The Fox And The Tiger

Genin

"It is time for you all to take your final exams. This will decide if you are to become Genin! You will report to your respective classes, you will be given an exam by that sensei. For the written, it will be your homeroom. You will be tested on your Taijutsu, you must last at a minimum, two minutes against your sensei. That same sensei will also test your physicals by testing you in a six mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. The next exam will be your test on kunai and shuriken which will be given by that sensei respectively. If you were trying to reach mastery of a certain weapon before graduating, that exam will be your last chance to do so. These exams will span over two days. You have tonight and tomorrow to rest and get last minute prep in. Any questions?"

No questions came and they were dismissed. Three years had gone by fast, a lot went down. Naruto continued a pattern of missing a lot of class but when he came, it seemed like something always special happened. It was meant though with the worry that he may lose it again. The brownies hadn't messed with him again aside from the spars but after that decisive victory that Naruto had, they didn't look to fight him.

Rather if they did, it was because they had to. Still, he was in an off limbo of being feared and taunted as a "weak demon". One thing was for sure, he seemingly had to personalities or approaches to fights and whatnot. If you never bothered him, he was lazy and uninterested, if you taunted him...he destroyed you.

Omoi rose in the rankings and was fifth overall. Karui just above him. Yugito number one and Samui at number two...but it wasn't close. Yugito in the three years really separated herself from her peers.

There was nobody that came close when it came to all the scores. The only thing she wasn't number one in, was the weapons mastery, that title went to Naruto. He during his time, mastered every single weapon that the academy taught. The only person ever to do so. Funny, how the one category that he ranked number one in, he made a category all to himself out of it.

This wouldn't be enough though as that was his only good score. In the end, it was the only thing he applied himself to and had put true effort in. The masters all had nothing but praise for the boy. Even Namrata couldn't deny Naruto's capabilities when he put forth the effort. She wondered how great Naruto would have been had he tried.

"Naruto, what will you be doing tomorrow?"

He turned to Omoi and thought for a second. "I think I will be completing my research. I had a massive gain in progress recently and want to get it done before the teams are gathered."

"Can you tell me now? I've been bugging you about it for three years!"

Naruto shook his head with an amused smile. "Nope. But I'll see you later, Omoi."

Naruto walked off and Omoi could only sigh in defeat. Looked like he still wouldn't get to know.

"What has him so cheery?"

"Woah God! Don't sneak up on people like that, Yugito!"

"Sorry?"

"He says he might finally complete something that he's been working on for the past three years."

"What is it?"

"I don't know! He hasn't told me for the past three years! I'm starting to wonder what it could be."

"Three years huh? What was it?" Yugito thought and shook her head. "See you in two days."

Omoi nodded before leaving as well. Naruto looked at several scrolls that laid out in front of him. Each one was for each of the elements. He channeled chakra into them, and the respective element of each scroll was expelled from the scroll.

"Finally. Took a year to get those seals done...still, it's too big and unconventional to make, I'll need to work on minimizing the seal for practical use. Otherwise this needs to be made ahead of time."

Two years ago, he'd began his Fuinjutsu studies. He picked up on it quickly but hit a few roadblocks here and there. He was trying to do a mostly self taught method but issues arose when something was really complex and he didn't entirely understand the system. The good thing with seals though, is that they can be broken down to see individual components.

It was like a clock, there were many gears that made it function. If you work backwards, you'll eventually understand how it ticks. Once you get that, you can work to put it together. That was his mentality at least and it worked thus far. Still, Fuinjutsu was very dangerous and the smallest of errors can cause catastrophic results.

Still, to get as far as he has, being self taught is remarkable. The academy had really ramped up their training the last two years, and homeroom was entirely Jutsu related. All theory and teachings went on and a few were even taught. Naruto was rarely there though so he never picked up on the Jutsus taught at the Academy.

In two days, everyone would be taking their final exams to become Genin. In four days, they'll know if they've made the cut. In two weeks, they'll be placed into squads.

With that in mind, he just continued working on his Fuinjutsu for a bit. The seal took an entire scroll that would unravel to two feet. The funny thing with Fuinjutsu was that each seal could be reduced to a few inches in size before spreading. It was how it was placed through Chakra rather than writing. You first had to get it there though, and it worked like a door. The small size was like it being shut and once activated, the door opened to spread out the entire seal, and/or entire area of effect.

The main question he had was how you reduced the seal. Every component served a purpose so what were you meant to do?

"Unless it was another seal integrated...like how the scroll holds this, that seal holds the array?" Naruto started to write notes in his book and began to think of ways to attempt it. Based on his knowledge from storage scrolls and their principles, he wanted to see if there was a connection.

"You know, Fuinjutsu is probably one of the freest forms of chakra use...aside from pure manipulation which you have struggled with. Don't think solely about sealing objects into another, get creative, kit. If you can imagine it, you can do it. Don't think up limitations."

"Yeah, but not like you can create instant transportation...then again if you sealed a portion of your chakra and left it somewhere, maybe it can work like the Summoning that I've read about?"

Kurama chuckled "See, get creative. But just know...there is such a seal that you speak of."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

"Seriously what?"

Naruto turned and saw Yugito "Man...every time I'm making a breakthrough, I'm interrupted! I'd be farther along if they'd stop this."

"You need to get more creative with where you stay...Besides, you've already got what you need for now."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. But you know why these places were chosen, Kurama."

Naruto smiled somewhat like a fox would if it smiled. She took it as him putting an act and noticed that he quickly closed up his scrolls which had a lot of writing and symbols she didn't recognize. Then sketches in his opened book which was closed before she could get a good view.

"What can I do for you?"

"Can we talk?"

"About what?" Naruto tilt his head slightly. He became more sociable with the little group but still was learning.

"The exams...think you'll pass?"

Naruto chuckled. "Totally. I'mma be Raikage remember!"

"Really? You don't act interested."

Naruto sighed. "Act is the key word. I made becoming Raikage my goal back then, I will reach it. Curiosity just steers me other directions but the end result will be the same. The path of life is no straight arrow."

She tilt her head this time before sighing and just shaking her head. "Here you are with more nonsense."

"It is not. Remember back when I spoke about the sun? Do you get it now?" She looked away slightly embarrassed. Three years and still seemed like an unsolvable riddle. "I gave you the answer within it."

"New beginnings?"

"That's the basic concept but not what I was telling you." He stood up and looked at her, giving another one of those smiles and touching her shoulder. "In time, you'll understand."

He began walking away and she just watched for a bit before asking where he was headed. He just laughed a little and replied with library. "You go to the library?"

"Knowledge is powerful, Yugito."

"But you ditched class and slept when you were there. You are lowest scored."

"Those tests don't reveal the full picture, Yugito. Don't rely so heavily on that. Things that appear basic to you, look as though they're complex to me...whilst what's basic to me is complex to you. Perception...what a curious thing is it not?"

"In what way?"

Naruto stopped and looked back at her. She saw his face light up and noticed his genuine amusement. "Do I need to spell everything out for you? Come on, prodigy."

He laughed to show he wasn't being too serious and turned away. "Always the bastard aren't you?"

She stood and went to go home. There was no point in sticking around. In fact, she realized that her conversations were ending faster and faster with him. He wouldn't exactly avoid her, but he just jumped straight to confusing her more often. Then again, it forced a higher level of thinking and getting her out of her comfort zone.

Still, less confusing statements would be nice. Yugito didn't notice but they were being watched at the moment and the viewers seemed to be interested.

"He really is an interesting person."

"I told you, Darui. Now, are you beginning to see what I've been saying?"

He looked at Mabui and could only nod. This made her smile as she knew she won her argument.

Naruto entered the library and saw Annie organizing a shelf. He didn't say anything as to not bother her and went to his little corner. Sprawled out were scrolls of ancient chakra and chakra theory. The usage of Negative chakra had no writing and he wanted to at least find a clue. History had to have something for him.

For nine hours he read and took notes. To anyone walking by it was a mess, but everything was meticulously placed. There was a purpose to every piece of literature there. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

"Take a break, Kit. You need to rest. You've been at it all night."

"I feel so close. I can't stop now."

"It will be there later on still. Go get some sleep."

Naruto sighed in defeat and went through a set of handsigns as he placed all his notes and scrolls into a storage scroll. He wanted to get to the point where the handsigns weren't necessary and he could just mark what he wanted. Hence, using storage scrolls as much as possible. When he stood, he stretched and was pushed from behind slightly.

"What was that for?"

"You never said hi while you were here."

"I didn't want to bother you while you worked. How'd you even know I was here?"

"You're always here, Naruto. You come by everyday. You know you can always come and chat with me, it isn't that hard of a job."

"A job no less." He grabbed a scroll that took his interest and handed it to her to sign off on his request to take it.

Over the three years, she became accustomed to his constant checking out of scrolls and books. He did ridiculous amounts of research and she wondered how he could get through everything so fast. Only ever being told that it was a gift. Still, with it always being on chakra theories and history, she figured that whatever he was trying to do, he still hadn't accomplished yet.

The Fuinjutsu scrolls, he kept a little longer, obviously needing to be more diligent with that. She smiled as she took the scroll on Yin and Yang release, leading him to the front desk. She signed off on his check out and gave the scroll back.

"What are you looking into this one for?"

"Well, I hadn't heard of these two releases and am curious as to how it connects to chakra. Maybe it will lead me towards what I'm searching for."

"That being?"

Naruto pondered telling her but eventually decided that maybe it would be a good idea to since she could potentially know of other sources of material that could help.

"I'm working on utilizing negative chakra." Annie raised an eyebrow. "Like electricity, there's both positive and negative energy. The same goes for chakra but there's no scrolls or books on it. I've hit a wall in my development of this chakra and am looking for new ideas on how to approach this."

She thought for a moment. "Hmmm, I see. That explains the stuff you use for research. I'll look into the archives and see if I can find you anything that may help."

He gave that pleased fox grin and thanked her as he left. Perhaps now there'd be more progress? Kurama was right though, he needed to rest. It had been a week since he slept and was beginning to get strained in his efforts to push on.

The next day, Naruto sat on the cliff above his house and watched the nature below. The sun was already up as it was around noon and he had the exams starting tomorrow. While everyone did last minute training, he just enjoyed the views and simple things to life. Very soon, these little brief moments of peace would end as he'd be thrown into the chaos of the shinobi world.

He looked over and took out his newest scroll. He flipped through it then sorted through the memories as he meditated. The photographic memory allowed him to research and learn far faster than normal.

"So these releases result in the Genjutsu and the medical fields respectively. Yin, dark, Yang, light. Interconnected counter balance."

Naruto ended his session and noticed that the sun was going to set soon. "Well, at least those elemental release scrolls are complete. Would have been nice to solve more of the puzzle that is negative chakra."

He began writing out more of the scrolls and implementing his nature for them. Since he didn't know Jutsu, these scrolls allowed him to unleash his natures, the benefit was that it took no signs. The negative was that it came out the same, no modification. It would serve their purpose but it just meant that it would be predictable on how the attack would come.

Once he could place the seal without writing the array, they would be devastating as he could leave the seal anywhere he wished and activate it at any moment. The goal was to be able to apply it to kunai, shuriken and anything throwable as a means of surprise. It would also help in setting traps that activated by tripping wires.

Still he would always be limited. Using scrolls with an element sealed within, wouldn't replace learning Jutsu. He would eventually run out of scrolls. When he developed the smaller seal to be placed instead of a scroll then maybe it could work. Even so, learning Jutsu would make him more versatile. He was never one to try being one dimensional or only have one ability. Still there's a lot of Fuinjutsu that he wished to explore. There were many ideas that he sketched out and just needed to work on making them possible. Kurama was most impressed in Naruto's growth in such a complex field. That and the creativity that Naruto had allowed many possibilities to arise.

At this point, he could write out the scrolls in a matter of ten seconds each and the more time consuming part was implementing the nature of his choice within the seal. Since the more he put in, the larger the release. Being a holder of every nature meant that when mastered, he was the perfect offense and the perfect defense. With every element at his disposal, there was nothing he couldn't block or get through.

"You know, that seal will not be simple to make. I doubt that it will have the same make up as any other one."

"Makes sense really. Since every barrier is only made a sensory type for the very reason that creating a field against attack isn't really functional. Still, I think that it could be done...at least on a small scale."

Naruto smiled a bit as he wrapped up the final scroll. He reached over and grabbed a small one strap bag and threw them into the bag. "I'll need to work on creating a timer within the seal. So that if I give one to someone, they have time to orient the scroll properly rather than accidentally hurting themselves or others."

"Good idea. What's your plan for these exams?"

"No point going all out. Even then, If I did, it wouldn't matter. everything has already been decided. This is more of a show off event."

"You don't wish to show off?"

"I'm not number one, Kurama. They still outclass me in the test scores and all I'd win is the endurance tests and weapons tests. Yugito, Samui and the others still have the edge in the other categories."

"I think you'd still beat them if you took it seriously."

Naruto laughed a bit. "I appreciate your vote of confidence, Kurama. But I can't beat Yugito or Samui head on. If we were in an open environment where I have freedom to do as I please, then perhaps I would win. She is still a better fighter."

Kurama scoffed to himself but said nothing more. He personally felt that Naruto would beat them all if he needed and actually was serious. Naruto was far stronger than he gave himself credit for. Only ever seeing his flaws, but in that sense, that is what helped him get so much better. By constantly focusing on his flaws, he would become better. Still, he felt that Naruto needed to give himself a little more credit.

"Alright! Listen up! You have three hours to finish this exam! To pass, you need a bare minimum of 70%. Begin!" The sensei said and everyone went into their tests.

Naruto sighed and looked up to the ceiling. Everything that used to be on the walls was gone and the plain white wall was what remained. Knowing this test definitely wouldn't take three hours, he leaned back and just thought about the seals he was working on. It would have been nice to have been allowed to keep the notebook he had but that wasn't allowed. Instead he looked to the scratch paper that was given and smiled. Perhaps, there was still a way to continue developing his seals.

"The three hours for the test is solely for the fact that they physical and combat exam will take that amount of time...I wonder how many people realize that? Or do they think that the test is just really hard?" Naruto thought to himself with a smirk. It would be really funny if they thought it would be really hard to pass.

He wasn't a genius in the classroom...at least based on what was taught, but he knew enough to get by. Besides, he knew that there were two people granted immunity to failing these exams. The evidence was made evident to him by not being dropped from the ninja program all this time. He and Yugito could bomb these exams and still become shinobi. Due to their status as Jinchuriki, they would be granted a pass due to the fact of them being military assets.

That made him wonder if Yugito knew as well. Or did she think that she needed to put an effort? It would explain her determination to be number one...but at the same time maybe she just liked to be at the top. The boost to her ego was what she wanted? It did garner a lot of admiration and adoration to her from every student. They all loved her, she had no enemies. Just a blonde boy that enjoyed angering her. Even then, that dialed down a lot over time.

After the time with Bee, he had come back really different. No longer trying to agitate anyone anymore and scheming his complex plans that embarrassed the other team anymore. Instead, Naruto seemed to fade into the background with rare demonstrations of superior ability.

The only one who got to really know why, was Omoi. He watched as Naruto would develop his ideas and knew that Naruto spent most of his time thinking about Fuinjutsu and his secret project. Fuinjutsu wasn't a very wide studied field in Kumo and was mainly used solely for the transferring of Jinchuriki, and of the Barrier corps. Even then, those members were but a few and generally were all of the same clan. They were taught from generation to generation.

Still, there were weekly meetings between Bee and Naruto, mainly to see where he was at mentally. These weren't skill check ups. This was Bee being a big brother type figure. It was cool and all but he always felt that the true purpose was solely to ensure there wasn't another rampage. In reality it was simple, don't piss Naruto off and it won't incur his wrath. Anger is an easy emotion to lose yourself in and therefore was the trigger to him losing his control and pulling on Kurama's chakra.

After a good two hours, Naruto finally opened up his exam and noticed that there was 1000 questions. "Oh..."

"HAHAHAHA DAMN! LOOK AT THAT!"

Naruto mentally glared at the Kyubi for making fun of his misfortune. They both knew that the test wouldn't matter in terms of him becoming a Genin, but it would be better to make it look like he put some sort of effort into the exam. Can't be showing all his cards just yet. So working as quickly and efficiently as possible, he shot through the test. For the most part it was all based on what was taught over the course of the time in the academy. There were some that served to see someone's intellect by forcing you to be creative and solve an unknown on your own. These were questions that he enjoyed as it put him in his strong suit...problem solving. You give him a problem, a puzzle, he will find a way to solve it and enjoy doing so. When it was stuff you already knew, there was no fun in it.

"ALRIGHT! PENCILS DOWN! Pass your tests forward!" Once the tests went to the front of the class the sensei smiled. "It's been a pleasure to teach you all over the course of your stay here. Now tomorrow will continue and finish your exams. Next week, if you pass, you will be given your team assignments as well as your Jonin Sensei. I wish you all the best on your journeys." He bowed and released everyone.

"So Naruto, how did you feel about it?" Omoi said, "I noticed that you just sketched the whole time and that surprise you had when you finally looked at the test." He laughed a bit at the end.

"Hmm it was alright, rather boring. I must admit, I wasn't expecting them to give 1000 questions. How about you?"

The two turned a corner entering the main hall of the wing. In the open area that split off into four halls, most of the wing was gathered. It was only natural as everyone would want to converse with their friends about the tests. These two days were big and important after all. Who wouldn't go talking about it? Well...Naruto but he was the exception. This just made it hard to get out which served to annoy the blonde. Omoi just pat his shoulder and made a motion with his head towards a door a little ways back. He smiled and the two went in and entered the class. The windows in the class faced the direction that they wanted to head in...the issue? This was the teacher's lounge and they were students who just waltzed in. The teachers looked at the two as the stood in the doorway then their gazes followed as they entered in walking casually. As if they belonged. Then they opened the window and climbed out before gently closing the window. The teachers all laughed as they remember trying to leave the academy during this time of year when they were students themselves...shame they never thought of going the route that Naruto and Omoi went.

They high fived each other and Omoi chuckled as he spoke "I feel pretty good about the test. I just wonder how the teams will be placed."

Naruto nodded, that was an important thing and could very well decide one's career. If you're placed in a bad team and can't mesh well, you'll either be killed or never make it far. If you have a sensei who isn't that great for you, you may not learn well and therefore not get the skills necessary to become Chunin or even survive. So there was a lot that was riding on the formation of teams. Even if you got placed with your friends, it didn't immediately spell success. You could be the best of friends but not have complimenting strengths and abilities.

"I get you, it will work out though."

"Naruto? What if you're placed in a team where you are feared or hated? Despite it being so long since that incident, it hasn't been forgotten."

Naruto got silent as he thought, he gave a somber look to Omoi and smiled weakly. "Then I just need work to ensure that they know they can trust me. It doesn't matter if I'm placed with you, Samui, Yugito, Karui, or some other person in our grade. In the end, we have a job to do."

Omoi nodded and moved his lollipop over to the left side of his mouth. "Yeah, just try not being so closed off. Well, I'll see you tomorrow."

Omoi went off in his own direction towards his house while Naruto nodded and continued on. Living on the outskirt meant he was the furthest from the academy than any of the students but it was the solitude he found comfort in. "Time to complete the first stage of the chakra. It will be done before next week's placements, no matter what."

The next day, they Naruto entered the gym early and saw that no one was there. He took a seat on the highest bleacher as it was closed and closed his eyes to think. Now that it was crunch time to finish his development of negative chakra, a lot of time was spent analyzing and thinking about the flaws. It came a long very far from where it had began but still, maintaining it wasn't simple. It kept wanting to disperse and become unstable for some reason.

"It's so frustrating! What is going wrong?"

"Maybe your approach, Kit."

"My approach? You're kidding! That has to be a joke. There's like zero control with this chakra!"

"Just trying to help here, I'm on your side remember? Don't get frustrated at me."

"I know, Kurama...it's just so annoying. The damn chakra is like spilling water, there is no controlling what it does...but...you can always guide it...wait! What if instead of trying to control Negative Chakra like you would with Positive, let it flow freely and just merely guide it on it's way."

"Wouldn't it be the same? Control and guiding are practically the same thing."

"And yet so different. With control, you direct every aspect of what the chakra does and how much...guiding it gives the chakra freedom to flow freely, you just merely lead it's path."

"Still seems the same."

"Well perhaps think of it like this. Utilizing Positive Chakra is like turning on and off a faucet and deciding how much water comes out and how fast it does. Perhaps utilizing Negative Chakra is more like spilled water where it flows as it pleases. You don't control how much it flows but you can guide the path at which it takes. So instead of me trying to control every minute aspect of the chakra, I should allow it to flow as it pleases and just guide the outcome."

"I see, makes sense. The only issue is that it sounds like it would be pretty inconsistent."

"At first yes, but with practice I think that I'll develop consistency and predictability."

"Yes, perhaps. I never thought you'd develop your own chakra. In all my existence no human thought of Negative Chakra...or any other type in fact. They only learned of Nature Energy for chakra from some of the summonings that have access to it."

"Well curiosity is a maddening thing. This Nature Energy, could you teach it to me?"

"Maybe some time in the future, Naruto. Right now, it would kill you."

Naruto nodded and opened his eyes as he heard someone coming. It was Namrata who had arrived and she was in navy blue leggings with a sky blue t-shirt and light gray body vest that covered her stomach and back and held up her breasts while also keeping them in place whenever she would move around. She smiled when he opened his eyes, she never said it but he was her favorite student. Sure Yugito was the prodigy and Samui the number two but there was always something so intriguing about Naruto. Always was creative, living outside the box practically and she knew he never put forth any effort so she always wondered how he could do if he just tried the whole time. The mystery of what Naruto could do was always an intriguing prospect and she enjoyed when he displayed those little glimmers of what he could do. However he never went too much, only ever doing just enough. Restraint, that was how she would describe him. Someone who never did more than what was needed and was entirely proficient in remaining efficient rather than flashy. She did notice the growing friendship between him and a few of the students, even somewhat winning over Yugito as she didn't seem to hate him so much. There still was the annoyance but it wasn't pure hatred. Potentially because he did seem to lax quite a bit ever since that incident.

"Well aren't you early."

"Yes. How's your day, Namrata-Sensei?"

"Good, it sucks to see you go but nice to see you begin your journey." Naruto nodded and turned his head to the left to look out one of the windows. "Out of curiosity, will I be seeing some of your capabilities? Or more or less the same as usual, being just enough?"

Naruto chuckled a bit and turned to the woman. "Curiosity is a very interesting quality. Is it not? Leading people to create and discover new things...causing people to cause destruction...well back on point, I guess you weren't really fooled all this time then."

"Wouldn't be a good Sensei if I didn't notice some things." She said casually

"Well, for the most part, more of the same. But I will show what I'm capable of on the endurance test if that makes you feel any better."

"I'll take what I can get. Well I have a few things to do to prepare for today's events. I'll be back shortly."

Naruto nodded and watched as she left. "You perv."

"Shut the hell up! I was just looking at-"

"Uh huh...you can't lie to me, Kit. I see, what you see. I know what you think and see."

"Shut up..."

Kurama laughed nonstop for forty seconds which felt like an eternity to Naruto. "It's ok Kit. It's natural. Just be careful, don't want to mess around and next thing you know, you've got Kits everywhere, you're still one yourself."

"I knoooow Kurama...can we stop this now?"

"Hahaha sure."

The rest of the class began coming gradually after another ten minute wait. When everyone arrived, Namrata came out and took the attendance. After that was done she led them to the ring.

"Ok, listen up. We'll first be doing the combat test. No point doing the physical tests if you can't pass this one. You fail this, you'll be back in the fall for another year. You must last two minutes. Now...any volunteers to go first?"

Yugito raised her hand and entered the ring. "Yo...is it just me, or did sensei get hotter all of a sudden?" Omoi said with a slight drool.

Naruto just smirked and any boys that happened to be around that heard agreed with Omoi. Needless to say, they all watched the show...

Yugito passed with flying colors and so did Samui and some of the others. A lot of them failed and finally came Naruto's turn. He did just enough to ensure he wasn't knocked out, or thrown out of the ring. Namrata was impressed, it took a great deal of effort to only do, just enough. It is so easy to dodge and move at full ability, to go all out, to overpower a strike. To only ever do the bare minimum to considerable control and she hoped to get him to exert more effort but failed. Granted, she wasn't trying either, if she wanted to actually fight seriously, then it was an obvious victory for her no doubt. No student would win.

After he was passed, Namrata led everyone to a track and field. This would be where the 6 mile run would be tested as well as the pushup sit-up and pull-up portions would be. Naruto was given a break and then they began.

Naruto said he'd actually try in this event but she never expected this...right out of the gate, he went sprinting. In just one minute, he cleared three quarters of a mile. In eight minutes, he was done with the six mile event. Her jaw dropped at how he just shattered the record of the six mile run event with ease...not even out of breath. It looked like he wasn't even warmed up yet.

"D-do you know h-how fast you just did that?" Naruto shrugged "Eight minutes, kid...you ran six miles in eight minutes with no use of chakra and at twelve...Naruto you ran at forty-five miles an hour at that pace."

"Huh, wow, well that's cool."

"That's cool? That's all you have to say?"

"Yeah." Naruto shrugged. "But now back to bare minimum. I only put effort because I really enjoy running, it's calming and let's me think freely. When I'm running, it's just me, my thoughts, and the relaxing breeze."

Namrata nodded "Go ahead and relax for now...You'll begin the next test once everyone is done."

Naruto complied without a second thought and plopped onto his back.

"Haha her reaction was priceless!"

"Yeah. It's only thanks to your augmentation that I'm this fast."

"Take some credit Kit. I helped but it was on you to develop your speed. I just made your body capable of it."

Once everyone was finished, they took a couple minutes to rest before starting. Yugito walked over to Naruto, very confused. She was supposed to be the fastest and most athletic of the year, her time being done in 16 minutes.

"When the hell did you get so fast?" Naruto opened one eye to see her standing over him and just closed it again. "You're not going to answer?"

He just sighed as he sat up. "What do you want me to say? That I've been this fast, a long time and never showed it. Or that it was just spontaneous and happened in this one instance. Which do you prefer?" He laid back down and she scowled in frustration. Losing was something that she truly hated, especially when it was to him. He always seemed to do it effortlessly and it pissed her off to no end.

How does he go from useless one moment to the best the next? If he was always capable of the things he does, why not always show it? At least that way it is consistent and she knows what he could do. The way he does it, it leaves room to wonder if he could do even more. If he could go even faster, just what we're his limits? He hid them so well and it made beating him, only caused her to wonder if he tried or just simply didn't care enough to try.

That was probably by far the most annoying thing about him. Yeah, those attempts at riling her up, that always were successful, was annoying and all but the fact of his constant mystery was the most frustrating.

"I sure hope we aren't on the same team. I don't think I could handle it." Yugito thought to herself and walked away to the girls section.

"Ok, you have two minutes to do as many push-ups, and sit-ups as you can. To pass you need at least 70 push-ups and 80 sit-ups. For the pull-ups, you need at least 6 to pass." Namrata said to the boys then turned to the girls. Same rules apply, but you need 55 push-ups, 65 sit-ups, and 3 pull-ups. Everyone understand?"

She received nods from everybody and they began the tests. Naruto was the bare minimum as he said he'd be. Omoi led for the boys. Yugito out did everybody...getting 125 push-ups, 140 sit-ups and 12 pull-ups. The next highest student, being Omoi had 115 push-ups, 132 sit-ups and 8 pull-ups. Samui and Karui had similar numbers to each other, Samui out doing Karui by only a few. Other than that it was pretty spread out as far as results went.

Once it was all done, they had a lunch break before the start of the shuriken and kunai tests. Then for those seeking last minute mastery status in a weapon, that would be the chance to pass that final trial. The day was going by fast and it didn't really hit anyone that this would be their last day as academy students. After the next test, they were Genin. At this point, anyone who was going to fail already did. This was now only about ranking. You mainly had to pass the written exam, and combat test. After that, it was all rank and statistics. It just looked better to do better in this point of the game.

"Naruto, I never knew you were so fast!" Samui said, they all sat at a picnic table under a tree, Naruto was in the tree laying on a branch with his head against the trunk. His single strapped back pack was used as his pillow.

"I know! That was crazy! You even beat Yugito! Destroyed her really." Karui added to the conversation. Yugito to this point sat with a frown and looked away.

They only talked about Naruto's run. The ONLY thing he did well in. She outclassed their entire class and this year's students in ever single event. Where was her praise, her attention? No one seemed to care about her excellence. It seemed to be just expected. They all became accustomed to her genius and were no longer surprised.

"Haha it was just a run guys. If anyone should be getting praised, it's Yugito. She just outclassed our entire graduating class. That is a far bigger accomplishment than my one run."

Yugito smiled but didn't look back to them. It was kind of odd to have him praise her without being a jerk about it. Especially in this instance, he wasn't bragging, wasn't making fun of her, instead shifted the praise to her. Maybe Kira was right back then. He really was actually nice.

"But you actually beat her!" Karui argued.

"Once, Karui. She has won every single event but that one. Technically she wins the day. Congratulations on that by the way, Yugito. You're guaranteed rookie of the year at this point."

Naruto hopped off the branch and threw the bag over his head so the strap went from his left shoulder towards the right side of his body. Walking over to her, he pat her shoulder and just gave that foxlike grin and walked away from the group, back into his solitude.

"He never sticks around long, does he?" Karui said.

"It's far more than it used used be." Omoi said. "He just isn't used to this type of thing. Being alone is all he knows and there's comfort in the familiarity."

"Wouldn't he feel lonely?" Samui said, after taking a sip of juice.

"He does. Still, this is very unfamiliar to him and despite how he acts, there is a fear to having people around him."

"For what happened a few years ago?" Karui said, at this point no one was eating and even Yugito kind of turned over towards the conversation.

"That's a part of it. Look, it isn't my place to be telling. This is his personal thoughts and feelings. I will not go and just openly speak what he thinks."

"We understand that, but aren't we his friends too?" Samui said. Karui nodded in agreement and Yugito gave a slight nod.

"If he hasn't talked about it to you yet, there's a reason. He never talks for no reason and there is always a purpose to what he says."

Yugito thought about that for a bit and understood. Every time Naruto talked to her, like actually talked to her, it might have sounded like nonsense but there was always a reason behind it. Whether to get her to feel better or to teach her something. It wasn't just small talk, he went straight to what he wanted to say, no more, no less.

"You know, if you asked him genuinely, he would probably open up more." Matatabi said.

"I don't know. He's very reserved...and we've never been that close to where he'd talk to me."

"He's taking time to teach you things."

"I don't even know what he's trying to teach me! "

Matatabi chuckled to herself at the similar feeling she once had. "You will eventually. But it's obvious that you'd have to be the one to make the steps to forming that bond. He won't come out of his hiding hole until then." Matatabi to this point was speaking off of experience. Back then, for her to learn anything about Kurama, she had to seek him out. Otherwise he would have just stayed off on his own. Even then, it took a long time and a lot of being misled, but after being with him for a long time, she realized that it wasn't necessarily to ride himself of her, but to test her. See if she'd stick around and still try, once he was satisfied, everything changed. Things may not be to that extent with these two but the same principle stands.

Omoi had proven to be a loyal and close friend. Always around and trying to help Naruto. Giving him the space he needed and was there should he need it. Then when Naruto began to open up more, Omoi never judged and remained in place. So that led to Naruto continuing to slowly open up to him and their bond grew stronger.

Naruto entered the shuriken exam and walked to the masters. "Thank you, for teaching me the ways of every weapon during my stay." He bowed and was given golden pins that he placed on his wristbands. Each gold pin represented a mastery of one weapon. The more you had, the more weapon you mastered.

"The pleasure was ours Naruto Uzumaki." They all said in unison.

With a final bow he went to go test in shuriken and kunai. It was no secret that he was a weapons master, so he aced the exam with flying colors. Even throwing a couple that ricochet onto target for added flash. In the end, he was number one in weapons.

Once it was over, there was a sort of saddening feeling going around. The time they spent here...was now over. Today was their final day as Academy Students. Sure they were coming one last time but that was as Genin. They were coming to receive their hitai-ate and their assignments. From there they'd be picked up then they'd no longer have to come ever again.

It was still a pretty odd feeling, to know they were done. However, they had the freedom to see their friends as they pleased for this week. Once their Shinobi careers begin, there was no guarantee that they'd always see each other. Death was always hanging in the air with their field. Some feared it, some embraced it. Welcoming the potential of death and walking straight through hell with a smile.

"Bro...Sensei was so fine! Mmm she was so fine!"

"Haha I know Omoi, we were there together."

"Yeah but you don't express it, Naruto! You could liven up some more."

"Maybe one day, my friend." Naruto noticed that someone was following and glanced over, only to see a blur. They were gone. "Hey...I'll see you later. Come by whenever."

Before Omoi could respond, Naruto ran off. "Damn. Well I'll see him tomorrow." He shrugged and continued walking home.

During the week, Naruto tried to find out who was following him but found nothing. It was unnerving to be stalked and he was constantly on guard. His senses were focused, trying to find anything out of the ordinary at all times. Aside from his constant looking out, he continued developing the Negative Chakra, after that thought on how to utilize it, he made great leaps in using the chakra. It was far more destructive and thicker than normal chakra. When he utilized this chakra, it was a purplish color rather than the normal blue.

The next step would be to implement change in nature with this chakra but that would have to wait. Today, was the day he got his assignment. Deciding to go with a sky blue long sleeve shirt that covered to the beginning of his thumb to halfway down his pinky, a short sleeved navy blue hoodie with a white stripe down the shoulders to arm which ended half way between his shoulder and elbow, a pair of navy blue sweats and navy blue sandals. This would be his new outfit for a bit and he nodded to himself in the mirror before grabbing a peach tea to go and left his house. He smiled fondly at Trey's and entered the small shop.

"Good morning, Naruto! Big day today!"

Naruto fox grinned and squinted his eyes slightly to enhance the grin. "Yes it is! I'm a Genin today"

"And Genin shouldn't be late, Naruto."

He got hugged from behind and laughed. "Kira...why can't you just let me do me? You wouldn't teach me your awesome lightning swirl of disappearance!"

Kira giggled and turned him around to face her. "You haven't been a ninja yet, Naruto. Now you are. That also means that you absolutely can't be late."

"Yeah yeah yeah. I won't always be late..." Trey laughed at the two and grabbed a box from behind the counter.

"Before you two go, Naruto I have a gift for you."

Kira smiled at Naruto as he rose an eyebrow, turning to Trey and stepping to him. "What is it?"

"It will be a little big since you're only twelve, but I'm sure you'll grow into it in no time."

Naruto grabbed the box and set it on the floor. He took a knee and brought his hands to the two latches that kept it closed. Slowly opening it, he noticed that in the black case was a red velvet material and there was a midnight purple sheath with a black strap to sling over his shoulder. The midnight purple almost looked black, but in the light, you can see the purple glow within. He smiled before taking the sheathe out and unsheathing it slightly. The handle still was that midnight purple, but was wrapped in a black, strong and thick material that helped with grip, the way it was wrapped made it shaped like diamonds. At the end of the handle where it met the blade, there was a small crest of gold with a fox head that had nine tails that curved from the back of the head, to go along the bottom and curve downwards as it ended at the snout. Unsheathing fully, revealed a black blade, that had an engraving of a fox head along the tip and the tails down the blade.

Naruto smiled as he moved the katana around to see how it reflected the light. It was a sword beyond his imagination. Knowing that Trey forged it specially for him, almost made him not want to ever use it and just save the katana.

"You better put it to good use, Naruto. Let this blade protect you and those you care about. A blade can always be re-forged, but the lives of those dearest to you, can't."

He nodded and held back the tears that were forming. His blue eyes shined in the light and he jumped over the counter to hug Trey. This was the nicest thing somebody ever did for him.

"Now get going before Kira gets mad at us. Don't be a stranger, Naruto. You know the shop's always open to you."

"T-thank you." He turned to Kira and she grabbed onto his shoulder before they left in a swirl of lightning. Reappearing in the courtyard of the Academy, she knelt down to be level with him.

"Starting today, you're shinobi. There's going to be a lot of pressure on you, based on your status. Just take each moment, each day, one at a time. Don't take anything for granted, in our line of work, we never know when we will lose it." Kira sniffled slightly and smiled again. "I know you'll do great things. You received a gift from my father, here's mine."

Kira took out a small box and within the box was a platinum pendent, shaped in a lightning bolt. There was a platinum chain that it was attached to and attachments to add other pendants.

"The lightning bolt represents you, doesn't it?"

She nodded "I hope that one day it can be filled with more. That you can have many more that you care for. Wherever you go, I'm with you."

Naruto smiled before they hugged and he put it on. It was a subtle accessory but was exquisite all the same. "Thank you, Kira. You and Trey...you've been so good to me...even though I am not very...open."

"It's ok, Naruto. You have trouble expressing yourself. We know though, that you care for us deeply, as we do. So don't doubt that we care about you. You deal with a lot as it is. You don't need to burden yourself with the thoughts of how we feel about you."

Naruto nodded and she took him into one last hug before ruffling his spiky blonde hair. With a goodbye, he turned away and slowly entered the Academy for the last time. Immediately he got blitzed by Omoi and he just spun over to the left before jumping backwards to dodge another attack.

"Well aren't you excited." Naruto smirked.

"The Raikage's here!" Omoi said and grabbed Naruto by the wrist, dragging him to the auditorium.

All the students were gathered for an assembly. Omoi and Naruto sat in the front...the only ones to do so. Everyone hung out in the back. The room was lit up at the moment and was actually a pretty nice room. The stone was chiseled with designs and the room looked to be made of top notch materials. The seats even were really comfortable with leather and felt like they sat on clouds. The lights began to dim, signifying the start of what was going on.

"Welcome all. Today as you know, will be the start to your Shinobi careers. You will receive your hitai-ate but your assignments will be given a little later. Now, I present to you, Raikage-sama."

Ay walked out from the side of the stage and everyone watched in awe. Right in front of them was the village's most powerful shinobi. Their protector, the village's last line of defense. Ay, looked at the crowd then towards Naruto with a slight smirk. One that nobody but Naruto seemed to notice.

"Hello young Genin. It is a pleasure to see so many graduates this year. The road from here will be risky and long, but on the other side, the glory of the village is on each of your shoulders! You are the future!"

Naruto began to space out. Thinking about a seal and thought about the possibility of sealing actual Jutsu. The defensive seal also was proving to be confusing but he had an idea for a concept. The thing was, space and time were two areas of Ninjutsu, and Fuinjutsu that were not exactly explored much. So there was a lot of mystery on what the limits were. Let alone trying to combine the two for Space-time Jutsu.

Still, the concept seemed possible, just pulling it off was the question. For it to be effective, it would either need an absorption quality, or repulsive quality. But if it was absorption, where would it go? In the seal, or is it dispersed? Is there a limit and if so, what happens when it exceeds said limit? If it's repulsive, then it would need to have qualities of all the natures...he had them all but to get a seal that can instantly react and counter the Jutsu seemed like a daunting task. The other question about that was to what the limit was for that. Jutsu are ranked from D-A then S being the strongest. So he'd need to match those levels of Jutsu with this reflective seal...then again, there was potential that he make the seal, the moment they Jutsu is unleashed then power it with the opposite nature on his own each time to get the result he was looking for.

With those ideas in mind, he started sketching in his notebook. He took great notes of every idea and trial. One day somebody could take his notebook, and be able to easily follow his work and learn. It wasn't that he hoped to pass the book of seals on, but should he ever wish to, it was easy to follow and was detailed with precision. Nothing was left out and any possible questions regarding his Fuinjutsu, he answered.

That was something that he loved about Fuinjutsu, it was unique to the user. Seals may be alike, but the make up and components differ greatly. No two seal masters are the same. No two seals are the same. The only ones that would be the same, was if it was made by the same sealer. Besides, everything in a seal mattered, there was no "useless" components. Everything served a purpose. The difference was a matter of how compact you could make it, and how well you can utilize the seal. There's no point to having a seal, if you can never use it practically.

"What about a loop of continuous explosions..."

Naruto pondered the idea and looked at the basic explosive seal. Not a fatal version...but if you had multiple, then it could be deadly. The idea was that of a replication of the seal after exploding. It would be a continuous loop of explosions and maybe he could get it to be stronger each time.

"Maybe apply kunai?"

That would be the same concept however kunai would come out in a single swarm after being thrown. You would just channel chakra to the seal when throwing, then it should...in theory, multiply into dozens or more...if it worked out. But how do you make a replication of an object...or of a seal?

"Yugito Nii. Please come to the stage." Ay said, breaking Naruto from his thoughts.

Naruto watched as she walked down the aisle from his right. She was wearing a blue shirt and white shorts. Her hair was put into pony tail with two bangs framing her face. The bangs barely reached her eyes. Yugito glanced over at him and noticed that he was watching her, she smirked, knowing that he had been right that other day.

"Yugito here, is this year's Rookie Of The Year! She has set many records during the exams and was exemplary all through her time in the Academy. Congratulations, Yugito!" Ay said, everyone responded with applause. For the most part every student loved and adored her. The boys wanted to date her, the girls wanted to be her. Then there was Naruto who really didn't care at all...

She looked around the crowd and saw the cheers, the smiles they all had for her. Samui gave her a thumbs up and she smiled back. She looked down to the front row to see Naruto just writing in his notebook now. Why wasn't he applauding her? Yeah he was the first to acknowledge that she'd be Rookie Of The Year but why not now? A frown came on her face until she remembered him saying to never be down about winning. Shaking her head she received her plaque and shook the Raikage's hand. Then he gave her a hitai-ate with blue cloth.

Afterwards, she took her seat and watched the rest of the proceedings. They went alphabetically at that point and finally came Naruto's turn. He was the last one.

"Now, will Uzumaki Naruto come to the stage." The announcer said. Ay looked to see Naruto still writing and coughed to get his attention which worked. Naruto realizing that it was his turn, closed his book and got up.

As we was walking, throughout the auditorium, there was a resounding amount of boos. Insults were thrown and Naruto just kept moving forward, not paying them any attention. Omoi frowned and looked back to Samui, Karui, and Yugito. They all seemed to have a frown as well except Yugito. She was just looking at Naruto walk to Ay. She was surprised by his outfit, being pretty bright and so light, yet also dark. The sky blue with navy blue just went great together.

He stood in front of Ay and took a hitai-ate, he grabbed a white cloth and put it around his forehead. The white was chosen to go with stripe on his hoodie. As he turned away, Naruto was stopped.

Ay spoke quietly to him. "That was a good showing you did during the run. It makes us wonder what else you held back."

"I'm sure you already know. You don't need to pretend to not have a clue."

Naruto turned away and Ay smiled. Naruto wasn't trying to come off with an attitude, he just intended to say the truth. He was glad to hear that Naruto wasn't ignorant of the shinobi watching him. He wanted to learn the sensing abilities that Naruto had. It seemed to be getting more and more precise, potentially due to him taking the time to focus on it more.

Yugito watched in confusion of their little talk. Wondering what they were talking about, but she knew they'd most likely not say. Either way, it most likely wasn't going to be important to her anyways. So she just listened to the rest of the proceedings before they got released.

"Ok. Go to your combative Sensei, they will give you your assignments." The announcer said.

Everyone filed out to the respective meeting places for that sensei. Some being out at the track, or a quarry, Naruto and his class being in the gym. They all sat in the bleachers and Naruto took to a perch on the support beams that when along from wall to wall, a few feet below the ceiling. He had a great view of everything and wouldn't be bothered up there.

Namrata appeared out of thin air and smiled at everyone. "So you may be wondering why you're getting your assignments from me. Well, the team rosters were formed from this class, all combat classes were grouped then separated. Hence, you guys came here. Now without any more interruption, let's begin."

Namrata began listing off teams and who the Jonin sensei would be. This was going for fifteen minutes. "Team 9, Samui, Karui, and Omoi. Your Sensei will be Bee-sama. I wish you the best."

The three smiled as they were all friends and got to be together. They wouldn't have to deal with somebody new. They listened on as the teams kept being announced.

"Team 13, Rin, Naruto, and Yugito. Your sensei is Darui. I wish you guys the best and look forward to seeing how you go."

Naruto shook his head, this would be very interesting. On one hand, Yugito was very talented and he had no worries on that side. The main worry was of Rin and if Yugito would force him to reveal his secrets. Trying to evade her wouldn't be so simple anymore.

They were told that the senseis would be arriving shortly. So Naruto laid back and began drawing out more seals, as well as developing the ones he thought of in the auditorium. After an hour, they began to be taken and a dark-skinned, fairly toned guy came. He had white hair hair that was spiked but was flat on his head. Coming down towards his left eye. He had a massive cleaver on his back and the Jonin uniform. A high collared gray sleeveless shirt was underneath the single strap flack jacket.

Naruto looked at him and tilt his head to the side. This was the same guy he had ran into that one day. This was interesting to say the least. So what was the plan then? The guy had to be pretty strong if he was going to be entrusted with the development of both Jinchuriki...and he may know a lot more about Naruto than Naruto would like.

"I sure hope I am not forced into a pickle. If he knows more than he should, then dodging Yugito and trying to surprise him at the same time will be difficult. Did they really need to make this that complicated? It couldn't just be some random Jonin?"

As Naruto finished his thoughts, Darui stepped forward. "Team 13, be at training ground 7 in no more than 30 minutes." Darui then disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Great, he has the same Jutsu as Kira...only his is not as cool. Oh well, it can't be helped. That's not a Jutsu that can really be used in combat anyways...or maybe?"

Shaking his head, he darted through the beams and went out a skylight. Training ground seven was pretty secluded, but there was a massive lake that was in the center of the training ground. It made it great for water users due to the moist environment, was that this Jonin's strong suit? At least this was giving him some intel on the soon their sensei. He knew nothing of Darui but there were many things he could figure out based on the choices that had been made. Such as him being chosen as their sensei, that means that he is definitely strong, one of the strongest. Next the training ground being around a lake meant he used Water Style quite a lot. So he would need to use the fire and earth scrolls mainly.

He debated telling Yugito and Rin about his thoughts, but decided against it. There was no point since it was all speculation...that and he wanted to watch what they would do. Wondering if they could deduce the same things or if there was a different idea. Then again, he wasn't even sure if a fight was coming. Maybe all his thinking was pointless and was not necessary since they may only be talking and meeting each other. That would be boring though and there would be no amusement in just a small talk.

Naruto arrived first as he had already demonstrated that he was faster than Yugito. Darui raised an eyebrow, not even 6 minutes had passed. "You're pretty fast, and it was without chakra...impressive."

"What do you know?"

"How dull...straight to the point. Well, all I know is that the boss and Mabui think very highly of you. As for what you're capable of, I am not really sure. They haven't told me anything but based on how they think of you, you must be pretty talented. Especially since you garner more of their attention than Yugito...personally Naruto, I think Yugito is the best of the graduating class."

Naruto nodded. He didn't feel any deceit coming from Darui. "What is a prodigy?" Darui raised an eyebrow, he asked the same question that Mabui did, but this time, before he could answer, Naruto continued. "What is the point. To be Shinobi, is to live in deception...be one with the shadows...striking when the moment is right. We are not to bring attention to ourselves for that defeats the purpose of a Shinobi's goal. Am I wrong?" he finished it by tilting his head to the side.

Darui was in a crossroads, on one side, power was valued over all and the most important aspect of a shinobi. But Naruto brought up a great point, a Shinobi as he described, would wait for the precise right time to strike. This would ensure victory. They would not seek out conflict and for that, be successful more often, being a mystery. However if forced into confrontation, the one with the power would surely win...right?

"You really have more than meets the eye. Let's see how you are, not just a talker I'd hope. That'd be dull."

Naruto said nothing, just leaning back against a tree and closed his eyes. It would be a little while before the other two arrived. The two most likely were travelling together and didn't separate, as he had gone on his own. It wasn't that he wanted to ditch them, but it gave him the opportunity to think. They most likely would have been talking and therefore not allowed him much time to think. After a twenty minute wait, they finally arrived to see a seemingly sleeping Naruto and a somewhat bored Darui. Yugito sat beside Naruto and Rin beside her, when she sat, Naruto looked over to have his eyes locked into hers. She looked to demand answers, none that would be coming, Darui immediately got started.

"Alright, I am Darui, tell me some things about you guys. Such as, I like to go train with the boss and try new things. I don't particularly like early morning starts. I hope to create a long lasting legacy for Kumo. So how about you go."

Darui pointed to Rin who straightened up. "I am Rin, I like to be with my friends and eat at new places, oh and kunai. I don't like when family become naggy and think they know everything. I hope to be the best!"

"At least you have a family, guy. Whatever, you never truly know what you have till it's gone...guess you can't be to blame." Naruto thought before Darui motioned for Yugito go.

She glanced over at Naruto who tilt his head in confusion but she just looked back towards Darui. "I like fighting, competing, getting better, no matter the field. I don't really like things that I don't get it, it annoys me. I hate it when people hide things from me. I want to become the greatest Shinobi that Kumo has produced."

Naruto nodded in understanding, most of what she said, he already was able to figure out about her. That was just who she was at heart, a competitor...with a bit of ego. The hating the whole having things hidden from her, he figured rather easily, just by doing it himself. However he did it to everyone so it wasn't like he solely did it to her, and he was sure that she wasn't only referring to him. At that point, Darui and everyone looked to Naruto who sat silently for a bit.

With a sigh he closed his eyes and crossed his arms in a defensive manner, almost of reassurance, "I'm Naruto. I don't particularly like a lot of things...there are a few though. I don't really dislike anything, there are annoyances but it doesn't really mean much. If you let something bother you, then it controls you. My hopes? Hmmm I don't really want to say at the moment, it wouldn't make sense to you at the moment, but there are more than just one."

Everyone stared at him blankly...did he really only share his name? Well...he did drop a little knowledge about being controlled by what bothers you but still...that didn't exactly teach them anything about him. Maybe that he thought about things? Still though, that wasn't much. Nobody good ideally get an idea for what Naruto was like based on that. Yugito sighed in annoyance, this was the usual act of Naruto. Although she became accustomed to this type of thing, it wasn't any less annoying...then she realized that perhaps he was right, letting something bother you did control you. That thought went away as quickly as it came however and was replaced with the still annoyed thoughts. Darui didn't really know what to say, technically Naruto followed the rules...just went about things differently. Rin just scoffed at Naruto's remarks and just looked ahead for further instruction.

After a brief silence, Darui broke it by clearing his throat, "Well then, good to get to know you guys, we'll all learn more of each other over time. I want to gauge your abilities, so we will be sparring. You three against me. Go ahead and use Jutsu, I want to see what you're capable of, I won't know how to help you improve if you don't do your absolute best..." He was mainly saying the last part for Naruto but no one else needed to know. They could just think that he wanted them to take it from the surface.

With that, Darui stood up, followed by Yugito and Rin. Naruto remained seated and watched as immediately, things went under way. He watched in amusement as they tried and failed to strike Darui. Not a single thing landed. Yugito was getting closer than Rin but Naruto could see that Darui still wasn't trying too hard yet. Yugito jumped back and landed beside Naruto with a glare.

"Care to join, Naruto!"

He sighed and stood up. "Take this, as you open it outwards, channel chakra into the scroll. I want to see something." She looked at him with confusion but he didn't wait for her to question. He immediately left to get a vantage point and watch the reaction.

Yugito watched as Rin was sent back and she unfurled the scroll while channeling chakra into it. The seal array glowed and Darui's eyes widened slightly. He wasn't expecting to see Fuinjutsu be used in this fight and it was extremely dangerous to play around with. Who could have made the seal and when did they learn? Did Yugito know Fuinjutsu? Was she that much of a prodigy? He watched as a massive torrent of flames came barreling out of the seal and straight at him. Doing three handsigns, he brought his hands down and water rose from the ground, forming a wall to protect him from the flames.

"I was right..." Naruto thought to himself as he jumped down to Yugito who looked at him expecting some answers. "I wanted to test a theory. He chose this training ground for a reason, I deduced that he had a high water affinity since he chose the training ground with the largest water source and was the most moistened environment."

"You figured this from the training ground?"

"I told you, knowledge is power. Didn't I? I studied the various chakra natures and the manipulations of each, the Jutsu he just did, he did using only three signs. Normally it would be more but he has reduced it to only three, meaning that he is very adept in Water Ninjutsu."

She understood that part and agreed with his analysis. "How did that scroll emit the flames?"

Naruto pushed her away but also slammed two scrolls into her chest as he did so. "Not now, Yugito, we are kinda busy at the moment."

She nodded and looked at the scrolls, they had the insignia of lightning bolts. Understanding that this was to counter the Water Jutsus, she smiled. Naruto could be really crafty and she had to experience it first hand all the time. However, she could tell that he was still being very lazy about the fight. She began to be able to notice the signs of when he actually tried vs when he didn't. She couldn't do anything about it though, nothing she did would get him to try any harder than he was. At least he was giving her tools to take on Darui better. He could still be seated at the tree but maybe this let him be amused even more. That thought annoyed her even more.

"Can't blame him. Kitsune craves amusement...you offer a great show."

"Who's side are you on?"

"Just saying...he had a point though, letting him get on your nerves and annoy you, lets him control you for his amusement."

"So, he's using me?"

"I mean...in like the loosest definition of the word, yeah."

Yugito huffed and and took to going at Darui once more. Rin had thrown a kunai which Darui dodged last second. The trajectory was headed straight for her and it was too late to dodge on her part. Darui had waited until the absolute last second...Rin's eyes widened and he was consumed in fear at what was about to happen. He was going to accidentally kill Yugito. There was a golden blonde blur and Darui smirked.

"So that's how you force him to try...exploit those he cares about." Darui watched as the kunai punctured a tree rather than Yugito.

Yugito gasped in shock from being tackled out of nowhere and the landing wasn't all that soft...but it was better than being killed. She noticed that Naruto was on top of her and she blushed at the position they were in. He got up off her and was kneeling between her legs. "Are you ok?" Naruto then stood up and extended a hand to help her up. I

It took a second to get out of her stupor but she nodded and accepted his aid. "Than-oh my god, Naruto, you're bleeding."

Naruto rubbed his left cheek and sure enough there was a massive cut. The kunai was in such close proximity to her that he wasn't left unscathed. But it was better than her being dead so he shrugged it off and looked to Rin. He glared at the teammate for being so reckless then at Darui for ever letting that happen. "Take a breather, Yugito. I will handle this." Before she could argue, he just looked at her and smiled fondly at her. "Let me show you a bit of what I can do. Besides, I've spent three years working on it all, and these two just pissed me off."

"They...pissed you off...over me?" Yugito thought as he turned back towards Darui and cracked his neck.

Naruto let out a deep breath before he began running at Darui. He took out two scrolls and threw them on opposite directions, the were midair to Darui's left and right and his eyes went wider than before, now realizing that it was Naruto that was the Fuinjutsu user. To be creating seals at such a young age...with no assistance was unbelievable. He recognized the seal's array however and just before the fire was released, he went through six hand signs and then was surrounded by water. Naruto wasn't done with this attack however and was hoping that Darui would "turtle" up and threw one last scroll but it didn't open until it broke through the water. It landed just below Darui who noticed the seal was different. Lightning bolts shot up from the scroll and could be seen by everyone. When the smoke cleared, on top of the scroll laid many broken pieces of a log.

Naruto raised an eyebrow before his senses were blaring and he leaned back slightly, narrowly dodging a kunai that soared past his head. To this point, Naruto demonstrated that he sealed fire and lightning chakra, so Darui thought to try to send a low ranked lightning Jutsu at Naruto. He went through four hand signs and streams of lightning went at Naruto who remained standing in place, much to everyone's surprise. Surely the first instinct would have been to run. Naruto just reached into his bag though.

"So he has Lightning affinity as well...and it is pretty high given the little amount of signs again." Naruto thought and took out another scroll. This one though had a few swirls to signify the element of wind. "He's about to learn that it won't be so easy to just surprise me like that." He quickly opened the scroll and channeled his chakra into it. The scroll released bursts of wind that dispersed and completely derailed the Lightning. It was made ineffective and the Lightning that had managed to remain, was sent way off course and hit nowhere near target.

"Jesus Christ...what else can he do with those damned scrolls? Fire, Lightning, now Wind...he has three natures?" Darui thought. Yugito looked on amazed at Naruto, using Fuinjutsu alone, he was putting up a better fight than Rin and her. Part of her was jealous of that fact but then again, he took a more analytical approach from the beginning. Rather than rush into the fight, he observed and tried to learn as much as possible about Darui before really entering the fight or taking it seriously. Everything being a test, to see how Darui would react. Where her and Rin went head on, he went methodical, and it was pushing their sensei more than they could by engaging right off the bat.

Naruto smirked. "Sensei, here is my 'Five Sided Fuinjutsu Trap', I hope you like it." Darui looked a little confused until Naruto quickly flicked out five kunai. When the kunai impacted five separate trees that were around him, the paper was released and unrolled to be leaning against the tree. Naruto formed the half ram seal with his right hand and the seals all glowed. He recognized the Fire, Lightning, and Wind array, the other two he didn't recognize. They all released the seal and fire, lightning, wind, earth, and water all came shooting at him from all sides. This was a perfect attack and trap...no single person could hope to block it since no one could counter all five elements at once...it would take multiple people to even hope to block it and even then, the timing would need to be perfect. If this was set up as an ambush...it was guaranteed to kill...Darui realized this and was stunned by Naruto's Fuinjutsu prowess. That and if Naruto had planned on using this as a trap as it was meant to be, then he would have been screwed, but Naruto had given him the opportunity to prepare another Substitution before releasing the technique. It was a good thing that despite the competitiveness of this spar, Naruto still had the wherewithal to warn Darui of a potential lethal attack, even though he didn't know Darui used the Substitution, he knew he could do it again to escape this.

As expected, he Substituted out of the attack's kill zone and watched what could have happened to him. At this point, everyone was in a stupor, Naruto just showed an ability to use all five chakra natures. He had shown that he also knew how to seal his elemental chakra for later use...as seen through this fight. What other Fuinjutsu did he have up sleeve? Naruto grabbed onto his right wrist and purple chakra was being gathered, it took the form of a kunai and he launched it at Darui, Darui never seeing anything like this before, didn't know how to react. So he blocked it with a kunai of his own...big mistake. An explosion consumed sent him flying into a tree and he coughed from the smoke. This purple chakra kunai was explosive! How? Yugito and Rin both had their jaws on the floor, Naruto landed a strike.

"The chakra is still very unstable...but even so, it packs a punch in this state." Naruto thought as he watched the effects of that attack.

Naruto grabbed his wrist again and formed another of the kunai but made three as he threw them one after another, yielding the same explosive result. Darui this time jumped away rather than block. he kept jumping until there was a sizzling behind him, he glanced to see a kunai with an explosive tag attached to it. "BUT WHEN?" Darui thought as it blew up sending him crashing to the ground.

"You thought I had the exact same plan? No...I know you wouldn't fall for it again, so I got creative. Now...yield, Sensei." Naruto said and had a a kunai at Darui's throat.

"Huh...you did very well, Naruto...but..." Darui then dispersed into lightning which electrocuted Naruto and effectively knocked him out. "You still have a lot to learn."