Lesson on Ninjutsu: What's in a name?
Naruto: Ever wonder why we all call out the name of our Jutsu right before we do it? Well look no further!
A Jutsu is comprised of two parts. Chakra Moulding and Chakra Unleashing. Obviously, Chakra Unleashing is the completion of the Jutsu, but what is Chakra Moulding? Chakra Moulding is the performance of hand seals and other components that make up the Jutsu, allowing the body to work out exactly what's being asked of it and how it's supposed to perform the action.
Hinata: Ano, so it's like… e-eating ramen in a s-specific way?
Naruto: Exactly. Unless you know all the Chakra Moulding components of a Jutsu, you can't change its power. It will be the exact same every time you use it. You see, this is why the Sharingan ain't actually that great, folks. It can only repeat a Jutsu at the exact strength it copied it at. So if I made one thousand Kage Bunshin, and Sasuke copied me…
Sasuke: Are you telling me I'd have to make one thousand Kage Bunshin too?
Naruto: Yep. And that, folks, is why I get stuffed over whenever I use the Tessenka no Mai. I don't know it's name, therefore, I can't change its Chakra Moulding.
Hinata: Poor Naruto-kun.
Sasuke: One thousand Kage Bunshin… oh, god. Remind me never to try and copy Naruto. I'd kill myself.

Chapter 2,
The Preliminaries and the aftermath

"Quiet, quiet." The Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobai, asked quietly. Unfortunately, very few of the teenage Chunin-to-be kids heard him. To his left, the proctor of the second exam, Mitarashi Anko, let out a deep breath.
"Quiet, maggots!" She roared. Suddenly, there was silence. Sarutobai cleared his throat, as he considered the speech he was about to state.
"Well, everyone, I believe that first, some congratulations are in order. You have all survived and succeeded in the second stage of the Chunin exam. However, do not become over confident. This exam is far from finished. First, though, there is something I would like to tell you. The Chunin exams are a very recent tradition amongst the elemental countries. If you look back into our history, you will find that not too long ago, our great nations were all at war." Sarutobai felt every eye on him, as he continued. "The Chunin exams are… something that is rarely understood. I do not want you to foolishly believe this is a forum to show off." His eyes fell to Naruto, who met his gaze. Sarutobai found himself wondering what had happened to the pale haired blond, his eyes gently tracing the two red dots upon Naruto's head. "You should know, that a ninja's true strength is only achieved in the heat of battle, where his life is on the line. The Chunin exams are not a place to show off the skills of our ninja. Instead, it is a replacement…"
"A replacement for what?" Kiba wondered aloud, before being quickly silenced by Naruto's glare. Sarutobai smiled softly.
"A good question. The Chunin exams are a replacement for war amongst the Elemental Countries." He replied. "Each and every one of you are the best Genin your village has to offer. It is you, not your village, who will fight with blood, sweat and tears for the pride and glory of your country."
"Get on with it." A red haired boy growled. "I don't care about this conversation." Sarutobai sighed. Youth was sometimes so impatient.
"Very well. I was only making sure that you did not think of these exams in a foolish manner. You are risking your life. Now, before…"
"Excuse me, Hokage-sama." A sickly man stated. "But, as proctor of the final exam, I believe I should be the one to explain." Sarutobai nodded.
"Very well, Hayate." He replied, stepping back, as Hayate took the limelight.
"Very well. Everyone, before we move onto the finals, I need you to do something for me. We are having a preliminary round to see who will participate in the finals." Even as Hayate said the words, several Genin exploded with rage. Holding up his hands, Hayate silenced everyone. "Yes, I know, you all think you should be in the finals because you passed the second stage. However, during the finals, we have lords from all over attending. We simply don't have time to showcase you all."
"So, was it all for nothing, then?" Zaku asked. Hayate shook his head.
"It may be that the first two exams weren't hard enough, or that you are all extremely talented Genin. Honestly, I don't know. The problem is that there are simply too many of you. We need to cull the numbers." Hayate replied. "Now, this is how it's going to work. Up there…" Hayate pointed up into the rafters, where a large black screen was. "Is a screen that will randomly pick out two of you to do battle. The rest of you will wait in the stands up there. Now, as far as rules go, there are only three. First, what I say, goes. Second, if I say its over, its over. You may kill your opponent, but if I decide there is a clear winner, I will end the match. Finally, you may not endanger anyone not currently fighting. Thus, you may not use mass destruction Jutsu. If anyone wishes to quit, do so now."
"I quit." Kabuto spoke up from the crowd. Hayate nodded.
"Very well, you may leave." He stated, watching Kabuto walk away. "Okay, our first fight will be…" Hayate trailed off, as the board started scrolling through names. "Uchiha Sasuke and Akado Yoroi, everyone else, please wait in the stands."

Forty five minutes later…

"Hmm…" Hayate sighed in thought. "Not much of a batch from Konoha this year." Beside him, Sarutobai nodded.
"They do seem a little sub par. Almost as if they got through on luck, not skill." He replied. "Regardless. The show must continue." Hayate nodded, as the board stopped.
"Uzumaki Naruto and Inuzuka Kiba, please enter the arena." Hayate called, watching the pair leap to the floor. Naruto winced sharply as he landed, arousing Sarutobai's suspicions.
"Naruto-kun is injured." He whispered. Hayate shrugged.
"He won't always be able to fight in top condition. Hajime!" Hayate cried, beginning the battle.

"Hey, dead-last, if you give up, it'll save you the embarrassment." Kiba called. Naruto shrugged, ripping away his shredded jacket and t-shirt.
"Sorry, mutt, but I never give up." He replied. "That's my Nindo." He winced as another shot of pain wracked through his spine.
'Damn… using the whips hurt like hell. I have to avoid it…' Naruto thought, watching Kiba and Akamaru take a stance.
"Your choice." Kiba growled. "Shikyaku no Jutsu! Jujin Bunshin!" Suddenly, it was impossible to tell Kiba and Akamaru apart, as two animalistic Kiba look-alikes stared at Naruto, their eyes feral. Naruto shrugged, ignoring the pain as best he could as his left humorous popped out of his shoulder. With a wrench, Naruto had a bone sword in hand.
"Don't lose too quickly now, Kiba-teme." Naruto called, twirling the bone sword around in his hand. Kiba let out a growl, as the pair stood at a stand still.

Sakura sighed, as beside her, Ino threw up. Hinata blushed a little as she looked away, wiping a small trail of bile away from her mouth.
"What the hell?" Ino asked. "Forehead, what the hell did he just do?"
"Exactly what it looks like he did, Ino-buta. He made a sword out of his own bones." Sakura replied. "Now hush, I want to see this."
"Ano… h-how do y-you get used to i-it?" Hinata asked. Sakura sighed.
"Trust me, Hinata. Watching him pull out his arm doesn't seem so bad when you've seen him randomly pull bones out of his body and use them as spears. Besides, it looks far more disgusting when he pulls out that whip of his." Sakura replied. Hinata paled.
"Ano… wh-what bone is t-the whip?" She asked, the entire Rookie Nine's attention on Sakura. Sakura sighed.
"His spine." She replied glumly. Ino turned green.
"I think I'm going to be sick again." She muttered.
"Gatsuuga!" Kiba roared, as the two look-alikes turned into a veritable hurricane that spun at Naruto. The bone wielder didn't even flinch as he hurled his sword straight at the hurricane, firing off a barrage of bone bullets from his fingertips. Kiba let out a scream of pain as he went crashing to the floor, his left shoulder pierced, even as the second Kiba leapt to the side. Naruto swore aloud as he coughed up blood.
'Damn it.' He thought. 'I'm going to have to be strategic here.' Kiba growled aloud as he got back to his feat, drawing a kunai and hurling it at Naruto. The Jinchuuriki rolled out of the way, barely avoiding the projectile.
"What's wrong, Kibbles." Naruto snarled. "Can't do any better?"
"Shut up. Gatsuuga!" Kiba roared again. Naruto swore, glancing around and finding a small bit of rubble left behind from Zaku's fight with Shino.
'Perfect.' Naruto thought, forming a hand seal. Just as the Gatsuuga struck, Naruto vanished, leaving behind only a piece of rubble that was smashed to pieces. With a scream, Naruto ripped his shin out of his body, hurling the bone spear at Kiba's confused body.
"Akamaru!" Kiba cried, as his partner went down, the spear in his shoulder. There was a puff of smoke, as Akamaru returned to his natural form, his fur caked with blood. "You'll pay for that, dead-last!"
"Make me, Kibbles." Naruto taunted, blood dribbling down his chin. 'Have to keep it together… a little while longer.'

"Hayate, end the match." Sarutobai cried urgently, as Naruto threw up blood. Hayate nodded, stepping forward.
"Inuzuka…" He started, but Naruto cut him off.
"I'm not done yet!" He roared. "I can… still fight… a little longer." With that, Naruto shot several bone bullets at Kiba, watching the animal-nin dodge them and charge, his face feral.
"It's over, Naruto!" He roared. Naruto smirked, his hand reaching up to his spine.
"Not… by a long… shot." He muttered weakly, ripping his spine from his body. "Take this!" Kiba had no time to dodge, as the bone whip wrapped around his throat. Naruto snarled as he pulled it tight.
"I win… Kibbles." He growled. Kiba glared at him, his face turning blue. Naruto didn't see the kunai until it was too late.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata screamed, as Naruto was impaled for the second time in twenty four hours. Naruto felt his vision cloud over, as he pulled even tighter.
"DIE!" He screamed, only for the bone whip to be sliced in half by Hayate.
"That's enough. Inuzuka Kiba is deemed to have been killed by strangulation. Winner, Uzumaki Naruto!" Hayate cried, as Kiba's body smashed into the ground. Naruto let out a moan, as he fell to his knees, his hands blindly ripping the kunai out.
"I… won…" He whispered, throwing up even more blood before collapsing in the pool of his own blood.

Five days later…

Soft breathing was the first thing he heard, as consciousness returned. Cracking open his eyes weakly, he was assaulted by an intense white light, meaning only one thing. He was within a hospital. He heard a gentle moan, and something shifted on his chest, arousing Naruto's interest. He opened his eyes again, ignoring the white glare, as he looked down at his chest, and the cute scene that awaited him there. Hinata was sound asleep on his chest, her hands curled into small balls, resting on his stomach and just over his heart. Her hair covered her closed eyes, and her mouth was a short, thin smile. Naruto couldn't help but ruffle her hair gently, as his eyes examined the surrounding room.
"She hasn't left your side except for the essentials, you know." Sasuke stated from his seat against the wall. "She gave up her place in the preliminaries to watch over you."
"She… shou…ldn't… hav…e." Naruto rasped. Sasuke smirked at him.
"People rarely do what is best for them. Hinata-san has too kind a heart." Kakashi said from his place on the wall. "The doctors say you have an unknown illness. All they know is that your life has effectively been cut down to years." Naruto felt his eyes widen, but he said nothing.
"Your body structure changed because of your Kekkai Genkai, Naruto." Sakura whispered, as she sat at his side. "Doctors don't know enough about your body to risk surgery."
"I'm… dying…" Naruto whispered. Sakura nodded, tears trailing down her cheeks.
"The finals are in three weeks, Naruto. You've been given a free pass to the last round." Kakashi stated. "The doctors say you will be able to perform light training next week, and after that, return to your regular schedule, but, you can't fight for longer then about half an hour at a time."
"You need about an hours rest between battles." Sasuke muttered. "Otherwise, your body will give out again, like it did before." Naruto smiled softly, as his gaze returned to Hinata.
"She… stayed… right?" He asked. Sasuke nodded.
"Hai, she did." He replied. Sakura giggled, as Naruto closed his eyes, gently running his hand through Hinata's hair.
"…thanks." He whispered, knowing she wouldn't hear, as he drifted back to sleep. Unknown to him, Hinata's eye had popped open.
"Your w-welcome, Naruto-kun." She replied, but he was asleep again.

"Ugh…" Naruto murmured, as he returned to consciousness. Opening his eyes, he wasn't greeted by the white ceiling of the hospital. Instead, he found himself staring at Hinata's face.
"Gomen, Naruto-kun." She whispered. Naruto shook his head very gently.
"You…'re… much… nicer… to… lo…ok at… then… the… cei…ling…" Naruto replied. Hinata blushed a little as a small giggle left her throat.
"Arigatou, Naruto-kun." She smiled, hiding her mouth with her hand as she giggled. Naruto moaned, as he began to sit up. Hinata's eyes flashed as he attempted to move, her hand pushing him back down before he had even gotten halfway into a sitting position.
"No." She stated sternly. Naruto stared at the Hyuuga heiress in shock, as he realised what happened.
"Y…ou rais…ed you…r voice…" He rasped. Hinata flinched, going red again.
"Gomen…" She started, but was cut off by Naruto squeezing her hand.
"Don…'t be…" He smiled. Hinata gave him a small grin.
"How are y-you feeling, Naruto-kun?" She asked. Naruto moaned.
"Could… be… bet…ter." He replied. Hinata sighed, rubbing his hand.
"Rest, Naruto-kun." She muttered. Naruto let his eyelids droop again, letting himself fall asleep again.

"How is he?" Hinata turned slightly to regard her team-mate, as Shino walked into the room, standing by the bed.
"He's weak." She whispered. "Very weak. It's…"
"Discouraging." Shino finished for her. "Someone so strong, reduced to something so weak." Apparently, the bug-nin couldn't shake the sight of Naruto almost completely annihilating the Ame-nin single handed.
"I want to be there for him." Hinata stated. Shino glanced at her.
"… I won't stop you. Be careful of Kiba, though." Shino replied, leaving the room again. He paused at the door. "Give Uzumaki my regards." He stated. Hinata nodded.
"I will."

Two days later…

"Remember, light training only." The doctor stated, as Naruto rubbed his shoulder as he walked away.
"Yare, yare." He replied. Hinata bowed to the doctor.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure he doesn't strain himself." She stated, before running off to catch up with Naruto as he made his way through the streets. Naruto didn't look at her, but he did slow his pace so that she could keep up easily. Despite being shorter then her, his strides were much faster.
"Hinata, you don't have to be my keeper." Naruto stated. Hinata shook her head as she reached his side, matching his strides.
"I know, Naruto-kun. I want to." She replied. "Besides, H-Hokage-sama made it a mission, so Otousan can't complain." Naruto didn't reply any further, as he continued walking. "Ano, are you going to replace the… hospital gown?"
"I don't have anything to replace it with." Naruto replied. "My jumpsuits are useless with my bloodline. My bone weapons shred them too easily."
"Ano… use a kimono and a obi." Hinata answered. "The obi keeps it from falling, and…"
"I understand what your saying, Hinata." Naruto replied wearily. "But then we come to the other issue. Where am I going to find a kimono? Most shops won't sell to someone like me."
"Nani?" Hinata was surprised. "Why not?"
"I can't say." Naruto answered. "They just won't."
"If they won't sell to you, then I'll buy it." Hinata replied. Naruto groaned.
"You're not going to let me get out of this are you?" He asked. Hinata meekly shook her head.
"Nope." She replied, a small smile on her face. Naruto chuckled.
"Who are you, and what did you do with Hinata?" He asked. Hinata simply threw his own words back at him.
"She grew up when her friend nearly died." Hinata replied with a grin. Naruto shrugged, as she suddenly took the lead, taking him towards the market district of Konoha.

"Ohayo, Hyuuga-san… you are not welcome here, demon." The shopkeeper called as Naruto and Hinata entered. Hinata frowned, as she gave the shopkeeper a glare, however, she was the least of the shopkeeper's worries. A nearby ninja wearing a mask of a monkey had drawn a kunai and placed it at the shopkeeper's throat.
"Did I just hear you attempt to break the Sandaime's decree?" The ANBU asked, watching the shopkeeper sweat.
"I… uhhh…"
"That's what I thought." The ANBU stated, nodding to Naruto. "Go on, this fool won't bother you."
"Come on, Naruto-kun." Hinata whispered, grabbing his hand and dragging him down to the back of the store, where the more formal clothes were kept. "Take your pick, Naruto-kun." Naruto's breath hitched, as he examined the various gowns.
"Hinata…" He started, but she waved him off.
"Naruto-kun, you could buy a hundred kimono's and its unlikely to even put a dent in the Hyuuga estate." She replied. "Pick one." Naruto scanned through the shelves, until his eyes fell on a plain blue kimono, almost midnight blue but not quite. Grabbing it, Hinata nodded.
"Get two more. I'll find an obi that matches." She whispered, searching through a nearby rack. Eventually, she pulled out a dark grey obi. Handing it to Naruto, she gently pushed him towards the change rooms. "Go on. Try it." Naruto felt his face go red.
"Ano, I don't know how to tie a obi." He admitted. Hinata cocked her head to the side.
"Put the kimono on, Naruto-kun. I'll show you after." She whispered, giving him a gentle shove. Naruto complied, walking into the change room. It wasn't long before he walked back out, holding the kimono closed. Hinata giggled, as she set about showing him how to tie it. Staring at the finished product, Hinata frowned.
"Maybe it's a little too thick." She mused softly. "Wait here, Naruto-kun." Suddenly, she vanished back into the shop in search of something. A few minutes later, she was back with a dark grey sash. "Let's try this, Naruto-kun." She muttered, untying the obi. Almost before Naruto could blink, she had tied the sash around his waist, smiling at the finished work. "Ano, what do you think?" She asked, pointing at the mirror on the wall. Naruto grinned.
"Not bad." He admitted, easily slipping an arm out of the kimono. "Now, if only I had some pants." Hinata flushed a little.
"Ano…"
"Thanks, Hinata." He muttered, slipping the arm back in. "Shall we go? I need to check up on my plants."
"Hai." Hinata replied, as they walked towards the entrance. "Put it on the Hyuuga's tab, shopkeeper-san." She called, as the pair left. The ANBU cleared his throat.
"Now that the kids are gone…" He started. The shopkeeper gulped.

"Sorry about the mess." Naruto muttered, as he picked his way through the apartment, avoiding empty ramen cups and spare pieces of paper. "I don't normally have guests."
"It's okay, Naruto-kun." Hinata replied, staring into his kitchen, which, unlike the rest of the apartment, was immaculate. Naruto caught her staring into his kitchen, and couldn't help but chuckle as he walked into his room in search of some underwear and pants.
"I had to learn to cook for myself pretty quickly." He called. "After getting food poisoning a few times because I didn't wash up, I made a point of keeping the kitchen clean, even if the rest of the place isn't." His quest finished, he walked back into the main room of his apartment, sporting a pair of orange pants under his kimono. Hinata smiled.
"It's not too bad. A bit messy, though." She replied. Naruto shrugged, rummaging through his cupboard.
"Hungry? All I've got is instant ramen, unfortunately. If I'd known I'd have guests, I would have acquired some food." Naruto asked.
"Instant ramen is fine, Naruto-kun." Hinata answered, watching him go about multitasking. In five minutes, he'd both watered the plants and prepared two cups of instant ramen, setting one down in front of Hinata before gorging himself. Hinata giggled at the sight.
"Naruto-kun, most are more reserved at the table." She admonished. Naruto shrugged.
"Maybe, but I'm not most." He replied. Hinata could agree with that, as she set about eating the ramen in a much calmer fashion. The pair ate in silence, and all too soon there were a pair of finished ramen cups on the table.
"Naruto-kun, how do you plan to train?" Hinata asked softly. Naruto shrugged.
"Honestly, I'm not too sure. I don't know much about my bloodline." He muttered. "Maybe I should see Ojiji."
"Hokage-sama, Naruto-kun." Hinata corrected. "He worked hard to earn his position. You can honour that by referring to him properly."
"Maybe he did, but to me, he was always my Ojiji." Naruto replied. "For some reason, I don't think he minds."
"Perhaps." Hinata accepted. "Sounds like the beginnings of a plan."
"Hmm." Naruto didn't really answer, as he tossed the ramen cups in the bin. "Hinata, why are you doing this?"
"Because I want to, Naruto-kun. No one made me do it." She answered. Naruto shook his head.
"I don't understand." He muttered.
"Sometimes things don't make sense, Naruto-kun." Hinata stated. "We just have to accept them."

Sarutobai was confused. The fact his desk was full of paperwork didn't help, either.
"Ox, bring me everything we know about the Kaguya clan." Sarutobai called, knowing his guard would hear him. The ANBU flickered away in a flash, leaving the Hokage to his thoughts.
'Naruto-kun has the Shikotsumyaku, that much is certain.' The aged man thought. 'But is his bloodline the cause of his disease? Nevertheless, it will be easy keeping him out of Danzo's hands, thankfully. I can easily argue that the disease may be genetic, and its only due to the Kyuubi that Naruto lived this long. Even if I know it isn't genetic, Danzo doesn't.' Glancing out the window, Sarutobai grabbed his pipe, lighting it with a practiced motion and taking a deep puff. "If only all my problems were so easy."
"Hokage-sama, here is everything we have on the Kaguya clan." Ox stated, appearing in a flicker in front of Sarutobai's desk. "It appears their bloodline limit was rare, even for clan members."
"Thank you, Ox. If Naruto arrives, please show him in." Sarutobai stated, as he flicked through the information. Not for the last time, he was thankful for Jiraiya's excellent spy network. He'd managed to obtain transcripts of the Kekkai Genkai's Hijutsu. Examining the files, Sarutobai frowned.
"Clan member's with the Shikotsumyaku showed signs of an irreversible disease. Due to unfamiliarity with the subject's bodies, this disease is untreatable… Perhaps Tsunade of the Sennin could treat the illness, if given a body with the Kekkai Genkai to autopsy beforehand…" Sarutobai read. "Therein is the problem. Where am I going to find another ninja with the Shikotsumyaku?"
"Ohayo, Ojiji." Naruto called, as both he and Hinata walked into the room. Sarutobai glanced up at him, reorganising the folder.
"Ohayo, Naruto-kun, Hinata-san." The Sandaime stated. "What can I do for you?"
"Ano, Naruto-kun was wondering if you have any information on his Kekkai Genkai." Hinata explained before Naruto could say anything rash. The Sandaime chuckled.
"Well, take a seat, both of you. We may be here a while. How is it, Hinata, minding Naruto here?" Sarutobai asked. "I see you managed to get him wearing something a little more formal."
"It's more for the ease of using my bone weapons, Ojiji." Naruto explained. "My jumpsuit got shredded when I used them extensively."
"I see. Well, Naruto, I do know about your Kekkai Genkai. Tell me, have either of you heard of the Kaguya?" The Hokage asked. He could almost see the light bulb go off in Hinata's head.
"Ano, weren't they a clan in Kirigakure famous for…" She trailed off. Sarutobai waved her on.
"What, Hinata?" He pressed.
"War…" Hinata whispered. "They were famous for waging war." Sarutobai nodded.
"Indeed, the Kaguya were Kiri's shock troops during the Third Shinobi war. After the war, however, they felt their talents were going to waste, so they staged a very unsuccessful coup. As far as anyone knows, they are all dead." Sarutobai sighed. "They are the clan that originally possessed the Shikotsumyaku, the Dead Bone Pulse, or rather, Naruto-kun, your Kekkai Genkai. It was rare, though, even amongst clan members, to possess it. Bearers of the Shikotsumyaku developed an irreversible disease that simply isn't treatable due to our lack of knowledge about the inner workings of the Shikotsumyaku."
"So I'm going to die." Naruto state glumly. Sarutobai shook his head.
"Just because reports say the Kaguya are dead, does not make it so. If you ever encounter a Kaguya bearing their Kekkai Genkai in battle, make sure to bring the body back to Konoha. We may be able to treat you by examining the body." The Sandaime explained. "In any case, the Shikotsumyaku works by infusing chakra into the bodies calcium, allowing the user to manipulate his bones. Honestly, I can't even begin to understand it, but I imagine you can, Naruto-kun. These scrolls contain the techniques of the Kaguya that we managed to steal from their compound after the massacre." With that, the Hokage handed Naruto a set of three scrolls. "Use them well, Naruto."
"Ano, how does Naruto-kun have the Shikotsumyaku?" Hinata asked. Sarutobai folded his hands together.
"Honestly, I'm not sure." He replied. "I suspect his family has at least possessed a dormant Kekkai Genkai gene for a few generations. Perhaps the union of his parent's blood awakened the dormant gene. Kekkai Genkai is a very complicated subject, Hinata-san. Not every bloodline trait is dominant like the Byakugan." Hinata nodded her acceptance of the explanation.
"Ojiji, what will happen to me?" Naruto asked. "Will the mummy man get me?"
"Danzo won't get anywhere near you, Naruto-kun." The Sandaime said softly. "He thinks he can use you to build an army, but my counter argument would render his argument useless. Don't worry about it."
"Ano, I don't understand." Hinata admitted. Naruto glanced at her.
"Bloodlines are adored by the council." He explained. "The more the better. The council would turn me into little more then a baby maker if it meant the resurrection of the bloodline."
"The problem for the council is the disease." The Sandaime added. "I can very easily argue that its only Naruto's ridiculous heal factor that's let him live this long. Any lesser man would have succumbed during their childhood. To the council, the bloodline is dead."
"What if you fail?" Hinata asked. Sarutobai chuckled.
"Then I will just have to remind the council that we are not a democracy. We are a military dictatorship." Sarutobai finished. Naruto chuckled.
"Thanks, Ojiji."

Jutsu Glossary

Jujin Bunshin (Man-beast Doppelganger)
D-rank Ninjutsu
Used exclusively by the Inuzuka clan to clone them by transforming their animal companion. In conjunction with the Shikyaku no Jutsu, it becomes impossible to tell the two apart.

Shikyaku no Jutsu (Four Legs Technique)
D-rank Ninjutsu
A Jutsu that effectively replicated the effects of Naruto's initial Kyuubi form. The users nails lengthen, as do their canines, and their actions become animalistic. Only the Inuzuka clan uses this technique.

Gatsuuga (Dual Piercing Fang)
C-rank Taijutsu, 0-5 metres
The user and his animal partner spin together to form a drill, which is powerful enough to drill through stone. This technique can also be performed alone.

Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique)
D-rank Ninjutsu
By using his chakra, a Shinobi can move so fast between two points that it looks like he's teleporting. However, there are extreme drawbacks to such movement. The user must know exactly where they are going, and they will arrive exactly at where they intended. It is difficult to use the Shunshin for combat purposes, simply because of the required focus. Featured in this chapter was the regular Shunshin, which leaves behind a cloud of smoke.

"We are not a democracy. We are a military dictatorship." A paraphrasing of an similar line given by Tsunade in reference to Danzo and the council in one of the Missing Hokage challenges. Honestly, I found the line absolutely hilarious when I first read it (probably because I'd just read chapter 450, the irony was too much). Just like Tsunade to put it to the council like that. I thought if Tsunade could get away with it, Hiruzen could too. I'd credit the story it came from, but I can't remember which one it was, and I'm too lazy to scan all of them until I find it. If someone knows which Missing Hokage challenge it came from, drop me a PM or a review and I'll fix it up with a credit.

You know, looking back on this chapter (and I'm on chapter 4 right now), it occurs to me that Naruto probably tied with Kiba, rather then won (Sakura and Ino pulled something similar, from memory, but its been a while. To tell you the truth, I don't remember how Naruto won anymore. I've got to dig up my copies of the Anime.). Honestly, though I'm more concerned about how I've portrayed the disease. Even now, I'm wondering if the onset was too sudden (although Kimimaro's was almost as sudden). Hmm… maybe I'll lengthen chapter 1 at a later date and include the disease already taking hold even then. What do you guys think? While we're on that line of thought, is it too much of a stretch that Hinata would give up her place in the exams to look after Naruto? I don't think it is, but I want opinions.

Thanks, guys. Remember to review. Oh, a cookie to anyone who can guess who the ANBU was.