Chapter 8-Chuunin Exams
A little over two weeks went by, as Tazuna set to work on building the bridge with new found strength, and with plenty of workers to go around now that Gato was dead. Now however, it was time for Team 8 to leave, and head back to Konoha to inform the Hokage of all of the invents that transpired.
Well...almost all the events that transpired.
"Do you really have to go so soon?" said Tsunami, as she, her son, her Grandfather, and the rest of the people of Wave Country see them a goodbye.
"Sorry. We loved to stay longer, but now that the bridge is complete we have to return to see the Hokage, and to have him send someone to discuss new trade agreements between Fire and Wave," said Kurenai knowing that the Hokage would do so not only for Konoha to prosper due to getting trade rights first, but also to help Wave get out of poverty, and help the little Country grow.
"Be sure to visit us when you can," said Tazuna holding up a liquor bottle before he took a drink of its contents.
"You will come back, right Naruto?" said Inari looking up at Naruto, who just patted the boy's head, and gave him a nod before giving the kid a hug.
'He's so great with kids. Perfect Father figure material,' thought Hinata and Haku before the two looked at each other, realizing they each had the same thought, and gave the other a death glare.
"See you around guys," said Naruto before Team 8 with Haku walking across the bridge heading back to Konoha to fill in the Hokage about their mission.
"Hey! We didn't name the bridge yet?" said Inari looking at his Grandfather, who then slapped his head, and realized his Grandson was indeed right.
"Damn! You're right Inari. I know! How about 'The Super Great Namikaze Bridge of Awesomeness'?" said Tazuna making everyone sweat drop and crickets were heard not to far chirping.
"O-kay. How about we just simply name it 'The Great Namikaze Bridge' instead?" said Inari with everyone nodding in agreement.
"I still think putting in 'Super' and 'Awesomeness' would have been just as nice," said Tazuna before taking another quick drink of his liquor only to have Tsunami grab it from him and tossed it over the bridge.
The old man's scream could be heard for miles.
(Konoha-Several Days Later)
"Team 8 ready with the mission being a success and are ready to give our report Hokage-sama," said Kurenai with her team entering his office with Team 7 apparently finishing up their first C-ranked mission.
"Ah good. Team 7 was just finishing up. Have your team stay here Kakashi I'm sure you will want to know how your sensei's son did on is mission," said the Sandaime seeing the man narrow his one normal eye since it was like a wound that the older of the two men wouldn't let heal.
"So tell us, how was your weak C-ranked mission Namikaze? And who is this woman you have with you. Some weak whore you wish to revive your clan with?" said Sasuke with a cruel smile on his face only to find himself pinned to the wall with several ice needles.
"Her name is Momochi Haku and she is the proud adopted daughter of the late Momochi Zabuza. In addition, Haku is under my protection via Namikaze Clan laws with support from my two teammates," said Naruto smiling at Haku, who blushed at his praise, and bowed to the Hokage to show him respect.
This info of course got the Hokage's full attention.
"I think its best if you start at the top Kurenai," said the Sandaime seeing the woman nod before she began retelling her team's story from the beginning from what she knew while leaving out the part between her student being possessed by Kyuubi and Haku servicing the Demon Lord during that possession.
If certain parties on either of the Councils knew they would be in a complete uproar.
"I see. So Haku you have a bloodline limit that is similar, yet different from the Nidaime back when he first took office as Hokage, and when I was still a young man at the time. I am sorry to hear about your adopted Father's death, as I'm sure he could have helped us with his skills, and he could have learned a lot from us in the process. If I may ask, what did you do with the man's sword?" said the Sandaime knowing that the man either had it buried with him or Team 8 took it with them.
"Right here in a storage scroll Haku let me take from the hideout she and Zabuza were staying at. I haven't decided what to do with the sword yet though since I have Trickster so I might just have someone else take it off my hands provided they train with it," said Naruto since he felt it should go to someone deserving as it predecessor.
"Give me the sword then if you think you're not man enough to handle it," said Sasuke having been freed from the wall and reaching out to take the scroll only for Naruto to backhand the appendage away.
"It's my choice, who I give this sword to Uchiha-teme, and I suggest you remember that before I remove your hand from your wrist," said Naruto before pocketing the scroll and seeing the Uchiha glare at him with a now revealed yet incomplete Sharingan.
"I demand you give that sword to me!" said Sasuke looking infuriated by his denial to have more power.
"Power is earned teme not given. Besides, now that I think about it, I may just have the perfect candidate for Zabuza's sword, and if Konoha has a good Kenjutsu instructor I bet he could be pretty wicked with it," said Naruto grinning at the idea of giving his good friend the sword provided that he focused on that as well as Taijutsu.
"We'll see Naruto. For now, take Haku home to your house after you get your mission pay, which given the severity of the information bring it up to an S-ranked mission, and with that respectfully comes a bonus for killing Zabuza. I'm sorry Haku, but the man did kill his fair share of Leaf Shinobi during his service to Mist, and we did have a bounty on his head," said the Sandaime seeing the young woman look sad at that, but Naruto putting his arm around her shoulder made her feel better, and for that she was grateful to him.
(Namikaze Estate-Sometime Later)
"I see. So Haku is going to be one of several wives I take it?" said Sesshomaru having heard the unrated mission report from Naruto, as Kurenai was out with Anko, who was telling her about the time she spent with the Demon Lord.
Kami only knows how that will turn out.
"Yes. Eventually she along with Hinata-chan will marry me, but for now were going to hold off on that, and keep things simple. Well...as simple as possible anyway," said Naruto, who blushed along with Haku, and hoped that his Father would understand if things got a little loud at night from time to time.
Naruto still didn't know whether a Sound Barrier Jutsu could keep out a Demon Lord's sense of hearing or not.
Haku herself couldn't believe she was standing before a Demon Lord of all beings and made sure she was extra respectful in his presence since the man had been the major influence in her lover's life. She had told the regal being about Zabuza and her life up until the mission by Gato to kill the bridge builder. The Demon Lord understood the measure of hatred humans have for things they don't understand, Naruto being one of them, his own brother Inuyasha was another, and of course people that were afraid of unique bloodline limits like Haku's own.
"Very well. Haku will stay here at the Estate, as previously agreed upon, and should the desire for the two of you to express your love for each other arise; it is to be done without the ears or eyes of others knowing about it. The same applies for any other females that you wish to take in as your wife. Am I understood in this delicate matter my son?" said Sesshomaru, who saw the boy nod while blushing, and the Demon Lord smiled a gentle smile knowing that his adopted son while growing up fast, was also handling it with a great deal of maturity.
(With Anko and Kurenai)
"YOU DID WHAT?!" said Kurenai before she began choking the life out of Anko, who was trying to fight of Kurenai's newly found Tsunade like strength.
"I...had...sex...with...Sesshomaru," said Anko trying to gasp for breath after each word.
"You couldn't wait until I came back from my mission could you? You just had to see him one night and let him screw you?" said Kurenai finally letting go of Anko's neck wishing it had been her in that bed with the Demon Lord and not her friend.
"Well...I was horny! All right! Besides, it's not like the man was without the stamina to satisfy me, all things considered with him being a Demon Lord, and having the power to go longer then any human alive. Hell, he tired me out after so many hours, and between the two of us I have no doubt he could take us on along with several other women before he even tired out. If you want to have some of him then take it now! What's stopping you anyway?" said Anko looking at Kurenai, who looked away having blushed at the purple haired woman's words of Sesshomaru's love making skills, and found herself acting shy just like her Hyuuga student.
"I just want it to be special. To be more then mindless sex like you see it," said Kurenai before seeing Anko frown at that looking surprisingly hurt.
"Is that what you think it is for me? Just mindless sex? If that's what you think, then you are dead wrong, and I'll have you know that what I have with Sesshomaru is deeper then simple fucking," said Anko sounding more hurt with each moment and Kurenai knew she hit a nerve.
"Sorry," said Kurenai knowing she needed to prevent this from exploding any further.
"It's all right. Besides its better you see it like that and realize you were wrong then those asshole villagers telling horrible things about me behind my back," said Anko knowing that things like this shouldn't destroy good friendships.
"Yeah. Again I'm sorry. Do you mind if I talk to Sesshomaru tonight?" said Kurenai, as she saw Anko smile at her words, and the Genjutsu Mistress felt embarrassing nervous at asking the question.
You're only going to talk? You're not going to...you know!" said Anko making sexual gesture with her mouth that if any male saw would get a nose bleed all the way to the moon.
"Anko!" said Kurenai her face turning a shade of red darker then her eyes and the snake woman ran from her to escape another strangling of the vocal cords.
(Council Room)
"He can't do this!" said Homura hearing what the Hokage told him about Naruto and Haku.
"He can and he has Homura. With the support of the Aburame Heir along with that of the Hyuuga Heiress, Namikaze Naruto has invoked his clan's right to protect Haku from our more zealous Council members, who only see her as a breeding machine, and not as a person," said the Sandaime, who was glad Naruto called upon such a law, and save Haku from the fools on the two Councils.
"Then we demand that the Namikaze make her have his child immediately!" said Danzo knowing that any bloodline, including Haku's, which was possibly the closest thing to the Nidaime's should be made to grow, and under the care of people like himself.
"You have no business interfering in another clan's affairs Danzo and I personally see no logic behind you doing so," said Aburame Shibi looking at the man with a sense of anger or what passes for anger in an Aburame these days.
"Regardless the girl should be given to the Uchiha to coax him into rebuilding his clan. I say we create an arranged marriage for the two. The girl is old enough so she can have children shortly after receiving his seed," said Koharu, who wanted the Uchiha Clan to rise to power again, and see the Namikaze finally die with the demon.
"The Namikaze Clan laws forbid that unless the Clan Head, Heir, and/or Heiress consent to it," said the Sandaime seeing his former teammates silently curse under their breaths while Danzo merely scowled at the Third.
"The boy shouldn't even be a Shinobi! I say he be stripped of his rank, his mind wiped of all the Jutsus he knows, and give his sword to the Uchiha," said the Haruno woman from the Civilian Council with many of her associates agreeing.
"To think, the Yondaime gave his life all so you could persecute his son. If he saw you all now, he would have simply let Kyuubi run through here, and kill you all," said the Third while the Civilian Council members scoffed at this while the Shinobi side nodding their heads in agreement with the exception of those that opposed Naruto.
"That boy is a demon and deserves to die. Kushina was right to abandon him shortly after his birth," said Homura, as he got nods from Danzo, and Koharu only for them to be silenced by a blast of nearly crushing killer intent from the new entity that had entered the room.
It was coming from Sesshomaru, who been outside listening in on the conversation since he refused to sit with humans that would disrespect his adopted son, and support the Uchiha boy.
"Perhaps, I should arrange for various members of the Councils to take a trip into Demon World, and let them face the horrible fate of being part of a race that is in the minority?" said Sesshomaru, as the various Council members on both turning white at the threat, and sweating up a storm of fear.
"There will be no need for that Sesshomaru-sama," said the Sandaime seeing the various members on either Council looking ready to keel over and die.
Unfortunately, that would be asking Sesshomaru, and/or Kami for too much he surmised.
"Good," said Sesshomaru before leaving knowing the matter was settled for the day.
(Konoha Streets-1 Week Later)
Naruto walked through the streets of Konoha enjoying himself today with Hinata by his side having just met with Kurenai and learned that his team was nominated by her for the Chuunin Exams. The team signed the forms and gave them back to Kurenai, who told them that they could have a day off in light of their hectic battle in Wave, and just do whatever they wanted.
Haku had asked the Hokage if she could become a Med Nin or Doctor at the Hospital since she didn't want to lose anyone precious to her like she did Zabuza even if he died in a manner befitting him. Naturally, the old man agreed, and sent her off with some scrolls Tsunade had left behind before leaving for Kami knows where. Each scroll was a proxy of everything Tsunade learned during her time learning the medical arts, which Haku threw herself into, and also began looking into Taijutsu training as well. Granted, she couldn't be a Shinobi right now due to the probation period the Hokage put her under, but it didn't mean she couldn't become stronger in the process, and by Kami she was going to do just that.
As for Naruto and Hinata, the two were making their way down one of the alleys when they sense three chakra signatures coming from a moving square rock with eye holes. Naruto could only sigh, as he found it hard to believe that the Sandaime's Grandson had idolized him of all people, and couldn't help at recalling the memory of how the little gaki came into his life.
(Flashback)
Naruto had just gotten his picture taken sitting in a chair wearing a regal crimson black outfit with crimson red on key parts of his legs and arms similar to his adopted Father's own design. The guy taking the picture even commented on how the kid was going to be a heartbreaker in a few years and then mumbled on how he wished he was young again to be in the Namikaze's sandals. After that, Naruto gave all the proper identification to the Hokage, who was just as impressed as the photographer was, and silently wished he was Naruto's age again with the same type of appearance.
'Nooo. I have to be old and do paperwork. Curse you Minato!' thought the Sandaime, as he had cursed for what would be the one hundredth time that morning at his late chosen successor, and put Naruto's identification away.
"How are you holding up old man? Paperwork still getting to you?" said Naruto with a fox like gleam in his eyes that made Sarutobi's eyebrow twitch since he knew that the boy how much he hated this large amount of work that never seemed to die down.
Before he could answer the door to their right/left opened and a boy no less then 8 years old appeared with a shuriken blabbing on about how he was going to defeat the old man. The boy got less then within 7 feet from the desk before tripping over his own two feet right onto his face and the kid in question not liking it one bit.
"You! You're the one that tripped me didn't you?" said the boy accusingly pointing his finger at Naruto while making a mental reminder to find out where the blonde got his clothes.
"You tripped over yourself kid. Its called motor skills...use them," said Naruto getting up to walk away only for the boy babysitter/tutor to run into the room and glared at Naruto for secret reasons.
'That boy! Oh no! The Honorable Grandson!' thought the Shinobi with shades on his face.
"Ah Ebisu, I see you finally decided to apprehend my Grandson again after another failed attempt on my life, none too soon since Naruto is about to pound him into the ground," said the Sandaime, who looked at Naruto holding the boy in a headlock ready to beat the younger boy's brain in.
"Stop! Put down the Honorable Grandson Konohamaru right now!" said Ebisu, who was moving his right hand slowly to his kunai pouch, and wondering if he could injure the Namikaze in the process.
"Honorable who now?" said Naruto looking from Ebisu, the Hokage, and then finally back to the boy looking at him angrily.
"Go ahead and hit me! We both know you won't since I'm the Hokage's grandson," said the boy believing that Naruto wouldn't lay a hand on him.
"Really? Kids got an even crazier imagination then I do," said Naruto, as his grin turned feral and before anyone could act Naruto disappeared with the boy in a simple "poof" of smoke.
"AH! The Honorable Grandson has been kidnapped!" said Ebisu in a panic while the old Hokage simply groaned wonder what Naruto was going to do to his Grandson.
Not good if the prankster side of the Namikaze had its way.
Ebisu was able to find Konohamaru tied upside down, on a tree with his face painted like a monkey, and a note for the boy saying "respect is earned...not given". Ever since then the boy had ditched his "teacher" and tried to find Naruto to help him become stronger like his Grandfather. Ebisu tried to stop this of course, but failed after Naruto knocked him out, gagged him with an Icha Icha Paradise book, and hung him over the women's side of the hot springs naked with a sign on his back saying "Hit me please I'm a pervert trying to quit!".
The poor man was later emitted to the Hospital after looking like he had been used as a piñata for several hours.
(End Flashback)
"Konohamaru, if I've told you once, I've told you quite literally a thousand times, and for the last time you can't sneak around in a rock that's shaped into a square!" said Naruto turning his head to the see the box shake with smoke coming out of it before it went off like a mini-bomb.
"Too much smoke," said Konohamaru, as he, and two others appeared coughing up a fit at the amount of smoke that was around them.
'Someone was going for a dramatic entrance,' thought Naruto sweat dropping at the trio of kids before him.
The said trio looked like the kid versions of the Sandaime and his two former teammates when they were younger though it was quite clear that this generation of the two Council member's lookalikes were much purer looking. Even the pose and introduction of Moegi and Udon with Konohamaru at the end showed that this trio would make any of the girls or women around him (except Anko) think they were cute.
"They look so adorable!" said Hinata making the trio of kids face plant since "cute" was NOT what they were going for.
'I knew she would say that,' thought Naruto proving his case in point.
"So what are you guys doing here? I thought I only told Konohamaru to train hard so you can one day have me as your official sensei?" said Naruto folding his arms and looking at the trio expecting an answer.
"Sorry Boss. You see these guys are my friends and after hearing what an awesome ninja you are they both wanted to learn from you too!" said Konohamaru giving a sheepish grin while Naruto himself raised an eyebrow.
"It couldn't hurt Naruto-kun," said Hinata knowing that if Naruto was in fact going to be a Jounin sensei one day he would have to take on a trio of kids fresh out of the Academy.
"No it wouldn't. At least not me anyway," said Naruto grinning a grin that made the trio shiver since the person before them would make the rules for the training.
"Who's the awesome pretty girl Boss? Is she your...?" said Konohamaru sticking his pinky finger out making, which made Hinata blush, and Naruto wrap his arm around her waist making her squeak in surprise since she was still getting familiar to how his touch felt on her.
"Yep! So hands off or else...I won't train you anymore or your friends," said Naruto, as he saw the trio turn white, and nodded their heads quickly.
Naruto could only smile, he felt they were too young to understand he had another girl added to the younger boy's statement, and the last thing he needed was to be blamed for making the boy or his teammates perverted.
"As if you could train anyone baka!" said Sakura walking into the alley having heard the group talk and found it disgusting.
"Okay, which one of you made a Jutsu that makes one of the Hokage heads move around, and act like a whiny bitch with a huge forehead?" said Naruto looking at the trio, who at this point were trying not to laugh, and failed before rolling over laughing loudly.
Pity Sakura didn't share in the laughing or the humor.
"That's it! I'm pounding you and those brats into next week!" said Sakura while her inner version began hacking away at training dummies with a two ton ax.
"Bring it on Humongous Foreheadzilla!" said Konohamaru before mooning the girl with his friends following while Naruto shook his head sighing, and Hinata turned her head away to hide her blushing cheeks.
"DIE!" yelled Sakura, who turned her full attention to the trio, and was now in hot pursuit of them with the fullest intent to beat the snot out of them.
"Shall we save my future team from certain doom?" said Naruto looking at Hinata, who nodded since it was probably for the best, and decided that saving Sakura from being thrown in a cell with Ibiki or Anko was all right too.
But not by much seeing how tempting as it was.
The Konohamaru Corps. had just turned the corner when they bumped into someone, who didn't like being bumped into, and picked up Konohamaru by the scruff of his shirt.
"Hey! Put me down lady? I'm too young to be fraternizing with strange women," said Konohamaru making the said "lady", who was in fact a guy having an eyebrow twitching fit with the slightly older girl behind him trying to hide her laughter.
"I'm a guy you snot nosed brat! Just for that remark I'm going to pound all the baby teeth out of your mouth," said the young Shinobi cocking back his fist to carry out his threat only to find a hand on his shoulder.
"Kankuro we can't do this. We'll get in trouble," said the blonde girl with pigtails, as she looked around nervously, and hoped no one was hearing this confrontation.
"Stay out of this Temari! These Konoha wimps need to learn not to mess with the people from Suna, who are clearly their betters," said Kankuro his face snarling a bit before he repeated to cock his fist back, only this time he was stopped by senbon needle to his wrist holding the boy, and a kick to his face into the fence creating a small imprint by the force of the blow.
"Didn't your Mother ever tell you to not pick on little kids? Especially ones, who are the Grandson's of a Hokage, and if word got out start another war between villages," said Naruto seeing Haku on the roof behind him and Hinata behind Temari in a Gentle Fist stance ready to hit the Suna girl should she decide to do anything.
Konohamaru along with the other two, hid behind the Namikaze while Kankuro got up from the ground growling as he did and was soon hit by a small pebble size rock. Sasuke was in a nearby tree holding a few more to throw with Sakura squealing about how he was so cool. Naruto of course, ignored the pink haired fan-girl, and focused on a chakra signature that had been in hiding behind the Uchiha that made the male blonde of this stand off frown.
Acting quickly, Naruto created a fire whip, and used it on the tree Sasuke was in making the Uchiha jump out of the way, as the tall part of the tree he was sliding off, and quickly burning to ash. Everyone stared bug eyed at the blonde Namikaze's actions before sand swirled to the side of Naruto revealing a red haired boy, carrying a gourd filled with sand on his back, and had a kanji for "love" tattooed on his head.
"Your ability to detect me was very impressive, as was the skill you employed to attack me, and had I not move when I did I might actually have been hurt," said the red haired boy, who looked at Naruto with dead eyes that spoke of insomnia, and insanity mixed in there.
"You three are from Suna correct? Guests in another man's home don't hide or else they aren't considered guests at all. They're considered intruders and like any man, who can defends his home, I'll defend mine from silent predators like you, and do a damn good job of it," said Naruto his eyes staring intently at the youngest of the three Suna Shinobi, who stared back, and seemed to be gauging something.
"Your eyes. They are strong and have seen battle. You are like me. Tell me your name so I may look forward to fighting you later," said the red haired boy, as his eyes showed a hint of growing bloodlust.
"Since you three are the guests, why don't you go first, and then afterwards I'll give mine in return," said Naruto his eyes flashing red making Gaara's eyes widen slightly at this, but only for a second, and too quickly for anyone to notice.
"Subaku no Gaara, with me are my brother Subaku no Kankuro, and my sister Subaku no Temari. We are here for the Chuunin Exams being held here in a few days," said Gaara, as his eyes never left Naruto's, who nodded his head, and grinned a fox like grin that was more feral then prankster looking.
"Really? My team is entering too. My names Naruto. Namikaze Naruto at your service," said Naruto grabbing the blonde haired girl's hand and gave it a gentleman's kiss making Temari blush, Kankuro angry, Gaara raising an eyebrow, the Team 7 members frowning, and the Namikaze's two current love interests looking angrily at the Suna girl.
"My name is Momochi Haku," said Haku appearing next to Naruto and sending a glare at Temari.
"Hyuuga Hinata," said Hinata while giving a Byakugan style glare at Temari, who was now sweating bullets at being the center of hostile female attention.
'If I didn't know any better I could have sworn I was being glared at by this hot blonde's future wives,' thought Temari, as she saw how protective the two females were over the Namikaze, and how she just thought of him as "hot" of all things was another thing that was getting to her.
"My other teammate is currently busy with training so I'll leave you three to get where it is you're going, but if I find you doing anything I don't approve of Gaara...I'll kill you," said Naruto his eyes now turning demonic red for a good 5 seconds so Gaara would see that he meant business before walking away with his friends and teammate while the Konohamaru Corps. looked at him with awe.
"G-Gaara I...," said Kankuro, who was silence by the red haired boy's glare, and even stumbled back when the youngest of the three siblings did something that neither of the other two liked.
Gaara smiled.
"Finally, there is someone in this world, who is strong, and is worth fighting to kill," said Gaara before the smile faded, as he remembered Naruto's words, and decided that for the moment he would keep his "Mother" waiting for blood a little while longer.
Besides..."she" seemed to be calm right now for once.
As the three Suna siblings walked away to head to their hotel, Sasuke scowled at being ignored by the obviously strong red haired boy, and would have followed had it not been for the fact that they had to meet their sensei on a bridge for a quick meeting. Though all in all Sasuke knew that the Suna trio were not going anywhere, and if he heard correctly from Naruto was true...things were going to get interesting for him around here.
(Hokage's Office)
"You wanted to see me?" said Sesshomaru teleporting in having been contacted by the Hokage discreetly by a messenger monkey the old Hokage summoned.
"Yes. I need you to find someone for me and bring that said individual back to the Leaf village," said the Hokage before handing the folder containing the information of this person over to the Demon Lord.
"Why her?" said Sesshomaru looking at the folder with little interest in this person that the Hokage was asking him to retrieve.
"Because I think we'll need her soon. Because you took Naruto, I have been able to use what Shinobi resources I would have used to protect the boy to spy for me instead, and they came across some information that I do not like that was added on to what one of my old students supplied to me in a recent message," said the Sandaime, who lit his pipe, and began smoking much to the Demon Lord's annoyance.
"Like what exactly? If I am to look for this person and to leave my son under your care while I am away I need to know all the information you have behind your reasons," said Sesshomaru eyeing the Hokage with piercing eyes.
"I believe Orochimaru is going to return during the Chuunin Exams. Several of my spies I was able to place in Suna using our alliance with them have shown that the Kazekage has made frequent trips to the Sound Village in Rice Country. At the same time, my other wandering student Jiraiya the Toad Sannin has received info on Orochimaru's current whereabouts being rumored to take up residents there, but nothing fully conclusive to say for sure, and my other student Tsunade the Slug Sannin is the only one that is uncounted for. What I want, is your help to have her return to Konoha, and defend it like her two Kage relatives did years past when I was still a child," said the Sandaime knowing that if Orochimaru did indeed attack Konoha, it would be better well protected under that of two Sannin rather then one, and an elderly Hokage well past his prime.
"And if words cannot convince her?" said Sesshomaru knowing that there always was the less then moral alternative.
"Then I'm afraid you will have to make her come back. She has had enough time to heal for past sins she feels she has committed, but then again so have I, and yet here I am in Konoha. The time you have spent in Konoha has allowed me to come to a revelation I should have come across years ago, but in my shame I never did, and right now I want Tsunade back in the village using the skills she learned here to good use," said the Third Hokage, as his eyes hardened, and a scowl came upon his face.
"Very well. If this is to work I will need someone to accompany me on this trip to find her and a starting point in which to start looking," said Sesshomaru, as he had never walked outside of Konoha before and would need a well strong guide.
"Anko is taking part of the Chuunin Exams coming up, as one of its proctors, and I'm having Yugao's team patrolling more. The only one that might help you is Kurenai, but she is the sensei to your son, and I do not wish to deprive her of teaching her students during the one month break before the final part of the Exam," said the Sandaime seeing the Demon Lord scowl at that since Hinata had her clan, so did Shino, and Naruto...well all he had to do was keep training with what he had.
"Unfortunately, it cannot be helped. If you wish for me to find Tsunade as quickly as possible I will need someone, who has travelling experience that I can trust to help me walk through the Elemental Countries, and make the search quicker. If this Orochimaru wishes to destroy Konoha, as you suspect he will, then you have until the final part of the Chuunin Exams takes place, and the one time where the village is vulnerable to surprise attacks. While Kurenai will probably not be here to oversee her students training for the Exams during the one month before the final part, I do not foresee Naruto slacking off anytime soon, and he will push himself to be ready for everything this Exam throws at him," said Sesshomaru confidently since he had always wanted his adopted son to train so he would not lose his edge.
"I want you two to get ready for departure before the Exams start, which will be starting 2 days from now in the middle of the afternoon, and the second half officially ending another 5 days after that. You have a little over a month to find Tsunade before returning back to Konoha just in time for the beginning of the Chuunin Exam Finals and help me stop Orochimaru from whatever it is he's planning," said Sarutobi, who got a nod from Sesshomaru, and then without a word the Demon Lord soon left to take care of things on his end.
(2 Days Later)
Naruto left his house completely refreshed ready to tackle the day wishing Haku had a good day herself, which she responded by giving him a kiss on the cheek, and then on the lips. If Hinata saw it, she would be upset like Hokage was with paperwork, and unlike the Hokage the Namikaze knew his Hyuuga-hime would not be ever so reluctant to attack her problems.
Speaking of the Hyuuga girl, she was waiting for him along with Shino, and with himself being the final member in the group entered the Academy for the Exam. They walked up a flight of stairs to the second floor only to be stopped along a hallway of classrooms that led to the third floor where several familiar friends were making a scene. Rock Lee, who had unfortunately taken after his sensei, had started something with two supposed Genin while his teammates pretended to seem weak, fragile to everyone around them. Near his friends was the arrogant member of Team 7 Uchiha Sasuke, who much to the Namikaze's annoyance gave away the Genjutsu placed on the door that would cause the floodgates of unworthy candidates to fill the actual Exam room.
Hey Lee, Tenten, and Neji! How's it going?" said Naruto seeing everyone's attention now currently on the Uchiha.
"Pretty good Naruto," said Tenten eyeing him a little longer, then Hinata would have liked, but decided to stay quiet about it for now, and see if she would be worthy of Naruto's interest.
"Hinata-sama, I hope we do well for our respectable sides of our clan, and in the hopes we can truly be one family again," said Neji giving a brief bow to Hinata, who bowed back, and thanked her cousin for his support.
"Trust me Neji by the time this Exam is over, Konoha is going to have an all time record high advancement in Chuunin promotions, and the Hokage is going to be swamped with more paperwork then his old heart can handle," said Naruto grinning a fox like grin while Neji shuddered, as he had seen Hiashi deal with clan paperwork, and could only imagine what a Hokage's amount was like.
"For someone, who wants to be Hokage you don't look too afraid of dealing with it, and act like you know something Naruto-kun," said Tenten before she forced her blush down, as Hinata slowly looked at the bun haired girl, and had a look that said "what did you call him" on her face.
"Let's just say I learned a secret the Third Hokage would give his Monument Head for," said Naruto letting out a chuckle before seeing Sasuke try to attack the Chuunin no longer in disguise and Rock Lee intercepting it.
'It must be something if Naruto said that!' thought Neji since it was only rumored that the Yondaime had learned the secret only to take such knowledge with him to his grave.
"Nice going teme! You just let a whole bunch of weaklings get a break in advancing to the actual Exam. Everyone, who is strong that actually deserves to go to the next round please thank the Uchiha, and his team helping those that are not worthy for advancing," said Naruto mocking a bow at the Uchiha before walking past Team 9 giving them a thumbs up and headed to the third floor.
As for Team 7, they were glared at by various other teams from other villages, and made them feel like a large target marker was put on their backs.
After making their way into the room, Naruto saw other teams from other hidden villages that had gotten there before them, and the various trios of teams looked pretty strong. He saw a bunch of Mist, Grass, and even Iwa of all Shinobi teams to show up to this event. He saw Suna's star team looking at him, with Kankuro sneering, Gaara remaining stone faced, and Temari looking into his eyes before looking away while a tint of red seemed to paint itself briefly onto her face.
There was another team that seemed to be from a small village with a music note on their headbands, but there was something else about them that didn't feel right, and if Naruto was going to get to the bottom of this he was going to have to watch the trio in his own way.
"About time you guys made it. Couldn't you be anymore late? It's troublesome," said Shikamaru walking over to team 8 with Choji and Ino behind him.
Or rather Ino was behind him before she elbowed him into a wall and grabbed Naruto into a bone crushing hug not caring that angry steam was coming out of Hinata's ears.
All Shino could do was shake his head and sigh.
"Oh Naruto-kun I missed you so much! I heard rumors your team had a run with some Missing Nins and even some Iwa Nins in your C-ranked mission. I'm so glad you are okay and in one piece. Maybe you can come over to my house after the exams and you can tell me all about it," said Ino in an all too sweet voice, which made Hinata start to see red to match her face, and the steam coming from her ears tripled in output.
Shino had to restrain the Hyuuga Heiress from attacking the platinum blonde while the said girl stuck her tongue out from her angle along Naruto's shoulder.
"Will you guys please keep it down? You're drawing too much attention towards the Leaf with your actions," said a figure with silvery white hair and glasses in a nearby corner.
"What's it to you pal? You don't look like much even if you are a Leaf Shinobi," said Kiba looking at the other Leaf Shinobi, as Team 7 finally arrived on the scene, and trying to look intimidating.
"Possibly considering this isn't my first run through the Chuunin Exams," said the boy in return before pushing his glasses up.
"Is this you second or third shot?" said Sasuke wondering if he could get some needed info off of this kid before him to advance through these Exams.
"My seventh actually," said the silver white haired boy sounding embarrassed, but Naruto could tell he wasn't, and it made him suspicious of the boy.
You so suck!" said Kiba while his companion above it barked in agreement.
"What's your name?" said Naruto having finally escaped Ino's grip on his arm, which he could now feel again, and felt blood return to it once more.
"Kabuto. As for me sucking that may have been the case before, but not this year with all the info I've gathered over the previous tries," said Kabuto reaching into his pouch and producing info cards.
"Are you here for the Chuunin Exams or to play poker?" said Kiba before getting slugged in the head by Sakura.
"You stupid baka! These info cards that Kabuto has could help us against the other teams sent by Mist, Suna, and Naruto-baka's team," said Sakura since she really wanted to get the Namikaze led team back for making her and Sasuke-kun look bad.
"Just because Uchiha-teme doesn't want to get into your granny panties does not mean that you have to be a bitch all the time Sakura," said Naruto making the other Rookies laugh at her though the death glare she sent made some of them shut up.
"Okay that was information even I didn't want to know about. Look I'll pick a card out of this deck and it will give you the stats with info on the individual in question. Do I have any takers?" said Kabuto knowing that any one worth their headband that was around them would want info on the competition.
"Subaku no Gaara, Rock Lee, and Namikaze Naruto," said Sasuke knowing that the boy was hiding a great deal of strength having moved so fast to block the attacks he and the Chuunin were about to hit the other with.
"Oh you know their names? We'll this makes it easier for me. Let's see here...ah here we go. Subaku no Gaara hails from Suna, has to older siblings, who are also his teammates Subaku no Kankuro, and Subaku no Temari. Nothing on physical stats since not much is known about him in the Leaf since this is his first time being here. He's been mostly on B-ranked and even an A-ranked mission with each one having him return without a mark on him," said Kabuto letting out a whistle of a surprise at that along with the others.
'One more person to test my power before I go after Itachi,' thought Sasuke eyeing the red haired boy, who paid no attention to the Uchiha, and merely looked like he was just staring into space.
"Here's Shinobi number two. His names Rock Lee from Konoha of course, teammates are Hyuuga Neji, and Tenten with their teacher being Maito Gai. His Ninjutsu skills are zero along with Genjutsu, but his skills in Taijutsu are way up, and is considered a pretty touch fighter in his own right," said Kabuto, as he saw Lee looking around at others, who in turn looked at him, and wondering how lethal the boy in Green Spandex really was.
'And then there was one,' thought Kiba wondering what kind of info he could get off of Naruto that he didn't already know.
"And last, but certainly not least, we have one Namikaze Naruto, and trust me this card says a lot! Skills perfect all the way around, was Rookie of the Year after fighting Uchiha Sasuke in a legalized fight to find out, and who would get the spot. His adopted Father is a Demon Lord of the dog variety, he wields a demonic sword known as Trickster with its abilities unknown, and He just came back from his first C-ranked mission with his team only to have it bumped up to S-ranked after taking on Momochi Zabuza along with his unknown apprentice. Apparently the young Namikaze here killed Gato, a large chunk of his thugs, and a group of Iwa Shinobi that Gato hired to finish them all off," said Kabuto seeing everyone look at Naruto in a new light and made the other teams in the room very cautious around him.
Especially the Iwa teams.
'How can this loser be so strong? I should have that power not some Namikaze that does not deserve it in the first place!' thought Sasuke, as he gritted his teeth together, and wanted nothing more then to find some way to take the blonde's power from him to make as his own.
"Thanks a lot for selling out several of your fellow Leaf Shinobi Kabuto-teme. Maybe I should just make you pay for it by skewering Trickster here through your loser like ass and out of your mouth?" said Naruto reaching for Trickster's hilt at his waist while Kabuto backed against the wall raised his hands in defense pleasing for what looked like a pathetic attempt at mercy.
"Save it for later Naruto. Besides, the other competition don't like the fact you're being bloodthirsty you troublesome Namikaze," said Shikamaru though he had to admit that both Sasuke and Kabuto kind of shafted a few of his friends and possible comrades in the future.
"What village are those Genin with the music notes on their headbands from?" said Shino since he felt it was better to know now then find out that this seemingly harmless team from a minor village was actually not what they seemed.
His time spending countless hours of studying all forms of bug like behavior had proved that no matter the supposed minority something played in life, it was not something to overlook, and should be watched very carefully.
"Sound. It's a new village that popped up recently in Rice Country. Its not surprising that they would send only one team since they probably have so few members that anyone they send is only halfway decent or just strong enough to make some impression," said Kabuto eyeing the Sound village Genin out of the corner of his eye and the said team didn't look too happy by the remark.
The two male members of the Sound team charged forward, each moving swiftly towards Kabuto, and were within striking distance when Naruto tackled one boy with black spiky hair pressing a kunai to his neck. The other boy, who looked more like a mummy was stopped by a long nodachi like blade pressed to his neck, and its holder was surprisingly another Naruto.
"A smart man, who waits will get his intended kill, and an impatient one is the man that gets killed. So do all of us a favor and kill him later after I do," said the Naruto holding Trickster to the mummy man's neck and raising the blade a little to make the Sound Genin rise with it to prevent any new holes in that area.
"ALL RIGHT YOU LITTLE BASTARDS! LISTEN UP RIGHT NOW! THERE WILL BE NO FIGHTING, CRIPPLING, AND/OR KILLING OF ANY KIND UNLESS I'M THE ONE WHO AUTHORIZE IT!" yelled a man wearing a black bandana, black trench coat, and basically black clothing in general with scars all over his body.
"Now where is the fun in that? Are you sure this is the Chuunin Exams? Sounds to be like a preschool," said the Naruto clone getting off of Zaku and kicking him away to the feet of his female Genin member while the original removed his blade from the other one's throat before shoving him hard in the same direction.
"Keep talking like that and your team will be disqualified instantly," said the scarred man looking at Naruto with hard cold eyes that seemed to make his scars more pronounced.
"Doesn't matter since we'd rather quit now then be stuck in a room full of chicken shit weaklings the Uchiha let in back on the second floor. However, there are a very select few strong teams in here...maaybe we'll stick around just to help them beat the crap out of the weaklings, and then when it's all said and done we can finally have a true test," said Naruto grinning at the scarred man, who narrows his eyes at the boy, and realized that trying to intimidate this kid would be as easy as an infant having the power to summon Gamabunta wearing a pink tutu.
With that being said, the scarred Shinobi walked to the teachers desk, and slammed down a large stack of papers making most of the Genin before him jump.
"My name is Morino Ibiki and I'm the Examiner for this part of the Chuunin Exams. So sit down, shut up, and prepare to enter a world of hell," said Ibiki making several Genin gulp, a few shake, and several individuals smirked at the thought of this being compared to it.
'What they call hell...I call home!' thought Naruto and Gaara at the same time before looking at each other from their respected seats.
Sitting next to Naruto was Sakura, who glared at Naruto, and the Namikaze gave her a look that told the Haruno fan-girl he didn't care. To his other side was Temari, who had every right to be nervous around this boy, and upon being close to him once again felt her body tingle in a sense. The Suna girl squirmed ever so slightly when he turned his head to her and the strange feeling grew into something else making her feel warm inside.
'I couldn't like him in that sense do I? NO! He's a few years younger then me for Kami's sake,' thought Temari, who couldn't help, but blush at the grin he was giving her, and to make matters worse was the Namikaze had placed a hand on her leg giving it a rub that sent what felt like electricity down her spine.
"Something wrong Temari-chan? You almost look nervous, which I find surprising since someone, as strong willed, and sexy as you should not be intimidated," said Naruto, as he smelled the honey scent coming off of the blonde pig tailed girl, who blushed further, and he felt the honey scent spike rather suddenly.
"And another falls before my vessel," said Kyuubi laughing inside Naruto's mind.
"E-Even the strongest of willed individuals can feel intimate-tated! Intimidated by this examiner Naruto-kun," said Temari blushing a full faced red at using the kun suffix and Temari wondered what was coming over her.
Behind them Hinata was fuming once more. It was bad enough Haku was living with her Naruto, but now this Suna bitch moving in on her man?! In another set of desks along the rows and columns both female Shinobi Ino and Tenten were thinking along the line of similar, but obviously different things at the moment, and yet all three had one common goal that had Haku been there would have been the same as theirs.
To keep Naruto for themselves, bed Naruto when they were old enough many times over, and have Naruto's children to further help the Namikaze line grow to renewed heights.
"For the first part of this Exam you are going through a written test so everyone listen up because once I explain the rules your on your own and no one except Kami himself can save you," said Ibiki with the other proctors in the room nodding with grins at seeing the Genin sweat with nervous fear.
And who said Ibiki wasn't good with kids?
"Did I forget to mention that your desire to mate again has risen up? You haven't been very intimate with Haku recently and I know you would just love to relieve the stress these Exams will put you under," said Kyuubi making Naruto raise a mental eyebrow at the demon fox, as the tests were all passed out, and the scarred man told them to begin.
'The reason I haven't is because dad, Anko, and/or Kurenai have been around so I don't want them walking in on us when we decide relax in bed. Besides we don't know what is going to happen during the Exams so it could be awhile before Haku and I 'sweat the sheets' as they say,' thought Naruto frowning down at his test with his body going on autopilot again working on the test using the knowledge stored there since all the answers to these question were already known thanks to Sesshomaru's relentless mental training exercises using his clones.
"So? You have 3 no 4 coming of age girls in this room. While the Hyuuga and the Yamanaka are two young for the full package, the bun haired girl and the Suna girl are just prime for the taking. Get one of them alone and have them help you sate your lust long enough to keep my urges being channeled into you at bay again. Its either that or let me possess you and get freaky with the girls later whether its just one or all of them," said Kyuubi knowing that the incident with Haku in Wave was still fresh in his mind.
How could it not be?
'Okay! Okay! First this test and then if we get one of them alone we give them the time of their lives,' thought Naruto with the fox nodding since any and all activities of the flesh now would cause a major incident that would get the Namikaze in serious trouble.
Though Kyuubi knew Naruto's 'victims' wouldn't complain that was for damn sure.
(A/N: YAY! I UPDATED! The question is what should I do from here? What should I write next? I'll think of something I suppose. I'm not feeling anything right now, but that's probably because I'm so tired right now, and I need rest so please be patient with me. Until next time...PEACE!!)