Chapter Eighteen: Testing the Mist

Naruto had his sword out. He pointed it towards the shadowy figure in front of him. He said, "Where are you Karasu from Konoha? Why are you following me? What do you want? Come out and show yourself and answer the questions."

The shadowed man did not initially moved. He curled up into a smirk. He said, "Well if it isn't Naruto-kun. It is my pleasure to meet you again. How are you? How have you been? Wow you have grown up some. What are you, nine years old now? Almost the double digit age. Impressive."

His eyes narrowed towards the weapon in Naruto's hands. He said, "Well it looks like Naruto has a new toy. Do you even know how to use it? No matter."

Naruto snarled as he held onto the sword tightly. He said, "Karasu, you bastard answer my questions. What is it that you want with me? Get the hell out of the shadows. I want to see your face."

Karasu shrugged as he came out the shadows. He said, "Why I'm here is of no concern to you, Naruto-kun. What do I from you is nothing. You are nothing compared to most. So what are you going to do with that sword?"

Naruto snarled. He was ready to kill this guy. He said, "If you don't leave me alone, the last memory you will have is this sword right between your eyes."

The man had a stoic face. He said, "Really, Naruto-kun. What have I done that made you hate me?" the man's face curled up into a sick twisted grin. "Come on Naruto, why don't you show me what you got. You probably are as strong as you were when you were that weak six year old."

That did it for Naruto. Naruto ran with his sword to end this man. The man stood still and practically let Naruto strike him. Naruto struck the man. Naruto had some satisfaction as he connected. That only last a second as he saw the man smirk. The 'man' became a bunch of ravens. That scared the hell out of Naruto.

The birds then came at Naruto as if he was a shiny nickel. He got into a defensive position. The first bird came at Naruto. Naruto swung to kill it. He missed as it swerved to the right. Karasu's voice echoed in Naruto's ear, "You got to do better than that Naruto-kun."

Naruto's anger started to get to him that he didn't notice a few things. The rests of the birds came at Naruto one by one. Naruto swung and missed every single time. He then tried to use jutsus. He did two hand signs and said, "Hijutsu: Hari no Ketatamashii (Secret Art: Piercing of Needles). Naruto sent a flurry of chakra coated needles at the birds. As they hit the birds, Naruto smirked in satisfaction. He said in a haughty voice, "Come on Karasu. That was too easy. Now come out and fight me man to man."

The man's stoic deep voice was heard again. He was laughing at Naruto as he said, "What makes you so sure that it's that easy. Look around Naruto your eye must be deceiving you."

Naruto opened his eyes to see that the pierced ravens actually split into two. The birds started to come at Naruto faster than he expected. He did a back flip. This gave him the momentum to swing his sword to slash these sons of a bitches down. It worked as the slash connected those crazy birds. Naruto sighed in relief as he thought it was over. The voice came again, "Not yet your not Naruto-kun."

The voice was starting to get to him. Yet, the voice was right as the raven started to fly over head of Naruto. Naruto was about to do a hand sign but one of the crazy birds started to bite his fingers. He yelled out in pain. He punched the bird to get him off of him. This only pissed the multiplied birds off more. They swarmed Naruto ready to kill him.

He thought to himself, 'What the hell is up with these birds? They should be dead and gone but they keep multiplying. They are really starting to piss me off.' He kept killing them. As he kept 'killing' them, they kept multiplying. The started to bite Naruto. Then they started to peck him. He screamed in pain as it felt as if every part of his body was being pecked and bit.

He started to fall to his knees from the pain. The birds were hindering his ability to think. Yet even if his ability was hindered, it did not mean he was not able to think. He concentrated on something red. He then did the hand signs albeit with great difficulty: Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey and Ram. He said, "Kushiyose no Jutsu: Faukes (Summoning Technique: Faukes)"

Out of no where the mighty phoenix came out. It fiery red body put the birds ablaze. The phoenix said, "Naruto-kun, what the hell is going on? Those birds should be dead." Faukes looked to his left and his right and still can't find anything out of the ordinary.

Due to Faukes being in Naruto's head, he saw all of what Naruto saw. The birds attacked Faukes and Naruto. Faukes said, "Holy Flames" A golden fire spewed out of his mouth. The fire burned the birds. Faukes was breathing extremely hard since he hadn't fully master the attack. He looked at Naruto and said, "Naruto-kun, I used way too much chakra with the attack. I can't help you right now. Good luck in this fight and beat these bitches asses."

Naruto nodded as he saw Faukes disappear in a swirl of flames. This surprised Karasu even though he wasn't able to be seen. He knew he needed to end this soon.

The birds rose back up. They started to use what looks chakra strings. They started to tie him up. As Naruto struggled to fight it, the shadowed Karasu appeared. When Naruto was not able to move the man opened his eyes. They were red with three tomoes that were connected. They were the eyes of the Mangekyo Sharingan. The man started to speak.

"That was a great fight Naruto. Although you didn't fight me but still it was very interesting. Now Naruto I didn't want to fight you originally but sometimes things are out of our control. No matter. You are a valuable piece but to what? Hmm it doesn't matter, yet. Naruto I'm going to be frank with you. Your hatred is not strong enough to beat me. So I'm going to make you hate me. Tsukuyomi (Moon Reader)"

Before the attack could hit Naruto. His eyes changed into something Karasu has never seen before. Before he knew it the Tsukuyomi was sent right back at him. Yet Naruto was able to look into the man's memories. The man was able to close his eyes deactivating the Sharingan. This made ripples in the time space. When Naruto opened his eyes he realize there no birds. That it was a quiet street with him holding his blade at the shadow Karasu as he had earlier.

Naruto fell to the ground. He saw the man's memories and found that the man's name wasn't Karasu. He also saw what the man did to the Uchiha Clan. It was the same day that he left. Who was this guy? He had to know. "I now know your name is not Karasu. That was your ANBU name. What is your name, your real name."

The man smirked somewhat. His body started to disappear as he said, "I will see you again Naruto-kun. Remember the name Itachi Uchiha." The man then disappeared.

Naruto fell to ground in pain. His energy level had definitely dropped. That whole time he was in Genjutsu. How powerful is this guy? Yet he wanted to know why did that attack back fire on Itachi? How was he able to see this Itachi guy's memories. Those memories made Naruto's skin crawl. It was not only because of what the man had done but what he was forced to see. There were some memories that were a blur but maybe knowing the guy's name he can open some if not all the memories.

He looked at the time and his eyes open he had a dinner to go to and he was late. Unbeknownst to him, Itachi was watching him. His eye started to bleed. He realized someone accessed his memories. That definitely compromises his missions. He did however wanted to know why was Naruto in Kiri. Naruto's presence shocked Itachi. Yet for Naruto to recognize his chakra signature even if it was three years ago and he wasn't able to track signatures then spoke volumes of how strong Naruto has become. It actually terrified Itachi some that the kid he considered his other otouto is this strong at this age. This was a matter that definitely needed to be discussed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The Mizukage XXXXXXXXXXX

The Mizukage was extremely unhappy. Yagura was a man of being prompt. He wanted everyone to be on time. That also included the people he considered enemies. The Seven Swordsman were here on time. Yet for some reason, the guest of honor was here. He tapped on the table impatiently. He looked at the Seven with a small amount of disgust.

He said, "Ameyuri, please tell me why isn't Naruto-kun here."

Ame was sweating a little bit. He looked at the rest of the members hoping they had some reason as to why wasn't he here. He unfortunately didn't get a reply from any of them. He said, "Mizukage-sama, I don't know where he is. I know he knows where the place is but I can't give you a direct answer."

Yagura closed his eyes as he was hungry, jealous, angry, and over all disgusted. The reason he was hungry is because the chefs cannot make the food until everyone had arrived. This was Kiri's custom to be respectful to delegates and dignitaries of other countries. He closed his eyes and reopened them. He said, "I want to know why in the hell wouldn't at least one of you thought it would be of Naruto's best interest to not bring him here with you? Was it that one you wanted to get a quick fix? Or was it that one of you wanted to have intercourse with one of the beautiful women of Kirigakure. Or possibly that one of you wanted to get a little drink before you came here? Even if that is the case that leaves four of you. So you mean to tell me that not a single one of you couldn't have brought-"

Yagura became quiet because the door opened. He then saw Naruto panting. Naruto was wearing the bigger version of his Seven Apprentice clothes. He looked at the Seven who were about to kill him. Yagura was not looking to happy. In spite of that Yagura was interested in Naruto. He said, "Well how nice of you to join us. May you tell us why you were late?"

Naruto stood there blank. He didn't want to say he was late because he was fighting a ridiculously strong man. Then he would be interrogated for the longest time. He then remembered a memory from Itachi that a guy with silver hair had a good excuse. Yeah that's the excuse he will use. He said, "Umm I was lost on the road of life."

Everyone and everything went silent. Ameyuri looked at Naruto incredulously. Yagura's eyes started to twitch. His hands were shaking in irritation. He said the most intellectual term in the world, "What".

Ameyuri said in the most calming voice that he could muster, "What he means by that is what do you mean by you being lost on the road of life?"

Naruto looked sheepish. He rubbed the back of his neck. He said, "Well you see I walking my way downtown. I was walking fast. Some faces passed and I was homebound."

Ok, now Naruto was fucking with them. Mangetsu tried to keep himself from laughing. Yagura was about to kill Naruto. Yep Naruto has officially on his kill list. In the shadows the Master was rolling. He did like Naruto but sometimes people had to die. Yagura put up a fake smile. He said, "Well Naruto-kun since you found your way back on the road of life, please sit down so we can get to business."

Naruto eagerly sat down at the end of the table. He saw the pissed off faces of the Swordsman. He hoped that they would understand. Yagura tapped his fingers on the table. He was thinking of what he should begin with. Naruto had messed up his agenda with that stupid introduction. He said, "Emerald, come here for we can have our dinner."

Emerald said, "Hello Gentlemen, welcome to the Mizukage Personal Restaurant. May I start you off with an order of Sake and water for the little child?"

Yagura said, "That would be great Emerald." The man bowed and disappeared into the kitchen. Yagura turned towards Naruto. He was trying to analyze him. He was falling for the same thing that Ozai did. He looked at Naruto as a weak and nothing really important.

He said, "Well Naruto-kun, it is great that I finally have met you. I heard you're from Konoha. How is it?" Ameyuri's eyes went widen. He didn't tell Naruto that he is incognito and he is from Kiba no Kuni. They are in big trouble.

Naruto's face scrunched up in confusion. He said, "Mizukage-sama, I hate to inform you but your information is sadly incorrect. I'm from Kiba no Kuni. I don't know where your information came from. They probably had me mistaken with someone else."

The Seven Swordsman and Yagura blinked. Ameyuri could not believe it. Naruto somehow caught on to the deception. The boy was definitely an enigma. Yagura on the other hand was pissed off. He thought he had Naruto. The Seven didn't have enough time to pull that off. He must be awfully lucky.

He said, "Oh my mistake Naruto-kun. I must talk to my informant about it. From what I hear you are great with the way of the sword. Who taught you?"

Naruto replied, "Well in Kiba my grandfather was a former guard of the Royal Forces. He is the reason I am infatuated with the way of the sword. He taught me in the way of the samurai. At first I was ok but soon I caught on how to fight with it. I wanted to incorporate the saying 'You live by the sword, you die by the sword' into my fighting style. So I created the style 'Live like your Dying'. It consists of using the sword as an attachment to you and going all in and using your instincts to survive. I know it's not complete but still its get the job done."

Yagura could not refute that. Naruto was an amazing talker. He couldn't touch it. He was not the only one surprised. The Seven Swordsman were even more surprised. Did Naruto practice this routine? If so they definitely need him for the Mist's production of Hamlet.

The special meal made for them came. They started to eat. Naruto was relaxed and ate quietly. He watched as everyone ate the delicious food. Naruto was thinking surprisingly a lot clearer. He remembered looking at Ameyuri and read his mind some. He saw that was the story with Kiba no Kuni.

He wanted to know what is going on with this Mizukage. He didn't know what it was but it didn't make sense as to why he was being interrogated. He said, "Mizukage-sama, I've heard that I must take a test or something. What is the test about? How are the results determine? What are the benefits if I successfully pass the test?"

Yagura became silent. He had to think of a test for him to do. The Master wants him to pass but to not just give it to him. A light bulb went off in his head. He then said, "Naruto-kun, your test is simple. Your test is to beat the whole graduating class. If you are able to beat them, your rewards will come to you. The first reward is that you become a full ranked Genin. That allows you, Naruto, to get the privileges of being a ninja including missions, the ability to drink and all that. Your team will include one of the Seven Swordsman of the Mist, an upcoming Chuunin in Mei Terumi, and the brother of Mangetsu, Suigetsu, the other coming of the Demon of the Mist. You will also be able to learn Kiri ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu and anything else that you can learn in Kiri. All you have to do is beat the graduating class. You can't kill them intentionally. Good luck."

Naruto looked at him. He said, "Sure no problem. When do you want me to do this test?"

Yagura smirked and said, "Tomorrow." Naruto nodded. He was certain he could beat them. He closed his eyes as dinner was finishing.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX An Hour Later XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Seven Swordsman of the Mist and their young Apprentice Naruto went into the headquarters of the Seven Swordsman. They walked in silence. Naruto in particular didn't speak because he knew the eminent doom that is eventually going to happen would happen way too soon. When they reached the place they ushered Naruto in.

When they closed up the place the Seven looked at Naruto. Ameyuri only said one word, "Explain".

Naruto sighed as he said, "There is a legitimate reason as to why I was late. Now listen, everything happened after I got up from Mei's lashing. Everyone was gone. As I started to walk I recognize someone from my past. His name or the name I thought his was Karasu. He was a Konoha ANBU Captain. I asked why he following me around. We got into an altercation. He didn't directly fight me. Instead he used his birds to keep attacking me.

He only stopped because for some unknown reason his chakra is extremely low. He trapped me in a bind. He seemed to have an evolved version of the Sharingan. He used this technique known as Tsukuyomi on me.

Yet before it hit me, it backfired and hit him. As he was affected by the attack's effect, I was able to view his memories. I saw all his memories that started when he had the name Karasu. I saw every memory with that name. After he deactivated his Sharingan. I realized that it was a genjutsu. He finally told me his name. His name is Itachi Uchiha."

They're eyes were opened. How did Naruto survive against one of the strongest Sharingan users of all time. Ame said, "Naruto, why would you lie to us and say that of all people Itachi Uchiha attacked

you? He never keeps the people he is after alive."

Naruto felt hurt that no one believed him. Naruto balled his fist. You can call Naruto a lot of things but a liar should never be one. That was when Naruto heard Jinpachi say something. He said, "He's not lying, Ame."

They all looked at him for an explanation. He said, "Itachi is one of the most amazing genjutsu users to ever exist. Genjutsu how ever has another flaw that is what they put on the person. When a genjutsu is casted and the person live they leave a distinct chakra trace on the person. The longer the genjutsu stays on the person, the more of the chakra trace will be shown. A genjutsu user can tell whose is whose's."

Ameyuri asked, "Ok that is all well and good but how do you know that it isn't someone else?"

Jinpachi said, "My eye patch could indicate that. But as I need to see the person's genjutsu trace. I see it on Naruto perfectly. The only way I knew it was Itachi's is because of you Ameyuri. It was when you faced Itachi in the Chuunin Exams and he put you deep into the genjutsu."

Ameyuri was shocked. So Naruto did face Itachi and survived. Maybe Naruto caught the guy off guard. Still that doesn't make any sense because Itachi would have killed him quick and easy. He had to analyze the situation. He said, "Sorry Naruto-kun that I didn't believe you. It's time for you to go to bed because you have a test tomorrow."

Naruto nodded and went to bed without a hitch. When he went to the bed that he was designated he saw a scroll on his bed left by a toad. Naruto looked at the scroll and saw that he needed to put chakra on it. Naruto put chakra on it and the scroll opened. When it opened he saw it. He saw some new jutsus from someone.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Itachi XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Itachi landed on a ledge. He was waiting for someone. The person landed on the ledge right next to him. It was Jiraiya. He saw that Itachi's face was contorted. He said, "Something's on your mind?"

Itachi said, "I want to know why Naruto is in Kiri?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Morning XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Naruto was brought to the school. He didn't seem to have a care in his mind. He was thinking about ramen. These kids didn't matter to him. He was by no means cocky just level headed and clear headed. He finally reached a state of relaxation.

He finally reached the school. As he was walking in the school he saw teachers looking at him as he had the Seven Swordsman taking him to his classroom. The girls thought he was so cute with his whisker marks and the baby blue eyes. The boys were jealous. It was not only because he became the instant 'hottie' as one girl put it. No it was because he had the Seven Swordsman with him. It's like have your favorite sports player coming with you.

Naruto of course really didn't care. He was thinking about what kind of ramen he should have. When he reached the classroom, he saw a bunch of kids that were about four years older than him. They looked at him impassively. It was as if he didn't matter. They should know Naruto feels the same way about them. Yet Naruto was also enthusiastic because he liked battling.

The teacher was bored. His group of students were extremely cocky. It seemed like no one wanted to fight them. As a result they made it look like they are the best. The Teacher was however surprised that the Seven Swordsman of the Mist were here along side this kid. The boy didn't look like much. Naruto saw that the teacher thought he was weak. He shook his head. He thought to himself, 'when will people learn?' Naruto barely heard the man speak.

The teacher said, "Sir, please tell me your name and why you are here."

Naruto smirked. He said, "Hello class, how are you doing today? Well I hope you had a good breakfast because breakfast is the biggest meal of the day. Oh yeah I forgot to tell you who I am and what I'm doing here just before you meet your senseis. Well my name is Naruto Uzumaki and I here to kick every single one of your asses.

Author's Note: Uh oh kids in trouble. I want you to know that the fight won't be shown. Next is a time skip. Itachi comes into the picture. Why was he in Kiri? The rebels will be shown next chapter. There's a lot of secrets that will be revealed in this arc. Yet there will be more secrets after that. Oh I want to thank all my reviewers. I finally reached over 200 reviews. That is more than my Namikaze and Hyuga Princess story and my Demonic Fox Reaper.

Review please and as always Ja for now

JK10.