Sorry for the slow updates, my beloved readers. Work life is demanding quite a lot of my time so I'm making do with what hours I have to writing. Just want to clarify, NONE of my stories are abandoned. Updates are just slow.
Anyway, here's chapter 23. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Ruroni Kenshin.
Chapter 23: Kyuubi
"So that's Kyuubi." Kiba commented in a subdued voice as he watched Naruto standing on top of the most powerful bijuu in the Elemental Nations. He was surprised when their group's 'boss' mentioned having something in his arsenal to face the two gigantic enemy summons but to bring out the Kyuubi of all things? It was crazy. He wasn't afraid though since he knew that Naruto wouldn't put them in any danger.
Kurenai couldn't help but gape at the Inuzuka heir. But before she could say anything, Hinata added her own comment that made her jaw drop further.
"If it wasn't for Kyuubi's reputation, he would make a cute pet." Hinata noted in a winsome voice, her fingers twitching madly at the prospect of scratching such a…fluffy creature before her face grew thoughtful. "Is Kyuubi a he or a she? I don't think we can call Kyuubi an 'it' either."
"I don't think Kyuubi-sama would be open to the idea of being your petting partner, Hinata-san." Shino noted in his usual monotone though his hive was currently buzzing as if on sugar high under the presence of the most fearsome creature in the shinobi world. "And to answer your question, it would be best to ask Naruto-san about that before addressing Kyuubi-sama. He or she might take offense."
"It would rock if Kyuubi is a guy; right, Akamaru?" Kiba quipped followed by an affirmative bark from his canine partner.
"And what do you mean by that, Kiba-kun?" Hinata asked in a sweet voice that promised untold pain and suffering if Kiba answered wrong. Said Inuzuka quailed under the Byakugan-enhanced glare of one Hyuuga Hinata.
Kurenai now had her jaw on the ground as she listened to her student's commentary on the presence of the creature that almost brought Konoha to its knees if not for the effort and sacrifice of the Yondaime Hokage. Her team was either experienced in such matters or knew about it beforehand. They weren't even afraid, for crying out loud. Something was definitely going on and she was going to get to the bottom of it to find out.
"You're all taking this quite calmly." Kurenai asked lightly, trying to remove the incredulity from her voice though she was failing miserably.
"Oh, you mistake us, Kurenai-sensei. We are very much…surprised. We knew of the burden he carries but we are quite surprised that he could let…ummm…Kyuubi out." Hinata said dryly, her Byakugan active as she surveyed the battle in front of her, not missing an inch of detail to commit them to memory. Thanks to her bloodline, she knew that Naruto was giving power to Kyuubi for the battle judging from the red thread of chakra connecting their impromptu leader to the fox.
"We already know about Naruto being the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi, Kurenai-sensei," Kiba quipped making his sensei look at him in horror. "Though I'm surprised that boss could bring the bijuu out."
"H-how?" the Genjutsu Mistress stammered out. How in the world did these kids discover an S-rank secret punishable by death? Someone definitely told them since the older generation wouldn't dare break the Sandaime's rule.
"Actually, it was Shikamaru who discovered it but we discussed it among ourselves in secret since we all know that it is an S-class secret punishable by death." Kiba nonchalantly informed her while waiting for the big battle to commence.
"Discovered?" If she was hiding her incredulity before, she was showing it now in full bloom. These kids were something else.
"Research." Shino supplied helpfully though his one-word answer resulted in a LOT of questions to come to mind. Hinata decided to intervene before their sensei suffered a stroke or something.
"What Shino meant to say is that Shikamaru did a bit of research. He dug into Naruto's background until he was able to figure out that he housed the Kyuubi as its Jinchuuriki and the fact that he is a true-blue Uzumaki." Hinata added to avoid more questions to be asked.
Kurenai looked at her team for a few seconds before letting out an exasperated sigh.
"We are going to have a long talk when Naruto deals with the two." said Kurenai causing her Genins to nod in affirmative. She then looked at a smirking Hideki. "From that smirk, you know something we don't, right Hidek-san? Considering what is happening right now, it is not natural for you to be happy since your life is on the line."
"Let's just say that I know something, Yuuhi-san." said Hideki, a smug grin on his face. "Besides, it's not my secret to tell."
Naruto stood on Kurama's head as he eyed the two summons in front of him. He saw that his opponents were gobsmacked and shaking at the sudden appearance of his partner while their respective summons were shaking in fear. Considering who he brought out to play, they had plenty of reasons to be afraid.
"How do you want to handle this, Kurama? This is your show after all."
"Hm, I'll deal with the cat, you take care of the bird." said Kurama, his tails twitching in anticipation.
"As you wish. Let's get wild." said Naruto as he fired a Sokatsui towards the gigantic eagle, causing it to dodge and increase the distance between its comrades. Considering that this was going to be a huge battle, Naruto decided to separate the two.
Naruto jumped off Kurama's head and created a Reiryoku platform on his feet. He maneuvered his way in the air until he was standing in front of the furiously flapping eagle and its shocked summoner. Naruto could see Kyuubi romping with the tiger as if it was a chew toy, casually slapping away the balls of chakra coming his way from the summoner. Naruto knew that this was going to be a one-sided fight and his enemies knew it.
"What are you?" screamed the kunoichi causing Naruto to smirk. "And how are you doing that?"
"You don't need to know 'what' I am, kunoichi-san, or 'how' I'm doing what I'm doing." said Naruto, placing Kenshin on his shoulder while pointing a finger at the large flapping summons. "All you need to know is that you made a mistake of attacking my group. Byakurai!"
Kaoru was surprised when the kid fired off a lightning technique without any hand signs. Thankfully, she was expecting a range attack and already gave her summon an order to dodge on command. However, she didn't expect the speed of the attack that it clipped her summon's wings making it squawk in pain.
With her off balance from her perch due to her summon trying to remain in the air amidst the pain on its wings, she didn't notice Naruto appear a few meters above her position, sword drawn and already letting gravity take hold of him for his next attack.
"Hiten Mitsuri Ryu: Ryutsuisen!"
Kaoru wasn't prepared for the debilitating pain when Naruto's sakabatou hit her on the shoulder. The strength of the attack pushed her down along with her summon before plummeting to the ground with such speed that everything was a blur. Fortunately for her, the eagle summon absorb most of the impact when they hit the ground but she still felt the pain of being thrown to the unyielding soil; that and the fact that she could no longer feel her arm. She felt something hit her stomach causing her to scream in pain before blacking out.
Naruto looked down at his opponent and fired off a Sho that hit the woman on the stomach, effectively taking her out of the battle. He looked to his left to see his team and Hideki staring up at him. He waved at them cheerfully before pointing down, wordlessly relaying to them what he wanted to happen. He saw Shino nod in affirmative that the order was received. Naruto returned it before taking off to assist Kurama since his partner was taking his time toying with his opponent.
Shino watched Naruto take out his opponent with an expertly done distraction and a final attack. He saw Naruto did something but he didn't see what it was. However, he did see Naruto looking at him before pointing at the ground below. He nodded and turned to his sensei.
"Kurenai-sensei, it seems that Naruto already took down his opponent. He signaled me to take the kunoichi into custody." Shino said in his usual monotone.
Kurenai heard Shino but her mind was whirling with what she just saw. She saw Naruto's moves and the way he stood on nothing but air. He only knew one person who could do that but she couldn't imagine why such a powerful figure in the shinobi world would consent to being a Genin. She definitely had questions to ask later. She turned to the Aburame and nodded.
"Alright, you and Hinata take the kunoichi into custody. Drain her of her chakra, Shino. Hinata, you close of her tenketsus to make sure she stays down." Kurenai ordered.
Hinata and Shino nodded before speeding at top speed to do as ordered.
"Oi, Kurama, what's taking so long? I'm already done with mine." said Naruto when he appeared on top of his partner's head.
"Come on, kit. I just want to enjoy my time outside that's all." Kurama whined before jumping back to avoid a clawed swipe from the tiger summon and countered with a swipe of his tail that caught the tiger on the face, throwing it back with the force of a battering ram. Even with less than half of his power, he was still stronger than a boss summon.
"You don't have to worry about that, partner. If I know my teammates and sensei, they'll be asking questions after this so I'm going to let you stay outside for a while." Naruto said dryly before firing off a Sokatsui that hit the recuperating boss summon on the face, making its head snap back from the force of it.
"Really now?" Kurama queried, one eye raised in curiosity.
"Really." Naruto confirmed with a nod.
"So shall we end this?" offered Kurama as the tip of his tails was now just in front of his face. Naruto knew what his friend was planning.
"One tail only and I'll take care of the summer." ordered Naruto as he prepared to get rid of Genji before Kurama's attack could get to him. Besides, they needed to find out if there were more attacks coming after this.
"Let's go then."
Naruto used shunpo to appear in front of Genji who already expected him to do a close-range attack, thrusting his cannon forward in hopes of pushing him off. However, Naruto had other plans. He sidesteps the attack and turns, using his momentum to maneuver himself behind his opponent with Kenshin already in position for his next attack.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu: Ryukansen!"
Naruto's attack packed so much force when it hit Genji square on the back that the man was thrown down back to the earth with so much force that he created a crater.
Seeing that his opponent was down for the count with Hinata and Shino already converging to take the man into custody, Naruto immediately jumped up just in time to avoid a ball of pure chakra hit the tiger summons and obliterating it from existence. Naruto landed on top Kurama's head and surveyed the large crater where the tiger was standing a few seconds ago.
"A bit overkill there, Kurama." Naruto chided his partner.
"You did say only one-tail, kit." Kurama retorted with a smirk on his face.
"I was thinking something along the line of a beam instead of your usual Imari." Naruto mused, critically eyeing the crater which was now part of the landscape.
"Everyone's a critic." Kurama tsked before turning on his heels and making his way towards the waiting Leaf team and their client.
"You can start asking questions now." Naruto stated calmly as he petted a now shrunk Kurama on his lap. They decided to set up camp to recuperate with Hideki's blessing since the man wanted to interrogate the prisoners to find out why the Crimson Rose had a beef with him. Here he was now, sitting in front of Team 8 and their client. "I know you have tons of them starting with the Kyuubi. I promise to answer anything except those I deemed personal."
Team 8 nodded and it was Kiba who opened his mouth first.
"So, boss, how come you can summon…um…Kyuubi out of his seal?" asked Kiba.
Naruto raised an eyebrow at how the question was worded.
"Before I answer that, please answer this. How did you know about Kyuubi being sealed inside me? From the way you worded your question and how…unsurprised you are except for Kurenai-sensei, I dare say that you already know about it?"
Kiba nodded in affirmative.
"Actually, we already know since after the first year of our training session. Shikamaru did some research regarding the Uzumaki clan and was able to gather enough information regarding you being Kyuubi's container." Kiba stated before nervously looking at the calmly sleeping fox who gave out a chuckle.
"Told you they were smart enough to discover your secret." Kyuubi pointed out causing Naruto to sigh. "Especially the lazy pineapple, though I wouldn't be surprised if bug boy came up with it first being the logical one in your group."
"Fine, you're right…this time." said Naruto as he gave the fox a scratch behind the ear causing said chibified bijuu to mew in happiness. He looked at Kiba who was looking at Kurama in astonishment and disbelief. "To answer your question, Kiba, Kyuubi gave me a summoning contract for foxes and let me sign it while I was…um…young. I can bring him out of the Yondaime's seal since he is the boss summon but certain limitations."
"Limitations?" Kurenai asked immediately.
"Because of the nature of the seal, I can let Kyuubi out but I control how much power he gets. I can give him enough chakra to materialize in the real world for an hour or I can give him four tails of chakra like the battle you just witnessed. It all depends on my discretion on how much chakra he'll get every time I bring him out of the seal."
"Is that the reason why there is a thread of red chakra linking you and him?" asked Hinata, her fingers twitching madly for wanting to pet the fox on Naruto's lap. Bijuu or not, Kyuubi was so damned cute.
"Thread?" Naruto asked curiously. It would seem that Kurama was curious too since the bijuu was giving Hinata his undivided attention.
"Yes. When I activate my Byakugan, I see a red thread of chakra connection your stomach to Kyuubi's heart." Hinata confirmed, her Byakugan now active and seeing the thread for what it was – a link. "Right now, I don't see as much chakra flowing through the link unlike how intense it was during the battle. Does this mean that you are limiting his chakra right now?"
"Hm, I guess that is the manifestation of the limitation then since I can regulate Kyuubi's chakra while he's outside." Naruto mused before giving his friend a smile. "Yes, I am limiting it to less than a tail's worth to keep him anchored outside the seal. Thanks for pointing it out, Hinata."
"You're welcome, Naruto-kun." said Hinata before sneakily giving Kurama a scratch on the ear. Kurama must have liked it since he got off Naruto's lap and onto Hinata's who was quite surprised before getting over it and giving the happy bijuu the pampering he needs.
"Oooooh yes, this one is a keeper, kit." Kurama mewled in absolute bliss due to Hinata's expert fingers.
"Of course you'd say that." Naruto said, amused at his partner's antics. He raised his head to see Kurenai giving him a speculative look. He searched her eyes until he found realization there. "You have something to say, Kurenai-sensei?"
"Nothing much only to ask why are you a Genin?" Kurenai asked with a smirk. She knew that her assumptions were correct. This caught everyone, except Hideki, by surprise and giving Naruto questioning looks.
"I don't know what you mean, Kurenai-sensei." Naruto said tersely.
"Oh I think you do, Uzumaki Naruto…" Kurenai paused before smiling sweetly at a now sweating blonde. "Or should I say, Oni. The Hittokiri Battousai of Konoha."
"WHAT!" came the surprised shout from Shino, Hinata, and Kiba. Hideki was grinning like a loon while Kurama was enjoying his partner's predicament.
"Dude! You're Oni? That's awesome." Typical Kiba.
"Naruto-kun is Oni? How?" Hinata all but demanded though her hands weren't stopping from giving Kurama a good time.
"I find this assumption to be accurate considering the skills he displayed was similar to how it was described in the Bingo Book." Shino said in his usual monotone.
Naruto sighed. The jig was up. It would seem that he needed to hide some of his abilities better if he wanted his other persona to remain hidden. However, with this group, he might as well come clean.
"Fine, you win. But before I say anything, please keep in mind that my other persona, Oni, is an S-rank secret. Please keep it to yourself, alright?" Naruto all but pleaded.
Team 8 nodded in agreement since they weren't planning to betray Naruto being their unofficial leader. Kurenai was giving him a respectful nod and would keep his secret knowing how important it was.
Getting their agreement, Naruto told them the story on how he became Oni, the Hittokiri Battousai of Konoha. He didn't tell them the extent of his training, only that he was trained by Kurama and learned the art of the sword by himself, his start as Oni when he saved the Sandaime and his retinue from Iwa's Rock Biter brigade and the death of the Haruhi's which was the catalyst to becoming the feared swordsman. If he was honest with himself, Naruto had fun telling his friends the truth, well some of it anyway, since it somewhat lightened the burden of secrets from his shoulder.
He also realized what Hideki was trying to say – Oni was him and he was Oni. Instead of shunning his past and taking up a new mantle, accepting and learning from it made him stronger. He now has new precious people to protect and he wasn't going to fail. Not by a long shot.
Of course, after the revelation, Kurama became a part of the group when Naruto told them how he befriended the bijuu and about the real reason why he attacked Konoha. They were still weary of him since but they placed their trust in Naruto.
Besides, it was almost impossible to fear Kyuubi when he was mewling in bliss under Hinata's expert hands. Akamaru was even howling with jealously since he wanted to feel Hinata's hands too but couldn't do so because every time he came near, Kyuubi would become territorial. Akamaru wasn't stupid enough to have a pissing contest with the mighty Kyuubi no Yoko.
Kurenai couldn't help but be proud of Naruto. Sure, the boy was amazing considering his skill and prowess but he was made more amazing in her eyes because of what he went through.
All-in-all, it was a surprising and enlightening experience for Team 8.
The next day; Kurenai, Naruto, and Hideki interrogated Genji and Kaoru of what they know about Crimson Rose while letting Team 8 train where they set up camp.
At first, the siblings were refusing to reveal anything, sneering at them that they won't be able to make them talk. However, they spilled everything when Naruto came back after asking for a bathroom break in his Oni regalia. Add that with a little bit of spirit pressure, the duo caved and spilled everything in their guts.
Genji and Kaoru were the leaders of the Crimson Rose bandit group. Aside from their usual operations, this time was different since someone from Tea Country was contracted to bring Hideki down by any means necessary. They didn't know who the person was but the description Genji gave was familiar to Hideki.
A fellow merchant by the name of Shishio was jealous of Hideki's rise in the economic ladder in Tea Country and contracted the infamous bandit group to bring him down after learning of the former samurai's return trip from Konoha. However, they weren't expecting resistance since Hideki didn't know he was being set up to die. Thankfully, a samurai's gut instinct was never wrong, leading to the hiring of Team 8 and Naruto to keep him safe.
Considering that they already had the leaders of Crimson Rose, the trio already had one of the mission parameters bagged. Meaning, the mission was marked as a B-rank instead of a C-rank. When asked about the payment, Hideki didn't mind since the money was worth seeing Oni in action again. That indirect praise made Naruto blush much to Kurenai and Hideki's amusement.
It took them a week to reach Tea Country since they weren't in a hurry. Naruto and Kurenai decided to train the team a few hours after making camp before taking shift to make sure no one would be sneaking up on them that night.
Team 8 was quite happy with that arrangement since training with Naruto was practically a sorely missed ritual back during the Academy days. Naruto decided to train the Team 8 in their teamwork, while pointing out weaknesses in their individual skills. Since Naruto no longer needed to hide his identity in the group, he went all out in their spars and Team 8 finally discovered how powerful Naruto really was since he didn't need to hold back his skills with them knowing the truth.
It didn't help that Kurenai told them how Naruto was an S-rank and his skill didn't dull thanks to his daily training. This revelation practically lit a fire in Team 8's determination to be stronger, not as strong as Naruto of course since he would continue to improve ahead of them, but strong enough to give him a challenge.
When they reached Tea Country, Hideki immediately went to the Daimyo and reported the capture of the leaders of the notorious Crimson Rose bandit group and why they attacked. Let's just say that Shishio won't be hatching any diabolical plots anytime soon.
Team 8 and Naruto stayed in Tea Country for a week as the Daimyo had the bandit group's location raided by his troops. It took a week to detain all of them so this left Team 8 and Naruto plenty of time to enjoy the sights, relax, and train for a few hours a day to improve their individual skills.
Team 8 and Naruto made good time in their return trip since they traveled at shinobi speed. Thanks to Naruto's training of Team 8, they could keep up with him and Kurenai, the latter admitted that this was good training to improve her stamina. Naruto immediately agreed with her and even suggested that she spar with her team everyday to give her stamina a big boost. She shuddered at the look her team leveled at her when Naruto said that.
It was four days later that they arrived just outside the gate of Konoha when Kurenai brought something up.
"Naruto, I hope you don't mind if I tell the Hokage everything that happened with Crimson Rose." Kurenai told the S-rank Genin beside her. Team 8 was behind them as they conversed with each other about upping their training regimen.
"I don't really mind, Kurenai-sensei." Naruto said with a shrug. "In fact, I'll accompany you during debriefing since its fine time that jiji knows about Kurama."
"Damn right." said the chibified Kyuubi on Naruto's shoulder.
"Shouldn't you go back inside Naruto already, Kyuubi-sama?" said Kurenai. Even if Kyuubi was friendly to them, it was not a good idea to be disrespectful to the strongest bijuu…no matter how cute he was right now.
"That statement is just so wrong." Kurama shuddered with Naruto doing the same. "To answer your question, Kurenai, I'm just waiting for Naruto to dispel the summoning. Unlike normal summons that can dispel themselves, Naruto has full control over my chakra network so I can't just cancel the technique."
"Ah, I see." Kurenai nodded before turning to Naruto. "You might want to dispel the technique now, Naruto. If people see Kyuubi on your shoulder, no matter what size he is, there's going to be a mass panic that would take all of ANBU to put down."
"Or the kit's spiritual pressure." Kurama quipped his two cents in.
Kurenai shuddered. She knew that Naruto was strong considering that he was Oni but to feel his presence first hand was definitely something. When he asked what Spirit Pressure was, Naruto immediately pulled out the feeling for her by channeling this…Reiryoku that was unique to him. It was like a ten ton boulder placed on her shoulder. The feeling was immense and had no plan of experiencing it anytime soon.
"Alright." Naruto nodded before turning his head slightly to look at Kurama. "I'll talk to you later. I might bring you out if jiji asks so prepare for a long interrogation. You know how the old man is."
"I know." Kurama grumbled before perking up. "If he does start asking questions, you owe me a bowl of ramen. Their pork ramen is to die for."
"Fine. I'll treat you to ramen later. But for now, I'll dispel the technique." promised Naruto before dispelling jutsu. He could feel Kurama materializing behind the cage in his gut.
"I'll hold you to that, kit. Wake me up if anything fun happens. For now, good night." said Kurama before Naruto felt his link with his partner die down.
Sarutobi was currently massaging his temple, feeling a migraine growing after the revelation from Kurenai with a few inputs from Naruto. He looked at the chibified Kyuubi on Naruto's shoulder grinning at him, the same grin that was on Naruto's face, as if the two were getting an enjoyment out of his misery.
"Your son is going to be the end of me, Minato. I just know it." the aged leader thought before turning to an amused Kurenai. Great, even she was enjoying the headache he was sporting. "Congratulations in accomplishing your team's first B-rank mission, Kurenai."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." said Kurenai with a bow before turning to Naruto. "Thanks for the assist, Naruto."
"No worries, Kurenai-sensei, and glad to help. Thanks for keeping my secret." said Naruto with a slight blush on his face. Despite being an experience shinobi, he still couldn't take compliments properly. It was these moments that he wished he was still wearing his mask.
"It's the least I can do considering how you saved me and Asuma-kun's life a few years back. Twice, I might add." Kurenai said with a smile before turning to the Hokage. "Is there anything else, Hokage-sama?"
"No, everything is accounted for, Kurenai. You're dismissed. Naruto, please stay. We have plenty of things to discuss." He watched Kurenai give him a bow before exiting the room, leaving him along with Naruto and Kyuubi. "So, Naruto, care to tell me why you didn't tell me that you can bring out Kyuubi?"
Naruto shrugged before explaining.
"There was no reason to, jiji. After all, I don't want to put any more pressure on you that you already have considering how you kept shielding me from the civilian council. If it wasn't for Genji and Kaoru's summons, I wouldn't even bother to bring him out."
"But still, you should have told me you know. You already know I won't say anything." Sarutobi chided though he had a small smile on his face. "Not to mention that I don't mind helping you out. You are my grandson in all but blood you know."
"I promise I won't keep anymore secrets from you, jiji. Besides, with the revelation of Kyuubi being the boss of my fox summon, I don't have any other secrets from you." Naruto said with a smile.
"Good. Besides, I need to know these things so I can protect you in case things come to a boil." Sarutobi pointed out. "Anyway, now that's over and one with, all I can say is welcome to Konoha, Kyuubi-sama."
"Thanks for the welcome, Hokage-sama." said Kurama with a foxy grin on his face.
"However, please refrain from coming out while in the confines of the village. I'm sure you know the repercussions if they find out that you can come out of the seal even if Naruto has full control over your powers." Sarutobi reminded the two. If the villagers discover that Naruto could bring Kyuubi out of the seal, powers or no, it would be pandemonium and people would be out for his blood.
"No worries, jiji. I already had a talk with Kyuubi about it and we both agree that unless something serious comes up, it's not a good idea to bring him out."
"Good." Sarutobi nodded. "The next order of business is Asuma and Kakashi requesting your presence. Asuma wants you to join him in team training for a week since his team is asking for you."
"By team you mean Shikamaru and Chouji, right?" Naruto clarified since there was no way Ino would request for him for training.
"Yes. When they heard that you went on a mission with Team 8, the two were adamant for you to join them in a training course since they know that you did the same with Kurenai's team."
"Damn, they know me so well." Naruto sighed before making a face. "I hope Ino won't be giving me any trouble over this."
"Not to worry. From what Asuma told me, Shikamaru and Chouji already informed him of Ino's…fan-girl tendency and her hatred towards you. I think he already took care of it." The aged leader assured the blonde who sighed in relief.
"Then that's cool, jiji. I accept. How about Kakashi?"
"He is planning to get a C-rank mission for his team after they do a few more D-ranks. He requests that you join them."
Naruto rubbed his chin in thought.
"Hm, I don't mind in the least. I realized that I kind of miss going out of the village when I went with Team 8 to Tea Country and my missions before as Kage's Hand. To be honest, I miss to be out and about again. Tell him to send word; I'll be more than happy to accompany him and his team."
"Good. Also, have you thought of joining the Chuunin Exam in 6 months?" asked the Sandaime, taking a long puff out of his pipe.
"Chuunin Exam? Don't I need a full team to be eligible?" Naruto asked immediately, surprised that the Sandaime was offering him a entry into the promotion exam without a full team.
"That would be the case but there is a rarely used clause in the rules that an apprentice CAN take part in the Chuunin Exams IF the Jounin the Genin is apprenticed to agree. I am sure that Hayate wouldn't have a problem with it considering your S-rank status."
"Well, if that is the case then sign me up!" Naruto said excitedly. "Where is it going to be held this time?"
"Here in Konoha." replied a grinning Sandaime.
"Oh, that's good." Naruto exclaimed, very excited now. "Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma planning to have their teams take the exam?"
"Not sure yet but it's still a few months away so they might depend how their team fares. Considering how you trained some of them, I'm sure Asuma and Kurenai would be signing their teams up. I'm not sure about Kakashi though."
"Hm, I think I'll help Kakashi's team in the training department during the C-rank mission if time permits." Naruto offered. Despite not being in good terms with Sasuke and Sakura, they were still Konoha shinobi and didn't want them to get hurt.
"Are you sure? I know you have some problems with Sasuke and Sakura." asked Sarutobi since he knew that Naruto wasn't in good terms with the two.
"I don't really mind them, jiji. As long as they don't demand anything from me then I can train them a bit. I just don't like it when people demand things fr without cause. It annoys me for some reason." Naruto explained. "Anyway, is there anything else? I still promised Kyuubi a pork ramen from Ichirakus."
"Yay! Ramen!" crowed Kurama, his nine tails wagging behind him in happy abandon.
Sarutobi looked at the happy fox and a rather sheepish Naruto. He shook his head in negative.
"Trust Naruto to turn Kyuubi into a ramen addict." the Sandaime thought wryly.
End of Chapter 23
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