Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor any of the characters, beside the main OC. All credit for creating this amazing series goes to Mr. Kishimoto

Author's note: Thanks to everyone for reading! Answer of the reviews are at the bottom.

This time I am actually satisfied with the title. The chapter was also quite enjoyable to write. I hope you like it. There are no real fight scenes here, it just really sets up the month training's time. Enjoy:

Another pervert? Just what we needed!

April, 20th 214

"Have you heard from oji-san yet, dattebayo?" Naruto bounced in the kitchen, shouting. "We have no more time to spare!"

"Naruto-kun," Akimi started, calmly sipping her tea, "the finals are in a month time. You can train with Kage Bunshin... you have plenty of time." and she returned to whatever she was reading. Few seconds later she scribbled something on her notepad.

"But 'mi-chan! You saw how strong that Neji guy is! And you'll have to fight Gaara."

"You are assuming I'll win against Tenten-san... don't do that." Akimi shook her head. "Besides, we really didn't get to see what Neji-san can really do. Which is why you should research the Hyūga clan in the library in the mean time. And about Gaara..."

"'mi-chan..."

"This exam is about showing off. I'll show off enough in the first match to get promoted. If I see that the fight with Gaara-san gets too dangerous, I'll forfeit immediately. It's more likely you are gonna be the one fighting against him."

"What if he doesn't let you? You saw how determined to kill Lee he was..."

"You mean in a stadium full of allied shinobi, including Kakashi-sensei and you? I think I would manage to evade him just fine before you jumped in. And I have a month to think about how to fight him."

"So what are you doing?"

"I'm trying to work out Shino's problem."

"The thing you spoke about yesterday before we left the training grounds?"

"Yes..."

"Are you going to page me in?"

"Perhaps." Akimi smirked. "You could definitely help. It's about clones..."

"Clones!" Naruto shouted happily. "My area of expertise! Show me, show me..." he jumped behind her and peaked over her shoulder at her notes.

"I think that you should change a little that combination of handseals, to minimise chakra leakage and..." he stopped, looking sharply at her. "You get all this done this morning? Jutsu modification requires a lot of time!"

Akimi smiled hesitantly. "I already had my work about Shuriken Kage Bunshin to back me up."

"You didn't sleep, did you?"

"Not much." Akimi looked a little abashed. "I..."

"... should have woken me up. Another nightmare?"

"A nightmare about the nightmare, if this makes sense." Akimi exclaimed. "I just can't stand it, because I don't understand what and how exactly happened. So I woke up, created a couple of Kage Bunshins and sent them to do research. I couldn't catch sleep again so I started working on this."

"Why didn't you wake me up?"

"Geez, Naruto!" Akimi looked really distressed. "One, you were sleeping so well... and second I wanted to try coping on my own, right?"

"Why?" he asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It didn't work well, I gathered?"

"'to-kun, I know I can always count on you. But I can't come running every time to you. What if we get sent to two different missions after we become chūnin or something like that?"

"Well, it's very sensible of you. Maybe a little tiny bit of your pride and independency is involved." Naruto raised his left hand, opening his fingers a little. "But if it happens again..."

"... I'll come straight away to you."

"And wake me up."

"That's not strictly necessary." she smiled slyly. "Thanks, 'to-kun."

"Well, have you found something out... about Kuroken?"

"References, mostly." Akimi sighed. "I think the nightmare could be defined like a shared vision. It's either Kuroken drew me into his own mind, or he entered mine."

"That would explain why Kaera knew what was happening to you and was able to stop it as well..." Naruto said. "Anything else?"

"I know for certain Gramps had lots of intel on Kuroken, but I founded none. I need to contact the tigers. In the meantime I am studying better Kaera and mine's seal. It also helps with ideas to improve our Loyalty Seal."

"Lovely." Naruto smiled tightly. "If this mysterious teacher doesn't show up, we'll start research about Summoning."

"No immediately, I mean you really don't have a contract, right? We need to find a solution to that problem and I also want to try and found a way to use more chakra in combat. My chakra storage seal needs work. A lot of work."

Naruto nodded and sat down. "Do you still think about what happened in the forest?"

Akimi tilted her head. "Do you?"

They looked at each other for a couple of seconds. "Yes." they both said at the same time.

"Damn snake." Naruto murmured. "I hate him..."

"He'll get what he deserves, sooner or later."

"Are you sure you all right with...?"

"I am not upset with you." Akimi firmly said. "Do I need to beat it to you?"

Naruto reflexively shot a defensive hand forward. "I am just worried about you, really! "

"I know." Akimi smiled a little. "I still can fathom it about you. Sometime you are so idiotic and annoying I really only want to pummel you into the ground."

Naruto gulped.

"But mostly you are so sweet, I only want to kiss you senseless."

"Uh, I'm really hoping for the second option here!"

Akimi smiled. "Well, worrying is kind of sweet."

Naruto smirked. "Is it?" he said. "Shall we relax some more, then?"

"I think we shall."

"So you are really back." Hiruzen sat back against his armchair, puffing with his pipe. "Why now?"

The tall man in front of him shrugged. "I wanted to visit someone." he said, with a leering grin. "And it's also has been a while since I've done any research here..."

The Hokage gave him a 'no-nonsense' look. "We have no time for chit-chat." he sternly said. "Orochimaru is on the move. He is the head of a new village."

"Hai. Oto, in Ta no Kuni [Rice Field Country]." was the grave answer. "He basically has the Daymō on his payroll. I'm not sure how many manpower he has, but I would wager enough to rival one of the minor villages."

Hiruzen crossed his hands over his chin. "He was here."

"What? When?"

"During the second exam." the Hokage sighed. "He placed a Curse Mark on Uchiha Sasuke."

"Damn it, I figured he would wait before moving... if not I would have returned sooner."

Sarutobi raised an eyebrow. "So why did you?"

"Read this."

Hiruzen caught the scroll midair, opening it with a fluid movement. What he read made his blood freeze. "Jiraiya!" he shouted. "Are you sure?"

"Certain." the Gama Sennin said. "There will be time to discuss it, anyway. I'm concerned about more pressing matters: tell me more about Orochimaru."

"He has a very skilled spy in the village, the supposed genin Yakushi Kabuto. We now have a trail on him thanks to a couple of other genin."

Jiraiya looked baffled. "A couple of genin?"

"Very talented ones. They also fought Orochimaru and luckily he spared them. I think the decision will come back to kick him in the ass sometimes... anyway, I had ANBU shadow this Kabuto... and he apparently met with Orochimaru just after the preliminaries finished, but they could not get close enough to hear their conversation, lest they were discovered. And now the kid disappeared... so we are interrogating his teammates and sensei. Kakashi is trying to track him down."

Jiraiya nodded absently, his mind still on the word 'genin'. "Aren't you going to tell me their names?"

Hiruzen chuckled, easily following his student's line of thoughts. "Maybe." he said. "Just have a look at this first." he tossed him a small card. "Do you see the seal?"

Jiraiya snorted. "I'm Konoha's seal master, sensei." he said. "Interesting... now, more protections could have easily been added, but it was effective. Even cleverer is the way you broke down the chakra sensor array from the genjutsu one."

"Ah yes, it would have been smarter to add a trap who reacted to any foreign chakra by destroying the card, instead of simply not doing anything, right?"

"My, have you studied seals in your spare time, sensei?"

"I've not broken down that seal, nor is that observation mine. In fact, it was all one of the genin's I mentioned earlier doing..."

"A seal user?" he said, eyes shining. "Which level?"

"Not sure." Hiruzen passed him a small record. "Read this."

Jiraiya smirked widely. "Naruto's teammate? And what about him? Is my idiotic godson not an idiot anymore?"

"He has greatly improved since the last time you were here. You may turn a page and see for yourself. Naruto is now one of the stronger genins in the Chūnin Exam. He plays the part of the fool quite well... but he is not. He looks like his father, bless him, but has his mother personality... only sometimes he comes up with some genial comment worthy of Minato himself."

"Two questions... first: who is this Katora Akimi? I never head such name before."

"She is the granddaughter of an old friend of mine, to whom I owed a lot. Katora is not her true name. If you want to know it, then convince her to tell you. Only her teammates, Kakashi and myself know right now."

'Katora... that sounds familiar.' Jiraiya thought. "Second: does Naruto know about the seal?"

"Yes." Hiruzen smirked. "He and Akimi figured it out last October."

"I see... Nani? They figured out MINATO's seal?" Jiraiya's eyes were bulging out. "Kami's love, I've got to train them!"

Hiruzen chuckled almost evilly. "I was hoping you would say that..."

Jiraiya hadn't felt so elated in years... unless he was peeking at some Hot Springs of course. Whistling, he made his way through Konoha's east district. He stopped in front of a high wall perimeter, which had a double oak door as entrance. There, he crossed his arms, studying the seal arrays his trained eyes had no problem seeing. While it was not uncommon to clan compounds to have such protections, to think that two kids managed to pull this off was astonishing... no matter how freakishly big Naruto's stamina was.

'And they linked the perimeter sensorial seal to a jolting seal, so that if one tried to break down it, they would he would be shocked... and an alarm would activate as well. Yeah, yeah... they are not pushovers.' Of course, Jiraiya was not a Sannin for mere chance and he was also a seal and spy master. "I can't believe I'm doing this to enter the house of two genin!" he quickly summoned a small toad and used Gamakagure no Jutsu to enter the mansion undetected.

Hiruzen, watching this from his crystal ball, raised an eyebrow. "Mah, Jiraiya, you could have simply knocked..."

Of course, this approach method had the benefit of allowing Jiraiya to watch the two teen when they were really themselves. What the Gama Sennin didn't expect was to arrive in a training ground full of... orange clad blonde kids. Hidden by his Tōton Jutsu his eyes almost popped out from his sockets.

'There is got to be at least one hundred of them!' There were a dozen of clones who were sparring with small tantō using chakra flow as well. Chakra flow! Another bunch of them was under a small waterfall, trying to cut it off – and almost succeeding as well! Probably twenty of them or so were meditating sitting on the small pound in the centre of the grounds and the majority of them was hurling Suiton and Fūton jutsu around. It was only after few minutes that he saw the girl as well. To his upmost shock, she appeared to be using Kage Bunshin as well, if not in a more moderate numbers.

Two clones were hurling around Fūma Shuriken, using a combination of strings and chakra flow to be more deadly. Other two were sparring using a small blade that almost looked like a claw of sort. Other two were practicing jutsu: one Doton and one Katon.

'The hell these two kids are really good!' However, Jiraiya had a feeling the real ones were not there. He figured out quickly they were using Kage Bunshin for training, which was genius really, but none was doing physical condition. Now, if you use Kage Bunshin to train in chakra manipulation and muscle memories, you use your real body to exercise and improve strength and speed. 'They are in the house then...' The Sannin made his way towards the fair sized two store mansion. He peeped into what looked to be a library, seeing another dozen of blond clones reading and discussing animatedly. There was also another girl there, quietly reading and occasionally scribbling some notes on a black notepad. 'Probably all clones as well...'

He finally arrived to what looked like a back door and, after checking for seals, he used it to enter, being careful not to make noise. This was starting to be really entertaining. Mentally grinning, Jiraiya started to explore. He arrived in an empty kitchen, in what looked like an atrium, and finally in a medium sized sitting room. There, he stopped with a lecherous and wide smirk. 'That makes me so proud! He uses clones to train and spends his time with more... funny activities.' The Sannin lost no time and took out his notes, starting to hastily scribbling on them.

Naruto and Akimi were furiously kissing on one of the leather couches. She was the one on top and Jiraiya immediately saw there was a lot of hands' roaming involved. And groans. Oh, and was that a moan? Naruto flipped them over, looking as if he had sneaked his hands under her shirt. Yeah, go like that kid! Unable to restrain himself, he broke down in a perverted giggle. The two teen froze.

"What was that?" Akimi asked.

"You mean it wasn't you?"

"I have a lot of talents, but giggling while my tongue is deep into your throat is not one of them."

Naruto chuckled. "My, did someone bypass your seals? Do you think they broke? Maybe is the Oro-teme."

"Nah. He is good at ninjutsu, not seals. While he did use the Five Elements Seal on you, he can be an expert, at most, but he is no master."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. 'Impressive she heard me while she was so busy, but she could not pinpoint my exact location, however... they should not stay there and chat, but be looking for me! I could be an enemy.'

"Maybe it was simply your imagination" Naruto observed.

"Why, pray tell, should I be imagining someone giggling while we make out?" Akimi raised an eyebrow.

Naruto shrugged.

"You should be worrying, ya know, I mean I should think about you in this time, shouldn't I?"

"Oh, you big tease!" Naruto chuckled again and smashed his lips on hers.

'What the hell? They started going at it again? Is she so confident in her sealing abilities?' Then he eyes bulged out as Naruto discarded his orange muscle shirt, just before Akimi rolled him over again, unbuttoning her blouse as well and... 'Holy shit!' Naruto transformed in a woman, with very rounded forms, long blonde hair and battling eyelashes. And she was naked, bar some little clouds over the significant parts... and then Akimi kissed her, while Naruto or Naruko or whatever quickly took off her shirt and... Jiraiya felt the blood shot out from his nose and his notes fell back with a thug, while a goofy smile formed on his lips.

It was then he felt the cold metal on his neck. Surprised, he made to use Kawarimi but he could not move. He saw Naruto and Akimi pop out of existence with a small sound.

"So tell me, wasn't the massive use of clones in training a big enough hint we do know how to perform Kage Bunshin?" Naruto asked, moving in his field of vision. He was holding the ram seals, obviously alimenting the immobility seal.

"Or did you really think we would go back to make out after we felt an intruder?" Akimi derisively said, from behind him. "A clue: no! We are hormonal teenagers, that's true..."

"... but we are first proud shinobi of Konohagakure."

That was the last thing he remembered before he was forcibly knocked out. He did not know he wasn't the only one, seeing as Hiruzen Sarutobi had fainted from blood loss only few minutes prior.

"Do you think he is an enemy?" Naruto carefully poked the huge man with a finger.

The girl finished drawing a chakra suppression seal linked with a chakra absorption one on the intruder's forehead. "I think an enemy would have killed us... not starting to peek on our make out session."

"Maybe he is a perverted enemy..." Naruto shrugged. "But why would someone want to kill us? Besides the Oro-teme, of course, and something tells me... this one cannot be in league with that snake."

"He is wearing a curious symbol." Akimi said. "I swear I saw it somewhere else. Activate." With a strange suction sound, a huge amount of chakra was absorbed into the main protection array, while the suppression seal restrained the rest.

Naruto then pulled the big man by his feet, until they arrived on a small pole in the training ground. He tied the man there, using a chakra resistant rope. He then joined Akimi and the two observed the man with twin crossed arms.

The intruder was tall. Very tall. He probably would tower over Kakashi-sensei. He had long white and spiky hair, which arrived to his waist, with two bangs that framed his face. He carried a horned forehead protector with the kanji for oil. Two long red lines started from his eyes down his cheeks and he had a big wart on his nose. He wore a green short kimono and pants, with a small red cloak over it. His feet were clad in traditional gata sandals.

"What about the notes he carried?" Naruto asked.

Akimi looked briefly over them, then she scowled with a disgusted expression. "Good Kami, just what we needed... I think he is worse than Sarutobi-sama and Kaka-sensei put together."

"That's perverted stuff?" Naruto frowned. "And he wrote them watching us?"

Akimi was as annoyed as he was. "Let's keep these for leverage... and let me have a look at that scroll."

The man carried a huge storage scroll, who resembled the one Akimi had when she first arrived in the village. "Yeah, he looks like a wanderer. He has extra weapons, food, money and a lot of clothes in here. Judging from these seals, he is easily a master of the Art." she said in a bittersweet tone.

Naruto patter her shoulder, in sympathy. The girl had longed for years to meet a Fūinjutsu master to learn from and now that she did... he was another pervert.

"And his chakra is easily Kage level." Akimi continued.

"He is old, but his body is leaned and trained." concluded Naruto for her. "This is no pushover, but a very powerful shinobi."

"It's sad he was knocked out by a simple transformation technique and a little acting."

"Was it strange?" Naruto asked. "To kiss another girl?"

"It was you." Akimi replied. "And now don't be perverted. That was a onetime only thing, you should have enjoyed it while you could."

"But I did!"

"Baka!" Akimi exclaimed, twitting him on the head. "Now let's focus. Wake him up."

"Suiton: Mizurappa!" Naruto said, completely soaking the poor man.

He sputtered water around, half chocking, before looking around confusedly.

"Welcome back!" Akimi said, smiling sweetly. "We got some questions for ya', do you mind?"

Jiraiya looked around, almost like a mouse in a trap. 'I've got barely half of my chakra... which doesn't matter since it is suppressed anyway. And these ropes... they are against Escape Techniques.'

Naruto glared at him. "First: who the hell are you?"

Jiraiya mentally cursed. He could not pose! It did not matter. "You mean you really don't know?" he asked, feigning surprise.

"We wouldn't ask otherwise. Start talking, before I mistake your notes from my usual Katon practice material." Akimi nonchalantly said.

"NANI?" Jiraiya exclaimed. "Wait, wait... all right, I'll tell you." he stopped, for dramatic effect. "In every sea and land I'm known as... the great and gallant Gama-sennin, Jiraiya-sama, one of the legendary ninja from Konoha!"

"You are?" Naruto asked, surprised. "You don't seem like much! At most you are a... Ero-sennin!"

"What! I'm no pervert!"

"We knocked you out because you were too busy losing blood from your nose." Akimi deadpanned.

"I am a super pervert!" Jiraiya proudly stated.

"You admit it!" Naruto shouted, pointing a finger at him. "What do you want from us, Ero-sennin?"

"Stop calling me that! I told you I'm the Gama-sennin!" Jiraiya screamed back. "The mightiest of the Densetsu no Sannin! Have some respect!"

"And I told you I don't believe you!" the blonde stubbornly said. "Pervert!"

"I'm a super pervert!" Jiraiya yelled again, his voice really creepy.

"Wait a second." Akimi said, rubbing her chin. "Your Hitai-ate... it's the symbol of Mount Myōboku, the sacred ground of toads. You are really the Gama-sennin."

"Finally, you recognised me...!"

"How comes that the all the super powerful ninja are so creepy, 'mi-chan? I mean Oro-teme is a sick paedophile and him..." he simply indicated him.

"Ehi, what's that supposed to mean?" Jiraiya shouted.

"Well, no matter. He is a fellow Konoha-nin. So we can't hurt him too much." Akimi observed, quietly. "Pity."

Jiraiya gulped. 'Frightening.'

"So why did you break into our house?" Akimi asked. "The life of your notes may depend on your answer." she said, waiving the papers in front of him.

"Calm down, calm down." Jiraiya was sweating. "Sarutobi-sensei sent me. I'm here to train you!"

Akimi tilted her head, while Naruto laughed. "But... we tied you up!"

"You took me by surprise!"

"Wait a second." Akimi Sunshined away, returning after a little while with a camera in hand. "Say cheese!"

"Yatta! Another blackmail piece... And a collection edition! The Gama-sennin! That's even better than Kakashi-sensei, dattebayo!" Naruto jumped. "Let's go put that in a safe place."

Jiraiya sweat dropped. "Ehi, aren't you two going to untie me?" he shouted. "It's not funny!"

Of course, the two did untie him – eventually – they weren't that mean. Now, the unusual trio was enjoying a snack in the sitting room, with Jiraiya eagerly accepting the offer of saké.

"So," the Sennin started, "you obviously talked to come up with the plan that incapacitated me. How?"

"That's a secret." Akimi replied. "But know that we can communicate without words in a radius of... one hundred of meters, maybe more."

Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. 'Kekkai genkai..? Nah, a seal maybe?' "Let's give it to this for now. So what about you tell me what you can do... so I can see if there is something of use I can teach you?"

"I've got something." Akimi said. "The technique you used to be invisible. I want to learn it. If you teach me, maybe I won't burn your notes..."

Jiraiya smirked. "I've them again. You can't..." he stopped at her sweet, scary smile. "Sure, no prob."

Naruto nodded. "That was the wisest thing to say, Ero-sennin"

"Don't call me that!"

"Then don't be a pervert!"

"I'm a super pervert!"

"Enough." Akimi exclaimed. "We acknowledge the fact that you are a super pervert... and he is not going to stop calling you that, so you may as well stop asking. Why don't we move on?"

"Right," Jiraiya said, "tell me what you two can do..."

April, 21th 214 - Outskirts of Konoha

"Let's hope Ero-sennin teaches us something today, dattebayo!"

"In retrospect, it was out fault... we did cut his chakra in half." Akimi quietly replied, her nose deep in a book.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Didn't Kaera say he went to peep at the Hot Springs?"

"That's true." Akimi sighed. "Oh, and I discovered he wrote the book Kaka-sensei always read."

"Your kidding right? Damn, he really is something else..."

"I'm a super pervert!" Jiraiya exclaimed, with his booming voice. "Right, you two! Yesterday you told me what you can do, now what about you give an idea of what you planned to learn this month... you first, gaki."

"Hai, dattebayo! My first opponent is Neji... according to what we discovered he is a master of the Byakugan and can close tenketsu points, so I can't really fight him at close range. Of course, I could send clone after clone at him, but that wouldn't be a chūnin worthy strategy. I can do it for a little while, as reconnaissance."

"So that leaves you long ranged fighting. You seem to know quite the numbers of jutsu..." Jiraiya stated. "And can enhance throwing weapons with chakra flow."

"Yes, but you should take in consideration who his teammate is." Akimi cut him off. "Tenten is a weapon specialist. We can assume she trains with her team, so he is probably very adept at dodging."

"I can use a seal to immobilise him." Naruto said. "He would not expect it... At the beginning I can throw clones at him, as if gauging his style – which I'll be doing, actually – only I'll also use it as an excuse to place a Fudou Fūin on him. Then I'll do a little of long-range fighting, so he doesn't suspect anything, then activate it."

"Good plan." Jiraiya approved. "But what if you can't place the seal, uh? He is more likely to see it with those eyes of him"

Naruto stopped to think. "Well, I can outlast him in stamina, but considering I have to fight again, possibly against Gaara... I'll use that as a last resort. I need to think about a way to unsettle and surprise him. Maybe I can pretend I'm losing big time to make him overconfident."

"Right, that seems good enough. My advice is you focus on your physical training, especially speed. Akimi-chan can help you with seals, I believe. Have Kage Bunshin continue with your jutsu training." Jiraiya turned to the girl. "What about you, then?"

"My first fight is against Tenten. As I said, she is a weapon mistress. Uses strings very proficiently, probably good a close range as well, seeing who her sensei is. She is adept at Fūinjutsu, standard storage seals, so she probably would recognise a seal if I use one. I think. She didn't show much against Kiba, she outclassed him. I probably can best her with a combination of ninjutsu/genjutsu." Akimi said. "I've gone through a lot of possible strategies and I have the advantage that she hasn't seen much of my abilities, as I simply used taijutsu against Sakura in the preliminaries. I plan to improve my speed, work a little on my strength and refine my Doton jutsu. They are good defences."

"Defensive jutsu... and you have a long hair. I may teach one of my personal techniques. But not right now." Jiraiya said. "What about seals?"

"Right now the only real seal I can use in battle are the Jolting Seal and the Fudou no Fūin. I was thinking of extend my arsenal. A barrier seal maybe?"

"I can show you a couple of them, but the best thing you can do is create one by yourself. You are good, Akimi-chan, I mean you broke down the Yondaime's seal."

"Well, I had Naruto's help for that..." she murmured, although she was obviously, pleased by the praise.

Jiraiya shrugged. "Right, now let's speak about the possible next opponent. Naruto, you first."

"Sasuke or Shino. I am not worried about Shino... He is my teammate, if we fight together we'll put on a good show and it also going to be fun. Sasuke, well the teme is quite powerful. The only thing that worries me is his cursed seal. Besides, he will underestimate me. The one I am more worried about is Gaara."

"Yeah, there is no way Kankurō-san is going to fight his brother. He is terrified of him." Akimi spoke up. "And I don't really think I have a lot of chances against someone like Gaara-san. If my elemental jutsu don't work on him – and I doubt Katon and Doton would – I haven't much left. A good barrier seal could buy me time, but then..."

Jiraiya got a serious look. "You are gonna forfeit?"

She shrugged. "Yes." she candidly said. "No need to risk my life."

"And then you are more likely gonna fight him..." the Gama Sennin said to Naruto.

"Gaara is... well, crazy. In a very disturbed way... if I fight him it will not be a 'symbolic' fight to death. He won't hesitate to kill me." Naruto darkly said. "He can use sand and has a very good defence. Brushy Brows could barely land a bowl on him and I'm not nearly as fast as him. I can improve, possibly. My best bet is using Suiton to slow down sands... if it works."

"And how do you plan to use water in the arena?"

"We have got a side project on this." Akimi said. "Basically a space/time seal connected to a storage seal that can pour water at will. Like a sink's tap. Of course, it requires a lot of chakra. But, Naruto-kun has not such problems, now does he?"

Jiraiya whistled. "Ambitious of you. I'll let you work on your own, let's say that if you aren't close to find a solution in two weeks I'll help you. I've a couple of scrolls for you, anyway. Naruto, if you work hard, I am sure you can easily come to surpass this Gaara. Do not worry too much." he smiled widely. "You have the makings of great warriors: you both have good analytic skills... especially you." he indicated Akimi. "And I have no doubts you can easily adapt."

"Especially him." Akimi ruffled Naruto's hair.

The Sannin chuckled.

"By the way, Shino is busy collecting more detailed intel about our possible opponents today... and tomorrow 'to-kun and I will do the same." Akimi intervened. "Although, pretend we didn't say that, Jiraiya-san... I think it may be like cheating a little."

"As long as you don't get caught." Jiraiya smirked widely. "They could be doing the same right now to us."

Naruto burst into laughter. "No way! You aren't that stupid to set a meeting in an easily spottable place..."

"We are near a waterfall." Akimi said. "Where kunoichi like to bath. I went a couple of time. That is why he asked to meet us here."

Jiraiya's eyes bulged out. "I..."

"Of course, I had a couple of clones set up a perimeter seal all around so I'll know if someone gets near. I'll work on better security later on."

"I must amend my statement." Naruto laughed again. "No way! 'mi-chan is too paranoid to let someone spy on us."

Jiraiya frowned. "Perimeter seal, really? Where?"

"Two hundred meter radius. I hid it with a genjutsu seal and linked it with a chakra absorption seal. I hope you make us practice jutsu so the seal can recharge itself." Akimi smirked. "I also warned the kunoichi a pervert was going to stalk this place... no one is gonna come in a while. If they do, they'll be alert."

Jiraiya gaped at her. "You... you...!"

"I only thought you would train us better, without distractions." Akimi sweetly said. "Oh, and I really hate open perverts like you. Woops. Sorry, super perverts."

Jiraiya looked like he was about to cry.

"Aren't we supposed to train?" Naruto eagerly asked. "Ero-sennin, you can pervert later. At least Akimi didn't go directly to burning."

"You damn brats." the older man growled. "Well, then. I'll have spar with you now. I promise I'll go easy with ya. Taijutsu only. And you can use your weapons."

Akimi frowned. "Chakra flow?"

"Not this time."

For the next half an hour or so, the two kids had their asses soundly beaten by the old ninja. No matter what they tried, Jiraiya could easily read them and either blocked the bowl or attacked them. The only reason they weren't obliterated sooner was their superb teamwork. Akimi was launched right against a tree by a kick in the guts, while Naruto was smashed against a rocky cliff by a violent punch in the head.

Jiraiya chuckled as the two kids moaned and got back to their feet, obviously defeated. They hadn't even landed a hit. "That was a good warming up, wasn't it?" he said, without breaking a sweat.

Akimi was visibly panting, her stamina nowhere near the freakish levels of the Sannin, or of Naruto, for that matter. "Was that... was that payback for yesterday?"

Jiraiya laughed more. "You should remember, brats, who I am and who are you... I'm way out of your league." 'For now.'

"We knew that." Naruto snorted. "You are a Sannin. Sure, you aren't as creepy as the Oro-teme and if only were only to distractedly look at you, would see only an old, idiotic looking pervert..."

Jiraiya protested loudly, but the two ignored him as Akimi continued: "... but that is just a mask. It makes your potential enemies comfortable... and they easily underestimate you. Even those who know you are a Sannin, still underestimate your intelligence, the way you act, do they not?"

Jiraiya raised his eyebrows. "Interesting theory."

"I still have to figure you out, Jiraiya-san" Akimi said. "You are a pervert... no, super pervert, but you are a Sannin. You behave in a goofy way, but you are obviously smart... which means you follow the Golden Rule. And you are a seal master. I dunno whether to like you or not..."

"What's not to like?" he made a strange pose. "I'm the gallant Jiraiya! And what do you mean Golden Rule?"

"Deception is a shinobi greatest weapon. That's the first rule!" they both chorused.

"So there are other rules as well?"

"We got Kaka-sensei's one." Akimi said. "Those who break the rules are trash, but those who abandon their teammates are worse than trash."

"And there is Haku's one. When you have someone precious you want to protect, that's when you really can become strong."

"And there is the Yondaime's." Akimi concluded. "Abandon your duty is not courageous..."

"... below courage there is nothing." Jiraiya said, somehow sadly. 'Ah, Minato..:'

The two kids stopped, as if they remembered the man was the Yondaime's teacher.

"You are fine kids." Jiraiya smiled. "So, tell me, are there any Kage Bunshin training back at your place right now?" The look on them told everything. "Of course. Which reminds me, how many can you exactly do?"

Naruto shrugged. "I lost count at five hundred."

"Ten... but it's complicated." Akimi replied.

"How so?" Jiraiya asked.

The girl shrugged. "Here, read this." she gave him a small piece of paper.

The older man read, frowning in amazement. As he finished, the paper dissolved in fire. "Who knows about this?"

"Excluding the presents... Sandaime-sama, Kakashi-sensei and Shino."

"Very smart." Jiraiya said. "Are you using this ability extensively? I mean, how long do you make your clones last?"

"I've got it down like this, usually... I summon them and I have them doing Fūinjutsu and meditation. Once they have researched, half of them divide and turn back to meditation. The new ones start to practice katas and study scrolls. When they recharged, they start practicing jutsu and fire manipulation. Then, I leave them to meditate. And then, before they dispel, they create other clones. I let them last for about a day each, not wanting information overload. And they always get through the same few things. I never have more than twenty up, anyway."

"And 'mi-chan never lets me use more than one-hundred." Naruto whined.

"It's good she did, or you would get too powerful in too little time. Your spiritual energy would increase too much, creating an imbalance with your physical one." Jiraiya said. "In this way, you grew at a slower pace and can keep up with your improvement. Especially your body. Correct me if I mistake, but you can withstand so much information overload because the regenerative power the fox gives you?"

The blonde nodded.

"Well, still the brain is very delicate." Jiraiya indicated his head. "If you abuse that jutsu, you'll eventually get crazy. Really, really crazy."

"Right, I'll get it. I'll never overdo it... unless it's an emergency." Naruto wisely said. "And I never back down on my word. It's my nindo."

Jiraiya smiled at him.

"With this information, I've now decided your training schedule. I suppose you do physical conditioning in the morning, right?" A nod was his response. "Tomorrow I'll drop by and see what exactly you do and I'll probably assign you some exercise to do. After that, I want you to respite for an hour and meet me here. We'll spar taijutsu only, like today, then work on your katas, then with your weapons. This in the morning. In the afternoon, we'll work on jutsu and strategies, maybe some seals now and then. We'll have another spar and then I'll let you go before sunset. In the meantime, you'll have clones do your usual training back at your home... and I may or not send a Kage Bunshin there to work with them."

"Jiraiya-san, we need to meet with Kakashi-sensei for a team training every Saturday."

"Good. I'll let you go earlier then. And I actually think it's better if you take it easy during weekends, anyway..." 'It'll leave me time to peep... actually, I can send Kage Bunshin to do that! What did I not think of this before?' "Well, enough chatting. Show me your katas. You first, blondie."

April, 22st 214 – Outskirts of Konoha, afternoon

"What I plan to teach you today, actually, is more a supplementary jutsu... very adaptable. However, I'd rather you don't use it in the actual exam, unless you really haven't any other choices..." Jiraiya explained, biting his thumb and going a through a brief series of handseals. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu"

He slammed his hand on the ground and, with a big puff of smoke, a fair sized toad appeared in front of the two children. Jiraiya was standing over the toad, his arms crossed and a smug smirk on his face.

The animal was orange, with blue markings all around his body. Some bandages were wrapped around his belly and left forearms. He had a green necklace on and the central and largest pearl spotted the kanji for 'Loyalty'. He was holding a large and slime scroll with his tongue.

Jiraiya grinned. "This is Gama." he explained.

"Very original." Akimi observed, crossing her arms.

Jiraiya frowned. "I'll let you know that Toads don't take offences very well."

"That was not an offence." the girl replied, before bowing to the animal. "I am honoured to meet you, Gama-san. I suppose you are the Keeper of the contract for summoning your noble clan, aren't you?"

The Sennin almost gaped. 'This is got to be the first time ever I saw someone use honorific with one of the lesser summons.' He shook his head to clear his thoughts.

"Croak." Gama replied, smacking his lips. He was obviously pleased.

"You are correct, Akimi." Jiraiya said. "In fact, I'd like you two to sign the contract and learn how to summon."

"Yatta! This is awesome!" Naruto exclaimed. "Toads are so cool. And the Fourth summoned them too, did he not?"

Jiraiya chuckled. "Indeed." he smiled sadly, remembering his beloved student. "I taught him how when he was around your age, you know."

Naruto nodded, looking at him attention, thirsty for any details on the life of his hero. However, the sage was done reminiscing for the day. "Very well, Naruto, I'm happy to see you so eager to sign the contract! Gama, can you... Gama?"

Akimi was sitting on the head of the toad, near Jiraiya, patting it. Kaera was crouched in front of them, meowing happily to the amphibian. Gama himself responded with modulate croaking.

"How very interesting." Akimi nodded to herself. She noticed the two men looking at them. "Ne, Gama-san, I think Jiraiya-san requires something from you."

"How did you do it? Gama is not usually so friendly with strangers."

"Apparently, tigers and toads go along very well. Which is strange, if you really think about it..." she stopped. "Or not, considering that apparently toads taste bad and tigers don't like to eat them. And they both hate snakes. So... Kaera-chan can understand Gama-san and vice versa."

Jiraiya was a little baffled, but shrugged it off. "Naruto needs to sign the contract, Gama. What about you, Akimi?"

The toad extended his tongue so the scroll was now right in front of Naruto. The boy took it with an awed look.

"I'm afraid I've already signed a contract, Jiraiya-san." Akimi replied, distractedly. "With tigers."

The Gama sennin seemed a little disappointed, but nodded. "I've never heard of such contract before." he observed.

"It's a family heirloom. To my knowledge, only members of my clan have signed it."

"I see." Jiraiya boomed. "What are you waiting for, gaki? Sign it!"

The sage supposed the boy knew he needed to do it with blood, in fact, the blonde bit his thumb, after opening the scroll, before signing his name with barely controlled movement. He was obviously very excited.

"You also need to place the imprint of your hand next to your name, then you need place on the ground that very hand to call forth your summon." Jiraiya explained. "The sign are Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey and Ram."

Naruto quickly finished and closed the contract with caution, before handing it back to Gama. Akimi gracefully jumped down and landed next to him.

"How much chakra should we use?" Naruto asked.

"That depends on the size, power and abilities of the summon you want to call." Jiraiya said. "As you get more familiar with them, you can ask specifically for one, either calling or thinking a precise name. Use at least the same amount of chakra you would need for your most powerful technique."

"Right then." the blonde took a deep breath, starting to mould chakra. "Boar..." he went through the sign very slowly, not wanting to mess up. Akimi mirrored him, after biting her own thumb. "Dog, Bird, Monkey... Ram."

"Kuchiyose no jutsu!" the tow genins exclaimed, slamming their right hand on the ground.

Two twins arrays of black seals appeared, followed by two clouds of smoke that merged into one. Jiraiya was impressed by its size. 'Looks like they have indeed summoned something... useful.' He thought. 'But after all, they have been training hard in chakra control and ninjutsu for years, so it is not so surprising.'

As it was, Naruto was standing on the head of a toad who was probably half the size of Gama. He was blue with yellow lines running all around. The toad wore a light chainmail and carried a tantō (which was actually the size of Zabuza's zanbato).

In front of the couple, Akimi stood on between two huge pointed ears. The red tiger she evoked – Jiraiya had no idea if it was a female or a male – was roughly two times bigger than a normal tiger, with sharp looking claws and two sharp, long fangs on the side of the mouth. The girl, however, was panting, since the feat had obviously tired her out.

The tiger stared intently at the toad and the blonde ninja. "Why have you called me here, En..."

"I beg you not to use that name, tiger-san." Akimi quickly said. "It's not safe."

"You are old man Katora's great-cub." the tiger road. "So he is really dead."

"Yes, I'm Akimi." she replied. "You can call me Katora, though, that's how I go by nowadays."

"What happened then? Do I need to fight this toad?"

"No, everybody here is friendly!" Akimi exclaimed. "Kaera, can you please explain things?"

The smaller feline leaped at the feet of her mistress, then started to purr contently.

"I see... We were almost certain the old man had died, but only the Elders have had a vague idea of what happened. I will report this. Zukogane-sama will be both happy and sad to hear this news. We lost a summoner and gained a new one, but such is the cycle of the world. I also bring back intel about... him." the tiger took a deep breath. "You may call me Sabura, Akimi-dono. I'll be honoured to fight alongside you, especially considering the way you have cared for the little Kaera."

Akimi was about to reply, when the toad Naruto had summoned made himself known. "I'd like to know why on earth I was called here. I was enjoying my first afternoon snack, so, if there is no reason for me to be here, I may as well be going."

Sabura glared at him, Jiraiya chuckled and Naruto hastily tried to pacify the animal. "I'm the new summoner of the Toad Clan, dattebayo! I called you here... and I'm sorry if I bothered you, so, well... what can you do?"

The toad slowly smacked his lips. "And what is your name, brat?"

"Naruto Uzumaki, future Hokage of Konoha, dattebayo!"

The toad snorted. "If you say so. My name is Gamaze, one of the finest sword-toads of mount Myōboku. I'm actually impressed you managed to get me here at your first attempt."

Naruto grinned.

"Indeed." Jiraiya boomed. "You two will go far, brats. For next week, I want you to focus on the Kuchiyose. In order to do so, you need to get familiar with at least a dozen of different summons, you will also need to train together to hone your teamwork. However, as a piece of advice, since you summoned these two on your first try, it may as well mean you are very suited for each other. This will get me time to think about what to teach you during the rest of our training time. This said, I'll see you tomorrow morning!" and he disappeared with a puff of smoke alongside Gama.

"Time to think about our training?" Naruto shouted. "He's probably gone peeping!"

"What do you mean by 'peeping', shinobi-san?" Sabura asked, with a small growl.

"Ero-sennin is... well, a pervert." Naruto explained. "A super pervert."

"Pervert?" the tiger growled. "Are you sure it is proper for you to be around such a person, Akimi-dono? He appears to be 'teaching' you, moreover..."

"Jiraiya-san may be a pervert, but he is not that bad, Sabura-san." Akimi replied. "We all need a coping way, I believe."

"The girl is right." Gamaze said. "Besides, the best way to use Kuchiyose is to socialise!"

"So, what?" Naruto shouted. "We could spar!"

"I think I need a little time to respite." Akimi sighed. "I'm not a stamina freak such as you, Naruto-kun. So how about we get to know each other?"

"What a drag!" Gamaze scoffed. "I want something to eat for this!"

In the next couple of hours, Naruto and Akimi discovered that Gamaze was a scary mixture of Naruto and Shikamaru, personality-wise. He was lazy, unless you asked him to fight with his tantō, and loved ramen. Sabura was much more collected, but very proud. He was extremely protective of Akimi and Kaera.

The small group made some little talk while eating, then Naruto and Akimi told the two summons about their lives.

"... so the hebi-teme poisoned mi-chan and I lost it, going berserker..." Naruto stopped his tale, uncertain.

"Like it happened in Wave?" Sabura asked, with his deep, velvet-like voice.

The blonde nodded distractedly, too busy communicating with Akimi through the Loyalty Seal. "Should I tell them?"

"Well, I can't decide for you, but you should consider two facts. First, only you and Jiraiya-san can summon toads, whilst only I can call forth tigers. Even if they told their whole clans, your secret would be safe. Second, summons' perception of things is different from ours. It is likely that Sabura-san knows enough about Fūinjutsu to see you for what you are: a hero. And Gamaze likes you – and maybe even knows already, seeing how close the Toads are with Jiraiya-san and Konoha in general."

"I like him too. If we fight well together, I'll definitely call him often."

"Then you should definitely tell him."

"Can you ask Kaera to...?"

"Kids, where did you go?" Gamaze asked.

"Sorry, it was rather rude of us to zone off like that. We can talk to each other through a seal, although is a much undeveloped method..." Akimi said. "Kaera, could you...?"

The two older summons listened to the swift explanation of the younger tiger.

"Mmm." Sabura lazily said. "You carry a heavy burden, young one." His piercing green eyes locked on the blonde. "And as such you have my respect. Besides, you saved Akimi-dono life... more than once, becoming her most trusted ally. As such, you are also an ally of the Tiger Clan. Everything else is meaningless."

Gamaze nodded. "The furball is right." he said. "And there is no way that Yondaime-sama's seal is going to break, so I'm golden with it. Well, what happened after you went berserker on that bloody snake? Stupid toad-eater snakes..."

Naruto eyes started to shine suspiciously. Akimi smiled sadly at this. 'Poor Naruto-kun... what he has always wanted is acceptance. Simply as this. Sooner or later everyone will see what a wonderful person you are.' "Naruto-kun attacked the Oro-teme... however despite being very powerful he was out of it. It was enough to make him desist from biting me, though. Then, he placed an uneven seal on Naruto, disrupting his balance." Akimi sighed. "Well, afterwards he ran, probably afraid that ANBU would sense him or something. I played dead to ensure he wouldn't try anything." She then proceeded to tell them the rest of the second Exam and of the preliminaries.

"... so we are now trying with Ero-sennin and he is actually cool, when he manages to restrain his pervert side and train us, dattebayo"

"Which is not very often." Akimi smirked. "But it's better than nothing, isn't it?"

Naruto and the toad chuckled.

"I've fought alongside your grandfather since I was a cub smaller than Kaera." Sabura growled softly. "I can teach you two as well."

"Aye, I suppose I'm not as good as the Great Threes, or the two Elders, but I'm no pushover. I can also help you." Gamaze yawned. "Even though it will be a drag."

Both Akimi and Naruto sweat dropped, thinking how similar the toad was to Shikamaru.

"The Great Threes? The two Elders?" Akimi asked, regaining her bearings. "Could you explain, Gamaze-san?"

"Sure thing. We Toads are a large clan, each one of us has unique abilities, much like you human shinobi. I'm a battle toad, specialised in offence, medium size – whereas Gama, for example, has a knack for defence. You haven't seen him with his armour."

"The most important thing you need to remember when using Kuchiyose, is that you need to summon a companion that is suited to the situation you are in." Sabura explained. "Summons such as me or as Gamaze-san are weaker than the Greater ones, but are more versatile."

"The Great Threes, as I called them before, are gigantic battle Toads. Gamaken-san, Gamahiro-san and Gamabunta-sama, our 'boss'."

"Gamabunta..." Naruto exhaled. "The Toad who battled Kyūbi alongside Yondaime-sama."

"Exactly." Gamaze nodded. "But you can't certainly summon the Great Three if you are indoors or need to be subtle, can you not?"

"What about the Elders?" asked Akimi.

"They are very esteemed toads, keepers of the secrets of the Clan, and very powerful despite the size, you should wait for them to approve you before calling them, Naruto." Gamaze gravely said. "For the rest, the smaller toads are support ones, used for recon, tracking, or as messengers. Diving toads can swallow people and very large object, making them very useful for breaking in high secured areas."

"Sabura-san, what about the Tiger Clan?"

"Our Queen, Zukogane-sama, is a great battle tiger. Her size can indeed be compared to Gamabunta-sama's one. She has mastery over Lighting. My brothers and sisters are all trained in mastering one element actually and it's usually fire or lightning, seldom times earth." the tiger stopped to think. "We also have Elders, in fact, they are the ones who protect the scrolls that your grandfather entrusted to the Clan. Akimi-dono, if you wish to speak to them, you'll need to pass the first Trial."

"Trial?" asked Naruto, surprised.

"Yeah, Gramps told me about it." the girl nodded. She signalled to Naruto: "Later."

"Lastly, our clan is specialised in hunting and recon. There are few greater Tigers, in fact, I'm the fifth greatest in the whole clan. Kaera-chan brother, Kiluke, is still very little, but will grow to be a tough, big opponent."

"Yeah, the same could be said for Gamakichi and Gamatatsu, our boss' sons."

"So do you suggest we summon them to get to know them now? In a sort of way grow together as shinobi?" Akimi asked.

"Not a bad idea." Sabura said. "Especially since now it would not cost much to summon them."

"Sabura-san, how much more chakra would I need to summon Zukogane-sama, exactly?"

The tiger laughed. "A lot more than what you needed for me, cub! Four or five times more."

Akimi cursed. "It'll be years..." she sighed. "No matter! I'll get there."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Would the same be true for Gamabunta?" he asked the toad.

Gamaze nodded, yawing.

"What about our spar, now?" asked Akimi. "It would be good to see what we can do, right?"

Sabura grinned. "Why don't we and Gamaze-san fight alone so you can observe our styles? Then you can do the same, kids."

The two genin nodded eagerly.

"Just try not to destroy this place too much!" Akimi warned, just as the big tiger leaped towards the toad, her claws lighting up with blazing fire.

April 26th, 214 – Training grounds 7

"Ohi, Shino!" Naruto shouted happily, as he and Akimi approached the three poles of the training grounds.

The Aburame was intently studying the memorial stone. "Good morning."

"Sensei is late as usual." Akimi observed. "I just hope he can make it."

"Kakashi-sensei always keeps his word. He said he would come, or at least send a Kage Bunshin... so he is gonna arrive." Naruto said. "Still trying to figure out why sensei always stares at that thing, Shino?"

"Yes" was the curt answer. "But I am narrowing it down. Of course, without breaking it in Konoha's secret archives, I doubt we could really find an answer."

"What's your best angle?" Akimi asked sitting down.

"Academy reports. You were right about them, it's awfully easy to access them." Shino replied. "This at least explains how you knew so much about us when you started Academy."

"Knowledge is power." Akimi replied.

"We should put it in the Rules." Naruto spoke up. "What did those reports say, anyway?"

"Sensei used to be the Sasuke of the class. Emotionally wise as well."

"No freaking way!" Naruto shouted.

"But he graduated very early... it was time of war." Shino curtly said. "The report also mentions Kakashi's father killed himself."

"The White Fang." Akimi replied. "Gramps once told about him. Said he was a great man."

Shino and Naruto weren't surprised she knew about it. "What happened?" Shino asked.

"It's common knowledge, anyway." she shrugged. "You can found info about him in any books about Konoha's famous shinobi, in the library. Although is probably not the best accurate of..."

"Your point, 'mi-chan?"

"Sensei's father killed himself after he sacrificed the mission for his comrade's life, because the scorn and disgust other showed him. Before that, he used to be a hero, on par with the Sannin in power and fame."

"Harsh." Naruto observed. "Could it be that sensei changed after that?"

"The name is not on the stone." Shino gravely replied. "I looked for it all over."

"WHAT?"

"Calm down, 'to-kun."

Naruto growled in anger. "I can't believe it. I am going to change it as soon as I get that hat."

"Sensei will be very happy about it..." Akimi smiled. "So you think is someone else, Shino?"

"I think it's a teammate. They both are dead. Maybe even Yondaime-sama." the Aburame shrugged. "Maybe we should just ask him."

"Not yet." Akimi said. "Besides, I am convinced he will open up to us sooner or later. For now, I think he doesn't want to burden us. He is our sensei, he thinks he has to take care of us."

"By all means we should take care of him as well." Naruto murmured.

"He is coming." Shino said suddenly. "So how is it training with one of the Densetsu no Sannin?"

"If you don't consider his perverted side, he is cool." Akimi grimaced a little. "But his perverted side is very big."

"Akimi is pranking him continuously. Last day she placed a seal near the hot springs that amplified noise. His giggling was heard all over the village and Ero-sennin was beaten up so badly he could barely move. Luckily it was after he taught us ninjutsu for the day." Naruto laughed. "But he is cool to learn from him."

"He is good with seals." Akimi said. "I haven't learnt so much from a real person since Gramps died."

"And Kuchiyose? Kuchiyose is awesome." Naruto continued. "I love that technique, it's a second close with Kage Bunshin for my favourite."

"And what about you, Shino?" Akimi asked, with sincere curiosity.

"My father is a very good teacher. He thinks I may finally be ready to receive a second hive, although I am uncertain about it." Shino stopped. "I would like to keep the chakra for other things..."

"And how is our little side project going?" Naruto jumped eagerly. "Did the jutsu work?"

The duo was able to see a brief moment of joy in Shino's demeanour. "I made progresses and..."

"Hello, students!"

The three genin immediately detected something was different or wrong in Kakashi's voice. They turned in a split second.

"Sensei, what happened to you?" Akimi shouted, rushing forward the battered jōnin.

Naruto and Shino followed suit, worried as well.

Kakashi had his right arm bandaged and was walking with crutches, but his clothes were clean and neat. "I am all right, Amiki-chan." he answered in his usual laid back tone. "Don't worry."

"I can't help but worry, Kaka-sensei." she replied. "You always downplay it. You have a medical report?"

The jōnin raised his eyebrow at her. "Actually no."

She scoffed. "I'll let it pass for today. So what happened?"

Kakashi sighed. "It's supposed to be classified, but..." he shrugged. "I don't want you breaking and entering to acquire this information so I will tell you."

"I would never!" Akimi protested, with her 'innocent' expression.

Kakashi, Naruto and Shino looked at her as if saying 'yeah, right.' She scoffed again.

"Do you remember the little bugging snake you discovered during the Exams?"

Their faces darkened at once. Each one of them hated traitors with a great spirit.

"He attempted to make contact with Sasuke-san. He also managed to kill all the security ANBU we set up. He is far more dangerous that we thought... luckily I was there, or who knows what he would have done."

"He... he did this to you?" Akimi hissed.

Kakashi watched in curiosity as her eyes flashed gold for a second, just as flames engulfed her fists. 'I saw this happen before... when Hokage-sama called Naruto a Jinchūriki. I wonder what it is and if she realises she is doing it.' "Yes." he answered, with an eye-smile. "But you should see him. He got worse." he tried to joke. Ghost

It didn't work. Akimi still looked a little murderous, as did Naruto and Shino. Well, Shino didn't look different from usual, expect the fact that his shoulders were tensed and his fists clenched... which equalled murderous for a normal person.

"Kids." he said, warningly. "I am one of Konoha's top jōnin. Actually, I'm probably the strongest after Hokage-sama and Jiraiya-sama. I don't want you to seek out Kabuto in any way. If you meet him, avoid any confrontations if possible. I am not joking. You aren't at his level yet."

"What can he do?" Akimi asked. She raised her hands in defence. "I won't look for him... yet, but if we met him it would give an edge to know his abilities, no?"

The jōnin sighed. "He is proficient with medical ninjutsu. Avoid taijutsu and close contact. He also Knows high level techniques, such Kage Bunshin, and seems to have learned how to summon snakes. And..." he stopped. "... I think he is good enough to heal himself during battle. Therefore he has great endurance. He is a very dangerous opponent."

The trio nodded.

"Now promise you won't seek him out."

Once the trio had done soon, Kakashi nodded in approval. "Now, let's talk about you three. What have you done this week?"

"Kuchiyose!" Naruto shouted.

Akimi sighed. "And our usual taijutsu, kenjutsu and ninjutsu training. Jiraiya-sensei also taught us something about seals, a defensive jutsu, a supplementary one..."

"Are you being vague?" Kakashi asked, amused.

"Well, if we are to spar I can't tell you anything about what we can do, can we?" Naruto exclaimed. "It would give you an edge."

"I am not sure I'll spar with you today." Kakashi eye smiled. "I am supposed to be resting." and he gave them fake air quotes.

"Why aren't you?" Akimi cried out. "You should..."

"I am going to supervise. You three are going to spar." he looked at Naruto. "You may provide us with an opponent for you three?"

"A toad? Sure, no prob." Naruto said. "I can't summon anything bigger than these trees, though."

"I am sure it will do." Kakashi turned to Shino. "How is it going?"

"I am working on a way to limit the Sharingan's effectiveness. Also, by mastering different techniques than my Kikaichū, I am hoping to confuse Uchiha-san."

"Because he will expect you to only use your insects." Kakashi nodded in approval. "And?"

"I am practicing my reconnaissance skills on the other combatants of the tournament. I have avoided Uchiha-san so not to upset ANBU. I am rather focusing on Team's Gai and the Suna genins."

"Are you?" Kakashi eye smiled. "What can you tell us about them?"

"Gaara-san doesn't really speak with his brothers. The other two often converse quietly with their sensei." Shino shrugged. "I have a hunch they are plotting something... but I wouldn't really bet even one of my Kikaichū on it."

"Keep me posted." Kakashi said. "Now, I think it's best if we start. I'll be able to gauge your improvement better by observing, anyway. Naruto, go ahead."

"Kuchiyose no jutsu!" the blonde shouted, calling on Gamaze.

"Damn it, brat!" the toad shouted. "I was having a snack. What a drag."

"We'll get you some bowls of Ichiraku's special meal if you spar with us." Naruto smirked. "And prove yourself to be a challenge too."

Gamaze smirked. "You are on, brat." he exclaimed, unsheathing his sword. "Tell your little friend to be careful. We toads enjoy eating insects now and then..."

"Be careful... you may not able to stomach these insect, toad-san." Shino said. "Standard formation?"

"You bet." Naruto shouted, flashing handseals. "Let's give sensei a good show!"

REVIEW ANSWERS:

NATSUxERZA 123456: thank you so much for reviewing. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know you are a fan of Jiraiya =)

Luna Night: butterflies will be. And don't worry, Shino won't summon anything really big until at least the second part (post time skip). I'm really glad you enjoy the humour I tried to put into the story (flashback no jutsu is amazing, but sadly I didn't come up with it on my own. I read it somewhere and it stuck.) Thank you for reviewing. I am glad you are enjoying the story!

Deathgeonous: thank you for reviewing! I appreciate the advice and I will try looking for a beta. Well, yes Italian is my first languages and I am sure it influences my writing style a lot. I started to write in Italian after all XD.

Confused: I am pretty sure I explained it before... Hinata isn't really going to play a big part in this story. I had to exclude someone to include Akimi into the story without creating tons of OCs for another team.

Neo Amon: thank you so much for reviewing! I am glad you enjoyed the chapter =) You are right, of course, they don't even suspect Gaara has a tailed beast. The nightmare wasn't really discussed in this chapter, but in the next ones the topic will return. What did you think of Jiraiya/Naruto/Akimi interaction?

xxOMGgalxx: thank you so much for reviewing! I think the chapter did answer your question. What did you think? =)

Trishi: thank you so much for reviewing! I'm glad you enjoyed the fighting scenes. I always find them difficult to write. I'm also happy you liked the interaction between Team 7. It's kind of easy to write now because I'm more familiar with their personalities and their dynamics (if this makes sense to you). I hope you liked this chapter as well.

CHAPTERS NOTES:

So, first thing off: I was planning to only show glimpses of the training month, so to keep up suspense and surprise you on what they will really be able to do afterwards. But if you prefer more details, just let me know and I may consider writing more scenes. By the way, I dealt with the Kabuto situation in an indirect way, without really describing it. Hope that it's all right with you.

Second, does any of you want to beta or know someone who may want to beta this story? If so, PM me. I can't really figure out how the beta searching system works on the site and is really bugging me. (any clarification of this is also very welcomed.)

Also I would love if some of you were interested in just giving me advices about the storylines. I like to hear a second (or a third and more) opinion about my story.

For example, should Shino's contract with butterflies come from his clan (like an heirloom) or do I make him the first to sign it? What do you think? I also wanted to remember you about the poll about Shino's affinity. I'll close it soon. =)

Next chapter should be up before next Monday/Tuesday, cause I am going away this weekend. It will deal with Akimi and Naruto (and partly Shino) relationship with some of the other rookies.