'Four years has passed since that incident. I wonder when that brat will be back??' thought Tsunade, Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure no Sato[Hidden Leaf Village]. She sat on her chair, holding a folder with various information of the upcoming Chuunin Exam. This is the third time that Konoha will be hosting the event, something that Tsunade didn't really want. With the war ongoing against the Leaf and Sound, there wasn't much of a choice since all the other villages save for Sunagakure, had very little facilities to host the event.
Tsunade got up from her chair and walked towards the window. She stared outside , looking at the monument where 5 stone faces carved into the mountainside. Her gaze settled on the face beside hers, her thoughts brought Tsunade back to her jounin days. A memory of a energetic blonde student of Jiraiya, who had become the fourth Hokage. 'You two are so much alike' Tsunade thought as she set her gaze on the village. She quickly looked the other way as to not cry from sadness.
A village that had driven out the one person who had brought back the last of the Uchiha from joining Orochimaru. Her visage became abit angry at the very thought of her pale ex comrade. CRACK The window sill which she was holding burst into saw dust due to the pressure of Tsunade's great strength. She sighed and returned to her desk to continue working. She cast one last look at the village, quickly reminding herself why she was leader of Konoha.
A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. Tsunade quickly focused her attention to the door and answered Come in.
The door opened to reveal her apprentice Shizune. Shizune bowed and said with abit of excitement in her voice "Tsunade-sama Someone here to see you."
"Tell them I'm busy and come back later" Tsunade replied not wanting to be disturbed from her work.
"It's your comrade Tsunade-sama. He has returned with Naruto-kun." Shizune replied unable to keep her happiness any longer.
Tsunade's ears perked up at this news. "Let them in." Tsunade replied smiling back at Shizune.
Shizune moved back making way her Tsunade's guest to enter. Jiraiya entered the room followed by a cloaked figure almost the same height as Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya!" Tsuade greeted as she looked at her comrade. Nothing seemed to change about Jiraiya, he still looked the same except his hair which ad grown abit longer.
"Tsunade.." Jiraiya replied with a rather perverted grin on his face. His gaze going from Tsunade's face down to her chest. WHAM Tsunade's fist sent Jiraiya sprawling backwards right into the wall. Jiraiya's companion began to snicker.
"You still haven't changed Tsunade-Obaa-chan" Naruto said as he took of his cloak. He gave Tsunade a foxy grin and gave her a tight hug.
Tsunade smiled and returned Naruto's hug. "Welcome back Naruto." Tsunade replied as she broke the hug and began to examine him.
Naruto now wore a black jacket matched with black pants and boots. Strapped on his back was the katana that Hiei had given him and right beside it was a large black War Boomerang. Naruto still wore his forehead protector where it should be (his forehead). Hanging on his neck was the necklace that Tsunade had given him, it's green jewel shine brightly as light reflected on it. His right arm was wrapped in bandages while his left He wore fingerless gloves with a insignia marked on it.
"Well you seem to have grown up. Your Training seem to have done you good." Tsunade said as she returned to her desk and motioned for Naruto to sit. She didn't bother telling Jiraiya since the man was still unconscious.
Tsunade smiled and then pulled out a rather large cashbox from under her desk. She pushed the box towards Naruto.
"What's this Baa-chan?" Naruto asked as he carefully opened the box.
"It's your payment for those missions that you did" Tsunade replied. During the 4 years that Naruto was away with Jiraiya, Tsunade sent some missions that ranked from C to a B. Naruto of course completed them and sent back the reports to Tsunade via Jiraiya.
"Thanks Baa-chan" Naruto grinned his foxy grin.
"Think nothing of it Naruto..By the way You arrived just in time, the Chuunin Exams will be next week." Tsunade replied while clearing the papers and folders that littered her desk. Tsunade pulled out a small folder from her drawers and placed it infront of her.
"Chuunin Exam??, but..but what about a team?? Don't you need a team to be able to participate? " Naruto asked while cradling the cashbox in his lap.
"Don't worry I already assigned you to a team. They should be arriving any minute now from their mission" Tsunade replied.
After a few minutes of waiting and finally Jiraiya was conscious enought to take a seat next to Naruto, a knock on the door signalled that the team had arrive. Tsunade immdiately told Jiraiya and Naruto to hide. Jiraiya hid under the curtains while Naruto hid in the next room.
"Hokage-sama, Team 7 and Team 6 has arrive." A secretary announced as she let both teams enter.
Tsunade waited for the eight people to enter the room and hand in their report. Naruto waited impatiently for them to finish their reports.
As if on cue Naruto heard Kakashi's bored voice "Hokage-sama here's the report on the C-rank mission." Tsunade gave a nod and said they were dismissed but she told Team 6 to stay. Unknown to Naruto, Kakashi is the sensei of Team 6. Team 7 had consisted of Uchiha Sasuke , Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino with their jounin Sensei Mitarashi Anko. Kakashi still trained with Sasuke but after that incident 4 years ago..he had stopped being Team 7's sensei.
Kakashi only became Team 6's sensei recently after the orignial sensei had been killed from an attempt to assasinate one of it's members.
After team 7 left with Asuma, Kakashi took a seat infront of Tsunade waiting for her to begin. he himself was curious as to why they were asked to stay. Team 6 members were Gaara of the Desert and Hyuuga Hinata. Both of them just sat on a couch waiting for orders.
"Well the Chuunin Exams is next week and you gave them permission to join the event but your one member short." Tsuade began while reading the folder she had taken out minutes ago.
Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck while giving Tsunade a small laugh. "Eeerr You see i was hoping you could make an exception with this one" Kakashi replied with a bit of pleading.
Tsunade gave a small laugh and replied "No..I already found a solution to your problem." She stood up and walked over to the curtains. Tsunade then yanked the curtains open to reveal Jiraiya with her back turn to her. Jiraiya had his telescope out and was currently looking at the direcion of the bathhouses. Kakashi sweatdropped at this while Gaara just shook his head.
Tsunade coughed to get Jiraiya's attention. After the third cough Jiraiya still didn't respond , a blush can be seen on his cheeks. Tsunade was really pissed off now so she did what came natural to her. She punched Jiraiya into a wall while yelling "Pervert!!"
"Anyways the third member of team 6 just arrive moments ago and i would like to introduce him." Tsunade said after regaining her composure.
Hearing the signal Naruto stepped out of the other room revealing himself. He heard Hinata gasped in surprise at his appearance while Gaara just stared at him.
He gave both of them a foxy grin then directed his attention to Kakashi. "Konnichiwa Kakashi-Sensei" Naruto said giving Kakashi a small bow.
"Yo Naruto Good to have you back" Kakashi replied giving Naruto a smile that can't be seen thru his mask.
"Welcome Back Naruto-kun" Hinata greeted standing up next to her crush.
"Thanks Hinata" Naruto replied and gave her a small hug.
Kakashi gave a small laughed as he saw Hinata turn as red as a tomato from Naruto's hug. 'Well I guess things haven't change yet' Kakashi thought as Naruto an Gaara stared at each other.
"Welcome back Naruto" Gaara said without any emotion in his voice.
"Good to be back Gaara" Naruto replied while holding out his hand towards Gaara for a handshake. Surprisingly Gaara took Naruto's hand and shook it.
"Well now that's settled. You have one week to prepare for the Chuunin Exam." Tsunade said after the tension had passed.
Kakashi and team 6 quickly piled out of the office to head out to their training grounds.
Naruto looked back as an afterthought "Ne Baa-chan Where am I going to live??" He asked still thinking about his old apartment.
"Oh about that..You'll be living in your Father's house. Here are the keys Kakashi will know where it is" Tsunade replied. She then handed Naruto a set of Key's with the Keychain of the Uzumaki symbol.
Team 6 Training Grounds
Kakashi looked at his now completed team. Gaara of the Desert , Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuuga Hinata.
"Well we should get to know about each other first. So how about a spar?" Kakashi said while looking at Naruto.
Naruto grinned at him and said "Sure why not?? Who do I spar with?"
"HHmmm....Gaara " Kakashi replied while he took a set beside Gaara. Gaara stood with his arms cross and began to walk to the center of the field. Hinata watched as Naruto stood up as well and trudge after Gaara.
Gaara stood a few meters from Naruto waiting for him to attack. He gave Gaara a small grin then quickly charged forward. Gaara had already let his sand out. His defenses immediately activated from the armor of sand to the shield of sand.
Naruto already knew what to do at this point upon noticing Gaara's sand. 'Hehehe well time to show them how far I've progress' Naruto thought as he quickly flipped over and doing a hand stand. "Let's see how your Sand can withstand this..." Naruto said as he began to spin really fast. As Naruto spun he created a small tornado that started to battle with Gaara's sand. "Taste one of the Shadow Skills of the Uzumaki Clan: The Chainsaw!" Naruto exclaimed as he leaped out of the small tornado which was slowly ripping Gaara's shield of sand apart.
Gaara quickly planted his hands on the ground and yelled "Quicksand Avalanche!" A huge wave of sand came crashing down on Naruto after he landed. Quickly performing a set of handseals Naruto exhaled a huge amount of flames as he said the name of the jutsu "Katon: Karyue Endan!" The flames upon contact with the sand began to change the sand into glass. Naruto stood with a large glass like shield infront of him.
Gaara smirked as he charged forward , choosing to attack Naruto in hand to hand combat. Naruto was surprise at this since he thought Gaara didn't know taijutsu. "Don't take mo so lightly Naruto. I have been training also" Gaara replied as he swung his fist at Naruto while behind a sand fist came out and slammed into Naruto's back.
Meanwhile Kakashi and Hinata watched the two spar. Kakashi had his sharingan out trying to see if he can copy any of Naruto's jutsus. He wasn't getting any much luck, Naruto performed jutsus that he already knew. Hinata just watched in awe at her two teammates spar. 'Naruto-ken do your best' She said while continuing to observe the fight.
Back with Naruto and Gaara
Naruto smiled as he stood up from Gaara's last attack. 'This is good when suddenly Naruto noticed that the Kanji on Gaara's forehead was gone and his eyes seem to have less of the black rings. "Ne..ne Gaara what happend to your tattoo??" Naruto asked as he took a step backward dodging incoming sand shurikens that were being thrown at him. Naruto then flipped backwards to avoid a barrage of sand spikes that came shooting form underneath him.
"Shukaku is no more..." was only Gaara's reply. Without warning Gaara used one of Shukaku's techniques. "Fuuton: Renkuudan!" Gaara blew a wind blast from his mouth. the blast sent Naruto sprawling backwards.
'Damn that hurt.' Naruto thought as he wiped away the dirt from his mouth. 'Okay time to get serious' Naruto thought as he quickly got up and ran full speed a Gaara.
To Gaara it seemed as if Naruto had vanished right infront of him. Gaara quickly performed a set of hand seals created his sphere of sand to shield himself from Naruto's attack. Naruo meanwhile stopped as he saw Gaara perform his sphere of sand. 'Hhmm what to do...Ah of course' Naruto thought and began to gather chakra in his right hand while quickly doing a set of one handed seals with his other.
Naruto quickly charged forward at the sphere of sand the sound of a raging tornado at his wake. A dust cloud enveloped where Naruto was before.
Kakashi meanwhile tried desperately to follow Naruto's movements. "Nani?? Naruto's that fast?? I cna;t even see him" Kakashi said out loud while letting his gaze settle on where Gaara was.
Hinata of course activated her Byakugan to see thru the sphere. She was able to see Naruto before he vanished and it was disturbing too. "Ano..Sensei..Naruto is wearing weights" Hinata quietly informed her teacher while she herself was shock at the speed Naruto was going.
'Weights? He's wearing weights and run at that speed?? That speed even surpasses Gai or Rock Lee..Even Me!' Kakashi thought.
An explosion disrupted his thoughts when he saw Naruo appear before the Sphere of Sand and ram an attack at it.
"Kaiser Knuckle!" Naruto yelled as he rammed his fist into the hardened sand. The spinning of the wind created a drill that then caused sphere of sand to dissolve. Gaara stood inside smirking at Naruto.
"You have grown stronger Uzumaki" Gaara said as he gave Naruto a rare smile. Naruto just replied with a grin then broke into laughter.
"Well done both of you..return here tomorrow for a mission..Dismissed" Kakashi said.
"Ne Ne Kakashi-Sensei!! Where's my father's house??" Naruto asked before Kakashi could disappear. Kakashi smiled and replied "It's beside the Hyuuga Clan Mansion. Well Cya tomorrow and Don't be late." This earned him a glare from Naruto and Hinata. Gaara had just snorted and wave a bye to Kakashi. Kakashi then disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"I will see you guys tomorrow.." Gaara said bidding his farewel to his two teammates.
"Bye Gaara" Naruto said while turning to Hinata.
Hinata was twidling with her index fingers trying not blush. 'I'm alone with Naruto-kun' She thought as she felt Naruto tap on her shoulder.
"Ne Ne Hinata-chan..Can I walk you home?" Naruto asked while giving her a warm smile. Hinata almost fainted when Naruto said those words.
"Su..Sure" Hinata replied while trying not to faint at the very thought of Naruto walking her home.
So Naruto and Hinata began to walk through the busy streets of Konoha towards the Hyuuga Mansion. On their way there they talked about the training that they went thru. Hinata suddenly stopped and looked at Naruto in the eye.
"Naruto-kun...I have something to te..tell you" Hinata said while trying to stop herself from trembling in nervousness. Naruto just stared at her for a few moment, then gave her a small warm smile.
"okay..What is it??" Naruto said while trying not to blush from Hinata way of holding his hand. 'She has beautiful eyes' Naruto thought.
"Well ever since our academy days I've watched you from afar." Hinata started while moving abit closer to Naruto. "After you left...Tsunade told us about your past...including the fourth's sacrifice." Hinata continued, squeezing Naruto's hand affectionately. She saw Naruto's pained expression when she said this. She quickly gave Naruto a hug of assurance.
"Naruto-kun..thanks to you i was able to find the courage to confront my father. you gave me courage to regain my rightful place as Heir. I've always admired you from afar but now I want to tell you that I love you" Hinata said as she hugged NAruto even more. Naruto returned the hug while trying to keep himself from crying. To no avail tears began to stream down his face, Naruto then pulled back and stared at Hinata.
"Hinata-chan I never knew you felt this way..Maybe I was too dense to notice you before but ever since I left I thought of you.." Naruto said then surprised Hinata with a kiss on the cheek. Hinata blushed at this and then returned the kiss as well on Naruto's cheek. They parted and then continued to walk towards the Hyuuga Mansion.
Upon arrival both of them saw Neji waiting outside the gates. "Hinata-sama Hiashi-tousan is waiting for you inside" Neji said as both of them approached him. It was then that Neji noticed Hinata's companion. He immdiately stood infront of Hinata , ready to defend her.
"Who are you?" Neji asked while trying to remember where he saw those familiar blue eyes before.
"An old friend" was Naruto's reply as he just stood there calmly. "So Hyuuga Neji got promoted to Chuunin" Naruto said , noticing the chuunin vest that Neji now wore under his normal attire.
Finally Neji was able to recognize the man standing before him. "Naruto??" Neji asked only to confirm his suspicions. Naruto just nodded and then gave him his trademark Foxy Grin.
"Welcome back Naruto" Neji said after shaking Naruto's hand in friendship. Naruto just laughed and said his goodbyes to the two.
"I'll see you tomorrow Hinata-chan" Naruto said after giving Hinata a small peck on the cheek. Neji just smirked at this and wave a bye to Naruto.
"Oh and Neji..Don't tell anyone I'm back" Naruto called back as an after thought. Neji just nodded and went inside after Hinata who ran into the house blushing.
Naruto then walked towards his new house which just as Kakashi said right beside the Hyuuga Mansion.
Teacher Meeting
Tsunade sat in her desk while gazing on all of the teachers of the various genin teams. "Team 6 , 7 ,8 , 9 and 10 please step forward." Tsunade commanded.
Mitarashi stepped forward right beside Hatake Kakashi, Sarutobi Asume, Yuuhi Kureni and Maito Gai.
"I, Mitarashi Anko, Jounin teacher of Team 7 appoint Uchiha Sasuke , Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino to participate in the Chuunin Exams." Anko reported.
"Hatake Kakashi appoints Team 6 to participate in the Chuunin Exams." Kakashi said with a rather bored tone in his voice.
"Hey He can't appoint them He lacks 1 member!" A jounin from behind them complained. Asuma , Gai and Kurenai also began to complain about it.
"Enough!" A voice from behind the curtain called out. Silence suddenly washed over the room as Jiraiya stepped out.
Tsunade looked back and smiled at her teammate.
Realization then came to the Jounin teachers. Soon whispers were heard from the crowd. "So that damned Fox is back" One Jounin said while another said "i thought he died"
BAM. The two jounins, let's call them Bob and Andrew, were thrown into the wall by Kakashi and Jiraiya. Both of them held kunai's to their throats. Bob was sweating like a fountain from the way Jiraiya was glaring at him. Andrew tried hard not to be scared but sure enough the sound of water dripping on the floor was heard. Andrew had peed his pants because of the way Kakashi's kunai was digging into his skin. "He has a name" Kakashi coldly whispered into Andrew's ear.
"So Uzumaki Naruto is back?? In Kakashi's team also" Asuma said while lighting a cigarette. He blew smoke and casually said "Goodat least now Sasuke can have a challenge."
'Riight Naruto a challenge to Sasuke?' Kakashi thought as he remembered the way his student sparred with Gaara.
Tsunade coughed and said "Continue." She was oblivious to what just happend, personally she would have ripped the two Jounins apart for insulting Naruto who had become like a little brother to her.
"Sarutobi Asuma appoints Team 10 Sarutobi Konohamaru , Udon and Moegi to participate in the Chuunin Exams" Asuma reported while blowing some smoke from his cigarette.
"Maito Gai appoint my explosive team of youthful passion Team 9 Rock Lee, Aburame Shino and Subaku no Temari to participate in the Chuunin Exams" Gai said while giving Tsunade his nice guy pose.
Tsunade sweat dropped at this and motioned for the last of the rookie nine teachers to appoint her team.
"Yuuhi Kurenai appoints Team 8 Inuzuka Kiba , Tenten and Subaku no Kankuro to participate in the Chuunin Exams" Kurenai said.
Tsunade nodded then signed the twelve forms and gave it to the respective teachers.
"Dismissed" Tsunade said adjourning the meeting. Jiraiya followed her back to the office.
When they reached the office Tsunade made Jiraiya sit.
"Okay tell me how did Naruto's training go?" Tsunade said while leaning back in her chair.
Jiraiya gave a sigh and began his story right after they left Genkai's dojo...
Next Chapter: First Chuunin Test, Reunion of old Rivals and a sample of Naruto's bloodline.
Who wants to see Konohamaru beat up sakura please place it in the review...