Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto in any way, shape or form, nor is this story affiliated with the USMC.


Training Area Seven – 9:05 am

'If I knew one of these trials included getting skewered by hundreds of kunai or looking at two weird guys in green spandex, I would have taken the comet.' Chronos mused painfully.

Ever since he made it to the training area with his usual punctuality, he has been dodging punches, kicks, and all manner of sharp pointy objects. Bemusing his luck, Chronos managed to unsheathe Kudou Tsuu while leaping back and upwards to avoid an axe kick from a green spandex clad ninja who had the largest eyebrows Chronos thought he'd ever seen. Channeling chakra into the sword, Chronos called out his first jutsu to free himself of his continual defensive posture.

"Raiton: Soshi Shougekiha!" Chronos exclaimed as he arched his katana horizontally, launching a wave of electric energy towards the ground in front of the group of ninja gathered below. The group jumped back as the arc of lightning crashed into the ground, kicking up a massive cloud of dust and obscuring the vision of his opponents.

As the smoke cleared, Chronos was gone from the ninjas' sight. The ninja in spandex, sporting a hideous bowl-cut hairstyle, smiled and looked towards his comrade dressed in a khaki t-shirt and black shorts.

"YOSH! Truly this man is a splendid ninja to use his jutsu to cover his retreat. Neji-san, can you spot him?"

Said ninja scrunched his eyes making veins visible around his sockets and in his eyes as well. He scanned the perimeter but found nothing more than a few small chakra signatures belonging to woodland animals near the area. One of those signatures about twenty-five meters off looked strange for an animal, even though that was what the aura suggested. Neji glanced to his two teammates, pointed to his eyes, then motioned with a slight twitch of his head towards the direction of the odd signature.

Off in the distance, the elder of the two spandex clad ninjas stood with the Hokage as well as a man and woman of a more elder stature. Both of them were dressed similarly in tan cloaks covering gray kimonos.

"It appears that they have spotted our new friend. He may not be as youthful as originally thought, even though I was impressed with the spirit he displayed while avoiding my youthful team's attacks!" The ninja in spandex stated proudly. Both of the elders nodded and watched silently. The Hokage however gave a dissenting grunt before speaking.

"I would not be too sure. I doubt that anyone given the intensive training from Mitarashi Anko, Gekko Hayate, and Hatake Kakashi would go down so easily."

"So this man was trained by my eternal rival, as well as Anko-san and Hayate-san?"

"That is correct, Gai, and I believe we haven't seen anything yet." The Sandaime stated as he noticed Chronos getting ready for his next move.

Chronos sat under the disguise of his Kamereon Gaitou looking for an opening. After a few seconds, he found it. There was a doe sixty-five meters to the left of his position and a cat forty-five meters to the right, both inside the tree line. Using a quick Kage Bunshin followed by a Kawarimi, he and the clone switched positions with the doe and cat, while the group of ninja started to make a move towards his original position. He and the clone then launched three Shuurai Shuriken. The clone charged behind the cover of the shuriken while Chronos performed another Kawarimi with his pack that he left back at the post near the center of the training area.

Watching his clone do battle with the trio, Chronos charged up a Raiu Tate and a small dark cloud formed over his head and expanded to a six meter diameter. Noticing the chakra drain from the jutsu, he dispersed the clone to retrieve the unused chakra and got into his Henshin Kenbu stance. His lead foot was forward along with his sword hand while he was slightly slanted with his left shoulder and foot back. Kudou Tsuu was held parallel to the ground as his sword arm was fully extended with the blade pointing to his right with the flat of the blade towards the enemy.

The young brunette with her hair in two buns noticed Chronos first and launched a hailstorm of kunai and shuriken towards her target, which he deflected with a well timed Parusuha Henshin. As he finished the volley from his attack, he noticed the green blur flying towards him in a leaping front kick, so he switched sword hands and grabbed the boy by the ankle, spinning and tossing him into his female teammate all while delivering a lightning shock from the Raiu Tate.

As he sheathed Kudou Tsuu, he heard Neji speak from behind him.

"Not bad for a Chuunin, but you are now within range of my divination. Hakke Rokujuyon Sho (Eight trigrams: Sixty-four Palms)!"

As Chronos tried to spin around, the attack was initiated by the Hyuuga prodigy.

"Two Palms!" He stated as the palm thrust struck Chronos in the left shoulder. As a tremendous numbing and sharp pain blasted through his arm, he leapt up and flipped over his opponent launching two of his throwing knives while in midair, bracketing Neji in front and behind. Neji halted his progress as a shock of electricity from the Raiu Tate coursed through his body. He spun on his heel to meet his opponent head-on, but unfortunately he turned into Chronos's next attack.

"Tenohira Shuurai!" Chronos exclaimed as he thrust his right palm into Neji's right pectoral muscle, pushing him back ten meters in a flash of electric energy.

As the two ninja recovered and Neji's teammates untangled themselves, the spectators observing them emerged from their observation point.

"Neji, Chronos, I believe that is all we needed to see," The Sandaime stated firmly. Chronos turned to see the group of four walking toward them. Along with an older version of the spandex clad ninja he fought, the Sandaime was accompanied by two elders, one male and other female.

He unsheathed his katana and gave a sharp salute with it before coming to a rest position with his off hand behind his back and the katana point resting in the ground. "I trust this is part of the second trial, Sarutobi-sama. I do say that three against one is not the best idea of a good time."

"You are correct, Chronos-san. It was a part of the trial. These two," Sarutobi explained gesturing to the elders to his right, "are members of our council and two of our most prominent elders, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu. The other gentleman with me is the Jounin sensei of the team you sparred against, Maito Gai." Gai smiled brightly and gave Chronos a thumbs-up.

"That was a most youthful display there against my team. I trust you didn't have to use everything in your arsenal," Gai stated cheerfully.

"Of course not. I didn't use any explosives or my crossbow. However, that kid there," Chronos said glancing at Neji who approached the group with the other two young ninja in tow, "Did land a very powerful strike, and between those kicks and punches I had to dodge and the ungodly number of weapons fired against me, I almost broke them out. You have a good team there, Gai-san."

"That was an impressive display on kenjutsu, Chronos-san." Spoke the female ninja of the group. "Some of your style I have not seen before. Who was your sensei?"

Chronos turned to look at the female weapon mistress. Her panda-style buns in kept her hair out of the way of her vision. Dressed in a pink sleeveless gi with black pants and black sandals, she gave an aura of someone who was not concerned with her appearance. She gave a look of sincere interest as well as one dedicated to her craft, much like some of the WMs Chronos knew back in his early Marine days.

"To be honest, I was initially trained in my style by my grandfather, Kami rest his soul. In addition to that, I was trained by Gekko Hayate in the Henshin Kenbu, a clan kenjutsu style specifically designed for my katana, the Kudou Tsuu. You seem rather eager to learn anything about weapons, miss...?"

She smiled up at the man in front of him. He wasn't overly tall but his lean frame and hardened face seemed to give an air of extreme confidence in him. He was dressed in a black, gray, and white camouflage outfit along with a green utility vest that was different than any Chuunin vest she had ever seen. Not wanting to let her gaze linger, she spoke up, rejoining the conversation.

"I'm Tenten, and these are my teammates Rock Lee and Hyuuga Neji."

"As much as I wouldn't mind letting you continue this conversation, Chronos-san," Sarutobi interrupted, "the elders have some questions for you. Gai, you and your team are dismissed."

"Hai! Time for more youthful training, right Lee?"

"YOSH! Definitely, Gai-sensei. We need to train very hard after that youthful spar we had. I must improve my taijutsu since Chronos-san defeated my kicks as he did," Lee stated firmly.

"Yes, my young student. Let's start with fifty laps around Konoha as a warm-up."

"Hai, Gai-sensei!" He exclaimed as pupil and sensei took off running with two exasperated students watching them run off. They glanced at each other, sighed, and took off after them.

Chronos saw the display and was disturbed to say the least. "Are those two always like that?"

"All the time, Chronos-san." Sarutobi stated.

"Have they been tested for mental problems?"

"Yes, and they passed to the befuddlement of our best medics. Anyway, we have some questions for you. Let's walk while we have our conversation."

Chronos shouldered his pack after fetching it from the woods and accompanied them on a stroll back to the Hokage Tower. During the walk the elders grilled him on his intentions towards Naruto and Sasuke, his impressions of the village, his background, as well as his views on different subjects. Finally, they reached the tower.

"This has been a most enlightening conversation. It seems your life and your views will fit in nicely and, from what we have seen so far, your care of Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto has improved them greatly. We just have one more question for you." Koharu stated.

"Why do you do what you have done so far? Why take them in and why become a shinobi yourself? What do you seek?" Homura asked.

Chronos looked up at the clouds that obscured the sun briefly as they passed by.

"Nothing is ever free in life. Even the safety of a home is not free, and it comes at a high price. When I look on those two, wanting to risk it all for a goal or for a dream, how can I not give everything to help them? That must also include fighting by their side if necessary. They chose the path of a warrior freely and know the responsibilities of doing so. I see parts of myself in them and since they are family, I cannot stand on the sidelines. So I will fight too. To protect what they deem precious and what has become precious to me."

"Speaking of that goal, what if Sasuke's need for vengeance turns him away from the village?" Koharu inquired.

Chronos looked him in the eyes with firmness of will. "I have been working with him to coax him from that path. He said he would try things my way and I am inclined to believe my dear youshi."

"And if something would happen to Naruto, because of what he carries?" Homura asked.

"Then I will protect him and make him stronger, even if it is against himself." Chronos replied.

Both elders nodded in approval. After a brief goodbye, they parted company with the Sandaime who dismissed Chronos so he could prepare for the upcoming operation. As he walked back to the complex to bathe and prep his gear, he thought back on everything that has occurred so far in his life. Strangely enough, the one thing that preoccupied his mind is one snake mistress and his deceased wife.


Eleven years ago

Robert looked down at his paper given to him when he arrived at school. The first day of his junior year and the sheet contained his class schedule. First on the list was homeroom, located in Room 28, which was the door before him. He sighed, wondering what lay beyond the door. Hopefully he could make a new friend, maybe even one that was female. He only had three friends, due to the distance from his farm to the school. All but a handful of the kids lived in town so he didn't have many friends, mostly because he couldn't spend time with them.

When he walked in there was only one seat left; the first seat in the first row. Strangely enough, in the seat behind him sat a new student. She wore a purple tank-top and fitted blue jeans tucked into black boots. Around her neck was a crystal pendant, shaped like a serpent. He smiled at the sight in front of him and sat down. Tucking his backpack under the seat, he turned and smiled at the blond haired girl and she smiled back before looking down to return to the novel she was reading.

'Maybe this will be a good year after all.' Robert thought.

Twenty-two months later

Robert looked at the clock and wondered where his girlfriend was. She usually wasn't late for homeroom. Since this was the last day of class for them, he got something nice for her that he left in the office. It would have hurt badly if he couldn't give it to her. Ever since he met her at the beginning of last year, Danielle was always in his thoughts. It took two months, as well as finally convincing his father to let him get his driving permit, to work the nerve to ask her out on a date. Since then, they were never apart for too long. He loved her spirit, imagination, as well as her hot temper even more so than her looks, which blossomed into a young woman that most men would fight over.

As his mind wandered to the dates they had, she walked in smiling at her boyfriend shyly as she sauntered over to her seat, sitting nervously. As he turned to her, she glanced away blushing. Robert held a confused look as he turned back to the teacher who started on about how he was sad to see everyone go.

After fifteen minutes, homeroom was dismissed and everyone went towards their first period class. As he went to get up, he felt a hand keep him in his seat. He turned to see Danielle standing over him smiling. As he looked into her eyes, she caught him in a fierce kiss. Shocked, he didn't react more than a small moan. After shaking his thoughts loose, he tried to deepen the kiss but was denied as she disengaged and walked away.

As he gave her a pout that usually got her to succumb to whatever he had in mind, she winked. "I hope you like the present. Catch you later." She then walked out the door leaving Robert swimming in the feelings from the kiss and the confusion left from her actions. As stood up, he felt something on his chest. Looking down, he saw an obsidian crystal pendant shaped in the same serpent that she wore.

Smiling, he thought to his gift. 'Maybe she will like this after all.'

Four years later

He gazed upon the face of his wife of four years as she was prepared for surgery. It was two months past the four year anniversary of when he gave her the engagement ring on that last day of school. Now here she was, pregnant with his child and looking up at her husband, still wearing the pendant she gave him. She was wearing it too, refusing to take it off even if she was in the operating room.

Their son was coming out early due to complications. He was a breech baby and there seemed to be problems with the umbilical cord, making it a necessity for him to be born Cesarean. Due to the high probability of an allergic reaction to normal methods of anesthesia, she was given a local anesthetic and was awake during the procedure. Both mother and father held onto their pendants in one hand and clasped their free hands together tightly as the surgery was performed.

After a few tense minutes, a cry filled the room and the new father was presented with a child as the mother was sewn up. Gazing at the new life in his arms, he vowed then and there that he would do anything to protect his family. He bent down and kissed his wife, letting her feel all of the love and joy that he held for the both of them.


Chronos sighed as he thought of the family he left behind, taken from him in a freak act of nature. His mind was terribly troubled since that kiss last night by the new snake charmer in his life.

'Am I supposed to move on? Would Danielle want me to? Why can't I shake the thought of what Anko did last night?'

Chronos shook his head and walked back toward the entrance of the tunnel leading up to the compound. As he approached, he spotted a small garden snake next to the entrance. Looking closely, he swore that it smiled at him before it slithered off.

Chronos looked up to the sky and softly spoke. "I assume that was your answer, Danielle." A small smile crossed his face as the sun shone down after it broke through the few clouds passing by.


Two days later – Konoha Academy

Ino and Sakura were strolling home after dismissal from the day's instruction. They usually didn't walk home together, but the two had things on their mind and had to talk them out.

"Hey, forehead-girl. You ready for the exam tomorrow?" Ino said with a mischievous grin.

"Oh, don't you worry, Ino-pig. I will do much better than you. Then Sasuke-kun will definitely be on my team after the exam." Sakura retorted with a confident smile.

"Like you could beat me. I would be much better for Sasuke-kun anyways."

"Really now. And I thought you actually would have been interested in Naruto." Sakura shot back with a sly grin.

Ino gasped. "No way. How could you think I would want anyone but Sasuke-kun?"

Sakura chuckled. "I have seen how you are when you help him with his plants. You seem so calm and peaceful around him. Admit it. You enjoy his company."

Ino smiled back. "Yeah I do like being around the baka, but not in that way. He is nice but definitely not boyfriend material like that dreamy Sasuke-kun. Have you noticed how he has seemed to open up a little bit more since Chronos-san took him in?"

"I have." Sakura sighed dreamily. "Chronos-san has really helped Sasuke-kun, but he still doesn't really open up to either of us. We at least get some conversation from him now, which I like. His voice is so velvety."

"Yeah, and did you notice that even though he hasn't stopped calling Naruto a dobe, he has actually started to help him out some?"

"I know! Maybe the baka will actually pass the test. Then maybe you can be on his team and I'll be on Sasuke-kun's team!"

Ino glared at her rival and best friend. "Listen here, forehead. I will get Sasuke-kun before you will and I am not interested in Naruto more than just a friend!"

Sakura held her hands up in defense. "Alright, I get it."

Neither of them talked the rest of the way as they went back to their homes, but one thought was on their minds.

'I will pass that exam. Sasuke-kun will see that I am worthy of his time!'


Hokage Monument – dusk

Naruto was overlooking the village as the sun started to set. Tomorrow was the day of the exam and if things were correct, the day of his first mission. He was originally upset that he had to fail on purpose, but knowing that this was a vital mission and he was part of the bait for the trap everyone was setting calmed his mind and steeled his nerves. However, that was not what was preoccupying his mind. Thoughts of a certain Hyuuga girl danced in his head lately and he knew not one reason why.


Two weeks ago

Ino and Hinata were helping Naruto tend to the herbs and plants. So far, everything was growing spectacularly, except for Hinata's lilies, which hadn't bloomed yet. Ino could see the slight disappointment on Hinata's face while she let the water spray down from the sprinklers. Ino turned and left the two of them alone as Naruto trimmed his Bonsai tree.

Naruto started to hum like he normally did while working on his plants when he heard a second voice join him. He turned to see Hinata humming as she plucked a couple weeds from pots where the lilies were planted. He sat and watched as she floated from plant to plant making sure they were well watered and free of weeds.

What struck him the most was the soft sounds of her humming. It entranced him as the harmonious sounds filled the greenhouse. He never heard such a sweet sound before and couldn't concentrate on anything else. Eventually, he took a deep breath and turned back to his Bonsai plant and finished his work in silence.

Four days ago

Naruto strolled down the path towards his home when he heard someone approach him from behind. Turning, he saw Hinata approaching him, her face turning red.

"N-Naruto-kun. Matte." She spoke sweetly.

"Ohayo, Hinata. Isn't your place in the other direction?"

"Hai, but I wanted to give you something for your Otousan." She mumbled as she pushed Chronos's iPod into his hands.

Naruto took the music player in his hands and accidentally grasped her hands as well. "Arigato, Hinata. I will make sure this gets back to him. What were you doing with this anyway?"

Hinata didn't answer, but her face grew darker red in color as she reacted to his touch.

"Hinata? Are you okay?" He asked concerned about his friend. The question shook her from her daydream and she jerked her hands back as if they touched flame.

"E-Everything is fine, Naruto-kun." She replied shyly turning her head away from his soft gaze.

He smiled at her and let the concern lift from his mind. "If you are sure, Hinata."

He turned to walk away and she kept pace with him. "So, walking me home, Hinata?"

She nodded. "I was wondering if you were doing something for the party?"

"Party? What do you mean?" He replied. He didn't hear anything about a party at all. If there was one, why wasn't he invited?

"Didn't your Otousan tell you about the party after the teams are set?" She asked of him.

"No he did not. Are you going?" He asked hopefully, even though he knew of no reason why.

"Of c-course I will. I even had something in mind for the party." Hinata replied shyly.

"What do you mean?" He asked curiously.

"Your Otousan has been helpful to me."

"I noticed." He interrupted swiftly. "You haven't stuttered as much; it's almost gone, which makes your voice sound great." Hinata blushed at the response, which he caught. "N-not that i-it wasn't great b-before!"

"Arigato, N-Naruto-kun. I hope you will like what I have practiced." She replied sweetly before turning and running for home.

Naruto looked at the young Hyuuga as she sprinted off.

'I wonder what she has been practicing. Maybe she has a new jutsu she wants to try out? She had nice hands though. Arrgh, knock it off, baka.'


'Man, what is it with that girl. She has been nice to me, but now she seems… different.'

Frustrated, Naruto shook the thoughts from his head. After talking with his Otousan later that day, returning his iPod to him, he was told of the party and was asked to help with a little number along with Sasuke of all people. It didn't take long to learn how to play the bongos and he hoped that everyone would like it, especially one person in particular.

As he looked out to the village below, he wondered what Hinata was practicing for the party. Maybe it was something similar to what he was doing with his Otousan and his otouto.

'Strange how it turned out that Sasuke is now my otouto. Didn't see that one coming. He may be a teme at times, but it has been fun with him around.'

"Penny for your thoughts, Naruto." A voice called out from behind him. Naruto immediately recognized it.

"What's a penny, Otousan?" he asked as he continued to stare out upon the village as lights started to flicker on.

"A penny is a unit of money from where I used to live, the smallest amount." Chronos said as he sat down next to his youshi. "When the phrase was first used, however, a penny was worth about the same amount a koban is worth now."

"My thoughts aren't worth that much, then?" Naruto asked with a grin. Chronos shook his head as the term was killed. "It's not important. Now, are you ready for tomorrow?"

"That is going to be easy. They won't know what hit them! Watch out, Uzumaki Naruto is on the case!" Naruto said punching his fist into the sky.

"Is that so?" Chronos replied with a chuckle. "I never had a doubt about that, but just what's making you sit out here?"

"Just thinking about some people. Hinata crossed my mind once or twice along with you and even Sasuke. You still didn't say why we are doing that little performance at the party."

Chronos turned a mischievous eye towards his son. "Let's just say that I think there will be a few people to impress."

"Fine, but I was also thinking about how things have gone. From the past two months, I went from being alone to having you and Sasuke around every day."

Chronos turned to his son and watched a smile grow on his face as he continued with his thoughts.

"Before, I never really had a reason to smile. Most times, this smile was a fake one, so that no one would see me sad. Now, even with the teme, I actually have a reason to smile." Naruto replied.

"So I make you smile dobe? I never took you for being a sap." Sasuke muttered coming out of the shadows.

"And I never took you for a snoop, teme." Naruto scoffed with a mild laugh. "What are you doing? Nervous about tomorrow?"

"Not one bit. Someone has to save your behind. So, what was that about Hinata?" Sasuke mocked.

"Nothing! Nothing at all!" He replied while waiving his hands frantically.

"It doesn't sound like nothing," Chronos prodded playfully. "Does our Naruto have a crush on the sweet Hyuuga heiress?"

"Knock it off Otousan. It isn't a crush. She's just nice." Naruto quickly replied as he turned back to the night sky, trying to hide a blush.

"Really, well then I guess we will see at the party, won't we?" Chronos said as he walked away with Sasuke.

"Hey! What do you mean by that?!" Naruto asked as Chronos and Sasuke disappeared back into the tunnel. Growling, he got up and chased after them. "Come on! Guys! Tell me!!"