I have no clue how Jounin exams work so I had to make up my own. The rules were all made up so just bear with me on this one eh? For the sake of the story ne? I've always thought Naurto could surpass Sasuke greatly, hence I made it so in this fic. Oh, and ff.net really erase links, so if you guys are still interested in seeing my art on how the Naruto gang looks like 5 years later, just follow the link below. By the way, make sure there are no spaces in between eh? They should be stuck together ne?
http : / / img13. photobucket. com / albums / v38 / nagi _ chan / future-narutogang. jpg
WHY NOT 8The days rolled by fast. Tsunade had been getting reports on a masked man from Konoha taking the Jounin exam. Apparently his movements were ones that could rival Gai's speed including his Taijutsu. He even uses jutsus that none have ever seen before. No one knew his name since in Jounin exams, numbers identified the candidates.
Tsunade merely smiled and soon the rumors grew rapidly. Some say it was Tsunade's son that was hidden behind the mask. Some say it was her distant relative. Some say it was her sibling and the stories just went on that Tsunade laughed so hard whenever she heard it.
The exam ended one month later and on the first morning, Tsunade called for Iruka.
*
"Yes, Hokage-sama?" He asked, bowing politely.
"Take the day off." She said and the man blinked. "Don't take any missions today."
Iruka blinked again. "I don't mean to be rude, but what are you asking this of me?"
Tsunade merely gave a hearty laugh. "Trust me Iruka, you're going to like this." She said gestured to the Hokage mountain carvings. "I want you to stay there."
"Eh?" Iruka gaped.
"Just do what I said or else I won't give you any missions for the next one month!" Tsunade snapped.
Once Iruka was gone, Naruto emerged from the shadows. "Nice, baa-san!"
"I can't believe I'm actually listening to you." She then hugged the teenaged boy. Her love for him just grew over the years and she looked upon him to more than just a student. Not to mention his beauty could rival the most handsome man in the village. Tsuande guessed that was probably why he wore the mask. "I'll have your ANBU gear ready in a few hours. Just stop by after you meet up with Iruka." Naruto placed his scroll of achievement on Tsunade's desk, in which she tucked it away along with all the other achievement scrolls. The examination officer had give Naruto the ANBU-qualified seal on his scroll of achievement and Tsuanded knew that Jounin exams are never taken lightly nor judged light. If the judges says that the candidate is fit to be assigned to the special forces, then they indeed are fit. Tsunade could actually feel the talent dripping out of Naruto.
"Yeah, okay. I'll do that." Naruto nodded, heading for the open window.
"Naruto." The boy stopped and turned his unmasked face to Tsunade. "Welcome home."
Naruto merely gave her a grin, placed his mask back on and hopped off the window.
*
Iruka found himself lying on the smooth stone of the fourth's carved head. "Maa! Jiraiya-sama was right. She really does have a short temper."
He had fallen asleep in the cool afternoon breeze, the smell of pines drifting in the air. Iruka joined reality from his nap just to find the sunset in the horizon. Again, he wondered why he was spending the rest of the afternoon sitting on top of the fourth's head and doing absolutely nothing. He got to his feet and dusted his clothes. Maybe it was time he went back to the Hokage's office and said that he'd spent the whole day as she had said on the mountain and ask permission if he could go home.
He heard footsteps behind him and narrowed his eyes. He turned and came face to face with a cloaked figure. He placed his hand near his kunai holster and dropped in to a fighting stance, just in case the figure before him tried anything funny.
"Who are you?" He asked, the wind blowing gently against him and cloak figure.
The cloaked figure pulled a yellow mask off his face but kept his head dipped. His face was hidden behind the shadows of his cloak. With his other hand he pulled the hood of the cloak back. Soft locks of gold shimmered under the setting sun. Iruka felt his breath suddenly hitch in his throat. Blue eyes lifted from the ground and stared in to his, the same blue ones that were filled with mischief, innocence and loneliness and courage. They were no longer round and wide, but matured in to beautifully shaped almond ones that had a streak of seriousness as well as innocence. He was just as tall as him, messy hair only making him look taller. His shoulders were broader and he was leaner rather than skinny.
Iruka suddenly found his image blurring as tears found its way to his eyes. "N-Naruto?" He choked out.
"Tadaima." He said, voice a deep baritone and held more wisdom.
Then they were just hugging tightly and laughing their heads off. Iruka never felt so happy in his entire life. He never knew that seeing Naruto would just spark a dying flame within him. He felt lighter and the smile on his face just wouldn't leave.
"I have so much to tell you, sensei!" He said, grinning from ear to ear. He was a handsome lad and Iruka somewhat felt pride that he had taken care of this boy and taught him his first lessons in being a ninja.
"Before you say anything," Iruka pulled out a hitai ate from his pocket. It was clean and neatly kept, but several scratches on the plate and little holes on the blue material gave signs that it had been through many trials. "Here."
Naruto took it from Iruka's hands and tied it around his forehead, but made sure that his long bangs were out, along with his long ear tails. "There! Much better!" He slung an arm around Iruka's shoulder and kept on grinning. "Anou sa, anou sa! You're going to treat me to ramen right?"
Iruka only laughed and ruffled his hair lovingly as they made their way to the Hokage's office.
*
Iruka watched as Tsunade handed Naruto a bag. Naruto peeked in to it and chuckled with childish glee. Iruka found himself smiling at the sight. It felt as if it was just yesterday and Naruto had been but a little boy. Now, there he was, fully-grown and still maturing. He radiated confidence and strength. Maybe one day he really will become the Hokage.
"Everything you need is there. Come tomorrow so that I can brief you about your missions and your teammates."
"Okay." Naruto nodded and smiled at her. Not grin, or sneer, but a genuine Naruto smile. "Thanks, baa-san."
They both left the Hokage's office, and headed for Naruto's apartment where he dropped off his things before the both of them made their way to the Ichiraku. As they walked, people stopped to look and soon, whispers began to erupt again.
This time thought, Naruto was no longer disturbed by it.
Or so it seemed to Iruka.
TBC