Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 10
It took team seven together with Zabuza and Haku about eleven hours to get back to Konoha. Once upon they returned, they were led by a squad of ANBU to the Hokage's office to explain why an A-Ranked missing-nin was with them and was under the protection of the Uchiha Clan. After they arrived in the Hokage office, Kakashi gave a report of the mission, during which, Hiruzen almost had a heart attack when he heard that Naruto unlocked the powers of the Senbonzakura.
"So, you want to tell me, that you have fought against Zabuza-san, then after winning you trained and then fought Zabuza-san and Haku-san and during the battle Naruto-kun has unlocked the power of his Katana. After the battle, Gato has betrayed you two and Naruto wanted you to join us?" Hiruzen asked, making all five of them nod their heads.
"Then what about it, Hokage-sama? Can the two of them join Konoha?" Naruto asked.
"Hmm, I will have to notify the council and see if they agree," The old man said, making Naruto smirk. A smirk that Hiruzen knew too well.
"From what I can remember since they are under the protection of my Clan, I am allowed to come to the meeting as well, right?"
"Indeed, you are right, Naruto-kun. Turtle!" Suddenly an ANBU operative with a turtle mask appeared in front of Sarutobi while kneeling.
"Yes, sir?" The ANBU asked.
"Inform the council about a meeting in fifteen minutes," The Sandaime ordered, which was followed by an 'Hai!' from the ANBU. "Yugito-chan, Kakashi, I am sorry but you two can't go with us. Kakashi, I expect a written, detailed report for tomorrow morning, so you can go and start it now. Naruto-kun, Haku-chan, Zabuza-san, let's go," Sandaime said as he stood up from his desk with a pipe in his mouth.
"See ya tomorrow, Yugito-chan," Naruto said as he and the other three left the office and started walking towards the council chamber. As they entered the chamber, Naruto, Zabuza, and Haku took places that were between the Shinobi council and civilian council and in front of the place that Hokage took. As the minutes went, more and more councilmen entered the room and soon the chamber was filled.
"Good day, ladies and gentleman. You all probably wonder why I have gathered you all on this fine day. The reason is that on his last mission, Uchiha Naruto has saved Momochi Zabuza and his apprentice, Yuki Haku and invited them to join our Village. As you may know, if it would be anyone else, I would have declined it outright, but since Zabuza-san has been a missing-nin for years and Haku was never an official Ninja, I decided to ask you all what do you have to say in this matter. Before we start the Veto, let's hear what Naruto-san has to say," Hiruzen stated. Soon, Naruto was standing in the middle of the chamber and was looking at the Hokage and his two advisors who were sitting next to him.
"Honorable Council, I will be quick with this since I guess no one wants to sit here, some would like to take a nap, right, Shikaku-san?" Naruto asked, making the Head of the Nara Clan, who was sleeping, wake up and listen to what the boy had to say.
"The reasons why I have decided to ask the two of them to join Konoha is pretty easy. We all know that Zabuza-san was one of the seven swordsmen of the mist, making his one of the best Kenjutsu users in the world. Zabuza would be perfect to teach the new upcoming generation of Kenjutsu users, which would lead to making Konoha Shinobi more versatile. Haku-san, on the other hand, is one of the last Hyoton users in the Elemental Nations. She could one day restore her Clan here in Konoha, which leads us to Konoha gaining another powerful Bloodline Limit. Besides that, Haku-san would be a perfect match for my and Yugito-san's Genin team. She would take the role of the long-fighter, with Yugito being mid-fighter and me close-fighter. I and Yugito-san would also benefit from gaining experience from Zabuza-san, so it would be perfect to place him on my team as well. Both he and Kakashi-san would make a perfect duo which would make them in a way our bodyguards that nothing can happen to us on a mission. That's all I wanted to say, thank you," Naruto said and went to sit back on his place.
"Well then, let's vote. Who is for Zabuza-san and Haku-san to join Konoha as our Shinobi?" Hiruzen asked. The whole civilian side of the council raised their hands, as did both of the advisors. A few moments later, Choza, Inoichi, and Shikakau raised their hands. it didn't take too long for the rest of the Shinobi side of the council to do the same. "Very well, from today on, you Momochi Zabuza and Yuki Haku are Shinobi of Konohagakure," Hiruzen said, making both of them and Naruto stand up and bow. "Then, the meeting is ..." The Sandaime was cut by Hyuga Hiashi.
"Hokage-sama, if I may," Hiashi asked, making the old man nodded. "I was wondering where the two of them will be staying. If they wish they can stay at the Hyu..." The Hyuga Clan head was cut by Naruto, who was smirking.
"Don't worry, Hyuga. Both of them are under the protection of the great Uchiha Clan," Naruto said, making Hiashi seeth since he has lost a powerful Shinobi and a powerful Bloodline. He wanted the two to join his Clan and arrange a marriage between the girl and some of the main Branch Hyuga so the Hyoton stays with the Hyuga, giving the Clan more power. "Well, I think it is time for us to go, let's go Zabuza-san, Haku-san," the young Uchiha said and left the chamber, with the two following behind him.
For the next week, Naruto has been showing Haku and Zabuza around, have helped them move into the Uchiha compound and meet some people. Besides that Haku, Naruto and Yugito have been doing some teamwork exercises to perfect and synchronize their skills to be ready for any kind of situation. Haku has been also teaching the two of them how to do one-handed seals since it was very helpful in the middle of battle. On the last two days, the three of them started mastering their natural affinity, with Raiton being Naruto's, Suiton being Yugito's and Suiton and Futon being Haku's, but the ice-user decided that she will master the Suiton first. In their free time, Naruto has also started to train with Senbonzakura to make the blades move faster, while Yugito started to learn a new technique and Haku started to learn medical Ninjutsu.
After the week was over, team seven had met on their training ground, which was numbered seven. When the three Genin entered the clearing, they saw that both Kakashi and Zabuza were waiting there for them already.
"Good morning, everyone," Kakashi greeted with an eye-smile, while he read his orange book. Zabuza on the other hand simply nodded to the three as they sat down in front of the two Jonin.
"So Sensei, what will we do today? Continue on training on our Natural affinity or will we have some free time training?" Yugito asked as she was eager to finish learning her newest Jutsu.
"Hmm, no. Today and the next three days you will have free as I together with Zabuza have nominated you three for the Chunin Exams which started in three days. If you decide to take a part in it, you have to come with this application to the academy room 301 in three days. later," He said and vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving only Zabuza with them.
"You heard him if you want to become Chunin go there in three days. What he forgot to mention is that you have to come as a team of three otherwise you will not be able to take part in it. Till the next time," He said and used Shunshin the same way as Kakashi did.
"So, are you two gonna take part in it?" Naruto asked as he pocketed the application which the two Jonin left on the ground, exactly where they stood.
"Of course! We three are more than ready to become Chunin, right, Haku-chan?" Yugito asked without hesitation, while the Hyoton user nodded with a confident smile.
"Great! Let's go celebrate at Ichiraku's, my treat today!" Naruto exclaimed with a grin as the group started to head towards the Ramen bar.
As the three of them neared the Ichiraku's, they suddenly heard a child's voice shout, the shout was followed by a voice that Naruto and Yugito knew too well. Naruto looked at his two companions who shrugged and they went to check what was happening over there. When they arrived at the place that the commotion was happening, they saw a black-suited boy lifting Konohamaru, the grandson of the Sandaime. Naruto and Yugito have met him on a few occasion and since Konohamaru saw how strong Naruto was, he took him as a model figure.
Next to the black-suited boy was standing a blond-haired girl with a large fan on her back. On the other side of the street was standing Haruno Sakura, self-proclaimed Naruto's fangirl number 1, next to her was standing Sai, her teammate and behind them was another boy, who was coming from a rich civilian family and was very arrogant, always thinking that he was the best. His arrogance was so bad, that after seeing that Naruto started to learn Kenjutsu and once again outclassed him in something, he started to take classes from some guy that his parents paid for. Unfortunately, Naruto wasn't able to remember his name since he never bothered to learn it.
The boy was wearing a light blue t-shirt and black pants. Over his t-shirt, he had a red jacket which had two yellow lines going down on each of his sleeves. He also wore black Shinobi sandals and a Chokuto strapped on his back. He had long brown hair, which went down to his neck and brown eyes.
Behind Sakura was also standing Udon and Moegi, Konohamaru's best friends and classmates, while Udon also idolized Naruto like Konohamaru, Moegi wanted to become like Yugito. Like she described her, 'beautiful and Strong'.
"Kankuro, let the brat go, don't you remember why we are here?" Asked the blond girl with the fan. The boy on the other hand just smirked.
"Don't worry, Temari. I am just gonna teach the brat some manners," He said as he cocked his right fist back, to hit the academy student in the face.
"HEY! Let him go, you freak!" Sakura shrieked, but Kankuro didn't pay her mind.
"Hmph! You better listen to this chick or I will have to kick you to a bloody pulp," Sakura's and Sai's teammate exclaimed arrogantly, while his right hand went for the handle of his Chokuto.
"Katsuro, don't drag us into some needles fights," Sai said. (AN: Sai never joined ROOT here), but it was already too late as his brown-haired teammate unsheathed his Chokuto and leaped forward. he made a horizontal slash, which would cut Konohamaru and Kankuro in half. Seeing that his young friend was in danger, Naruto leaped forward.
Moegi and Udon who were still standing behind Sakura were horrified when they saw what the arrogant Genin wanted to do. Not wanting to witness their friend's death, they closed their eyes, but there was no scream of pain or sound of a blade cutting through flesh. Instead, there was a clang, indicating that metal met metal. When they opened their eyes, they saw the white Haori with the Uchiha fan on the back and those long black sleeves. Next to Kankuro was standing Naruto, with his Katana unsheathed and blocking Katsuro's Chokuto. All of the Shinobi presents were shocked as they have never seen him appear in this position.
"Katsuro-san, I suggest that you never again try to harm the grandson of the third Hokage or any foreign Shinobi, because such incident might cost us a war," Naruto said in a calm, but cold voice, full of authority.
Temari, who was standing a bit back, blushed after checking Naruto out. 'And to think that I thought that the brown-haired boy was handsome' She thought. Suddenly Naruto managed to throw the Chokuto out of Katsuro's hand after a fluid motion. He then turned to Kankuro, which shivered after seeing the cold, onyx black eyes.
"I suggest to you that you leave the grandson of the third Hokage in peace otherwise I will have to intervene to protect a citizen of Konoha," The young Uchiha warned in the same cold voice, which reminded Kankuro of his younger brother, Gaara. Suddenly another voice ringed form a tree that was standing near them all.
"Kankuro, let the kid go, you are embarrassed to our Village," Said another cold voice, which was followed by a wave of killing intent. In an instant, Kankuro let go of Konohamaru who run back behind Sakura to join their friends.
"B-B-But Gaara, t-they..." Kankuro stuttered out but was cut by a boy that was standing on a branch of the tree.
"Shut up or I will kill you," Said the now identified Gaara, who used a seal-less Shunshin and disappeared in a swirl of sand and appeared next to Naruto, who at the time had already sheathed his Katana. "I am sorry for the problem that my teammate caused," He said in an emotionless voice.
"That's quite alright, Gaara-san. No harm was done," The last loyal Uchiha said, making Gaara nod.
"Kankuro, Temari, let's go," Gaara said, turning around and starting walk away until a voice called them all.
"Hey! What's your name?" Asked Katsuro, who by now was standing next to Sai. Looking over his shoulder, Gaara answered.
"Sabaku no Gaara. What's yours?" Asked the red-haired boy, making Katsuro smirk.
"Hoiryu Ka..." He was cut off by Gaara.
"Not your, I mean him," He said, pointing at Naruto, making Katsuro seeth in anger.
"Uchiha Naruto," Naruto said making Gaaran nod and continue to walk away. Seeing how there was nothing for him to do, Naruto walked over to the three kids and ruffled their heads. "I have three days off now if you want we can get some training done?" Naruto asked with a smile. The Uchiha would often 'train' with them, which was basically playing tag, hide and seek or sometimes even spar with them. All three of them smiled brightly at this and started to nod vigorously.
"Yes, Boss! We will come tomorrow after the academy," Konohamaru said, making the Uchiha nod and walk away.
"See ya tomorrow, guys," he said and walked to meet with his two teammates who were already eating their ordered Ramen.
'Sabaku no Gaara. You are an interesting one' he though as he entered the bar.
Next Chapter will be the beginning of the Chunin exams!
Ja Ne!