Quote the Speechless: "Well, sorry for the wait folks, and Ghost Wolf won't be here either. I am currently on an island out in the middle of the ocean and enjoying myself. People were complaining that I needed a proofreader, so I got one, I would like to introduce Nonsooth!"

Nonsooth: "Direct any threats for tardiness to me."

Quote the Speechless: "Yes, yes, it is all her fault. No, scratch that, you can keep threatening me if you want. I am the writer after all."

Nonsooth: "Hold on, you call this writing?"

Quote the Speechless: "As a matter of fact I do. You will have to pardon her. She is not an avid manga reader like I am. But I am trying to convert her to our ways."

Nonsooth: "Do your worst."

Quote the Speechless: "I intend to. Anyway, on with the story!"

Legal stuff: I am sorry, I don't own Naruto.

REVIEWS

Citan: I have not decided what pairing there will be yet, you will see as the chapter's progress. I have even decided if there will be pairings.

IQSymphic: Thank you for your consideration and support. I know I am not perfect, but I am working on it.

Crrot 6: They will come up in later chapters I am sure of it. Though at the time when first writing I didn't think too much of them, but I liked them and decided that they would be great characters to keep on. So yes, I will bring them back in later chapters, but you may have to wait a while. I plan on following the manga for the most part, but they will diverge when I feel it is right.

CrimsonxRainxIsxFalling: Several things: One, think things through before you make a threat. Two, if you ever try and take food away from me you had better be wearing full armor and be prepared to be turned into a tin can. Three, my hair has a mind of its own, not even I try to tame it, if you tried to do that to my hair I will not be responsible for what happens. Four, I completely agree with your siblings reactions to such treatment.

nantukoprime: I decided on this manner for him to grow up a long time ago, but it was hard for me to see where it would actually go until I started writing. I am still working on how he will interact with people that he has had little or no contact with, will he be suspicious, o welcoming? I am not sure yet. The differentces are that it is not an actual jutsu, just concentrated chakra. He does not have the skill for something like 'taking apart' clothing currently, but maybe sometime in the future. There are other such stores, and the Wonderland Clothing store is a small one, with a few people that come often. You will see in coming chapters how Naruto and Kyuubi will co-operate better, but for the past years the Kyuubi has been preparing Naruto for the big stuff. You will see what I mean. Yes I have researched kitsune before I even started this fic, I have even made up a lot of stuff that you will have to wait and see later. Besides, the Kyuubi never seemed to be very interested in illusions to me, or ever trying to trick Naruto in the manga. I have my own ideas and don't require your suggestions as to where the story should go. Materials that can hold and withstand Chakra flowing through them for long periods of time will come up later. I will just say that not just any materials can be used. Naruto was wrapping chakra around the needles before threading them, not imbuing them with chakra. Your opinion is much appreciated, even if I don't use any of your suggestions. I will release the chapters as I see fit, because I am busy with many activities I may not be able to release them in a timely manner. But I will continue to write them.

And thanks to JohnnyG, Night-Owl123, LbcLostKid, mrasdfghj, Dragon Man 180, WorldSoCold, HiddenShadows, MizzKyuubi, demonfox04, MingShun, wolvesm0on, ninofchaos, ntfoemy, ninofchaos, Hiei's Cute Girl, madnarutofan, omnikaze, omnikaze, RagefulLlama, Dairokkan, Dragonwolfpheonix, Ria Sakazaki, Black-Hood, keri2004, Dragon'sSword, uchika na kage, Tryxbella, E.A.V, Skuld's Sentaro4, Fic Slayr, whiterose03, and Dragon Noir, for their positive reviews.

PS: Just a little note here. This will be the last time that I reply to the reviews that people give me, it is becoming too much of a haste to keep up with them as I am writing.

Chapter Four

Naruto didn't head home immediately. Instead he walked to his own training area, practicing the stances of the Element's Styles. His eyes closed, he went though each of the movements slowly, feeling the movement of each muscle as he pulled in for a block or extended for an attack. Slowly, he sped up his attacks and found himself attaining new speeds without his weights. He even had to readjust himself so that he didn't get ahead of his abilities in terms of control. Slowly, he worked on building his speed, until he could go through the moves flawlessly at about half of full speed.

Naruto finished his training a little while after the sun had fallen below the horizon. He made his way home, feeling elated at his newly recognized strength and speed. Naruto came up with a plan to fully utilize his Jutsu that changed the weights and decided that he would continue to add weight like Keito and Kibou had done, and only remove it if he needed to fight,. Even then, it would only be reduced by half, unless he absolutely needed to be rid of it all.

When he got home, Naruto got out some Instant Ramen for his dinner. He didn't have it often, having learned to eat better from Keito's lectures on nutrition, but felt that he deserved it tonight. He settled down on the couch with the steaming bowl.

"Am I really ready?" Naruto asked aloud, which he only ever did when he was alone.

"Yes. You are strong enough, you have enough techniques, and you have the speed as well. You need to work on strategy, but for that you've got me. You'll be fine." Kyuubi was doing the equivalent of curling up to go to sleep. "No teaching tonight. Just dream and relax, you'll need to be at your best tomorrow. I will not allow my container to fail the exam." And with that the Great Nine Tailed Demon Fox drifted off to sleep, dreaming of Great Nine Tailed Demon Vixen. When Naruto went to sleep, he had some odd dreams indeed.

The next day, Naruto came early to the Team Seven training area, forgoing his usual run. He had set the weight of his clothes to full weight, but was ready to take some of it off should he need to. Naruto had eaten a good breakfast and was feeling at full strength. He had even brought some things with him to keep him occupied until the time arrived. Naruto pulled a piece of leather from the bag as well as a thick needle and heavy waxed string. Using his chakra training from Kibou, Naruto brought a light amount to the palm of his hand and ran it along both sides of the leather, heating it and making it easier to work with. His goal today was to make some sturdy forearm bracers. When the piece he was working on became ready, he rolled up the sleeve of his jacket and wrapped the leather around his forearm, tying it into place with some of the string. When he had it properly set and tied he found where he would need to cut it for the proper length and width, marking it with a pencil he then untied the leather and set it down. Using a kunai, because he wanted to conserve chakra, he cut the leather so it would reach from just after his wrist, almost all the way to his elbow.

Naruto continued to work and was half finished when Sakura and Sasuke arrived. They had come just in time and had expected to see Kakashi already there, but he was not. Instead they saw Naruto doing something under a tree. They both walked over towards him, curious to see what he was doing and if he knew where their instructor was.

Naruto was working on putting in a layer of thinner, softer leather on the inside of the bracers so they would be comfortable, when two shadows fall across his lap. He looked up to see Sasuke, with Sakura just behind him.

"Hey, where's our teacher?" The inflection on the 'our' made it perfectly clear that in his opinion, it was only for him. Naruto frowned and looked around the training area.

"Not here?" Naruto shrugged. "Could you please move a little, you're in my light?" Naruto didn't want any trouble this early. He just wanted to finish the bracers in peace. Sasuke was angry. How DARE the Dead Last talk to him like that! He scowled down at Naruto, who had gone back to attaching the inner layer, before turning and walking away. He had not eaten today because he would do whatever the teacher said for him to pass and get stronger. Sakura looked at Naruto, curious about what he was doing, but then at Sasuke, who was walking away, and she followed him. She had had a little to eat, seeing the logic in what Naruto had said, but she felt guilty for going Kakashi's advice and didn't eat much.

Naruto continued to work, using small chakra burns to attach the two pieces of leather. When it was done he remolded the bracers to his arms. Once they were to size, he got out several buckles from his bag, ones that he'd gotten from Kibou earlier that year but had never managed to use until now. He had attached them and was working on putting holes in the straps when Kakashi arrived. He was alerted by an aggravated shout from Sakura.

"YOU'RE LATE!" Sakura was angry and hungry, and Sasuke had refused to talk with her after Naruto had brushed him off.

"I'm sorry, there was a little old lady…" Kakashi trailed off under the glare of Sakura.

"LIAR!" Sakura shouted. Naruto sighed and went back to finishing the bracers, he had just a little more to do. Kakashi looked around and saw that Sasuke was angry that he was late as well, but had not said anything. He spied Naruto under the tree and saw him working on the bracers. How had he learned to make them? A book? Possibly, but Naruto was doing it now without any reference to aid him. Hmmm, he would look into that later. Kakashi walked over to the middle log and set an alarm clock down on top of it. He hit it and turned to his students.

"You three have until noon to get these two bells from me." He held up two silver bells on strings. "If you can get the bells from me, you pass. Ready?" He looked at Sasuke who had tensed up ready to go, and to Sakura, already planning, and then to Naruto who seemed completely oblivious. He sighed and looked at the two ready students. "GO!" And with that, the three of them disappeared.

Naruto smiled to himself as he attached the one of the buckles. Only three more to go. Little did the others know but he had sent a Clone to watch while he finished the bracers.

Kakashi wondered if Naruto had even heard a word he had said, but didn't have time to wonder for long, as several Shuriken flew out from behind a bush directly at him. He ducked them and reached into his bag, taking out a single object.

Sakura watched in confusion as Kakashi pulled out a book and started to read. And what was Naruto doing? He was still under the tree attaching another buckle. She saw a flash of orange and looked, but there was nothing there. She turned back to see Kakashi catching a kunai on his finger, then turning the page, giggling to himself. This was going to be an odd day.

Sasuke, on the other hand, was setting traps and watching Kakashi. When he was ready, he jumped out and threw several kunai at the teacher. Kakashi sidestepped them easily but one of the kunai cut a wire and threw a collection of kunai and shuriken at the ninja.

Kakashi dodged those as well, realizing too late that he had been maneuvered so that the projectiles he had just dodged were heading straight for Naruto at high speed. He was about to rush and stop them when Sasuke attacked, distracting him.

The clone jumped down and caught the Kunai and Shuriken. Using the fluid movements of the Water Style, each of the projectiles were thrown back at the fighting duo. Naruto smiled as he attached the last buckle, he then rolled up his sleeves and put them on.

Kakashi was smiling. This boy was good, he couldn't even read his book with the Uchiha attacking him. He hadn't heard the sounds of Sasuke's previous attack harming Naruto, so he assumed the blonde was alright. He was surprised when suddenly the same shuriken and Kunai he had just dodged came at him again. He and Sasuke jumped apart to dodge the oncoming barrage. How? There were no strings that he could see. He saw Naruto standing up now, rolling his sleeves down. Had he done this? He was so distracted that he almost missed Sakura rushing in, trying to grab one of the bells.

Sakura had seen an opening. Kakashi was having a handful with Sasuke on his own and when the attack came back from what she could only call the 'other' Naruto, he had left an opening. She rushed, but she wasn't as fast as the boys and completely missed as Kakashi jumped up into a tree.

Naruto felt that now was a proper time to enter the battle. He released the clone that disappeared in a puff of smoke and charged in and attacked using the basic style that they taught at the academy. He wasn't very good at it because he had mostly focused on the other styles. So while Sasuke distracted him with his attacks, Naruto tried to slip in and get the bells.

Kakashi was not impressed with Naruto's performance so far. The attacks were sloppy and his form was bad. But then, what had happened before? It was because of this that he was completely caught off guard by Sasuke performing hand seals, Kakashi recognized the attack and jumped out of the way of the Great Fireball only to find Naruto in front of him standing in a different stance than before, one that he didn't recognize.

"Lightning Style," Naruto said with a smile as he attacked, using two Kunai instead of gathering chakra into his fingertips. He didn't want to give everything away. He attacked very quickly, far faster than before, and this time his movements weren't forced like they were before. But Naruto wasn't going for the bells, he was attacking directly, targeting specific points with the Kunai.

Kakashi dodged for blocked his attacks, so surprised at the sudden change that he almost missed when Sasuke joined in, also attacking directly. But for him, they were still slow and he managed to dodge or block every one of the attacks made by both the boys. It was when the boys both did spinning kicks towards Kakashi's head that the last member of Team Seven attacked.

Sakura saw Kakashi raise his hands to block both the spinning kicks and saw the opening that had been created. She threw a Kunai as she ran forward at full speed. The Kunai struck true and both the strings of the bells were cut. Sakura dove forward to grab them as they fell.

The alarm went off just as Kakashi's foot came up and caught the bells im mid-air. Sakura slid right under his foot, unable to catch the Bells that were now between his toes.

Sasuke and Naruto both jumped back from Kakashi when they heard the alarm and were disappointed to see that Kakashi still had the bells, whereas Sakura was sprawled out in the dirt.

"We failed didn't we?" Naruto asked as he dusted himself off. Sakura got up, feeling terrible. She felt that she had failed Sasuke. If she had gotten the bells, she would have given him one so they could both pass and stay together. Sasuke, on the other hand, was pissed. He couldn't fail, he's the "Number One' in their class. In his mind, this was all Naruto's fault. If the blonde hadn't barged in, he would have been able to get the bells on his own. Now, instead of him passing like he should have, he's going to get failed and sent back along with the ''Dead Last'! That was unacceptable. Sasuke started running through hand seals again, but Naruto stopped him.

"Don't, you'll just waste Chakra." Naruto turned to Kakashi. "Let us have one more chance. This time we'll work as a team instead of alone."

"But then only two of us will pass, and not the other." Sakura pointed out as she dusted herself off.

"Wrong." Kakashi shook his head. "The point of the exercise was for you all to work as a team. Only then would you have been able to get the bells from me. Didn't you see when Sasuke and Naruto attacked together, it left an opening for you, Sakura. There are two packets of food over by the bridge, divide it up among the three of you. You have a half hour, and then you had better come after me with everything you have to get the bells away from me." And with that he disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving the three alone.

The students walked over to the bridge and there were indeed two food packets waiting for them. They each looked at the others wondering how they were going to divide them.

"You two have them, I already ate this morning, a little more time won't cost me anything." Naruto turned and walked back over to the stumps, mulling over what he was going to do.

"Take the weights off, he won't be expecting that. Use the other two as distractions. Have the girl attack at distance with Kunai and Shuriken. The other boy should attack him with his taijutsu. That should leave enough of an opening for you to get in and steal the bells," Kyuubi said from inside Naruto's Mind. Naruto smiled as he performed the necessary hand seals and tapped first his jacket and then pants, his back to Sakura and Sasuke so they couldn't see what he was doing. He then removed his jacket, folded it up and put it down under a tree, leaving him in a white t-shirt. His necklace was now visible, but he didn't really care so long as they didn't know what it did. He looked at his forearm bracer and decided that while the other two were eating the food packets hungrily, he place his own pattern on the blank leather. He removed the first one as he sat down and laid it against his leg. Gathering chakra into his finger, he began to work, embossing the leather.

Sakura watched Naruto as she ate. This one couldn't be the 'Dead Last' that had been in class with her for the past two years. She saw him fight. He was on par with Sasuke, once he had changed to that unfamiliar style anyway. He was smart too, not that she had ever really heard him speak much before. He had always been rather quiet in class. What had happened to him to make him like this? She decided that at first chance she would try and figure out Uzumaki Naruto.

Sasuke was fuming silently as he ate the food, glaring at Naruto. He didn't like Naruto before, and he didn't like him any more now. Stopping him from trying to get the bells when the jounin's guard was down, was he trying to keep Sasuke from passing? This wasn't the Dead Last that he remembered. What had changed? And what was he doing now? It looked like he was just running his finger over those bracers, but there was heat rising off. That made no sense, why would he be burning something he just made? Sasuke brushed it off, Naruto wasn't important, getting the bells was. Regretfully, it appeared that he would need the assistance of the girl, and yes, even the 'Dead Last.'

When they finished eating, they walked over to Naruto who was putting the bracers back on. What they saw when they got back was the embossing Naruto had done to it. It wasn't complex, just an outline really, of a fox's head, one on each bracer, each mirroring the other. Sakura had to admit they did look pretty cool, she looked at Sasuke and wondered if he could do anything like that. Sasuke, on the other hand, completely ignored the bracers.

"We do need a plan, and obviously a head on attack won't work," Sakura said. "We need two people to distract him and one person to go for the bells. It would have worked last time, except that we weren't working together." Both Naruto and Sasuke nodded in agreement.

"We shouldn't have two people facing him in taijutsu, either," Naruto said, gaining puzzled looks from his team mates. "Look, we're both good, but our styles conflict, and we were getting into each other's way. Someone should attack up close, another from distance and the last should go for the bells." Sakura frowned.

"Who is going to take what part?" She was not as good at fighting as Sasuke or Naruto, but her speed wasn't enough to get the bells either. Naruto flashed a grin.

"Sasuke should attack him in taijutsu, he's better than me." This was not true, with his styles Naruto was better, but not by much, and he didn't want to give the styles away yet. "And Sakura has better aim than me with Kunai and Shuriken, so she should take distance." Again not quite true, he had often made the kunai strike the practice log at the academy backwards, to practice disarming an opponent from a distance without actually harming them. But what mattered was that his two team mates believed it was true. "So that means that I'm going in to get the kunai, and without my jacket I'll be a lot faster."

"What does your jacket have to do with how fast you are?" Sasuke asked, sounding a little irritated.

"Ok, you want to know? My jacket is weighted. I'm a lot faster without it on than I am with it on." They looked over at his jacket lying under a tree, and then back at Naruto. Sakura had to admit that without his jacket on she could tell that he was in quite good shape, though in her mind Sasuke was always in the best shape and no one could compare. Naruto looked at them both. "Does that sound good?" He was growing impatient. Sakura nodded, she was all for it, Sasuke frowned but nodded once. "Good then lets get into position." And with that they broke, and all together went to find Kakashi.

Kakashi was leaning against a tree reading his book and letting out little giggles, blushing as well. The three separated, taking up positions to better assist the plan. Sakura went up into the trees. Sasuke got as close as he dared and still kept hidden. Naruto found some cover to watch from, until he found the right time to strike.

Sasuke started the attack, rushing in on his own, throwing Kunai until he got close enough to engage the teacher in taijutsu. Sakura followed by throwing many shuriken in arching pathways, towards Kakashi. Together, they managed to maneuver him out onto a path through the woods. Naruto took up a runner's starting stance a little way along the path and when Kakashi was in his range, he thrust off the ground with all his might, racing forward to Kakashi and the bells.

Kakashi had realized already what they were doing, a complex team move from beginners, this was going to be interesting for sure. He was surprised when Naruto seemingly came out of no where and raced along the path towards him. He had never seen a genin move so fast before. There was no way he could be running that fast and still be in control of himself. Kakashi readied himself for a double attack from the two boys again, but it didn't come. The Naruto passed right by him. What? A Distraction? Kakashi shifted and felt the slight weight of the two bells on his belt loop, but Sasuke and Sakura had stopped their attack. In the distance, the Alarm could be heard going off.

"Looks like you all failed to get the bells," Kakashi sighed. It appeared that they didn't have what it took to work together. Just then, there were two dingles behind him. He reached down to his belt loop and found, not the bells, but two acorns where the bells should have been, attached with a different string. He turned to see Naruto sitting on a log, holding up both bells, grinning at the teacher. "Or you could have them already." He pulled the two acorns off his belt and inadvertently ripped one end of the belt loop off. "Damn it. Looks like I'll need to repair these when I get home." He looked at the genin who were in turn watching him, Naruto juggling the bells in one hand grinning happily.

"Alright, you three pass, show up here tomorrow for your first mission," Kakashi smiled at them. He looked at the genin who were in turn watching him, Naruto juggling the bells in one hand, grinning happily. "You are officially Team Seven. I look forward to what is to be sure quite an interesting adventure with you three." His eye looked over each of them in turn. "Bye." And he was gone in a puff of smoke.

Sasuke turned and headed off the field without a word. Naruto stretched his arms and yawned a little to himself. Sakura looked at Naruto and then Sasuke, part of her wanted to chase after her heartthrob, but another part of her was wondering what Naruto was going to do.

"OY!" Both Sakura and Sasuke turned to Naruto, who had put his jacket back. "You two want to go get something to eat?" He smiled at them happily, They were a team, why shouldn't they get to know each other over a meal?

"Pah, I have better things to do then waste time with something like that," Sasuke scoffed and turned, heading back home, supposedly.

"Uh…" Sakura looked at Naruto apologetically. "Maybe some other time." She turned away and ran after Sasuke, who just ignored her.

"I thought we were supposed to be a team…" Naruto mumbled to himself.

"You three have a way to go before you become an actual team," Kyuubi said from inside his head. "That boy, there's something up with him, not yet sure what. Maybe it has something to do with that 'Person to kill' or whatever. Anyway, put the weight back on and go get something to eat. I'm preparing something for you, but it will have to wait until tonight."

"What is it Kyuubi-sensei?" Naruto thought so that only the Demon could hear him.

"You'll see, Kid, just go get something to eat." Kyuubi chuckled a little and retreated away from contact, working on whatever it was.

Naruto preformed the necessary seals and tapped his jacket and pants, instantly increasing their weight again. He walked off into town, wondering what the Great Spirit inside him had planned for him tonight.

Quote the Speechless: "HAHAHAHAHAHA! You will have to wait till next time to see what Kyuubi has planned. Aren't I EVIL!"

Nonsooth: "Pphhbbt." Sticks her tongue out at Quote the Speechless

Quote the Speechless: "I will appreciate it if you point that somewhere else. Anyway, you will have to wait till the next chapter to see what is in store for your hero."