When I arrived at the gate in the morning, I was surprised. A large number of people had gathered to see the Genin teams off. The number of participants was larger than I thought. All together, I think we made about 20 squads.

When all of us were more or less settled, the Hokage arrived and gave some inane speech. I wasn't really paying attention. Was focusing on my fellow Genin. Their chakra to be precise. None of them were really anything to write home about. Except him of course. His chakra felt cold, methodical and precise.

I'm speaking about Kabuto Yakushi of course. I didn't look at him though. Or even in his general direction. He is a trained spy after all. Who knows what he'd make of the attention.

Speaking of attention, many of the Genin here, have been focused on me. The smarter ones see my confident stance, my age, the fact I have no teammates and of course the reputation of my sensei and naturally they realise just how dangerous I am.

That's only the minority of them though. Most no doubt see me as easy pickings. Fools. I'll be glad to disabuse them of such an erroneous notion during the exams.

Sometime during my musing, the Hokage finished speaking and we prepare to head out. The journey to the Hidden Grass Village takes 3 days to complete. I'm consumed by my thoughts in the meantime. Karin is in the village. I'm pretty sure her mom is dead already though.

This leaves me in a quandary. I want to save her from the hell her life is there. I can't just take her though. Sure, I could help her escape, but then what. From what I recall, she doesn't really have combat training. She'd be at the mercy of any criminals that found her. No. I'd need to get her to the Leaf legally.

I know she'd be there during the Chunin Exams 2 years from now but even then it won't be possible. I've had an idea though. Orochimaru impersonates a Grass Genin but nobody catches on. Not even their Jounin. That's seriously lax of them. Look at what follows. The invasion.

We need to ask the Hidden Grass for reparations then. I know exactly what, or rather who to ask for. The Advisors would no doubt be pleased to have another Uzumaki. To be able to suggest this though, I'd need influence. The kind I'd get as an Elite Jounin and as a clan head.

I'd been doing my research over the years. The Uzumaki, while being the oldest clan in the shinobi world, were not recognised officially as a Hidden Leaf clan. According to the Leaf Charter only a Jounin may found a clan. This applies to clans who were formed after the village was founded.

The Uzumaki is an ancient clan but wasn't a clan based here. In any case. The reason my mother never officially registered the clan here is because she realised that my father would be Hokage one day. His achievements spoke for itself.

That being said, she had no real desire to enter politics if she didn't have to. The charter further states that you need atleast 2 generations of your clan to have lived in the village for it to be recognised as such. Secondly you must own property in the village. And finally, you must pay a 10 million Ryo registration fee. You see why so few new clans register. The deck is heavily stacked to preserve the status quo.

With regards to property, I own our apartment building as you know. I also own the Uzumaki Clan Mask Storage Temple. I had Guy sensei find the records for that as it was above my clearance level. Turns out there are seals that only allow Uzumaki to enter the temple. They fail in the future though because of neglect.

I've however, redrawn the existing seals and provided a fresh supply of chakra. I've also slowly started restoring it. So far I've only done the roof though. Don't really have the time for more. I removed all the masks though, and sealed them inside myself. Can't be to careful. I've replaced them all with replicas that I painstakingly created.

I told Naruto about the temple and who it belongs to. Naturally he's full of wonder. I've told him to paint the outside of the temple while I'm gone. I've also made sure to tell him to keep it secret. Only an Uzumaki can enter it. He's fortunately gotten better with holding his tongue.

All these thoughts are swirling in my head as we travel. Before I know it, we arrive at the Hidden Grass Village. As we enter, I look around. It's a lot plainer and more compact than the Leaf is. I can see now with my own eyes, the difference between a minor village and 1 of the Great 5 villages.

We check into our hotels and unpack our things. We're given leave to explore but I stay put. Ninja by profession are a suspicious bunch. I can't risk running into Karin. Anyone who has a modicum of intelligence would put 2 and 2 together. I also can't risk Kabuto and by extension, Orochimaru, finding out about her before the time.

The next day, after being given a pep talk by our senseis, we head on over to their Academy. Once again I note how much smaller theirs is compared to ours. We're led into a large auditorium and all of us from the Leaf stand in 1 large group by a wall.

I'm proud, not stupid though. I use the taller Genin as shields so that I can study the other competitors unobtrusively. It's pointless focusing everyone's attention on me this early in the game. Based on the headbands I see there are shinobi from the Leaf, Sand, Grass, Rain and from Waterfall.

I don't see any from the Cloud or Stone though. Understandably. They are hated just as much by the Grass as by us and in the case of Stone even more so. After all the battles with Stone in the previous war devastated the country.

I don't actually feel any standouts among the foreign Genin. Sure, there are a couple of strong ones, but none that ping and let off that they're secretly Jounin. I'm glad. If I didn't before, then I do now. I know I'm gonna win this. I want to make sure that people talk about my performance for years to come.

After about an hour the proctors find us. They tell us to to a seat. I was thinking it would be interesting. I was sorely disappointed. It's merely a written test. Difficult answers for sure but nothing impossible. I sigh softly.

When an hour has passed we're told to hand in our tests and head to the next room to wait. Just great. More waiting. It passes seemingly excruciatingly long. Then the proctors enter.

" Now listen up kids. This is how things will work. Only those who passed with a minimum of 60% will move onto the next round. What that means is that it's likely some members of your teams won't move onto the next round with you. Yes. You heard right. A full team isn't necessary to complete the next round even though it would be to your advantage. When I read the list of those of you that passed, make your way to the village gates. "

Naturally I passed. What surprised me though is how many failed. Half of all total Genin. The proctors seemed surprised as well. When they finally finished reading all the names, those of us that passed headed towards the gate.

There a number of Grass shinobi were waiting for us. After being told to follow them, we set off. It took about an hour to reach where they were taking us. A huge bamboo forest.

" This is how this round is going to work. Each of you will be given a rabbit. Your job is to get that rabbit alive to the old fortress at the end of the forest. You have 5 days. Without the rabbit being alive, you won't be able to pass. Don't think you can trick us by catching a new rabbit though. These rabbits were all imported from the Land of Snow, thus they're all white. Collect your rabbits and prepare yourselves. Exam begins in half an hour. "

I looked at the rabbits. The Grass shinobi were actually pretty clever. The rabbits weren't in a cage, nor was there a tether. Rabbits were also naturally skittish creatures. Even if they weren't hurt physically, the intensity of a ninja battle might cause it to keel over and die. From a heart attack.

I was thinking furiously. I'd rather save my strength. I'm not the type to go looking for conflict if I can avoid it. It's best to keep exactly what I can do under wraps for now. That means I must head straight to the fortress. The fact that I'm a sensor will help immensely.

In fact, I can faintly sense the fortress. The only issue is that it's already afternoon. This bamboo forest is larger than training ground 44. I estimate it would take 7 hours to reach the fortress, by which time it will already be dark. I don't want to travel then for obvious reasons.

That means I have to set up camp. I'm not sure if this is the bamboo forest where Obito " died " in but I'd rather avoid creating any type of bunker here. It's coincidentally the only Earth style jutsu I know.

I've decided to put the rabbit to sleep. I have a few knockout seals on me. With a plan in place I get ready. As soon as we enter the forest, we lose sight of the other competitors. I use that moment to create a shadow clone and send it forward. I stop and carry out my plan.

I decide to create a second clone to carry and protect the rabbit. Leaving me free to fight if I must. I use my sensory abilities to avoid the other teams. The shadow clone I sent ahead has been popped though. By an Inuzuka.

Obviously he took exception to the fact I'm years younger than the other competitors. The fact that he targeted me though is a big mistake. I'm going to enjoy teaching him his place if I get to fight him.

After 4 hours of travel I stop. I create 6 clones and have them create an elaborate series of traps to protect my location. They'll have until it's dark. The sheer amount of traps will take hours to dismantle, even if more than 1 team tries to gang up on me. With that being said I remove my camouflage tent and set it up. Afterwards I place 4 kunai around the tent and activate a barrier seal.

It should be enough to stop a few C rank jutsu. Overkill against Genin I know, but I want to be able to have a full night's sleep. The clone who had the rabbit puts it down next to me then dispells. I remove 3 bowls from a scroll. 2 Of them are smaller than usual.

Naruto and I used them as kids. I fill 1 with water and in the other I break up bits of a carrot I have sealed up. I remove the knockout seal from the rabbit and let it eat and drink. In the larger bowl, which is metal, I put in 2 packs of instant ramen. After adding water, I hold the bowl in my hands and channel fire chakra. After a minute the ramen is cooked. I wait till it cools, then add the spices. I finish eating then pack everything up. I cuddle with the rabbit and then go sleep. I have an interesting day awaiting me. Probably.

When I wake up I reapply the seal. Eat a ration bar for breakfast, then dismantle the camp. From there on out, it's childsplay to reach the fortress. After arriving, my rabbit is inspected. I get a nod from the proctors and am shown to a room, where I'll spend the next 4 days.

I thought of sabotaging the other teams, but call it the girly side of me...I just couldn't bring myself to hurt such cute bunnies.

I find out I'm actually the first to arrive. Turns out nobody wanted to travel in the dark. At the beginning of this round, because of the breakdown of teams by way of the written exams, 81 Genin entered the forest. I wondered how many would make it. Time would tell.

As I fall asleep that night, I'm in for a surprise. I wake up in my mindscape. Only one reason I'd be here. Seems like he's finally ready to then. I walk down a shadowed passageway and then enter the large room where he's imprisoned.

" I've given what you said to me much thought. I want to know your motives. Tell me. I will know if you lie to me brat. "I decide to tease him a bit. " Hello Kurama. Long time no see. Oh yes I'm feeling great thanks for asking. " To my surprise he snorts. I roll my eyes. Then sigh.

" I've seen a version of the future. One I'm hellbent on stopping. There's a group of S ranked shinobi that exists, their purpose is to capture you and your siblings. Their leader, who has the Rinnegan wants to use you all as both a sort of carrot and a stick. He intends on using your combined powers to scare the world into submission. "

" They manage to seal everyone except you and Gyuki. Later on though, Gyuki manages to trick them as they come for him, and they only manage to get 1 of his tentacles. Turns out that's enough. As for your chakra, during the war that's to follow, a shinobi uses a jutsu created by the 2nd Hokage. A jutsu to revive the dead. Kinkaku and Ginkaku are revived and they each have a bit of your chakra. I don't know if you remember but decades ago you swallowed 2 shinobi. They survived by eating your insides. "

" The Gedo statue eats an artifact that they are sealed in and that's the beginning of the end. The leader of the Akatsuki though is merely a puppet. When he was a child, the Rinnegan was implanted into him. They belonged to Madara Uchiha. He awakened them near the end of his life, by consuming the flesh of Hashirama Senju. "

" This whole plot is even more convoluted than that. Madara himself is a pawn. Though it doesn't absolve him. The plot was hatched by a creature called Zetsu. He was created by Kaguya in her final moments before her sealing, he has been working towards her freedom for the past millenia. "

" I'm not sure if you know, but Hagaromo's sons have continually transmigrated over the ages. The current incarnation of Indra is Sasuke Uchiha. Ashura's is my brother. To face Kaguya your father decides to make a different choice than the last time. He chooses to give his powers to both. "

" When Kaguya is sealed however, Sasuke decides he wants to change the shinobi world, starting with killing you tailed beasts. You see why I want to avoid that? Your father, for all his wisdom, cannot comprehend the nature of humans. Not everyone is capable or even willing to live in peace. I know you however are fully aware of that. "

" What I want Kurama is for you and I to be partners. Both to prevent that future but also because I have an alternative solution regarding you and your siblings. During the future fight with Kaguya she uses her immense chakra to create a number of dimensions. That is what I want to do. Create a dimension solely for you and your siblings. And protect it using seals, from anyone who attempts to reach you guys using space-time jutsu. "

The more I say, the more I can see his reactions. Anger. Hate. Incredulity. Surprise. Scepticism. Amusement. And now pensive.

" I wished to speak with you but you have given me even MORE things to think above. Begone brat. I'll summon you here again when I want to speak with you again. "

I sigh. Then roll my eyes. Feeling cheeky, I decide to curtsy then leave the room. Before I leave the room completely though, I see a new emotion on his face. Amusement. I smile.

The days go by fast and before you know it we're in a large hall with a sunken pit. The proctors look slightly annoyed though. I can guess why. There's too many of us still. I know where this is heading. I was right.

" Alright kids. You brats aren't half bad. The fun and games are over now though. There are far too many of you here. We'll have to cut your numbers in half. And guess what. You're all gonna have to fight in a preliminary round now. Line up. You'll be paired up randomly then you enter the pit and fight. Anything except lethal moves count. When I tell you to stop then you stop else you disqualified. " The proctor then assigned us our opponents.

I listened carefully. Hikaru Uzumaki vs Toi Abe. I look at my opponent. He's got to be 16. Bulging muscles. From the Hidden Waterfall. Hmmm what to do...

When we're called I decide to end this quickly. As soon as the proctor says start I make a single handseal and say mentally Fire Style : Phoenix Flower jutsu. Dozens of apple sized fireballs flow from my mouth. He shields his face with his arms but it's pointless. His arms are burnt as is his chest. He collapses and the fight is called as my win.

He's lucky I can control the intensity of the fire. I leave the pit and watch the other matches. Mind wandering. While we can stay here for the month and train, Guy sensei and I have decided to go back to the Leaf. We'll train there.

I'm hoping to get Naruto permission to return with us. I know the Hokage is coming to watch the finals here. The Advisors will probably say it's too risky though. To the Hokage. Can't risk both Jinchuuriki now can they. Not that I care what they think.

I've been thinking lately. There's a technique I'd like to try. My nintaijutsu form is as good as it can get really. Only more experience fighting with it can really help. My kenjutsu has also come along well. Turns out I needed to learn more than just the basics.

I'm never going to actually do any fancy moves with my sword, but being able to use it effectively, I'm getting there. In 2 years I'd be at a level with it that I could fight any of the 7 Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

The preliminaries finally conclude. We're told our fights will be randomly decided on the day of the finals. Shinobi after all rarely know what they'll be up against. After heading to the hotel and packing my things, Guy sensei and I depart the Hidden Grass and head home. Naturally he makes it a competition to see who reaches the Land of Fire first.

He beats me. It's expected though. When we're about an hour from the Leaf tho, I slow down. After seeing this he does as well. Watching me. " Sensei, I've been thinking. There's a jutsu I've read about and I'd like to try it. The summoning jutsu. Apparently if you don't have a contract, you can can still do the jutsu, except you don't summon anything. You get reverse summoned to the animal most compatible with you. Is that true?

POV change

This girl never ceases to amaze me. She keeps pushing to improve herself. Truly she burns fiercely with the power of YOUTH! " It's true my youthful student! However there is something your book did not mention. Why, dont you think if it were that easy, that everyone doesn't have a summons? The fact of the matter is that so few people are actually compatible with summons. "

" That's why people prefer using summoning contracts. Less ambiguity. But fear not my student! I know you blaze with the power of your youth! Nothing is impossible! It has happened before that some people did the summoning without a contract and was successful! One of the Legendary Sannin is among that number infact. "

" When we return to the village we shall immediately go to our training grounds and I shall teach you the handsigns! " I give her a youthful smile and thumbs up!

Normal POV

I knew sensei would agree. He did answer a question I was curious about though. Jiraiya made it seem simple but apparently you can't just do the jutsu and expect to have a summons. As soon as we sign in, we immediately head on over to training ground 9.

I make a shadow clone and send it home. I did miss my brother after all. We stand opposite each other and sensei shows me the handsigns. He explains about the cost of the jutsu. Both chakra and blood. I won't deny that I'm nervous. The 2 worst case scenarios for me is, either I don't get a summons or I do get 1 but it's pretty useless.

I wonder if I'll go to the toads. My father was a summoner after all. Sigh. My heart is racing. I take a deep breath though. I can do this. I make a small cut on the side of my hand then make the handsigns while molding chakra. I slam my hand on the ground while mentally saying the jutsu. Smoke fills my vision.

Did I do it? Slowly a breeze blows the smoke away. When my vision clears I'm surprised. I'm on some kind of mountain. Atleast that's what I think initially. Till I realise I'm near the peak and look around. For a moment I think my eyes are playing tricks on me. I can feel my eyebrows climbing. I can't believe what I'm seeing. I first thought I was imagining things but I'm not. The smaller mountains on the side give it away. The mountains are floating in the sky. High up based on how cold it is.

Out of the corner of my eye I see a flash of fire. I spin around and gape. How is this possible?!

" Welcome Hikaru Uzumaki, we've been waiting 10 years to meet you..."