Each group has a designated area assigned to them, you are expected to all demonstrate your ability to use tactics and strategy in tracking a target, hunt for food, build a fire, set up camp. Your sensei will give further details once you get to your destination."
Arriving at their destination Mizuki quickly hands off a scroll with further instructions before disappearing. Not wanting to waste time Naruto took it upon himself to be team leader while delegating to ensure full participation.
"Hinata, Daisuke and Hibachi, you guys will be responsible for locating aerial spoors; Deichi, Unagi, and Niko your job is to identify tracks and traps; Akira and Arakan you're with me and we'll be looking at the rhythm.
"We'll meet back here in an hour, set up camp, hunt for food then discuss what we've found. Anyone has any questions?"
"Yeah, what happens if we don't find anything what will we do?" Hibachi wondered.
"It is highly unlikely we won't find evidence since the purpose of the exam is test out skills. It, therefore, means that the area would have been prepared with the necessary evidence." Hinata clarified for him and the others.
"If everything is clear and you have no more questions, please move out. See you all at the appointed time." Naruto told them before his group took off.
At the appointed time the three-group congregated at the designated spot, Naruto inquired if anyone came across a suitable location for setting up camp to which Hinata's group affirmed.
"We saw a clearing two clicks east of our location that could be used. Daisuke confirmed.
"Alright lead the way and let's hope there's a river or water supply nearby." Naruto stated.
Arriving, they found the area to be satisfactory and quickly pitched the tents, gathered firewood, and started hunting for food. As they went about their tasks things started going amiss when members vanished without a trace.
It didn't take long for both Naruto and Hinata to realize what was happening. But before they could gather the others, a masked man appeared before them and immediately started attacking.
Fending off the attacked they tried to determine what he perpetrator wanted.
"Who are you and what have you done with our friends?" Demand Hinata, her voice breaking with fear at the thought that the others we injured or worst dead.
"Who I am, is none of your business. I'm here for you girl, my master wants to study your eyes and personally I want to kill the Kyuubi brat as payback for my family."
"What! Who sent you?" Both demanded of him.
"That is not important, but if you care for your friends then you will do as I say." Throwing a rope at Naruto, he motioned for him to tie Hinata up. "Do as you're told or I'll kill her now."
Moving closer to Hinata he sought to assure her that everything will be okay. "Hinata."
"It's okay Naruto-kun, do as he says."
Starting the process he whispered to her. "I'll lead him away, use the rope escape jutsu, then go for help." When she attempted to argue, he squeezed he arm. "We're all counting on you, I know you're scared, but I also know you're braver than anyone thinks."
"Okay, I'll do my best." She declared putting on a brave face even though she didn't feel it.
"Thank you."
"How much longer is it going to take to tie one girl up?" Yelled the masked man obviously irritated by their stall tactics.
"Alright, I'm finished, just making sure the rope was secured that's all," Naruto growled at the man.
"Now little missy, you be a good girl while I deal with your friend." Taking his eyes off Naruto proved to be a big mistake, before he knew it the boy had disappeared. "Damn it Kyuubi brat, where are you?"
"Come and find me, after all, I'm the one you wanted to kill. You didn't really think I would just stand still, then again maybe you're that dumb." Showing himself to be in the trees surrounding the clearing, he hoped the man would follow. Taking the baiting he ran after the boy.
Seeing that it was clear Hinata sprang it to action, one thing on her mind; find help to come save her friends.
Standing his grounds, he waited for the man to appear; not long after, several shurikens were hurled at him from the trees, which he deflected with his kunai.
"Well, well, the Kyuubi brat wants to fight, tell me Naruto, do you know why people refer to you like that or why the village really hates you."
"How should I know, I'm just a kid, grownups are stupid anyway."
"Well, let me fill you in on the nasty little secret that the Hokage and everyone else has been keeping from you. The Fourth Hokage sealed the nine tails fox in you to save his precious village effectively making you its bitch. In other words Naruto, you are the nine tails fox."
"You're lying, he destroyed it, there's no way I could be the nine tails fox. I don't believe you! While he yelled and bawled, the man laughed at him, intent clear as he arced the fuma shuriken and sent it flying hoping it would do the job and end the demon's life. Watching Naruto avoid the attack easily, made him mad and so he charged in a blind rage.
Upon reaching Naruto he soon realized his mistake and a frantic battle of taijutsu ensued between them, one that Naruto was determined not to lose. The masked swung wildly at Naruto's head causing him to duck and sweep his legs from under him, falling flat on his back, Naruto wasted no time planting his knees in the man's chest then proceeded to punch his face with all his might. When he was sure he's caused enough damage he placed a chakra suppressant seal on the man's forehead rendering him unconscious. Removed the man's mask he scoffed.
"You were such a fool Mizuki," Naruto spat the name with disdain, "you assumed I didn't know about my tenant and all it took to make you underestimate me, was to play my part as an ignorant boy; however, what you didn't know was that I could also sense you."
Sensing the approaching chakras he collapsed on the ground as though his strings were suddenly cut, after all, no one had to know that he was barely winded by the altercation.
"Naruto! Naruto!" They called out to him but no answer came.
'I'm just going lie here and wait for them to come to get me, after all, I did all the hard work.'