Disclaimer: Of course I don't own Naruto or any of its original characters, Kishimoto does duh!.

Blah….normal narration/ character talking

Blah….normal narration/ character thinking

Blah…. Kyubi/summon talking

Blah…. Kyubi/summon thinking and Jutsus

Chapter 8

To put it conveniently it was the day of reckoning for Naruto. It was not only owing to the fact that his future in Konoha depended on it but also the fact that he will encounter his father in flesh.

'I wonder why I haven't encountered mom till now. From what I know mom was quite boisterous and a tomboy at least that's what granny Tsunade told me. Hmmm maybe that Uchiha girl is interfering. I will have to do something about her for that matter.' Naruto wondered as he collected his thoughts and prepared for the upcoming test.

Today he was wearing a fitting fishnet shirt with a black jacket trimmed with red lining over it along with fitting ANBU pants. Overall it was a good shinobi attire allowing for adequate movement and comfort.

"Oy Naruto you ready yet?" Shikaku's voice called out from downstairs.

"Yep, I am all good. Why don't you go and fetch Hokage-sama while I go ahead and warmup a little?" Naruto spoke thoughtfully.

"Well it's a good idea. You know what there is still a bit of time left you sure you won't be tired from your warmup?" Shikaku voiced his concern.

"Naah I won't go through the entire routine. Also I had planned on getting a dip in that waterfall near training ground 13. After that I will be heading over to ground 7 for the test." Naruto answered nonchalantly as he check his kunai and shuriken pouch.

"Hmm, that seems like a nice idea. Troublesome that I have to go and invite the Hokage otherwise a morning dip sounds nice." Shikaku let out a deep sigh.

"Move your ass you lazy bastard." Naruto smirked giving Shikaku a slight shove.

Little did he know that his little detour would actually grant him an unexpected encounter.

Somewhere else in Konoha….

Three kunoichis were walking along a lonely street as they chatted amicably. One of them had flaming red hair and was wearing a standard chunin uniform. She was Uzumaki Kushina, the last of the Uzumaki clan and the current jinchuriki of Kyubi no Kitsune. The one walking on her left wore a sleeveless shirt over which she had donned her chunnin vest. She also had distinct red markings on her face proclaiming her to be a member of Inuzuka clan. She is Tsume Inuzuka, the heir to the Inuzuka clan. The third one also wore a standard chunnin uniform however her vest carried the mark of a red and white fan declaring her to be from Uchiha clan. She is Kushina's best friend and confidant, also the daughter of the current Uchiha clan head.

"So Kushina what has gotten you in such high spirits this fine morning?" Tsume asked her fellow kunoichi.

"Well, yesterday Minato took me out for a date and I had a great time." Kushina said brightly. "Also today I will get to meet another member of my clan so yeah I am definitely in good spirits dattebene"

"Did you listen to anything I told you earlier? That Naruto is definitely a shady character. For kami's sake he has got blonde hair. Have you ever met an Uzumaki with blonde hair?" Mikoto cried out indignantly.

"Well it simply means one of his parents might not be Uzumaki. There are definitely rumours that say he has got more chakra than rest of the jonins combined." Kushina replied.

"And those are definitely rumours. I mean how one could possibly have that much chakra. Even you don't have that large chakra reserves." Mikoto pointed out in exasperation.

"We will see it today so why don't we let it subside till the match is done. Also hokage-sama must have seen something in him to have offered him such a chance." Tsume cut in between to placate the increasing anxiety. "Anyways, that's not the important thing."

"And pray do tell what would you like to know that is more important." Mikoto huffed.

"Is he hot?" Tsume asked as a matter of fact causing Mikoto to scowl and Kushina to snigger.

"Is that all you can think? Here I am worried about the possibility that he could be a spy for the enemy and all you ask is that is he hot?" seethed the angry Uchiha.

"Given the fact that you have been stalking him for the past month yes I do ask. Just answer the damn question Mikoto, don't be a stick in mud." Tsume chastised good naturedly.

"He is alright." Mikoto replied in a small voice.

"Hmm what is that, does our Mikoto find this new ninja handsome?" Kushina wiggled her eyebrows at Mikoto who scowled at her.

Tsume not letting up the chance to tease Mikoto added in her two cents "I heard he looks like Minato so he must be easy on the eyes."

"Really is that so?" asked a surprised Kushina as she turned to Mikoto for an explanation.

"Yes there is a definite resemblance." came the curt reply. "Well enough of the new guy, he seriously gets on my nerves. Can we talk about something else, like where are we going right now? The match is supposed to be held at training ground 7."

"I wanted to go to the small waterfall at training ground 13 to take a dip. It is hidden by a tree grove and provides the perfect place away from peeping eyes." Kushina answered excitedly.

"Sounds a nice place but are you sure it is safe?" Mikoto voiced her doubt.

"Actually Minato was the one to show me the place. He said that it was the only place where Jiraiya sama has not gone to for his research." Kushina explained a certain relief and disdain in her voice.

"Someday I am gonna kill that pervert." growled Tsume.

"Count me in. I loathe perverts" Mikoto replied as Kushina nodded in agreement.

As they reached the edge of the grove they came upon the sight of a shirtless blonde shinobi standing with his back turned towards them.

"It looks like the plan has been foiled Kushina. Seems like your boyfriend had plans of his own." Tsume pointed to the blonde haired, shirtless shinobi.

"Damn that Minato, he just had to come here today." Kushina spoke somewhat demurely. Her eyes lit up suddenly as another idea came up in her mind.

"Okay what are you planning to do Kushina?" Mikoto asked as she took in the gleam in her friend's eyes.

"Why do you think I am planning something?" Kushina asked with a smirk.

"Because you have got you prankster face on. I know that look very well." Mikoto deadpanned.

"Well it's not every day that I chance upon a shirtless Minato. I am going to get him all flustered up. He looks pretty cute with that expression." replied the red head.

"Good luck. Sink your claws in him like a real bitch." Tsume gave her a thumbs up.

"Only you Inuzuka will pay a compliment like that. Anyways its good we got Minato here, lets head straight to the fight after this." Mikoto said with a slight smile. "I would really like to see that blonde Uzumaki get his ass handed to him."

"Shhhhh…you two stay here and watch for a while and then come out. Okay?" Kushina told her two comrades as she stealthily moved towards her prey. She deftly concealed her chakra and made a quick dash towards 'Minato'. As she reached a little closer she lunged at the man in front of her going for a tackle. Either the shinobi in question heard her or sensed her presence, he turned slightly only for Kushina to barrel straight into him and end up snuggling into his chest.

Naruto having taken a bath was enjoying the feeling of soothing wind on his body as he stood on the edge of the pool. He loved this place. This was the place where he had first trained with Jiraiya thus this place was special for him. He often came here to focus on his thoughts whenever he was troubled. He smiled as he remembered the Jiraiya from his time spying on women from a nearby cluster of bushes. So lost was he in his reminiscing that he did not feel the suppressed chakra signature that crept on him. As he detected it he tried to turn around only for a red blur to collide with him.

"I missed you so much." a muffled voice said as the owner of the voice nuzzled into his chest.

Naruto felt something stir in his heart at the comforting presence and the recently familiar red hair that could possibly belong to only one person in his knowledge. He felt the contentment, happiness and love as he remembered the words that his mother told him while he subdued the nine tails.

Bringign his emotions in control with great difficulty Naruto managed to stutter "Would you please get up?"

Mistaking his stutter for embarrassment Kushina continued to snuggle "Nopes I am feeling too comfortable to move." She in fact didn't even notice the different voice tone or the muscled build as compared to a leaner Minato.

"Ummm I am glad you are comfortable my lady for I certainly don't mind being hugged by a beautiful stranger." Naruto replied cheekily.

It was only then Kushina looked up to find herself gazing at a set of intense blue eyes. With a sudden start she tried to sit up and succeeded only in straddling Naruto. She took in the differences in the man she was straddling to the familiar features of her boyfriend and found herself blushing as red as her hair at their compromising position. Naruto simply gave her a beaming smile as she waved her hands about temporarily unable to speak coherently.

"S..So..Sorry….I thought you were someone else." Kushina stuttered out as a barking laughter was heard.

Both Naruto and Kushina turned to see a howling Tsume who was gasping for breath and an irate Mikoto.

Naruto hurried picked up his shirt and jacket and put them on as the two kunoichi approached the flustered duo. He easily identified the Inuzuka and of course his stalker Uchiha.

"Uzumaki Naruto." Mikoto ground out "You better keep your hands off my friend."

Naruto coolly raised an eyebrow "Well hello to you too Uchiha Mikoto." He then turned to the other two "And who might you two beautiful ladies be?"

"Inuzuka Tsume, call me Tsume." she barked out.

"Uzumaki Kushina. Sorry for that dattebane." Kushina replied politely now having controlled her blushing.

"Uzumaki Naruto at your service." Naruto said giving them his foxy grin. " I am new to konoha so you would have not seen me before."

"Infact we know quite a bit about it thanks to Mikoto here. She is quite taken with you." Tsume replied smirking at a now growling Mikoto.

"I am not taken with this bastard. I am just trying to look out for my friend." Mikoto replied furiously.

"I would like to know more about you Naruto san." Kushina politely spoke.

"Please call me Naruto Kushina san. I too would like to be better acquainted with you. You see there are a lot of things I am ignorant about. However before that I would like to swear to you on my ninja way that I mean you no harm that I promise to you." Naruto firmly stated.

Kushina gave him a warm smile and spoke "Mikoto told me you didn't know much about the Uzumaki clan."

"Ummm yeah. You see I grew up with my godfather. He was a grandfather figure to me but he wasn't an Uzumaki. It was only when hokage sama told me that I found out Uzumaki were a clan and a powerful one at that." Naruto replied.

"Well I will be glad to teach you all about the Uzumaki once you become a ninja of Konohagakure." Kushina told him.

"Of course I am always available if you want to know me better." Tsume sent him a flirtatious wink.

"No need to encourage him you both. And remember Uzumaki I will be keeping an eye on you." Mikoto curtly spoke to which Naruto only shrugged.

"I think its almost time my test. I should be going to ground 7." Naruto told them.

"Oh don't worry we were heading towards the same destination before we came here." Kushina gave him a small smile.

"Oh, do you know who I will be fighting?" Naruto asked knowing full well that he would be fighting his father.

"Yes you will be fighting Namikaze Minato." Kushina replied.

"You know Naruto if I didn't know your clan I would have thought you were Minato's hotter cousin or somebody. You too really look similar." Tsume casually remarked as Naruto rubbed the back of his neck in nervousness.

"Well I guess I will believe it when I see him. Too many people have got me confused with him." Naruto replied with a beaming smile.

"Hehehehehe…no wonder his girlfriend ended up straddling you too." Tsume guffawed as she dodged a swat from Kushina.

"It was an easy mistake dattenbane, but on closer look you can see him and Minato are quite different." Kushina spoke out.

"Hmm…" Tsume faked concentrating as she spoke "Well for one Minato is a bit girly in your comparison and those slight marks on your cheeks give you a feral sort of look, like a fox I guess, a definite turn on for the ladies in my opinion."

This definitely caused Naruto to blush as he ducked his head slightly in embarrassment. "Ahh these are birthmarks I guess. I really don't know why I have them."

"Not only than you face structure is slightly different more angular." Kushina observed.

"In short you make a fine male specimen. And on top of that without your shirt you are simply delicious." Tsume licked her lips as Naruto grew more flustered and Kushina too blushed remembering Naruto's body.

"Enough with all this talk. You are grating on my nerves with this senseless rabble." Mikoto retorted.

"What is her problem exactly?" Naruto mumbled to Kushina and Tsume.

"Nothing she just needs to get laid." Tsume bluntly replied much to the shock of a gaping Mikoto.

"Don't mind her too much, she is a great person but the times of war seriously affect people. Just give her some time." Kushina quietly explained as Mikoto bared her teeth at Tsume.

"Well here we are ladies, we made it with some time to spare." Naruto mused.

"What too eager to get your butt kicked?" Mikoto taunted to which Naruto simply rolled his eyes.

"Good luck Naruto, give it your best. Minato is strong, probably one of the strongest chunnin in Konoha so do your best okay." Kushina encouraged.

"Thank you." Naruto warmly replied.

Their conversation ended when 4 people appeared in shunshin. They were Shikaku, Hiruzen, Jiraiya and of course Minato.

"Right on time." Shikaku commented.

"Well I am glad you are on time Naruto. This is Minato Namikaze and he will be your opponent in today's fight. The man with white hair here is his sensei Jiraiya of the Sannins." Hiruzen introduced the new faces.

"Wow they weren't kidding when they said you look a lot like me." Minato stared at him with wide eyes.

"Yep even Kushina here got confused." Tsume tittered as Kushina blushed and shoved an elbow at her.

"Hello I am Uzumaki Naruto, nice to meet you Minato. We meet once again ero-sennin." Naruto greeted them both with a smile.

"Dammit gaki stop calling me that. How many times should I tell you call me Gama-sennin or Jiraiya the handsome…" Jiraiya rambled on as the onlookers watched with exasperation.

"You already know Jiraiya?" Hiruzen asked with surprise.

"Ero-sennin" collectinve voices were heard followed by giggles.

"Well you see." Naruto once again rubbed the back of his neck as he explained his meeting with the day before.

"It was you who sent him vaulting into women's bath?" Mikoto and Tsume asked with surprise.

"Umm yeah." Naruto hesitantly replied.

"Well extra marks in my book." Tsume grinned.

"I guess that's a good thing about you Uzumaki." Mikoto relented.

"That sounded like a backhanded compliment." Naruto muttered to Kushina who giggled.

"It definitely is a fitting name for you Jiraiya." Hiruzen commented as Jiraiya traced circles in the ground mumbling 'sensei you traitor'." Now since we all are here let's get this started Jiraiya you will be the refree. Explain the rules."

Jiraiya took up a pose as Naruto and Minato stepped up and gave each other a short nod. Rest of the people moved to more secure area to watch the fight.

"Well here are the rules. You are allowed to use all techniques but avoid seriously harming each other. Stop before you manage to seriously hurt the other party. Keep it limited to this training ground and try not to cause too much destruction. The fight will end if one the party forfeits or is knocked unconscious. Good luck to both of you. Now on the count 3…..2…1…START!"

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Well here we are people, the fight is finally on. What will be the result wait and watch. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please don't forget to send your reviews and suggestions. On a positive note the next chapter will be out soon…cheers!