Sorry, here come even more OC's. Don't worry, a lot of them won't last.

Chapter 9 : License and Registration

Four days later...

The afternoon sun shone down upon the village of Hidden Stone. The entire village was located within an immense dormant crater. Over a dozen stone spires jutted into the sky. These towers were studded with windows, which glinted brightly as the light hit them. Around them could be found houses and shops and other buildings, all built out of stone and mortar. One smaller mound lay at the center of the village. On the east side of the village stood a huge arena, much like that of Konoha, only far more angular. A cart rumbled to a stop beside the gates. The cart's occupants, all shinobi of the Hidden Leaf, disembarked. Naruto was the first off, practically leaping from the vehicle. Neji stepped lightly down, then helped his cousin and uncle down as well. Shikamaru, of course, was the last to get off.

Naruto looked at the town before him, whistling softly.

"Wow," Naruto breathed. "Looks like a weird version of Konoha."

"They're more different than you'd think," Sakura told him.

"What?"

Sakura held up one finger and began to explain. "Above ground the design does have a fair number of similarities to Konoha. However, you'll notice the distinct lack of training areas."

Hinata glanced about. "I guess so. Are they all outside the village?"

Sakura shook her head. "Some are, but most of them are underground."

"Underground?"

"Yep," grinned Sakura. "Hidden Stone has a huge network of caverns and tunnels beneath the surface."

"It's likely that you three will be taking most of the Dragon Exam underground," put in Kakashi.

"Won't be able to see the clouds," Shikamaru sighed. "How troublesome."

Kakashi ignored him. He continued to caution his charges. "Many ninja of this village possess a large amount of earth-based techniques. These can be especially devastating underground, so you'll have to be extra careful."

Naruto scrunched up his face and nodded.

Jiraiya yawned and stretched loudly.

"Anyway," he said. "I'd better get going. Hiashi and I have to meet with the Tsuchikage before the tournament starts. Shall we?" He turned to the Hyuuga.

"Of course," came the curt response. "Come along, Hinata, Neji."

"H-hai."

Hinata turned to Naruto, a blush on her pale face.

"G-good luck, Naruto-kun, everyone. I'll see you in the finals-"

"Assuming everything goes well," Neji smirked, touching his scarred face.

"Hmph. Don't worry about me, bright-eyes," Naruto thumped his chest, then gave Hinata his 'nice guy' pose. "We'll be fine, so don't you worry about a thing, Hinata-chan."

Her blush deepened.

Hiashi addressed them now.

"I expect you three to work hard. It would not do for you to embarrass Konoha during such an event." He looked at them all sternly, his gaze settling on Naruto last. Naruto matched the Hyuuga's stare with one of his own. After a few seconds, Hiashi nodded to himself and turned away, followed by Hinata and Neji.

"See you later, then," Jiraiya said, following the others away.

"Be careful!" Hinata called back, waving shyly as they vanished into the crowded streets.

Kakashi walked up behind Naruto. "Nice girl," he said simply, smiling.

"Yeah," Naruto said absently.

Kakashi sighed, looking at Shikamaru and Sakura. "He still doesn't quite get it."

"Give him time."

"Shut up you," Naruto grumped. He didn't understand what they were babbling about. All he had done was give Hinata some encouragement. The two of them had always helped support one another in tough times. He had given her the confidence to stand up to her fate-obsessed cousin, and then, one month later, she had returned the favor, bolstering his own confidence on the day he himself had to face Neji. They had had a conversation then, about what it meant to be a proud failure. Hinata had revealed her admiration of Naruto's indomitable spirit that day. Naruto, in turn, told her that he had always thought that she was a quiet, kind of weird girl, but then again, he liked people like that.

...liked people like that...

"Naruto?"

Naruto was jerked from his reverie. "Huh? What is it, Sakura-chan?"

"We're going," Shikamaru answered for her.


They began walking towards the arena. The village was fairly crowded at this time of day. Stone shinobi as well as regular villagers went about their business among the various shops. Some gave Kakashi glances of recognition as they passed. Most of these looks were not exactly what you'd call friendly.

"Looks like they know you around here," Shikamaru observed.

"You might say I have a bit of a history here." Kakashi adjusted his headband. "Don't let it bother you."

As they rounded another corner, the arena came into view. Around its base were a number of sturdy stone statues, presumably of famous (or infamous) Stone shinobi. Next to one of the entrance arches was a small stairwell leading under the walls.

"The tournament registration center is right below the arena," Kakashi explained to his students, pointing. He checked his watch. "I hope we're not late."

Naruto's and Sakura's temple twitched.

"You'd better hope not," they muttered.

Shikamaru shoved his hands in his pockets and sighed.

"How bothersome."

They descended, emerging into a very simple reception area. The floor was composed of mutely colored stones, while the ceiling was a light greyish brown. A number of other doors led out of the room. In between two of them sat a desk, with a sign marked 'Registration'. A pair of Stone-nin sat behind the desk, speaking to a trio of strange shinobi. The first was masked, with long blond and black hair, a black statue on his back, and vicious looking nekode claws on his hands. The second was a young woman in a kimono, bouncing up and down impatiently. The last was short and thin, with a staff. His brown hair was tied in a topknot. As Kakashi and his party entered, the small shinobi turned to look at them. His eyes rested on Naruto, then widened ever so slightly.

"Village?" came the bored question from the Stone-nin.

"None," responded Nekoarashi Edo.

"Trainer?"

"None."

"Very well," the registrar scribbled on a sheet of paper. "Names?"

"Nekoarashi Edo, Gyakusetsu Nazo, and Ke Maiyuu."

"All right. Take this number and go on in." He reached into a bag in front of him and drew out a marker with the number 36 on it.

"Looks like we weren't late," Nazo laughed. "No thanks to you two."

"We already apologized," grumbled Edo as they opened the door on the left and proceeded through.

The Konoha team proceeded to the desk.

"Village?" asked the other registrar, this one a woman with black hair and a hoarse voice.

"Leaf."

"Trainer?"

"Hatake Kakashi."

The first Stone-nin looked up, his eye falling on the Jounin. "Ah." He shrugged.

"Names?" asked the woman.

"Haruno Sakura, Nara Shikamaru, and Uzumaki Naruto."

"Hey! Why am I last?" protested Naruto.

Shikamaru smacked him. "Alphabetical, you idiot."

"Hmph."

"Take this number and proceed," the woman sounded bored as he fished through the bag and came up with a marker reading 43. "You kids take the door on the left. Instructors to the right."

"See you guys later," Kakashi told them absently as he proceeded through the right door, his face buried in his book.

Watching them leave, the two registrars stretched.

"Well, I guess that's it then. I've gotta go. You clean up and take care of any other last-minute entries, all right?"

"Of course."

He left, taking one of the other doors that led out of the room. The woman remained, drumming her fingers on the table.

"I believe I'm feeling a bit peckish," she said brightly.

She left the room as well, heading down a dim hallway. Stopping before the doors of her quarters, she withdrew a key from a pouch and unlocked the door. Quickly entering and locking the door behind her, she turned to the corner of the room. There, wriggling, lay the woman's exact twin. She was covered nearly completely from head to foot in thick webbing. Her head and neck were uncovered with the exception of her mouth which was tightly wrapped.

Hataori Kumonosu dispelled the transformation technique and stood over her helpless victim.

"Good news," she rasped. "I'm letting you go."

The woman on the floor glared, unbelieving.

"I'm letting you go...after I drain you of every last drop of blood and chakra." Kumonosu performed a quick set of hand seals. From her face, spiderlike fangs began to unfurl. The doomed woman gave one final muffled scream as the Akatsuki member descended to feed.


Kakashi found himself in a fairly small lounge. About a dozen other shinobi stood or sat around the room. A few gave him cursory glances. Those from the Village of Stone glared with hostility. Kakash ignored them, though his back stiffened as he heard a familiar voice to his left address him.

"Well, if it isn't the illustrious Copy Ninja Kakashi. Fancy seeing you here."

The Jounin snapped his book shut and put it away. "Kabuto," he said civilly.

The former Leaf ninja laughed. "You don't sound happy to see me."

"Not at all. I didn't expect Orochimaru to be so bold as to actually send his own group to take the exam."

"Whatever do you mean?" Kabuto almost sounded hurt. "The village of Sound is a legitimate Shinobi village. We have every right to participate in an official exam." He adjusted his glasses.

Kakashi gave no answer.

"We've got a strong team this time Kakashi. I imagine they'll be meeting your team soon enough."

"Don't estimate Konoha shinobi," Kakashi wagged his finger. "Last time you did that, you got your insides rearranged by someone you dismissed as worthless."

Kabuto gritted his teeth, then collected himself. "I was caught off guard then. Perhaps it is you and your team that should not underestimate us."

Kakashi wasn't listening anymore.

With a final adjustment of his glasses, Kabuto turned and strode away.

Team Leaf now found themselves in a large open room. On the far side of the room was a raised podium on a large stage. Between the stage and the new arrivals to the room were at least a hundred other shinobi.

"Eep," Naruto whispered. "This is almost as many people as there were for the Chuunin exam."

"I guess so. Let's look around."

"Why bother?" queried Shikamaru.

"Come on you lazy bastard." They began winding their way around the room, looking at their competition. The great majority of the teams present were from the village of Stone, which was hardly surprising. Other recognizable headbands included those from Grass, Rain, Mist, and Waterfall. In one corner of the room, they ran into a surprising trio.

"I-is that?" Sakura stammered.

"It is," sighed Shikamaru.

"Hey you're right! Hey Kankurou, Temari, Gaara!" Naruto called, waving.

Sure enough, there were the Sand siblings, standing aloof. They were standing near the strange trio from the registration desk. Kankurou raised his hand in greeting, giving Konoha's number one loudmouth a wide clownlike grin.

"Hey, man. Small world, huh?"

Gaara blinked, than gave a small smile. "We meet again, Uzumaki Naruto. How long has it been? Six months?"

Naruto responded in the affirmative. Sakura blinked. Gaara...smiling? The last time she could remember seeing him smile was when he fought Lee in the preliminaries. That smile was far removed from the one on his face now. It was less cruel and mad, more genuine.

Noticing Sakura's confusion, Naruto explained the situation. "During my training, me and Ero-sennin stopped for a while in the Wind country."

"Why?"

"Guess he thought the desert was the perfect place for endurance training. While we were there, I ran into these guys. I was worried at first, but it turned out Gaara's changed quite a bit from when we last met."

"He's a person now. A brother. Family," Kankurou volunteered. "Right, Temari?"

Temari wasn't listening, she was busy having a staring contest with Shikamaru.

"Hmm? Oh, yeah," she threw an arm over Gaara's shoulder. "We look out for each other." She fixed her gaze on Shikamaru again. "It's a surprise to see the Hokage giving such an incompetent ninja a dangerous mission like this." She gave a smirk.

"Heh. Troublesome woman."

"What was that?" asked Temari sweetly.

"Not a thing." Shikamaru smirked.

Naruto looked at Gaara. There was something different about him, but he couldn't quite tell what it was. He looked at him. Let's see, he's got that fancy jacket, those sandals, that gourd thing, that kanji, those eyes, the red hair with the tan bob...

"Wait...tan bob?"

"Nyurr!"

"Nyurr?" the Konoha shinobi asked dully.

"Nyurr!" Nyurr uncurled himself, leapt to Naruto's head and began chewing on his hair.

"That's Nyurr," Temari informed him. "He found Gaara about four months back. Don't worry, that's his usual greeting the first time he meets someone, or when he's reintroduced to them."

"How cute," Sakura twitched, as Nyurr went to work on her, biting and shaking her headband.

"Nyurrrr."

When Sakura and Shikamaru had suffered through their introduction, Nyurr prepared to leap back to Gaara's head. Pausing, he sniffed, then turned around and leapt straight onto Nekoarashi Edo.

"Nyurr," growled Nyurr, biting the ears on Edo's mask.

"Eh?" Edo tilted his head back.

"Sorry about that," Gaara said. "He usually doesn't attack people like that unless I'm actually having a conversation with them."

"It's all right," Edo slipped the claws off of one hand and scratched behind Nyurr's ears. "I guess he can tell that I'm a real cat person." He laughed.

"So, who are you?" Naruto asked him.

The masked shinobi tapped his mask with his clawed hand in salute. Nyurr leapt back to Gaara. "Nekoarashi Edo at your service." He gestured to his partners. "These are my friends, Ke Maiyuu and Gyakusetsu Nazo."

The other two nodded. "A pleasure."

Nazo tapped Edo on the nose with his staff. "Don't look now, we've got company."

Sure enough, three masked figures were making their way towards them.

Naruto stepped forwards. "Who-"

The outstretched arm of Edo blocked him. "I'll handle this." He stepped forward to meet the three, Maiyuu and Nazo in step behind him.

The masked shinobi came to a stop. Symbols on their hunter-nin masks denoted that they were of the nation of Lightning. The one in the center, a male, was muscular and hairless, his arms covered in tattoos. On the right was a woman with waist-length yellow-white hair. Two tonfas rested easily on her legs. She seemedunsure of herself.The last one had short black hair and a thin frame. Around his waist he wore a long blue sash covered in white sigils. He held a sharp jagged spear in his right hand.

Edo reattached his claw and gave a welcoming gesuture. "Raina-chan! Takame-kun! So good to see you!" he addressed the two on the ends, ignoring the central figure. Takame nodded tersely, while Raina shifted uncomfortably.

The leader however, was far from amused. "You bastard," he snarled.

"Oh, hello Kaigen," Edo muttered absently. "I didn't see you there."

"Treacherous whelp. You dare to show yourself"

"So, how have you two been?" Edo asked the others, ignoring the spluttering Cloud-nin once again.

Nazo and Maiyuu snickered. Takame shuddered slightly, as though barely able to prevent himself from laughing. Raina just shook her head sadly. A vein on their leader's neck throbbed angrily.

"YOU BASTARD!" he roared, ripping his mask from his face. His face was as tattooed as his arms. Blue flowing lines crisscrossed his face like water, and a yellow lightning bolt was on the right side of his jaw. As he glared at Edo, the lines turned red and became more angular, like flames. "You dare to ignore me? Me, Onoeka Kaigen, Kumogakure's legendary elementalist?" He flexed one arm and gritted his teeth.

Naruto snorted. Kaigen glanced at the Leaf and Sand ninja. He pointed

"You, children! I warn you, do not deal with this man! He is a fugitive, a traitor to the village of Clouds and everything it stands for! Those who stand with him will suffer the consequences..."

"Don't threaten kids, Kaigen. It's bad form. If you want me, you're welcome to try, but I must insist you leave others out of it."

Kaigen raised his fist.

"No fighting here, old man. There'll be plenty of time for that later."

Kaigen spat. "You won't survive this exam, whelp." Whipping his mask back on, he turned and stalked away. The other two watched him go, then turned back to Edo.

"You still can't control yourself," Takame told him. "You're needlessly antagonizing him."

"I guess I'm a slow learner."

"Heh. Watch yourself, Edo. Keep alive and maybe you'll rise to my level."

"Arrogant prick," came the friendly reply.

"I know." Takame left. This left only Raina.

"I'm sorry about this," Raina said sadly. "We're not going to be able to show any restraint."

"I understand," Edo shrugged. "The old days are over, Raina. I made my choice."

"I know," she said as she followed her teammates.

Edo turned to Naruto and company and cocked his head. "Sorry about that. If you'll excuse me." He walked away.

Nazo and Maiyuu glanced at each other.

"He's in one of those moods."

Maiyuu nodded, slapping her bouken into her palm. "I'll have to beat the cheerfulness back into him." She skipped off, Nazo trailing behind.

"Like I said," Shikamaru affirmed. "Freaks and weirdoes."

"Nyurr."

Temari smiled.

Shikamaru stepped back, accidentily treading on the foot of an obese Rain ninja walking by.

"Owwww!" bellowed the leviathan, hopping on one foot. Snarling at Shikamaru, he raised a hamfist. "Clumsy kid! I hate kids!"

"Sounds like you," Gaara told his brother. Kankurou scowled.

Before the ninja could strike, a steel bar hooked his leg, dumping him to the floor. Another Rain-nin standing behind the fat one had tripped him with an iron staff. He was dressed entirely in black, the upper half of his face covered by strange oversized goggles. On his back were a trio of black metal umbrellas.

"Don't bother, Gusuta," he purred.

"Big brother Tetsu!" squawked Gusuta from the floor. Tetsu dug his staff into his gut. "Ack!"

"I'm not your brother. They're just kids, not worth the effort right now."

"But Tetsu-san, he-"

"If it matters so much to you, you can kill him during the exam."

"What about me, then? Ahahahahaheheheeeheeoohoaaha..." came a sycophantic giggle from behind Tetsu. A thin shinobi with cropped hair and a manic grin popped up, crouching next to his fallen comrade. He poked Gusuta. "I wanna kill someone too."

Tetsu rolled his eyes. "Fine, Jo" he grunted. "When it's time, you can kill...oh, how about the one with the kitten on his head?"

"Sounds good. Hee."

Gaara narrowed his eyes and gave a wicked smile. "I invite you to try."

"Nyurr."

Tetsu shook his head. "Later, we'll finish this later. Gusuta, Jo, let's sit up by the podium." He strode away, driving his toadies before him.

"Three stooges," Naruto observed. Kankurou choked.

"Looks like you've made some new friends, Uzumaki Naruto," came a lilting female voice.

They faced the newcomers, a heavily bandaged man with lazy eyes, and a tall woman with lavender hair and a metal device on her throat.

"Sound-nin, figures," Naruto shook his head. "Might as well get the introductions out of the way. Who the hell are you people?"

"Very well. I am Sakebu Discorujia," the woman smiled.

The man scratched his head. "I don't think I have a name..." He blinked his pink and gray eyes. "Just call me Nameless."

"What about you?" asked Gaara, gesturing over his shoulder.

Naruto spun, noticing the third Sound-nin leaning against the wall, arms crossed. Nhaki raised his masked face.

"So, who are you, anyway?" Sakura asked him, face creased in an unfriendly frown.

Nhaki looked over all of them. He then looked long and hard at Naruto and Sakura. He shook his head, then answered.

"Yogo...Nhaki."

"Now that that's done, say your piece and get out," gritted Naruto. "None of us have much patience for Orochimaru and his fucking goons. I lost my best friend to that scum."

Nhaki looked at Naruto. He shrugged.

"Not my problem."

Shikamaru prevented Naruto from flinging himself at the arrogant Sound-nin. "What do you want, anyway?"

Nameless answered, as Discorujia seemed too angry from Naruto's disrespectful reference to Orochimaru.

"We just want to give our competitors a bit of strategic advice. We don't wan't you Leaf-nin dying before we get to kill you ourselves."

He drew a pile of cards from a pouch.

"Are those?"

"Kabuto-sensei's statistic cards." He held up three cards, with the pictures of the three Rain-nin: Tetsu, Gusuta, and Jo. "As you can see, the other two are nothing special. But Tetsu," he tapped the card. "Better known as Ironsides, the Cruel, or the Iron Monk, is a different matter entirely. He's one of the most promising rising assassins the Rain has. That staff is his primary weapon."

"Anything else?" Shikamaru asked.

"Heh. Sorry, not for you. Gotta have some surprises." Nameless pointed across the room. "See that big musclebound thickhead with the spear?"

Naruto squinted. "Yeah." To tell the truth it was hard to miss him. He stood head and shoulders above everyone else in the room. His hair was a huge brown mane, and he had a long pleated beard.

"Duragu Buradi, the Tsuchikage's nephew. He's the favorite to sweep the exam. I would recommend not being near him when he swings the pointy thing around. It hurts."

"How helpful of you. Anything on those Cloud-nin or Edo and his group?"

Nameless winked a teal eye at them. "Nothing on Catface or his pals. As for the Cloud, I think I've given enough freebies."

"EXCUSE ME, EVERYONE? MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE?" a voice blared from the podium. A very officious looking Jounin stood at the podium. He held a sheaf of papers in one hand, and fingered the hilt of a katana with the other. The shinobi coughed, then cleared his throat.

"Well then," he yelled in a quieter voice. "Now that I have your attention, I would like to welcome you all to the Dragon Exam. I am pleased to see so many fine shinobi here." He shuffled the papers. "With regard to the first phase of the exam, I must regretfully inform you that there will no longer be a written portion of the test..."

"YEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!" crowed Naruto. Every ninja in the room turned to look at him. "Eh hehehehe..."

"Baka," muttered Sakura, embarrassed.

The Jounin chuckled. "As I was saying. There will no longer be a written portion of the test. There will instead be a different, more difficultchallenge that will test your stealth and spying abilities."

Naruto's face fell.

"The first challenge will take place beginning at noon tomorrow. Everything will be ready by then. All teams are to report here at that time to be seperated into groups." He gave a smile. "Get plenty of rest, boys and girls. This is going to be interesting."

"Interesting, all right," Naruto planted his feet. "I won't lose to anyone!"

His companions sweatdropped.

Next Chapter : First Challenge, Infiltration!