What if Naruto had a hidden power that came to be when he fought Mizuki, a bloodline he never knew of? Then he would be known as the Kaze no Arashi, the Wind Storm!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Those rights belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

Kaze no Arashi

Chapter 26:

Breaking Bonds: Promotions and Promises!

Uzumaki Naruto smiled at the village of Konohagakure, the wind touching and whipping at his mountain range of blond hair on his head. His eyes were calm yet energetic pools as he stared at the buildings of the village. Beside him was the new instated Fifth Hokage, Tsunade of the Sannin, and her apprentice, Shizune, and her teammate, Jiraiya. Naruto looked at his healed arms, knowing he couldn't use the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken until he found a way to heal his body faster than the fox already healed it. From what he heard from Tsunade, he couldn't use that jutsu again or his arms would be useless forever, the cells would be destroyed.

He felt like he wasn't getting anywhere at all. He just learned a new technique that he could call his own and he couldn't use it at all. Naruto looked at Tsunade as one of the advisors told Tsunade of needing to celebrate the inauguration of her turning into the Godaime Hokage, but Naruto wouldn't have that yet. She still needed to take care of Kakashi and Sasuke.

"Not yet!" Naruto yelled. "She needs to take care of some other stuff!"

"Yes," Homura agreed, shocking Koharu, as he took out a list. "Here is the list of passed genin in the Chunin Exam that Sarutobi and the Fire Lord agreed upon as well as the village counsel." Tsunade hid the list in her pocket before Naruto could see who was on the list. "Once the inauguration ceremony is done, you can pass those genin."

Tsunade nodded in understanding before going on her way with Naruto, Jiraiya and Shizune behind her.

XXX

Tsunade was walking in a brisk pace as Naruto was rushing her ahead.

"Calm down, gaki!" Tsunade yelled at him as he immediately calmed down, still trying to push her along.

Jiraiya sighed in relief as they arrived at the hospital. "I'll be going, Tsunade… See you at your inauguration."

Jiraiya disappeared as Tsunade approached the room Sasuke was located and opened the door.

Sakura heard the door, and looked at who entered to see Tsunade, surprised at the women's beauty.

She's so beautiful…

"May I come in?" The Slug Sennin asked Sakura.

"Who are you?" Sakura asked, wondering who this woman was.

Sakura looked to see a black haired woman behind her and Naruto came in with a giant grin.

"Sakura-chan, she's a great doctor! She'll have Sasuke all better in no time!"

Sakura looked surprised. "Naruto…!"

Naruto chuckled at her, a grin on his face as Sakura smiled at what was going to happen.

"I've heard about you from Gai-sensei…." Sakura said, bowing to Tsunade. "Please heal Sasuke-kun…"

Tsunade grinned down at the girl. "Leave it all to me, kid!" Tsunade healed Sasuke by placing a hand on his forehead, causing tears to form in Sakura's eyes. Tsunade smiled at the girl. "He should wak up any minute now…"

Right after Tsunade said this, Sasuke's eyes slowly and weakly opened to the world around him as he got up slowly. He looked to see a crying Sakura put her arms around him, but he could barely picture it; he was still weak and not fully awake. Sakura cried out his name, tears flowing out of her eyes sockets, happiness filling her as he awoke.

"Sasuke… you…" Naruto started, but looked at Sakura and Sasuke as he weakly smiled at the two, if one were to look closely at him, that smile he wore would hold a trace of sadness.

Tsunade looked at Naruto walk out, smiling lightly in thought. Naruto's more sensitive than he looks… She left out of the room to give Sakura and Sasuke privacy and asked Shizune to call Nara Shikamaru to come to the office. I'll have Uzumaki Naruto get Haruno Sakura later to bring her to the Hokage's Office."

Shizune nodded and vanished as Tsunade went to Naruto.

Tsunade smiled at Naruto, "Could you show me where your sensei is located?"

"Sure," Naruto said, a fake smile tainting his lips. He walked on, leading Tsunade, who frowned at Naruto's back.

XXX

Hatake Kakashi awoke, sleepy and weak-looking as Tsunade sighed at him. Naruto looked at his sensei, secretly amused at how badly his sensei was beaten.

"I can't believe you were beaten by two enemies. I thought you were a genus." Tsunade said, staring at him as Gai was gesturing her to go next door.

"Forget about the idiot! Please take a look at my student, Lee!" Gai said to Tsunade, who sighed.

"Alright, Gai, take me to him." Tsunade said, following the eager jonin and Naruto followed the Sennin.

XXX

Lee was shocked at this news he just got from Tsunade as she walked out the door, dragging a yelling Naruto. Lee was hyperventilating as Gai tried to calm him down. The only thing that went through Lee's mind was:

I won't ever be a ninja again unless I do that surgery… And there's a 50% chance I'll live and 50% chance I'll die…

Lee couldn't hear his sensei anymore as he fainted to the ground, his dream crashing down on top of him…

XXX

Nara Shikamaru sighed, standing next to a wall in the Hokage's Office as he waited for the new Hokage to appear. He wondered what it could be that needed him immediately after she came into office. He just shrugs and hoped she would appear soon. His thought was answered as Tsunade appeared out of the door and greeted the Nara before heading to her seat at the desk. Shikamaru was a little shocked when Naruto and Sakura appeared and went up to the desk with him.

This will be a little interesting… The Nara thought to himself, looking lazily at the new Hokage, their new leader.

"Haruno Sakura, Nara Shikamaru, Uzumaki Naruto…," Tsunade stated their names, getting to the business at hand. "I bet you are wondering why you are here..." The three nodded and Tsunade went on. "The three of you were picked by the Village Counsel, the Hokage and the Fire Daimyo for this position you will be given…" Shikamaru's eyes widened a little in realization of what was going on. "The three of you participated in the Chunin Exams before the death of the Third Hokage… The Third Hokage left interesting notes of your battles as he watched them and so did the spectators…"

Shikamaru sighed, irritated, "Could you go any faster…?"

Tsunade glared at the Nara, but quickly looked at the three of them and her eyes relaxed. "I'll get to the point… You three were picked to be chunin… Congratulations!" Tsunade smiled at the three, who smiled and jumped, in Naruto's case, until Sakura noticed something.

"That means… Sasuke didn't…" Sakura said as she looked at Naruto, who looked at Tsunade.

"Tsunade, did Ojii-san say anything about Sasuke becoming a chunin?" Naruto asked as Tsunade glared.

"It's Hokage-sama…" She looked at the paper. "Uchiha Sasuke was said to have shown great skill, but not enough to gain a promotion. Haruno Sakura was said to have shown great chakra control for a young kunoichi, imitating my fighting style a little while also using genjutsu against her enemies to plan out how to take them out quickly." Sakura blushed a little at the praise, sticking her tongue out playfully anf forgetting about Sasuke for a moment. "Nara Shikamaru showed excellent skills in tactics and had well-thought out plans during his battle with the Iwa shinobi, Bushido Kisuke." Shikamaru merely yawned in reply. "And lastly, Uzumaki Naruto, while not as smart as the other two that passed," Naruto pouted at this, "he showed some smarts as he went on and showed his skill to be able to pass to become a chunin." Naruto grinned widely at what was said.

Tsunade grabbed three green vests and handed them to the shinobi. "Here are your chunin jackets, wear them proudly."

Naruto grinned and immediately put it on and raced out the door. Tsunade sighed and smiled at Naruto taking off after saying goodbye. "Hyperactive brat he is…"

Sakura bowed and thanked Tsunade as she went to see Sasuke, choosing to pur her chunin vest at her house before going to see her crush.

Shikamaru put it on and sighed as he went to see his team. Asuma probably already knew that he was a chunin and wanted to celebrate. He went on to their meeting place, the barbeque joint.

XXX

Naruto ran happily into Ichiraku's, chunin vest on top of his navy blue Uzumaki Clan symbol shirt as he put his jacket back at his apartment. He entered the establishment to see a surprised Umino Iruka. Naruto grinned at his former sensei and yelled his order to a smiling Teuchi and Ayame. Naruto talked about his trip to get Tsunade to Konohagakure as Iruka smiled, listening to Naruto's tale.

Naruto waved at Iruka, Teuchi and Ayame as he also thanked them for the ramen and ran toward the hospital, to check on Sasuke.

XXX

Sasuke was staring at the covers of the hospital bed he laid in. He saw Sakura walk inside but he didn't care. He thought about how he was whooped by Itachi, how Itachi wanted Naruto, how Naruto was becoming stronger than him. Sasuke gripped the covers fiercely, tightly as he glared at the cover, glared at Naruto, glared at Itachi, glared at himself… He couldn't stand feeling weak; he couldn't stand feeling vulnerable…

Sasuke heard the door open and saw that it was Tsunade. Tsunade told Sakura to step outside for a bit. Sakura wondered what was going on, but followed the orders with a nod as she walked out of the room. Tsunade sat beside Sasuke's hospital bed as Sasuke stared at her fiercely

Tsunade knew what she was going to do was for the best. In the end, the boy would leave for Orochimaru anyway, so this was the best she could do. She saw the records of the "Last Uchiha" the Saurtobi had written before he died in the invasion and it seems that Orochimaru put a curse mark on the boy. Tsunade knew she had to do this; a secret mission that no one but herself would know about. A mission only Sasuke and she would know…

"What do you want," Sasuke asked bluntly.

Tsunade glared at him before relaxing a bit. "I'm the Fifth Hokage and I have a secret mission for you…"

XXX

Sakura was surprised when Tsunade went in and came out of Sasuke's hospital room. Sakura was now sitting by Sasuke, cutting him an apple. She handed it to him as Naruto came inside the room. Sasuke pushed the plate from his sight as he stared fiercely at Naruto, catching Sakura's attention.

Naruto looked at Sasuke, a little perturbed. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Sasuke looked down at his covers, hatred and jealousy merging in his body as he clinched his covers in his hands. "Hey, Naruto…"

"What?" Naruto asked, looking at Sasuke as Sakura wondered what was up with Sasuke.

"Fight me… now!" Sasuke spoke sinisterly at Naruto as Sakura gasped at what he was saying.

"What are you blabbing on about? You're still recovering…" Naruto said, looking at Sasuke.

Sasuke's teeth clenched fiercely as his Sharingan appeared, staring fiercely at Naruto. "Shut your mouth and fight me!"

Naruto and Sakura were shocked at what Sasuke was saying.

"You thought you helped me, Naruto? That foolish Fifth Hokage butting into my business." Sasuke said, rising from his bed.

"What!" Naruto yelled at Sasuke, glaring at what Sasuke said as he did this for himself and for Sakura. He was not only helping himself, but Sasuke and Sakura and others that cared for Sasuke.

Sasuke and Naruto looked into each other's eyes with mighty glares as Sakura tried to get them to stop.

"Sasuke-kun, what's wrong with you? Naruto, tell him to stop!"

Naruto grinned at Sasuke, "Well, that's a coincidence… I was thinking about that too!"

Sasuke moved his head toward the door, "Come!"

Naruto nodded as they went up the stairs and Sakura followed behind them. Naruto looked at Sasuke laughing slightly when they got to the rooftop of the hospital.

"What's so funny, Naruto?" Sasuke asked, glaring at his teammate.

"I'm laughing at how this will be the time that I finally beat you!" Naruto said to Sasuke.

Sasuke scowled at Naruto, "You really think you can beat me? Let's go!"

"Wait!" Naruto yelled as Sakura looked from the stairs, breathing heavier than usual from going up the stairs, running after the two of them. Naruto gripped the plate of his headband that was on his forehead. "Put on your headband!"

Sasuke sneered at Naruto and pointed at his forehead. "You won't even be able to get a scratch on my forehead."

Naruto glared angrily at Sasuke, who was being cocky and arrogant as always, still gripping his headband. "No. it's about wearing your headband as it symbolizes a fight between two equally skilled Konohagakure shinobi! You know this already, Sasuke!"

Sasuke's scowl grew, "You think we are equals!"

"I always thought we were equals!" Naruto yelled back as Sasuke scowled even more and, then, charged forward.

"Naruto!" Sasuke yelled as he charged at Naruto.

"Sasuke!" Naruto yelled as he charged at Sasuke.

The two punched each other, kicked each other, but found ways to block each other's strikes. Naruto sent a dropkick only for Sasuke to smirked and blow fire at him as he blocked the blow. Sasuke cursed when he saw that it was a clone. Naruto filled the area with clones as Sasuke dodged and hit everyone, spinning in the air and even walking on his hands while kicking with his feet. That is until Naruto made handsigns and sent Wind Release: Great Breakthrough to Sasuke. Sasuke smirked and did a giant fireball jutsu to send Naruto's jutsu and more back at him.

Naruto's eyes widened as he used a clone to toss him away from the fire and toward Sasuke. Sasuke's eyes widened when Naruto was flying toward him and punched him into the gate on the clothes on the clothesline. Sasuke used his training with Kakashi in his speed to move at Naruto and punch him into the ground. Sasuke started to make handsigns as Naruto rose with a clone beside him and lightning chirped in his palm. Naruto had a ball of compressed chakra in his hand as they rushed at each other.

Sakura was shocked as tears came down her eyes. "No… Stop it!"

She ran and in front of them trying to make them stop, but they didn't. Right as Sakura thought the two's jutsu would go right through her. Kakashi appeared and threw the two to the two containers of water on the rooftop. Sakura stopped, looking shocked at her sensei.

Naruto and Sasuke… were fighting each other… and that strong of a Chidori Sasuke had in his palm… Was he trying to kill Naruto? Kakashi thought as he looked at the two as they got up.

"Sasuke, that wasn't the type of jutsu to aim at a friend… Were you really trying to kill Naruto?" Kakashi asked Sasuke, who just scoffed at his teacher after smirking confidently at besting Naruto's jutsu when he saw the damage Naruto's did to the front of the container compared to his.

He flipped over the gate and was completely shocked and angered when he saw what Naruto's did to the other side of the container. Sasuke punch the building he was beside glaring at how Naruto was getting stronger. He rushed off as Kakashi went after him and Jiraiya sighed at the situation before disappearing.

It's seems Naruto and his teammate are more like me and Orochimaru than I thought…

XXX

Sasuke was sitting near a tree, his back to the trunk when wire was whipped around him. Before he could react and get out of the trap, the wire pulled him onto the tree and Kakashi showed his face to Sasuke.

"What do you want?" Sasuke asked his sensei rudely.

"Sasuke… quit seeking out revenge." Kakashi said as Sasuke merely glared fiercely at his sensei. "In this line of work… I've seen many people like you have their lives turn into tragedy after they gain their vengeance; they begin to regret their revenge. You'll only suffer more… Even if you act out your revenge, you'll only be left with nothing in the end"

"What the fuck do you know? Don't talk to me like you get where I'm coming from!" Sasuke yelled his anger increasing.

"Calm down…" Kakashi said calmly and coolly as always.

"What if I killed… the one person you love the most? How far would you stray from what you just said?" Sasuke asked Kakashi, smirking at him.

"That would work… but I have no such person…" When Kakashi said this, Sasuke grinded his teeth in anger at what Kakashi said. "All of those people are already dead." Sasuke looked shocked at his sensei. "We have both had a rough life full of loss… but we aren't the worst off." Sasuke looked slightly at Kakashi. "We have our precious comerades, don't we?" Sasuke face became thoughtful and slightly sad when he thought of the hyperactive yet serious at times Naruto and the annoying yet thoughtful Sakura.

Kakashi started to remove the wire from Sasuke, who just sit there, thinking. "You should know from your losses… Chidori was a power given to you because you found things important to you. That power is not something to use against your friends or for your revenge. You should know what that power should be used for besides that." Kakashi began to take off, leaving Sasuke to think. "Think about what I said and whether you can hold true to what I said or not."

The Sound Four waited while Sasuke thought and, then, went down to confront him.

"I'm a little pissed off right now." Sasuke said as he looked at the Sound Four with fierce Sharingan eyes. "So make this quick!"

XXX

Sasuke was reflecting on everything that had happened. From Kakashi speaking to him about Naruto and Sakura becoming his friends to Tsunade and the mission she gave him to the Sound Four and their talk to get him to join Orochimaru. He remembered when he stared at the Team picture they took when they first became a team and put it on his dresser face down as he departing from his home, a pack on his back. He remembered when Sakura declared her love for him that was so strong that she would abandon the one person that loved her as much as she loved him. He remembered how he thanked her for being his friend before making her pass out.

He remembered how he was now with the Sound Four, just like the mission wanted him to be, just where he wanted to be. He looked at the moon before him as the Sound Four were beside him.

"It's all about to begin…" Sasuke said, not thinking of the Sound Four or Orochimaru, but the mission he was given.

XXX

Haruno Sakura was sitting on the bench that Sasuke left her on as he left. Her eyes were red with the tears that she cried. She knew she failed in having Sasuke stay here in Konohagakure. She was about to punch him with a chakra-infused punch, but Sasuke was already behind her and knocked her out before she could even do that. She tried to think of doing a genjutsu, but knew Sasuke would notice the handsigns and stop her before she could do the genjutsu.

She decided to just see Tsunade. She ran there as fast as she could, channeling chakra into her legs as she swerved around the people of Konoha. She kept going until she reached the Hokage Tower, breathing a little heavily as she went up the steps that lead to the Hokage's office. She didn't bother to speak to secretary as she stopped when the door opened to reveal Nara Shikamaru in his chunin vest. Shikamaru sighed, but looked at Sakura as she looked like a mess.

"I heard what happened from Tsunade. I'm building up a squad to retrieve Sasuke as I'll be the squad leader." Shikamaru sighed and muttered a troublesome at what he had to do. "It seems weird though, she specifically asked that Naruto be on the squad. Well… he is a chunin now. I think it would be best if you stay here though, Sakura. You already look like a mess and I don't think you'll be able to do much since you didn't rest much on that bench. Well, see you later."

Shikamaru began to walk past her and looked at the steps ahead as he went down them. "We'll be meeting by the gate if you want to say something to Naruto before we go."

Sakura heard this and softly said, "Okay…" as Shikamaru went on his way.

XXX

Uzumaki Naruto was up for once. Well, he just seemed to wake up and got dressed in his chunin vest and long sleeved navy blue shirt that had a red swirl on its center. Right as he was putting on his headband and his sandal –like shoes, someone knocked on his door.

"Coming," Naruto yelled as he put on his footwear and went to the door. He opened it, surprised to see Nara Shikamaru standing on the other side. "What is it, Shikamaru?"

"Sasuke left Konohagakure to Orochimaru…" Shikamaru said as Naruto was shocked and, then, furious.

"He left…" Naruto had his fists balled up and he punched his door in rage. His teeth were clenched and his eyes were fierce. He couldn't believe that Sasuke would leave Konohagakure like that! Why would he do that? For power, for revenge against his brother? Naruto looked at Shikamaru, who tried to calm Naruto down. Naruto calmed down slowly as he heard Shikamaru talking of getting a squad together.

As if by chance, Kiba came by and asked to join as Naruto just stood there, listening as Shikamaru and Kiba talked of who they could take. When they called for him, Naruto slowly followed as they went to Choji's and got him. Naruto didn't say anything to them as they kept going. Lee, who had just got done with his surgery yesterday, had Neji join the team. Naruto lifted his head as they walked, finally deciding to not dwell on it right now. They reached the gate of Konohagakure and Naruto listened to the formation they would take.

Kiba in the front since he has a keen sense of smell and that he knew the terrain of the Land of Fire well, Shikamaru would be second since he was the squad leader and he could tell Kiba something while everyone could see his hand signals behind him, Naruto in the middle to be the support as he had quick reactions and could use Shadow Clone Technique, Choji would be the forth one since he's the heavy hitter of the team, and Neji would be last since he had his Byakugan to look around the surroundings to help support the squad in case something happens.

Shikamaru looked at them. "I would like to check our member's total strength so if I could check your ninja tools for a few minutes." They nodded and let Shikamaru look over their tools and hand them back to each of them. Lee chuckled in the back ground at how well Shikamaru made an ideal formation for a mix of random shinobi. Shikamaru handed Naruto his tools as Naruto nodded and put his tools up.

"I guess I only have one more important thing to say," Shikamaru said as everyone looked at him. "Sasuke wasn't my friend at all nor is he someone important to me." Everyone looked at him, wondering what he was going to say, "However, he is a shinobi of Konohagakure just like you and me! He is our comrade! This is why we'll risk our lives for him. This is the way of our village. Even someone like me… can't goof off when we're doing something like this. I am responsible for all of your lives after all."

Kiba did a laugh, "Now you're sounding like a chunin! Unlike a certain knucklehead…"

"Hey!" Naruto yelled at Kiba as they laughed and even Neji chuckled and smiled a bit.

"So, the check is done, so we can depart." Shikamaru said, looking at them.

"Let's get going!" Naruto said as he was eager to get Sasuke back and everyone nodded and were about to head out.

"Wait!"

Naruto and the others looked to see Sakura standing there, looking better than she was earlier, but still depressed. Naruto began to feel like she knew what was going on.

"Sakura-chan…"

Shikamaru looked at the kunoichi. "Sorry, Sakura, I know you tried to convince him to stay, but I can't take you on the mission like I said to you earlier." Naruto listened and was shocked when he heard Sakura already met Sasuke before he left. "Looks like we'll have to force him to understand and come back. Your job is already done, Sakura."

Naruto began to see tears form in her eyes. "Sakura-chan, you already met with Sasuke before he left?"

Tears began to fall down her face in streams as Lee looked sadly at her.

Sakura looked down at the ground as her tears fell from her eyes. "Naruto, I beg of you, please… please bring Sasuke back!" Naruto looked at her. "I couldn't do it… I couldn't stop him at all! The only person… that could probably save him now… is you, Naruto… only you…"

Naruto looked down sadly at what Sakura was saying. He almost wished that he had left and she was begging Sasuke to bring him back to her. That their roles were reversed and he could be with her. He merely looked at her and smiled sadly. "You really do care about Sasuke, huh, Sakura-chan?" He, then, continued, still seeing Sakura crying. "I know how much pain you're in because of Sasuke. I can understand."

Sakura began to cry harder as she remembered what she thought of Naruto when they were first supposed to be a team. She didn't outright hate him, but she did dislike him. Back then, he was a little annoying at times, but that was about it. Her arms wrapped around herself as she continued to cry. "Thank you… Naruto…"

Naruto smiled widely at her and gave her a thumbs up. "I'll bring him back, so don't worry. That's a promise of a lifetime!"

She continued to cry as she thought of what Naruto was doing for her, that he was always there to help her. Lee looked at the smiling Naruto and smiled at him. Kiba smiled at Naruto.

"Hey, Naruto! Are you really sure you can keep that promise?"

Naruto smiled at Kiba, "I never and won't go back on my word! That's my nindo, my way of the ninja!"

"We've wasted a bit of time, so let's get going." Shikamaru said and Naruto nodded in agreement.

They went on their way as Lee looked at them with Sakura.

"Naruto-kun said that promise to you with the 'Nice Guy' pose so I'm sure he'll come back with everything going well." Lee smiled at her with a thumbs up as they watched them journey on.

XXX

Sasuke took the pill he was given that they said he would die of if he took it, but he would gain power from it, the next state of the Curse Mark. He was put into the coffin and the Sound Four sealed it up. They all went on their way, ready to take Sasuke to Lord Orochimaru.

AN: Another chapter is done as I wanted to shorten the things that happened the same way in the manga except the secret mission that Tsunade gave Sasuke that is going to be revealed at the end of the Sasuke Retrieval Arc. I also wanted to get this part out of the way so I can get into the Sound Four fights and the eventual Sasuke vs. Naruto fight.