Allies

I read Kaz the King's reviews for last chapter and I was just like :0. So, I've decided to update. It's about time, I know. I've been busy...we all have. So yeah.

Kakashi ruffled Naruto's hair as they walked back to the gates of Konoha. "You did exceptionally well out there. I'm even more impressed that you did so after having four tailed beasts placed within you."

Naruto smiled at the praise his sensei was giving him. Just because they hadn't really gotten along at first didn't mean Kakashi hated the boy. It was probably harder for him to look at someone who looked so much like his sensei.

"He wouldn't have done much without me."

Naruto glared at his best friend. "Teme, I'm telling you, If I weren't there, you would have lost."

Sasuke rolled his eyes, his emotions staying under control. "Whatever. If it weren't for my lightning, our jutsu wouldn't have been as powerful."

"That's a lie, teme. Sakura?"

The pink haired girl looked up from her thoughts. "Yes, Naruto?"

"Who's stronger. Me or Sasuke?"

Sakura giggled at her boys. "Well, you both are exceptionally strong, but I do think without Sasuke's lighting, your spiral would not nave been as strong."

Naruto grumbled and Sasuke smirked. "Hn."

"Personally" Haku began, walking alongside the pink haired girl. "I think Naruto does exceptionally well in all the jutsus he commits to. I think that he and Sasuke do well with your….Uchikaze style, but I also think that Naruto is capable of fighting greater alone."

Naruto blushed lightly and smiled. "Thanks, Haku. When you and Zabuza are appointed as Konoha ninja, you can stay with Gaara and I. So many of the vacant Namikaze homes are so big."

Haku blushed too. "That'd be great, Naruto."

"You could possibly be ranked as a chunin quickly, how strong you are. Zabuza would definitely ANBU or a jounin."

Turning away with a smile, it faltered as the Namikaze watched his pale friend across from him. Naruto smiled sheepishly and Sasuke turned away wit his arms crossed.

"Hn."

Before the blond could ask his fault, they already reached the gate. "Aniki!"

Gaara stood there next to Gai, who was holding his hand, and Shisui, who'd chosen to care for Gaara while Naruto was away.

Both his normal and Ichibi eye lit up as the blond began running to his younger brother. He'd missed him so much. "Gaara!" He yelled, letting the red head know he heard clearly.

"Aniki!" Naruto screamed as he ran from his father's desk to hug his older brother.

The older boy laughed and squeezed his nose. "Naruto! I missed you."

Naruto hung to Pein's legs. "I missed you too. Did you do good on your mission?"

Pein nodded.

"And did you bring me back anything?"

With a smile, the older son lifted the small object in his hand, displaying a pretty rock in his hand. "It's pure crystal."

Naruto jumped up and down. "A rock! Oh my! Big brother, this is the best ever."

When the brothers reached one another, Naruto lifted the boy and began squeezing him tight. "I missed you so much! So much that I'm never letting go." The blond proclaimed.

Gaara squeezed too as the others appeared next to them. "I missed you too. Me, Shisui, and Gai-sensei went for ramen and I ate five bowls for goodluck on your mission."

Naruto leaned away, only to hold his hands under Gaara's underpits. Without hesitation the blond pulled him close and began placing kisses onto Gaara's eyes, cheeks, and forehead.

He kissed the kanji upon the boy's forehead and then his nose. "I missed you more than anything. I can't wait til I tell you about the journey."

Gaara giggled. "Was it dangerous?"

Naruto feigned seriousness. "You're right. Maybe I shouldn't tell you. It's too dangerous."

"But dangerous is my middle name."

"No it's not." he stated in all seriousness, making Gaara frown is sadness. "You're middle name is angel eyes." Naruto gave his brother a kiss on the nose. "Little eyes of springtime ferns."

The blond let his brother down and the redhead, upon seeing newcomers, hugged his legs.

Haku smiled. "What a nice relationship you have with your brother." he commented.

Naruto smiled as Gaara hid against his legs. "He's a sweetheart." He stated, squeezing the boy's nose unconsciously out of habit.

"Is he shy with everyone? I was like that once."

Sasuke leaned forward and poked Gaara's forehead, making the young boy giggle and stick his tongue out playfully.

Naruto laughed. "He isn't shy with Sasuke obviously. Nor is he shy with Gai-sensei or Shisui."

At his name, Naruto's former taijutsu trainer gave an odd thumbs up. "Greetings. I am Maito Gai; green beast of Konoha. I hope that when the hokage accepts you, you can enjoy your stay and the blossoms of youth!"

Haku stepped back a bit and then looked back down to Gaara. He nodded in acknowledgement. "You're a brave boy."

And Gaara smiled. Before Gai could frighten Haku and Zabuza any further, Kakashi stepped forward. "Gai, don't punish them. They did nothing wrong. Now if you'll excuse us. Not only do I have to report for my team, but I also have to persuade the hokage to instate Haku and Zabuza as leaf shinobi."

Gai pointed to the sky. "Then I will race you, my rival!"

"Meh. I'm a bit strained now, Ga-Gaah!"

Naruto watched in utter amusement and secrecy as a faint blush grew on Kakashi's cheeks. Gai had lifted the silver haired jounin and was now holding him over his shoulder.

It couldn't be. Naruto looked at his other teammates and found that they saw nothing out of the ordinary. So only he saw it.

Who knew Gai-sensei would actually receive...that?

"Gai. Please put me down." Kakashi asked aloud.

"Nonsense, my eternal rival. I will escort you and your friends to the hokage and if not, I will run a thousand laps around Konoha. Farewell my taijutsu student and his friends."

And with that, the four were off, Kakashi groaning the whole way. "Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke; take the week off. Be at the bridge on july seventh."

Naruto laughed along with Shisui. "An odd pair, eh?" The older Uchiha asked in a mumble.

"Just as surprised as you are."

"You saw?" Shisui questioned.

"I did. Thank you for looking after Gaara for me. I know he's a hassle."

"No problem, kid. I better get out of here. Itachi is looking to get his butt kicked by me. I'll see you later, Sasuke."

Sasuke waved, watching as Shisui flickered out of sight.

Gaara huffed. "Hmph." He crossed his arms and turned away from Naruto.

"What's wrong, Shuk?"

Gaara stuck his tongue out to his brother. "You told Shisui that I was a hassle."

"Of course you are. I live with you."

Gaara growled. "But, now Shisui's going to think I'm annoying."

"Nonsense. He thinks you're wonderful."

Gaara stood quiet for a moment as team seven stared at him.

Eventually, the boy shuffled on his feet. "Do you think I'm annoying?"

"When I was five and you were just born, you were very annoying. You were loud and stinky and you took all of tou-san's and kaa-san's attention."

Gaara looked to the ground as Naruto's face angered and he ruffled red hair harshly. "It was a horrible first impression then. Coming from kaa-san and you not liking me? When did you stop?"

"Stop what?" a blond brow rose.

"Stop thinking I was annoying and started liking me?"

Naruto laughed boisterously and crouched to his brother's level. Poking his nose to show affection, the blond smiled. "Oh Gaara, before you even arrived, I already loved you."

"Now who wants to celebrate our first big mission with ramen?" Gaara cheered and the rest of team seven begrudgingly accepted.

One Week Later

Naruto smiled as he walked down the streets of Konoha. Gaara was with some friends and Haku and Zabuza were still getting used to their home in the Namikaze compound, letting Naruto have some time to go and get his own friend.

Today, he'd picked out the many great things he and Sasuke could do. That is after, Kakashi relayed what he'd wanted. Nothing could ruin his mood, not even the stares of the villagers or the constant babbling of the tailed beasts within him.

"Please don't tell me we're going to see a play. They're so boring."

Naruto only laughed silently at Chōmei's groaning. Eventually, Son Gokū joined too.

"Humans have no taste in entertainment."

And then Kurama's voice. "Of course, it should be bloodshed and eating."

Soon all the siblings were holding a heated discussion on entertainment. Naruto stomped his staff a little. 'We all have our own forms of entertainment, guys. We'll choose what we like. That's enough, the nine of you.'

Their debate grew quieter and Naruto only chuckled, continuing on his journey. Minding his own business when he was stopped by yelling. The yelling of his own brother.

With a growl, Naruto turned down a side street, finding Gaara being held by a teen with face paint. A puppeteer, the blond concluded. With them, a girl with spiky blond pigtails, along with Sasuke attempting to hold back Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon.

Nearby, Sasuke sat on a tree branch, watching the scene. Even while sitting, Naruto knew the Uchiha had his brother's back. He could see it in the Uchiha's eyes. The way the orbs calculated Kankuro's every move. He was going to make a move and Naruto had to stop that.

He watched as Sand began to creep from Gaara's gourd. Still, the boy feigned a struggle. "Let me go. I swear when my big brother finds out, he will hurt you. You're going to be so scared."

The puppeteer laughed. "Oh really. Then, I may have to kill you."

The girl with pigtails stepped forward. "Kankuro. We aren't supposed to be making trouble here. Put him down." She insisted.

Kankuro shook his head. "No, Temari. This punk and that punk" He pointed to Sasuke. "Need to learn a lesson. Who's your brother? Bet I can kill him too."

A growl was heard. "I am." Everyone turned in the direction of Naruto. He had transformed into a yellow fox, strikingly.

He bit his lip on purpose for the effect of letting blood drip from his mouth. Without thinking twice, he stalking right up to the group and bit Gaara's shirt carrying him away.

When they were a distance away, Naruto placed his brother down and transformed back into his human form. Kankuro gasped when Naruto looked toward him. "Akuma-"

"Kitsune." Naruto finished. "I know the chunin exams are coming up, but as a Genin of Konoha, you can be tried against this whole village. You will do well enough to make good appearances while you are here."

"And if you ever try to hurt my brother again, you're whole village will face my wrath. They will know that it was your consequence. And you know what? I think I like you. I'd kill you last."

Kankuro moved back a bit as Temari stepped forward. "We're sorry about the trouble, Naruto. We'll ju-"

"What'd you call me?" He interrupted in a small shock.

The teen girl stopped and rubbed the back of her neck. "Uh….Naruto."

The blond boy smiled and pointed to Temari. "I like you. But, you'll have to tame your beast. I have nine, I can teach you a thing or two."

Sasuke 'tched,' stopping the conversation. Naruto simply smiled wider at Temari. "Well, See you around. Good luck in your exams. I heard it can be hard for a two person team."

The girl nodded and off they went. Gaara looked up in embarrassment at having to be rescued once again by his aniki. Naruto smiled softly. He'd felt like that all the time when Pein, Deidara, and Nagato had rescued him from others.

'That was keen of you, otouto." Pale green eyes widened and Naruto smiled. "Feigning weakness only to secretly gather your attack was awesome. One should never reveal their strengths during times of weakness."

"I did as good as you, huh?" In return, Naruto grabbed his brother's nose and shook it.

The boy stepped backward. "Itai!" He screeched, rubbing his nose. "That hurts, brother."

"Kyotsuke nakattara abunai." Gaara nodded his apologies. 'If there is not carefulness, there is danger.' something their mother always said.

Naruto looked to his team and friends. "Konohamaru, Moegi, Udon; I know Gaara is your friend, but you can't attempt to jump on anyone like that. If it were a real battle, Gaara would be dead. It's a good thing Sakura was here. And teme, it was smart to remain calm, but still calculate the movement of Kankuro."

"Are we going to be in the chunin exams?" Sakura questioned.

Naruto nodded. "Yeah, I want to get stronger. We should go see Kakashi-sensei."

"I'm sure you all can do it. It may be a bit scary, but you're tough." Kakashi reasoned. "Sakura as an intelligent young lady; Sasuke as a rising Uchiha prodigy; Naruto, as a child-God."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Do we go and register now?"

"Do you all want to?" With each moment, the silver haired man looked to each of his students.

Sakura thought; If she won the chunin exams, she'd be recognized as a powerful shinobi and maybe then, Sasuke would see her. She nodded and punched her palm in determination.

Sasuke thought; If he won the chunin exams, his father would understand that Sasuke and Itachi were both golden children. And he could prove to the world that he and Naruto were on the same power scale. He nodded slightly.

All that was left was Naruto; the blond knew he'd be vulnerable. With all the new people in the village, he'd have to participate and keep a close eye on his brother. So many people would be against him. He could also get stronger and move up in the ranks. Pein did say he wanted Naruto to defeat him. With a simple nod, Kakashi pulled out three registration forms.

The man eye smiled. "Look at that teamwork. You guys really are going to go far. Well, here are the papers. Registration is in academy."

Team seven walked in silence, holding the same path of winning, but with different views. When they reached the academy, many people began to stare.

"Stay close, guys." Naruto stated, watching a commotion unfold before him. By a door, stood two chunin, speaking out loud.

"None of you are brave enough to fight us and join." One stated.

Naruto chuckled and spoke in a whisper with his team. "And none are smart enough to know that that isn't the registration door. It's a genjutsu."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed in confusion. "You didn't tell me you could detect and counter genjutsu."

"There are some prophecy techniques I still need to protect."

The raven bit his tongue. He'd have to work extra hard to defeat Naruto and win then. All three knew there would be some battle soon.

Naruto led his team down some steps and as he turned, the blond stopped.

"There's someone-"

The blond dodged a fist coming his way. Before him stood Rock Lee, Gai's student and a kid he'd seen around Konoha.

"My god, you're fast." Naruto stated in astonishment. "Nearly as fast a Gai-sensei. So that's what we are, huh? Sibling students?"

Rock Lee pointed. "I, Rock Lee, Konoha's wild beasts, declare Namikaze Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke as my rivals. Only if I can defeat Naruto, will I can get stronger."

Naruto raised a brow at the boy's own centipede brows. After a moment, he began to chuckle. Rock Lee stared. 'What is funny, my rival?"

Naruto smiled. "Fine. If you want to beat me, you cannot give up."

Lee smiled at the acknowledgment and began running toward the blond. Having seen him around, Naruto knew that he was fast and he only used taijutsu.

He smiled a small smile as punches and kicks were dodged. Eventually, the blond managed to punch Rock Lee onto the ground.

"The fight's over. I won fair and square." Naruto told him smugly.

Rock Lee stood however, rubbing his aching head. He walked closer to Naruto and shook his head. "No way. I won't give up."

"Don't you see that we have to pay attention to these exams!?" Naruto balled his fist in anger.

Lee lifted a fist. "Strong fist!"

The blond easily caught his fist and placed it back at Lee's side. "I won, Rock Lee."

The green clad genin shook his head. "You'll never win, because I'll never give up."

They stared at one another for a moment until finally, Naruto smirked. "Then I guess you win."

Lee's large eyes widened more. "How? That is impossible."

A shake of the head. "No. I told you that if you want to beat me, you cannot give up. And you wouldn't even when I told you to. See...we aren't so different, centipede brows. We're fighters. We don't give up. We stumble and sometimes fall, but we will get up and keep fighting."

"Wakaranai…" Lee trailed off. He didn't understand.

"You won this match because you didn't give up." Naruto explained in simple terms.

Lee stood for a moment until his smile grew wide. "I won, rival? Now it's 1 to 0?"

The blond nodded. He liked that these people were making friends with him. He liked that Temari now Gaara were calming him about the chunin exams. There was nothing wrong with gaining an ally or two. "1 to 0" he assured.

Lee's smiled dampened, but still remained. "If I told you I was the strongest Genin in Konoha, i'd be lying. My power doesn't even immense to that of my teammate's and absolutely not yours."

Before Naruto could counter Lee's words, another set of Konoha ninja walked in. Through Hinata, Naruto had met Neji once in his life boy was particularly an ass, smart, and arrogant.

Naruto's only weapons had been forged outside leaf village, but he knew Tenten specialized in weapons. It was slightly illegal, but their mother had told them the speciality of each clan. From the Akimichi to the Uchiha, the Namikaze brothers learned how to counter kekkei genkais.

"Lee, what are you doing here?" Neji questioned. Upon seeing Naruto, the Hyuuga nodded. "Naruto."

"Neji.

Neji scanned Naruto's teammates, his eyes stopping harshly on Sasuke. The two stared one another down until Naruto hit his staff on the ground. "We should get to our designated room." he spoke.

Leading team Gai and Kakashi, Naruto had the feeling his senseis were somewhere around. And his theory proved right as he was the first to see Kakashi and Gai standing by the door. Gai was exceptionally close to the Hatake and when they saw Naruto, Kakashi moved away slightly.

"Naruto and his teammates! I can see that you have met my own genin squad!"

Lee nodded and ran to his sensei, his fist held upright. "Yes, gai-sensei. And I have chosen both Sasuke and Naruto as my eternal rivals. Naruto has forfeited in our first fight, giving me a lead of one."

Gai gave a dramatic pose and cheered. "Just like Kakashi and I when we were younger and even now. I have 50 wins and 49 losses against Kakashi. But even today, I always pummel and dominate my eternal rival."

Naruto stared at Kakashi's cheeks above the mask and the book he read. It was red, but not so dull. It was the red that swayed like flames fanned by a breeze, flashing with the sun, and burning up the afternoon in its glow.

And only Naruto saw it. And somehow, he wished Sasuke could be just like that. What Kakashi-sensei had, Naruto knew it well.

He wouldn't say anything.

Kakashi only hummed ad looked up, blush leaving quickly. "Meh, did you say something?"

Gai laughed lightly. "Well, go forth team Gai and do well."

Naruto watched as Gai nodded at Kakashi and walked away. Kakashi tapped each of their foreheads as they walked in, but when Naruto followed, the older man grabbed the boy gently.

"Naruto?"

The blond looked up. "Kakashi-sensei?" He asked in confusion.

Kakashi crouched down to the blond's level. "Naruto, I understand that you want to get stronger, but you don't have to do this if you don't want."

"But my tea-"

"Sakura and Sasuke are allowed to participate in the exams without you. There's a team from Suna with only two members."

Naruto dampened. "Why?"

Under his mask, Kakashi smiled softly. "With your status, there will be many after you, Naruto. I'd like to keep you safe you safe for as long as I can."

Naruto froze and stared at Kakashi for a long while. His eyes showed the kind of gentle concern the blond's father used to have. He laid his hand lightly on his shoulder, and instead of flinching, Naruto grew soothed by it.

However, his walls grew again. Naruto yanked back in certain fear. "You don't think I'm strong enough." he accused.

Kakashi remained at his level. "Naruto, you are strong. Stronger than any being in this village, even me. But you aren't strong mentally. I need to know that you can handle these things, Naruto."

Tears filled the blond's eyes and he grabbed a hold of Kakashi's shoulders. This a a big step for him. Crying before someone. He hadn't done that since the massacre. Sure, Sasuke saw remnants of his tears, but never like this.

"I can. I can show people that I'm not weak. I promise, sensei."

"There are rumors of a powerful ninja who hopes to use the sharingan for power."

"If it's about Sasuke, I won't let anything happen to him. I swear."

Kakashi eyes softened, but he still said nothing. Naruto put his head down. "They're not after Sasuke, are they? They're after me. they'll use Sasuke though." The blond stared with tear filled eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Nothing is your fault, Naruto. Don't apologize. Now wipe your tears, I have faith in you."

The blond nodded and wiped his face. He'd be strong for his sensei. Kakashi stood. "You're the light of the team, we need you. Stay on sight and hurt anyone that tries to hurt you and your team."

"Your father always wanted me to look over you guys. All I have is you and Gaara now. And someone else…."

Naruto smiled. "And Gai-sensei."

Kakashi laughed wholeheartedly. "Of course. But that's a secret until we are ready."

Naruto nodded as Kakashi poked his nose, smiling with his eyes closed.

He ruffled the prodigy's blond hair and stood. "Alright kid, go kick some unyouthful butt as Gai would say. Remember, you're an Konoha ninja too. So don't fucking die."

Naruto attempted to lighten the mood because if Kakashi wasn't optimistic, who was? "Sensei, you know I never die."

The blond walked to the door and just as he pushed it, Kakashi called again.

"You hear me? Don't you dare fucking die, brat."

Naruto shook his head. He knew, deep down, Kakashi cared. "I won't, sensei. I promise."

Naruto opened the door and the room fell quiet. Sizing up his competition, he smirked and scratched his horns "Geez. You guys look like you saw a monster."

Everyone remained quiet as Naruto walked over to the Konoha ninja. Sasuke smirked at him. "Show off." The raven said.

Naruto opened his mouth to speak when a new voice joined them. "He has a right to be." A boy with grey hair walked over to them. "Namikaze Naruto."

"Who are you?" Kiba asked.

"Kabuto. Don't bother telling me your name. I can already find out everything about anyone using my special cards."

"You can find info on anyone?" the Inuzuka asked. Kabuto nodded. "Well tell me what you know about Naruto."

Sasuke immediately asked "why?"

Sakura whispered to her teammates "If he has personal information, he should be watched."

"Most of the world knows me. If he says thing you guys already know, he's a fake."

Kabuto looked at the card. "So it says here that Naruto is the son of the fourth Hokage, Konoha's yellow flash, and Uzumaki Kushina, who was a fiery ANBU captain and trained Zabuza, the demon of the mist."

He is also Konoha's top prodigy, being related through his mother to the first and second hokage. He is a brother to five. He is also the prodigy of the world as well as the saviour and destroyer. Without this card, one would know he's second to none in anything he does.

Known for the execution of 287 bandits in under ten minutes, His known alias is Akuma Kitsune. At the age of seven, his older brother, Pein, leader of the infamous group Akatsuki murde-"

Naruto glew a bright yellow. "I think we all know the story." He growled. Sakura was right.

Kabuto sweatdropped and backed away. He mumbled a sorry.

"Break it up. Naruto, I'll have your ass kicked out if you intimidate anyone else." A scarred man yelled from the front of the room.

The boy in question just put his hand in a surrendering motion. "I am trying not to, Ibiki-senpai."

Having been the son of the fourth, Naruto was well known as a troublemaker with older ninja.

Ibiki rolled his eyes and told everyone what they needed to know.

Naruto sighed dramatically as he read the questions of the test. His teammates were doing fine. However, the blond need to find a way to cheat without getting caught.

All of his techniques wouldn't really help. He did not have a dojutsu, dogs, insects, or even mind body transfer.

With a sigh, the blond stood. Ibiki watched the blond as Naruto began to hum. He thought long and hard. "Sit down, brat."

Naruto ignored and instead, focused on every chakra signature, blocking out Sasuke and Sakura's. He smirked at Ibiki.

"Godlike Divinity: Sleepless Dream."

Sakura gasped as the students and administrators around them dropped. "'Naruto" She scolded, but inside, she was laughing.

Naruto shrugged sheepishly. The godlike divinity technique was vast and vague. He could make anything he wanted with the technique and this was the first test.

"I didn't know how else to cheat." He stated.

Sasuke shook his head and Sakura sighed, handing her test to the Namikaze, watching as he swiftly copied the answers.

Naruto cheered as he succeeded, but just as he went to remove his paper from the desk, water that hadn't even been there knocked over, ruining the ink on his test.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura looked at one another. After a moment, Sakura stood. "Naruto!"

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Sasuke shook his head and attempted to dry the paper. "Great, dobe. If we fail, It's your fault."

Naruto frowned and looked at the desk where Ibiki stood. "Look, there are two extra papers just like ours. I'll just get it and copy again-"

"No, Naruto." Sakura interrupted. "Get the paper, sit, and then undo your jutsu. We'll be caught."

"What about passing?" Naruto asked.

"Dobe…" Naruto stared. "I don't think this is about the correct answers."

"Wha-"

"Just trust me on this. Get a paper and undo the jutsu." Naruto stared into the black eyes of his best friend, neither lifeless nor soulless. To Naruto, they were like two pristine stones of onyx, lighting with a purple flare touched with the light outside.

Finally, the blond smiled softly. "Your right, Sas. I trust you."

The blond went to grab a sheet of paper and sat at his seat again. "Ready?"

He questioned. When they nodded, the blond lifted his hands. "Godlike Divinity: Prior Undoing."

Ibiki rised and so did the others within the room. The students went back to taking their tests and the others stood watching. However, Ibiki looked Naruto right in the eye. "Uzumaki."

"Senpai." Naruto stated.

The older man grit his teeth. "Why were you standing just then?"

"I wasn't." The blond assured.

Ibiki stared for a moment longer and Naruto could feel the eyes of Sasuke on his back. Finally, the man looked away. "You all have five minutes remaining before the final question."

"All of you who within this room have passed. And will be moving on to the next part of the exam ."

All the genin remained shocked. "Sasuke, you were right" Naruto smiled, gaining the others' attention.

Sasuke simply nodded in the back. "You tried messing with our minds to show us a hidden message."

Ibiki raised a brow and Naruto leaned up.

"You basically showed how we would going to be faced with tough decisions in life where not only us, but the lives of our teammates on the line. You also showed us that we'd have little time to make decisions."

Ibiki smirked. "Well, I guess you brats are good for something. But,you aren't masters of interrogation." With that, the man tore off his headband, letting the children see every scar upon his head.

Before Ibiki could continue, a woman jumped through the window. While she, Anko, and Ibiki argued, Naruto turned to his teammates.

"You guys ready for the second test?" He asked.

Sakura smirked "Cha."

Sasuke just gave a small smile and mumbled "Yeah, dobe."

Naruto sighed in relief looking at his blank test. He'd past a test and still had gotten all the answers wrong.

I wonder who saw what was going on between Gaai and Kakashi. Hm. Okay, that's that. I still have to figure out how rock lee will fight in the preliminaries when Gaara isn't there. Uh, I figure something out. Anyway, the next chapter will be within the forest of death.