A New Fox
By Tea Ghost Disclaimer, I don't own Naruto, obviously. I have also not read every Naruto fanfiction, nor do I know every Fannon Jutsu ever made, so I apologise for any toes accidentally stepped on. Obviously if someone made a Fannon Jutsu I mistakenly used, know that doing so was not intended, nor do I lay claim to it.
Chapter 2: Final Exam, Chunin Exams Tournament
"_" talking
"_'_'_" Quoting or quotationing mid dialogue
'_' thinking
"Blank" 'Blank' Tailed beast (Not Kushina) talking/thinking
Naruto calmly walked into the Hidden Leaf Arena. He had changed much in the last week. Since learning that he would always retrieve the memories of his Shadow Clones, he'd been using nearly thousands of them daily. He'd grown his skills immensely as a result of this technique, he'd learned his chakra affinity, how to dispel Genjutsu, an elemental Ninjutsu, improved his Taijutsu by a tiny margin, and learned how to use Chakra Chains. Naruto had also learned how to use his mom's chakra, but had elected not to use it unless absolutely necessary.
Aside from his skills, his appearance had also changed. He dyed his hair red, and got a broach that was a growling fox head with nine tails coming out of the back of its head that swirled around under the fox's jaw, the eye of the fox was a large ruby. To finish off the look he wore a red, hooded cloak with the same fox head logo in black on his right shoulder and an Uzumaki clan swirl outlined in black on his left. On the back of the cloak was a large number nine done in black.
His weapons were also not exempt from the cosmetic change, his Kunai each had nine red, black tipped streamers tied to the ring at the end of the knife, and his Shuriken had been swapped from the standard four pointed version to nine point variants.
Naruto had his hood up, obscuring his face as he walked up beside his fellow contestants. When asked by the proctor who he was, Naruto just tilted his head so the proctor could see his face under the hood.
The proctor nodded his understanding.
In the Kage suite Hiruzen sat patiently waiting for the Kazekage. As he looked at the seven gathered competitors astutely, he noticed who had and hadn't changed in the last month, who had and hadn't trained to the bone. His information regarding Naruto's newfound closeness to the fox was confirmed when he took one look at the boy's apparel. The old Hokage knew this outfit would do him no favours in winning over the hearts of the village, but if Kushina really was the new fox, then who could stop a son from honouring his mother?
Sensing a large chakra source nearby Hiruzen looked to his left to see the Kazekage.
The taller younger man sat down in his seat, "Greetings Lord Hokage, it's been some time."
Hiruzen laughed a little, "It has been too long my friend. Shame our villages keep us Kage apart, there would be less war if we could settle things among ourselves."
The Kazekage's eyes held a hidden look of contempt, "Perhaps, perhaps not Lord Hokage. That aside though, shouldn't we begin?"
Hiruzen nodded, "Yes, it is about that time." He stood up and walked forward to the edge of the platform, gathering chakra to his throat, "Greetings all! To those not native to our prosperous village, I offer you warm welcomes, and thank you for coming to the Hidden Leaf Village for this year's Chunin Exams Finale. Now let us begin the matches."
Back down on the arena floor, the proctor turned to the contestants, "alright before we begin, there has been a slight change to the matchups. Due to the sudden death of competitor Dosu Kinuta, the final bracket of round one will now be Temari Sabaku vs Shikamaru Nara, understood? Now one more thing, due to the unrelated death of Hyate Gekko, I, Genma Shiranui, will be the stand in proctor. My rules are the same as Hyate's, the matches will have no rules, they go until death, or a contestant is unable to continue. If I say a match is over, it's over, no arguments. Now let's start the first bracket, everyone except Naruto Uzumaki and Neji hyuga vacate to the competitors booth."
The other Chunin hopefuls left out a door on the side of the arena wall.
Naruto and Neji stared each other down as they took opposing positions a few feet away from each other. Genma stood between them, though a little bit back as well, so as to give the fighters a direct and clear line to their opponent.
"You made such big claims during the preliminaries, anything you want to say now? In front of everyone, now that we are actually staring down?" Neji asked.
Naruto reached up and pulled his hood down, revealing his new red hair, "Nothing I haven't already said, on my honour as the last of the royal line of the Uzumaki clan, I vow to win. For what you did to Hinata, for what you did to my friend, I'm going to kick your ass." Naruto used his massive chakra reserves to form a large but benign cyclone of wind throughout the entire floor of the arena, saturating the whole stadium with the heavy feeling of his dense chakra.
"Let the first match of the third exam...begin!" Genma shouted as he jumped back and out of the way.
Naruto ran through some hand signs, "Chakra Chains: arena of spikes! He shouted as golden glowing and spiked chains shot out of his arms, legs and back.
Many of the chains anchored into various points in the arena floor, arena wall, and several spots in the stadium as well, though all very far from any guests. Countless chains broke off the main anchoring lines. Slowly a tower skeleton formed, with many levels, pathways and lines to the ground. Naruto was quickly raised to the very top of his tower.
Quickly forming his favourite hand sign, Naruto shouted again, "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Suddenly hundreds of copies of Naruto were all around the arena and on his tower, standing on various paths, and lines formed by the chains.
Most people in the arena were impressed by the display, and most ninja were shocked. Here the Leaf had a royal line Uzumaki and he could do this?! How was this kid still a Genin? The kids from Naruto's generation were immensely impressed and stunned. How could the dead last do this? Not to mention what he said about an Uzumaki clan?
The Shadow Clones descended on Neji en-mass, but the young Hyuga was not scared. Activating his Byakugan, Neji instinctively got into his fighting style, the Gentle Fist, the primary fighting style of the Hyuga clan. As the clones got close, Neji used his fighting style to its fullest, dispelling his opponents with as little as a tap each.
'Fool, does he really think he can beat me with these chakra constructs and Shadow Clones?' Neji thought to himself, 'I just need to get in close to one of these chains and pump enough of my chakra through them to disrupt his whole house of cards. This fool can't change his destiny, I am fated to win.'
Neji continued to dispel Naruto's clones before making a break and running for one of the supporting chains to Naruto's tower.
As Neji got close to his objective the original Naruto, still webbed into the top of his chain structure, never let his focus on his opponent waver, "Not on your life Neji!" He cried as he did another string of hand signs, "Wind Style: Drilling Air Bullets!" Naruto then took in a large gulp of air before blowing three times.
Naruto's breath then spun and turned into three self-contained cyclones headed straight for where the Hyuga was headed. Neji had little time to dodge the Air Bullets, but with very practised grace, he was able to avoid them and continue to his target.
Unfortunately for the Hyuga, more obstacles rose to block his path. The remaining two dozen Shadow Clones threw every Kunai and Shuriken they had and with a handful of hand signs the hundred or so projectiles became nearly several thousand.
"Kunai/ Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!" the Naruto army shouted.
In the stands a certain bun haired brunette girl sported a massive blush, 'That...that's almost more weapons than I carry. I must learn that Jutsu!' Shaking her head of that thought for a moment, she regained her composure, 'Fortunately, Neji has a few tricks up his sleeve.'
True to the thoughts of the girl in the stands, Neji did have a plan, "Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation!" He cried as he spun, in place rapidly, and a large dome of swirling blue energy encompassed the boy.
The multitude of projectiles became small puffs of smoke on contact with Neji's Jutsu, surprising Naruto and his clones.
Back in the stands, a certain Hyuga was shocked. 'That was a main branch Jutsu. Brother, has my being born first really cheated you so much? For me to rob the seat of clan heir from one who inherited a Byakugan so strong that their child could replicate main branch techniques just by seeing them.' Hiashi Hyuga, head of the Hyuga clan, thought.
Back on the ground, a handful of chains burst from the earth and tried to ensnare Neji.
'Fool, did you not realise what I could do to any of the constructs if I got my hands on them?' Neji thought as he grabbed the chain and poured chakra down to its source. To Neji's confusion a Shadow Clone popped, like it was attacked, and the original Naruto stayed in place. 'Why did that clone pop? It should have been the real Naruto, unless...can his clone really-!?' He thought again before Naruto's clones ran through some hand signs.
"Uzumaki Ninja Art: Chakra Chains!" The hoard of clones roared as dozens of chains flew out of each clone.
The wall of chain links and spikes flew in from all directions toward Neji. Having no choice but to either forfeit the match or use another rotation, Neji's actions then were nothing if not predictable. The spinning, however, had an unintended consequence of helping the chains surround the young Hyuga. As Neji stopped his rotation, the much closer chains shot at Neji and ensnared him from every angle.
Once his clones trapped his opponent, Naruto descended, retracting his chains and slowly collapsing his chakra tower, Naruto made his way down to the ground. After he got to the ground Naruto walked over to Neji and placed a paper tag on Neji's cheek. After walking away slightly, he selectively dispelled his clones and replaced the bonds they had on Neji.
"Uzumaki Sealing Jutsu: Draining Chakra Blocker." Naruto said, as Neji felt most of his chakra leave his body and the loss of access to whatever chakra remained. "I did some research on the Hyuga, so as to be prepared to counter you. That seal prevents you from using any chakra, and drains it from you. This match is over."
Neji growled, "So did I, I didn't think you were from those Uzumaki. Guess all that stuff I read about you in the academy was an attempt to mask your real skill? Unfortunate how well it worked on me, Guess you were destined to win."
Naruto shook his head, "There is no fate Neji, but let me ask you something, why did you beat Hinata so hard, your own family and fellow comrade of the Leaf?"
Neji looked slightly more agitated, "to answer that, let me tell you a story. The story of the main and side branches of the Hyuga clan. To protect the secrets of the Byakugan the clan was divided in two, one side marred with the symbol of a bird locked in its cage, a curse mark. It seals the Byakugan after we die. The other side is the main branch, the wealthy social elite and best warriors of the clan. They branded this seal into my forehead when I was four years old." Neji managed to remove his leaf Headband and show the mark to the world, "It was the day we made peace with the Land of Lightning and the Hidden Cloud Village. It was also the day of Hinata's third Birthday. She is the first born of lord Hiashi Hyuga, my father Hizashi Hyuga's twin brother. Yet as Hiashi was the first born of the twins, he became the clan heir and eventually, clan head. My father meanwhile was banished and branded to the branch family. We of the branch family are servants to the main house, and the seal is their way of tormenting those who disobey their will, it is our destiny. My father resented this, he was born from the same genes on the same day as the clan head, yet he was denied even a shred of dignity all because he was born second."
Naruto was beginning to understand Neji's dislike of the main branch, "So you hate Hinata for what? Being part of the main house? For your father's hate? Because she has what you should have? Because her father was born before yours? What does any of this have to do with all that fate crap you spew anyway?"
Neji laughed humorlessly, "We are tormented by the mark, only in death are we free from service to the main house, and the pain this mark bears down upon us, a mark we were forced to wear. It is the fate of the side branch. As for my hate, it's partially all of those things, let me explain...how the main branch killed my father like trash. That night, Hinata was kidnaped by someone, and rightfully lord Haiashi intercepted and killed the perpetrator to rescue his daughter. But the man he killed was a delegate from the Hidden Cloud. The Raikage wanted the Byakugan for his village, and tried to steal it. The Raikage could not stand that his mission failed, and so tried another way of getting the secrets of the Hyuga clan, by demanding the head of the man who killed his shinobi. In using this excuse, he would have rightfully had the head of Hiashi Hyuga. But the clan could not let this be, so they killed my father instead, since they were identical twins, the Cloud was none the wiser. Now do you understand."
Naruto nodded, "I understand, but none of that was Hinata's fault, you didn't have to nearly kill her. I understand what it's like to be cursed because of a seal. The night I was born was the same night the Nine Tailed Fox attacked the village. Because Tailed Beasts can't be killed, the fourth had to seal the fox away, but no ordinary container would suffice, so a human one would have to do. The Uzumaki clan were famous for our massive chakra reserves and sealing arts, making us the perfect candidates for containing such forces. My mother, Kushina Uzumaki, Princess of the Land of Whirlpools, and the last survivor of the royal line of the Uzumaki clan, offered me to be the container, since she couldn't be. She helped the fourth fight the beast and seal it inside me. All my life I was abused and hated by this village, but as much as I can never forgive the fourth, I can also never thank him enough. My mom was mortally wounded fighting the fox, and protecting me, so the fourth gave her a chance to live again. He didn't have to die to seal the fox inside me, but he used a seal that allowed him to tear the foxes soul and mind from his body. He sealed the fox's power and body inside me, along with my mother's chakra and soul. The result was a one in a million gamble that the fox's chakra and my mom's chakra would bond. So that she could be the new fox, and we could use its power to protect the village." Naruto called on his mother's chakra and was consumed in the chakra cloak. He held the full power of the Nine Tails before dispelling the cloak, "Mom and I met only a week ago when I pushed myself too far, but it's been the best week of my life, I can never thank the fourth enough for the opportunity to have my mom around. She's taught me so much, our clan's history, how to use my chains, Uzumaki clan Sealing Jutsu, and everything else I've missed. As much as I vow to be Hokage one day, mom and I vow to use the power the fourth gifted us to defend the village, to make amends for the actions of the previous fox, come hell or high water, believe it, y'know!"
"Winner Naruto Uzumaki!" Genma Shouted as the crowd roared with applause.
The people had reversed their opinions of the "Fox Brat" seeing how well he controlled the fox's power, and as the fox who attacked the village was no longer around. They all knew that they would never apologise, but most would no longer continue to hate the boy. To those who knew the woman personally, there was no mistaking the feeling of her chakra. Even if it had the power and ferocity of the Nine Tails, there was no replicating the warm joyous carefree nature of Kushina's chakra that permeated throughout the energy. It was all the confirmation anyone needed to believe his story. Naruto undid his seal on Neji and walked out of the arena calmly, while Neji was escorted out by Medical Ninja. As Naruto made his way to the contestants booth, he was stopped by two ANBU Agents.
"Naruto Uzumaki, you are to come with us at once, your Hokage requests you." The lead one insisted.
"Alright, sure thing." Naruto responded
The second ANBU grabbed Naruto's shoulder and with a one handed seal, vanished in a puff of smoke with the boy. The first ANBU followed suit immediately.
Naruto and the ANBU popped back into existence in a dark room behind the Kage booth. Inside the room were a couple more ANBU, head of the Yamanaka clan Inoichi Yamanaka, and the Hokage.
"Hello Naruto, know that you're not in trouble, but we need to double check your story. To confirm Kushina is the Fox now. But I must ask, why didn't you tell me?" Hiruzen asked.
"Mom said that you wouldn't believe her and you would just assume she was the fox no matter what. It's also been a very busy week for me." Naruto said with a little humour, "Also, shouldn't you be watching the next match, Old Man?"
Hiruzen chuckled, "I had Jiraiya pretend to be me in a transformation 'til I return. The exams are also on hold for the next five minutes. Now Inoichi here will do a Jutsu that will allow us into your mind and see if Kushina really is the fox for ourselves."
Naruto nodded and Inoichi placed a hand on Naruto's forehead, and his other on Hiruzen's. Inoichi then started concentrating hard and said, "Ninja Art: Mind Entrance Jutsu."
Naruto, Inoichi, and Hiruzen appeared in Naruto's new mindscape, Naruto lead them towards the house Kushina made for them to lounge in whilst in the mindscape.
Inoichi was confused, "Naruto, I know it's been a while, but the last time I was in here, this place was some kinda stone sewer dungeon. What happened?"
Naruto scratched the back of his head, "y'know I don't actually know, I passed out when dad's Chakra Spirit thing kissed mom and told me he was my father. When I woke up, mom had changed this place to how it looks now. I haven't had time to ask what it means or how or why mom changed it." Naruto answered honestly.
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, "So you know who your father is too, why didn't you come out with the whole truth then? Why the half one you gave the village?"
Naruto continued scratching, "Well again, mom said so. She said that dad's identity could be a problem, so I didn't say anything. Also figured, 'Who'd believe me?' So I didn't mention who my father was, or made any indication I even knew who it was."
The two other men nodded and they all continued on to the house. They entered and saw Kushina and her new form.
"Hello Pretty Boy, Old Man, Son." Kushina said as she saw them, "Jeez Sarutobi, Naruto wasn't kidding, you do look a hundred years old. What the hell happened to you?
"Well Lord Hokage, I think we can call this a day, it's definitely Kushina. But just to be sure we could always seal her anyway." Inoichi spoke slightly annoyed at Kushina's nickname.
Hiruzen chuckled at the irked mindwalker, "Yes, we can call it a day, It was good seeing you Kushina. Oh, and to answer your question, since your husband died, I've had to be Hokage, please tell me how on earth he did it all?"
Kushina smiled as she brought two of her tails around in front of her, "Two words Sarutobi. Shadow. Clones." She said as she retracted her tails, one at a time, in punctuation to her words.
The world famous "Professor" The Third Hokage, leader of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, one of the Gods of Shinobi, was now highly agitated he didn't think about that sooner.
"Damn you Minato." Hiruzen muttered under his breath, "Inoichi, we can leave now. We got what we needed." Inoichi nodded and the two left Naruto's Mind.
The trio woke back up in the dark room.
"ANBU, take Naruto back to the competitors box."
The ANBU bowed and took Naruto away as Hiruzen walked back to, and discreetly swapped places with, Jiraiya in the Kage Booth.
Genma looked at his watch, before addressing the crowd, "Due to his nonarrival, Sasuke Uchiha's match with Gaara Sabaku, will be moved to the final match of the first round. Next up is Kankuro Sabaku, VS Shino Aburame." Kankuro quickly forfeited however. And the matches moved to the next one, "Alright, Next match, Temari Sabaku VS Shikamaru Nara. Get down here."
Temari decided to show off, gliding down to the ground by using wind chakra manipulation and her massive fan as a mount. Shikamaru also made his way down, with a friendly push off the side of the balcony from Naruto.
The match was drawn out, boring, and tedious. It was all long range wind Jutsu, and long range shadow Jutsu. It did show some creative strategy, but nothing truly spectacular. At the end of the match Shikamaru had Temari in the grasp of his Shadow Possession, which was kinda cool how he got there. It would have been at least, if the guy didn't give up at the eleventh hour because he was lazy.
After pronouncing Temari the winner of the match Genma wasted no time getting on with it, "Next Match, Gaara Sabaku VS Sasuke Uchiha. Contestants please get down here."
In the Kage Booth, the Kazekage narrowed his eyes, "Lord Hokage, this is a massive opportunity for my son, Gaara, to face the last of the Uchiha clan. Can we please postpone the match just a little longer?" He asked.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, "While I appreciate the sentiment and publicity the match offers, if Sasuke can't show up on time, then he shouldn't be rewarded with a possible promotion to Chunin. Besides, I've let you talk me into two delays."
"Ah, but what of his teacher, Kakashi, his lateness is known to almost all in the alliance, surely if his lateness is tolerated, then an excuse could be made for the last Uchiha. It would also be worth noting how many of the people gathered here are here for this one match, the rest is just a sideshow to them." the Kazekage expertly argued.
"Seeing I'm in a good mood after being reunited with an old friend, and was given a secret way to defeat the bane of all Kage. I'll grant this request, for now." Hiruzen conceded. The aged Hokage stood to address the crowd, "In light of his current nonappearance, Sasuke Uchiha will be given a ten minute extension, but will be denied a chance at Chunin promotion on grounds of tardiness."
Many in the crowd's ninja population booed, many who had to fight hard for their chance, and did multiple Chunin Exams before being given their golden shot. Nearly all the Leaf contestants were seething, knowing they would be out completely if it was them who was late. Naruto particularly was on a fence, on one hand he was glad his friend and teammate was given a chance to fight, but on the other, if it was him who was late, he'd be disbarred from being a Shinobi.
They'd all passed the time in different ways. For the Leaf rookies not competing, they'd chatted amongst themself. For Shikamaru, he'd been getting his ass chewed out by his mom for being lazy and not trying hard enough. For Neji, he'd been educated on his fathers real choice in the sacrifice by Hiashi. Naruto chose to use that time to chat with his mother.
It was near the absolute last second that Sasuke and Kakashi finally appeared in a puff of smoke in the middle of the arena.
"Hope we aren't late." Kakashi said with his patented "Eye Smile".
Genma chuckled slightly, "Very Last second, I was about to disqualify him from the exams, as it stands Sasuke is not available for promotion this time around."
Sasuke sheathed while Kakashi nodded, "Ok, well, price you pay for extra training I guess. Good luck Sasuke, don't let this dissuade you from doing your best."
Sasuke grunted as Kakashi left the arena.
Genma raised his hand, "Let the final match of the first round, Sasuke Uchiha VS Gaara Sabaku...Begin!" With a sharp swing, Genma lowered his hand as he jumped back.
Gaara stood still and let his sand defend him as Sasuke rushed forward to attack him.
Meanwhile Kakashi appeared behind the apparently meditating Naruto, before he could speak however, Naruto beat him to it, "Hey Kakashi-sensei, been a while."
"It's only been a month, I'm guessing your fight with Neji went well?" Kakashi responded.
Naruto gave a brief "tsk", "And you care how it went because?" He asked.
Kakashi "eye smiled" again, "I care because you're my student."
"Are you sure? Ebisu, Jiraiya, and mom especially would disagree." Naruto countered.
Kakashi was very confused, "What?" He asked.
Naruto put his fist over his shoulder, "Place your hand on mine and I will explain."
Kakashi complied and found himself face to face with Kushina and Naruto in the mindscape.
"Hey brat. Long time, no see. Glad to know how hard at work you were helping raise my son, your adopted little brother." Kushina lectured, "Oh, and since everyone's curious long story short I'm the Nine Tails now."
Kakashi paled and braced for the worst ass-ripping he would ever receive, "Aunty Kushina, surely we can talk about this?" Kakashi begged.
Kushina's hair and tails started flailing, "Nope, you ditch Naruto for twelve years to the wolves and one of the only times you can make up for that lost time you go to the Uchiha brat, who by the way is presumably a relative of the man who almost successfully orphaned my son!"
Kakashi gulped and resigned himself to his fate. After what felt like an eternity Kakashi was removed from the mindscape. Once free from a terrifying Kushina tongue lashing, Kakashi walked off with a haunted expression. Naruto meanwhile turned his attention to the fight.
Back in the stadium Sasuke continued to give his all against Gaara. Bits of sand and glass littered the almost completely destroyed arena.
Sasuke was running out of time before he remembered his training, using his Sharingan copied Taijutsu to engage Gaara up close. Gaara stood little chance against the Taijutsu assault, his sand defence being completely outpaced for the second time.
The barge continued until a wall of sand slammed into Sasuke forcing him to use a Substitution Jutsu with a nearby log to escape the impending crush force trauma.
Gaara's mental stability was rapidly waning as he formed a dome of sand around himself.
Sasuke tried to rush the orb of sand, but retreated when it became a sphere of spikes as he got closer. Out of options Sasuke retreated up the arena wall, sticking to its side with chakra. He then began a long string of hand signs.
In the stands many Hidden Sand Ninja became increasingly concerned about Gaara and the Tailed Beast within him. They feared he would release the One Tail and start the invasion early. The preparations might not be ready by the time Gaara went rogue. Temari and Kankuro were especially worried for their baby brother. Baki, the sensei to the Sabaku siblings, was also very concerned as despite all the effort and warnings and planning and counter planning, Gaara might lose control anyway.
Sasuke finished his string of hand signs, "Ninja Art, Lightning Style: Chidori, One Thousand Birds!" He shouted.
An orb of concentrated Lightning formed in Sasuke's hand. The electrical ball screeched loudly. He rushed full tilt down the side of the arena. As the ground came closer Sasuke Ran forward on the actual ground towards Gaara's Sand.
With a mighty cry and Sharingan eyes blazing, Sasuke's Jutsu collided with the ball of sand, cutting through it like a hot knife through butter.
Screams came from within the sand barrier, "BLOOD, IT'S MY BLOOD! AHHGRAAHHH!" Gaara's cries roared, standing the hairs on just about all but the toughest and hardened ninja's bodies.
The next thing anybody knew was white feathers raining down and most civilians and many ninja falling asleep. As Icing on the cake the Kage box Exploded, and the Kazekage held the Hokage at knifepoint.