Disclaimer: I do not own anything Naruto or Zelda that is mentioned in this plotline. From a last reviewer, I have done some revisions of certain portions of Chapters Four and beyond. Truth: I did not know the actual name of Zubuza's weapon. Sue me for translating the English name. Sorry if this seems a bit short...

Chapter Seven

One week left, and the village was packing with foreign visitors from all around. Kin was kept secret by everyone else, and only Midna knew that she was in Naruto's home. Right now though, the unused room in Naruto's apartment was made into another bedroom for her, which had a good view of the backyard-like forest. Right now, Naruto and Kin were playing cards in the living room, all window blinds shut. Naruto had just returned from the hospital to visit Lee, only to see Gaara try to murder the boy while he was in bed. He and Shikamaru, who was with him at the time, prevented Gaara from attacking, and Gai emerged just in the nick of time. Gaara however promised to spill the boy's blood before vanishing in a swirl of sand.

"Naruto-kun?"

"Yes, Kin-chan?"

Naruto had managed to get Kin to open up, learning much about Kin's life. She had no parents, and she was an orphan. She was also one of the few who Orochimaru experimented on with transplanted Kekkai Genkai, only to be released when she showed no signs of possessing the Shodai's bloodline, or one other bloodline, Aisuseishi (Ice Control).

A/N: They never did give an official name to the bloodline that Haku holds, so this is my fanon name for it.

Of course, she was also abused by her team mates when alone, and she had put up a tough look to mask her inner pain. The more Naruto learned of Kin, the more disgust he felt towards Orochimaru trying to play Kami with human lives.

"Are you going to make more of these cinnamon sticky buns?"

They also had a plate, which was now empty of the baked goods.

"Sure."

The stereo was on, and they were listening to singer artist Ayumi Hamasaki. The night was filled with soft laughter shared between two souls from different villages, as Naruto showed off his baking skills. It's amazing just how different Naruto had become. Naruto had to thank Tsunami for showing him how to cook during his stay at Nami during the mission to save the country from Gatou one of these days. Sarutobi held a slight suspicion of Naruto when Kurenai made a minor report of Naruto buying bedroom supplies during a meeting that dealt with the threat issued by Orochimaru. However, he felt that Naruto had a reason to do so, and though tit was for Hinata to stay whenever she wanted to be close to the boy. They just never knew of Naruto's secret room mate.

As for the rest of the rookies, Kiba was training with Akamaru to improve his team work. Naruto had without knowing pointed out some of his flaws, and was improving himself to be better. Shino was meditating for his upcoming battle with Sabaku no Kankuro. Temari and Shikamaru were training (Temari) and lazily relaxing playing Shogi with his father (Shikamaru). Hinata was with Sakura and Ino, and Neji was by himself. Tenten and Lee were sparring, Gai was refereeing the spar, and for everyone else, Naruto barely had time to see them all.

Now, in the next morning, Naruto heard someone knocking on the door. Upon answering the door, he's dragged away by the yellow and white toad with the red vest-like armor. Naruto, still clad in his orange and spiral-print pyjamas was dropped unceremoniously on his rear, and standing against the tree was Jiraiya, twenty minutes later outside the village.

"Glad you're awake."

"What the hell is the big idea? Do you have any clue what time it is?" He shouted at the perverted Sannin. The sky was gaining more and more light, as the time was, last time Naruto checked his clock, 6:50 in the morning. It could be seven right now...

The white-haired man grinned, and lifted Naruto off the ground. "Yes, and we are going to be training for the rest of this week. First off... you are going to practice summoning Toads until you summon the Head Boss, Gamabunta. Got it, gaki?"

"Yeah, yeah, pervy sage..."

"Don't call me that!" He retorted, "Once you manage to summon Gamabunta, we'll go from there with chakra control refines... to be a good shinobi, you must have excellent control. And even without the fox in your gullet, you still have enormous chakra storage due to the fox's power. Practically, you're your own village's ANBU but even with all that power, it's nothing if you can't control it. Now, start summoning."

"Oi! Where are you going?"

Jiraiya then gained a pervy grin. "Going to peep!"

Poof.

"PERVY SAGE!" He was alone outside the village, and Jiraiya was off doing his "research", leaving the boy alone in just his PJs. "If I get dragged out of my house like that, I'm going to start wearing boxers under these pants."

He sighed. "Mendokuse..."

In the bedroom of Shikamaru, the young Nara sneezed in his sleep, mutters the catchphrase, and turns to his left side. On his first try, he had met two small toads. One was red-orange toad with black markings and a dark blue grey vest named Gamakichi. He had also summoned his younger brother, Gamatatsu, a pale yellow toad with light orange markings and chubby cheeks. Both liked candy treats, and while Gamakichi was the more level headed toad, Gamatatsu held a carefree aloof manner. Imagine Jiraiya's surprise when he heard a loud cry of Gamabunta demanding what he was doing out in the human world two hours later.

=0=0=

Uchiha Sasuke was an orphan. In one night, he had lost his entire clan to his older brother Uchiha Itachi, S-Rank Nuke-nin of Konohagakure no Sato. He was the last Uchiha of the village, the other somewhere in the world. He vowed to avenge the death of the family by killing Itachi, and the only way he could do that was to get even more powerful. For the whole month, Sasuke was put under extreme training by Kakashi, and soon, upon his return, he would defeat Gaara, and then put his claim as the strongest by defeating Naruto as well.

=0=0=

It's the day of the Finals of the Chunnin Exams. The Fire Daimyo had hired a band that was currently finished playing. They had time for one more song, and this one was a new one. The Genin who passed all lined up in view of the entire arena audience. As the band was at the second portion of the orchestra The Hero's Medley (Legend of Zelda & Nazo no Murasame Jo OST: The Legend of Zelda (Orchestral Version)) from the entrance, Naruto had made his entrance. He had Epona with him, as he rode into the arena amongst some hushed silence but the music playing.

Well, I think this music theme suits you well, Midna tells Naruto.

I agree, Naruto replied.

It was common knowledge that Naruto had stolen one of the Fire Daimyo's horses, and got away without any repercussions. As he strode up to the Genin, and the Jounin who he knew was the Proctor for this portion of the exams, he noticed they were looking at him as if he was from another village, which wasn't far from it. He did not see Sasuke there. Shikamaru and Shino have known Naruto in the past, and to see the blonde NOT wearing any hint of orange... well, they did not see anything wrong with Naruto having been chosen by the Fourth to be the jailer for the demon, and actually respected the teenager because he had held back the dangerous and strongest demon in the world... right before that masked man had attacked Naruto, and stolen the fox.

"Fashionably late entrance, Naruto?" Shino asks in his usual soft voice.

Naruto nodded, as he hops off Epona, and the stallion whinnied when Naruto gave it a smack on the rump, and it galloped out of the arena. He turned back to the others as the band finished playing, and applause lit the air. He went and stood between Shikamaru and Temari.

"Where's duck-ass?"

Shikamaru sighed, muttering his catchphrase. "Not here obviously..."

Naruto looks over to Temari. "How've you been, Temari-chan?"

She smiled a bit. "I've been well, Naruto-kun."

"Well, good luck in the finals."

"Same to you, Naruto."

If only he was from another village. Temari was feeling guilty over what was going to happen. She had made friends with the boy, and now she was going to betray him once the invasion started.

The Jounin by the name of Shiranui Genma watched everyone quietly and calmly with his hands clasped behind his back. He chewed on a very long toothpick as he gazed all the audience. Unlike other Jounins, his hitai-ate had been tied backwards. The metal plate was on the back of his head and the fabric kept his hair out of his face and eyes.

Looking over to the box, he watched as the Sandaime Hokage entered the balcony that overlooked the entire arena, followed by two Jounins. Sarutobi silently sat on the stone chair, the two Jounins standing on either side. Next to him sat the Kazekage and his guards. Looking around he noticed that the stadium was full and so glancing down at Genma, gave the slightest of nods. He took that as his cue and spoke up, his voice carrying to every pair of ears listening as the band was packing up to leave.

"May I have your attention!" he called out, waiting as everyone stopped talking and focused all their attention down on him, "Now, welcome to the final matches of the Chuunin Exams. Before we begin, let's once again introduce the eight Genin who made it all the way here today." The youths stood at attention as applause echoes. Zaku had made it, but since his death, they change the lineup so that Shikamaru would be facing off against the girl from Suna.

"Now, like in the Pre-Elimination Exams, a winner is decided if the opponent cannot continue, by death, or if I step in to stop the match."

Hyuuga Neji vs. Uzumaki Naruto

"Now, would Hyuuga Neji and Uzumaki Naruto step up? The rest please vacate the arena floor."

Neji and Naruto remained, as the others left and took seats high above. Neji scoffed. In the Hyuuga Sky Box were Hiashi and his younger daughter Hanabi.

"There isn't another who received such thick Hyuuga blood, so watch closely, Hanabi," he told his daughter.

"Hai otousan," she answered.

"You will not win this match," Neji says, "Fate denies you victory."

"I made a vow to avenge Hinata for your attempt of murdering her a month ago, and I will beat you black and blue you Yowayowashii (Chicken shit)."

Neji snarled, activating his bloodline and shifting to the Jyuuken. Genma jumped back as Neji led the first attack. Naruto deploys his sword and shield and blocked the strike, Kawarimi away with a nearby piece of thick wood. Naruto appeared and did a spin jump with the sword, however all Naruto sliced in half was a log. He vanished in a puff of smoke when Neji lashed at the point in his spine at the base of his neck. Naruto reappeared, and help the sword and shield ready. Neji charged Naruto, and he puts the shield away before shifting the sword into his defensive stance. Neji lashed at him with glowing hands, but he had effectively blocked the attack, and Neji stumbled back as a cut was made into his left side. He winced as blood trickled from the cut, and Naruto smirked.

"Shougekiha!" He slammed the sword to the ground, and generated a chakra shockwave.

Despite the pain, Neji held his hands out, and yelled out his next technique. "Hakkeshou Kaiten (Eight Divination Palms of the Hand, Heavenly Spin)!" He spun rapidly, expelling a lot of chakra and deflected the shockwave to a tree which was torn, leaving savings of wood and a damaged tree that looked about ready to collapse in pieces. Hiashi was definitely surprised at seeing someone from the Side Branch of the clan using a technique reserved for Main Branch users. Hanabi watched with awe.

When he stopped, he was surrounded by twelve clones of Naruto, all of them wielding the Master Sword. Neji scoffed, until Hiashi, and in the audience, ANBU Neko, noticed Naruto's sword began to glow blue. Is that...?

He's using it, Neko thought.

"What in the world...? Solid clones?"

All the Naruto's grinned. They began to circle Neji, waving their blades in a hypnotic trance. Neji was stiffened up, trying to pick out the real Naruto, then cried out as Naruto blind sided him with a slice to the back. Now down, Naruto shot back over.

"Ichi!" Neji was knocked against the face by Naruto when he thrusted his deployed shield, also using enough force to break the cartilage in the nose, before jumping into a spinning somersault, "Ni!" and slamming the flat blade of his blade over the teen's skull. Now completely dazed, Naruto landed behind Neji, lashed out with a double kick followed by a roundhouse kick that cracked against the right side of the boy's head sending him crashing to the ground, "Ko Rendan (One Two Big Combo)!"

Impressive combination of that Shield Attack and Helmsplitter, Midna tells Naruto.

What? I was just attacking with what I had in mind... though it was effective.

Midna just smiled softly. Neji was starting to get up. "How can a dobe like you become so strong...?"

"Courage... with it, I blaze through the dangers that dare get in my way... plus I HAVE learned the best... Hayate-sensei, before he was murdered, passed down the Mikazuki no Mai to me. In his memory, I will keep that technique alive."

"No way... no way that you can win... fate-"

"Oh can it with the fate bullshit. Besides, Hinata-chan told me that you keep threatening her... I wanted to end this match by shoving this weapon through your heart, but last night she begged me, she begged me to not kill you." He sheathes the sword and puts the shield away, turned around, and started to walk away. "She told me about what had happened to you, how they branded you with the Caged Bird Seal, she told me the history of the seal, and why it ties to your life... I'm done with you."

"DON'T TURN YOUR BACK TO ME YOU TEME!" Neji shouted, rushing in for a killing blow. Naruto spun around, blocked the strike with Gokumonken and lashed out with a slice along Neji's right arm, this time digging deeper so blood spilled across the ground.

He sheathes the sword once again and walks in the other direction, leaving Neji on the ground, clutching his bloodied arm. He was going to attack, but he collapsed.

"This match is done. Shousha: Uzumaki Naruto!"

Naruto looked over his shoulder to Neji. "If you let fate control you, you will die. A bird, even caged, can spread its wings. The question remains: Can you spread your wings and fly away?"

Neji said nothing, as the words pierced his head. Naruto soon emerged to the stands, and sat down next to Hinata. She hugged him, smiling warmly.

"Arigatou, Naruto-kun..."

"No prob, Hinata-chan..."

Tenten was nearby sitting next to Gai, jealous that Hinata was getting that close to her Naruto-kun. Temari felt a similar burn run through her. Hiashi had gotten up and left, leaving Hanabi to sit by herself, while Neji was being transmitted to the local medical facility in the stadium. Soon after, Gaara Suna Shunshin down to the floor, and waited for his opponent... who still did not show up ten minutes later. Sarutobi wished to disqualify the Uchiha for showing up late for an important match, but the Council overruled him, and simply pushed the match to the last bracket.

Aburame Shino vs. Sabaku no Kankuro

The match never even gone down when Kankuro yelled that he quit. He was not going to waste his chakra, and so Shino won by default. Everyone did not like that decision, booing due to no action. So, with no match, they decide to go wiht the next line-up.

Sabaku no Temari vs. Nara Shikamaru

Temari on the other hand did not wish to look weak, so she fought against her opponent, Shikamaru. Kin looked at the hitai-ate that Naruto somehow managed to acquire. The fabric was black. As she removed her slashed-up hitai-ate, it was then replaced with the Konoha headband. Elsewhere, Oto ninja were finishing the last traces of the runes for the upcoming summoning jutsu once the signal was sent. Enemies were ready, both outside the village and hidden among the crowds. And Orochimaru was thirsting for his former sensei's blood.

Back at the arena, the fight was lasting into the hour mark, and Shikamaru had Temari trapped with his shadows. All of a sudden... he gives up, claiming chakra exhaustion, and that it's too troublesome to knock out a woman. As the arena cleared a large gust of wind and leaves emerged a minute later and in a dramatic stance, appear Uchiha Sasuke and Hatake Kakashi, standing back to back. The entire stadium went berserk with the Uchiha's entrance, but Naruto felt that these people, mostly Konoha, was giving the boy too much credit. Midna agreed as well.

Uchiha Sasuke vs. Sabaku no Gaara

Gaara joined on the floor, with a bloodthirsty grin. The match of Uchiha Sasuke versus Sabaku no Gaara would now begin. But, before the Proctor, from his position near the judges, could start the match, a sinister laugh echoed throughout the village. In a swirl of black tiny squares, the unknown person had reappeared once again.

-- Naruto's Status --

Collection: [Men's Wallet - 8,500 Total Ryo] [Midna's Headgear] [Naruto's Ninpod]
Sword: [Kubikiri Hocho] [Master Sword]
Shield: [Konoha Shield]
Costume: [Hero's Clothes]
Ninja Inventory: [Ninja Pack - Kunai x20] [Ninja Pack - Senbon x30] [Ninja Pack - Nin-ombs x06] [Toad Summon Contract]
Other Inventory: [Relic Spinner] [Kagura]
Hidden Skills Learned: [Gokumonken] [Mikazuki no Mai]
Jutsu Skills Learned: Kage Bunshin, Sennen Goroshi, Kawarimi, Oroke, Harem, Shougekiha, Uzumaki Naruto Rendan, Fuuton: Rasengufuu, Ichi Ni Ko Rendan