rOnegai! Tsunade-Hime
Thank you for all the Reviews! They inspire me to write even more.
Italics are thoughts
Chapter 3: Shiken(Exam)
"Don't worry, I know just the place" Sandaime said.
Sandaime led Tsunade through the town, pointing out certain areas along the way "As you can see, Tsunade, Konoha prospered since the end of the war. Businesses are thriving and children can play safely in the streets, we no longer need to worry about an attack although we still keep security tight, since there are those who still bear ill will against Konoha" Sandaime stopped in the middle of his explanation to look at Tsunade, who was looking at everything with an amazed look. "Amazing isn't it Tsunade?" Sandaime asked.
Snapping out of her reverie, Tsunade replied "Hai" I can't believe this is Konoha Tsunade thought,
Everything looks so peaceful. The usual tension that was present in the atmosphere is gone. Averting her gaze from a nearby store, she asked the Sandaime "This was what Ojii-sama and everyone were fighting for, right sensei?" her face softening.
"Yes, Tsunade, this was what Shodaime-sama and Nidaime-sama were fighting for, peace"
The two of them stopped in front of a rather extravagant looking inn. The sign out front said "Inagawa". Sandaime stepped inside and approached the counter "Excuse me. I would like to rent a room for my niece here."
The elderly woman who was slightly dozing off behind snapped to attention and greeted them with a warm smile "Ara? Hokage-Sama? Please excuse my behavior, the inn has been very busy lately and-"
"No need to apologize, it's quite alright" Sandaime said "As I was saying, I would like to book a room for my niece. She has recently arrived from Earth country and will be staying here for a while until she can set up permanent residence." That was not too far from the truth, except for the niece part, everything fitted perfectly, Tsunade had come from Earth country albeit, by a very unorthodox method, but the innkeeper did not need to know that.
The innkeeper directed her gaze at Tsunade "It is an honor to have a relative of the Hokage staying in our inn." She said then bowed. Tsunade did likewise "Thank you"
The innkeeper reached behind the desk and pulled out a key "Here is the key to your room, Please excuse me, I did not catch your name"
It would sound strange or suspicious if people find out that I'm named after someone famous who is supposed to be older than I look. From what I gather of sensei's speech a while ago, There seems to be another, older me in this time. It would be wiser if I use a false name Tsunade thought "Reiko, Shimada Reiko, pleased to meet you."
Handing the key to Tsunade, the innkeeper said "Your room is down the hall, Reiko-sama, it is the one with the number seven on it. If you would like, there is an onsen in the back, use it as you wish. There is also a pachinko parlor and gambling area downstairs if you are into that. If there is something you need, feel free to ask any our staff." And with that the innkeeper walked away.
Knowing of Tsunade's "problem" Sandaime pulled out his wallet and handed Tsunade a few bills "Here's some money don't spend it all on gambling alright" but his words fell on deaf ears as Tsunade swiped the money from his hands and disappeared downstairs.
Sandaime was about to step out of the building when a hand gripped his shoulder. "Sensei, could you lend me some more money?" Sandaime turned around to discover that it was none other than Tsunade.
"What! You lost it all?" Sandaime shouted.
"Hai" Tsunade replied sheepishly
Sandaime facefaulted, "But it's only been five minutes!" he said after standing up.
"Well you know I'm a bit unlucky sensei" Sandaime directed a skeptical look her way "Okay ALWAYS unlucky but I just can't help it."
Sandaime sighed and pulled out another wad of bills "This the last amount I am going to give yo-" but he was unable to finish his sentence as Tsunade once again swiped the bills from his hand and disappeared downstarirs. Not wanting any more of his money to be taken, Sandaime immediately poofed away.
Later or should I say 5 minutes later…
Tsunade lowered herself into the hot bath and relaxed as the water soothed and relaxed. This is great I never got a chance to relax like this during the war. She looked down at herself and noticed the necklace that hung from her neck Nawaki I wish you would have been able to see this. Konoha is at peace all the fighting, the sacrifices, it's all over.
(A/N: Sorry if I dragged that scene out too long)
SCENE CHANGE-
It was the day of the genin exam and it was Naruto's turn.
"Alright Naruto, to pass this exam you need to make three bunshins, you can do that RIGHT?" Iruka asked from the examiners' table.
Naruto laughed then said "No problem Iruka-sensei this'll be a piece of cake" he then formed a handseal and shouted "Bunshin no Jutsu" there was the explosion of smoke and for a while, nothing happened until…, it started raining forearms in the examination room. The examiners suddenly found themselves being held by forearms in all sorts of places although Iruka can be seen seething and a vein visible on the side of his forehead. The vein only increased in size as the forearm that had latched onto his shoulder pulled itself to the side of his face and stuck a finger in his ear.
"NARUTO! YOU FAIL!" Iruka shouted while removing the appendage, after which he threw at Naruto, Hitting him dead center in the groin.
As Naruto collapsed, the other chuunin examiner, Mizuki, turned to Iruka "Iruka-sensei why don't we just let him pass. I mean, it is his fourth time you know" Iruka gave Mizuki a stern look "Mizuki-sensei, to pass this test, a student must be able to make at least three bunshins. Failing to do so will result in not passing the exam. Just look at this" Iruka gestured at the room filled with wiggling forearms "He could not even make a proper bunshin if we let him become a genin now it will only result in disaster"
At his swing, Naruto looked at the parents that came to congratulate their children for passing the genin exam.
Two parents were looking in Naruto's direction "Hey, isn't he you know that" one parent whispered "I'm glad they didn't let that boy graduate after all he is the-" "SHHH We're not allowed to talk about that in public, you know the law."
Back at his swing, Naruto was about to continue sulking when a figure covered his light. "Hey shrimp what are you doing all the way over here?" Naruto looked up from his position to find Tsunade staring down at him.
"Oh, It's just you" Tsunade looked offended by the statement she was about to retort when Naruto got up from his swing and started running to the opposite direction of the academy.
"Oi, Where are you going?" Tsunade shouted but it was too late, Naruto was gone.
It's the fourth huh Naruto thought as he gazed at the sunset. After his run in with Tsunade, Naruto decided to visit one of his favorite spots in Konoha, the top of the Hokage monument.
"I didn't expect to see you here Naruto-kun" a voice called out from behind Naruto. He glanced it the direction of the voice and saw the other chuunin examiner, Mizuki. "Don't be too angry at Iruka-sensei, he's only doing his job" he said as he took a sat down next to Naruto.
A few minutes of silence passed "Shall I tell you about the "special" method of passing the genin exam" Mizuki inquired. Naruto looked up from his sitting position at Mizuki's face.
SCENE CHANGE-
Iruka was awakened from his sleepby a loud knockingthat could be heard from his door Who could it be at this hour? he opened the door to find Mizuki behind it and breathing heavily.
"Iruka! It's Naruto, he's stolen the scroll of forbidden seals!" Mizuki shouted "Hokage-sama has ordered all available ninja to search for him and retrieve the scroll" and with that, Mizuki turned and left.
Iruka quickly dressed and ran out of his house, locking the door on the way. Why would Naruto take the scroll of forbidden seals? It doesn't make any sense Iruka thought while jumping across rooftops. There is only one place Naruto could be if they have not found him yet. Iruka hoped that he could find Naruto first so that a big misunderstanding could be prevented.
In the streets below a lone kunoichi noticed that jounin and chuunin are moving about in such a fashion that was only seen during attacks or if an intruder is found What's going on? Isn't that the shrimp's teacher? Maybe something happened to the brat. And with that thought, Tsunade leaped up from the streets.
SCENE CHANGE-
"Yosh that's one technique down, maybe Iruka-sensei will let me pass the exam now" Naruto stood in a small area with a fallen log, panting from exhaustion. Hearing someone drop from the trees behind him, Naruto turned to face the newcomer.
"Naruto! What are you doing with the scroll of forbidden seals" Iruka said after dropping from his hiding spot in the trees. Exhaustion could be clearly seen from his face as he was panting and sweating heavily.
"Hehe it looks like I've been found" Naruto saide while scratching the back of his head in embarrassed manner "Ano sa…Ano sa…Sensei, I've learned one of the techniques from this scroll now you'll let me pass right? right?" Naruto exclaimed while bouncing around Iruka that could only be attributed to Naruto's hyper behavior.
He's been training all this time? Iruka thought as he examined the Naruto's condition "What are you talking about Naruto?" he questioned as Naruto's last statement sunk in.
"You know, that if I master a technique from this scroll you let me pass the genin exam, Mizuki sensei said so." Naruto explained through closed eyes.
"Mizuki did" Iruka managed to say before suddenly grabbing Naruto and shielding him from a giant shuriken that would have otherwise cleaved Naruto in half.
"Thank you for retrieving the scroll for me Naruto-kun, now hand it over" called a voice that belonged to none other than Mizuki, who was perched on one of the trees in the area.
"Naruto don't listen to him, he only wants the scroll for himself!" Iruka shouted from where he positioned himself after removing the shuriken.
"Shall I tell you a secret Naruto-kun? About why the village direct those cold looks at you? About why they hate you?" Mizuki shouted.
Naruto froze in his place and looked at Iruka "S-Sensei w-what's he talking anout?" fear clearly seen in his eyes.
"I'll tell you then, you know the demon fox that attacked years ago right? It was said that the fox was destroyed by the Yondaime but that's not true. The truth is it was sealed into a new born baby..you"
It all makes sense the cold stares the hate directed at me Naruto thought as visions of the cold stares he received in Konoha came to mind.
"That's right Naruto you're the demon fox, responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people, Iruka's parents included. Did you actually think he was being nice to you? No, he was only waiting for his chance to avenge his parents' death."
Naruto looked at Iruka, terror clearly visible on his face "Wait! Naruto, it's not like that" Iruka shouted as he saw Naruto bolt into the forest.
"Wait! Demon" Mizuki shouted as he chased after Naruto. Iruka stood up and also gave chase.
Mizuki saw Naruto and threw his giant shuriken "I've got you!" Naruto was sliced cleanly in half only to explode in a puff of ninja smoke, a log sliced in half replacing him."Kawarimi?" Mizuki saw another Naruto and jumped after giving him a kick in the side. Naruto hit a tree and exploded in a puff of ninja smoke, revealing Iruka.
"Still protecting the demon, Iruka?"Mizuki said to the fallen Iruka with a sneer.
"He's not a demon, he is one of my precious talented students" Iruka said "He may have low grades and he just pulls pranks most of the time but Naruto is one of the most hardworking ninja that I have ever seen"
"Very nice Iruka you can tell that to him when you meet in the next world!" Mizuki said as he pulled out a kunai and thrust it toward Iruka only to stop halfway when a kunai flew from his left and hit his arm.
"Don't you dare lay a finger on Iruka-sensei" Naruto shouted from his position, the scroll of seals placed near him "If you try to hurt Iruka-sensei again, I'll kill you!" a strong wind blew across the area as Naruto formed a hand seal "Kagebunshin no Jutsu!" there was a huge puff of smoke and when it cleared, Narutos covered the entire forest. Mizuki stumbled back and fell "Hey what's wrong huh?" shouted the multiple Narutos in unison. "If you''re not going to attack, then we will!" and thus commenced the most painful experience in Mizuki's life.
Dawn had arrived and with the beaten Mizuki behind him Naruto looked at Iruka "I did it sensei" he exclaimed before falling like a sack of bricks.
From his palce near the tree, Iruka smiled He mastered such a high level ninjutsu in such a short time, absolutely amazing Naruto. "Naruto come here" Naruto stood up and then sat down in front of Iruka and to his surprise, Iruka placed the hitaiate on Naruto's forehead "Congratulations, You pass the genin exam Naruto"
Naruto looked at the forehead protector, tears about to burst from his eyes "A-Arigatou Iruka-sensei!"
From her spot in the trees, Tsunade clearly saw all that transpired, smiling to herself she thought The shrimp's not half bad before disappearing.