Yosh! How is everyone? So wow, this fiction actually breaks 20,000 words! Amazing. There is no way I could have done this without the guidance and support from my loyal readers. This chapter is one I'm particularly proud of because most of it is written in first-person by the person writing the individual writing the notes/reports. I think you all will like this chapter, because it's my best writing style. Now, on with the chapter!

Disclaimer no Jutsu: I still don't own Naruto, but I still own Sugi!

Chapter 6: Empires That Wax and Wane

"From the notes of Umino Iruka, instructor at the Ninja Academy of Konoha."

Well, it's been four months since I've started teaching the new class of students. After the incident between Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke I decided to split the classes, separating the two. The Hokage has personally decreased to all ninja present at the time of the fight to treat the events that transpired there as a S-Class secret, therefore no more about it will be put into my notes. The real shock of the fight was the way Naruto moved. He actually put Sasuke through his paces every time the two locked up. The winner of the match was, in fact, Naruto but he has asked me to keep that to myself. He insists that he will beat 'Sasuke-teme' on his own. If it was several weeks ago, I would have agreed he would be able to do it, now however there are...circumstances... Sasuke's older brother, Itachi Uchiha, betrayed the village and murdered his entire clan. He has since been declared a missing nin and a S-Class criminal, one to be killed on sight. The psychological effect this has had on Sasuke is monumental, his entire temperament has changed overnight. He is now more focused on his work and practices Taijutsu more so than anyone in his class, that much I have seen myself. Mizuki, who runs the class Sasuke is in, has stated that the Uchiha is now more detached from his classmates, even Ino whom he had been warming up to. Speaking of the young Yamanaka girl; Her talents are quickly propelling her to the top of the class, even giving Sasuke a run for that title. It seems that without any direct competition for Sasuke's attention, which he still does not direct at her, she is more focused on her work. Even her families' special mind abilities are starting to show: she has developed a low-level Genjutsu. It's not much, but it does make a person's vision loose focus if they try to look directly at her when it's active. So far she can only hold it for thirty seconds before she's out of chakra, but I am confident Mizuki can train her to the point where she can at least keep it active for several minutes. She calls it "Nentou Fusenmei no jutsu" or "Mind Blur Skill." Mizuki has wrote up a full report and has sent it to Inoshi, Ino's father. Now, on to Naruto Uzumaki; He is one of the best fighters in his class with Taijutsu, even giving Kiba Inuzuka, our classes best Taijutsu fighter, a good match when I have them spar. What he lacks in strength, he makes up for with speed and precision. While he is still clumsy in some moves, he is catching up quickly with his other class mates and looks to be one the Academies fastest ninja, Rock Lee not withstanding. Using Kenjutsu he can hold his own against any of his classmates, but without it he falls into the middle of the pack. He wears training weights, ten on each limb, and takes them off when he fights. It seems he is avoiding using Ninjutsu, when I ask him about it, he says "I'm keeping it as my trump so I can stomp Sasuke-teme!" His personality has changed very little, he still pulls pranks on his fellow students and instructors. He is learning all the hand seals with the rest of his class, but he shows aptitude in doing a select few. It seems he is trying to teach himself on the side. He is lacking in some area's however, his core ninja training is far behind anyone else in his class. Information gathering, stealth, ect...his speed is the only thing that could pass as 'ninja-like' in that capacity. He has developed a peculiar dream though. He declares on a daily basis that he will become Hokage one day and end animosity between the Samurai and Ninja. It will be interesting to see whether or not he can accomplish this dream...

"Official Naruto Report from Shouyou Sugi"

Hello there, Sarutobi! Here's my report for the week on Naruto. So, it's been a year living with the little kid and I'm not dead yet, guess that's a good thing, eh? Not much training this week because he wanted to have a day off for his birthday. I got him the a new set of clothes, he really loves blue now, go figure. He's progressing well in his Kenjutsu, if not a bit slower than usual. Of course, he's splitting his training time into so many angles it's amazing he time for me at all, haha. He speed has grown even more than I thought it would, I guess that ninja training is good for something after all. From what Iruka tells me, his weak point is unarmed Taijutsu. I understand that, he insists on spending all his time with me working on Kenjutsu because no one else can teach him. He has, however, learned something very interesting. Apparently he can use a jutsu that I didn't think you guys taught. It's a boon for his sword skills since many of the more advanced techniques in my style use water, but I do wonder where he picked it up from. He's so secretive of the stuff he lets me see, but I guess he was too excited to keep it to himself. The jutsu in question is 'Kirigakure no Jutsu'. I ran into it while I was traveling through Water Country, but never learned how to do it. The kid can actually use it fairly well, he can make enough mist to fill a small room. When he tries to do it outside, however, the mist blows away before he can do anything with it. I have no idea where he learned it, but he does read the odd book from time to time. I'll tell you if I ever find out which one he got it from. I think he might know another one like it too, I heard him say something about mist clones earlier today, guess the kid is a real fish-out-of-water. His chakra control is getting better, I expect him to be on par with any of this classmates when the time of graduation comes up. Using the special techniques of my Style, he can use chakra to reinforce his bokuden making it harder, how else could I use the same sword for over three decades? He is suffering from kunai training, I don't think I can do anything about that. He's as confident as ever though, he made a bet with me that if he can handle twenty pound weights on each leg and arm by the end of the year, I have to show him one of my better attacks. Ha, like that squirt can do that. Anyway, I have decided to teach the boy how to open the Celestial Gates. Don't worry though! I'll teach him when he turns 11, that's one year before he graduates. From the training, it will take him until his graduation to condition his body to be able to open the first one. Can you imagine the speed he'll have when he does it? I think your little Rock Lee will have some competition. Don't tell Gai though, that senile fool will double the poor kids training just to keep up! Well, see you next week.

"Special ANBU Report Number 1597a: Subject 'Shouyou Sugi'"

This is a report for the special A-Class mission ordered by the Hokage himself. The target is Shouyou Sugi, a samurai currently residing in Konoha and side-teacher of Naruto Uzumaki, a two-year student at the Ninja Academy. Hokage-sama commissioned this report shortly after he called off the official ANBU detail that usually followed Uzumaki around, that was two years ago. From the information I have gathered since then, it seems the initial assessment made by one of my fellow ANBU members was off about Shouyou Sugi. That report described him as 'Chuunin-level at best', in my investigation I have found that to be a gross understatement. From the limited training sessions he regularly has with Uzumaki, I have witnessed him display Jounin-level skill and advanced chakra manipulation. His Kenjutsu, which he calls 'Gekido-Se-Ryuu' or 'Raging Current Style' seems to rely heavily on water being nearby, but not for the form itself, only for the chakra attacks it employs. I, personally, have only witnessed one such attack, thus prompting me to call of this mission due to my early retirement from ANBU. The attack in question was shown due to Uzumaki having a bet with Shouyou. I do not know the specifics, but it appears the condition was that if Uzumaki won, Shouyou would show him a high-level skill. The attack started with Shouyou using chakra water walking to go out into the center of "Jenerikku Lake", the pair practice there primarily. Once there, he began to spin his wooden sword in his outstretched hand. It appeared that he was using chakra to keep the center of the sword hovering just out from his palm and spinning it like a propeller. After the blade was spinning at its zenith, he used his foot to kick up water in front of the sword/propeller and the effect was instantaneous: The water was sucked up like a reverse drain spinning out from the blade. It seems that once a bit of water is pulled up in front of the vortex, it pulls more and more into a giant reverse tornado that twirls the water into a devastating force, something like a water drill. The lake itself looked like it would be blown away from the wind coming off of the attack. The water drill shot out from his spinning sword and took out several trees before he stopped the attack. I later found out the name of the attack was 'Gekido Gufuu Ken' or the 'Raging Typhoon Sword'. I found out the name because Sugi himself told me as I was laid out on the ground for I was in one of the trees his attack destroyed. He said, "Make sure you spell it right when you write your report, some people spell Typhoon like 'tyfoon', I don't want my attacks being screwed up by spelling errors." As I said, my resignation is attached to the back of this report.

"From the notes of Ashiya Mizuki, co-instructor at the Ninja Academy of Konoha."

Today was...interesting to say the least. It has been four years since I've started to teach what everyone is calling 'the most talented class of this generation.' I don't know if I agree with them completely, but I must say it's been quite a ride. Two years to go before graduation and I can honestly say Sasuke Uchiha has come into his own. His Ninjutsu is the best of his generation, he has a good grasp of Genjutsu, and his Taijutsu is nothing short of amazing. Ever since his clan was murdered several years ago, he has made it his purpose to excel in the Academy and to that end he has met success. His grades are immaculate and he is quickly catching up to Neji Hyuuga as the number one rookie of Konoha. Also in his class are several other rising stars. Ino Yamanaka is the top konoichi in my class, I understand that Sakura Haruno from Iruka's class is also something to see. A fierce rivalry has sprung up between the two girls a little over two years ago since Sakura started trying to get the young Uchiha's attention after class. While I don't condone it, it does seem to drive both girls to do better. Ino has done exceptionally well in Genjutsu and I'm running out of things to teach her in that area. Her special family jutsu's are really starting to come out along with several jutsu's of her own design. Strangely enough, she also has talent in Taijutsu and is the top female in the class, her Ninjutsu skills are average. When the classes meet up once a week for joint sparring, she spends most of her time fighting with Sakura over Sasuke's attention, which he does not return to either of them. Naruto Uzumaki, one of Iruka's enigma students, often tries to goad the young Uchiha into fights. He usually turns him down, but this last week he accepted due to a bout of particularly poignant insults and what transpired was something...truly unique. Sasuke started the fight by using 'Goukakyuu no Jutsu' to which Uzumaki used the 'Suiton Suijinheki' to block it. It was a clash as Naruto summoned water from inside his chest. He didn't have as much control over it as Sasuke did with his Grand Fireball though. It was amazing because the Suiton Suijinheki is a Jounin level technique. Uzumaki was still hit by some of the fireball and that left him open for a Taijutsu assault from Sasuke. Naruto saw it, but seemed to be detracted by something, he was yelling "Don't tell me which jutsu's I can and can't use you freeloader!" It cost him the match. Sasuke executed a genius combo and floored Naruto. Iruka called the match at that point, much to the disappointment of Naruto who insisted he was good enough to continue. I think Iruka knew he was, it was just the property damage those two were causing...it's going to take weeks to replant new trees that were burnt up and an army of janitors to mop up all the water that managed to flood the first floor of the school, not to mention my new leather shoes are ruined...

"To the Third Hokage from the future Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki"

Hey old man, I'm writing this to personally invite you to see me pass my graduation test next week! Iruka-sensei said you can sit in if you want, I'm having Gramps come too. Iruka-sensei says I'll have to do some jutsu to pass, but I'm not worried about it. It'll be the best birthday gift ever when I get to be a ninja. Gramps already says if I pass he'll give me my first real sword and then I'll be a low-level samurai too! I also know a whole bunch of water jutsu's, no way Sasuke-teme can touch me now, right? Gramps taught me a very special skill last year, I think he told you about it. I wanted to be able to show it to you, but I haven't mastered it yet, you can't imagine how much stamina it takes to open one of those Gates! Well, I guess you can since you're the Hokage and all...anyway, just be sure to show up, I can really cut loose if I know you're watching me.

The Third Hokage looked over the letter he had received one week ago. It was all he ever wanted for the boy, his finally becoming a ninja. He knew it wouldn't automatically solve the boys problems with the villagers, but it would be a start. Sarutobi ran his hand over the wrapped box sitting on his desk. He had thought long and hard on what to give Naruto for his graduation/birthday. He new the boy's dream, so he thought that this would be the best thing for him. It was hard getting it though, it had taken several weeks to be custom made to fit the young ninja-in-training. Well, maybe not in training for much longer. I know he'll like this, but I think Iruka's gift is one he'll appreciate more. He added as an after thought and a smirk. He had cleared his morning of all work, no way he would miss this. He knew that the Bunshin skill was Naruto's worst one and that's why he told Iruka to use it for the exit test. He would have to make Naruto work to become a ninja because of the destiny he had, such responsibility was not to be given lightly. The boy would have to overcome his greatest trial to pass, but the Third did not have any doubts that he wouldn't do it, he was his son after all. He was brought out of his thoughts by his secretary calling him over the intercom.

"Hokage-sama, the graduation will begin soon." The voice said.

"Ah, so it does. You know where I'll be should anything important come up." Sarutobi said as he picked up the wrapped box.

"Hai Hokage-sama." The voice replied as it clicked out of existence. The Third smiled and walked out to the balcony of the Hokage Tower, then with a -poof- of smoke, he was gone.

Meanwhile at the Academy...

"Ok you guys, now it's time for the graduation exam! You will all have to do the Bunshin no jutsu to be able to pass. Now, I will call you into the exam room one at a time for the test, good luck to you all." Iruka said as he stood in front of the class. This was it, the day of proving he was good enough to become a ninja and samurai. Naruto looked over at the old man sitting up against the wall holding a long, curved box. It was like the one his bokuden came in, but slightly longer and had fewer designs on it. Naruto gulped.

"So, that's my sword...yeah! This is going to be great! I'll pass this exam and become a ninja and samurai on the same day, plus it's my birthday!" Naruto exclaimed to no one in particular. If I can make a stupid Bunshin, why did they have to pick that one...

"Birthday to you, funeral for me." A slightly agitated voice cut into Naruto's celebration.

Aww...are we upset? It could have been worse, you could have been flat-out killed. At least you live a few more years. Naruto taunted. The fox always got snippy around this time of year. He had taught Naruto useful jutsu's over the years and it was nice to have a constant companion, although neither would ever admit it.

"Humph. Say what you will, kit. Just hurry up and get this over with and I'll teach you your most powerful skill to date." That got Naruto's attention. Most of the jutsu's Kyuubi taught weren't used for attacking, with the exception of the Suiton Suijinheki and even that was a stretch to say it was an offensive jutsu. He was brought out of his inner monolog when he heard a squeal for joy.

"Yeah! I'm a ninja now! How's that Sasuke-kun?" A happy Ino bounded out of the examination room and showed off her forehead protector to a uninterested Sasuke. Ino stuck her tongue out at an annoyed Sakura who had also passed. Naruto looked at her for several minutes before someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey, you're up, Naruto. Iruka's been calling you for a few minutes." Said the person behind him.

"Oh shit! Coming Iruka-sensei!" Naruto leapt down from the row he was sitting on and ran towards the exam room.

"Wow, you've got it bad for that one, kit." The fox muttered. Naruto responded by imagining the Kyuubi as a fox chibi. Even as it used words that would make Anko blush, Naruto couldn't help but go 'Awww' at the little fox hopping up and down angrily in it's cage. Early on Naruto had figured out his mind was the one giving the fox his appearance, so his favorite revenge was to imagine it as some cute woodland animal, much to the demon's ire. Walking into the exam room, Naruto was surprised to see not only Iruka, but the Third was sitting in with him.

"Old man, you came!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Of course, I wouldn't miss this after you personally invited me." The Third replied with a smile. "Now, I expect you won't disappoint me on the exam, right?"

"No way! All I have to do is make a Bunshin, right?" When Iruka and the Third nodded, Naruto horridly ran though several hand seals.

"Kirigakure no Jutsu!" Naruto said as he finished up the last seal. He summoned a small amount of mist, not nearly enough to obscure the examiners from the boy. Before any of them could say anything, Naruto started more hand seals. "Mizu bunshin no jutsu!" With those words, two water clones formed into existence from the mist lingering in the air, effectively ending the hidden mist jutsu.

"Good work, Naruto. Very good improvisation." Iruka said, holding up a forehead protector. Naruto stared at it for a moment before breaking out in an extra-foxy grin. He canceled his water clones and walked over to the table to retrieve his forehead protector.

"Thanks, Iruka-sensei!" Naruto said as he ran his fingers over the polished plate with the leaf symbol on it. He put in on under his blonde bangs. He noticed the Third smile even more as he pulled out a large box from under the table.

"Here you are Naruto, happy birthday and graduation." He said as he held out the box. Naruto blinked, he wasn't expecting anything more. He hurriedly ripped the paper off and opened the box. His eyes went wide as he stared at what was in it.

"It's...great! Thank you!" Naruto exclaimed as he held up a light blue trench coat. He noticed the white wave patters adorning the hem and back. It was short sleeve so his arms could have more maneuverability. He slipped it on over his dark blue vest. He turned to a stunned Iruka.

"He...looks like the Fourth..." Iruka managed to croak out.

"Yes, I had it custom made to look just like his. Naruto, I think that coat will serve you just as well as his did. After all, you have a dream to be a Hokage, now you actually look the part." The Third said with a chuckle.

"Yeah! Now all I have to do is get Gramps to pass me and I'll be ready to take on anything anyone can dish out at me!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Well, I'd go talk to him then. Also, could you go tell Sasuke to come in here? It's his turn now." Iruka said.

"Ugh, fine. Don't suppose you guys could fail him this year so I can hold it over his head?" Naruto took the twin glares as a 'no' and walked out of the room. His good mood fell further when he saw Ino latched onto Sasuke and Sakura zoning out staring at his face.

"Hey, Sasuke-teme, your turn." Naruto ignored the death glare that was shot at him by Sakura and Ino. Sasuke looked at his new outfit and snorted.

"Dobe, what is that thing? You look ridiculous." Sasuke said pointing at Naruto's new trench coat. Ino and Sakura looked him over as well.

"Ha, I'm getting fashion advice from someone who doesn't even know his own shirt size?" Naruto shot back. After trading insults with an angry fox demon for six years, he had developed a sharp tongue. As expected, Sasuke just grunted and headed off to the exam room.

"Naruto! Don't taunt Sasuke-kun!" Ino pouted at the loss of the Uchiha's arm from her grasp. Sakura, however, seemed to still be in her day dream.

"Really, I don't know what you two see in him. He has the personality of a wet mop, always brooding about one thing or the other." Naruto said in a pout of his own. He and Sasuke had been rivals since the first day of the Academy due to their fight, but Naruto held as a rival for something else.

"Aww, is the girl not paying you any attention?" Kyuubi said, waking up from his afternoon nap.

NO! That's not it! I just don't see why she throws herself at him. There is absolutely nothing that's anywhere remotely interesting about that guy.

"Yeah, you know what I hear? 'Blah, blah, blah. Ino won't look at me because Sasuke is cooler.'" The fox mocked in a bad Naruto impression. Right before world war III broke out in Naruto's mind, Sasuke walked out of the exam room followed by Iruka, the Hokage had disappeared like he always does. Sasuke had his forehead protector on which made Ino all but swoon.

"See, Naruto? That's why we like Sasuke-kun, he's so gorgeous!" Ino squealed. Naruto almost flooded the building when Sasuke gave a smug smile in his direction.

"Now we'll pick teams to see who will have a chance to become a Genin." The students all stopped talking to listen to Iruka. Naruto zoned out until he heard his name being called.

"...Team Seven: Naruto Uzumaki, Ino Yamanaka..." Naruto was barely containing his excitement. Iruka could see the look on Naruto's face all the way down in the front. Heh, happy birthday, Naruto. Too bad I have do this... "...and Sasuke Uchiha."

"Yes! Take that forehead girl!" Ino shouted, forming a 'v' for victory sign while grinning ear-to-ear. Naruto just looked stunned and Kyuubi just laughed at the irony of it all.

"Damn it..." Naruto muttered to himself. The best chance he had to get Ino away from Sasuke was blown to hell. Said boy was simply staring death glares at Iruka. Naruto rolled his eyes when Iruka called off class early so they could meet with their Jounin teachers. Sasuke stayed where he was thus Ino stayed glued to his side. Naruto looked over to where his samurai teacher had been and was happy to see the man asleep in his seat. Well, I could use something to cheer me up and I've been looking forward to this for awhile. Naruto walked over to where the old man was and kicked his chair causing Ino and Sasuke to look over at him.

"Hey Gramps, wake up. The exam's over." Naruto said as he pulled the old man's beard.

"Huh? -yawn- It is? How'd you do?" The man said as he stretched, his bones popping.

"Heh, was there any doubt? I passed with flying colors!" Naruto said proudly. The old man finally woke up and looked Naruto over.

"Well, don't we look sharp? Where'd you get that?" He said as he stroked his long beard.

"It was a present from the old man, said the Fourth had something like it." Naruto said as he sat down across from the old samurai.

"The Fourth?" Ino said, taking interest in the conversation, Sasuke just watched the exchange out of the corner of his eye trying to seem non-interested. Before Naruto could go on, Sugi cleared his throat gaining all their attention.

"So, you passed the exam, eh? I did say I'd give you your first real sword if you did, so here. Take good care of it, kid." Sugi said as he held out the box he had been holding. Naruto took it with shaking hands while Ino poked her head over his shoulder to watch. Naruto studied the case itself. It was onyx black like the one his bokuden had come in, but only had one symbol on it, a crescent moon. Naruto opened the top and had to gasp. The katana inside was about four and a half feet long. It's handle was as black as it's scabbard and the hilt was blood red. He took it out and unsheathed the blade. It was a blue-ish color that had a wave-like patter run the entire length of the blade. It was light, even more so than his bokuden, which he was still wearing strapped to his back. Sugi smiled at the captivated boy.

"So, I take it you like the sword?" With an absent minded nod, Naruto kept examining it as Sugi continued, "It's name is 'Munashii', treat it well as it was my first real sword. That blade has seen more battles than any ninja in this village, it won't let you down." The man said, adopting an out of character tone. "Anyway, you've passed my first stage of training, Naruto! You should be ecstatic, you're now a full-fledged samurai. Now, tie that sword to your waist and feel some pride in your accomplishments over the past six years, you've earned it." Naruto did as directed and sheathed the sword before hanging it at his waist. He felt...complete somehow. Ino looked him over before whistling out loud.

"Wow Naruto, you look..." Just as she was about to finish this, the door to the classroom slid open and a lazy-looking man walked in. He was reading some orange book and most of his head was covered by something, whether it was half his face with a mask or his left eye with a forehead protector. Naruto cursed him for his timing. Damn! Just when Ino was going to say something to me...

"Wow...I've got a bunch of weirdoes to teach this year." The man said as he looked them all over. He seemed to get serious when he looked at Naruto, but he soon shifted his eye to look at the others. Sugi took this opportunity to excuse himself, only catching a glance from the silver-haired man on his way out. "So, let's get to know each other, eh? Lets head up to the roof." And with a -poof- he was gone.

"...was he really our Jounin instructor?" Sasuke muttered, still a bit shocked at the man's appearance.

"Yeah, he doesn't seem too...ninja-like." Said Ino. Naruto simply rose from his chair and started for the door.

"Come on, we can worry about all that later, let's not disobey our first order." Naruto noticed the confused look on their faces before blushing and rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, when you have a teacher like Gramps, you learn to not underestimate anyone." Naruto said as he ran on ahead towards the stairs.

"Naruto...just when did you grow up so much?" Ino whispered as she and Sasuke followed a certain blue-clad samurai on their way to see the man who would change their lives...

Finally! I'm up to where the manga starts. Let me tell you, it's been a bear getting this far. Next time on Bushido no jutsu: Kakashi gives his students the bell test, Ino has a mind trap in store just for Kakashi, and Naruto shows off his ultimate assassination technique!