This is a very delicate spot I'm in right now. I guess you guys will see what I mean later on.

Chapter 9: Chunin Exams: New Appearances

"It seems like the jinchuuriki is becoming quite the little powerhouse, and the sword he's carrying around brings back fond memories." A cloak wearing man said. His features were alarmingly shark-like, "What is that look I see in your eyes? Don't tell me you're feeling nostalgic, Itachi."

"I've told you before, Kisame. I have no ties to this village anymore. I am only here for one reason: Capture the jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi without complication. Do not forget." Another man, named Itachi, wearing the same cloak stated firmly in a monotonic manner. As his hat tipped up slightly, his eyes became visible. He was bearing a fully matured Sharingan.

Naruto growled lightly to himself. After abandoning his revenge, the Kyuubi had become restless, constantly trying to persuade Naruto to take revenge on those who have wronged him. The Kyuubi's argument was persuasive, but Naruto's argument was even more compelling.

"If I went around killing every ignorant bastard, I'd have an endless hit list." He had said to the Kyuubi.

Ever since then, Naruto had become increasingly more irritable and temperamental. He snapped at practically everybody and threatened them as well. Naruto presumed this was due to the Kyuubi sending more of his demonic chakra Naruto's way in an attempt to overwhelm him and take control of his body.

'Well he can send all of his chakra into me. There's no way I'm giving him control.' Naruto thought in determination as he and his large group of clones practiced several fire style techniques including a few new ones that Kakashi had shown him. Naruto also trained in improving his skill with his new sword, so he was more comfortable using it in battle. Naruto made sure to have the large sword reforged so it was less awkward to wield. The finished product was a shorter, thinner blade that was as long as the length of his body. The strange gaps in the blade were filled out as the blade was made shorter. Kubikiribōchō was still a fairly large blade, but now it was more proportional to Naruto.

It had been just over a week since the mission to Wave, and things just seemed to fall back into normalcy. The whole thing just left Naruto with an odd feeling that he assumed were just feelings one would have after experiencing a seemingly monumentous event and suddenly returning back to their normal life. And of course, returning to normalcy also meant returning to bitch-work.

Naruto sighed and looked over to his teammates. Sasuke was with Kakashi, training to perfect the Chidori. Kakashi explained to Sasuke that he needed more speed if he wanted to use the technique efficiently. Sakura had went above and beyond and asked for help in physical training, as she had felt that she hadn't done much during the mission. Kakashi had readily agreed and gave Sakura a special set of leg weights and weights that accompanied arm warmers. So Sakura was currently performing basic physical exercises. Naruto's teammates have avoided speaking to him, at least more than usual, in fear of setting him off, but overall, Team Seven was making very good progress.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, pen in hand, signing his name on several documents, and occasionally stamping some other documents. By now, paperwork was muscle memory for the aged Hokage. The large stack of paperwork that he swore this morning would never be completed was actually all filled out and he had some time to relax. Closing his eyes to catch up on much needed rest, Hiruzen napped peacefully.

His blissful rest was disturbed by an earth-shaking crash from right outside his office. Snapping to attention immediately, he glanced outside the window to be met with a very unusual sight. Standing outside his office on top of the head of a giant toad was his flamboyant student, the toad sage, the sannin, Jiraiya.

Team Seven quickly got over their shock of the sudden light earthquake and looked over to what looked like a giant toad and long white haired man standing on the head of the toad.

"Lord Jiraiya has returned?" Kakashi asked rhetorically in mild shock.

'Lord, huh? The guy must be a big shot if Kakashi is calling him that.' Naruto thought curiously.

Sasuke was wondering about Jiraiya's status, as well. Sakura couldn't stop staring at the massive toad.

"How can toads even get that large? What has that man been feeding it?" Sakura questioned pointing a shaky finger at the toad.

Jiraiya hopped in the Hokage's office through the window and the giant toad disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

"Jiraiya, what brings you here? Come to visit an old man and finally take his place in this office?" Hiruzen half-joked.

"No way! I'm not Hokage material, Sarutobi-sensei. I'm a free man and I need all the free time I can get to do my research." Jiraiya stated while frantically waving his hands in front of his face.

The two men shared a laugh, before becoming serious. Hiruzen knew Jiraiya must have a good reason for returning, otherwise, he would still be keeping track of Orochimaru's movements and other threats to the village.

"I'll cut to the chase. The Akatsuki are starting to make their move. They are planning to attack sometime during the Chunin Exams. There will most likely be two of them, because the Akatsuki work in pairs. You should know what this means." Jiraiya informed.

"Yes, he will be in danger. I trust you will be there to protect him?" Hiruzen asked Jiraiya who nodded in response.

"While we're on the subject, how is my godson doing?" Jiraiya inquired curiously.

The elderly Hokage chuckled nervously, "I'll let you decide when you see him. He's developed in a very interesting way." Hiruzen answered, "He's exceptionally strong and he's like a very serious, sarcastic, and very volatile Minato."

Jiraiya shuddered, imagining what Minato would have been like if he were sarcastic and volatile. "Sounds like a very interesting brat." Jiraiya said, "Should we inform the other jonin about the Akatsuki?" Jiraiya asked his sensei.

Hiruzen thought about that for a while. "No, that won't be necessary. Telling more people than we have to will only hinder us for people will seem more guarded and the enemy will surely catch on and escape. This stays between us for now, okay?" Hiruzen stated and Jiraiya nodded.

*The Next Day*

"It is time to choose the candidates for the Chunin Exams. Those in charge of the rookies, please step forward." Hiruzen commanded.

Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma walked forward.

"Are your squads prepared for the exams, despite their inexperience?" Hiruzen inquired, "Only you can decide whether or not they are ready."

"I, Kakashi Hatake, recommend Team Seven, consisting of Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sakura Haruno to take the exams." Kakashi recited.

"I, Kurenai Yuhi, recommend Team Eight, consisting of Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame to take the exams." Kurenai recited.

"I, Asuma Sarutobi, recommend Team Ten, consisting of Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi to take the exams." Asuma recited as well.

"A bunch of rookies taking this exam this time around? This year's Chunin Exams should prove to be interesting." A jonin in the back said and mutters of agreement followed.

Naruto, surprisingly, was relaxing in the branch of a tree in the center of the village. Kakashi had told him and his teammates to meet him at this time, but given Kakashi's track record, Naruto had an hour or two to burn, so he put training on the back burner and decided to relax for once.

Naruto's peace didn't last long as he heard a few childlike yells and the sound of a disgruntled teen. He cracked an eye open and peered down at the disturbance. Naruto saw a make-up wearing man in a black full body suit holding up a young boy off his feet by the collar. Next to teen stood a blond woman with a metal fan on her back. In front of the two older kids, stood two younger kids, one being a girl and the other a boy. Naruto briefly wondered what the young kid did to warrant such abuse.

"Please, mister, can you let him go? We were playing and he bumped you by accident, he didn't mean anything hurtful by it." The younger girl pleaded desperately.

'Ah, so that's what happened.' Naruto thought as he got his answer. That make-up wearing creep was an asshole, through and through.

"You know something? I hate little brats like you. I'll put you in your place." The make-up wearing man said to the young boy in his grasp with a slightly sinister smile.

"Come on, Kankuro. Put the kid down." Kankuro's sister, Temari commanded, but Kankuro did not comply.

Naruto sighed. He may not be a hero, but he wasn't about to watch some helpless kid get beat up by some creep. Naruto burst stepped beside Kankuro and cut into Kankuro's arm with his claws. Kankuro released the young boy and Naruto quickly grabbed him by the back of his shirt and set him down. The other two young kids ran to the boy, frantically asking if he was okay.

"You know something? I hate scumbags like you. I'll put you in your place." Naruto mocked Kankuro.

Kankuro back up a bit, grasping his injured arm. When Kankuro looked into Naruto's purple eyes, he saw something he only saw in Gaara. Add to that, the fox-eared boy's intimidating appearance and the large sword strapped to his back. Suddenly, Kankuro was doubled over in pain as Naruto reappeared in front of him and buried his fist in Kankuro's midsection. Naruto kicked Kankuro in the face, sending him tumbling to the ground.

"Tell me, what's a couple of Suna ninja like yourselves doing in Konoha? You better give me a good reason or I'll kill you both where you stand." Naruto said darkly, taking notice of the symbol on their forehead protectors.

"We're here for the Chunin Exams!" Temari exclaimed frantically as she flashed her permission card. 'The only other person who makes me this scared is Gaara, but this guy is deadly and he really will kill us if he wants to.' Temari thought in fear.

"Kankuro, you're an embarassment to our village." The voice coming from the tree, that Naruto was just in, drew Naruto's attention and frightened Kankuro and Temari even further.

'How's that possible? I didn't even sense him.' Naruto thought, gritting his teeth.

"Oh, Gaara! I was just-"

"Shut up, or I'll kill you." Gaara interrupted Kankuro, then he turned to regard Naruto, "I apologize for any trouble my teammate has caused." Gaara's apology seemed insincere to Naruto.

Naruto didn't respond. He just watched as the three Suna shinobi walked away. Suddenly, Gaara turned back around to stare at Naruto.

'He was able to bat Kankuro away easily, and his appearance is not natural. Who is he?' Gaara thought to himself.

"What is your name?" Gaara asked.

"Naruto Uzumaki. How about you?" Naruto inquired with genuine curiosity.

"I am Gaara." Gaara answered. Then, he turned to walk away with his teammates trailing behind him slightly.

"Excuse me," The young girl's voice caught Naruto's attention, "Thank you for saving Konohamaru! Anyway, my name is Moegi and this is Udon." The little girl said pointing to the glasses-wearing little boy next to her. Naruto looked at each of them and noticed the one called Konohamaru staring at him intently.

"Teach me how to do that." Konohamaru demanded of Naruto. Naruto stared blankly at the kid.

"No." Naruto simply said before turning around and jumping away, leaving three gaping children behind him.

"Naruto, why are you so late?" Sakura asked curiously. Kakashi, she was used to, but Naruto was never late.

"Why are you on time? You know who our sensei is, right?" Naruto responded while leaning against the railing of the bridge he and his team were currently standing on, patiently waiting for their sensei's arrival.

Sakura sighed, realizing the truth in Naruto's statement. Sasuke allowed a small smile to cross his face. The team waited for a few more minutes before Kakashi finally arrived, holding out three certificates to his students.

"I know this is kind of sudden, but I recommended all three of you for the Chunin Exams." Kakashi said, handing out the certificates to his students respectively.

'Funny how things work out. Looks like I'll be seeing those Suna shinobi again, especially the red-haired one.' Naruto thought, a bit excited at the chance to fight the red-haired Suna shinobi, as well as receive a promotion.

'Being a chunin, means having more authority and more acknowledgement. Oh, and no more bitch-work. That's nice.' Naruto grinned at the thought.

"Lord Orochimaru, what should we do? Should we attend the Chunin Exams and capture the young Uchiha?" A man with ash-gray hair asked while tilting up his glasses.

Orochimaru weighed his options, "Heading out to these Chunin Exams would mean encountering the Akatsuki, and nothing good would come of that. Our opportunity will reveal itself soon, but for now, we will allow the citizens of Konoha to draw breath from this Earth for a little while longer."

Oh-ho! Deviations! Ah man, I really wish I had the artistic talent to draw Naruto as he is in this story, but I'm artistically retarded, so that's not going to happen.

Review if you wanna be a cool mofo!