Disclaimer- I do not own Naruto in any way.

Chapter 9- Battle

Song- Till the Day I Die

Leaf Village, Clan District

Naruto was finishing up at the little shop that he was at when he looked at his watch. 7:30. Plenty of time to stop by Shikamaru's house so they could walk together.

He quickly paid is bill before setting off. His thoughts turned to himself. Should I tell the Hokage?

He had been contemplating on whether or not to tell anyone, but he figured that there was a reason why they would be choosing this day and probably the Hokage would not be able to raise any preemptive forces. There was also the problem that they could delay it, this way he knew what day it was happening on so he was a step ahead.

But there was a part of Naruto, a darker part of him, that wanted to have this chance to himself, to be able to test his skills against those of seasonal trained ninja. To put all of his training to use. A way to measure his strength.

"Oi Uzumaki." Naruto looked up in surprise at who called him, it was Sasuke Uchiha. He grimaced, he didn't have time nor the patience to deal with the brooding mess of an Uchiha.

"What do you want Uchiha?" He decided that it couldn't be that bad, but he still kept on the heels of his toes just in case he tried to pull something.

"I was just wondering if you were ready to lose first place to me again." The Uchiha held a cocky sneer on his face.

Naruto just rolled his eyes, the past two years Naruto's teachers had become exceedingly difficult to tolerate. They purposely bumped his grades down to make the Uchiha look good, never by much, that's why he was in first place and Naruto was in second.

With the final test being today it was assured that Sasuke would win. Naruto inwardly snorted As if I really care.

But what did worry him was that he had a feeling that Sasuke knew all this, that might lead to unpleasant questions.

"Hey are you listening to me?" Sasuke's voice clearly showed his annoyance.

"Listen Sasuke you can have that title for all I care, it will do you no justice out in the field."

"Says the loser in second place." Naruto frowned, Sasuke was never this talkative.

"Sasuke I, unlike you, have some people to met so why don't you run off before your fan club comes around for you."

Naruto expected him to bristle at the jab but was surprised when he just grinned. "Ah Naruto you're meeting up with people? Funny I was just about to visit a friend of mine, I believe you know her." Sasuke's grin widened, "You two were old friends once I think."

Naruto snapped his head at Sasuke, he hit the sore topic right on the head, but he continued before Naruto could say anything. "But look at the time, I really must go. Say hi to your friends for me."

Sasuke walked past Naruto but left a few more words. "I'll be sure to tell Hanabi-chan you said hi."

Naruto relaxed as he felt Sasuke walking away.

"Demon."

Naruto had a kunai in his hand instantly. The word didn't disturb him, it was the person who said it.

That voice.

--

Hokage's Tower, Hokage's Room

A deep, rich aroma filled the room. Sarutobi took another puff of his lit pipe. Before biting down on the tip.

He had to say that he was quite happy with himself, well more importantly, happy with Naruto. The boy showed his promise in the field and was in second place behind the Uchiha.

Quite worthy of praise. But it was also quite worthy of another type of attention. The council.

He grimaced slightly. He was almost certain that they would be brining the issue up in their meeting today. The demon container's strength and power were always an interesting point to them; they saw fit to bring it u each time.

But he felt very confident that he could handle them. Naruto kept on the down low for the most part, he made friends with several clan heirs, overall the boy had done well for himself.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in." Sarutobi breathed in the smoke.

The door opened "Hokage-sama."

The aged man grimaced, "Come, sit."

--

Mizuki's Apartment

"So are you absolutely sure that you're ready for this?" Mizuki rolled his eyes before strapping a long sword with a fancy hilt onto his back.

"Of course I'm ready. There is nothing to be worried about as long as you do your job and take care of the security okay."

Mizuki finished with all of his prepping. He had everything that he needed. His apartment was cleaned out, nothing else remained in the building.

He looked around before settling his eyes on his counterpart. "Now the question is are you ready?"

Karin nodded. "The seals are all working to the max. As soon as they are activated no one in the area of its range will be able to use and sort of ninjutsu or genjutsu." Mizuki nodded, that was vital.

Even though he as sure none of the brats could actually take him, it was the fact that there might be some who could use a technique or two to signal for help. He couldn't have that.

"The body suit that you are wearing will prevent any sort of chakra enhanced attacks to affect you, as well as no type of poisons to affect to by touch."

That will take care of the Hyuugas and their Gentle Fist. Orochimaru-sama truly is a genius to think of all of these things.

He took one last inspecting look at the apartment before turning to the woman, "Don't be seen.

"Don't be caught."

Lifting up the window he partial climbed out, "And please, for Kami's sake; don't over think anything."

With that he left. Karin looked sourly at where he once was.

What's the worst that could happen?

And she was off.

--

Kohona's Shinobi Academy

"Alright everybody settle down." Iruka stood in front of his students. HE was proud. They had finished everything. Now they had their eyes set on the future.

He gazed down at the tests in his hands. They had already taken the final exams and he knew that the battle for first place would be a close one.

He sighed before turning to Mizuki. His partner had worn a strange bodysuit to class.

Iruka shrugged, probably some new inventory he was testing out. "Hey can you take these to the teacher's lounge, I'll keep an eye on the kids."

Mizuki nodded before taking the papers. Karin needs to hurry up with the barrier.

When he was out of the class Ino interrupted his thoughts, "Sensei when will we find out who our sensei will be?"

"Your teams along with your sensei will be announced the day after tomorrow. You have the day off to relax and take your official ninja photo.

"Any other questions?"

Sasuke wondered how exactly the teams would be determined. Being on Uzumaki's team would prove useful.

Before hec ould express his own question the lights went out.

Immediately there was chatter before Iruka silenced them.

"Quiet, its probably just a power shortage." On the inside he was frowning. There's almost never a power shortage.

He didn't notice Naruto tensing in the back of the room.

He opened his mouth to order them to line up when he felt a stinging sensation in his chest.

Blood chocked out of his mouth before he slowly crumpled forward, revealing the silver-haired Mizuki.

Immediately there was uproar, several students froze in shock but there were others more prepared.

Sasuke automatically reached for the kunai at his side, Hinata and Hanabi leapt up to slid into their clan stances, even Shikamaru started to form handseals.

They were all froze by the unimaginable wave of killing intent that Mizuki was drowning them in.

"Now now kiddies. Lets not do anything that you might regret." HE had a sinister grin on his face. The kids were froze, even that Uchiha brat couldn't move.

Gotta get the more dangerous ones out first.

"Hyuugas, Uchiha don't you dare make a move." He stalked forward to their frozen bodies.

Sasuke couldn't believe this was happening, he was being frozen in fright by mere KI. Snap out of it!

Before he could even fathom it, he was dropping to the ground, eyes closed, drifting into sleep. Not like this…

Mizuki looked at his handy work, the poison Karin gave him held true. These brats would be out for at least 12 hours.

Now for Uzumaki.

He looked around. His eyes widen.

"Where is Uzumaki Naruto!"

He barely had time to roll out of the way as a kunai came flying into view. Another one came from the left but he managed to catch it.

He looked at it. And he saw the tag attached to it

Oh fuck.

He was blasted back through the walls.

Naruto quickly came into view. "We got some trouble."

--

Hokage's Tower

Sarutobi rubbed his eyes in annoyance.

The meeting had been going on for hours now and as far as he was concerned, nothing had been accomplished.

So far they went from the state of the public buildings, to the need of more ninja, to the status of Sasuke Uchiha .

"For the last time we cannot promote him any higher than what he deserves, it is unfair to his classmates as well as the rest of the shinobi population."

They had been aggressive for his promotion for a while, ever since they found out that Uzumaki Naruto could graduate whenever he wanted.

He was interrupted by a messenger.

He stared at the man with a blank look before accepting the piece of paper.

Whatever it was important for them to intrude on a meeting like this.

Unfolding the paper his eyes widen as he quickly read through it twice.

The rest of the room's occupants looked in alarm.

"Go now!"

Out of the shadows 10 figures leapt out, hading straight for the school.

--

Back at the Academy

Naruto was quickly running through the hallways swearing. He had already "powered up" as he called it. Ready for anything.

The traitor had sealed off all the exits so well that not even Naruto could do anything to them.

They had to resort to an ld escape route that Kiba had told him about.

"Kiba, you are absolutely sure that this leads out of the building?" Naruto really hoped the mutt wasn't playing any games.

"Of course, how else do you think I skip school even when I am in the building?" Kiba panted out, Naruto was moving them at a fast pace and he had been stuck with carrying the Uchiha.

Naruto took little notice to Kiba's pains as he was already working his mind on the situation. He had already patched Iruka up so he would be fine.

But the fact that Naruto not only had to deal with a full experience chunin, while trying to get everyone out of here safe was more than a little daunting.

Naruto eyes widen before picking the pace up.

"Mizuki is coming."

No one complained at the speed, in fact they were all on his heels.

He would have finished the rat off but he wasn't sure how many other people were here, he needed to get his friends out first.

He skidded to a halt. Kiba placed Sasuke down before unveiling a trap door.

While the students started jumping in the hatch Naruto turned to Kiba.

"Listen Kia, you have to get them out of here. Where down it lead you to?"

"To the alley behind the Hokage Tower. Wait aren't you coming with us?"

Naruto shook his head, "No, he is way to close. I need to stay to slow him down."

Kiba looked like he was going to protest but Naruto's finger pointing at a poster halted him

Any Means Necessary

Kiba swallowed the lump in his throat before nodding. Everyone else was already down. He picked up the Uchiha before going to jump.

Kiba hesitated, "Don't die."

Naruto smiled bitterly, "Way to be cliché." Before slamming the door down and sealing it.

"Why isn't Naruto coming with us?" A lot of his classmates were looking at him with fear in their eyes.

He lowered his eyes unable to answer them.

"Because he is doing his job." The strong voice surprisingly came from Shikamaru. "Now lets go."

--

The Hokage was at a loss at what to do, his men said that there was no way to break down the barrier that bound the school. All they could do was watch and hope that something good happened.

He looked down at the boy Kiba. IF what he said was true Naruto was in there with a trained killer, and had no way of escaping. He suddenly caught some movement out of the corner of his eyes.

Naruto had run out into the open field. Had the Hokage not been o worried about his well being he would have questioned Naruto's appearance.

His hart stopped when he saw Mizuki trail right behind the boy. He saw Naruto turn to face him before taking a sword out. Mizuki did the same.

There were a few words muttered between the two, he couldn't catch them exactly.

Then the fight began.

--

They stood across from each other, trapped inside the barrier. There would be no running, no escape.

One of them would die.

Naruto raised his sword in defense as Mizuki charged straight for him. He rammed the blade upward trying to break Naruto's guard just barely missing the blonde's throat.

Naruto swore as he back peddled to avoid the fast strikes that were coming in on him. Mizuki kept up the barrage trying to land a hit, his frustration wore in when he left himself open. Naruto took it swiftly, adding his own attacks into the mix. Striking at Mizuki's body he tried to force an opening.

Mizuki grabbed the sword that was in a downward slash before bringing his own sword across Naruto's chest before following up with a kick to further deepen said wound.

Naruto back flipped to try and regain his footing but his traitor sensei was on him in an instant. Bringing his blade up Naruto tried his best to deflect the attacks that were becoming more and more quicker and more deadly. He leapt over a swift kick before trying to counter but once again found himself on the defensive side of things.

Damint. There was no doubt, Mizuki knew his way around a sword. Naruto knew that he had the speed and strength to keep up with the older ninja, but the experience level that the silver haired ninja held was far beyond what Naruto could compete with.

He dodged another attack barely with room to roll out of the way. He thrust his sword at Mizuki's head but the man just raised his own to block. He used the guard to trap Naruto's sword. Naruto's eyes widen as he tried to free it but a kick to his midsection sent him tumbling into the grass.

Naruto had an idea. Instead of charging back at Mizuki or defending, he ran backward towards the tree that stood alone. He looked back and saw his teacher following. Running up before planting his foot down hard and back flipping back he had Mizuki's back open.

He brought down his sword with as much force as he could possibly muster, and with his transformed body he was able to cut down Mizuki's defense. Literally.

They both stood for a moment with wide eyes as Mizuki's sword was in two pieces on the ground, leaving him with only the handle.

Both snapped out of it. Naruto lunged to finish him off but Mizuki dipped under his arm and started running straight for the weapons rack that lay on the other side of the field.

Naruto was about to pursue him when a symbol on the hilt of the sword glared at him. It was a seal for bonding. Naruto put that thought away for later before looking over to see Mizuki standing with a bo staff between his hands, flourishing it with style.

Naruto charged at him with the mindset that he couldn't be as good with a substitute weapon as he was with his original.

He was right.

Mizuki tried to resume his offensive attack but it was quite apparent that even thought he was good with the staff, he was no master. And certainly not good enough to match Naruto's sword skills. Every attack he would send, Naruto just batted to the side, not even having to dodge most of them Naruto let a small smile grace his face.

Mizuki seeing the grin, doubled his efforts but they were in vain, he frustration was beginning to set in.

Damn. This kid is really giving me some trouble.

He brought the staff down hard but Naruto just side stepped it as it went crashing into the ground. Mizuki stumbled back as Naruto delivered a strike to his flank. The cut wasn't bad, but nevertheless it was a hit.

Naruto continued with his venue attacking where he could but he tried to tire the older man out. Mizuki came with his own hit as he butted Naruto's face with the end of the staff. He grinned viscously before going in for the kill but was halted when the staff didn't move.

Naruto had an iron grip on it. Mizuki could do nothing as Naruto swung his blade down effectively chopping the man's second weapon in half. For the second time in the fight.

He could do nothing as he saw the blonde's fist head straight for his face.

CRUNCH

He skidded back, nose broken, blood flowing freely. He looked up and saw Naruto with the sword in his hands.

His face, unforgiving.

His hand, steady.

His eyes, cold.

Mizuki knew no more.

--

Two Days Later

The Hokage stood in the room, looking at the two men before him. He had a very tough time trying to come to this means but he thought that this would be the best course to go by.

Both were competent in their each field. They both had un-yielding loyalty to him and the village.

But most importantly, they both could give something that Naruto could never achieve with a typical genin team.

"So do the two of you understand what you will be doing?"

The two looked at each other before the shorted one replied. "Yes Hokage-sama, we understand."

Sensing a question he gave the man a nod.

"But you have to understand our, confusion. I do not think there has ever been anything like this in the Leaf Village's history." The man sounded at a loss.

Sarutobi nodded. "Yes, it is indeed very unorthodox, but it must be done.

"The two of you, have skills that are unrivaled by anyone in the village, maybe even in all the shinobi nations."

The two blushed at that.

"Naruto will need both of those things very much if e is to for the great things that I have in store for him. It is the utmost that this happen."

"Hai Hokage-sama." They bowed deeply.

"Now that we have that straightened out is there anything else that you wanted to inquire about? Feel free to speak freely." He lit up his pipe.

"Well there is the matter as to does the boy know about us?"

He exhaled deeply, "Not yet, that is why we are here. To inform him of the new arrangements. I do not expect to hear any complainants from the boy, many would kill for this type of opportunity."

It was true, to be taught by two senesis. Very nice deal indeed.

"Another thing." The man that had remained quiet for most of the talk steeped forward, "Does he know about his heritage?"

Sarutobi bit down hard on his pipe. "No he does not, nor does he need to know at the time being."

Before either of them could say anything else, the man of the hour walked in the door.

Naruto looked at the room's occupants before settling on his Hokage. "What does you need of me"

Sarutobi sighed, this was going to be difficult.

A/N

Yo sorry about the wait for this one, had some stuff in my personal life going on. Plus the fight scene was difficult to write.

Um my beta didn't send me back any chapter or anything and its been a while so I posted this up, sorry if its lacking.

Let me know how you like it. Please for the love of God review, I got like 5 of them?!? Thanks to those that did.

Um, I try to respond to like most of my reviews, but like… do you guys know that you have an inbox? Cuz I haven't gotten that many back =( so um yeah, check that out will you.

Yo shout out to everything but nothing she helped me settle on some loose pairings.

Anyways, let me know how you like it. You see that button down there that says review, yeah you know you want to go ahead and click on it ;)

Till next time, Peace.