Before we begin, I do have a reply to a guest review that I got, In reference to the remarks about the Kazekage and how their 'sand release' worked and the lack of any actual sand release in the naruto verse. The Sandaime Hokage already knows how the sand release of the Kazekage work, at least to some degree. What he wants however isn't the magnet release, it's the sand release given by the Shukaku to it's containers. By placing the Shukaku within the seal he has in mind, he could rip that ability from the Shukaku, while also gaining any other abilities it could grant. He would also gain the ability to use it's chakra, though I personally doubt the seal could filter it correctly with everything else it's doing.
With that out of the way, onto the story. Thank you for those who have taken the time to review, and know that I always try to read any new reviews I receive. They make me remember I'm writing to begin with!
And just like that, the seventh round of the chunin exams had begun. Naruto Uzumaki versus Kiba Inuzuka. Many thought that Kiba had already won, and instantly tuned the fight out. Well, most from Konoha. The Foreign ninja took one look at each combatant and drew NAruto as the winner just from his posture. Unlike Kiba, he wasn't eager. He was studying his opponent and holding himself ready for anything.
This made the Sandaime curious. He studied Naruto carefully, looking for anything that would tip him off to whatever had happened to the boy. Something was definitely off about the boy, but the Sandaime just could not put his finger on it.
'Maybe the boy finally grew up some? Could he finally be ready to be a true weapon for the village? Maybe it's time to give him to Danzo.' He gave no indication of his thought, and only signaled to the proctor to begin the match.
"Don't worry dobe! We'll win this in one hit!" Kiba boasted, fully believing he was right and there was nothing that could be done by Naruto to defeat him. He was already planning how to get Hinata to notice him, not truly paying attention to the fight, or his technique. He launched into his gatsuga immediately, flying straight toward Naruto. He tore right through him, and broke the technique once he had passed through. Once the smoke created from the collision cleared, he noticed that he had only hit Akamaru, his pet canine. This angered him. How dare the dobe switch with his partner?! Didn't the blonde realize he was only cannon fodder? He refocused on the fight, only to realize that he could not find Naruto. He looked around furiously turning left and right, but never looking behind him.
"You're slow. I always imagined you were faster. You'll have to train more, before you can match my might." This voice rang out across the arena from behind him, making Kiba freeze. He didn't have time to contemplate on why this was a bad idea, as he was given a harsh reminder and sent flying across the field via a powerful kick to the back. He impacted with the wall, falling unconscious on impact. This led to the referee looking to Hokage, as if asking permission to grant the victory to Naruto. Few noticed the subtle nod from the old man. Many noticed the proctor calling the match however.
"Victor! Naruto Uzumaki!" Naruto had already returned to the balcony, standing by his spoil. The Sandaime had watched him closely, and noticed who he was standing by. He had received Notice that Naruto had taken her as a Spoil of War, and thought that he might be able to play it to his advantage. He could easily convince the girl that she could not be his spoil without first giving up information. Disposing of her if she did not cooperate was of little issue. He wouldn't kill her however, as she may prove useful later on. The boy obviously liked the girl somewhat, that sense of attachment could be used to control her later.
While the Sandaime was busy eyeing up Kin, Naruto was busy pilfering his surface thoughts. What he found didn't please him, but he knew who the enemy was now. He managed to sneak a peak at the man's more recent plans, such as going to the bathroom after this entire event and burning the paperwork on his desk before blaming some monkey. And, of course, his plan to have Jiraiya 'train' him, before having said sannin force him to access the Kyuubi's chakra. He quickly reviewed what he knew of Konoha's laws, which was pretty much all of them, and made a plan to escape the sannin and the Sandaime at the same time. One that also protected his spoil.
The next match had begun while the Sandaime was busy eyeing up Naruto's spoil, Kin. This caught him somewhat off guard, as he had been rather lost to the little fantasies running through his head. Focusing back in to the match, he watched as Hinata was systematically destroyed by Neji.
'What a poor excuse for a Kunoichi. I wonder what Hiashi is doing to rectify this.'
She was quickly beaten, and Neji was held back by most of the jounin when he tried to kill her off. No one noticed that Naruto's eyes were narrowed at Neji, as if in hatred. Naruto had already read Neji's surface thoughts, and could already see from those how his personality was. He knew Neji was irredeemable, and would not waste time killing the boy off. He would have to research how the boy fought, and that meant researching the Jyuuken. He already knew that the Hyuuga clan did not allow for their members to ever practice any art other than the Jyuuken. This made them predictable. That made them weak.
The next match, the ninth match, proved interesting, as Lee was placed against Gaara of the Sand. Naruto was interested in this exam solely to see how unstable his fellow jinchuuriki was. The match proved to be informative, and made Naruto ponder on the strength of the seal Gaara had. He was also disturbed by how quickly the match turned sour for lee, but made sure to note it down. Lee had dropped his guard, believing his final technique was enough, and Gaara took advantage of that. Lee was now barred from being a shinobi until his limbs healed, and even then, he would have to be careful. This would be a heavy blow for the exuberant ninja.
The next match almost didn't happen, as Choji really didn't want to fight at all, making the Sandaime narrow his eyes at the boy. After being promised food if he won, Choji was all for battling anything. This annoyed the Sandaime further.
'Having to bribe the cowardly little brat with food to make him fight? He should be grateful he's fighting at all with how fat he is! I still fail to see why the Akimichi clan is as powerful as they are!'
The fight however, ended quickly, and not in Konoha's favor. The Sandaime made a mental note to fine the Akimichi clan for making Konoha look bad, and another note to have Hiashi train his daughter more seriously. These weaklings, in his mind, could not be permitted to remain as such. They would have to be trained harshly in punishment for their poor displays today.
After this entire event, the remaining genin were called down to the arena to pick numbers from a box. Naruto noted he was against Neji first, and smirked in anticipation. No one noticed this smirk, nor did anyone notice him fading from the room after everyone was dismissed. He made a quick note to the hokage and left it in his office, before taking Kin and leaving. He would train for the month outside the village, using the laws of the village itself to his advantage. He sent a note to the councils as well, making sure one ended up in Danzo's hands.
While Danzo had never been on his side, he knew Danzo respected the laws of the village well enough to help Naruto here. He also knew Danzo would take advantage of those laws if they were breached by the Sandaime. That is exactly what Naruto was counting on. He made sure to avoid being spotted on his way out. Sadly, he was still stopped by a ROOT ANBU, whom handed him a scroll before moving aside and fading into the shadows, returning to wherever he came from. Naruto moved into the trees before reading the note, taking Kin with him.
"If you are reading this note, then I thank you for the information you have provided to me. It warms my heart to see that our jinchuuriki is capable of self thought. I have provided two scrolls with some basic training supplies, and another containing an elemental ninjutsu for each element. Don't mistake this for kindness or charity on my part, I expect you to pay it back in full by serving Konoha until you die. I can provide a powerful ally Uzumaki, do not cross me. Burn this note after reading it please." Naruto could only whistle in surprise. Unsealing the scrolls from the note and burning it up by funneling a small portion of Kyuubi's chakra into it, he signaled to Kin that it was time to move on.
And so Naruto and Kin slipped away from the Sandaime's control, for now. He was rather angry that it had happened, but he let it slide. He was given little choice, as he knew Danzo was waiting in the Shadows to remove him if he slipped up, and he wouldn't let that happen. Not for the first time, he pondered assassinating Danzo, but stopped his thoughts by remembering how difficult the bastard was to pin down. The man had a knack for survival, much like a cockroach. He would let the boy think he had won for now. Control would be his again. His dark smirk was missed by all, as no one was within his office.
ANNNNDDDD DONE! Cause why not. One of my reviewers also pointed out that I was dragging this out, and I admit he... or she... was right. I didn't really know where I was going with this, but remembered as I was writing it out. Ima write an overview for this, so I dun forget again. I know I will. But that way I can read shit and remember! Like Sticky notes, only not! Yeah... I need coffee...
Read and review, if you so desire!(Or dare :D) oh hey, coffee! I found some! I fixed it! Fuck, it's empty..
Oh yes, let make this clear now. This story will have a rather anti-climatic ending. Consider yourself warned!