Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Naruto

XxX

"Hmm? Zabuza Momoichi?" Sarutobi puffed on his pipe exhaling a cloud of smoke as he eyed the four ninjas before him. "These kids should have never gone through that."

An A-Rank mission for their first outside the village, it was lucky they weren't all dead. And if their sensei had been anyone other than Kakashi they would have died. The leaf had strong Jonin but protecting the client and three Genin against one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist would be a feat not many could accomplish.

However, he wasn't worried about Kakashi, it was the Genin that he was concerned about. The village had their mission ranks for a reason, not only to prepare ninja physically but also mentally.

Kakashi's report mentioned that Sasuke had succumbed to Zabuza's killing intent. Nearly on the verge of ending his own life to escape the feeling before Kakashi stopped him. That was why Genin didn't usually take missions beyond C-Rank. Even a prodigy like Sasuke whose combat skills were exceptional wasn't prepared to handle missions that Chunin and Jonin took.

"Hai, Hokage-sama." Kakashi nodded not looking up from his little orange book. "After Gato refused to pay him, he and his partner left the bridge builder alone. Tazuna finished the bridge and we returned to the village."

"I hope his report is a more detailed than that." Sarutobi thought watching Naruto who was acting so much different than he had before his mission. He even looked different.

The bottom half of his orange jumpsuit was still in place but the bulky jacket was gone leaving Naruto in just a short-sleeved blue shirt. His signature grin was gone as well. The boy was still smiling but it was small and obviously forced. "A mask to hide what he truly feels."

Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha were different as well but it wasn't as obvious as Naruto's change. Sakura still stared at Sasuke for most of the time but her eyes shot to Naruto every now and then, something that hadn't been there before. And Sasuke, he had changed the least. Not surprising given what he had experienced during the massacre of his clan.

"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura," Kakashi said grabbing the attention of his students. "Why don't you three head home for now. You all can have tomorrow off but meet at our usual spot two days from, eight am sharp. Don't be late."

"I don't want to hear that from you!" Naruto shouted pointing a finger at his sensei. "You're always late!"

"Naruto, just leave it." Sakura sighed rubbing her head. "You're giving me a headache with all you're yelling."

The pink hair kunoichi glared at her shorter teammate before smiling and turning around. "Sasuke, do you-? Huh, where'd he go?"

"He went that way." Kakashi thumbed at the door and Sakura took off leaving Naruto behind.

"Sasuke, wait for me!"

"I thought she had a headache." Kakashi sweat-dropped at the screeching Sakura was doing. For someone who didn't like Naruto being loud, she sure was loud herself.

"I'm going head to Ichiraku's, see ya, old man. Kakashi-Sensei." Naruto said and jumped out the open window.

Watching the spot where Naruto had previously been standing Sarutobi leaned back in his chair letting another puff of smoke cross his lips. "Kakashi,"

Kakashi nodded. "I know, Hokage-sama. I'll keep a closer eye on them."

XxX

"497...498...499..." Slamming his fist into the wooden training post he had been working on since morning Naruto counted the last punch. "500."

Hands bloodied and with his face covered in a sheen of sweat, he let his arms fall to his sides. He couldn't even feel them anymore, it was like they had been replaced with noodles.

"That just means it's working."

If it didn't hurt he wasn't working hard enough. Turning his body he kicked the post with his right leg. "1...2...3..."

Two hundred kicks with each leg. He wouldn't leave the training ground until he finished. "Even if it takes all night."

He had to get stronger. The Chunin exams were close and with them, strong opponents would come. There was no way he would be able to fight Orochimaru in the Forest of Death. It would be years before he could fight on par with the Sannin. But what he could do was fight the Rain ninja, and the Sound trio. "I can kick Neji and Gaara's butts too."

Things would be different this time around. He didn't know how he was going to do it but he would protect everyone.

Hidden in the trees Kakashi watched his student with a concerned frown. It had been days since they returned from Wave country and while team missions had progressed the same, which was none, Naruto had been working himself to the bone every day after he dismissed them.

Every day he worked harder and harder doing hundreds of punches, kicks, squats, push-ups, and laps. Any training method a Genin could think of Naruto was doing it and to a degree, that was becoming dangerous.

"If he works himself any harder he's going to burn out." But what could he say? He didn't think Naruto would listen if he said not to train so hard.

Konoha's number one, hyperactive, knuckle headed ninja was too stubborn to do anything less than the maximum. It just wasn't in the kid's nature. "With him, it's always going to be all or nothing."

That was just the way Naruto was molded.

"Hmm. If I tell them about the Chunin exams..." Yes, that could work. He had been planning on nominating them anyway and if he thought there was a big test coming up then Naruto would listen when he told them to take it easy before the test.

"I'll tell them tomorrow."

That would give them three days of rest before the first exam. He would just have to make sure that Naruto understood that training as hard as he did might cost them during the exams.

XxX

The next day gathered on the bridge at training ground 7 Sakura glared at the empty place where Naruto was usually standing. "First Kakashi-Sensei., and now Naruto too. Why do we have to have a teammate and sensei who are late?"

"Hn." Grunting Sasuke turned his head away from Sakura ending whatever conversation she was trying to start. She was annoying on her best day and without Naruto as a buffer, she was worse than usual. The dobe had the right idea. If Kakashi wasn't going to bother showing up on time why should they?

"Standing here is a waste of time."

Walking onto the bridge Naruto waved at his teammates. "Sakura, Sasuke, good morning."

"Naruto, you idiot!" Sakura wheeled around to face her second teammate. "You're late!"

"I was only half an hour late, Sakura." Naruto pouted. "Besides Kakashi-Sensei's not here yet so I'm still early."

Thanks to his future knowledge Naruto knew that Kakashi-Sensei. wouldn't be showing up for another two hours at least.

"Maa, Naruto. You're late." Kakashi appeared in a puff of smoke crouching on the railing of the bridge. "It's not polite to keep people waiting, you know."

Sticking out his tongue Naruto folded his arms behind his head and leaned back. "I don't want to hear something like that from someone like you, Kakashi-Sensei."

Underneath his mocking words and playful face, Naruto frowned at his teacher. "Why is he early?"

Considering how late Kakashi-Sensei usually was him showing up now was like a normal person being early. And the timing was suspicious too. "Was he following me?"

How else would he show up right after he did? And if his teacher was following him did he see him training as well? "Why not help if he was watching?"

Sure he didn't actually need to be taught but it would be nice to have an excuse for when he kicked ass in the Chunin exams when people started asking questions. Because telling them he trained alone wasn't going to cut it forever. And it would be nice to have more Jutsu to use. His only offensive moves were the Rasengan and Shadow Clones.

"I can't use the Rasengan until Jiraiya comes back to the village." So that left him with his Shadow Clones and his improving Taijutsu. Which just wasn't going to cut it.

This time had to be different. He wasn't going to just rely on the nine tails chakra to get him through the tough scrapes. His own power needed to be enough or everything would be for nothing. If he couldn't protect the village and his friends with his own two hands he was worthless.

"Naruto, are you listening?"

"Huh?" Looking away from the clouds in the sky Naruto blinked at the sheet of paper being shoved in his face. Squinting he read the words printed in black. "The Chunin Exams? Cool."

"Cool?" Kakashi frowned as Naruto took the nomination slip from his hands. "That's it? No shouting, no exclamations of being the best. Just cool."

Naruto shrugged. He could have tried to act excited but Kakashi-Sensei. would probably be able to see through the false act. There just wasn't enough in him to fake being happy about what was about to come. His team, the village, the old man. The Chunin exams destroyed them all.

"Well, anyway in three days if you want to participate meet outside the academy at seven am. Bye." Kakashi waved and used the Body Flicker to vanish leaving a cloud of smoke in his wake.

"I'm leaving," Sasuke said before Sakura could open her mouth.

Watching her crush leave with sad eyes Sakura turned around to ask Naruto why he was late but frowned when he was nowhere to be found. "Where'd he go?"

"Naruto sure has been acting weird since we go back from our mission." The idiot still acted like a fool during missions always trying to beat her Sasuke-Kun, but he wasn't as loud as he used to be and he hadn't been trying to get her to go out with him anymore either. Actually, he practically ignored her outside of training and missions.

Not that she cared, it was just weird.

XxX

Walking through the village Naruto swung the bags he was carrying at his side. Thanks to the paycheck he got for his first A-rank and the use of Transformation Jutsu he had gotten what he needed for the Chunin exams. It was a long list and the sun was already close to setting so he missed a day of training but that was alright. With the Chunin exams the day after tomorrow he had to conserve his energy.

After the first test, the five days in the Forest of Death wouldn't be easy even with his stamina. And with everything that was going to happen inside the forest he needed to be at his best. Anything less and he was putting not only his life on his line but Sakura and Sasuke's too. Inside the forest, it had been one thing after another attacking them and if he was tired then any one of those things could kill him and his team. Future knowledge or not.

"Hey, boss! Play ninja with us."

"Huh?" Turning around Naruto grinned. He had forgotten about this.

Waving at the three academy students running up to him he smiled at the goggles adorning their foreheads. He was only twelve and already had disciples.

"Sure, Konohamaru." He patted the Hokages grandson on his head and looked at the other two kids with him. "Moegi, Udon, are you gonna play too?"

"You know our names?" Moegi asked ducking her head and digging her toes into the sand a blush covering her cheeks.

"Of course," Naruto gave a thumbs up with his free hand. "You're Konohamaru's friends and that makes you my friend. Now, who gets to be the ninja first?"

"A ninja playing ninja?" Sakura mocked walking up to her teammate. "How pathetic."

Honestly, Naruto was going to make team 7 look like a joke. What kind of ninja played being a ninja? "A loser, that's what."

It was obvious that Naruto finally understood he wasn't a real ninja, not like Sasuke-Kun and he was making up for it by playing with kids who hadn't even graduated.

"Don't be like that, Sakura," Naruto frowned. He had forgotten how bitchy Sakura used to be before Tsunade took her as her student. "Konohamaru just wants to play. Besides I'm going to be taking it pretty easy on training until the Chunin exams."

"You don't take it seriously anyway, Naruto. You were late this morning." Sakura scolded setting her hands on her hips. "What kind of ninja is always late?"

"Our sensei." Naruto sweat-dropped. Where had she been since they graduated?

"Hey, boss," Konohamaru grinned mischievously holding up his pinky. "Is this your girlfriend?"

Sakura gagged. "As if!"

That wasn't necessary. Naruto frowned as Sakura continued to fake puke at the thought of being in a relationship with him. "She could have just said no."

He wasn't the only one who thought that she was taking it too far either.

"I was just joking," Konohamaru glared at the pink haired lady who thought she was too good for the boss. "Why would someone like our boss who is cool and awesome date someone like you. Maybe if your chest was a big as your forehead."

"What'd you say, you runt!" Raising a fist Sakura charged at Konohamaru who screamed and turned tail running as fast as he could.

"This lady is crazy."

Running as fast as his short legs could carry him Konohamaru ducked onto the next street looking over his shoulder as the pink haired monster got closer. He had to get away.

"Oomph!"

"That hurt." Falling on his butt Konohamaru looked up at what he ran in to. "Sorry, I was-ah!"

Rounding the corner Naruto frowned coming to a stop. "Hey, he said he was sorry. Put him down."

"He ran into me, and it hurt quite a bit. I need to teach the brat a lesson." Kankuro said gripping Konohamaru's scarf tighter in his hand.

"Just let it go, Kankuro." Temari rolled her eyes at her little brother. Why was he always causing problems? It was embarrassing and if Gaara found out..."

Walking forward Naruto sighed at the way his friend's siblings were acting. He didn't really know either Temari or Kankuro in the future other than in passing. What he did know was that they would be attacking the village and he couldn't let his friendship with future Gaara interfere with protecting the village. "I'll take them down when the time comes."

At least that way they would still be alive when it was all over.

"Shame I have to hurt her though." He thought his eyes roving over Temari. It wasn't his fault he was looking. After three years with Jiraiya and now there was a beautiful blonde in a short skirt showing thigh in front of him, what was he supposed to do?

Seeing the blonde boys gaze drop lower and lower Temari reached behind her for her fan. "Is this pervert checking me out?"

Snapping out of his trance when his eyes reached Temari's sandals Naruto shook his head. Now wasn't the time for that. Konohamaru was waiting for him to come to the rescue.

"I'm telling you, you should really let him go. If the Hokage finds out foreign Shinobi attacked his grandson he won't be happy."

"Grandson!" Temari, Kankuro, and Sakura all looked at the brown haired boy in shock. What would have happened to them if they had really hurt the brat?

"Kankuro put him down." A swirl of sand appeared behind the two sand Genin. "Your an embarrassment to our village."

"G...Gaara!" Dropping Konohamaru immediately the puppeteer took a step away from his little brother. "We were just-"

Gaara stared at his brother his green eyes made more pronounced by the black circles surrounding them. "Shut up. Or I'll kill you."

"Gaara." Naruto grinned at his red-headed friend and fellow Jinchūriki. It was strange seeing him act like he did before but he was glad to see him alive again. Not healthy, but alive. That was the important thing. "I can help him again and everything will be alright."

"What is your name?" Gaara asked focusing on Naruto. "Mother is screaming because of you."

"Naruto Uzumaki."

Around the two Jinchūriki, their teammates watched the stare-off, the sand Genin in concern and Sakura in distaste. Why was Naruto trying to act cool like Sasuke? He wasn't cool and it only made him look dumb when he tried.

And who was the weird kid with the tattoo on his forehead? What a weirdo.

"Who does something like that to themselves?"

"Naruto Uzumaki. I'm going to kill you."

Naruto smiled as Gaara turned away his siblings following him as he left. "I look forward to our fight, Gaara!"

And he really did. Their fight would be the catalyst for a better life for Gaara who would go on to become Kazekage and loved by his village. Something Naruto himself had failed to do.

"Naruto, don't antagonize them!" Sakura slammed her fist down on Naruto's head. "Cha, that idiot!"

Now they were going to have some lunatic after them during the exams.

"Great, just great. Good going, Naruto."

Cradling his head in his hands Naruto hissed at the throbbing pain. What was Sakura's problem? She didn't do this when Sasuke talked to Gaara.

"Boss are you okay!"

"I'm fine!" Naruto stood up grinning surprising the three kids. "I can't let my disciples see me like that."

Patting Konohamaru on the head he grinned. "Now, who's ready to play?"

XxX

"It seems your plan worked, Kakashi."

Watching his grandsons run around the village through his crystal ball Sarutobi a small smile on his face. He had been worried when Kakashi reported how drastically Naruto's training habits had changed and having spied on the boy one day he had seen for himself how damaging they were becoming.

It was good to want to grow stronger but the way Naruto was pushing himself, training until his hands and shins were nothing but bruises and running laps until he collapsed. Even with the Kyuubi's healing powers, it would have been dangerous to let him continue down that path.

"I'm hoping this will last until the Exams are over," Kakashi said watching his student finally acting like he had before Wave. He didn't want to admit it, even to himself but he knew Naruto was never going to be the same again. His view on where he stood in the Shinobi world had crumbled during his first mission outside the village.

"Zabuza could have killed him ten times over before he could even blink." And Naruto knew that. It was why he was pushing himself so hard.

"And after?" The third asked reaching for his pipe.

"I'm hoping that the exams show him that he is not as weak as he thinks he is. I haven't even let him spar with Sasuke since we returned," Kakashi sighed taking a seat on the couch in the Hokage's office. "Losing to who he see's as a rival would only reinforce his belief that he needs to train harder."

"And you believe, Naruto will place well in the exams?"

Kakashi nodded his eye turning up in a smile. "He might not be promoted but I think he'll surprise more than a few people with his strength. Maybe even himself."

The second chapter of my Time Travel Naruto fanfic. Let me know what you think so far.

For now, the story will stay T-rated but that will change in later chapters. So leave your choice for which girl or girls you want to see Naruto with.

Thanks for reading and See you next time!