Shang: So it's me… again… So, before we start, it's time to find out what you asked and answer your questions (if it won't be too much of a spoiler). So, here goes… any minute now… just a moment… WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?

Naruto: Oh yeah, Kai asked me to tell you he won't be able to make it… I'll do this… for once… but there weren't that many questions… practically all what the reviewers want to know is who were those two characters that appeared at the end of the mission…

Shang: I'd like to tell it to you, but… well, if I'd do so, it may spoil a surprise a bit… let me just tell you it wasn't the last time they appeared… there rest I'd like to keep to myself for now…

Naruto: Okay, last one is: what's Sasuke's relation with Takaru…

Shang: That's also something I planned to reveal later on… I can just tell you that a little bit of Takaru's past will be revealed during the exam… and all of it much later on (I'll just say that this fic is planned for many chapters)… those who think they can't wait that long (once more, Takaru's story is told MUCH later) say it and I'll think what to do… though I still would prefer to keep his story until Chuunin Exam ends…

Naruto: Yeah, some answers… you didn't really answer any of those questions, you know…

Shang: Sorry… I just don't want to spoil anything… besides, I can promise everything will be revealed in the right time…

IMPORTANT NOTE: Sorry to say this, but 27th chapter might take longer then a week to appear (actually, I'm almost positive about that). That's due to many tests I'll have during the coming month and the fact that I really have to update two of my other fics (at this point I'd like to invite you all to give them a shoot… the climate is similar to the one in this fic)… but I'll definitely release AT LEAST on more chappie before Christmas (unless something REALLY unexpected happens)… until then hope you'll enjoy this one:

Chapter #26: Silence before the Storm

Chapter Cover: Kakashi is sleeping under the tree with an "Icha Icha" book on his face and the Hokage headgear laying next to him

The sun started to look down at Konoha, as Naruto woke up from the most wonderful dream he had for years: he was the ruler of the Ramen Country! All the taxes were paid in ramen and went straight into his treasury. But the dream was over (just like in that old song) and it was high to time to get back to reality.

The jounin stretched himself and looked at the window. Surprisingly he saw a small, brown-feathered bird sitting on it. A little confused, he looked at the calendar. There was no doubt about it.

"How time flies" he told himself and got dressed.

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Naruto arrived at the Hokage office. He seemed to be the last one there. Most of the chuunins and jounins gathered there already.

"Finally you're here" said Kakashi, sitting on a throne-like chair with Konoha symbol on the prop. "I guess we can proceed to what you all were called here for. You all know the drill, so without further delays, may the leaders of the three, gennin rookie teams step forward?"

After hearing those words, Naruto walked forward. On his right walked a girl in his age with short, black hair. She worn a yellow shirt under which she had, in Naruto's opinion, a nice wreck (A/N: not important for the story, but I guess male readers wanted to know about that). She was wearing her headband around her neck On the sleeve of her shirt he spotted the symbol of her clan, but the thing that really drawn his attention were her eyes, which were completely white.

More to his right walked a man, a little taller then he was. His black hair was clipped in a ponytail (A/N: pineapple like), but a short one. He wore green fishnet shirt and a black t-shirt under it. In his left ear Naruto spotted three, golden earrings. The jounin had a toothpick in his mouth had his hitae-ate was on his left arm.

"A, yes" said Kakashi. "Well, you all know why you're here. Since your students became gennins only recently, I want to ask you if there are any shinobies in your cells that you'd like to recommend to participate in the coming Chuunin Selection Exam? Let's start from the right."

Naruto took a step forward, saying:

"I, Uzumaki Naruto, leader of the team consisting of: Tanken Ibuki, Murasakki Kumiko, Hagane Kusari, Gekido Takaru and Haisha Kai, taking full responsibility for my decision, I would like to recommend all five to participate in the Chuunin Selection Exam."

Then the girl stepped forward:

"I, Hyuuga Hinata, leading the team of: Inuzuka Tsume, Igaku Mikka, Benda Kokoro, Kobushi Galu and Hatake Senkou, taking full responsibility for my decision, I too would like to recommend all five to participate in the Chuunin Selection Exam."

Lastly, the toothpick guy walked in front, to say:

"The team lead by me, Nara Shikamaru, is formed from: Konpaku Rei, Rikoteki Kogane, Amagasa Toku, Gusoku Hanamaru and Debano Kitsune. Also I, taking full responsibility for my decision, would like to recommend all five to participate in the Chuunin Selection Exam."

"Interesting" announced Kakashi. "That sort of thing didn't happen since the time you three attended the exam for the first time. I hope you do keep in mind that the Chuunin Exam has changed a lot? It's not as easy as when you guys passed it."

"Hokage-sama…" replied Naruto. "I've completed many missions with my team. I ensure you that they're ready."

"This is troublesome…" added Shikamaru. "But we're the ones taking responsibility here. We certainly thought it over, before making the decision. Well, at least me and Hinata did for sure" at this point he stared at Uzumaki.

"Are you assuming something?" asked the demon vessel, staring back at Nara prodigy as a smirk appeared on his face. "You don't have to be worrying about my subordinates. I ensure you that they won't lose to yours."

"Guess we'll see about that" replied Shikamaru calmly, but also smiled under his nose.

"Well then, that covers this issue" announced Kakashi. "You three can go to give your student fill-in forms on which the details about the exams are mentioned. Just for your information, the exams will start a week from today. Now, may the jounin leaders of other, gennin teams step forward?"

The three jounins left the Hokage office.

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Hinata propped on the balcony and stared at the village. The sun was shining above it and the sunlight was deflected by many windows. She smiled as a light breeze hit her face. Then she looked to her right, as Naruto shown up.

"Long time, no see, eh Hinata-chan?"

"Yeah" she nodded. "It's been more then a year, hasn't it? But you don't seem to changed much. You're the same as always."

"Well you're, on the other hand, changing all the time" announced the blonde jounin. "I thought that the head of the Hyuuga have more important things to do then watch over a group of shinobi wannabes. Though those brats are pretty lucky to have you as a teacher…"

"Are you assuming that I'm going soft on them? If you are, then you can get in for a big surprise during the exams. Tell your subordinates, that they should watch out for Konoha team number four" she replied with a smile.

"You know that's not what I meant" Naruto defended himself. "After all, you're the one who combined the main and the branch families. Something like that required you to be tough."

"Tougher then you?"

"Don't push it" replied Naruto and a moment later they both burst out laughing.

"It's good to see you again, Naruto-kun" announced the white-eyed girl.

"Good to be seen" responded the blonde jounin. "I see that you even changed the way you dress. Good for you. Cheerful yellow suits you better then that depressive grey jacket you used to wear. Plus it's easier to see that you turned into a woman."

At those words the head of the Hyuuga blushed slightly. But immediately her expression changed into a suspicious one: "You mean it wasn't visible before?" she asked as a smirk appeared on her face.

"So here are the two love birds?" they suddenly heard a voice coming from behind. "In stead of flirting you guys should think about giving those fill-in forms to your subordinates. After all, they only have a week for preparation… all the training that's coming… how troublesome…"

"Since when you started to worry so much about other people business, Shikamaru?" asked Naruto without even turning around. "We haven't seen each other for such a long time and you start the conversation with a lecture? You're becoming like Shino…"

"Not a lecture" replied the lazy shinobi. "More like an advice. Once the exam will start, we'll have plenty of time to talk… unless you guys don't believe in your students…"

"Well, I guess you have a point" nodded the blonde jounin. "I see you guys in a week. I'd love to hear what you've been up since the last time I saw you!" and with that ramen-eating ninja was gone.

There was a short silence before Shikamaru decided to speak up:

"Still haven't told him, have you?"

"No…" replied Hinata. "Guess I still haven't gathered enough courage. That didn't change."

"Some things never change" announced the lazy shinobi. "Even when they should. It's kinda funny though: a kunoichi who successfully completed hundreds of S-rank mission can't find courage to say three words…"

"Maybe it's funny to you…"

"I know, I know…" replied Shikamaru. "But you really should dare to do it. Even a lazy bump who doesn't like interfering in other people's business like me can't stand the fact that you two aren't together. Naruto's too dumb to figure out so you must do the first step" with those words he looked at Hinata who lowered her sight. "Anyways…" he started, putting his hand on her shoulder. "… good luck… I guess I'll see you later. Take care…" and with those words he left.

"Maybe someday I'll find enough courage…" Hinata thought to herself as she sighed and went on her way to give her students application forms.

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Meanwhile on the outskirts of the Konoha two, mysterious figures observed the Leaf village from a nearby mountain.

"We haven't been here for a while, have we, sis?" asked the first person.

"Yeah…" replied the other figure with a female voice. "But this place wasn't changed that much… how long has it's been…?"

"Lets see… over three years I guess" announced the first voice.

"A long time" nodded the female. "Well, I believe it's high time to remind the leaf-nins that we're still alive. What'd say, bro?"

"You read my mind…" replied the man as they both head towards the Hidden Leaf.

And this concludes this chapter. Hope you liked it. Please, leave a review once you're done... it'd really make my day.

Best wishes and hopefully till the next update.

Bye.