I don't own anything from the manga/anime Naruto. It is Masashi Kishimoto that owns Naruto. This is a fan fiction based on Masashi Kishimoto's manga and anime: Naruto.
"Ordinary conversation"
'thought'
"Wolf/Kyuubi speech"
'Wolf/Kyuubi thought'
"VERY LOUD YELLING"
Authors note: a comment from me about the story.
-- paragraph and scene change
I got a question about why Haku's jutsu list and preferred element wasn't included in the team 7 jutsu list. The answer is simple: she isn't part of team 7. She is Tenshi's caretaker, and not a part of team 7. Also as to why Tenshi's jutsus aren't there, that is because I want his jutsus to remain in the dark, so no one knows how many he knows. Anyway, enjoy the new chapter.
"With our subordinates gone, it's pretty boring here." Kakashi said. He, Kurenai, Asuma, Tenshi and Haku sat together in a popular hang-out place for Jounins. Asuma was smoking as usual, Kurenai and Kakashi relaxed in their seats, Haku drank some of her tea while Tenshi tried to block out the smell of Asuma's smoke. He didn't have much success.
"Do you know who they picked to be the first examiner?" Kurenai asked.
"I can give a educated guess." Tenshi answered.
"Oh? Care to share?" Asuma asked, knocking the ashes of his smoke into the ashtray, sending more smoke up for Tenshi to try and ignore.
"Morino Ibiki." Tenshi replied and Asuma smiled while giving a nod.
"That's right." He said and Kakashi's eye widened.
"That sadist?" he said.
"Sadist?" Kurenai and Haku asked.
"Kurenai, you're a rookie Jounin, so it isn't surprising you don't know." Asuma said.
"And Haku is brand new in Konoha." Tenshi added.
"So, who is he?" Haku asked.
"Pro. A pro." Kakashi replied.
"A pro?" Kurenai asked.
"A pro at what?" Haku asked. Asuma blew out some smoke and smiled at the two curious girls.
"Interrogation and torture." He said.
"The reason I guessed him is because he is the ANBU's interrogation squad leader. No physical torture is allowed in the exam, but the ones taking the test are to be tested for their information gathering, as well as their guts and confidence in their skills and their team mates. Morino Ibiki can scare the shit out of anyone, and the Genins are probably feeling a lot of mental strain from him already." Tenshi said and Asuma nodded.
"That still doesn't explain how you guessed it." Haku pointed out.
"This is the first exam in five years that rookies participate. The higher ups want to make sure they are up for the task. Also a few important rookies are taking the exam, like the Hyuuga's genius and their heir, the last Uchiha and the 'Kyuubi brat'. The council want to make sure our rookies are good enough, so they make sure the test will be very hard." Tenshi explained and the others nodded.
"That's probably the reason, yes. Well, I have no doubt my team will pass." Kakashi said.
"Confident huh? Can I ask why?" Kurenai asked.
"Team work is rather weird on my team. Sasuke will take care of himself, while Shikamaru and Chouji look after each other. Sasuke will only care about his team mates when he has to. Shikamaru and Chouji will get trough this together. Shikamaru is smart, real smart. He should be able to figure out the test, and help Chouji. Sasuke is also smart enough to find the true purpose and has the eyes to make this test a breeze." Kakashi said.
"Kakashi, I wanted to ask you something about Sasuke." Tenshi said.
"What?" Kakashi asked.
"What keeps Sasuke here? What makes him loyal to Konoha?" Tenshi asked. Kakashi, Asuma and Kurenai's eyes widened. Kakashi thought for a while. Each passing moment, the other occupants of the room were filled with a sense of dread.
"I see your point. He doesn't have much that keeps him here. He knows his clan has always been a part of Konoha, and he wishes to rebuild the Uchihas. Also, even though he hides it, the mission where he got his Sharingan made him realise that his team isn't going to slow him down. I think he enjoys his trainings with us. Also there is Naruto." Kakashi said.
"Huh? Last time I saw those two together, they looked ready to kill each other. What changed?" Tenshi asked and Kakashi chuckled.
"Oh, they still are bitter rivals, but I know Sasuke a lot better than he thinks. And I know he enjoys the spars and trainings he has with Naruto. Remember, Tenshi, it has been a long time since you saw them. And they…oh shit. Sorry." Kakashi said, remembering his wording. Tenshi shook it off and motioned for him to continue.
"As I was saying, they have grown closer. I would say they consider each other rivals and friends. As much as I hate to admit it, like I and Gai." Kakashi explained and Tenshi chuckled.
"Which one of them talks about the 'fires of youth'?" Tenshi asked. Kakashi shuddered at the thought of a spandex clad Sasuke.
"Kakashi-san is right Tenshi. I don't know how they were before, but I can see that Naruto and Sasuke-san are closer than just comrades from the same village." Haku said and Tenshi nodded.
"Alright. Just wondered, since Sasuke, with his avenger attitude, could be prone to outside influence." Tenshi said and Kakashi gave a short snort.
"He wouldn't do that." Was the short response to that.
Kurenai seemed to remember something then.
"Tenshi, I want to ask you something. About Hinata." Kurenai said and Tenshi nodded.
"Go ahead."
"Well, what…do you have a plan to help her or something." Kurenai said and got puzzled looks from Kakashi and Asuma.
"Isn't she your student? Shouldn't you solve any problems she has?" Asuma asked. Tenshi frowned. Kurenai shook her head sadly.
"I can't do anything on this. I don't have near enough power, influence or respect for this. The Hyuuga council are threatening to make Hinata a branch family member and make Hanabi the heir. Hinata risks the caged bird seal if something isn't done. Tenshi and Hinata's father worked together on making a plan to help Hinata, but…" Kurenai said but Tenshi cut her off.
"Now that I'm blind, what we thought up is no longer possible. I have an idea though. Something the Hyuuga council can't do anything against." Tenshi said with a big grin on his face.
"What idea?" Kurenai and Haku asked.
"Sometime in the near future I plan on taking Ino on a training trip. Sakura is apprenticed under Tsunade and Jiraiya said that he was taking Naruto on a training trip as well. I planned on going on one of my own, and bringing Haku and Ino. If Hokage-sama and you, Kurenai, agrees, then I'll take Hinata as well. That way, the Hyuuga can't do anything to her, since it is something the Hokage orders, and I can help Hinata grow strong enough to be the heir if she wants." Tenshi explained.
"And Kurenai can't?" Kakashi asked. Tenshi chuckled.
"I didn't mean that Kurenai is a bad teacher. In fact I would say the opposite." if Tenshi could have seen, he would have seen a small blush appear on Kurenai's cheeks.
"But Hinata is a Hyuuga, even though she is the nicest Hyuuga I have ever meet. Her abilities make her a better taijutsu fighter than Kurenai. Kurenai aren't good in taijutsu, and she doesn't have the skills needed to help her with the Jyuuken either. I have. That is why I can make Hinata stronger than Kurenai can." Tenshi explained and everyone nodded in response.
"Of course, she has to want to come along. I can't force her." Tenshi added.
"Oh, she would most likely agree. I feel much better knowing that." Kurenai said.
"Why is it so bad if she gets that seal? Isn't it only supposed to seal away her Byakugan when she dies?" Haku asked and Tenshi shook his head.
"No, it is also a tool used to keep the branch family in line. A main family member can activate the seal on any branch family member, inflicting intense pain or death. When the seal is activated like that, it destroys brain cells. Very cruel." Kakashi explained.
"Hinata is gentle and not very strong. Physically. Personally I think she is almost as strong as Naruto, since she has survived the abuse from the Hyuugas. But because she isn't a very strong fighter, she isn't liked much. If she is dishonoured and becomes a branch family member, any main family member she meets will abuse her with the seal. She doesn't deserve that. I won't let that happen to her." Tenshi said and clenched his hand. Haku was startled to see bone starting to emerge from Tenshi's face, almost like sweat. She knew what it was.
"Oy Tenshi, calm down. You're forming your mask." Kakashi said while grabbing Tenshi's shoulder and shaking him.
"Oh, sorry." Tenshi said with a smile and the bone that already had 'flowed' out, hardened and broke, falling off.
"Damn it, Kakashi, I could have seen the White Wolf. I still haven't seen you when you do that, Tenshi." Kurenai said.
"Be glad." Kakashi and Haku said at the same time.
Kurenai blinked in confusion at that, while Tenshi smiled sheepishly.
--
'What is this?' Naruto, Sakura and Ino thought simultaneously. They were reading the questions they were supposed to answer, and they were tough. Very tough. Sakura almost sighed in relief when she saw she could answer them, and Ino knew she could answer at least some of them. But Naruto, it was impossible for him. He couldn't answer a single of the questions on the paper in front of him.
'Oh crap. This is…oh crap.' Naruto thought. He took a calming breath of air before looking at the first question.
'Come on Naruto, you can do this. For Sakura-chan and Ino-chan.' Naruto thought to himself. Kyuubi, who was watching, rolled his eyes.
'Wonder how long it will take him' the fox thought to himself.
Sakura was worried about Naruto, but forced herself to answer the questions, knowing that she might be the only one on the team to be able to answer on her own.
'Hurry up, Sakura, so I can copy you.' Ino thought. She was the first on team 7 to understand the purpose of the test.
--
Twenty minutes into the test, Sakura was finished and Ino smiled while readying herself for her jutsu.
'Sakura, there are three things I acknowledge completely about you. Your forehead, your love for Naruto and your intelligence. That's why you are my target.' Ino thought and used Shintenshin no jutsu to transport her mind into Sakura and take over her team mate's body, while her own slumped forward, as if asleep. Ino, in Sakura's body, started memorising Sakura's answers, making sure she knew them. She then went back to her own body and wrote down the answers. She was about to use the jutsu on Naruto, to help him with his questions, but she remembered Kyuubi.
'The furball resides in Naruto's mind. If I take over, then the worst case is that Kyuubi takes over Naruto's body. The best case is that I come face to face with Kyuubi, which I don't want to at all. Sorry dear, but you have to make due on your own.' Ino thought sadly.
Naruto himself was near tearing his hair out.
'I don't have a choice. I have to cheat. I have to cheat, but I have to be careful enough not to be caught. Like the guy who sat behind me.' Naruto thought, referring to a Konoha nin who had been caught five times and had failed along with his team. That, along with the kunai thrown to stop the cheater, had scared Naruto from cheating, but now he knew he had to.
"Naruto-kun." A soft whisper came, and Naruto was surprised to see Hinata whispering at him.
"I'll show you my test." She said and started to slide her test under her arm, making it possible for Naruto to see.
'Hinata.' Naruto thought with a smile. A smile that vanished when he heard one of the examiners write something down.
'No. I won't let something happen to Hinata.' Naruto thought and slightly shook his head.
"No, Hinata. If you do that, then you'll get into trouble for helping me. I'll be alright. Don't worry." Naruto whispered. Hinata looked a little shocked, but didn't respond. Instead she just pulled back her test.
'Okay, tough guy. Now what?' Naruto thought to himself. A irritated growl from Kyuubi answered him.
'What is it, bastard fox?' Naruto asked.
"Idiot. What is the purpose of this test?" Kyuubi asked.
'Um, to test our knowledge?' Naruto answered.
"No" was the reply.
Naruto thought for a bit, glancing at the rules. He then felt the need to hit himself in the head.
'To test our information gathering. Since we only loose two points each time we cheat, they want us to cheat, but not get failed when we are caught. They want to see how well we find information.' Naruto thought and Kyuubi nodded.
"Correct. You aren't as slow as I thought. Now how do you think you should gather information?" the fox asked.
'Um…I don't know.' Naruto relied.
"When we get out of here, tell Wolf to teach you. Now, where do you usually find information?" Kyuubi asked.
'Um, somewhere the information is?' Naruto asked.
"And who do you think has the information?" Kyuubi asked, irritation starting to be evident in his voice.
'I don't know. Probably a plant or something. Examiner in disguise, but I don't know where he or she is.' Naruto replied.
"NO, YOU IDIOT! ME! I HAVE THE INFORMATION!" Kyuubi yelled and Naruto cringed.
'Oh, sorry. Um, could you help me then?' Naruto asked. Kyuubi sighed and rolled his eyes.
--
Fifteen minutes later, and a very relived Naruto sat back in his seat.
'Thanks, furball.' He thought and Kyuubi growled.
"Don't mention it. As long as you let me out to play soon." Kyuubi replied.
Naruto decided to try and see how others were cheating, but he didn't have much success. He saw that Sasuke was using his Sharingan, and he guessed that Hinata had used her Byakugan. Naruto also noted that a lot of teams had been failed.
'I wonder how Sakura-chan and Ino-chan are doing.' Naruto wondered.
"They're fine. Have a bit of trust in your mates, kit." Kyuubi replied.
'They aren't my mates.' Naruto protested. That didn't stop Kyuubi from roaring with laughter though.
Ibiki was eyeing Naruto with interest. He had seen how distressed the kid was, and then suddenly he started to write down the answers, and now several emotions flew across his face. Happiness, curiosity, embarrassment and anger.
'I wonder…is he in contact with the fox?' Ibiki asked himself and when he saw Naruto blush suddenly and glare at his stomach, he was sure.
'He can talk to it. Tenshi must be aware of this, but he hasn't done anything about it, so it must be alright. Anyway, now that the trash is kicked out, we can proceed.' Ibiki thought and cleared his throat.
"Now it's time for the tenth question." Ibiki said but was cut of by Kankurou, who came back from the toilet with one of the examiners.
"Just in time. Now that you are done playing with your dolls, perhaps we can continue." Ibiki said and Kankurou was shocked.
'He knew about Karasu.' He thought, referring to his puppet disguised as the examiner behind him.
Kankurou walked down the rows towards his desk, and while he passed his sister a tiny scroll fell out of his sleeve and onto her desk.
"Alright, now before I can give you the tenth question, there are some additional rules." Ibiki said.
'More? Give us a break' went trough most of the Genins minds.
"First you have to choose if you are going to take the question or not." Ibiki said.
"What happens if we don't take it?" Someone asked.
"You're points will be reduced to zero and you will fail along with your team." Ibiki answered simply.
"What's that for a stupid rule. Of course we will take it then." Someone else shouted out.
"But if you take it, and get it wrong, you will be banned from the Chuunin exam forever." Ibiki said and the room fell quiet. That is until Kiba shot up.
"What's that for bullshit? There are people here that have taken the exam before." He shouted.
"You're unlucky. This year I'm the rule. Now choose. Wait until next year, or risk never taking it again at all." Ibiki said, emitting a faint killing intent. Enough to underline his threat.
Murmurs filled the room.
'They aren't giving up, are they?' Naruto thought.
"Weaklings. Don't worry, your mates are confident. Both in themselves and you." Kyuubi replied.
'They're NOT my mates' Naruto shot back.
One by one, Genins gave up and left. Naruto inwardly sighed before taking a glance at Hinata. She didn't look very confident, and Naruto decided to help her.
"Oh, come on. Give us the stupid question already." Naruto said loudly. Ibiki looked at him, trying to see if he was serious.
"You realise that if you get this wrong, you'll never become Chuunin?" Ibiki asked.
"Hah, even if I never become Chuunin, I'll still become Hokage." Naruto replied, his voice filled with confidence.
And with just that, the fear and uncertainty in the room was blown away. However, Ibiki tried again.
"You sure? After this, it won't be any turning back." Ibiki asked, but Naruto didn't reply. Ibiki sighed.
'With one statement he completely wiped away all the fear away. Just like his father. I wonder if he knows…anyway it is useless to wait anymore.' Ibiki thought before shaking his head.
"Everyone in this room…passes." Ibiki said.
Deafening silence.
"WHAT?" a not so silent question from the Genins in the room.
"What about the tenth question?" Someone asked.
"There was none. Or you can say the take or don't take choice was the question. It was a impossible problem. Take or not. Live or die. You could say that choice was the whole point of this test." Ibiki said.
"What? But what was the point to those other questions then?" Temari asked.
"They served their purpose. They weeded out those that are trash with no concept of information gathering. I'll say it again. You are here to become Chuunin. A Chuunin has to be able to get information. As you have noticed, the questions are difficult. To answer them, most of you had to cheat. Therefore we planted two Chuunins who knew the answer to the questions. They were to be targets for the rest of the room. Those that cheated without thought for themselves or their team mates were kicked out. If you find wrong information on a mission, then your team mates and the village will be the ones to pay." Ibiki explained.
"But what about that tenth question?" someone asked.
"Supposed you become Chuunin. You will be sent in on missions with little or none information on enemy forces. Should you choose not to take the mission because of the uncertain factors involved? The answer is no. When you get a mission, you have to complete it, or the village will be in a unfortunate situation. We are ninjas, and we are sworn to protect our village. Those that believe that 'there will always be a next year', don't deserve to be Chuunin. But you that are still in this room, show you are willing to place your lives on the line. That is exactly what a ninja does every day. Congratulations on passing, and good luck in the next exams." Ibiki finished just as he, and the more skilled Genins, felt something fly towards one of the windows.
--
"Who's the second examiner?" Tenshi asked.
"Mitarashi Anko." Asuma answered. Soon after the room was filled with laughter.
--
A black ball flew trough the window, sending shards of glass flying. The ball twisted and two kunai shot out of it into the ceiling, revolving the ball into a banner hiding Ibiki from view. In front of the banner stood a woman wearing a brown trench coat, shin guards, fishnet clothes and a very small mini skirt. She had purple hair and brown eyes. The banner read: "The second examiner: Mitarashi Anko."
"This isn't a time to be celebrating. I'm the second examiner, Mitarashi Anko. Follow me!" Anko yelled, pumping an arm into the air.
--
The laughter in the Jounin lounge just got louder.
--
'She's just like Naruto' Ino and Sakura thought. Naruto sneezed. Everyone else stared at the strange, and loud, examiner. Ibiki's eyebrows twitched.
"Read the mood." Ibiki said and Anko's mood deflated. She counted the remaining people and turned to Ibiki.
"Twenty-six teams? You let seventy eight people pass? The first test must have been too soft." Anko said, sounding upset.
"There were a lot of excellent ones this year." Ibiki replied.
"Oh well, that doesn't matter. By the end of the second exam, I'll cut them in half. Ask your sensei for directions to the next testing ground and be there tomorrow at nine. That's it. Dismissed!" Anko shouted, and the Genins cheered.
--
"We passed!" three excited Genin shouted while running into Tenshi and Haku's apartment. Said two stopped what they were doing, reading a scroll and practising the chakra radar, and smiled.
"Congratulations. Was it difficult?" Tenshi asked.
"Yeah, if it wasn't for the fox, I probably wouldn't have passed." Naruto said.
"Hey, I had to answer on my own." Sakura said. She missed the slight embarrassed look Ino had.
"Sakura, we aren't living in an honourable world. We use what ever means we have to in order to achieve our goals. Naruto didn't do anything wrong asking Kyuubi for help. Now, listen. I'll tell you where to go tomorrow, and then you three are going home and sleep. You'll need the rest. The second exam will be in the forest of death.
--
The next day, team 7 made their way to the forest of death, feeling rather apprehensive at the name choice, which Tenshi had told them was very appropriate.
When they arrived they saw that most of the other teams were already there. Naruto, Sakura and Ino walked over to where the other rookies from Konoha stood. Then in a puff of smoke, Anko appeared in front of the forest. She, and the examiners already there looked around and made sure all the teams were there. When they were sure, Anko began to speak.
"Welcome to the forest of death. Soon you'll learn why it is called that."
Naruto snorted when he heard that.
"Just get this on with." He said. Anko smiled at him before whipping out a kunai and throwing it at him, aiming to nick his cheek. But he caught it.
"Thanks. You can never have enough kunais." Naruto said, pocketed the kunai and trusted an elbow into Anko's gut. She had appeared behind him, and just managed to catch the elbow.
"Oh, you're good. But I would keep my mouth shut and listen, if I were you." Anko said and disappeared. She reappeared next to a booth where two of the other examiners sat.
"This is a field exam. You will be inside this forest for five days." Anko started but was interrupted by a distressed Chouji.
"What? What about food?" he asked.
"Hunt. The forest is full of food." Was the answer.
"Now as I was saying, you will be staying in the forest. Your objective is to get these scrolls." Anko said and held up two scrolls, one of them brown and with the kanji for 'earth' on it, and one white with the kanji for 'heaven'.
"Each team gets one these, and you are to get the opposite from an opposing team. By any means." Anko said and held up a bunch of papers.
"These are release forms. Sign them, and exchange them for the scroll in this booth." Anko said and started passing out the forms.
"You have twenty minutes to think about whether or not you are going to risk your lives here and sign the forms. Then come one team at a time." Anko said.
"So, we can kill now. Well, we should try not to." Naruto said. Sakura and Ino half glared at him.
"I'm sure you know, but we haven't killed yet. It won't be so easy for us as it will be for you." Ino scolded and Naruto scratched his head.
"Sorry, but it wont be easy for me either. Let's just sign these forms and get our scroll, okay?" Naruto said. Both girls nodded at that.
--
After Naruto, Sakura and Ino had signed their forms, they went behind the curtain hiding the exchange of the forms and scrolls, and got a heaven scroll. Naruto looked at it and gave it to Ino.
"Why me?" Ino asked. Naruto just shrugged.
"I trust you." He said. Ino smiled and placed the scroll in her utility pouch. They then walked out and waited for further instructions.
--
"Finally, everyone have their scrolls. Now, let me explain about the terrain and goal of this exam." Anko said and unrolled a chart showing the forest of death.
Training area 44, better known as the forest of death, was surrounded by high fences with warning signs about not to enter. The trees of the forest itself was huge, and dark. Very dark.
"The fence around the forest has 44 gates, in which you will pass trough. In the centre of the forest, about a mile from the gates, there is a tower. You are to make your way there within five days with both scrolls. You have been each assigned a gate number. Go to your assigned gate and wait for it to open. That will be the start of the second exam." Anko shouted and the Genins hurried to their gates.
--
"So, what's the plan?" Ino asked. They were jumping from tree to tree, making good progress.
"We find a team, follow and see if they have the scroll we are after, and either engage or try and get the scroll on other means." Naruto replied.
"So, first things first, how do we find them?" Sakura asked.
"We can try to summon." Ino suggested.
"Do you think slugs can help?" Sakura asked, making Ino and Naruto to stare at her.
"You can summon slugs?" Naruto asked and Sakura nodded.
"When Tsunade-shisho (master/teacher) heard I could summon, she asked me what my natural summon was. When I told her it was slugs, at first she looked like I had hit her, before she looked almost ecstatic. Then she practically forced me to sign the contract." Sakura said.
Naruto and Ino looked at her before Naruto smiled.
"I can't believe you even asked. If we are going to summon, either summon wolves or foxes." Naruto said.
"Wait, I sense someone nearby. Let's check them out." Ino said and the other two nodded.
They turned to where Ino sensed someone, and the two others also sensed them. Slowing down and suppressing their chakra so much they didn't stand out more than an animal. Using everything about stealth they had learned, they were able to sneak up on a team from the hidden rain, who were sitting around a fire. Naruto, Sakura and Ino frowned in confusion when they saw the rain team's scroll, a heaven scroll, lying in the open.
They looked at each other before Naruto pointed behind them and they retreated.
After being sure they were a safe distance away, they stopped and looked at each other.
"Any ideas of why they showed the world that they had the heaven scroll?" Naruto asked.
"And why it was virtually unprotected." Ino added.
"Perhaps to tell other teams, like us, that 'we have the same scroll, back off' or 'this is our scroll. Come and get it!'" Sakura suggested and the other two nodded.
"Didn't that Kabuto guy say that ninjas from rain have short tempers and love to fight? That strategy would make them look careless and would probably make other teams move in." Naruto said.
"Which reminds me. Why didn't we?" Ino asked and Naruto looked at her curiously.
"We don't need that scroll. Better to stay out of fights than to fight without meaning. Don't you remember sensei told us that?" Naruto asked and Ino grinned sheepishly.
"Oh yeah, forgot about that." She replied.
"Anyway, let's go look for another team." Sakura said, and they set out again.
--
"Come down, Jiraiya-sama." Tenshi called out. He sat under the Sakura tree in his garden, Haku next to him, reading something. She hadn't wanted to tell him, so he let her be.
"Oh, how did you know?" Jiraiya asked, appearing next to Haku, who scooted a little away from him, sending him vary looks.
"For one I smelled sake, frogs and bathing salt. Second, I heard you let out one of your giggles when you landed. The bathing salt and the giggle indicating that you have been at the hot spring. Oh, by the way, if I find out you have been using Rin for your perverted book, then I'll kick your ass, Sannin or no Sannin. Oh, and that counts if you use Haku or any of my students. Although Haku would probably handle the matter just as well as I." Tenshi said. "Oh, why is that?" Jiraiya asked.
"Needles, very sharp aim, very good knowledge of human anatomy. If I were to take a guess, I would say your punishment for peeking on Haku would be her remodelling your…equipment." Tenshi said. He didn't notice the look Haku sent him after that, nor the near non existent colour change of her cheeks, but Jiraiya did. He wisely kept his mouth shut though, both from fear and knowledge that whatever was going on was not his business.
"Um…I'll remember that. Let's get straight to the point. I'm here to discuss with you about Naruto's training. Specifically what I intend to teach him." Jiraiya said. Tenshi nodded.
"Sure. Go ahead." He said and Jiraiya sat down.
"As you know, I intend to take Naruto with me on a journey. That is partly to give him experience outside Konoha, partly so that both I and he can focus without anyone interrupting us, and partly because I don't want some of the jutsus I'm going to teach him, to be seen by others, especially not the Uchiha kid." Jiraiya said and Tenshi nodded.
"I agree. That is why I'm taking Ino, Haku and probably Hyuuga Hinata with me on a similar journey. I assume you are going to teach Naruto his bloodline jutsus?" Tenshi asked and Jiraiya nodded. Haku looked confused.
"Bloodline jutsus? But I thought Naruto-kun didn't have a bloodline limit.." She said.
"He doesn't. But that isn't what bloodline jutsus are. Bloodline limits are what you, Sasuke and the Hyuuga clan has. Your ice abilities, the Sharingan and the Byakugan. Abilities that are in the genes of certain families. But bloodline jutsus are something almost everyone can use. They are jutsus that either are created to work with the bloodline limit, or are special jutsus that one clan has made for themselves. Ino's mind jutsus for example, are bloodline jutsus. Jutsus that aren't in the genes of the Yamanaka clan, but that are meant to stay within the clan." Tenshi explained.
"In Naruto's case, his family has some jutsus that are considered bloodline jutsus. They are made by his family, to be inherited by the family." Jiraiya said.
"I know them as well, since I was adopted by Naruto's father." Tenshi said and Haku stared at him.
"Then Naruto-kun's father is..:" she started but was interrupted by Tenshi.
"Yes. I am waiting for the day that I can tell him. I wanted to wait until he asked himself. Hopefully that will be soon, since I think it is wrong to hide it from him." Tenshi said.
"Then why haven't you told him yet?" Jiraiya asked.
"Because, I didn't think he or I would be strong enough. I thought that the shock might be too much for him, and it isn't a happy subject for me either. Look, Naruto's parents were like my parents. I simply wasn't strong enough to tell him. Not to mention the pressure on him to keep it a secret." Tenshi said.
"Huh?" Haku asked.
"Naruto's mother and father had lots of enemies. If word got out that Naruto was their son, then he would have even more assassination attempts to deal with." Jiraiya answered. Tenshi drew in a calming breath before shaking his head, clearing images of two of the most important people in his life.
"Anyway, what else do you plan to teach Naruto, Jiraiya-sama?" Tenshi asked.
"Based on what you have told me of him, and what I have seen myself, I plan to make him a specialist in ninjutsu, fujinjutsu (seal techniques) and bloodline jutsu." Jiraiya said, with a hint of pride in his voice.
"A nin, Fujin and bloodline jutsu specialist. Damn, he would be really powerful then. You plan to make him a seal master? Like yourself?" Tenshi asked and Jiraiya nodded.
"Yeah, I want to pass on my knowledge of seals to him. Since I can't do that to you anymore, and Naruto shows more talent in sealing than you, I'll teach him everything I know." Jiraiya said and Tenshi slowly nodded.
"I see. Have you told him yet?" he asked.
"Yes, and I've never seen anyone so excited. He was practically bouncing." Jiraiya said and Tenshi chuckled.
"That's Naruto for you."
--
Naruto, Sakura and Ino had found another team. Another team from rain. And like the last one, this one had their scroll in plain sight as well. A earth scroll.
Naruto, Sakura and Ino flocked together.
"Alright, We'll take this one. Any suggestions?" Naruto whispered.
"I have a new jutsu that I can take down one of them with." Ino said.
"Most of my new jutsus aren't offensive. What about you Naruto?" Sakura asked. Naruto thought for a while before sighing.
"I can take the other two, but I can't promise they'll live." Naruto replied.
"What are you going to do?" Ino asked.
"Tsubaki no mai." Naruto answered. The girls thought for a bit before nodding slowly.
"Try not to kill them. On your signal, Ino uses her jutsu, while you attack the others and I go for the scroll. Okay?" Sakura asked and Naruto nodded. He formed the ram seal and muttered "kai" (undo) to cancel his weights. He then nodded to Ino, who began forming seals.
"Shinheisa suru no jutsu" she muttered while using her fingers to form a triangle shape. Something clear shot from her hand and hit one of the rain nins. The result was hardly impressive. It looked like he fell asleep. Naruto and Sakura looked at Ino, who grinned, showing her jutsu was a success. Naruto nodded, made a kage bunshin. Booth Naruto's drew their sword and chose a rain nin each, before they both vanished from Ino and Sakura's sight.
The two remaining rain nins looked at their comrade.
"What's up with you?" one of them said.
"Oy! Wake up, damn it!" the other yelled, and began shaking the other. Just then, one of the Naruto's appeared next to the first one. The other Naruto appeared behind the second rain nin. In unison, the two Narutos yelled: "Tsubaki no mai" and a shower of stabs flew towards the rain nins. The first one managed to draw a kunai and started frantically blocking the stabs, while the second didn't have time to turn and fell down, stabbed several times. He was dead before he hit the ground. The Naruto who had done it grimaced and felt like throwing up, but held it in.
'Why is it so much more difficult this time?' he asked himself. Behind him, the rain nin managed to land a hit on the attacking Naruto, puffing him out into a cloud. Before the rain nin could do anything, he was hit by a clear something. He fell down, looking like he was asleep as well. Ino landed next to Naruto and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Naruto?" she asked. He raised his head and tried to smile at her.
"It was much worse than last time. Why?" Naruto asked.
"Because you are done now. Last time you pushed the thoughts away while rushing to our aid. Now you don't." Sakura said, landing on the opposite side as Ino.
"Are you okay?" she asked. Naruto nodded, swallowed and looked at them.
"Yeah, I'm okay. It doesn't feel good though." Naruto said.
"It's not supposed to. Come on, let's get the scroll and get out of here." Sakura said. Ino nodded and walked towards the scroll, but Naruto stopped her.
"Wait Ino-chan, use a kage bunshin. In case of a trap." Naruto suggested. Sakura nodded in agreement and Ino made a clone of herself. The clone walked up to the scroll and saw a wire attached to it.
"There is a wire here. If I pull the scroll, it'll probably set of a trap. But it doesn't seem too tight. I just need to get the wire off." The clone said and set to work. It wasn't easy, since a little pull on the wire would set of what ever trap the enemy was using. But after about five minutes, the scroll was free.
"Okay, now we go to the tower." Naruto said and the three of them set off, Sakura and Ino releasing their weights so they could travel faster.
--
About an hour and a half later, team 7 arrived at the tower. They opened one of the numerous doors and walked in. What greeted them was a empty room with a board on the wall. Sakura read it aloud.
"A balanced person needs both heaven and earth. If you have heaven, but not earth, run in the fields and gain strength. If you have earth, but not heaven, go to a wise man and seek help. When you have gained them both, use them well."
"What does that mean?" Ino asked.
"Have no idea. But we have both heaven and earth scrolls. Perhaps it means that we are supposed to open them here." Naruto said.
"Let's try." Sakura said. She and Ino opened the scrolls at the same time.
"That's a summoning scroll. Throw them on each other." Sakura said and they did just that. A puff of smoke later revealed a smiling Rin.
"Ah, you were so fast. Congratulations on passing." She said.
"Mom!" Sakura exclaimed and Rin smiled at her.
"What are you doing here?" Naruto asked.
"To welcome you, and explain that." Rin said and pointed at the board.
"It's a poem that we use to explain, very simply, how you should train. The heaven it refers to is skill and experience. The earth is strength, speed and stamina. If you have skill, then train your body. If you have strength, then seek help to train your skills." Rin said and the three Genin nodded.
"So, what now?" Naruto asked.
"And are we the first?" Ino asked.
"No, you are the third team here. One of the teams from Suna and team 8 came before you. And until the fifth day, you are to stay in this tower. I would suggest training for two or three days, and resting the rest of the time. There is a bedroom for you, and I leave you to find the rest yourselves. See you later." Rin said before giving a hug to Naruto, Ino and lastly Sakura. Then she waved and puffed into a cloud of smoke.
"Okay, let's go find our room then." Ino said and Naruto and Sakura nodded in agreement.
--
Elsewhere in the tower, a meeting was being held between Anko, two ANBU, Tenshi, Haku, Tsunade and Jiraiya.
"Orochimaru!" Tenshi growled.
"What's his plan?" Tsunade asked Anko, who pulled on her coat after having her seal checked out by Jiraiya.
"I don't know. He said that he was 'reserving some exceptional ones' here. I think he is after the Uchiha boy." Anko replied.
"Who is Orochimaru?" Haku asked.
"A psycho, that's who he is." Tenshi replied.
"Orochimaru is a S-rank missing nin. He was once my student, and is one of the legendary Sannin. He left Konoha after he didn't get announced as the Yondaime Hokage, and it was discovered he was doing illegal experiments." Sandaime said.
"So, he is strong then?" Haku asked and everyone in the room nodded. Sandaime turned to Tenshi.
"Do you think you could face him?" he asked, and Tenshi thought for a bit.
"Face him and defeat him? Yes. Live to tell the tale? No. I still need to become more comfortable with the chakra sphere and radar for that." Tenshi answered.
"What are we going to do?" Jiraiya asked.
"The only ones capable of fighting Orochimaru on even grounds are Sarutobi-sensei, myself, Jiraiya and normally Tenshi. Even if Tenshi can't fight him yet, the three of us should be able to defeat him. The only problem is we don't know where he is." Tsunade said.
"That isn't the only problem. Since we don't know his plans, we don't know what he will do, where he will strike, or when. Also we don't know how many men he has, or what allies he has." Sandaime said.
"This is bad. Real bad." Tenshi said and the rest agreed.
"The only thing we can do for now is to boost up security. Also, Tenshi, it would make me feel a lot better if you managed to at least get back to Sannin level. I have a feeling that we will need your power soon." Sandaime said and Tenshi nodded.
"I'll double my efforts. Tsunade, would it help if I used kage bunshin to speed up my mastering of the two jutsus?" Tenshi asked.
"Yeah, it would." She replied.
"Okay, so until we know something else, we have to play things safe. Needles to say, nothing of this leaves this room. Dismissed." Sandaime said.
--
The Genins who had managed to get both scrolls and made it to the tower by five days, stood in front of the Hokage, the examiners and the Jounin senseis. Rin, Tsunade and Jiraiya also stood with them. Behind the higher ninjas, was a statue of two arms holding the ram seal. The Genins stood in a arena and along the walls there was a heightened floor for spectators.
All of the rookie nine were there as well as Gaara and his siblings.
"Welcome and congratulations on passing the second exam." Anko said, and stepped back as Sandaime prepared to speak.
"Let me explain to you the true purpose of this test." Sandaime said.
"True purpose?" Kiba asked.
"This exam, the Chuunin exam, is to show of a villages power to potential customers. If a village shows it has lots of talented and strong ninjas, then missions will increase for that village. Also, instead of killing each other, the ninja villages compete under these exams, keeping relations and allies, as well as showing off their power to enemies, keeping them from attacking. Likewise if a village's representatives, the Genins in this exam, shows that it is weaker, missions will decrease and the threat of invasion is greater. Therefore it is very important that you take these exams very seriously. The next stage will be one on one fighting where feudal lords and other important people will come to see you fight. The selection on who becomes Chuunin is made by several judges among those important people." Sandaime explained. Then a Jounin jumped in front of him, kneeling in front of him.
"Hokage-sama, allow me to explain the The Jounin said. Naruto, Sakura and Ino smiled as they recognised Hayate.
"As Hokage-sama said, for the third examcough, there will be a lot of important people watching. The invitations are already sent out. cough But since these important guests have limited time, we can't simply have many matches. cough That is why we must have a preliminary now. But before we begin, can those that don't feel well and want to give up, raise their hands. As it is individual cough fighting from now on, your decision won't affect your team. cough So, anyone wish to retire from the exam? We will begin fighting immediately, so you won't have time to rest. cough"Hayate said and a murmur arose from the Genins. Naruto saw that Shikamaru was about to raise his hand when Kabuto did.
"I give up." He said.
"You are Konoha's Yakushi Kabuto? Very well. You may leave." Hayate said and wrote something down on the clipboard he was carrying. (A/N: I have no idea how to write Kabuto's last name, so it'll probably be wrong. Sorry.)
Tenshi leaned closer to Sandaime and Anko.
"Something smells wrong about that boy. I suggest keeping him under surveillance." Tenshi said and Sandaime nodded.
Kabuto left and once again Shikamaru was about to raise his hand, but something Sasuke said stopped him.
"What should we do about the Uchiha?" Anko asked. Both she and Sandaime could see something was bothering Sasuke, confirming Orochimaru did something to him.
"Hokage-sama, I should probably have said this sooner, but I sense something foul from Sasuke. I can practically taste Orochimaru's cursed seal on the air. Looks like Anko was right, and he did survive. I'm not sure if I am happy about that or not." Tenshi said.
"We have to stop him from competing. If he gives in…" Anko started but was cut off by Kakashi.
"He isn't the type to just give up and listen to you. He's here to test his strength." Kakashi said.
"But…" Anko began.
"I or Kakashi can place the containment seal on Sasuke. Don't worry." Jiraiya said.
"Well, if there is no one elsecoughgiving up, then let's start the first match." Hayate said and a part of the wall behind the statue slid down, revealing a screen. There names began to flash before two stopped.
"First match of the preliminaries: cough Uzumaki Naruto against Sabaku no Temari." Hayate called.
"Can everyone except the two contenders, coughretreat to the upper levels to watch." Hayate said and everyone went up the stairs to the upper levels.
Temari, Naruto and Hayate were the only ones left in the arena. Naruto and Temari faced each other.
"Fighters ready? cough" Hayate asked. Naruto and Temari nodded. Hayate jumped away to a safe distance.
"The only rule is that when Icoughsay the match is over, it is over. coughAlso no endangering the audience. cough Alright, begin!" Hayate explained before starting the match.
--
Yo, Kin-Ryu Chikara here. 13 chap finished.
The translation page I use for my original jutsus: www. freedict. com/ onldict/ jap. html (minus the spaces.)
--
Tenshi is Katon/Suiton while Rin is Doton/Futon.
--
Jutsu list: Jutsus that team 7 now knows (not counting the basics):
Naruto: preferred element: Katon/Raiton
Knows:
Rasengan (spiral ball)
Kage Bunshin no jutsu
Kage Shuriken no jutsu
Katon: Goukakyuu no jutsu
Doton: Doryuuheki
Raiton: Dageki Tesaki no jutsu (shock fingers)
Raiton: Raikyuu no jutsu (Lightning Ball)
Kuchiyose no jutsu, frogs and foxes
Mikazuki no mai (dance of the crescent moon)
Tsubaki no mai. (dance of the camellia)
--
Sakura: preferred element: Katon/Doton
Knows:
Kage Shuriken no jutsu
Katon: Goukakyuu no jutsu
Katon: Housenka no jutsu (Phoenix fire technique)
Doton: Doryuuheki
Kuchiyose no jutsu, wolves and slugs
--
Ino: preferred element: Futon/Suiton
Knows:
Kage Bunshin no jutsu
Kage Shuriken no jutsu
Katon: Goukakyuu no jutsu
Doton: Doryuuheki
Futon: Tei tama (air bullet)
Suiton: Sujinheki (water barrier)
Shintenshin no jutsu
Shinranshin no jutsu
Shinheisa suru no jutsu (mind close down)
Kuchiyose no jutsu, wolves