Welp, it's been a while.

I'm really sorry, school's just been a pain.

And I plan on updating "Mystic Naruto" next week, "Second Chances" the week after that, then "The Tail of Naruto Uzumaki" and "Avenger: Uzumaki".

But whatever, here it is.

- x – x – x –

"What?! Relocation?!"

Black*Star's shrill, annoying English voice echoed throughout the hall, effectively causing glass to break, and everyone's ears to bleed within a 1.5 mile radius.

"Geez man, do you have to be so loud in the morning?" asked Soul, coming around the corner with his white hair in its usual bedhead.

"No, we're just really surprised."

"About what?"

"Apparently, all of Stein's EAT Class is going to be relocated to a new campus in the Bermuda Triangle!" said Tsubaki.

If Maka wasn't paying attention, she certainly was now.

"I thought that region was just ocean," said Liz.

"HA! I see! They must have needed an entire ocean to contain my godhood!" said…well, you have one guess as to who that was.

"Does this mean the campus will on a boat?" questioned Soul.

"AH! THE BEAUTY OF BOATS! THE MAST, THE SAILS, IT'S ALL SYMMETRICAL!" yelled Kid with little stars in his eyes. Patty was rolling on the floor, laughing hysterically.

"Enough of that," said Liz, punting Kid out of the way, "why are we relocating there?"

Tsubaki squinted at the small writing on the poster.

"It says there has been a massive outbreak of Kishin Eggs in the region," she said.

"Last I checked, those things can't run on water, so I'm assuming that there's an island somewhere," said Soul.

"Darn it," came the two meisters.

"So I assume the purpose would be to create more Death Scythes?" asked Liz.

"Essentially," nodded Kid.

"What else does it say?" yelled Black Star, occasionally jumping up over their heads to get a better view.

"It says here that the island inside is an entirely new continent, hidden from the world for centuries," read Kid, "'The Elemental Countries have had their own military and governmental system for hundreds of years.' "

"Elemental Countries? What a weird name…"

The only one not paying attention at this point was Maka.

'T-the Elemental Countries?'

'Naruto-kun….'

- x – x – x –

A young blonde shinobi sat a food stand, the delightful smell of ramen filling the air. The aforementioned ninja was idly poking his (now cold) miso ramen with his left hand, and staring into his open right palm.

A young brown-haired woman poked her head out of the kitchen, cleaning a bowl covered in soap suds with a rag.

"Is something wrong Naruto?"

He looked up to see the girl watching him worriedly.

"Nah, everything's fine Ayame-chan!" he said, slapping a wide grin on his face.

He went back to inhaling his ramen.

The girl frowned, the expression marring her pretty features, before heading back into the kitchen.

As soon as she left, he went back to staring at his hand.

'I…I'm not like them…'

'Am I?'

"Yo!"

He was pulled out of his thoughts by the casual greeting of one familiar Jonin.

"Hey Kakashi-sensei," he said.

He ordered and grabbed a stool.

"Something the matter?" asked the man, pulling up a seat next to him, "you seem pretty worn out."

"It's nothing…I guess I'm just exhausted from fighting those monsters," he said.

Ayame came out of the kitchen with his pork ramen.

"I guess we all are, hm?" he said, saying a quick prayer and splitting his chopsticks.

By the time the blonde teen realized what was happening, the ramen was gone, his mask was back up, and the man was saying another quick prayer.

'DAMMIT!'

"So, I've nominated you for the Chuunin Exams," said the silver-haired man, "I'll need you to sign this packet and—"

"Hang on," he said, getting up and accidentally knocking over his stool, "you expect us to compete with no training whatsoever, and face Genin who've been in the field for years?! You only taught us tree-walking!"

"And teamwork," said the Jonin, "You have an Uchiha on your side. You should be fi—"

"Sasuke isn't willing to cooperate anyway! And what about Sakura and I!? Are we supposed to just rely on him?!"

The Jonin seemed to contemplate this.

"….Fine. Meet me at the training ground tomorrow at 9 A.M."

"…So at noon then?"

"…Yeah, sure. (Friggin' Smartass….)"

He disappeared in a plume of smoke.

- x – x – x –

(The Next Day)

A whirlwind of golden, orange, and blue touched down, whipping up dirt and dust.

He looked down at his shadow, then up, to find the sun directly above him.

"It's noon…where are the others?"

His observation was correct. The grounds were deserted.

'Well, I might as well get some training in.'

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

About 200 copies appeared in a swirl of grey smoke.

They ran off in groups, each practicing a different chakra control exercise.

'I'm glad Jiji told me about the secret to these guys,' he thought as he walked off.

- x – x – x –

An ash-blonde girl was hurriedly packing her things into a rather large travel case.

"Come on Soul," she called out to the white-haired male on the couch, "start packing!"

"Why're you in such a rush anyway?" he asked, changing the channel, "the plane doesn't leave until tonight."

"Well, the bus leaves in 3 hours! And I don't feel like riding through the desert on your bike!"

She closed the case and zipped it up. The container was bulging and looked like it'd pop open at any moment.

"And besides, we want the place relatively clean. Kid, Black*Star and the others will be stopping by to pick us up."

"Why would we want it clean? Blair's just gonna' make it her own little hangout anyway."

"Well, we're going to be gone for at least 3 years. I'd recommend packing unless you want to get rid of all your things."

The boy threw her an uncaring look, before walking into his room and shutting the door.

He emerged 2 minutes later with a backpack stuffed to the brim with matching yellow jackets.

"Done," he said with a toothy grin.

The girl poked her head out from the door.

"What exactly did you pack?"

"Just clothes, shoes, some records and photos."

The girl opened her mouth to retort when the doorbell rang.

She threw a half-hearted glare over her shoulder before opening it.

"Sorry we're late," said Liz, "Kid spent 3 hours packing his suitcases so they'd be equal in weight."

"It's a matter of symmetry Liz. They're both exactly 8.8 pounds!"

"…You know, that's 142 ounces?" asked Maka with a sweatdrop, causing Kid to despair at the presence of 4 and 2.

"What about your dad, the Shi-ni-gami?" asked Tsubaki, "That's gotta' count for something."

"You're right! Chichue is perfectly symmetric! I was worried about nothing!"

"..Yeah, sure."

- x – x – x –

Naruto dug in to his 5th bowl of ramen.

"Again?" came a lazy voice, "this is twice in one chapter I've found you here."

The rest of his team piled in, taking seats at the remaining stools.

"Where were you, dobe? We were waiting for you at the training ground."

"Which one?" he asked through a mouthful of noodles.

"Twenty-Seven, you idiot!"

"Well, I was waiting at Training Ground 14, given it was the only one we've ever trained at."

The Jonin looked confused.

"I specified to be at Training Ground 27, Naruto."

"…No," he said, realizing the full implications of the situation, "you didn't…. Kakashi…."

"Well, you missed out on training. I taught Sasuke and Sakura more jutsu and how to walk on water."

Naruto's eyes were covered by the shadow of his hair, "Did you? I hope it'll help in the exams then."

"Don't worry Naruto," said the Jonin with an eye-smile, "it will."

(Fin)

- x – x – x –

I'm pretty evil, aren't I?

So up next are the Chuunin Exams! I should update again within the month.

Review please!

- Objection234 (Akane Sasu Sora on YouTube.)