Alright! Chapter 5! I'm happy with the way that the last poll turned out! So two thirds of you wanted me to skip ahead to the graduation and proceed with the story. So that's exactly what I'm going to do right now.

However, I'm still a little disappointed. Last chapter I made a very, VERY obvious reference and no one seemed to get it. At least to my knowledge. But that's just me being petty.

I'd like to thank all of you who voted in the poll. So without further gilding the lily and without any more ado, LET'S GET THIS CHAPTER GOING!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did, then I probably would have kept Tobi the lovable idiot he used to be. I miss my good boy.

Naruto: The Jinchuuriku Mercenary

Chapter 5

Tests and Traitors

Ichiraku Ramen

The early morning sun was shining over the horizon as a new day began in Konoha. A tall, young woman was making her way towards the front of the famous ramen stand. She wore her usual uniform and her long brown hair was held in a white bandana. Just as she finished opening up the place for business, an all too familiar face entered the restaurant.

"Ohayou Ayame-chan." Ayame smiled brightly at one of their favorite customers.

"Ohayou Naruto-kun. What can I get you?" Naruto smiled a foxy grin at the ramen waitress. Ayame looked him over as he sat down at the bar. He had grown up so much in the past ten years. They young boy who barely stood up to the ramen waitress' stomach now stood at an even 6 feet tall, towering over the 5 foot 3 twenty-three year old woman. Nearly all traces of baby fat had disappeared, leaving him with quite the handsome face. Unfortunately for him, he still carried the title of the village pariah even after all these years, so no women had ever shown interest. What also didn't help was his sense of fashion. He always seemed to wear the same outfit consisting of a large black and orange jacket and orange pants. On his head he wore a pair of goggles that kept his bangs out of his eyes. (AN: Shippuden Outfit but with his old goggles.)

'He's so handsome. If he just dressed nicer, I'm sure he could find someone nice.' The young ramen waitress thought as Naruto sat down.

"I'll have one bowl of shrimp and one of miso pork ramen please." Ayame wrote down his order and sent it back to her father in the back. She leaned over the counter and gaze the blonde a warm smile.

"Must be a big day if Kakashi-san's letting you have ramen, eh Naruto-kun. You used to come here for almost every meal." Naruto scratched back of his head and chuckled.

"Yeah. But it's for the best that I didn't eat here all the time. I'd probably still be a little shrimp. I'd still have to look up at you while sitting here." Ayame giggled at the blonde's joke. Naruto gave her a genuine smile in return. He loved the sound of her laugh. He'd even developed a bit of a crush on the ramen waitress over the years.

'I'm really going to miss her when I leave.'

"You know you could always take her with you."

'No. She belongs here Kyuubi.'

"Suit yourself." Naruto smiled.

"Well Kakashi-nii figured that graduation day was worth an extra meal of ramen this month." The sound of a bell ringing stopped Ayame from speaking as she went and grabbed Naruto's bowls and brought them to him.

"Here you go Naruto-kun. Good luck today." The ramen waitress went about her usual duties cleaning up around the ramen stand, occasionally sending glances the blonde's way.

'Good luck Naruto-kun. We'll be rooting for you.'

Konoha Academy

Naruto sat in his usual seat near the back of the class as the rest of the students began to file into the classroom for hopefully one of the last times. As they walked in, four people gave Naruto an acknowledging nod in greeting. Naruto had grown friendly to Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chouji, Aburame Shino, and Inuzuka Kiba. Sitting near Kiba was Hyuuga Hinata. She would constantly glance over at the young jinchuuriki while doing her nervous tick of touching her fingertips together. Whenever her and Naruto would make eye contact, she would quickly look away as her face turned beat red.

"Oh she seriously has the hots for you, Kit."

'I'm aware. But I can't start a relationship with someone when I intend on leaving. It would be cruel and would hurt them in the end.'

Naruto was ripped from his conversation by the one sound he had come to dread in all the world.

"CHA! YOU LOSE INO-PIG! SASUKE-KUN IS MINE!" Naruto cringed as the pink haired banshee known as Hanuro Sakura entered the classroom along with Yamanka Ino. The pair infuriated Naruto to no end. They were the worst examples of fan girls for the spoiled brat Uchiha Sasuke. Naruto balls his hands into fists as he resisted the urge to chew the two out. He couldn't do it, at least not yet.

It was at that time that their instructors Umino Iruka and Mizuki. The latter send Naruto a glare that screamed with loathing and utter disgust. The blonde however seemed oblivious to it as Iruka stood in front of the class.

"Alright everyone, sit down. Today is the day that you take your graduation tests. Those of you who will pass, will be able to move on to the rank of Genin. This test will be split up into three separate sections. A written test of what you've learned, a combat test, and a jutsu test. If you fail one of these tests then you fail the entire test. Now Mizuki is handing out the written tests as we speak. You may begin when you receive your paper."

Naruto received his test and wasn't at all shocked to see that the white haired Chunin had placed a genjutsu on his paper to have all of the questions be of a much higher difficulty than any academy student would know. However, being a jinchuuriki had its perks. Like not being affected by genjutsu for example. Naruto simply dispelled the genjutsu and began his test. The questions were so easy that a monkey could ace the test.

Once the written part of the exam was finished, the Chunin led the students to a target range where they were each handed ten shuriken and ten kunai. Each of them went in alphabetical order trying to hit the bullseyes on all the dummies. Naruto waited patiently as everyone went before him. Next up was Sasuke who scored the top of the class so far hitting 19 out of 20 of the targets. Naruto heard his name as he stepped up to the range. He threw all of the projectiles with incredible speed. However, all of the students began to laugh as none of them hit a single bullseye. Even Sasuke smirked.

"I'm sorry Naruto, but you f-"

"Check again Iruka-sensei." The blonde smirked. Iruka examined the targets and his eyes widened in shock.

"You didn't hit any of the bullseyes, but every hit would either kill or mortally wound the target. 20 points. Good job, Naruto." Naruto smiled as he saw the shocked expressions of the students as well as Sasuke seething. Iruka gathered the students and brought each of them one by one into a room for the jutsu portion of the exam. After several minutes Naruto's name was called and he went into the room where Iruka and Mizuki sat at a table. Iruka smiled.

"This part of the test will see if you can perform three jutsu. Are you ready Naruto?"

"Hai Iruka-sensei."

"First, the Kawarimi no Jutsu." Naruto disappeared into a puff of smoke, when the smoke cleared, the Hokage stood in his place.

"Hello Iruka-san, Mizuki-san." Both of the Chunin bowed.

"Hello, Hokage-sama." The Kage disappeared and was replaced once again by Naruto.

"Now the Henge." Naruto did the hand-sign and was consumed by a plume of smoke. The smoke cleared and standing in the room was a perfect copy of the Yondaime. Naruto dispelled the jutsu and prepared for the final jutsu. Mizuki smirked. Iruka checked off the sheet of paper on his desk.

"Now, finally the Bushin. You have to make two perfect bunshin."

'The demon brat can't perform this. He will never become a genin!'

Naruto smirked as he formed his hands into a cross shaped hand-sign.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Two perfect Kage Bunshins appeared next to Naruto. Mizuki stood up in an instant.

"THOSE ARE NOT REGULAR BUNSHINS! YOU FAIL!" Naruto turned to Iruka with an annoyed look.

"Iruka-sensei, does the test specify what kind of bunshin they have to be?" Iruka smiled brightly.

"No Naruto. It just says you have to create two bunshin. No specifics. Congratulations Naruto. You pass." The blonde smiled as he went to the table and grabbed a black hitai-ate and replaced his goggles with it. Mizuki was simply livid.

'Damn it! I guess I'll just have to steal the Forbidden Scroll myself!'

Iruka congratulated all of the students who passed and told them to meet back on Monday for their team placements. Many of the students went home to their parents, others went to celebrate with other classmates. Naruto however decided to take a walk.

Abandoned Shack, Konoha Outskirts

Naruto sat in one of his personal hiding spots. He'd discovered the old shack shortly after his fifth birthday and would often come here to unwind or meditate. He sat inside and closed his eyes. He felt the familiar tug as he drifted into unconsciousness.

Mindscape

Naruto walked through the forest of his mind. It was peaceful and he loved the scenery he'd created. He entered a clearing and found the dojo he had created. This was where he had learned much of his current skills over the past few years. Kyuubi was a very effective teacher. Incredibly brutal at times, but effective.

"Hey Kyuubi. Where are you?" The blonde made his way into the dojo. Yet he couldn't find any traces of the tailed fox.

"Come on out. I want to talk to you." Only silence answered him.

"That's odd." Naruto decided to go into the dojo's hot springs to relax. The blonde had added them simply for aesthetic purposes. However he soon discovered that like a normal hot spring does to one's muscles, soaking in his mental hot spring helped relax and relieve his mind of stress. He disrobed and began to wash himself. Suddenly, Naruto felt a pair of hands begin to scrub his back.

"Where the hell have you been Kyuubi-sensei? I called but you didn't answer."

"I'm sorry. But I was a bit pre-occupied." Responded a voice the young blonde had never heard before. He whipped around and was greeted by two slitted red eyes.

Naruto stepped back to see a woman standing before him wearing nothing but a towel. Her lips were ruby red and curled into a devilishly seductive smirk. Her hair was a deep, deep blood red that framed her face with one lock coming down the center of her forehead. It cascaded down over her shoulders and to her mid back. He body was simply incredible. He long slender legs just seemed to go on for days before meeting with her shapely hips and toned, tight stomach. Her breasts were bordering on DDs. She was simply one of the most beautiful women Naruto had ever seen. But what stood out about her the most was that swaying behind her were nine crimson fox tails and a set of ear atop her head.

"Well Naru-chan? See anything you like?" Naruto's eyes widened as his brain finished processing the situation.

"K-Kyuubi-sensei?" Kyuubi walked over to Naruto, swaying her hips with each step before wrapping her arms around the young genin's neck.

"That's right. It's me. What's the matter? You didn't think I was a male did you?"

"I didn't think you were anything. I thought you bijuu were just giant creatures of pure chakra and chakra doesn't have a gender." Kyuubi pursed her lips before smiling.

"I taught you well. And you're right. When we first came into being we were all just genderless beings of pure chakra. However, once we end up sealed into a human we become that gender. My first jinchuuriki was female, so here I stand before you. Now Naruto-kun. Back to my first question." She removed her towel and stood before the blonde in all her glory.

"See anything you like?" Naruto stood dumfounded as he gazed upon his tenant. He stepped forward and placed his hands on her hips as she wrapped her arms around his neck once more. He felt her ample bust pressing against his chest.

"Why, tell me now? Why not when I was younger?"

"Simple. You and I had other things to worry about. You needed to become strong. Now you've become so strong. Both physically, mentally and emotionally. You'll make a fine mate, Naruto-kun." The blonde's eye widened.

"Mate? You want me to be your…?" His words tailed off. Kyuubi just simply nodded.

"Think about it. You can give me your answer later." The vixen said as she kissed him on the cheek.

Real World

Naruto woke up in the shack. Several hours had passed during his conversation with the Kyuubi and night had already fallen. He was about to leave the shack when he saw none other than Mizuki land in front of the shack carrying a large scroll.

"I did it. I actually stole the Forbidden Scroll from the Kage's vault. I just need to get out of the village as fast as possible." The white haired chunin was interrupted by a voice from up in the trees.

"I'm sorry Mizuki-sensei. But I'm afraid I can't let you do that." He turned and glared at Naruto who stood looking down at him with a smirk on his face.

"What a fortunate turn of events for me. I come into the forest and who should I find? The thief who stole the Forbidden Scroll!" Naruto quirked his brow.

'Does he really think that excuse work… ever?' Naruto suddenly was on the other branch as he dodged a giant shuriken.

"So, Naruto, before I kill you and am proclaimed a hero, would you like to know why everyone hates you? Why you are ostracized and why you will never become Hokage?" Mizuki taunted. Naruto stared at him with a bored expression.

"Oh I know why no one likes me. It's because I'm an asshole." Mizuki face faulted.

"NO, YOU INSIPID LITLE CUR! THE REASON EVERYONE DISPISES YOU AND WHY I WILL BE HAILED AS A HERO IS BECAUSE THE YONDAIME NEVER KILLED THE KYUUBI! HE SEALED THE BEAST INSIDE OF YOU! THAT'S RIGHT BRAT! YOU ARE THE KYUUBI NO KITSUNE!"

"Oh. Okay." Naruto deadpanned, causing Mizuki to face fault again.

"Well now that I know that, I'm going to kick the living shit out of you and bring your sorry as back to Hokage-sama." The white haired chunin began to laugh insanely.

"YOU HONESTLY THINK YOU CAN DEFEAT ME? I AM A CHUNIN! YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A PETULANT LITTLE DEMON BR-" Mizuki was interrupted by a fist hitting his jaw, sending hurtling into the air. Naruto jumped from branch to branch before leaping above Mizuki and slamming his foot into the man's gut, knocking the breath out of him and sending him crashing to the ground. Naruto quickly hog-tied the unconscious chunin and waited.

Thirty Minutes Later

Iruka came across the clearing to find Naruto reading from the Forbidden Scroll whale Mizuki was tied up and screaming into a gag.

"Oh hi Iruka-sensei! I got bored of waiting for someone to come so I decided to do a bit of reading." The blonde genin proclaimed as he walked over to his sensei and handed him the scroll.

"I couldn't understand most of it, but it was still fun to look at." He said with his signature foxy grin.

"Naruto, did you capture Mizuki by yourself?" Naruto scratched the back of his head.

"Well, me and about a hundred Kage Bunshin." Iruka chuckled at his student.

"Good job Naruto. Let's wait for the ANBU to arrive. Then afterwords do you wanna get some ramen?"

"Hell yes I do!"

So there we are! Did you guys like the revelation about Kyuubi? Keep on reading to find out how Naruto responds to her proposition.

Luckily for you I have no more polls or announcements to make this chapter. Hooray! No announcements!

Next chapter: The team placements, Kakashi's infamous Bell Test, and the end of the Intro Arc!

Please leave a review, I always respond to questions that you have. Also, if you haven't already Follow and/or Favorite this story and be sure to check out my profile for the other awesome stories that I'm currently writing.

So I'll see you all next chapter! McManus D. Ninja out!