Naruto, Anko, and Jiraiya were standing in front of Mito Uzumaki's sacred sword of sealing. As the blond approached it, Jiraiya grabbed his god son's shoulders.
"What is it?" Naruto asked.
"Do you think Mito Uzumaki was some idiot? I doubt the sword would be that easy to grab. Send a shadow clone so you can see what happens before hand." Jiraiya ezplained.
"Good idea." Naruto said as he sent a shadow clone. When the clone touched the sword, immediately, the clone burst into flames, causing it to dispel.
"Damn. I wish there was some way I could get it. I's need some kind of protection." Naruto said.
"Naruto, what's something you, your mother, and lady Mito had in common?" Jiraiya asked.
A few moments passed as Narutk adopted a thinking pose. "I have no clue, haha." Naruto said sheepishly.
"The three of you were Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi No Kitsune. Clearly this sword was made for the Jinchuriki since the Kyuubi has only ever been sealed in an Uzumaki." Jiraiya declared.
"Wait a minute. Naruto, didn't the sage take Kyuubi away? Shouldn't your eyes be like a key to get the sword?" Anko asked.
"That's right! You're a genius!" Naruto said as he focused the chakra to his eyes, and activated his Rinnegan.
"I'm such an idiot! The sword needs Uzumaki blood." Naruto declared as he sliced his hand, and a few drops of blood touched the seal.
Appearing before Naruto, Anko, and Jiraiya, a massive gathering of flames surrounded the sword. The silhouette of the Kyuubi No Kitsune appeared. Finally, the appearance of Mito Uzumaki stood before them.
"Young one, I introduce myself to you as Mito Uzumaki. It seems you've come for the sacred sword of sealing, have you not?" Asked the spirit of Mito.
"Yes, Lady Mito. My name is Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, son of Kushina Uzumaki Namikaze, and Minato Namikaze, former Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi No Kitsune." Naruto said.
"Former? How is that possible? Where is Kyuubi?" Mito asked.
"Kurama is gone. The sage of six paths take him and brought him back to his own world." Naruto declared.
"Who is this Kurama you speak of?" Mito asked.
"Kurama is the name of the Kyuubi. I'm shocked that such a powerful and honer able woman didn't know the name of the tailed beast that was under your control." Naruto said in a stern tone.
"Naruto, you idiot!" Jiraiya shouted.
"Um, dear? I don't think insulting the Uzumaki was wise." Anko said.
"No, fuck that! The tailed beast weren't demons, they were kind and peaceful creatures of chakra. It was us mortals that tried to control them like they were tools, we turned them into demons!" Naruto said.
"Young one, how do you know such things?" Mito asked.
"Because I'm the sage of six paths, and I'll be damned if the beasts before me are disrespect to such an extent." Naruto said as he radiated his chakra to reveal he wasn't playing.
"You, you speak the truth. My lord, sage of six paths. I deeply apologize. It also is revealed that you were formerly the Jinchuriki and my great grandson. As it is your birthright, I give you the Uzumaki legacy." Mito said.
The flames around the sword vanished along with the spirit of Mito. When Naruto grabbed the blade, a surge of chakra flowed through his veins. "I feel, I feel incredible. This blade, it's so pure, full of love, pride, and honor." Naruto said.
"Good work, Gaki. Not to be a party pooper, but I believe we should leave here." Jiraiya said.
"Yes, I agree. However, I will return here someday and take the title as Uzukikage (Sounds like a cool name)." Naruto said as the trio exited the Land of whirlpools.
"So tell me, what's the game plan now?" Jiraiya asked.
"We're going to work on my Earth and Water manipulation. I am determined now, more than ever to activate the wood release like my great grandfather, Hashirama Senju." Naruto said.
"Alright, that sounds good. But I do recommend we make time for you to practice with your sword." The toad sage said.
"How about this, since Naruto receives the muscle memory from his clones, you train him in the elements and I'll help him wit his sword. I doubt his shadow clone will be able to wield it like the original." Anko said.
"Yes, you're right. Okay, how does, twenty five hundred clones focus on Earth, twenty five hundred work on water, and then I have the remaining five thousand work on my normal training?" Naruto asked.
"Gaki, that's ten thousand clones! How can you create that many?" The sage asked.
Naruto smirked. "It seemed the sword unlocked some of my hidden potential. Now, it's time for us to begin." Naruto said as the clones were created and the training for the chunin exams began.
Inside the village of Konoha, Sasuke was currently sparring with Sasuke in a taijutsu only fight. While Kakashi was far above the Uchiha. The boy was making excellent progress.
"Not bad, Sasuke. If you keep this up, Naruto may have to get serious." Kakashi said with a single eye smile.
"Kakashi, be honest with me. How strong is Naruto?" Sasuke asked.
"Well, I don't know his full power. But I do know he was able to go head to head with Zabuza, one of the seven swordsmen of the hidden mist, along with forcing me to use my Sharingan. I don't know his full potential." Kakashi said.
"Can he defeat Itachi?" Sasuke asked as he gazed at his sensei.
"Sasuke, don't compare yourself to your brother. Unlike you, he was born under different circumstances, in a different time. Believe it or not, you're one of the most promising genin for only being one, for not even a full year. Give it time, you'll get there." Kakashi said.
"But how did Naruto get so strong? He's an absolute loser compared to the Uchiha. He's even got the Sharingan!" Sasuke shouted.
"Easy, Naruto's situation is much different too. Instead of focusing on him or Itachi, focus on being better than yourself. If you keep that mindset, you'll be amazed at your growth." Kakashi said.
Sasuke nodded and the two resumed their training. Out in the Aburame compound, Shino was sparring against his father, Shibi Aburame.
"You're getting the hang of it, Shino. You need to stay calm at all times and analyze each and every situation." Shibi explained.
"Yes, father." Shino said as he began manipulating his insects to strike his father.
In the Hyuga compound, Hinata was sparring with her father. Ever since the change in her tone, many years ago, the two often spent their time together training. Hanabi couldn't believe the strength of her older sister.
"You're impressive for a genin. I have no reason to doubt your placement inside the chunin exams. I wouldn't be surprised if you won." Hiashi said to his daughter.
"Thank you, father. However, I believe their is one that may give me problems." Hinata said.
"Oh? Who would that be?" Hiashi asked.
"Naruto. He's not like the others and I truly believe he'll be the one, if any of us receives the promotion." Hinata said.
"I see. Tell me, Hinata. Do you have feelings for this boy?" Hiashi asked.
"No father. Naruto, he's like an older brother to me. He is there for me, he protects me, and he motivates me to become stronger. He doesn't bow down to me or is afraid of me like most would be. However, their is no romantic feelings between us." Explained Hinata.
"I understand. If I tried pushing for the CRA on him, how would that make you feel?" Hiashi asked.
"Please don't, father. Yes, it would make me upset, but that isn't the main reason. Naruto is the kind of man that will resist whatever is forced on to him that hems against. Also, I believe he already has a relationship." Hinata said in her calm tone.
"Do you know who this woman is?" Hiashi asked.
"Anko Mitarashi. Father, do not mess with either of them. You should know first hand about Naruto and Anko's difficult life. I'm afraid if he must choose between her and the village, he will choose her every time." Explained the young Hyuga.
"I see. Understood. Now, let's begin." Hiashi said as he and Hinata entered their stances.
Across the village at training field nine, Lee was engaging both Neji and Tenten in a few drills. While Neji would apply pressure, Tenten would strike from the long range.
"That's what I like to see! Let your flames of youth burn!" Guy shouted.
"Yes, Guy sensei" shouted as he was deflecting Neji's hits with ease, along with Tenten's long range weapon strikes.
"Incredible, has Lee always been this powerful? Was I always this blond to his true potential?" Neji quietly asked himself as he and his teammate were exchanging blow.
"I can't believe it. Lee is actually keeping up with Neji." Tenten thought.
Unlike the other finalists, Shikamaru was currently playing a game of Shogi with Asuma. As they sat across from each other, both Ino and Choji were watching.
"So, what's your plan for Temari?" Asuma asked as he moved his piece.
"She's a long range wind user. I can deduce she most likely has a giant fan on her back that allows her to use more powerful jutsu.
She is from Suna, given everything else I just said, I can ninety nine percent say that my assessment of here is correct. Seeing what she has, it counters my close range shadow possession." Shikamaru said as he moved the next piece.
"So, what's the game plan?" Asuma repeated, curiously.
"I'd have to keep her on her toes with a few distractions while I use my shadows to bring her in. The most I can do, is make her bang her head into the wall, which is another problem that needs to be solved.
But if I look at the tree in front of me, the rest of the tree's in the forest will throw me off. Naruto will definitely defeat Sasuke. I use to believe I was smarter than him, but now. I have no clue. I don't think there is anything I can do to counter each of his tactics.
Hinata, K can use my shadows since she focuses on close range, and Shino is another Temari. However, his ability to use his bugs, refuses less of he's caught in my shadows or not, it will cause a problem.
My best bet for the first bracket is for Naruto to back out. If he decides to fight during the entire tournament, I have no chance of winning, and I rather live to fight another day, then to fight a pointless battle." Shikamaru said as he moved another piece.
"You certainly thought about it. Now, what about Gaara and Rock Lee? You've seen how Lee fights, but no nothing of Gaara." Asuma said as he moved another piece.
"Lee is like Hinata, however, his speed is a problem. I have reason to suspect he's been training without his weights to maximize his growth. Now, if he wears the weights, it will add a benefit for me in the early run.
But, I have to assume that he will be at his best the entire time. My only option is to take advantage of how he fights with honor. It's dirty and cheap, but that's the life of a ninja.
Now, Gaara. From what Naruto said, he a Jinchuriki. If I end up fighting him, my best option is to give up. He's most likely unstable and with how they are treated, I wouldn't be surprise if he's a blood thirsty lunatic." Shikamaru said while moving a piece.
"What's the final verdict?" Asuma asked after he moved another piece.
"Make a good first impression and back out before I'm backed into a corner." Shikamaru said as he moved another piece, winning the shogi game.
This caused Asuma to smirk. "Well, let's just hope for the best." The jonin said.