A/N Hello fellow FF Members and Visitors alike! This is 9tailsfox2 with Chapter 8 of Escape! Here is another long chapter that I think might becoming my norm... maybe, not sure. Anyways we see more of our favorite avenger Saskue! Italics means thoughts and environmental noise.
9tailsfox2: If any of you thinks they can get away with trying to sue my ass by saying that I think that I own Naruto and the characters, I will just have Saskue ram a Chidori through your heart!
Saskue: Because he doesn't!
Hanabi sighed as she walked up to Ichiraku's. I do need breakfast, but I don't know anyone else that will take me without questions. Hanabi walked in, only to see Naruto just taking his seat and turn around. "Hey Nabi-Chan! How are you doing?" Hanabi tried to smile, "I'm doing good, how about you?" Naruto frowned, Hanabi, I have known you for most of your life, now spill it what's wrong? Is it your father again?" Hanabi nodded sadly, "Hey, how are my two favorite customers doing!?" Teuchi walked in with a cheery smile on his face when he felt the mood of the bar, it instantly dropped. "Usual?" Naruto nodded. "I'll leave you two alone then, then he began his cooking process slowly. Although they come here very cheery and happy, there were moments like these in which he did not get involved. Last time he did try, he only made things worse, so he always leaves Naruto to make her feel better. Teuchi sighed, "Don't go out thee Ayame, Hanabi is upset about something." Ayame shook her head, "You know, sometimes I want to go down to the Hyuuga Compound and kick Hiashi's ass!" Teuchi put his hand on her daughter's shoulder. "I know its difficult to see a child go through this, but Naruto knows her more than us, he will make her feel better by the time were finished, if we cook slow.
Hanabi shook her head when Teuchi left. "Yes, I know he loves me and all, but you are right he is a terrible father. He is unsupportive, he takes any accomplishments I made and either says 'as expected' or turns it against me saying 'that is treason against the Hyuuga'. Honestly, I told him that he was a terrible father and is on a slippery slope. I am this close to running away to live with you. That's why I skipped breakfast with him." Naruto shook his head. "As good as that may sound, he will send every last Hyuuga after me to kill all to protect you. No don't run away… yet. Listen no matter what happens I will always be here for you, if you need a shoulder to cry on, if you ever need to play, or just to be a kid, I am here for you Nabi-Chan" Hanabi smiled. "Thank you Ruto-Kun, you should know I will always do the same for you." Naruto smiled, "No problem Nabi-Chan, and if I do need somebody, I will make sure to come to you." Then Hanabi hugged Naruto, who hugged back.
The moment lasted for only a couple of minute as Teuchi came out. "Alright, food is here! Once again I would like to congratulate you two for passing the Academy. I was going to put the tab on the house last night but…" Hanabi shook her head. "Wait for that treatment when we come here for the team gathering." Teuchi smiled as he placed the food in front of the children. "Alright, alright, I'll wait, but I'm not going to let you get away without putting a diner on the house!" Hanabi smiled back as she faced Naruto. "Come on, let's eat! It's almost time for team assignments!" "Hai!" "Itadikimatsu!" The two friends ate in silence as they enjoyed themselves, not for the food, but for each other. When they finished, Naruto left payment as they walked to the academy.
The two were walked into the classroom with five minutes to spare, when they walked in everyone was staring at them, or rather at Naruto. "Hey dobe, I thought you failed." Naruto stared back at our favorite brooding avenger. "Hey teme I thought you were too good for friends and decided to fuck yourself, cause that's all you're good for." Hanabi stared at Naruto in shock. "Ruto-Kun! I know he's an asshole and all, but please tone it down just a bit, what if he becomes your team mate!" (Foreshadow! Dun! Dun! Dun!) Naruto laughed. "He's not! He did not get 100% on all the tests, you did, and with me in being dead last, you and I are going to team up, as for the last, I don't care who, as long as it's not Saskue!" Saskue squinted at Naruto. "Hey! Dobe! You still did not answer my question!" Naruto shook his head. "How can I answer a question that has not been asked?" Saskue seethed at Naruto. "You know what I mean! How the hell are you wearing a headband when you did not even pass!" Naruto then smiled. "There we go! Well I stole a sacred scroll from the Hokage, because Mizuki told me he would pass me into gennin if I did, knowing it was a trap I took it not to give it to him, but to learn a new technique, the Kage Bunshin No Jutsu and Nabi-Chan here tagged along. Iruka-Sensei then came along, Mizuki attacks, then me and Nabi-Chan kicked his ass with teamwork then Iruka-Sensei, impressed with our skills, passed me!"
The whole class dead panned and began the whispering. 'How is he not in jail?' 'Yeah right!' 'He probably stole that headband.' 'There is no way he could beat a chuunin, maybe Hanabi, but definitely not Naruto.' They all stopped when Sakura walked up to Naruto. "Naruto, I would like to apologize on behalf of me and Ino to you and the rest of the class. We're sorry for being annoying. After we got out of class, Ino and I actually began our training, it was difficult, but you were right. So I would also like to thank you. Can we be friends?" Naruto smiled. "It's alright, as long you two got your asses in gear, no need to thank me for that and yes we can be friends." Sakura smiled. "Thank you Naruto-Kun. Oh yeah one more thing, I do believe you about how you passed." Sakura bowed and went back to her desk. Once again the entire class was silent, and once again, this is what Iruka walked into. Ok I think they're just trying to screw with me. "Congratulations on all of you passing. While you all may have passed, there will be many trials and dangers on the road to becoming a ninja, much harder than a stupid exam mind you. I will call your names in groups of three and then you will wait for your instructors, until then group up when your names are called." Naruto spaced out, only paying just enough attention when certain names are called.
It wasn't long until he heard it. "Team 7, Hyuuga Hanabi," Naruto held his breath in, hoping he was one of the other two people so was Hanabi, "Uzumaki Naruto," The two high five and hugged each other "Yosh, you hear that Nabi-Chan? We're on the same team!" The two smiled "Right Ruto-Kun, I just wonder who our team mate is?" "And Uchiha Saskue." Everyone deadpanned. Out of everyone on the same team as Naruto it had to be Saskue and everyone knew that despite everyone disliked Naruto, Hanabi beat the shit out of anybody who talked down to Naruto, and eventually, they accepted Naruto and slowly he became friends with some of them, but not on the level Naruto and Hanabi was. It was even suspected that they were dating and they also wondered how the 'Demon Boy of Konoha' became best friend to Hanabi, especially if her father was the Hyuuga Clan Head. Let's not forget to add on to the fact that the two hated each other.
Naruto raised his hand. "Ummmm Iruka-Sensei, if you don't mind, can you move Saskue to another team? I mean you we know hate each other, and that will be bad for teamwork, so if you don't mind…" Iruka sighed. "Naruto, when are you going to learn that life is NOT going to go the way you want it to? I know it sounds harsh, but will the enemy imprison you with another person simply because you do not like him?" Naruto groaned. "But Iruka-Sensei, this is not an enemy imprisonment!" Iruka shook his head, "You do have a point, but when you get missions, your team is picked based on more skill than friendship. The only reason you got on the same team as your girlfriend is because you got the lowest test score, and she got the highest test score, as for the Uchiha, I thought it would be best to put the two of you together so you can work out your differences, we cannot afford to have two bickering children in our shinobi ranks, you are a ninja now Naruto! Act like it!" Naruto grumbled. "Fine but that doesn't mean I have to like it." Hanabi turned to Naruto. "Don't worry, I will be with you so it will not be as bad, I'll probably even assist in the inevitable ass kicking!" Naruto and Hanabi smirked as the names were continuing to be called and then the sensei of each team began to come in and announce their team number and to follow them. "Team 7, meet me on the rooftops, five minutes. Naruto looked up at the source of the voice but it was gone. It was familiar somehow but he shrugged as he, Hanabi and Saskue got up and proceeded to their destination. (I am NOT going to have Kakashi fail as a Jounin Sensei in the fic.)
"Hey teme, who do you think our sensei is?" Saskue growled. "I don't care." Naruto grew irritated. "As much as I don't like it, Iruka-Sensei is right, as a team, we cannot afford to be bickering among ourselves, so we might as well be friends." Saskue looked at Naruto like he had a disease. "Do you know why I don't like you?" Naruto shrugged. "Whatever it is you hate about me, just get over it!" Saskue shook his head, "The reason why I don't like you is because I know you hold back a lot in our fights, no matter how many times I try to get more out of you, you just concede and take the beating, and you yelling at Sakura and Ino yesterday proved that you are more than 'dead last', and even further proof when you presented your story of how you graduated. If you are the baka that you present yourself to be, then you would not have wove up such a lie, and if you took down a chuunin without breaking a sweat, with help or not, then you are certainly better than some of the others in class. I don't know what you and Hanabi do when your alone together, but it is clearly not just ramen and parks like some have said that they see you two do. You two clearly trained your asses off and I want to be part of the training." Naruto thought for a moment. "Let's speak about this later cause we are almost there." Saskue nodded. "Hai." Although Hanabi wanted to hand Saskue's ass to him on a silver platter for getting between her and her Ruto-Kun, she it was smart to stay silent… for now. Whoa! Where did that come from? Hanabi shook her head and continued walking.
Kakashi closed his Icha Icha Book. They should be here… now! As if on cue the three gennin made their way to face Kakashi. Naruto scratched his head. "Wait a second, Kakashi, you are our sensei?" Hanabi smiled, "Sweet, that's two people that I like on my team!" While Hanabi was happy, Naruto was a bit mellower, sure he met the guy a few times, and he did like him as a person, he was just glad that it was somebody he knew, and was happy that Hanabi was happy. Saskue on the other hand brooded on like usual. "Ok now that we are gathered here, lets start with introductions." Naruto groaned. "But Kakashi, we already know each other." Kakashi shook his head. "Naruto, do you really know everything about me or Saskue?" Naruto scratched his head in thought. "Fine! Lets get it over with, why don't you start since you brought it up, it is only proper to introduce yourself before asking others to introduce themselves."
Kakashi sighed, "You do have a point. All right, I am Hatake Kakashi, your Jounin Sensei, I like plenty of things, while there are some tings I don't like. Now that I think about it, I do have a couple of hobbies and my goal is none of your business. Your turn Naruto." Naruto grumbled. "My name is Uzumaki Naruto, I like Nabi-Chan and when she is happy, training, eating ramen, playing, pranking, and star gazing, but its all worthless without Nabi-Chan. I hate it when Nabi-Chan is sad, I don't like it when people hurt me or even more so, Nabi-Chan, my hobbies include being Nabi-Chan's friend, hanging out with Nabi-Chan and protecting Nabi-Chan. As for my goal, I wish to protect all my friends from harm, especially Nabi-Chan." Naruto finished his sentence with a sincere smile, while Hanabi blushed. Rut-Kun really cares that much about me? Kakashi sighed I think she is more than a friend to you than you think Naruto. Kakashi pointed to Hanabi. "Ok your turn." Hanabi smiled "My name is Hyuuga Hanabi, I like Ruto-Kun and everything we do together alone, I also like bananas and milk. I dislike it when Ruto-Kun is mistreated, when my father and I are even in the same room and I don't like mitsuba. My hobbies include training with Ruto-Kun, eating with Ruto-Kun, playing with Ruto-Kun and star gazing with Ruto-Kun, and it is so nice with just the two of us, with nobody else. As for my goal, I wish to escape from the Hyuuga Clan without getting the Cursed Seal, and as where I will live, it will be with Ruto-Kun, without anybody else." Throughout the entire introduction, every time Hanabi mentioned being alone with Naruto, she glared at Saskue rather intently, who just brooded on. Naruto smirked Are you really jealous of Saskue joining us in our spars? Don't worry I won't let anything in the way of our alone time. Kakashi sighed again. Great we have two people who love each other and don't even know it, and I doubt Saskue would be much better, considering what he went through.
Kakashi then pointed at Saskue "Ok, your turn." Saskue grunted. "I am Uchiha Saskue, I like very few things, I don't like many things, I don't have many hobbies, as for my goal, its not a goal, more of an ambition. I will destroy a certain someone." Naruto and Hanabi glared at Saskue. If its Ruto-Kun, team mate or not, I will not hesitate to make your life miserable. Naruto shook his head hmmm Saskue seems to have had a terrible life as well; I'm going to talk to him about it after this. Kakashi sighed; great I have two students in denial about their feelings for each other, one of them almost dependent on the other, and the third is on a fast path to self destruction. The only one who seems to have even close to a level head about the current situation is Naruto, it's going to a disaster if nothing is done soon, and I am out of ideas, I hope they can work it out between themselves. I will have to ask the Hokage about this as son as I am done here. "Alright now that we know each other, I have to tell you three something, you are not official gennin yet." Kakashi stopped to see if their reactions. Hanabi shook her head, Naruto looked confused and Saskue was still brooding. Hanabi spoke up first. "But what about our headbands?" Naruto shook his head. "So you plan to test us on something to make sure we are truly ninja material?" Kakashi shook his head, "Essentially, yes, meet me tomorrow at Training Ground 7 at 7:00 am sharp, and don't be late. Oh yeah one more thing, do not eat breakfast, unless you want it all on your shirt tomorrow. Dismissed!" Kakashi then shunshined off the rooftop, leaving the new team by themselves.
Naruto groaned. "Alright Saskue, let's start where we left off. Now if you want to join in our sparring sessions, you also have to join our outings. Hanabi stared at Naruto while Saskue groaned. "Why do I have to join you two on your dates?" Naruto shook his head. "We aren't dating teme, we are just two friends who chill together a lot. Besides, how are we going to be a good team if we don't know anything about each other?" Saskue grunted, "Fine I will join you two." Naruto smiled. "Alright, I don't know about you two but I am up for training! Saskue, follow us to the Abandoned Training Field along the way, we should discuss your, eh… ambition…" Saskue glared hard at Naruto and looked as if he was going kill him, considering the killing intent rolling off of him. Hanabi got in front of Naruto and glared at Saskue with killing intent of her own. "Touch him, and I will make you suffer what you inflict on him 100 fold." As the conversation progressed, Hanabi continually became more uncomfortable with the idea of Saskue joining them in their activities, but kept still and quiet until Saskue released his killing intent upon Naruto. Naruto shook his head and began whispering in her ear, "Nabi-Chan, he is suffering from pain like we did, I am trying to help him. I don't know what happened but I am determined to find out to help him. The best way to get that out of him is to become friends with him, to gain trust. I was trying to see where my boundaries lay and when he is willing to talk, he will talk. If you are really that worried about our alone time together, don't worry, I will make sure that we do have those, it will not be as often as you might want, but we really need a working three-man cell team." Hanabi scrunched up her face, but let her stance down. "Fine I will accept you for now, but like I said, hurt him in anyway and I will make your life miserable." Saskue grunted as they began to make their way to the Abandoned Training Field.
Along the way, Saskue was fidgeting, as if he was trying to make up his mind and then stopped, "Do you really want to know about my problems?" Hanabi stopped in shock while Naruto just stopped and turned around with a grin. "Yeah sure! Isn't that what friends are for?" Saskue sighed as they continued walking in silence. Hanabi was utterly confused. That is so not Saskue, or maybe it is him, maybe his mood is his mask, much like Ruto-Kun and I have ours. Man I feel like such an ass, but why the hell did I react that way? Hanabi shook away her thoughts as Saskue began his story. "When I was little, my brother had all the attention of my father and as for me, I was expected to follow in his foot steps, I never received any praise, most of the time it was either 'if you keep this up you will be just like your brother' or 'your brother had this and more down by the time he was your age'. Whenever I interacted with him, he would poke me in the forehead and say 'maybe next time, Saskue'. I was always seen as inferior to my brother, which was true, everything I did, he did better. Then one day, things began to change, my brother was always late, as he began not to follow through on everything. At first, I thought he was upset over the death of his best friend, but then he showed me an abnormal sharingan. I asked my father if there was a more powerful sharingan. He told me about the Mangekyou Sharingan, which only very few have achieved. No one knew how to get it so no matter how many have tried they could not activate it. He then told me not to follow my brother anymore and began to teach me the Uchiha signature technique, Katon: Goukakyuu No Jutsu. When I had it down, he told me the very words that I always wanted to hear from him, 'that's my son' the very words he always said to my brother. Unfortunately, that would be the last time I would see him as I made my way home that night after training as something was off."
Saskue shuddered at what he was going to say. "Everything was quiet and I made my way around the corner and everyone on the street was dead. Sacred and shocked I made my way to my house and as soon as reached for the handle, I froze in fear. I brought up my courage to go through with it but I wish I hadn't. There he was, my brother standing over our parents, at first I was in denial, I thought he was there to try to save them, but I knew better. Itachi then activated his Mangekyou Sharingan and showed me everything he had done. Auntie, father, mother, uncle, everyone!" Saskue began to cry as Naruto moved in to hug Saskue, who much to Hanabi's surprise hugged back, and once again, Hanabi's temper flared. What the hell are you doing Ruto-Kun!? Those hugs are only meant to be for me! Why the hell am I so pissed!? Besides, what can be worse than seeing your entire family being slain by the hands of your own sibling? Is it worse than seeing your own sibling die in front of you? Wait a second, how can I be so stupid? He's an Uchiha, but Itachi massacred the entire clan! He must have left his brother alive, but for what reason, to let him suffer? Saskue's crying was then reduced to sobs as he pulled away from Naruto and sighed as he continued, "I chased him as much as I can but he stopped and turned around. He told me to kill him, I have to hate him, use that hate to gain power, but I did not have enough to do so yet. He left me alive so that I can kill him and the hatred I hold for him, which builds up everyday. That's my story, and if either of you tell me that I cried, I will make sure to make your life miserable." Naruto laughed as he looked at Saskue. "Well Teme I will make sure to not to tell anyone." Saskue smiled, "Thank you Dobe." Naruto smiled back as they shook hands.
Hanabi shook her head as she remembered a conversation she had with Kakashi when they first met. Maybe Saskue and I aren't that different, it's just that no one saved him from that darkness until now. Maybe I can help him after all and like Ruto-Kun said, we should all be friends. Hanabi smiled, "Hey Saskue-kun. Now that you have told your story, I shall tell mine!" Saskue nodded his head and smirked "Go on Hanabi-Chan, there is no way in hell I'm going to let you two go until I hear your miserable stories of the past!" Hanabi nodded her head and went on to explain everything from how she was raised, to how she and Naruto met, the accident and how she wanted to kill the person until she talked with Kakashi and she launched into what Kakashi said. After that, she explained how she and Naruto played and trained to together and even told a few pranks they pulled. She got to how they beat the crap out of Mizuki yesterday, but did not explain about the Kyuubi, that was Naruto's secret to share. Hanabi made sure to explain how her father treated her as Saskue took it all in. Maybe, I'm not all alone in this world of misery, maybe I don't have to take this path of revenge, like Hanabi-Chan said, power does not have to come from hatred, but from the desire to protect your friends. Saskue nodded his head and then said something no one expected. "Naruto and Hanabi sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Hanabi got red instantly "We are not dating!" Saskue smiled. "Whatever you say Hanabi-Chan."
Saskue turned around to face Naruto. "Ok dobe, what's your story?" Naruto sighed and explained about how people treated him throughout his entire life and on how he met Hanabi, how they played together and then he reached Mizuki. Naruto decided to reveal that the Fourth Hokage sealed the demon fox within him when he was born, which would explain the whole hate the orphan thing going on. Saskue nodded. "Well I believe that's everything about each other. We may now be friends, but I still don't know what your skills are and you don't know mine so we shall spar when we arrive!" Naruto smiled "Having friends sure is great!" Saskue smiled "That they are dobe, that they are." The three friends made their way to the Abandon Training Field.
While the three were talking with each other, Kakashi sunshined into the hokage's office as he was doing the paper work. "Lord Hokage, I wish to discuss something important." The Third Hokage sighed, "Please come in I sure wasn't doing anything important and thank for using the door! Now spit it out what do you need?" Kakashi bowed, "My apologies Hokage-Sama, but I am worried about my team, two of them seem to have feelings for each other, one of those two gets angry when she feels that the third is interfering with her relationship with the first. The third seems to be walking down the path of darkness." The Hokage sighed. "That seems like a potential disaster, I'd suggest to give them a month, if they still seem to have issues and have not worked it out, we will intervene. One month is plenty of time to work it out. But I don't think that's the reason why you're here." Kakashi nodded his head "Yes the reason why I'm here is to discuss Danzo." The third Hokage sighed. "Why must you continue investigating? Even if Danzo did do it, it happened a long time a go, any proof that he might have left behind is gone. I'm sorry Kakashi but you must let this go." Kakashi shook his head "I still feel like Danzo isn't done yet. You told me yourself, go with your gut." Sarutobi leaned backwards in his chair. "I don't know how to tell you this, despite all the questioning I did, he did not admit to committing the crime. I even sent in Ibiki and Inoichi who did not find anything and as such, Danzo did not do this. I know how much you care about the children, but it was just a crowd of drunken citizens." Kakashi sighed in resignation, for now. "Alright, I give up, you are right." Hokage nodded his head. "Now that's settled, do you need anything else?" Kakashi bowed. "No Hokage-Sama that will be all. See you later." Kakashi shunshined out as the third Hokage himself walked out the room. "I need to take a walk." A mysterious figure appeared from the shadows from the corner of the room as the figure shunshined out.
Naruto smiled as he kicked Hanabi in the stomach. When Team 7 arrived to the Abandoned Training Field, they began with the pushups, crunches, punches kicks, etc. Then they began practicing the ninjutsu to build reserves and finished off with sparring. Saskue stated by facing Hanabi, then Naruto, then Hanabi and Naruto fought. The final spar was a three way spar, each man for his self. After that the three began trying to come up with team combos, and adjusting the ones Naruto and Hanabi already had. They even prepared for the occasion that Saskue was alone with Naruto or Hanabi. They also prepared for the occasion all of the were separated, coded speech in case they suspected enemy infiltration, or they needed to send a message in case they needed to tell the others something without actually saying it. Then they practiced out these combos, they tried out different reactions because the first rule of battle is that once the first punch is thrown all battle plans are thrown out as you cannot predict how the enemy reacts and one must react to that reaction. They were practicing unexpected reactions, which come to the first rule of ninja, expect the unexpected.
As Naruto pushes through with his kick he was not surprised as the shadow clone was dispelled and his mind automatically searched for the enemy within milliseconds left, right, back, front, up, down. Naruto smirked as he threw a kunai into the bushes and Hanabi jumped out in reaction then Naruto threw 9 kunai. Only one direction to go now Nabi-Chan but he was genuinely surprised as she let the Kunai hit her, which dispelled the shadow clone. All of a sudden he felt a sharp metal at his neck. "Got you Ruto-Kun. So that makes us tied again, huh?" Naruto smirked "Yosh! Nabi-Chan you may be right, if I wasn't a clone!" Hanabi smirked as she felt a metal object touch her neck. "Hmmm that doesn't change the fact were tied." Hanabi then threw the Kunai in a tree, which made Naruto jump from it. As this was happening, Hanabi took the clone in front of her, used him as a shield for the Kunai the Naruto behind her just threw and picked it up and dispelled the clone by throwing it at him. Hanabi then made a clone in midair right behind Naruto and grappled him as they landed on the ground and locked the hold in. Naruto groaned. "Alright, you got me, I concede it's a tie… for now." Hanabi still held Naruto in that position.
Saskue sighed as he walked up to them. "Hmmm pretty good but I think he is actually conceding seeing as it's getting late out." Hanabi then got up, but never let her guard down. "BOO!" "AAAHHHHH!" There was laughing going on from behind her and she turned to Naruto. "That was unnecessary!" Naruto laiged even harder, "That soean't mae it any less funny!" Saskue chuckled at this spectacle. "Calm down, we should go to bed early seeing as we need to get up tomorrow." Hanabi sighed. "Ok see you Saskue-Kun!" Hanabi then turned to Naruto when Saskue went out of sight. "Ruto-Kun, I will admit, that was fun, but now we are finally alone." Naruto smiled as he held Hanabi in his arms and began stroking her back. "So what do you want to do, sit there looking cute? Or do you want to go to the park?" Hanabi smiled as she tripped Naruto to the ground and lay down next to him. "Tell me what do you think?" Naruto shook his head. "Star gazing it is then!" The two laid there as the stars began to appear one by one until the whole sky lit up, as Naruto and Hanabi held each other, with Naruto stroking Hanabi's back. Hanabi snuggled closer to Naruto. "I want this to last forever." Naruto looked at Hanabi for a moment. "Me too, Nabi-Chan." The two smiled as they enjoyed watching the sky.
A/N Alright a few things, first, check out my newest Wind Waker One-Shot 'Long Live the King' But it will probably be up after a few hours this goes up. Now don't worry as I wrote it a YEAR ago with the intention of it being a creepypasta, but it kinda failed. I was looking through my old files and found it and thought it would be a nice idea to put it up as a fanfic and see where it goes. Anyways it is apparent to me that I am doing weekly updates now, but like always don't trust that. Anyways, moving on to my comments on this chapter. As the writer I always say its excellent, but as always I want external opinion, which is what reviews are for! I really don't like drastic changes to characters in any stories, but in this situation, I felt it was necessary for Team 7 to work well as a team so they can kick ass in whatever situation my muse thinks up of. This is going slower than I expected but whatever I feel what needs to go down for the build up, is necessary. I just put in a little reminder for those that think the whole Danzo thing is going away, but who is this mysterious figure? If you guess it correctly... I won't tell you as I don't know yet, I originally wasn't going to put that scene in there, but I let my instincts and muse take over and viola! Mysterious Plot has been revived! Shit won't get real until Naruto comes back from his training with Jiraiya. So sit tight as I go through the test, skip through the wave arc, go through some of the Exams, then the invasions, skip through the Tsunade, maybe slow down when Naruto and Itachi meet, and finally the Saskue Retrieval Arc. Each of those is going to take 1-2 chapters maybe except for chuunin exams and Invasion those might take 1-4 each... maybe. So maybe a maximum of 14 more chapters, a minimum of 6. Estimated 10 chapters. Might be less, might be more, lets see what I can come up with. I gave you my chapter estimation, lets see if I am correct, I shall count up the chapters I make and when Naruto come back with Jiraiya I will see if I am correct. Wow, this is a rather long Author's Note. Like always R&R and this is 9tailsfox2 signing off!