It seemed like every jonin instructor was gathered in front of the Hokage. The reason was very clear although not yet properly announced.

"As I look around, I see some of the finest jonin instructors I've ever had the pleasure of directing. It is now that time again when we will recommend our genin to undergo the chunin exam. I know that all the previous genin teams are ready but we have some rookie teams we need to evaluate first. Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma are your rookie teams ready to participate in these exams. If so, nominate them now."

"I Kakashi Hatake lead the genin team of Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Naruto Uzumaki and I nominate all three of my students for the exam."

"I Kurenai Yuhi lead the genin team of Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga, and Shino Aburame and I nominate all three of my students for the exam."

"I Asuma Sarutobi lead the genin team of Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi and I nominate all three of my students for the exam."

"I have read the reports and all these candidates seem ready to partake in the exams. I would however like to make one request. This request can be denied by either of the jonin instructors it involves. To insure the highest probability for success for these young ninja I would like to propose a temporary roster swap for the duration of the Chunin Exams only. If I may request that we swap Sakura Haruno and Hinata Hyuga from their respective squads would their be any opposition."

"Hokage-sama to what reason would you like to swap Hinata from my squad?"

"I will be honest. It is not entirely my idea. The elders wish to have a Byakugan and Sharingan team compete to show the full extent of our villages power. I will say that I am not against the idea because it will benefit not only the Uchiha and Hyuga, but also because it will benefit Sakura Haruno as well. She is one of the most promising genjutsu types we have ever produced and if she could study under the tutelage of one of our most prominent genjutsu specialist she could become a strong force for our village."

"When he puts it like that it's hard to say no isn't it Kurenai?"

"I guess you're right Kakashi, but you get one thing straight, you take care of that poor girl. She's been through so much so young that I wouldn't want her getting hurt because I was unable to protect her under your watch."

"Kurenai you do know who the other two members on my team are don't you? Everyone has their struggles and hardships, and sometimes it takes someone going through similar problems to help them overcome those struggles."

"Enough. If you two don't have any objections, the roster swap will become active immediately. The Exams begin in one month. You have until then to prepare your teams."

"HEY! LET KONOHAMARU GO!"

Naruto was shocked as to why a shinobi would be treating a child in such a way. Konohamaru was being held above the ground by his scarf by a shinobi in all black clothing. Next to him stood a kunoichi in white. They did not seem like leaf shinobi.

"Let him go or else."

"Or else what pipsqueak?"

Kankuro took a second to measure up the orange shinobi. He was unimpressed. The pink kunoichi behind him was nothing to behold either so he shifted his attention to the kid in his arms. Just as either of them were about to make a move a rock hit Kankuro's hand hard enough to force him to let go.

"Sasuke."

Sakura looked up to see Sasuke in a tree above the whole scene that was playing out.

"You're a long way from home outsider."

"Why you. It's arrogant brats like you that make my blood boil."

Kankuro measured up his new foe. He looked like more of a challenge so he began to unravel the pack he was carrying.

"Kankuro. Stop it."

Nobody heard or saw the sixth shinobi coming. He was in the same tree as Sasuke but even he didn't seem to notice him.

"You're an embarrassment to our village. Let's go before I kill you."

"Y… Yes Gaara."

Naruto felt two distinct emotions at that time. One was genuine fear coming from Kankuro, and the other was a sense of pure hate and animosity coming from Gaara. He had never felt such negative emotion. It was terrifying in its own right. As they began to leave Sasuke jumped out of the tree and landed near Naruto.

"Hey sand shinobi with the gorde on your back. Identify yourself. Why are you here."

"My name is Gaara of the Desert, and my companions and I are here for the chunin exams. What is your name if I may ask?"

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha."

Seemingly pleased the red-headed shinobi and his comrades took their leave.

"What was that all about."

"I don't know Sakura, but did he say the Chunin Exams?"

"Damn it all. It's always the same thing with him. He tells us to meet at a certain time and we end up waiting for him for hours."

Naruto and his team were just about fed up with waiting for Kakashi like they usually did when something different happened. In the distance they could see four figures approaching them. There were kids about the same age as Naruto and an older woman in her twenties maybe. The closer they got the better Naruto could recognize them. They were some of his former classmates. "Hey it's Kiba, Hinata, and… and… man what was his name…"

"It's Shino you idiot."

"Oh yea! Thanks Sakura."

'I guess he really isn't calling me Sakura-chan anymore.'

Naruto decided to focus on them to see if he could feel anything. There was no negativity coming from the guys or the woman but as soon as he focused on Hinata he felt a huge spike of nervousness.

'Why is she so nervous'

"Well if it isn't our old classmates. They don't look to much stronger right Akamaru?"

"Arf, arf!"

The little puppy on Kiba's head looked as happy as it always did. It didn't have a care in the world.

"WHAT WAS THAT! You're as annoying as ever Kiba."

"Oh I guess you're right Naruto. Sasuke does look a little better."

"WHAT!"

"Oh… d… don't mind him Naruto-kun. I'm sure he didn't mean it."

"What was that Hinata. Didn't quite catch that."

'Why is she so nervous?'

"Where is Kakashi?"

Kurenai looked very flustered. She did not want to waste any time. There was so much training to do and so little time to do it.

"He's always late Kurenai-sensei, but I don't think he'll be gone to much longer. Sensei why are you guys here anyway? This is where we usually meet for our missions."

Kurenai looked at Sakura in shock. He hadn't told them yet.

"Just like him to not tell you guys until the last minute. I guess I'll just tell you myself then. Both my team and Kakashi's team have been nominated for the Chunin exams."

"Really the Chunin Exams. We've been nominated."

The look of surprise on Sakura's face was nothing compared to the look of excitement on Naruto's. Even Sasuke was having a tough time keeping a straight face.

"That's right."

As Kakashi appeared behind them he received looks of frustration from Sakura and Naruto.

"While the decision to participate is up to the individual, the Hokage has asked for Kakashi and I to make a temporary change to our team rosters to train for and participate in the exams should you all choose to participate."

It was clear that the genin on Kurenai's team didn't know about the roster swap either.

"But Kurenai-sensei I like our team the way it is now, right Akamaru?'

"Arf!"

"Well our teams were originally hand picked so I'm not to happy about it either but it was a request directly from Lord Hokage."

Kakashi just nodded his head. to turn a request from the Hokage down was almost treasonous. "As such for the next month and for the duration of the Chunin Exam my new team consists of Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata Hyuga."

Naruto turned to look at he shy girl and was met with a huge wall of nervousness.

'Why is she so nervous.'

Sasuke looked at her as well.

'Oh great another stupid fan girl. Wait. She's different somehow. She's not looking at me. She's looking at… Haha… this will be interesting. I wonder how long it will take the dobe to notice.'

"Hey Naruto and Sasuke, you better take good care of her and not let her get hurt or else Akamaru and I will show you what hurt really is."

"Arf!"

"Don't you worry Kiba I'll take really good care of her without Sasuke's help."

'Wow every time I say anything she gets even more nervous. Is she afraid of me?'

"Well now that that is settled I think it would be best if we were on our way. I'll see you and Asuma later Kurenai."

Naruto could feel Sakura's sadness. although the swap was only temporary she was still sad she had to leave Sasuke. Now there was a whole new person to deal with.

'She probably has the same silly thing for Sasuke that Sakura and Ino have. It's just going to be one big annoyance.'

Once Kurenai and her new team left Kakashi looked at his own squad. Having a Hyuga on his squad was going to offer a brand new dynamic to their team. Kakashi already had one of the better combat teams and now with a taijutsu oriented Hyuga that aspect of his team grew exponentially.

"Okay Hinata why don't you introduce yourself. Why don't tell us things you like, things you hate, and dreams for the future."

"H… Hai. I like sweet things like cinnamon rolls… and…"

She blushed deeply when she looked over in Naruto and Sasuke's direction. Only Sasuke knew why, but it didn't take Kakashi more than a couple seconds to figure it out as well. Naruto on the other hand didn't even consider her having feelings for him a possibility. Such a concept was completely foreign to him.

"Um… Hinata are you sick? Your face is getting a little red."

'Seriously what's the matter with her. She's really weird.'

"Ah… no I'm fine Naruto-kun."

Kakashi and even Sasuke had a smirk on their faces. It wasn't their place to say anything so they kept to themselves on the matter.

"You really are something dobe."

"Stop calling me that teme. And what do you mean by that."

By the look on Hinata's face Sasuke knew he should drop the subject so he just gave Naruto a dismissive look and turned back to Hinata.

"Ignore him. He's just a baka."

Sasuke was not at all prepared for the look Hinata gave after he openly insulted Naruto. That one act confirmed His and Kakashi's suspicions. Naruto was to focused on Sasuke to even notice the look or even the brief change in Hinata's emotion. Kakashi looked at the three of them and only sighed. The dynamic of his team hadn't really changed that much by the look of it.

"Okay please let Hinata finish."

"Hai. I dislike seafood. I like to garden as a hobby."

Naruto perked up when she spoke about gardening. While Naruto really didn't have the funds or time to own or care for a large garden he did like the peaceful nature of caring for the few plants he did have in his small apartment.

"My dream for the future is to prove myself to someone. I want him to acknowledge me."

"Wow Hinata, that's a cool goal. Don't worry we'll help you impress that person no matter what. Right Kakashi-sensei?"

If Kakashi wasn't wearing a mask the huge grin on his face would have thrown Naruto for a loop. Sasuke on the other hand was smirking rather openly. It was odd to ever see Sasuke in a good mood but this was one of the rare occasions.

"Yes Naruto we'll all be training together for the next month to prepare for the Chunin Exams. We all want to impress those who show up to watch the finals."

The first day went by a little different than usual. While Hinata was a lot less confident than Sakura she was more capable. She had a fierce work ethic, which matched well with Naruto and Sasuke's. It was a learning experience for all. Hinata would have to explain to her new team the aspects of her kekkei genkai. The Byakugan was the treasure of the Hidden Leaf's most powerful clan, and had to be treated as such. In the first day all attention was on the shy girl as she disclosed what she could about her special ability. Her clan made it top priority to keep as much secret about the Byakugan as possible. She only demonstrated the basics of the gentle fist style to them. She was no expert at that style of combat yet but she was more than capable. Kakashi had asked her if it was okay to examine her moves with the Sharingan. Hinata was unsure but agreed since she knew she would have to cooperate with her knew squad for the time being. All three of guys activated their Sharingan. Naruto made sure he stood further back as if uninterested to make sure that Kakashi and Sasuke couldn't see him use his own Sharingan. The genjutsu the Third Hokage taught him was effective but Naruto had a very difficult time with genjutsu. He hadn't perfected it so he didn't want to take a risk. He wanted to tell Kakashi about his conversation with the Third but he hadn't had the chance. He had decided to tell him after this day of training. They all observed how the gentle fist used an extension of chakra as its main source of power. It was truly a technique to be wary of.

"That is how the Hyuga fighting works, simply explained anyway."

Kakashi had faced Hyugas before. He knew what they were capable of. Kakashi was impressed. He could see she was still learning but he could also see how much she had worked and progressed in her training.

"I thank you for your honesty with us Hinata. Please understand that I have witnessed plenty of Hyuga fight before and I have added aspects of the gentle fist to my repertoire of abilities with my Sharingan. You don't need to worry about what you have told or shown us. It won't matter if we copy your abilities because we won't be able to take advantage of them since we don't have your kekkei genkai. You need the Byakugan to make the gentle fist style work, and that is something Sasuke and I lack."

Hinata was relieved. She didn't know how the Sharingan worked exactly, but she did know Kakashi was known as the Copy Ninja because of his Sharingan eye. She admired Kakashi's honesty and nobility.

"Arigato Kakashi-sensei."

Once her concerns were cleared up she only had one thing on her mind. This was the most time she had ever spent with Naruto and she was still incredibly nervous. She turned to him and Sasuke, and was surprised with the look on their faces. They were awed by her. She had a very interesting set of powers and abilities. They had never seen anything like them. Naruto could not contain his excitement as he slowly unknowingly approached her.

"Woooow Hinata you're so cool and strong. How come you never talked to us and showed us this in the academy."

He was starting to get too close for Hinata's comfort. Her blood was rising. She didn't really know what to do. Kakashi looked at the situation and decided it would be best to call it a day for Hinata's sake. He could see she wasn't like Sakura. She didn't openly show how she felt to the person she had feelings for. She was much more shy and reserved. It was best to let her adjust to her new situation slowly.

'Naruto's overwhelming personality might be too much for her to handle all things considered'

"Okay guys. I think we should call it a day. We've gone through a lot today so we better get ready for the upcoming days of training."

"Whatever."

"Hai."

"But Kakashi-sensei."

"Isn't there something you wanted to talk about, Naruto?"

"Oh yea, but in private if possible."

"Okay then, Hinata and Sasuke you are dismissed."

They both went their separate ways. Leaving only Kakashi and the orange-clad shinobi left in the training ground. Kakashi wasn't sure what to expect. The only time he had ever seen Naruto so serious was on the bridge.

"Kakashi-sensei the old man asked me to speak to you about this in secret. He said it was an S class secret or something."

Kakashi's eyes widened as Naruto relayed to him the events on the bridge he didn't already know. He understood why Lord Third had told Naruto to only confide in him. There was so much to take in all at once.

"Wow. All of this in such a short span of time. If everything you've told me is true you may already be one of the strongest genin in the village."

"Really."

"Naruto kekkei genkai are powerful things that can't be taken lightly, and you seemingly have three of them. Who knows if you might be able to get more in the same way you gained the the Uchiha and Yuki kekkei genkai. It's going to be a real pain for me to train you now. You have so much power now, but it's all raw. If you don't mold it properly it may be more of a hindrance than an advantage. I can help you in learning the power of the Sharingan but the ice powers you're going to have to learn on your own."

"Well I already know how to make the mirrors."

"WHAT! HOW!"

"On the bridge I saw Haku's hand signs and stuff with my Sharingan, so I guess i copied them. I just can't make as many as he could."

"Show me Naruto."

At Kakashi's request Naruto took a few steps back. Kakashi looked on in awe as Naruto made the one handed seals and produced two ice mirrors several meters apart from each other. Naruto seemingly jumped into one of the mirrors disappearing into it briefly before reappearing in the other mirror and jumping out of it.

"Amazing Naruto, although they don't really fit your fighting style so you may not see much use in them."

"Yea I figured as much but I could probably still make my own ice jutsu right?"

"I suppose you could. Okay Naruto here is the plan for the next month. I have to train all three of you for the exams, but you all have your own special needs. This going to be a lot more work than I thought. In the early morning I'm going to train Sasuke individually, during our regular training sessions I'll focus on Hinata a little more than you guys, and after were all done I'll train you individually for a little afterwards."

"Awesome! There's no way we won't make chunin at this rate, ya know."

"The day is still young Naruto how about we train a little now."

"Really! Ya Hoo!"

"Okay settle down. There are going to be two parts to the training I plan to do with you. First, how many shadow clones can you make?"

"Um I don't really know. Several hundred I guess."

'How can he say that so nonchalantly. Several hundred shadow clones is amazing.'

"Okay so I don't know if you've noticed that when your shadow clones dissipate you get all their new memories and experiences."

"Really. Well now that you mention it, I guess it kinda does seem like it happens."

"Well anyway we're going to use them as your training tools. Everytime we train you're going to make a couple clones so you can multiply your experience. Simply put you'll learn techniques faster since you'll be learning several times faster than normal."

"Wow, I can do that with shadow clones."

"It's important that you don't make too many clones, because having the exhaustion of several hundred Naruto's return to you all at once might just kill you, or worse leave you weak enough for the nine-tails to take advantage of you. We must find a happy medium. Now the second part to our training will be a technique."

"Oh boy, awesome a new jutsu."

"It's not really jutsu. It's just a technique like I said. Have you ever heard of Lady Tsunade?"

"Um… No I haven't."

"Well I told you about Lord Jiraiya earlier. She was his teammate and also a legendary Sannin."

"Wow she must be strong."

"Well yes. in a matter of speaking. I'm about to teach you one of her techniques. Its called chakra forcing. Basically you focus a huge amount of chakra in a part of your body to massively increase your capabilities, whether it may be speed, strength, or durability. Lady Tsunade used this technique to shatter boulders with her bare hands."

"Wow, she could really do that?"

"Yes. She was quite the shinobi. Anyway, normally this technique is incredibly ineffective for the regular shinobi because it burns through too much chakra too quickly, but Lady Tsunade was renowned for her chakra control. She could use chakra forcing to extreme levels without using very much chakra at all."

"Well how does that help me then. You've seen my chakra control. It sucks."

"I did say it is impractical for a regular shinobi to use yes, but Naruto you are not a regular shinobi. You have an unimaginable level of chakra at your disposal. What you lack in chakra control you can make up for in raw amounts of chakra. And we will use the shadow clones to work on your chakra control as much as possible as well."

"Thank you so much Kakashi-sensei . You're the best."

"Ah well don't thank me yet. We still have a lot of work to do. Let's just start on your basics for now. You need a lot of work to get you ready."

"Alright then let's go!"

As they began it was apparent how much work really needed to be done. Naruto wasn't trained properly in the academy. Until he was taken on by Iruka all the other teachers had neglected him. There was only so much Iruka could do for Naruto. All of his skills needed work, but they had a whole month and the advantage of Naruto's shadow clones. He would become a shinobi to be reckoned with in that time. Both Kakashi and Naruto were so focused on each other that they never noticed the fact that Hinata had never truly left. She had been observing Naruto the whole time. She was surprised at how far he had progressed. She didn't actually hear much of anything but she had seen the ice. She didn't know it was a kekkei genkai. She just assumed it was a new jutsu Naruto had learned. She also did not activate her Byakugan. There was no reason to. Because of that she wouldn't be able to see the Sharingan in Naruto's right eye. For Kakashi's skills as a former ANBU and Naruto's new sensory powers they should have been able to sense her there, but Hinata was all too used to hiding in the shadows. Naruto and Kakashi's focus also helped conceal her from them. And so the days went on as planned, Sasuke received his training in the mornings, the group trained as a whole during the day with a special emphasis on Hinata, and Naruto would get his training after that with Hinata observing the whole while. The trio of comrades grew really close. Sakura's feelings were no longer a problem. There wasn't that annoyance barrier for Sasuke anymore so he found it easier to cooperate with his team. Hinata grew more comfortable around Naruto, but was still properly reserved since she didn't really know how to go about her feelings. Naruto was really enjoying himself as well. He had grown fond of Hinata and while he still saw Sasuke as his rival it wasn't because he felt he had to compete for Sakura anymore. He had moved on since the events on the bridge. He now saw Sasuke as a rival for the right reasons, and it drove his motivation to become stronger. As the days passed the progression of the shinobi became more and more apparent. With every day more and more foreign shinobi began to arrive for the exams, and with every day the three young shinobi began to look more and more prepared for the upcoming challenges.