Somewhere Outside Konoha,
Naruto and his group were running through the trees as they all made their way towards Wave Country. Everyone felt a bit of tension as Naruto had on a serious face as they all ran. Deciding to see what the problem was, Tsume, Anko closed the distance between them and Naruto.
"Naru-kun are you alright?" Anko asked him. Naruto soon turned to her and smiled.
"Yeah Anko-chan, I am fine just thinking of her reaction to seeing me," Naruto said to her. Anko nodded that she was anxious to see the reaction also. Tsume smiled as she looked at him.
"So what reaction do you think she will have?" Tsume asked him. Naruto looked at Tsume and smiled slightly.
"In all honesty I don't know. I just hope that it is a good reaction," Naruto said to her. Tsume nodded as the three people behind them were in their own conversation.
"So we are looking for Naruto's mother?" Shino asked Kurenai. Kurenai smiled with a nod.
"That is right Shino and along the way, we are going to be training until we find her or until Naruto-kun gives up, which I doubt he will," Kurenai said to him. Shino nodded in agreement along with Hinata.
"I-I wonder what N-Naruto-kun's mother looks l-like," Hinata said with a slight stutter in her voice. Kurenai shrugged her shoulders.
"I have no idea, but I think she might me nice," Kurenai said to her. Hinata nodded as everyone raced through the trees.
Somewhere in the middle of nowhere
Ten astral projects of people appeared and stood on the top of ten fingers of a giant statue. As everyone assembled with their black coats with red clouds on each. One person had the sharingan activated along with someone carrying a giant sword.
"Alright the meeting is underway now?" The leader said to the rest. Everyone nodded as he began.
"How is the hunt for the Jinchuuriki and their Bijuu?" he asked them. A man with blond hair sighed.
"We haven't made that much progress all we have is the Fourth and the Fifth hmm," He replied.
"So should we all begin our operations of capturing the others?" A woman asked.
"It would be a good idea to start now. We do have our dream to realize after all," A man said with his venus fly-trap head. Everyone nodded as they leader turned to face someone.
"Alright Itachi, Kisame go and capture the 9-tails jinchuuriki, but after that hopeless war that Orochimaru has planned against Konoha, is that clear?" The man with the rinnegan said to them.
"Crystal clear leader-sama," Kisame said to him with a laugh.
"Very well. That is all for everyone. Dismissed," He said to them. Everyone nodded as the figures soon disappeared, leaving a vacant and desolate statue in the cave.
Back in Konoha, Training Ground
All was tranquil and quiet as the wind blew the still leaves from the trees. The field was peaceful and silent, but not vacant. Two people were on the field discussing things as it seemed that both were mediating.
"Very good Sasuke-kun, keep it up," said a certain pink banshee. And with her was the all praised Uchiha in all his emo glory as he had his eyes closed and concentrated. Sasuke soon opened his eyes to reveal his sharingan that he had taken much pride in.
"Alright the sharingan is active, now what?" He asked her, ready to get on with his genjutsu training.
"Alright Sasuke-kun. Genjutsu is about using your chakra to influence your opponents mind. With your chakra you influence the five senses and are able to project an illusion of it to your opponents causing them to unnerve," Sakura explained to him. Sasuke nodded as he absorbed all of her words.
"Now I will give you an example," Sakura said to him. Sakura did her handsigns as Sasuke watched. Soon Sakura disappeared from his view. Sasuke looked around as he tried to find her. Soon Sasuke looked at the ground as he started to sink.
"What the hell? When did this start happening?" Sasuke wondered as he tried to escape. Soon the Sasuke only had his head poking out as the sinking stopped.
"Dammit, Sakura get me out of here," Sasuke said, but their was no response. Soon Naruto showed up and smiled.
"Wow Sasuke, you let's play whack-a-mole," Naruto said as he cracked his fist. Sasuke gritted his teeth as Naruto brought his punch back.
"Fall into despair," He said as he launched his punch. Sasuke shivered as the punch never came. Sasuke looked up to see a smiling Sakura in front of him.
"What the hell was that?" He asked her though it sounded more like an order to be answered. Sakura smiled.
"That is genjutsu Sasuke-kun. That ability to manipulate the flow of your opponents chakra and their senses to your specifications," Sakura said to him. Sasuke was more than interested now. With such a useful jutsu he could definitely defeat his brother for what he had done. Sasuke smirked as he got up.
"Teach me Sakura. I will use this skill to bring about my revenge," Sasuke said to her. Sakura nodded and began to instruct Sasuke into the arts of genjutsu unaware that someone was watching them.
"I doubt this is nothing, but I better tell Shizune-san about this," Haku said with a smile as she shunshined out of sight. Meanwhile, an old teacher and his student were getting reacquainted with each other.
Hokage Mansion
"So are you still peeping our have you finally stopped your ways?" Sarutobi asked his white-haired student. The man laughed as he took out a book.
"Please, don't act like you don't read my books. I didn't know you were such a fan," Jiraiya said to the Hokage. Sarutobi blushed as he held up his hand and coughed in some embarrassment. Jiraiya smiled at his sensei's antics, but soon got serious.
"But on a more serious note sensei. What happened to the gaki?" Jiraiya asked him. Sarutobi stopped his blush and looked at him. He had a general idea of who Jiraiya was talking about, but decided to ask.
"What Gaki?" Sarutobi asked him. Jiraiya sighed.
"The brat Naruto Uzumaki," Jiraiya replied. Sarutobi quirked up an eyebrow after the reply.
"What is wrong with him?" He honestly wanted to know.
"He hates me for some reason," Jiraiya said to him in plain words. Sarutobi almost choked on those words as he looked at Jiraiya.
"Are you sure Jiraiya? I have known Naruto for a long time and I doubt that he hates anyone," Sarutobi answered not knowing how wrong he was.
"Trust me Jiji, he definitely didn't like me the first time he saw me and he refused the toad contract saying that he hated that my name was in it and he would find his own,' Jiraiya said to him.
"Well he does know about his Father and I guess he found out about your connection to him and came to resent you for not being there for him," Sarutobi said to him. Jiraiya scoffed.
"Come on Jiji, I had the spy-network to run and I couldn't take him with me, you know that," Jiraiya said to him. Sarutobi held up his hands.
"Hey Jiraiya, you are telling the wrong person. Whatever you did, you need to apologize to Naruto for it not me," Sarutobi said to him. Jiraiya crossed his arms and sighed.
"I just wish that I knew what I did wrong," He said before he exited the office. Sarutobi sighed as he looked out the window.
"You are always an enigma Naruto, but I believe in you," Sarutobi thought. Soon he smiled and made a shadow clone.
"I am so happy for this jutsu," Sarutobi said as he formed a tear.
Namikaze Compound
Haku arrived home as she saw some of the people around the house. Haku saw Kiba and Zabuza training in the garden, while Hana was teaching Kin about her affinity, which happened water. Haku smiled as she scanned the area looking for Shizune. Haku couldn't find Shizune downstairs and went upstairs as she searched the house. As she went through the house, Haku looked through the doors of the room to find Shizune. Haku soon came to the last room and opened the door to see Shizune on the bed reading a book.
"Hey Shizune-san," Haku said alerting the hanyou medic nin to her presence.
"Hey Haku, how are you doing?" Shizune asked her. Haku smiled as she neared Shizune.
"I am doing good Shizune-san, but actually I have a favor to ask of you," Haku said to her. Shizune looked up from her book and smiled.
"What is it? I am more than happy to help," Shizune said to her. Haku nodded with a smile as she sat on the bed.
"I would like to spar with you. I have a new jutsu and I want to test it out with some help for the Chunin Exams," Haku said to her. Shizune looked at her for a second. She then adopted a thinking pose as she pondered Haku's request. In truth, she was wondering what Haku's new jutsu could be. Sighing, she put her book down and nodded.
"Alright Haku, let's go out back," Shizune said to her. Haku nodded as they both got up.
"Thank you Shizune-san," Haku said to her. Shizune smiled.
"No need for formalities Haku, we are all family here, just Shizune," she said to her. Haku looked at her then nodded.
"Yes Shizune," Haku said to her. As the two walked downstairs, Haku soon turned to her and smiled.
"So what book were you reading?" Haku asked her. Shizune looked at her and smiled.
"It is called Introduction to Torture. It is a very good book. It even shows torture using your ice affinity," Shizune said to her. Haku chuckled at the thought of using her affinity in such a way, but soon stopped.
"Oh Shizune," Haku said to her. Shizune soon stopped and turned around.
"Yes Haku?" She said to her, waiting for the ice mistress to respond.
"I wanted Sakura and Sasuke train today and I think she is teaching him how to use his sharingan along with some genjutsu training," Haku said to her. Shizune quirked up an eyebrow, then pondered.
"The Uchiha bastards always could use their eyes for genjutsu. They were called the best when it came to genjutsu. I took me and Naruto-kun years to be able to break the Tsyukuyomi of the sharingan. It probably isn't a problem right now, but I will keep an eye on that. Though it's not like that emo uchiha could beat me and Naruto-kun anyway," Shizune thought with a smile. Shizune broke her gaze and looked at Haku.
"Thank you Haku, that is some good info. I will tell Naruto-kun later," Shizune said to her. Haku nodded with a smile as they entered a vacant training spot. Shizune stood apart from Haku as the two stared at each other.
"Alright Haku show me what you can do," Shizune said to her. Haku nodded as she took out three senbon needles in one hand.
"Yes Shizune, I won't hold back." Haku said as she disappeared. Shizune chuckled as she looked around.
"Your speed has definitely improved Haku, but-," Haku soon appeared behind Shizune as she threw out her senbon needles. Soon Shizune smirked.
"-you have to do better than that," Shizune said as she grabbed the three needles. Haku gasped as Shizune ran at her. Haku adopted a defensive stance as she got ready to block Shizune's blows. Shizune smirked as she pivoted her foot and disappeared. Haku gasped as she suddenly felt a punch to her face that sent her into a nearby tree.
"Dammit, I didn't anticipate the move fast enough," Haku said with a grin. Haku soon got up and looked to see Shizune smiling across the field.
"Where is this amazing jutsu Haku?" Shizune asked her. Haku smiled as she did some handsigns.
"Houton: Teikoku Kōri no Hari( Ice Style: Imperial Ice Daggers)," Haku yelled as water around her turned to ice. Shizune smiled as Haku sent the daggers at her. Shizune easily dodged them as she looked up. Shizune's grin went wider as she chuckled.
"This might be a problem," Shizune said as she saw thousands of needles surround her. Shizune smirked at Haku's creativity.
"Is this your new jutsu Haku?" Shizune asked her. Haku smiled, but shook her head.
"No way Shizune, I promise that my new jutsu is very amazing," Haku said to her. Shizune smiled as Haku sent the needles at her. Shizune smiled as the needles neared her and soon impaled the target. Haku smiled and looked around.
"Come out Shizune, I know that technique isn't enough to even scratch you," Haku said with a smile. Shizune soon appeared from behind a tree and smiled.
"Oh good, you knew that. At least you knew that," Shizune said to her. Haku smiled with a nod as her breathing slowed. Shizune smiled, but soon felt a temperature in the air go down. The temperature kept dropping until it seemed like it was winter outside. Shizune could see her breath as the cold air flowed around her.
"What is this?" Shizune wondered. Haku smiled.
"This is my justu Shizune," Haku said as she made three ice senbon needles. Shizune smirked as she got into her stance.
"Houton-,"
With Naruto and his group
Naruto and the group were at a small cafe as they took a break from their trip. Kurenai had taken Hinata and Shino to a vacant spot to get in some private training. As Naruto, Tsume, and Anko sat on table enjoying their food, they decided to discuss some plans.
"So what are we going to do if you tell your mother your plan?" Anko asked him. Naruto sighed.
"That can go two ways Anko-chan, she can either agree to it or she can try to kill me," Naruto said with a shrug of his shoulders. Anko and Tsume chuckled at the thought, but didn't say anything. As the trio enjoyed some dango, their peace was suddenly interrupted by a pair of random shinobi.
"Hey ladies, why not ditch the kid and have some fun with us?" The two said with a smile. Tsume and Anko ignored them as they continued to talk with Naruto. As they went about their conversation, the men's eyes twitched as they felt irritated for being ignored.
"Hey we are talking to you," one of them said as he slammed his hands on the table causing some attention. Naruto sighed as he cracked his knuckles. Before he could get up, Tsume and Anko stopped him with their hands.
"Can we have this one Naruto-kun?" They asked him. Naruto smiled as he waved his hands.
"Go right ahead Anko-chan, Tsume-chan," Naruto said to them. Both women smiled as they got up. Both men smiled as they thought the girls accepted their offer.
"Well then ladies, let's go," They said to them. Tsume and Anko smiled as they grabbed each man's arm and walked out the cafe. Naruto chuckled as he saw Tsume and Anko wink at him as they left. Naruto and the people in the store relaxed as conversation continued. Soon screams of anguish filled the outside as men could be heard. Everyone jumped up at the screams and were suddenly afraid of what happened. Naruto soon smiled as his mates and their jobs. Naruto turned to the door to see Anko with a bloody kunai and Tsume with bloody claws. Naruto chuckled as he saw Anko lick her kunai clean and Tsume wiped her hands off as they sat down.
"Do I want to know?" Naruto asked them. Tsume and Anko looked at him, then at each other and smiled as they looked back at him.
"No you probably don't, but I will say that they won't have no need for women anymore," Tsume said to her. Anko laughed with a nod. Naruto chuckled as they got up to leave. As the three exited the cafe, they turned to see Kurenai, Shino and Hinata running towards them.
"What was that scream you guys?" Shino asked them. Everyone looked at each other with blank faces and turned to the others.
"Couldn't tell ya Shino, I have no idea, but it is time to go anyway," Naruto said to them. Shino and Hinata nodded, though Kurenai smirked at what she could only imagine as torture for the people who went against them. Kurenai turned to see Shino and Hinata's confused faces. Kurenai simply shrugged and went off with Naruto, Tsume and Anko. Shino and Hinata stared for a while, but decided to do nothing and jumped through the trees leaving the cafe behind.
Namikaze Compound
Shizune and Haku walked back to the compound as everyone stared at the bruises both endured. Shizune was carrying an unconcious Haku as she took her upstairs. Shizune smiled as she placed her on the bed.
"Man that jutsu is amazing. If me and Naruto-kun weren't in the Chunin Exams, she would dominate the entire exam," Shizune said as she left Haku on her bed to go to sleep.
"You are a force to be reckoned with Haku, I can't wait to see Naruto-kun's face when he sees your jutsu," Shizune said as she closed the door. As Shizune walked, she suddenly opened up the mental link with Naruto.
"Naruto-kun are you there?" Shizune mentally asked.
Between Konoha and Wave Country
Everyone rushed through the trees as Naruto flinched for a second.
"Is something wrong Naruto-kun?" Anko asked him. Naruto smiled.
"Shizune is trying to contact me, hang on," Naruto said to her. Everyone was soon silent as he formed his link.
"I am here Shizu-chan, what is the matter?" Naruto asked. Shizune smiled as she took a breath.
"I just had a spar with Haku and I have to tell you she made a new jutsu," Shizune said to him. Naruto smiled at the information.
"That's Haku-chan for you," Naruto mentally said to her. Shizune chuckled, but nodded.
"Yeah I must say that you will be awestruck when she shows it in the Chunin Exams," Shizune answered. Naruto chuckled and got pumped at the thought of Haku and her new jutsu.
"I can't wait then, but is there something else you wanted?" Naruto asked her. Shizune nodded.
"Yes, according to Haku emo-teme and his pink bitch are training to master his genjutsu for the sharingan," Shizune replied. Naruto narrowed his eyes as he remembered how troublesome Sasuke's genjutsu was in the future.
"Hmph, so that bastard is trying to do that now, well he is going to be new at it for a while, but try not to let that power get too far. He may not be able to contain us in a tsyukuyomi genjutsu, but it is a hassle to get out of," Naruto said to her. Shizune nodded.
"Got it, I doubt he could produce an efficient one yet anyway, but I will find a way I guess," Shizune said to him. Naruto nodded with a smile.
"Alright Shizune-chan, I am going to go now. Keep me informed," Naruto said to her. Shizune nodded as they cut the mental link. Shizune smiled as she went back to her room and picked up her book.
"I guess I could do a genjutsu to him. I wonder how awful I can make it for him?" Shizune said with an evil smile as she read her book.
With the Suna Shinobi
Baki had returned to Konoha as he spotted Gaara and his group. Gaining their attention, everyone to Baki they all shunshined to their temporary house.
"So what happened Baki?" Kankuro asked him. Baki sighed as he looked at them.
"It turns out that the blond was right. Our Kazekage is dead and we have more than enough evidence to show that Orochimaru is behind this," Baki said to them. Everyone gasped, though with Gaara no one could tell.
"So we got played?" Temari asked him. Baki nodded. Kankuro slammed his fist to the floor.
"Dammit, so what is the plan Baki?" Kankuro asked him. Baki sighed as he looked at the three.
"We are staying for the Chunin Exams, but we are out of the war and will be helping Konoha in order to maintain our alliance to them," Baki explained. All three siblings nodded and sighed.
"Well looks like we are at a change in plans," Kankuro said to them. Temari sighed.
"I can't believe Father is dead, although he did try to kill Gaara on more than one occasion, so maybe that is a good thing," Temari said to them. Both shrugged as Gaara left the room.
"You think he will cooperate?" Kankuro asked her. Temari looked at him then out the door.
"I have no idea. I guess we can only hope," Temari said to him.
"Though I wouldn't mind fighting alongside that blond kami," Temari thought as she dazed over Naruto. Kankuro chuckled at her actions.
"Hey Temari, I think you should stop drooling," Kankuro said to her. Temari snapped out of her daze and blushed from embarrassment as Kankuro fell to the floor and laughed. Temari smiled as she grew a tick on her head as she grabbed her fan.
"Yes yes laugh it up Kankuro, laugh it up all the way to hell," Temari yelled as she swung her fan. Kankuro narrowly escaped the blow as he ran out the window.
"Temari calm down," he said as he ran away. Temari bursted through the window as she chased after Kankuro.
"Get your make-up wearing ass back here," She yelled. Kankuro turned to her in frustration.
"It's not make-up. It's war paint," He yelled to her.
"It doesn't matter, just get back here so I can kick your ass," Temari said as she swung her fan around as she chased Kankuro around the village.