Chapter 10
"That was a long mission," Hare commented.
"It was only two months, and you got to train during most of it," Crow replied.
"Well, I do feel stronger than I was before. You somewhat made up for my birthday," Naruto replied.
"Hmmm, with this, I would say that you could face a Chunin in combat," Crow started, Naruto growing a smile at the worlds, "and be able to survive for at least thirteen seconds," Crow had continued. "A large improvement from twelve seconds."
"Shut up basterd," Naruto said with a twinge of annoyance.
"Naruto, what have I said about uncreative insults," Crow chided.
Naruto had no response. The two entered the ANBU headquarters, and as they entered the common room, they grew looks of confusion. Not that they could be seen. Crow spoke first, "Yugao, you do know that it's against protocol to bring outsiders into ANBU?"
Yugao, the unmasked cat, replied, "No one here cares about protocol. As long as we don't report it, there is no problem." Crow simply nodded in response.
Hayate Gekko, the man in question, looked slightly nervous due to how out of place he was there. Being the only one without a mask other than Yugao, as well as the only person without an ANBU uniform, he stuck out like a sore thumb.
"Hello Hayate," Hare called out.
Hayate looked at him, and then said with a slight smile, "It's nice to see a familiar," he started before coughing slightly, " face, or mask should I say."
Naruto paused for a moment before saying, "Screw protocol," before taking off his mask, and joining Hayate and Yugao, who were playing shogi. The rest of the ANBU thought for a moment, before also taking their masks off.
Hayate, upon seeing Naruto, was slightly surprised. Naruto had three whisker marks going down each side of his face. Deep blue eyes adorned his face, with a slight scowl as well.
Hayate was fixing to speak, until Crow, or Kenshi, spoke, "As long as you don't say anything, nothing happened. Otherwise I'd have to kill you."
Yugao shot Kenshi a stern look before returning to her game.
Hayate then spoke, "So Hare, or should I say Naruto, how long have you been in ANBU?"
Naruto responded, "Three years now. Although I wasn't and still am not nearly the level of a normal ANBU, the old man shadow let me join, due to the mob attack on me when I was seven post Uchia crisis. I've been training, and can proudly say,"
"That he can survive maybe thirteen seconds against a Chunin," Kenshi interjected with a smile. Naruto scowled back, before Kenshi continued, "Really, he is a strong Chunin. In probably four years, he will be a Jonin level."
Naruto couldn't hide an expression of surprise from his face as he stared at Kenshi.
He thinks that much of me? There is now way I'm an upper level chunin. I couldn't possibly make it to Jonin in four years.
"Naruto is an excellent ninja, and certainly deserves his place here," Kenshi finished.
Hayate took the words in before complimenting Naruto with a smile, "Well Naruto, very impressive. You are advancing almost as fast as Kakashi Hatake. I am sure that you will be one of the top ninjas of the Leaf in the future."He then broke off into a series of coughs.
Naruto felt his insides swelling up. "Thank-you Hayate, Thank-you kenshi."