I don't own Naruto

Chapter 7

"Naruto do you feel ready," Jiraiya asked his god son.

"Hai Ero-sennin I'll be fine," Naruto replied with more confidence than he ever really had. He could feel his body was physically stronger than when he left to mount Myoboku and the blonde felt that he was better for it. Despite missing Sakura and Sasuke, he really enjoyed spending time with Jiraiya. It was the first time he truly felt like he had a family, an actual one. Whilst he was close with team 7 there was still the stigma, furthermore they were in Konoha. The Namikaze expected things to become better when he got back thanks to his heritage being revealed by Iwagakure but this strangely had him angrier than if they hated him. He wanted to earn his acknowledgement, not inherit it.

"You know that your survival is the most important thing right," Jiraiya questioned.

"I won't have anyone die for me. It's my responsibility and I don't want lives on my back," Naruto spoke back. They had had this debate before and Jiraiya was still trying to convince Naruto to be careful.

"You don't understand, it's not your heritage that's important but that you and your team is the most important to Konoha," Jiraiya said back.

"Bullshit, are you telling me you don't think I can handle myself," Naruto accused. He understood that Jiraiya didn't want him to get hurt but it felt like Jiraiya thought he wasn't able to fight for himself. "There's a reason the Hokage wanted us prepared for the Chunin exams. It would normally make more sense for me not to be in it since I'm the target but if I can fight well then that sends a bigger message to Iwa. I won't run."

"Okay I admit I want you to be safe but you better get this through your head. These Genin won't be dying for you, it's for Konoha. There's a high chance that we'll actually go to war with Iwa, it's imperative to weaken their future. However Iwa want to do the same thing to us, so much so that they enter the Konoha Chunin exams. You won't be fighting anyone weaker than a ninja deserving of the Chunin rank. So you better keep safe."

"Ero-sennin, fight me now. If I don't prove myself here than I understand your point, otherwise you let me go about it the way I want to," Naruto was acting defensively. He knew he was but a lot in the last 4 months had involved Jiraiya trying to convince him to leave his comrades if things got bad.

Jiraiya hesitated for a while, wondering what response he should come up with. Eventually he settled for testing Naruto, if he could perform adequately than Jiraiya was sure his god son would be okay. "Fine let's go then."

Quickly Naruto rushed forward and unleashed attacks left right and centre. Jiraiya was able to defend himself but his taijutsu was very good. After a short time Jiraiya landed a punch on Naruto and forced him back. The Namikaze responded by creating shadow clones to alter the direction he was moving in, back to Jiraiya at high speed. Naruto threw a deadly kick at Jiraiya which he had to dodge. If Naruto kicked him it would hurt as the extra weight Naruto wore would add more damage in his kicks.

Suddenly Naruto started going through hand seals. "Wind style: great breakthrough," Naruto called out. A great force of wind attacked Jiraiya and he was raised off the ground, sent backwards. The toad sage had the experience to move his body in a way that would allow him to land on his feet but that was beside the point. The Namikaze had become skilled in wind style ninjutsu. They kept at it for a long time when they came to the end.

Jiraiya had a rasengan prepared in his hand and Naruto looked on, knowing there was nothing he could do to that. "Naruto, create a rasengan right now that might match mine in power."

Naruto looked to his own hand and a rasengan started to form until about half way it built up too much and blew Naruto back. However the clone dissipated and from behind it Naruto had a shadow clone working on the rasengan with him. Jiraiya's eyes widened in shock, the Namikaze hadn't been able to do the rasengan once in all the time they had been training.

"Let's go ero-sennin," Naruto called out and rushed forward, Rasengan in hand.

Well done kid Jiraiya thought. He charged forward with his own rasengan, making sure to make it identical in power to Naruto's, or at least close enough that both Rasengan would negate each other. They collided and both ninja were forced back, a panting Naruto looked up with one of his largest smiles, a true smile and one of accomplishment as he achieved what he had been working on for basically the duration of his stay at mount Myoboku.

"Kid, you'll be fine," Jiraiya said, acknowledging Naruto's strength as enough to participate well in the Chunin exam.

"Hey ero-sennin," Naruto asked in a serious voice. Jiraiya looked toward him before Naruto continued. "Thanks."

In the leaf village Sakura and Tenten were walking out a weapons store, which was Tenten's favourite place to shop and Sakura enjoyed the older Kunoichi's company. The two had only grown closer in their friendship as they trained together and both of them knew that they had helped each other out.

"This is what I've wanted for ages," Tenten exclaimed, looking at the new set of shuriken that she brought.

"I don't understand what's different about it," Sakura said. To her they looked the same.

"Seriously? Not only are they a far better quality which means that they cut through the air much easier meaning that they are more accurate. Also their attached to strings which allow me to manipulate their movement even after I've thrown them."

"You know I don't understand weapons as well as you. I still think you should practise your ninjutsu more though, even if it's just something like the body replace technique."

"You know I'll be fine Sakura. Let's have another accuracy competition," Tenten asked excitedly. Ever since she became friends with Sakura she felt she had something that she hadn't in a long time. She had someone to talk to and spend time with.

"But you always beat me," Sakura said unenthusiastically.

"Not true, we drew twice," Tenten exclaimed.

"Yeah and that was when we both got perfect scores the entire way through. Tenten, I've never seen you miss, not even once."

"Well do it anyway. It's fun and it increases your accuracy. That's two reasons and I see no valid reasons against."

"I suppose," Sakura stated and the two went off to have another kunai throwing competition. Sakura couldn't believe how deadly accurate one person could be, it was honestly unfair how good Tenten was when it came to weapons. If she worked on the other aspects of her ninja training the same way she did her weapons training she could become the most capable Kunoichi since Tsunade Senju.

As a Senju Sakura was treated differently, although those she really valued as friends weren't too different. Her old classmates had asked her about herself and Naruto being their heritage. It slightly irked Sakura she had to deal with it on her own whilst Naruto was trained by a sannin although Sakura supposed it was necessary for Naruto to bond with what little family he had left, even if it wasn't through blood. She was more or less equal to Sasuke now, although if she had to she would probably say that Sasuke was slightly stronger.

Her skills with Mokuton were coming along well and she picked up jutsu fast, as the ones Tenzo used weren't even by a natural Mokuton user so it was easier than the techniques that Hashirama Senju used. Sakura thought she walked with more confidence now, feeling that she knew more about herself and felt she held more powerful. As everyday passed and she got stronger she could feel deep inside her that she was taking steps in the direction that her dream laid. With Iwa knocking on the door however it wasn't enough. She needed strength, she needed it quickly and she needed enough that Konoha wouldn't be in danger.

Sasuke had trained with Kakashi and he was beginning to feel more power. He always walked with the confidence that an Uchiha would possess but now he actually was much closer to having the power to back up the reasoning for why he was so confident. His Uchiha taijutsu which was already strong only grew with the sharingan and having it made Sasuke stronger. Kakashi had no doubt about placing them in the Chunin exams, he was confident that not only would they survive but they may be able to affect the outcome of the battle. In the months that they had trained his team had grown more than Gais team. Sasuke comfortably beat Lee now as his body could move fast enough to avoid some of the attacks that Lee would give.

Neji and Sasuke didn't directly confront each other with all their power but whilst the Hyuga was better at Taijutsu there wasn't a lot in it and soon enough Sasuke would surely surpass the Hyuga.

Neji had remained bitter at the aspect of training with team 7. Despite the fact that Naruto was dead last, someone who should have been a failure it turned out that he was the son of two of the most powerful ninja in Konoha history. Sasuke was a descendant from the main branch of the Uchiha clan and a genius in his own right. That was to be expected of course, seeing how that's how he was born. And Sakura, the Senju was a descendant from the second Hokage and one of the most powerful clans in shinobi history. With their natural genius and the work ethic that Neji saw them put in he knew that they would be powerful, however Neji was still stronger than them. It had to remain that way, all Neji had to hold onto was his genius and his thoughts on peoples fate.

That was why Neji usually seethed on his own while the others trained; the main reason being the Uchiha. Both of their clans had been rivals since the early days of the village. Whilst distrust of the Uchiha had always been somewhat high after Madara Uchiha defected from the village they never truly lost their standing in the village. The clan had always had an aura that demanded respect and Sasuke had this too. However this wasn't the main problem that Neji had with the rookie genin. His problem was that Sasuke was gaining on his own ability rapidly. Neji didn't need the eyes of the Hyuga to see this, it was plain as day. Sasuke would turn up at training after some one on one training with Kakashi and have another Jutsu, or have perfected a jutsu or improved in some way shape or form. To the Hyuga it felt like no matter what he did there was no stopping the inevitable and this had Neji. Was it fate for the Uchiha clan to be stronger than the Hyuga? The Hyuga genius is inferior to the Uchiha genius.

The training continued and the main question that Konoha had on its lips was where Naruto Namikaze was. Since Iwa had spread the word about a living Namikaze, Naruto had briefly been sighted returning from the mission where team 7 had fought and bested Iwa ninja, he had disappeared.

Team 8 had found an increase in their training from Kurenai, they were told it was because of the potential threat that Konoha faced.

"Sensei I'm tired can we take a break," Kiba asked bitterly. He was tired and their sensei had been training them ridiculously hard.

Kurenai turned back to Kiba and placed him in a genjutsu. This consisted of a battle between Konoha and Iwa ninja, showing Kiba what she believed was to come. The Inuzuka was frozen in shock, he knew it was a genjutsu but he couldn't believe the destruction that war could potentially cause. This is exaggerated right? And all about Naruto too, will we be okay?

Kiba came to a few moments later and all of a sudden felt quite lightheaded. Kurenai watched on, awaiting the reaction Kiba gave. She knew it was harsh to place Kiba in a situation like that but she didn't want to lose a student and would do what she must to ensure their revival. Said boy sat on the floor taking deep breaths. He was recuperating, getting a hold of himself and calming himself down.

"Is that really what it's like sensei," Kiba asked. He wouldn't admit it out loud but he was afraid of being in a situation like that. His team mates looked on in shock, Kiba had always been the bashful one and even he was scared. Shino's mind began racing to what else he could do to succeed. Hinata's body trembled slightly; she had heard the rumours of everything, the oncoming war, Naruto and what could potentially happen. She was afraid, her father was correct after all, she was weak.

"It can be Kiba," Kurenai replied truthfully. "That's why I'll train you hard now, so you don't have to worry about what you might face as you'll be strong enough to protect yourselves. As your sensei it's my responsibility to make sure that you survive."

"We… should train then shouldn't we," Hinata stated boldly. "Righ-right sensei," she then finished with her usual stutter.

"Right," Kiba replied. He wouldn't ever be in a situation like Kurenai had just shown them.

"Let us go then," Shino stated confidently. They resumed the training they were doing and Kurenai watched on. I'm proud of all of you. I won't fail you, I promise.

The Chunin exam was scheduled to take place in one week and this was the day where Iwa shinobi walked in. They had cold, hard expressions of their faces and the citizens of Konoha could feel the tension in the air. They walked in like an army, not one person stepping out of line. There was no talking, the streets were almost silent. The sound of footsteps could be heard, walking through the village towards where they were staying.

That was when a small toad jumped out to the middle of the path and the Iwa shinobi stopped. They looked on at the toad as it seemed to do something strange. All of a sudden it slammed its hand on the ground.

POOF

Smoke filled the area, obscuring the Iwa shinobi's vision. As it cleared, looking ahead of them was a huge toad, the same one that Konohas yellow flash had used before his untimely demise. This wasn't what drew their attention though; it was the man standing on top of it. He wore black sandals and trousers, a blue jacket. Looking to his face they were greeted with piercing blue eyes and striking blonde hair.

"It's him." "It's the flash." "Devil"

These were the murmurs of the genin from the hidden stone. To them it was as if the nightmares that they had as children had come to life, Konohas yellow flash come to fill the job.

"NAMIKAZE," Kurotsuchi shouted out. She emerged from the crowd to speak to him. As the grandchild of the Tsuchikage she had a certain authority and so none tried stop her.

"Kurotsuchi," Naruto spoke back calmly. He remembered her from their fight, and wasn't surprised to see her here. The girl had already expressed her deep rooted hatred for him and the Namikaze already knew that she wished to kill him.

"I promise you, you will die," Kurotsuchi spoke out venomously. She would avenge the people of the stone and follow in her grandfather's footsteps.

"I've come here to make a statement," Naruto spoke out to the ninja of Iwagakure. "You have all come here to kill me; nothing would make you happier then to see me dead." The Namikaze then paused for dramatic effect. He hadn't really realised before but his words could have an effect on people and he wanted as many advantages as he could get before their battle in the Chunin exam. "However I won't allow this. Allow our upcoming fight to serve as a reminder to you, a reminder of why you don't fight a Namikaze, why you don't fight the leaf village. Kurotsuchi I beat you once, allow the exam to be a reminder of why you don't fight me," Naruto finished. With that said Gamabunta made a giant leap and Naruto was gone with the toad, the Namikaze had gotten his message across.

Landing near the training grounds Gamabunta began congratulating Naruto. "Good job kid, I'll be sure to tell everyone back at mount Myoboku. DO us proud and don't die kid, your chief commands it."

"Aye Bunta, I'll do my best."

"Alright well I'm off," Gamabunta stated before disappearing.

Alright now to find my team Naruto thought.

It took Naruto a short while but the Namikaze ran and eventually found his team training with Gai's team. Sakura was aiming at a target; every other shuriken thrown beforehand was dead centre. The Senju breathed out before releasing her target. Naruto approached just before she did though and put her off.

"Naruto?" Sakura questioned, not even caring about where the shuriken went.

"Hi Sakura-chan," Naruto responded with a smile. Sakura almost seemed confused for a minute, Naruto wasn't sure what was going on but almost immediately after she processed this she rushed over and embraced him in a hug.

"Where've you been asshole," Sakura asked as she let go. She'd missed the Uzumaki, well Namikaze now, immensely. "Why'd you just leave like that?"

"It was all sort of sudden ya know," Naruto answered as he scratched his head.

"And you couldn't have said goodbye?"

"I'm sorry Sakura-chan, you know how it was."

"I suppose," Sakura pouted before continuing. "What'd you do anyway?"

"I was training with ero-sennin, I've gotten loads stronger. I assume you've improved as well," Naruto said with a smile. He was happy to be back with his friends.

"Hn, of course we have," Sasuke stated confidently.

"Good because I'm not letting anyone die for me, I don't care what it takes."

"We'll be fine Naruto," Sakura assured him. "But you can't pin anything on yourself; it's a choice after all."

"Lee, Tenten, Neji," Naruto acknowledged, deflecting Sakura's question.

"Naruto-kun I heard you've been embracing the flames of youth away from the village," Lee stated, a passion burning in his eye as he spoke.

"That's right Lee, my weights are probably the same as yours now," Naruto smiled back. He had found the boy weird at first but had grown used to it and found training with Gai one of the things he missed about Konoha.

"It's good your back Naruto," Tenten said happily.

"Damn right it is," Naruto exclaimed. "We're gonna beat Iwa and show them not to mess with us dattebayo."

"Namikaze I wish to fight you," Neji interrupted before Tenten could respond to Naruto's statement. "I wish to see what training with a sannin can accomplish, last I saw you; you were nothing but a failure. Let's see if that's changed."

Sakura expected Naruto to get annoyed however she was surprised to see Naruto simply smirk before accepting.

"Of course, I'll show you your fate bullshit is nothing but something you made up dattebayo."

Sasuke on the other hand was slightly irked. He'd wanted to fight Neji in a serious one on one spar but had been too proud to ask. Naruto had barely been here five minutes and Neji had already asked him. However Sasuke was willing to put it aside for now as he too was intrigued to see how strong Naruto had become.

"Let's go then. I'll let you make the first move, considering your nothing but a loser," Neji mocked. Without a word Naruto rushed forward much faster than Neji anticipated. He was met by a barrage of strikes and yet he couldn't make contact with Naruto, having to focus on dodging and hitting back. However the jinchuriki's reflexes seemed to have improved as Naruto wasn't hit even once. Neji was forced to create some space and so jumped back.

"How'd you like that huh," Naruto mocked. He was happy to see the irritated look on the Hyuga's face. "Kage bunshin no jutsu," Naruto called out and five Naruto's stood around him. They all then charged at Neji and the Hyuga panicked and used the only secret weapon he could think of, the rotation technique. Naruto's clones dispelled and he was forced backwards.

"That'll be difficult to get through huh. Well try this," Naruto shouted out. He threw a kunai forward and then began going through hand seals. "Wind style: Great breakthrough."

The kunai sped up and got too close to Neji who couldn't rotate in time but he managed to dodge it. That was his mistake however as the kunai came out of its henge to reveal Naruto. He threw a punch at Neji and knocked him through the air to the real Naruto who landed a kick on him. Afterwards he held a kunai to Neji's throat which signified his victory.

"Hah see that, I told you fate didn't mean anything," Naruto said, extremely excited at the fact that he had defeated Neji.

Tenten looked on in hope, she hated Neji's obsession with fate. Hopefully now that Naruto had beaten him he would come around.

"What do you mean? You're the son of the fourth Hokage, Konohas greatest hero. As the son of our greatest hero you were destined to be strong, obviously destiny just arrived late for you. Don't tell me anything about fate, it can't be changed," Neji scoffed at Naruto.

Tenten let out a dramatic sigh at this. She loved her team despite the weirdness from Gai and Lee. Nevertheless Neji could really annoy her sometimes, especially his obsession with fate.

As Neji walked off to be alone Naruto turned around to see a surprised expression on Sakura and Sasuke's faces. "Naruto you've gotten stronger," Sasuke stated.

"Heh heh," Naruto laughed sheepishly.

"Naruto how did you get so quick, you were supposed to be the slowest on team 7," Sakura questioned. The Namikaze had been fast and it showed as he was able to best a Hyuga in taijutsu before defeating him.

"Well that's thanks to Gai sensei's training I guess," Naruto answered as he looked towards the two senseis of the team who had been watching quietly.

"Naruto how was your training," Kakashi asked the Namikaze. He had been wondering when Naruto would return and was happy that he'd have a week to make sure his teamwork with team 7 hadn't been all but forgotten.

"Me and ero-sennin worked on my speed as well, I gradually got faster," Naruto continued, unintentionally ignoring Kakashi.

I suppose things are normal at least Kakashi thought. "Ahem, how was your training Naruto?"

"Oh Kaka-sensei, it was great," Naruto began. "I learned loads about my parents and the toads are pretty wise. I also learned some super powerful jutsu."

"That's good; we'll need to make sure you Sasuke and Sakura can work together smoothly. And stay out of the stone ninja's way for now," Kakashi lectured.

"Hai sensei," Naruto responded accordingly.

"Oh and Naruto," Kakashi said before he went back to the other. Naruto looked up to see what he had to say. "It's good your back."

Naruto cracked a smile at this before he continued training with the others.

Three days passed and the training had been going well. Naruto and Sakura were walking back from training when they ran into three ninja walking by. One of them purposely barged into Naruto, staggering him back a little bit.

"What are you doing brat," the one who barged into Naruto said. He wore a black jumpsuit and had war paint on. The most noticeable thing to Naruto though was his hitai-ate. It wasn't Konoha and it wasn't Iwa. Naruto couldn't remember which one it was since it'd been a while since he had been tutored by Sakura.

"Which village is that Sakura-chan," Naruto asked.

"It's the hidden sand. What are you three doing here," Sakura asked.

"Stay out our way, or I'll kill you," the one in the middle said. He had a gourd on his back and crazed eyes. The worst thing about him was the bloodlust oozing out of him. It was nearly unbearable but Sakura and Naruto remained strong.

"Hey you can't just come to our village and say that," Naruto scrutinized Gaara.

"You wish to die then. Very well, prove your existence."

Sand started going towards them and before they could react they heard the sound of a thousand birds. Lightning ran across the sand and it fell down to the ground and standing next to Naruto and Sakura was Sasuke.

"You, who are you," Sasuke asked Gaara.

"I am Gaara of the desert. All three of you intrigue me, tell me your names."

"Sasuke Uchiha," Sasuke stated confidently with a smirk on his face.

"Sakura Senju," Sakura answered as coolly as possible.

"Naruto Namikaze," Naruto responded, eyeing his opponents, almost analysing them.

"You three interest me, I'll see you in the Chunin exam. Kankuro, Temari lets go." The other two sand siblings followed Gaara and their shoulders seemed to ease up as they left.

"We'll have to watch out for him," Naruto said to his team when they were out of earshot.

"Right, that Gaara guy was unleashing crazy bloodlust," Sakura agreed with Naruto.

Sasuke however was silent. Thoughts were going through his mind; he was excited at the prospect of fighting a strong shinobi. Just how close have I got to you, Itachi?

"Sasuke," Naruto questioned. He knew his teammate well enough to know what he was thinking, as did Sakura.

"You can't fight him Sasuke. We already have Iwa to worry about, leave Gaara for another time," Sakura offered council.

"You don't understand," Sasuke started.

"What do you mean we don't understand? What's there to understand? Naruto questioned his friend.

"I need to see how far I've come; the only way to do that is to fight strong opponents."

"Sasuke trust me you need your head clear," said Naruto.

"And what would you understand about it. You've done nothing but gain people since becoming a genin. You have Sakura, Kakashi, the Hokage and now the entire village. There's no way you could ever understand anything about me," Sasuke glared at Naruto.

"Sasuke…," Sakura began before being cut off.

"Don't you start; you're in the same situation as him. Neither of you can understand me so don't even try." With that said Sasuke walked off, leaving a dumfounded Naruto and Sakura to ponder what they'd just seen.

"What's wrong with him," Naruto asked, frustrated.

"It has to be hard for him Naruto. Look at it from his perspective, even if their dead we've both technically gained family which is something that Sasuke will never get. I can sympathise with him, I just don't want him to do anything stupid in the process either."

"Don't worry Sakura-chan, I won't let anything happen to those I care about," Naruto said with determination thick in his voice. "Well I've gotta go see the Jiji so I'll see you later."

As Naruto walked away Sakura was lost in thought. Will we be okay? I know we've trained hard but now that it's actually here I'm scared. I believe in you Naruto but you can't save everyone, no one can.

NO!

As long as we work together we'll be fine. With Team 7, Tenten, Lee and even Neji we'll be fine for sure. Despite Sakura's confident thoughts her body was trembling, it was to be the first time she willingly entered a battle, she needed to be fine.

Okay that's another chapter done. This story will hopefully run up until before the time skip where hopefully I make a part 2 (It'll be very different to shippuden as things are gonna be a lot different than the end of Naruto at the end of his story)

Please can you review and tell me what you think and any ideas you might have. It helps inspire me to write if I'm given a review as it tells me people are interested.

Can you tell me if you think one of the members of team 7 should go bad please? It'll help further towards the end of this story.

Thanks.