Chapter 7: Unlikely Partners

Naruto slid backward across the floor of the dojo. He halted his momentum with a hand and took a low stance. Then he smirked up at Sasuke, proud to have withstood his attack without falling this time. The ten-year-old boy ignored his trembling muscles. He could hurt later. Right now, he had a sparring match to win.

Two years of dedication had led him to this. He would use everything Obito taught him to get the upper hand against Sasuke, without losing control.

"Heh," Naruto said, "told ya I'd do it this time."

"So you got a little faster and you can block me now," Sasuke shot back. Waves of chakra thick enough to make hairs raise on Naruto's arms flowed within his transformed eyes. "Big deal."

"There's more where that came from!"

"Oh yeah?" The Uchiha gestured in invitation. "Then come, Naruto!"

Not needing to be asked twice, Naruto blinked out of view and dashed around the battlefield. Sasuke followed his opponent with rapid movements of his crimson eyes. Clone Zetsu's semi-exposed head stared down at them from the ceiling. Both boys were so used to him monitoring their training sessions by now that they tended to forget he was there the majority of the time. Today, however, a tingle ran down Naruto's spine. Something was off about their white-skinned parental figure, but the blond was too busy attacking to stop and question him.

He rushed toward Sasuke with chakra focused into his feet. Naruto switched to a zigzag formation as he approached. The considerable speed boost and unusual attack style put his adoptive brother on the defensive. Weaving a few quick hand signs, Sasuke sucked in a breath, then spat a flurry of flaming projectiles.

Same old boring Fire Style, huh? Naruto mused, smirking while he evaded Sasuke's Phoenix Flower Jutsu.

Body Flickering behind Sasuke, he formed a hand sign. A loud clang distracted him from finishing the sequence. He looked up in time to see two kunai ricocheting off of one another, sending the second on a collision course with his head. In the fraction of a second he had to take the moment in, Naruto realized he'd been tricked. While he was busy avoiding getting burned, Sasuke was setting up a trap by leading him to this exact spot.

The kunai zipped downward and stabbed into the ground, revealing a faded afterimage of Naruto that was not tangible. Sasuke clicked his tongue in annoyance, scanning for the real Naruto with his Sharingan.

"That Clone Jutsu won't help," he called out as he searched. "You know that."

There were few places to hide, so it took all of a few seconds for Sasuke to catch on. He looked up just in time to deflect Naruto's arm as he tried to land a surprise punch. Tenacious as ever, the blond rolled onto his feet and engaged Sasuke again, this time setting off a smoke bomb for cover.

The area became impossible to see in for Sasuke, so he instead closed his eyes and waited. He listened with care, dodging a few shuriken just before they would have made contact. Footsteps nearby clued him in on Naruto's location, so he leapt toward him with a powerful axe kick.

Naruto came barreling out of the smoke cloud. He was prevented from flipping onto his feet when Sasuke pressed a knee into him, holding a kunai against his throat to secure a victory.

"Nice try, loser," he said with a smile. "But I win this one."

"That so?" Naruto chuckled, activating a seal on the floor. The faded markings lit up, paralyzing Sasuke on the spot. "Neat trick, huh?"

Casually pushing Sasuke's kunai-wielding hand aside, Naruto hummed a tune and took his time getting to his feet. He dusted himself off and looked back at Sasuke. The latter struggled and grunted, but could do little more than tremble in place. He was unable to break out of the technique, and they both knew this knowledge infuriated him. Naruto chuckled, taking sick enjoyment out of watching his prey squirm.

Guess I haven't lost my pranking skills after all.

Sasuke was not one to be outdone. The immobilized Uchiha summoned another influx of chakra and channeled it into his eyes. The world around them fell away, pulling Naruto into a new one of Sasuke's own making. He gasped, berating himself for not being on guard.

Darn it! Never make eye contact. Come on, Naruto! You know this stuff!

"Feeling afraid, runt?" said a booming voice inside Naruto's subconscious.

He didn't remember closing his eyes, but somehow opened them to find he was outside of The Nine Tails' cage. The fox laughed, a gust of its hot breath hitting him and making him simmer with irritation.

"What the hell do you want?" Naruto spat, turning and starting to walk away. "Actually, never mind. I couldn't care less."

"Such attitude," the beast cooed. "You really have grown. I've been watching all this time, but seeing you up close and personal feels different somehow."

Naruto froze in place, but didn't look back. "Whatever. Why are you talking to me again after so long, anyway? I haven't needed you for the past two years. What makes you think I do now? I'll find a way out of this stupid Genjutsu without y-"

"You and I both know you'll lose if you go back out there as you are now."

Although it hurt to admit, Naruto couldn't deny those words. He'd learned so much from Obito since moving here. He was no longer the same naive boy who fled The Leaf that day, but countering Genjutsu was still one of his weaker areas. Even with his back turned, Naruto sensed the fox's eyes on him, examining the unwilling Tailed Beast host like a mildly interesting insect. Knowing he hit a nerve. Relishing in that fact.

Naruto clenched his fists and turned around. He gave the fox a reluctant frown. "Alright. What are you getting at?"

The dim light of the cavernous space glinted off of one of the amused creature's giant teeth. He flashed a mocking grin. "Part of you really is enticed by my power, eh?"

"You wish. Just tell me what's up or I'm outta here. Sasuke's gonna suppress you soon anyway."

"Of course I know that, kid."

Heavy silence set in. Naruto's breath caught as he waited to hear what this was all about.

"So," the fox said, "I see you've come a long way toward your goal of making that village pay for its wrongs against you. I've watched you learn and grow at a rate I never would have expected. Not only in abilities, but in embracing darkness." The Nine Tails laughed, sending another tremor throughout the mindscape. "I never thought you had it in you to hate that village or The Fourth even half as much as I. But I can feel your raw anger. In the current you, the negative emotions you once denied now come as naturally as breathing does."

Fear gripped Naruto like a vice. Saying he felt nothing while standing in front of those shining red eyes and large, sharp teeth would be a lie. The gate between them added a small amount of reassurance that he wasn't in danger. This time, the seal was reinforced. Still, echoes of his and Sasuke's first time here persisted.

Naruto glared, refusing to cower like he had years ago. "So what's your point? This your way of giving me a pat on the back or somethin'?"

"You could say that," the fox replied. "To be honest, Naruto, I've come to like this new you. You're perfectly in tune with your real self. You've embraced that darkness. As a token of my goodwill, I'm offering you some of my power."

"Hah! You're crazy. Why would I want that chakra? If it means turning into that thing you made me again, I'd rather take my chances breaking the Genjutsu on my own." Naruto started back in the other direction. "Like I said, haven't needed ya for two years, and I don't now either."

"Naruto-"

"Bite me."

"I won't try to take over your body this time." The familiar red miasma filled the room, putting Naruto on edge until he realized it wasn't on the attack. "This chakra, I offer you freely."

Wave upon wave of potent energy infused itself into Naruto. He was speechless as the once life-threatening red chakra made harmless contact with him. He almost forgot that this wasn't the real world, until-

Sasuke snapped in front of Naruto's face twice. "Naruto! Naruto, wake up."

Feral growling emitted from the unresponsive Jinchuuriki. He was crouched low as if about to strike. His angry red eyes kept a strained focus on Sasuke. Nine Tails chakra seeped from his sharp claws that dug into the dojo floor. The added protective seal Obito implemented made the place nigh-indestructible, so unlike Naruto's last outburst, there was no structural damage.

Sasuke harnessed a larger amount of chakra than usual and injected his will into Naruto's seal dimension. The transformed host flinched, then slowly lost his animalistic features and dark chakra. In a few seconds he had returned to normal.

"Still with us?" Sasuke teased.

A weary Naruto shook himself out of a daze. He looked from Sasuke to Zetsu's clone and nodded. "I'm good. Thanks, Sasuke."

"You were a little more far gone that time," the Uchiha said. "Everything okay?"

"I don't think you'd believe me if I told you."

"Really?" He gestured behind him to Zetsu, who stood by the front door. "We live with a talking plant."

Naruto laughed. "You've got a point. I'll tell you about it over dinner."

"Deal."

"Hey!" Zetsu called out. "What are you saying about me over there?"

The boys shared a sly smile while Zetsu gazed with suspicion from the other side of the dojo. They locked two fingers together. This tradition, The Unison Sign, was one of the few things they retained from their old lives. Performing the gesture was a way to show good will to an opponent after a battle. While they may not have cared for The Leaf anymore, they did respect one another as fellow ninja.

"Hey," Zetsu said when they approached the front door. They were in the middle of a conversation that stopped when he was within earshot. "Are you boys making fun of me?"

"'Course not, Uncle Zetsu," Naruto said in an unconvincing tone.

He and Sasuke looked at Zetsu, then at each other. Their secretive grins returned. They walked to either side of the doorway and placed their hands against intricate markings etched into the wall. The barrier came down with a soft hum. Naruto snickered as he exited the dojo. Sasuke nudged him in the side and threw a furtive glance over his shoulder.

"How rude," Zetsu said, pointing a finger. "You two are laughing at some inside joke about me, aren't you?"

His words fell on deaf ears.

"Last one to the dinner table doesn't get any spice rolls!" Naruto shouted before taking off in the direction of their house.

"Hey, get ba…" Zetsu trailed off. He and Sasuke stared at each other for five seconds straight before the latter bolted out of sight. "Hold on, you guys! Don't change the subject!"

Naruto and Sasuke squeezed through the door to their dining room alongside one another. They both slammed a palm down on opposite sides of the table while smiling at each other in triumph. The race left them drenched in sweat.

"I won," Naruto panted.

"What? No you didn't!"

"I did too! My toe made it through the door before yours."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "That's the dumbest reasoning I've ever heard. I touched the table a fraction of a second before you did. It's not about who made it here first, it's about who made it to the table first."

"Stop making up rules! Besides, we touched the table at the same time."

"Like you'd be able to tell better than me." Sasuke pointed to his face, showing Naruto that his Sharingan eyes were active. "And Naruto, I'm just going by the rules you set up."

"Actually," said another voice, "you both lose."

The boys turned to the side and gasped. Zetsu's head was sticking out of the wooden dining table. He smiled at them in his usual creepy fashion. "First one to the dinner table, right? That would be me, and I saw you both come in at the same time. So I guess I get these." Zetsu eyed the plate of spice rolls near the center of the table.

Naruto grunted. "Oh, come on! That's cheating. You traveled underground."

"It's about as fair as your stupid toe argument," Sasuke chimed in. He shrugged, satisfied with seeing Naruto lose even if not by his hands.

"Ugh. Sasuke, you jerk!" He turned back to Zetsu. "Mr. Zetsu, you don't even eat! You're just trying to torture us."

"Someone who makes fun of his guardian shouldn't throw stones," Zetsu countered. He melded with the table once more, letting his hands emerge to grab the plate of spice rolls and shovel it into his open mouth.

The boys sank to the floor in silent defeat.

"I win, I win, I win!" their antagonizer sang, swaying his hands from side to side.

"A dancing table?" Naruto said, casting a weary glance toward the spectacle. "Definitely never wanted to see that."

"This is still better than the time you asked how he ate," Sasuke said. He shuddered as the memory resurfaced. "I vote before we wipe out The Leaf, we destroy him, too."

"Sounds good."

They took their seats and grabbed pairs of chopsticks with synchronized sighs. The notably spice roll-less meal seemed to almost mock the hungry boys.

Obito phased through the door not long afterward. He stopped on his way to his seat, removed his mask, and patted his students on the head. Then he took a seat beside Zetsu's clone. "How did the independent training go?"

"Wait till you hear who Naruto saw today," Sasuke said between bites.

Their adoptive father craned his neck. "Oh?"

"Hey, don't ruin my story," the Uzumaki complained, spitting food across the table. "I was gonna build up to that!"

Sunset brought a warm red glow through the windows. Their strange little family ate together and fell into casual conversation, just like they had countless nights prior. Naruto noticed a lightness in his chest and couldn't help but smile to himself. In a way, this was what he always wanted.

Naruto almost tripped from surprise when he heard a certain conversation while passing through the local town. Late that afternoon, he was passing the big tree on the way home and saw a few kids playing across the street. He had played tag a few times with them before, but that was ages ago. They were younger and less mature than him, so he lost interest once the novelty of not being treated like a pariah wore off. He was twelve now and growing too old to concern himself with childish things. Now all that mattered was focusing on getting stronger so he could destroy The Leaf.

At the moment, they were using makeshift headbands fashioned from rags and doing sloppily executed hand sign sequences. One of them ran while the other two chased him. Their mock ninja battle made Naruto feel weirdly nostalgic about his time at the academy. Memories of Iruka-sensei chewing him out for not paying attention or pulling yet another prank drew a wistful chuckle out of him before he could stop himself. Not wanting to be reminded of that sham of a life, he kept walking and wondered if Sasuke was home yet.

That was when he heard something that caught his interest.

"No way! Where'd you hear that?"

"He's gotta be lying!" a girl in the group said.

"Nuh-unh!" the accused boy defended. "I heard Dad saying he is gonna get tickets for us to go see the Chunin Exams finals this year. It's gonna be in The Leaf Village. We'll get to see real ninjas fight!"

"Wow, cool!" said another kid.

Naruto stood there in shock, numb to everything else around him. Sasuke appeared in his peripheral vision and tried to get his attention with a pat on the shoulder. The blond gasped back to life and turned to his brother. Noticing there were other civilians around, he remembered to stay in character.

"Sorry, Kamo. Hey."

"What's going on, Menma?"

"Psst," Naruto whispered, cupping his hand near Sasuke's ear, "listen. Over there, those kids are talking about The Leaf."

"It's in two months," said the boastful boy, puffing out his chest. "Dad said it's my early birthday present."

"Awesome!" the other boy said. "You'll really get to go to The Leaf?"

The girl dropped her arms at her sides, her interest diminished. "Two months?! That's like, a year from now!"

"Yeah," the first boy replied, "but still!"

"I mean, it's still the Chunin Exams," she admitted with a sigh. "You're so lucky, Tenko."

"Heheh! I guess I am."

Past this point, Sasuke tuned out. "What are the Chunin Exams?"

Naruto shrugged. "I dunno. Let's ask Obito."

When their father arrived home a couple of hours later, that's exactly what they did. Obito was barely through the front door before his sons peppered him with questions.

"Hey, hey, hey!" he said, waving them back and pulling off his mask. "Hang on."

Cloned Zetsu walked in from another room and greeted him. "Are they already talking your ear off? It's all they could think about while you were away, Obito."

"Huh?" Obito took a seat on the couch. "What's going on?" He patted the cushions on either side of him and waited for the boys to join him.

"We heard the kids in town talking about the Chunin Exams," Sasuke explained with a flat stare.

"Yeah!" Naruto added, albeit much more animated than Sasuke. "They said it's being held in The Leaf Village in two months! What's a Chunin Exam?"

"Exactly what it sounds like," Obito replied with a dragging sigh. He put his arms around them and leaned back to rest, taking them along with him. "Every couple of years, a tournament of sorts is held to test all Genin-level ninja. Outside of receiving a special recommendation or succeeding on an exceptionally risky mission, it's the only way to get promoted to Chunin."

"So…" Sasuke paused, cupping his chin. "So then, all of our old classmates will be there?"

"Yes. Well, at least those nominated by their assigned sensei. It's uncommon that all students are recommended."

Naruto balled his fists, plagued by memories of his former peers. People who all treated him like trash. People who never believed in him or cared for him. He forced himself, with difficulty, to tune back into the conversation. Intel was power. That's one thing he'd learned in his time with this 'family.' He needed to soak up every detail he could get out of Obito about that wretched place.

"What are the rules?" Sasuke pressed. "Tell us more about the exams."

"Calm down," Obito hissed. "I'm getting to it."

Naruto's jaw was on the floor by the time his guardian was finished explaining everything. His speechlessness didn't last long, though. He climbed onto Obito and pulled at his collar.

"Ooh!" Naruto said, shaking his notably fatigued adoptive parent. "Mr. Obito, can we go? Can we go?"

"It's not a bad idea," Sasuke said to himself. "It would mean we-"

"We'd get to kill Leaf ninja!" Naruto finished for him, unable to keep a lid on his excitement. He saw a dark glint in his eyes through a reflection in the window behind Obito. Then he felt, and saw, something else. Something he knew would come sooner or later.

Naruto's pupil turned into a slit, and red chakra filled his irises. A voice pounded in his head like a drum, but without the usual malevolent edge.

Hello, boy. I've been watching from inside you, you know. I'll help you exact revenge on The Leaf.

"Kurama?" Naruto said aloud.

Obito and Sasuke both snapped to attention. Sasuke stood and prepared to use his Sharingan, but his brother held out a hand.

"No! He's not trying to hurt me. We're just talking." Naruto cleared his throat. "Hey. Look, thanks and all, but I don't even know if he'll let us go yet. Could you, like, not be in my head right now? I'll check in later."

Heh. Alright then, brat. You know where to find me.

Having said his piece, the Nine Tailed Fox, and his chakra, dwindled. Naruto felt the additional presence inside him fade until he was fully himself again. He no longer feared the fox. They weren't best friends, but they were on much better terms these days. The beast even went so far as to trust Naruto with his name.

"I don't know if it's a good idea," Obito said. He set Naruto down on the floor.

The blond looked up at him with a deep-set frown. "You don't? Why not?"

Sasuke's gaze flitted up to Obito, conveying without words that he wanted an answer, too.

"Listen, boys," Obito said after taking a moment to think. "This isn't part of the plan."

"And what exactly is the plan?" Sasuke shot back.

"Yeah!" Naruto said. He nodded in quick repetition. "I thought you were all for us taking our revenge by beating the living daylights out of those liars!"

"I am."

"Then why can't we start now?" Naruto grumbled. "I don't see why we have to wait around forever! When is it gonna be time?"

"Soon, Naruto." Obito bent down to comfort his son, but Naruto slapped his hand away.

"Soon? Stop saying that. You always say that!" The blond turned and ran into his room, slamming the door behind him. Tears were in his eyes.

Obito knelt in place for a long time in the awkward silence, his hand still outstretched to grasp nothing but air.

Sasuke gave him a plain look. "He's right, you know."

Then he went to join Naruto. Zetsu stood by in silence, his curious eyes taking in the scene. Obito composed himself and stood up, adjusting his ruffled clothing.

"Zetsu, I have a proposition for the real you. Contact him for me."

"Right away!" sang the unfittingly chipper subordinate. Clone Zetsu melted into the floor and hurried off to relay the message.

Naruto was tired.

Tired of waiting, tired of not knowing, tired of feeling useless.

What had all of this training been for, if not a moment like the one currently staring them dead in the face? He had spent the past couple of years honing his skills. Whenever his personal well of chakra dried up, Kurama stepped in to top him off. Using this new method, his training saw a rapid increase in results overnight. Sealing techniques, various weapon techniques, taijutsu, and so much more became integral to Naruto's arsenal. These days, the budding Uzumaki could more than hold his own even without Sasuke, and perhaps most importantly, without having to use his Jinchuuriki power as a crutch.

"And all for what?" he complained into his pillow. "Sitting around waiting?"

Sasuke's hand laid against Naruto's back, snapping him out of his one person pity party. "Naruto, I…"

He seemed to think better of saying anything. Instead, he stayed silent and rubbed his brother's back to soothe him. Naruto had always wanted someone to care enough to cheer him up when he got upset or felt alone back home. All he was ever met with was the heartbreaking silence of an empty apartment, but not anymore. Those days were long gone. Warmth filled Naruto and he smiled to himself.

Thank you, Sasuke.

Naruto and Sasuke perked up at the sudden appearance of Obito's chakra signature outside their door. They opened it before he had the chance to knock. Icy tension built up as they glared at him. No words were needed to convey their resentment.

"Hey," Obito said, standing tall in response to their united front. "I have good news for you. I've come up with a plan. I think you might be able to go to the Chunin Exams after all."

He smiled as their frowns turned to shocked expressions.

Obito really does care about us! Naruto thought to himself.

He couldn't believe his ears. He and Sasuke shared a satisfied smile. The young Uchiha wasted no time getting to the point.

"So, what's the plan?"

Obito smirked. "I thought you'd never ask. Why don't you both come with me?"

In the main room of the house, two Zetsu Clones stood at attention awaiting Obito. He led his sons toward them and said, "Naruto, Sasuke, meet your two new best friends."

Sasuke tilted his head, giving Obito a calculating stare. "What are you getting at?"

Without answering, the smug man snapped to signal the two Zetsu. They morphed right before Naruto and Sasuke's eyes, splitting apart from the center of their bodies. Each Zetsu 'opened' like a blooming flower, revealing a hollow cavity inside. Naruto shuddered, but Sasuke showed no outward discomfort. Instead, he continued with his line of questioning.

"I still don't understand. What are we looking at here?"

"I've come up with a way to avoid what most concerned me and caused me to deny your request earlier. I thought even with how many years it's been since you were in the village, there was a fair chance your chakra might be recognized. If that happens, it'll be big trouble. Not even I could guarantee your safety, or that you won't be detained for interrogation. At that point, even if I did manage to break you both out-"

"It wouldn't matter, because they'll know all of our plans?" Naruto finished for him.

"Exactly. You're becoming very sharp these days, Naruto."

Smiling, the blond fired back, "I had a good teacher."

Obito nodded in understanding of their reconciliation. "So, who wants to go first?"

"Ugh!" Naruto backstepped and looked at the hollowed out Zetsu body in disgust. "Not me!"

His brother didn't hesitate to step up to the plate. "I just have to get in?"

"Yes," Obito said. "The clone can be worn like a second skin. Just like Zetsu himself, the skinsuit is malleable." Without waiting for Naruto to ask, he explained, "That means it can change shape. This may sound unpleasant, but the suit will have to stay fused to you at all times. That way, anyone who senses your chakra won't recognize the signature."

Sasuke nodded. "I see. So it will be like we're one in the same."

Hearing this, Naruto's face drained of color and he slapped his hands against his cheeks. "Fused? Whaaaaat?! Mr. Obito, I don't wanna turn into a Zetsu!"

He ran around the room, muttering to himself in absolute terror. Obito and Sasuke let out a collective sigh of exasperation.

"Does that mean my skin's gonna turn all pasty white? Will I have that same weird-looking smile?" Naruto flung himself at Obito's feet, tears streaming down his face. "Will I not be able to taste ramen anymore?"

"No, Naruto," Obito said. He held out a hand to stop the Uzumaki from freaking out. "You won't transform into a Zetsu. You'll still be you. The merger is temporary. After the Chunin Exams, things will go back to normal."

Naruto loosened his grip on Obito's pantlegs, returning to his usual self after a moment. "Phew. That's a relief!"

Sasuke shook his head. "You idiot." He lifted his legs one by one and stepped into the body of the closest Zetsu. Then he turned to Obito. "Is this gonna hurt?"

"No, you'll barely feel a thing."

Resigned to what awaited him, Sasuke looked straight ahead with a stoic expression. Naruto cringed as the White Zetsu wrapped around his brother's body and engulfed him. There was an unsettling fleshy sound as the Zetsu melded itself with Sasuke, who flinched underneath the morphing mass of skin. The blob settled into a vaguely human-shaped mold.

"I think I'm gonna be sick," Naruto said, putting both hands over his mouth.

A few seconds passed and the outer layer 'deflated,' for lack of a better word, encasing all of Sasuke except his face and hair. Then the second skin changed shades to match Sasuke's skin tone and that of his clothing, making it indistinguishable from the real thing.

"Okay," Naruto admitted under his breath, "that part was pretty cool."

Sasuke observed his newly formed body, speechless. He examined himself from head to toe. When he was finished, he looked in Naruto's direction and nodded toward the second Zetsu Clone.

"Naruto?" Obito prodded. "Ready for your turn?"

After several minutes of psyching himself up, Naruto gathered the courage to go through with the syncing process. He whined in discomfort while the goopy substance wrapped around him and took form. The entire process was beyond freaky. He had to keep reminding himself that he wasn't going to suffocate. Naruto had no idea how Sasuke made it look like no big deal.

Is he even human?

The experience wasn't all bad. Once the worst of it was over, Naruto found he was really enjoying his new body. Not to say it wasn't harder to feel things due to the extra layer of skin encasing him, but he could see how this might come in handy during the Chunin Exams.

"Weird," Naruto said, flailing his arms around. "I feel bulkier, but also lighter at the same time!"

Sasuke activated his Sharingan and looked at himself, then at Naruto. "Obito," he said, "something's different about our chakra networks. What aren't you telling us?"

Unfazed by his pupil's suspicion, Obito gave him a dismissive wave. "It's nothing like that. As a necessary component of the merging process, you've both been given a portion of matter from the Zetsu attached to your bodies. Not just anyone can utilize cells from Hashirama, the First Hokage, without succumbing to negative effects. You two may have exceptional lineages, but your bodies haven't matured enough yet to handle that kind of power. Because Zetsu has introduced some of The First's genetic material into your systems organically, however, you won't feel the same strain that you otherwise might have."

"Okay," Sasuke said. "I understand. At least, I think I do."

Naruto nodded. "I mean, it still sounds a little creepy to be honest, but I'm fine with it if this will allow us to enter."

"So that's it?" the younger of the two Uchiha said. "We can sign up?"

"Not exactly." Obito held up a finger. "First and most obvious of all, you no longer hail from any village. Secondly, you can't even enter the exams without a full squad."

"Really?" Naruto said. "But where are we supposed to find a third for our team? Aww, this sucks!"

Obito chuckled and donned his mask. "Don't fret, Naruto. I have a few ideas. I'm going to go check some things out and see what strings I can pull. You two should head to the dojo and get used to those new bodies."

He waved, then spirited himself away with a portal. Silence reigned in the house. Left on their own, Naruto and Sasuke shared a look of uncertainty. This was going to be an interesting next two months, that was for sure.

The Zetsu posing as their guardian materialized from underground and smiled up at the boys. "Ready to go?"

Sasuke shrugged. Naruto fistbumped with him and said, "Might as well get right to it."

"I take back everything I said to Mr. Obito about this whole fusing idea," Naruto said as he dashed around the dojo. "This is awesome!"

Awesome was the best word he could think of to describe just how much better everything felt now. Running, jumping, and even the slightest breath came so much easier. Every movement felt like he was gliding along and nothing could stop him. Sasuke matched his speed, triggering his competitive edge.

"Wanna race?" Naruto said with a smirk.

"Sure, but you'll lose."

"That's what you think!"

They did several laps around the dojo, running horizontally with their feet adhered to the walls just to make it harder. Or so they thought, anyway. The minor increase in difficulty didn't even come close to making them feel fatigued. These new bodies were something else.

Naruto pushed himself to win the final lap of the race. He drew upon his vast well of chakra and redirected a large amount of it to his feet. Sasuke spotted this shift in concentration with his Sharingan and mirrored the action. They leapt toward the finish line Zetsu's clone had marked for them while moving so fast that they were reduced to blurs.

Dropping low to the ground, Naruto slid forward. He stuck his leg out to pass the finish line before Sasuke. Seeing this, Sasuke dove and reached forward with one arm. In the tense couple of seconds before the end of the race, Naruto told himself that there was one thing he wouldn't do, no matter what.

Don't use Kurama, don't use Kurama!

"Why not, runt? Still convinced you don't need my power?"

Naruto's consciousness flickered out of the present and into his inner realm. He entered the dank, repulsive place with his hands in his pockets, staring up at the monstrous fox that had become his ally.

"I don't," Naruto answered. "At least not for this. I mean, I appreciate having you to back me up, but I can beat Sasuke on my own."

"Maybe in this race," the fox conceded, "but how about in battle?"

The Uzumaki huffed. "That doesn't matter. We're training to fight Leaf ninja, not each other."

"Who's to say you won't have to face one another in the finals?"

Naruto turned away and saw himself out. He was having none of this right now. "I'm not in the mood for this. Could you just back off, Kurama?"

"Ooh, testy. Fair enough."

That classic, sinister chuckle echoed in Naruto's head as he shifted back to the real world. In fairness, it didn't annoy him anymore. Still, he didn't see why Kurama felt the need to taunt him even now that they were technically on the same side.

Lemme guess, he thought to himself. Old habits die hard.

His answer was yet another chuckle.

Back in the present, Naruto slowed to a stop a mere second before Sasuke. His foot was over the line and about an inch past his adoptive sibling's splayed hand.

Panting from the sheer adrenaline rush coursing through him, Naruto wiped sweat from his forehead. He looked over his shoulder at Sasuke, whose unsuccessful belly flop left him looking pretty silly. Fitting for someone who lost the race after talking so tough.

"I'll lose, huh?" Naruto teased, flashing a cocky grin. He dusted himself off and got to his feet, which were still stuck to the wall. "Who's the 'loser' now?"

"Ugh, fine," Sasuke said, "you got me this time." He collected himself and stood up. "But I'll beat you in the rematch."

"Having fun?" said a voice.

They turned to see Zetsu looking down at them from his position halfway submerged in the ceiling.

"Yeah, we were," Naruto said.

"It takes a lot more to tire us out like this," Sasuke noted. "Obito wasn't kidding."

Konan, known as Lady Angel by the common people of The Rain Village, descended to a foot above ground level. Paper wings extended from her back on either side, keeping her airborne. She stared down at the small group of children below. They waited in silence for her to speak. When she did not, one of them, a girl with hair styled in an elaborate bun, took the initiative instead. She cleared her throat and asked, "You summoned us, Lady Angel?"

"I did," Konan replied. She cut her eyes toward the other children, noticing the distinct lack of confidence in them compared to the girl who spoke up. They avoided holding her gaze, but the girl did not.

Konan nodded toward her. "You, stay. Everyone else is dismissed."

The nervous kids stumbled over one another to get out of Konan's sight. Their attempts at leaving in an orderly fashion were a spectacular failure. If Konan were not so focused on her current goal, it might have been funny. She refocused onto the girl before her.

"What is your name, girl?"

The girl paused before stammering out, "A-Ajisai, ma'am."

"Ajisai, hm?"

Looking the child over, Konan took in her innocent gaze. Faded green eyes brimming with youthful energy and an awareness beyond her years contrasted Ajisai's short purple hair. Her posture bespoke an inner desire to make her village proud. To do Lord Pain's will. Pleased with what she saw, Konan decided to get straight to the point.

"Pain has a task meant especially for you. There is no tangible reward and it will be difficult, but this mission would greatly benefit The Rain as a whole. Will you accept?"

Without taking a moment to think, Ajisai put her hands down at her sides and gave Konan her answer. "I will, ma'am! Whatever Lord Pain requires of me, I would be honored to do on his behalf."

Konan's lips curled into a thin smile. "Excellent. Tell me, young Ajisai, have you ever gone undercover?"