chapter 35.

Naruto and Koyuki stood next to each other as they looked at Zabuza who was infront of the gate. After the meeting and an awkward night at least for Koyuki, Naruto decided it was time for him to go. The chunin exam were going to start and he was going to do a little more training before he returned, after all training with Zabuza was fun and all but he wouldn't be able to use Nanashi moves against rookies, it will give away to much information on himself, especially with the kids from Ame watching. He noticed Koyuki start to fidget and looked up at Zabuza.

"I'll be taking my leave now, make sure the security detail flanking the queen is elite." Naruto said seriously. Zabuza nodded.

"Are you sure you don't want any security? Dotu men could still be out there." Zabuza asked. Naruto shook his head.

"No, I am just a genin and I was not seen at the battle till the very end by then all shinobis on the opposing forces have been eliminated. I will walk back, plus I will be going in the direction of Konoha and we are not going public till Koyuki reaches snow country." Naruto responded as he turned around, already walking away. He felt Yukimi appear next to him but he ignored her. Yukimi sighed at being ignored.

"Thank you for the promotion to head jounin, I was wrong and judged you on the basis of your age. I know now after seeing you spar with Zabuza and easily handle him you are a more then capable of taking care of our village and I will follow all your orders. Thank you." With that Yukimi disappeared back to her hidden place. Naruto didn't give no outer reaction instead opting to continue his small stroll.

Koyuki sighed as she saw Naruto leave without saying bye, to anyone. Could she even trust him? He was so basic. He didn't talk unless talked to, he didn't even really reply and when he did, it was straight to the point or the most basic reply that left you with more questions then answers.

"You're highness, its time to go if we want to make it back to the country by the end of the week." One of her security detail said, as he motioned for her to get into her chariot. Koyuki sighed before giving Zabuza a nod and sliding into her chariot. She let her thoughts drift as she felt the cart move.

"You should really pay more attention to your surroundings." Koyuki snapped her head to her right, where she saw Naruto sitting casually across from her giving her his patent bored look. Before anger consumed her.

"You idiot! You scared me half to death!" She yelled, staring into his eyes, before sighing. "How are you here anyways? I just saw you leave." Koyuki asked.

"That is not important." Naruto reached into his pocket and removed a scroll. "Like I promised this is the contract and everything in it including the snow country is yours as long as you want it." Naruto said, passing Koyuki the scroll. Who took it and made sure she read it not like her idiot of an uncle. Seeing everything in order she nodded.

"Thank you." Naruto nodded, before reaching into his pocket and removing a small black box. Koyuki eyes snapped open it, she recognized that box anywhere, any woman would. Naruto open to reveal a beautiful silver engagement ring, the diamond wasn't huge but it glowed and you could tell it was perfectly cut, and she could see it give off a glow as the sun reflected off of it. Naruto placed the box down removing the ring before grabbing her left hand, and sliding the ring into the appropriate finger.

"The wedding could take place anytime after 2 months, by then I should be out of my village. Make sure you make all the preparations." With that Naruto dispersed into smoke. Koyuki looked at the ring and blushed, even if it was only business she couldn't stop the butterflies from circling in her stomach as she stared at the band.

'Just who are you Naruto.'

Konoha

Naruto sighed as he landed on top of a building after jumping over the wall, he could already feel a couple of Anbu heading his way. He toyed with the idea of letting them find him but he decided against it, after all he did just finished training and was still a little chakra drained. He sighed before he jumped down and completely erased his chakra signature another technique that he had to thank Nanashi for. Seeing the Anbu pass right over him he continued his walk, he threw his cloak into the nearest garbage dispenser as he no longer needed it.

He noticed the streets were packed. He almost forgot the chunin exam were tomorrow.

'I've been gone for that long. Nami and them must have been training with the jounin senseis for the last couple of weeks.' Naruto thought as he continued his trek going back to his normal tradition of ignoring praises from the villagers.

He went over the training he went through, he wasn't joking when he told Zabuza he weas stronger everyday, he almost felt invincible. He had almost all of his former sensei power running through him the headaches and techniques were coming less and less often, and his last one was almost 2 days ago. If that was all of it, he wouldn't be disappointed he had more then enough, and some he hasn't mastered, yet. His level of swordsman ship was put on test when he went against Zabuza, and he dismantled him, his sensei was scary with the blade. His ninjutsu was almost unbelievable and when he was done training his body to withstand some of the techniques, he will no doubt be a monster. That was another thing, his body. His body was handling the new power well but it wasn't quite adjusting, Nanashi had many years of training before he could master his body. But he wasn't worried, if things went as planned he will leave Konoha and he will have all the time in the world to prepare his body, until then things like flying and the Uzumaki style was out of his reach, for now.

He cursed as he felt the familiar chakra of the rookie nine approaching, he also felt Kakashi with them. No doubt Kakashi will be able to sense his new chakra but surpressing it completely will be more troubling, before he left he had some control over it but not to the extent as now where he could literally become invisible. He looked around and saw if there was any places he could hide but frowned when he felt Neji chakra spike, his eyes were activated. No point, now. He continued his stroll in a collision course with the last couple of people he wanted to see, his 'friends'.

He continued his trek before he fronwed even more when he felt another chakra signature, and it was heading straight towards him.

'If Kakashi doesn't feel the change she sure will.'

He sighed when he felt said person stop moving, before it started moving in another direction. He will have to explain that later. He finally reached the group of Konoha nin. He noticed them all looking at him. He didn't feel the need to talk as he stared back. Kiba growled.

"Where have you been! Nami said you haven't left your room in weeks. Then you come out the day before the tournament! You better have a good excuse." Kiba barked. The others shook their head at the antics but still looked at him expectantly.

"Hello to you too." Naruto said if he was being sarcastic his voice didn't show it. And the staring continued, Naruto was growing bored and realizing they weren't going to talk and he didn't feel like talking he continued his walk, easily avoiding Kakashi when said jounin tried to bump his shoulder.

He cursed once he left the group behind.

'I guess Nami is finally getting suspicious, so has Sasuke since I sealed our link during the chunin exam.'

Naruto continued his walk, and it wasn't far before he crossed the hotel where Haku and Nanami were staying. He took a glance at the building but continued to walk, if they wanted to talk to him they will find him. He took his time walking through the village he was in no rush to get home, he missed his mom a little but he was sure she was busy, especially in this time of the year. The clan must be making a shit ton of money from all the tourism, he mulled over the idea of one day being the clan head of the Uzumaki clan and having to worry about things like finances and budgets and property taxes and all of those boring things he really didn't care about. He was above such things but he didn't want to becoming ignorant either, he will study the art of financing as soon as he got the time. His money wasn't infinite but his grandfather left him enough to be darn near close enough.

He was so lost in thought he didn't realize he was home. He looked at the giant metal door and sighed, easily channeling some of his chakra and waiting for the familiar click that signified 'approval'. Once he entered he notice most of the freed people of Uzu were going about their daily chores, he was a little annoyed that this was what remained of his people, this was the Uzumaki clan, a bunch of grown ups that needed protection and not one of them could fight for themselves, he was proud of what his mom did but he knew they only thing keeping Uzu in the position as one of the top clans of the village was his mom brains, and the Uchiha acquisition. Not to mention the Hokage kept us in good light. He sighed as he felt the familiar chakra signature of his mom, and Minato, he felt two other chakras but they were well controlled and he wasn't quite familiar with them.

He thanked the woman that opened the door for him, and was about to make a b-line for his room, when his mom called him. He breathed in deeply already having an idea of what it was about. He arrived at the main hall where he noticed mother was in the middle of tea, he nodded his head when Minato looked at him, the other two were none other then Jiraiya his father sensei and Tsunade his mom bestfriend, from the stories he was told they were one of the strongest people in the world. His teachers were probably just being kind, as much as he hated to admit it, Minato was alive. He was truly one of the strongest shinobis alive.

"Naruto-kun where have you been?" Kushina said. Glaring into her youngest son eyes. Naruto thought over the question before answering.

"I've been training for the chunin exam." He answered truthfully. Well half a truth but they didn't have to know that. Kushina sighed.

"You're always going off on your own, if you would've waited Jiraiya was going to train you." Kushina sighed, it was just like Naruto to want to do things on his own, raising a boy was extremely hard for a woman, how she missed the times where he would just do what mami said, or actually came to visit her in the office.

"Thank you but I think I will be fine." Naruto said, Jiraiya fumed.

"Listen here Gaki! I could've taught you many things! After all, I did train your father! Look how good he turned out!" Jiraiya yelled a little peeved Naruto brushed him off so easily.

Naruto nodded.

"Yeah, I guess you are right, why didn't you just train Nami instead? Her way of fighting is closer related to Minato and it will be easier for her to grasp the concept of the way you teach." Naruto answered, stunning Jiraiya and bringing a smirk to Minato face, that's Naruto for you.

Tsunade chuckled.

"Being lectured by a genin, oh how the mighty have fallen." Tsunade joked before bringing her tea cup to her lips, looking at Naruto up and down. Kushina giggled.

"Be nice Naruto, and he did teach her. He even made her his apprentice and she will be learning everything, after all she did learn the rasengan by herself and is starting to grasp the concept of the Hiraishin all from just reading books. If you don't be careful she might just surpass you." Kushina said teasingly. Naruto nodded.

"I think Nami has the potential to do all of that and more with the right training, she will be an amazing Hokage one day." Naruto replied, being honest. Minato nodded but he also felt bad, a father always wanted to turn their son into a replica of themselves, and Naruto didn't even have a fraction of him. But he did pick up a couple of things from Naruto sentence.

"Nami Hokage huh? How about you, wouldn't you want to be Hokage one day. After all you yourself said you want to surpass me." Minato said staring at Naruto who didn't give off no outer reaction.

"I have no such goals. But I will surpass you." Naruto said, a little bluntly. Tsunade smirked, yes becoming Hokage was a fools choice.

"You idiot how could you say something like that! Being Hokage is the highest honor any shinobi of the village could be!" Naruto ignored Jiraiya. Before turning to the table and noticed two folders, one with the words Konoha crush, and the other with the words Itachi Uchiha, written across it. He couldn't resist the urge to learn more about it so he asked.

"What is this meeting about? Why do you have a folder of Itachi?" Naruto looked around the room in order to see any reactions, which he knew he wouldn't get they were all high caliber manipulators, kind of like him. Minato took the lead.

"I guess we could tell you, since the other rookies all play a roll." Minato began. Naruto nodded.

"About two weeks ago Itachi Uchiha and Kisame of the hidden mist both missing nins came to Konoha. We have no idea why they came but we think it has something to do with the jinchuriki, and you could guess why this concerns you?" Naruto nodded.

"They didn't reveal why they were hear but they did threaten us with destruction if we make any moves against Sasuke or against them. They have since left the village. That's what's written in that folder. In the other folder, is the documents and strategy that will be exercised when ever Suna and Sound attack, which will be during or after the chunin exam. We have reasons to believe that the sand brought there unstable jinchuriki and will be trying to take over the leaf village using the power of the one tails, or as you may know him as Gaara." Minato finished, Naruto nodded.

"I may have ran into him." Minato nodded.

"That's good that means you will already have a visual of your opponent." Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"Opponent?" Minato nodded.

"We are in charge of who fights who and we all agreed to have you fight Gaara since you are still one of the strongest genin, this means you could weaken him, and if things gets bad and the beast runs wild I'll be around to take care of it." Naruto nodded, he didn't have any problems with that, he fought hard to stop the smirk from crossing his face. This was perfect.

"Who will the others fight if you don't mind me asking." Minato nodded, before reaching into the folder and passing him a sheet with all the names.

"We had to rearrange the line up a little after Iwa and Cloud and Grass withdrew their teams after we informed them of what will happen. We didn't want them thinking we set them up but. Here you go, you could keep that paper the others already seen it." Naruto nodded taking the paper it goes as followed.

Chunin exam tournament

First round

Lee vs Shikamaru

Chouji vs Ino

Neji vs Tenten

Sakura vs Sorrow

Sausuke vs Morn

Nami vs Blood

Haku Vs Chojuro

Naruto vs Gaara

Second round

Nanami Vs Kankuro

Temari vs winner of the land fight of the first round.

Naruto nodded but he noticed Hinata wasn't on the list or the other 6 people from Ame so he asked them.

"The other Ame recruits dropped out and Hinata was found unfit to continue due to her memory lost back at the chunin exam, even though she has made a full recovery, due to her status as clan heir she was not allowed to participate." Minato answered. Naruto nodded before heading up to his room. He needed a shower then he was going to have to go meet up with Haku and Nanami and tell them the good news.

Koyuki was trying not to pull the hair from her head as she sat in her office, which was being remodeled, while a stack of paper work that easily towered over her sat on her desk. This was madness, there was no way she could get all of this done. There was a Kunai went straight through the window in a direct path for Koyuki head when another Kunai deflected it, Koyuki sighed at the petty attempt to kill her, again. A second later a Wave shinobi appeared in front of her.

"Hostile down." Koyuki nodded.

"How long till the rest of Dotu men are taken cared of?" Koyuki asked, ever since she got back and announced to the citizens what happened and how Dotu was just using her and that he was the one that killed her father, there leader, and about how he never cared about the land of snow and was just using it for his own benefits. The people cheered and the Samurai that protected the Damiyo pledged their swords to her, and she was officially the queen of snow country. That's not to say everything was well, some of Dotu men were still around and were trying to kill her off, while lying to the people. She had managed to get rid of some but they were still around here and there.

"Not long, there's only a couple of men left, and after we take care of that you will be all set to go." Her head of security said, after she appointed her when they got back, it took a little convincing and some arguments but Zabuza allowed it, as well as letting her keep the platoon of Shinobi that escorted her back to snow.

"That is nice to hear, thank you for protecting me once again, you could go home now, I doubt they will try anything today." The shinobi shook his head.

"I do not feel comfortable leaving the queen alone, Zabuza will not be pleased if something happened to you while I was sleeping." Koyuki sighed but nodded, it was always like this with her.

"As you wish Yukimi but please be aware that you do need sleep. Now leave me, I need to finish this paperwork." Yukimi nodded before taking a place near the door. Koyuki looked over her paperwork.

"Approval needed for building a hotel resort? Approved." She picked up another paper.

"Approval to allow guards to access homes? Denied."

"Funds needed to build a postal service? Approved."

"Funds needed for the department of technology? hmmm Approved." Koyuki said lingering a little on the paper.

"Yukimi-san." Yukimi appeared in front of Koyuki immediately.

"Yes, your highness?" Koyuki sighed.

"Koyuki is fine, and get me who ever is in charge of this department of technology. I need to have a little talk with them." Yukimi nodded raising her hand, lifting two fingers and pointing it out the window, two shadows disappeared from the office. Koyuki raised an eyebrow.

"There were more of you?" Yukimi nodded.

"I would never allow you to be here with less then 5 guards at all times. Your safety is highly valued." Yukimi said. Koyuki sighed, no wonder Zabuza was always surrounded by men, they don't play with security. She went back to her paper work and thirty minutes later a man in a lab coat came in. He was tall, fair skinned, wore round glasses and his brown hair was slick back and he carried an aura of intelligence around him, he was of slim built and you could tell he doesn't lift anything without letters on it.

"I was called here Lady Koyuki? How can I help you?" The man said, besides the way he carried himself his voice was relaxed and smooth, not rigid and narrow like everything else about him.

"I was asked for more funding from your lab and I wanted to know what for? From the reports I've gotten, my uncle Dotu was supplying you with millions of dollars a week and hundreds a months, it says here that your budget was just increased from 76.5M yen a month, to 124m yen a month, and this was signed last month. But here I am approving another increase and I want to know what the countries money is going into. And if I don't find it to be satisfactory I will reduce this budget to its original place." Koyuki asked, seeing the man squirm under her glare. The man cleared his throat.

"Dotu would never ask these kinds of questions, this is a private organization and as such we don't have to declare what we are doing, but you will be highly satisfied with the results." The man answered smoothly, Koyuki nodded and mouthing 'oh'.

"So this is a private organization?" The man nodded. Koyuki nodded her head. "I see, so shouldn't that mean you should be using private money..?" The man frowned.

"Dotu was more then willing to donate-" Koyuki cut him off.

"Donate? So now we are donating millions of Yens into something we don't even know about." Koyuki said. The man raised a finger.

"Dotu was-"

"Dotu is not here!" Koyuki yelled already losing her patience. "You will show me what you are working on and if that is a problem I will not only reduce I will stop all funds going to your 'private' organization and dismiss you of your position and appointment someone who does need our money, and will show us what they are working on and will not keep reminding me of Dotu, Is that understood?" Koyuki finished. The man gritted his teeth.

"Yes." Koyuki raised an eyebrow.

"Yes what?" The man fronwed.

"Yes, your highness I am more then willing to show you." The man said, Koyuki stood stoic.

"Yukimi have one of your men ready to escort me and professorrr?" Koyuki looked at the man.

"Professor Chi."

"Yes, to escort me and Professor Chi. I am dying to see what all the secrecy is about." Yukimi nodded.

"Yes, Your highness. When ever you are ready I have 4 men ready to go including myself." Yukimi nodded getting up from her chair and walking pass the man and out the door, quickly being followed by the professor. Yukimi wasn't kidding there was 4 men waiting outside the door and they took position on either side of her, while Yukimi took the back.

"So where is this magical place?" Koyuki asked, wondering just how big of a trip they were going to take. The professor bit his lip.

"We wont be going far, Dotu, liked to keep his technology closed too home, he built the HQ right over our lab." Koyuki nodded.

"So it's under us. Any special staircase or elevator." The professor nodded, before stopping at the end of the hall, he walked over to a wall and traced his finger over it. It slid open revealing an elevator, which they all got in. Koyuki frowned so did Yukimi. This was just a short walk from her office.

"Hiding something like this is a breach of Security, I'm guessing Dotu knew about this elevator? When were you planning to tell me?" The professor stood quite. They reached the bottom signaled by a ding and the doors opened and they stepped out. And Koyuki eyes went wide.

"Holy shit." The professor smirked.

"Yup this is what's taking up so much money." They stood on a metal balcony that looked over a giant cave. There were close to two hundred trains with tracks with tunnels that lead who knows where, there was things she never seen before. She noticed there were contraptions that seemed to launch Kunais, and some she couldn't even explain.

"This is the cave. Each train leads you directly to each hidden village and Dotu founded this for when he took over the world. Each train is designed for royalty with an amazing interior, you could basically live in it. Each train could travel faster then Shinobi and from here to Kumo will only take 2 days at full speed. Each train is equipped with grenade launchers, and Kunai guns. They could withstand a direct attack from a biju and not only that it is chakra conducting meaning any chakra that it recognizes as foreign will be sucked into it in order to provide it with more power." The professor said talking in awe of his own creations and the best part there was at least two hundred of them. Koyuki was amazed.

"How does it run?" The professor nodded.

"They run on electricity and if there is none the backup generator works on chakra that we already infused using special needs." Koyuki frowned.

"You mean by killing shinobi's you captured." The professor shrugged.

"Dotu told me they volunteered, I only focus on the technology." Koyuki nodded.

"Why do I have the feeling this is not all?" The professor nodded.

"We've been working on a way to make our shinobi better. Come with me." With that the professor walked down the long stairs to the bottom. From up there the trains looked like toys but now that they were close to them, they were easily over 14 feet high and towered over each of them. They finally reached a door and the professor put his palm to the wall it glowed, before letting them in. Inside the room was huge but not as huge as the other room, unlike the other room, this room had people running around and testing, while wearing some type of special body suit.

"This is the Body armor 2.0." Professor Chi said as he asked one of the training dummys to walk forward if you look closely you could tell it was a robot and not a person. The body suit was all white and covered the whole body.

"What do they do?" Koyuki asked a little unimpressed. The professor smirked.

"Show them." The dummy nodded before raising his hand and the suit glowed before a beam was shot at a near by target. Destroying it then the dummy began to smoke before falling over. Koyuki looked at the professor.

"Yeah that happens, the suits run on chakra and we don't have a lot to work with so we inject each with a little, after they run out of chakra they malfunction. This wouldn't happen if it was a shinobi as the body makes continues chakra meaning it will be easy and the suit only takes enough till it full and with that you could last 30 minutes of intense fighting, it makes jutsu stronger and if you can; Please have one of your shinobi stab him." Koyuki nodded, Yukimi took the lead stabbing the dead dummy suit, and the Kunai chipped.

"The suit is made of special fiber found only in the land of cotton that immediately solidifies on any impact making in almost impossible to die from a stab wound. If you focus chakra to any limb you could fire a chakra burst like my training dummy just did. We are not changing the future we are making it. With this even a civilian could go toe to toe with a mid level genin. And that is what we've been working on, and as you could already tell this isn't cheap." The professor finished.

Koyuki was in awe, this was amazing. If every single Shinobi in Naruto empire were to wear one of these suits and we put all of them in the trains and send them to each village we could essentially take over the world. Wait, since when did she become part of Naruto empire. She looked at the ring on her finger for a second, she could use this technology for her own cause, but Naruto did save her, in a way. And he also gave her no reason to betray him.

"Thank you for showing me this Professor carry on. I will double your asking price, but I want all the suits you have to be ready to be deployed and get a train ready to head to Wave country in two months. There we will supply our new allies with these new suits, give them one our trains, that could travel anywhere. The leader of that village will be more then pleased with your work and I am glad we have a professor like you in our ranks. You will be rewarded accordingly but first I must talk to the emperor. I also want my head of security to have access to this place just like you, no objections." With that Koyuki turned around.

The professor nodded.

"No problem your highness. The suits will be ready by then we already have 3,800 on stand by. And the train as well. All of this is yours." With that the group left.

Naruto stretched as he finally reached the training grounds him Haku and Nanami used just before he left. He was currently waiting for said pair to arrive, he decided to take a seat since both girls were taking there time. He mulled over the future and how Kami herself was blessing him with this opportunity, she must see the god in the future of his plans, if she gave him such a solid escape. His thoughts were broken when he felt to chakra signatures arrive, they weren't Haku or Nanami. They were that kid Chojuro and the Mizukage herself. If the situation wasn't so dangerous he might've actually enjoyed looking at the beauty in front of him. \

He noticed they weren't wearing any pouches which meant they didn't have weapons but he wasn't stupid enough to believe they were completely unarmed after all Shinobi themselves are weapons. He flared his chakra and this wasn't just a small spike it was the complete package, his and Nanashi mixed, it wasn't a sign of aggression but more of a warning, he wanted to make one thing clear, he was willing to fight. He knew better then to think he could defeat a kage at his current level but he flared it for various reasons. He saw Chojuro stop for a second while Mei shook it off surprisingly well, didn't even flinch.

She finally reached him and smiled, a devilish smirk on her face.

"That's some nice chakra you got there kid." She started sweetly. "It be a shame if it were to be burned prematurely." Naruto could tell it was a threat but he wasn't scared, not yet.

"What do you want?" He began, he wasn't sure if she knew the reason he was here so he was playing oblivious. After all it was better to act dumb then brave.

"Aren't you rude?" She said turning her head to the side and bringing her hand to her chin. "What do I want? Well nothing really." Naruto blue eyes bore into her greens.

"Then why are you here? This is the second time you grace me with your presence. Why do I feel its more then you just having a crush on him?" Naruto said bluntly. Mei giggled.

"Aren't you a dumb one, talking to me like I'm one of your friends." Mei said casually. Naruto didn't respond. "So why am I here? I'm here for you, and your relationship with two of my shinobis." Naruto didn't seem to worried.

"We have grown fond of each other." He replied in a bore tone. Mei nodded.

"How fond?" Mei asked. Naruto thought over the question.

"How fond are you and him?" Naruto said pointing his head in Chojuro direction who was shaking. He didn't know if they were aware but both of them were giving off a huge amount of killing intent. Mei looked at the kid and shrugged.

"As fond as a leader could be of its subordinates." She answered. Naruto nodded.

"I could see how that could cause a problem." Mei was confused at the statement but moved on.

"If you have grown so fond of my shinobi tell me how will you handle a potential show down with one of them tomorrow?" Mei asked. Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"So you have enough faith in me to believe I could get pass my opponent?" Naruto asked, already seeing where this was going. Mei nodded.

"You was trained by Minato, and my enemy Kushina. They are both super strong I have no reason to believe you will lose." Mei answered honestly. Naruto shrugged, stopping the flow of killing intent.

"I see. You have nothing to worry about if a match between me and any of your Shinobi were to happen I will not kill them. Is that not why you are here? Is that not why you brought him?" Naruto said pointing at Chojuro who lowered his head. "I threatened to kill him last time and I'm guessing he went crying to you, and you as any Kage are trying to protect the honor of your genin, especially with one so young and you must see a lot of potential in him. But sleep easy, I will not enter the battle with him as tomorrow as I have no doubt Haku will make quick work with him. Then Nanami doesn't come into the second round and if we were to fight I will simply forfeit. I give you my word." Naruto said outstretching his hand.

Mei looked at the kid, he got all that from one sentence. She looked down at Chojuro and noticed him looking away, he must be so embarrassed. She sighed this being a leader thing was still new to her. She nodded shaking Naruto hand.

"I hope you are a man of your word." With that she disappeared along with Chojuro.

The next moment Nanami and Haku appeared. Naruto didn't seem surprised. Nanami looked at Naruto up and down.

"You feel different." She said bluntly, that was the only way to describe it. He looked the same as always but his whole chakra structure felt foreign. She could see it was Naruto but she couldn't really feel him. Naruto nodded.

"I will explain that some other time." Naruto brushed it off. Before taking the lead.

"Tomorrow is the exam and I hope you are prepared?" It was more of a statement then a question, but they nodded their heads anyways. They've been training like crazy but two weeks was only 2 weeks. Naruto nodded.

"That's good, then pack all of your belongings we will be leaving the village tomorrow, during the invasion." They looked at him like he grew a third eye. Even Haku was a little confused.

"Nani?" Nanashi said. Naruto sighed, before explaining to them what was going to take place.

"So how do you plan to escape if they're counting on you?" Nanami asked a little skeptical.

"Simple as soon as the first bombs go off, everything will be hectic, I will let Gaara release its bijuu causing mass hysteria and during all of that, we will drag the Shukaku out of the village in order to 'fight' it better once outside I will dispose of the bijuu and we will head towards one our allies." Naruto said. They looked at him strangely.

"How will we be able to go with you." Naruto nodded.

"You follow after me, and pretend like you want to help. All the other genins will be preoccupied." Naruto explained.

"With what?" Nanami asked. Naruto smirked.

"They have some rain to deal with." Naruto said casually. They didn't understand but they went with it.

"So that's it, that's the plan?" Naruto nodded. Haku frowned.

"Wouldn't you be sad to leave your precious people behind? Your mom, your sister, your father? All of your friends, once word gets out you will be seen as a traitor." Naruto nodded.

"That is a price I am willing to pay, but my mind could no longer handle the disgust of standing in such a village where they throw away bonds over the ideas of peace." Naruto said bitterly, he shrugged it off. "But I am not alone, many people have gave up more then me, and I am not betraying them I am building something that will connect us even more. If they don't understand that, then it is them that have betrayed me."

With that Naruto walked away.

"Be ready tomorrow." With that he disappeared in a swirl of blue roses. Haku and Nanami sighed.

"Let's go back, I hope I'm making the right choice." Nanami said to Haku, who nodded.

"My sensei Zabuza-sama, once thought the same way and now he got all he ever asked for. Naruto may be a little spontaneous but one thing is for certain he believes everything he speaks, and makes sure his promises are completed." With that they left the training grounds.

Next day chunin exam arena

Naruto stood in the middle of the arena, it was raining so the top of the stadium was sealed off. Naruto sighed that made things a little more complicated, he could already tell the rain was man made. It was obvious Minato didn't want anything getting in, and nothing getting out. When he activate his eyes earlier he could see a pattern going across the stadium it was obvious they were chakra suppressors. He had to give it to the man, he was good.

'No wonder he was made the Yondaime.' Naruto thought amusingly, he wasn't suppose to be this joyful after all, this could potentially ruin his whole operation. Of course if he let it. He took a minute to further analyze the stadium the bleachers where way high, where he stood in the middle of the stadium he could barely make out faces, must be the reason for the many monitors posted around the stadium. But on long the walls you could see glass windows, there were many of them going across the whole stadium, these were rooms that were given to people of high honor, or as he liked to call it the stupidly rich people. The roof was made complete of glass and allowed you to see the rain falling on it and sliding down, the sky was dark and he could already here Shikamaru sighing, no sun, no shadows. He'll be okay, if he gave up.

Talking about Shikamaru the other contestant were standing next to him. He noticed the ame trio were at the end of the line, with morn taking the corner opposite of him, he didn't give them much thought, they weren't his problem. Sasuke was serious as usual but you could tell he was ready. Nami was looking straight ahead, he felt a little bad he wouldn't be able to spend more time with his older sister but he had to do what he had to do. Sakura was smiling, a little off putting since he knew the girl she was facing wasn't no push over. Choji was eating chips. Ino was looking nervous. Neji was being Neji. Tenten was polishing a sword. Lee was bouncing up and down. Temari was leaning on her fan. Kankuro was holding his bundle, Gaara was smiling weirdly. And directly next to him in order were Chojuro looking straight ahead, Haku with her mask on, and next to him Nanami was eating a candy bar.

Deciding he needed to see where the Kage booth was at in order to better plan his escape he looked around. It didn't take him long, the kages were sitting at the top of the stadium a little above the bleachers. They were so high he had to squint to see them. Man how long did it take them to dig this thing, even if he wall walked it will take him a couple of minutes to reach the stupidly rich people, and a couple more minutes to reach the civilians. He figured they must have monitors as well in order to better judge who makes chunin, not that he cared. Rank was something else he had to give up, but he gained a title so he figured it balanced out.

He noticed the crowd began to cheer loudly as Minato appeared on the big screen.

'So it begins.' Naruto thought, still trying to think of a way to escape.

Kage booth.

Minato smiled as he looked at the huge crowd that came in, even all the V.I.P rooms were full, and those cost half a million yen from the level of seals and protection added to them. If there wasn't about to be a war, he could almost say the chunin exam was a success, it made 4 times the money it used to build it. The hotels have been full for months, the ratings have been through the roof, the market was booming, and they were racking in so much money they were on their way to becoming the richest village if they did this more then twice a year, but that was for another time. Right now he had a village to protect.

He looked at the faces of the people next to him. The Godaime Mizukage, the Yondaime Kazekage his eyes lingered on him a little longer, and some blue headed lady known as the representative from Ame. None of them were allowed to bring guards as Minato said they have no one to mistrust. He was lying of course the blue haired lady known as Konan didn't take her eyes off of Nami, Mei didn't didn't take her eyes off of Naruto, and the Kazekage or Orochimaru didn't take his eyes off Sasuke. What a dilemma. It was a good thing Danzou 'forgot' a file in his office with information on who was the master mind behind the attack. While he hated the fact someone he looked up to was behind it, he knew the fire shadow must illuminate the village.

He noticed the camera begin to move and focus on his head so he cleared his throat, it was time to begin.

"Lady's and gentlemen from all across the nation." He stopped to let the cheering stop. Once it died down he continued. "We are gathered here today, to feast our eyes on some of the best genin from across the world, and watch them battle it out to see who reigns superior, in my opinion my genins are a pretty safe bet." Minato spoke the last part jokingly. The crowd laugh and even the kages broke a smile.

"I won't let you wait much longer, let the tournament begin. Our proctor will lay the rules before the fight begins. Good luck!" With that the lights went out, before it illuminated only the field, letting the people see only the arena. everything else was bathed in darkness. The screens lit up showing off the contestant it was like being at a cinema with real people being blown up.

"Nice show Minato, I'm impressed." The Kazekage said laughing at the end. While the sealed off ceilings and the chakra surpressors and the fact he had no guards, let him know they were on to him, it didn't mean his plan was stopping. No, it just made him want to destroy the village even more. He kept those thoughts to himself, after all, he had the power of their founder running through his veins. Minato nodded.

"I'm glad you like it."

Back on the ground

Morn sighed as he felt his mothers chakra flare, that was unexpected. His mom actually came to the exams, this must mean tousan didn't have faith in them. They did fail to gather any kind of real Intel, so no wonder he will send the most unfamiliar face. It was still kind of bold, but it didn't matter, blood will push her enough to make her use her biju chakra and once that happens, they will have a solid link to the Kyuubi. He was up against the Uchiha, that should be interesting after all he was dying for some real action.

Naruto took notice of morns killing intent but paid it no mind, Sasuke could take care of him. He saw the proctor appear, she had purple hair a open trench jacket that left little to the imagination, a skirt and some high black boots. She didn't seem to happy to be here.

"Listen up brats!" Her voice booked across the stadium she must be wearing a wire. "The matches are all one on one, you could use anything to your advantage and like times before you are allowed to kill, if you are placed in that type of situation do not look at me as I will not stop it." She finished, the more blood thirsty genin smirked.

"But if I feel the kill is unnecessary I will consider stepping in and stopping it, again do not expect me too." The genins nodded, Naruto didn't give an outer reaction, which got him a Kunai aimed straight at his head, before it fell to the ground before it could reach him. Anko looked at the kid, she really wanted to kill that Namikaze brat, I guess Kami had other plans.

"Anyways, first match is between Shikamaru Nara and Lee. Please step forward." Both contestant did. "The others there is a to the far corner, walk in through there you will be lead to a room, where you could see the fight, it is at floor level so yes you would be able to study your opponents, and you will have monitors as well, I recommend you use them to the best of your abilities. Now scram." The other rookies took their leave, most of the Konoha genin wishing them good luck, except for Naruto who was talking to the girls from the Mist.

Anko waited as the genins walked out, before hearing over the radio the others were in the room. She looked at Lee and Shikamaru.

"Are both contestant ready?" She got a nod. "BEGIN!" The crowd roared when they heard the opening bell.

Shikamaru already knew what Lee plan was, which was use brute force and speed, and that was essentially all that he needed, he was actually going to give up but he figured since he was the only Nara in the exam and he already promised Ino he will try, he didn't. At first he was a little panicked but after the high lights went out the bottom ones came on; he gave a sigh of relief. Everything above 25 feet was dark. It was still pretty high and getting to that darkness was going to be tough, but like he said he already knew Lee's plan.

He smirked when he saw Lee disappear.

'This is gonna be troublesome.'

After that thought, he was sent flying from Lee's kick, he managed to put up a small guard but he was still sent flying. He went through the numbers.

"12 thousand feet." Shikamaru began.

"17 thousand feet." He continued before Lee appeared above him, his leg already coming down ready to drill him into the ground. Lee wasn't playing he was trying to take him out early. He managed to form a handsign before Lee was sent flying, thanks to a shadow punch.

The shadow was connected to the wall about 9 feet over them, it extended for a little longer before dissipating. Lee crashed into the ground, Shikamaru flipped before landing on his feet.

Lee easily got up not a scratch on him.

"yosh! That was most youthful Shikamaru! Let's continue to test our flames!" With that Lee shot forward, Shikamaru cursed, if he stayed on the ground he'll get pummeled.

He put the training he had with Nanashi into full effect, easily dodging the first punch, and the second follow up high kick while, batting away a right hook, he delivered some offense by jabbing lee in the mouth, but he winced from the lack of response from Lee, he didn't have much power behind his punched and Lee knew this, which meant he could attack recklessly with no fear of being hurt. Another disadvantage for him. Lee pushed the hand away before delivering a devastating punch to the chest that caused Shikamaru to go flying straight into a wall, sending the Nara a couple of Inches into the cement.

By now the people were going crazy, this is what they paid too see. Anko winced, that had to hurt.

Lee frowned, when he didn't see Shikmaru move.

"Proctor call it, my friends flames have been extinguished." Anko ignored the kid as she didn't understand a word he said. She was about to call it when a hail of Kunai came flying from the sky, at first she thought the invasion started but then she saw it. Each Kunai had a piece of cloth connected to it and they were falling slowly onto the ground, forming at least 20 little balls of shadow.

"I would call it proctor but not in his favor." Came the voice of Shikamaru as he appeared walking down the wall till his whole body could be seen. Lee frowned ready to attack but he noticed he couldn't move. He looked down, every single shadow from the Kunai's falling down were connected to him before they crawled up the wall and sank into Shikamaru who's shadow was connected to the shadows behind him, exactly at 25 feet like he planned it.

"Give up Lee. As long as those Kunai keep falling you will be unable to move, that's the reason I threw them so high for they could fall slower, meaning I got a couple of more seconds, and in the life of shinobis that's all it takes." Shikamaru finished before the shadows began to craw over Lee who had no chakra to over power them with. before the shadows turned into a hand and began to strangle Lee, till he passed out, and after he passed out. Anko sighed when she saw the kid go limb and the other genin didn't stop, which meant he was willing to kill him, if she didn't stop it. She was fine with that, till a blur came, and picked up the kid, and the shadows receded.

Shikamaru sighed when he saw Gai appear to stop him from strangling Lee, good thing too, since he was already running low on chakra.

"Due to interference the match is officially forfeited, the winner is Shikamaru Nara." The crowd went crazy. Shikamaru nodded. before he took his time getting down the wall. Anko was impressed, before she narrowed her eyes and looked over at the wall where the Nara was punched into and noticed the only thing there was nothing.

"What the fuck?" Anko said. Looking at the Nara walk by her. "How did you do that kid?" Anko asked, her voice being heard over the stereos. Shikamaru shrugged.

"The minute he kicked me into the air. I knew the lights turned on at 25 feet, and they pointed down, so everything above that is pitch black, what Lee didn't realize when he appeared over me; as I was heading up was, that the lights were shinning on our bodies, casting a shadow on the ground, I simply used the Nara clan substitution that allows me to switch with any shadows, since his shadow was higher then mine on the wall, I switched with his, and like all substitution it leaves a image of the person it switches with. That is the reason I used shadow boxing to punch him away from me, if his fist would've connected the shadow would've dispersed and my plan would've backed fired. After that all I did was walk up the last 5 thousand feet till I was covered in darkness and nobody could see me, but I could see them. After that I used my pre-packed Kunai pouched connected with fabric which I brought for if it was a sunny day, I released them all, as Lee is to fast to be caught with one. And after that, I let Lee kick me, while pretending to go toe to toe, which is something I will never do. He didn't realize this, so when he punched me into the wall, he was looking at you asking to call it, instead of looking at the me on the wall, which disappeared by then." With that explanation he left, her wire picking up every word leaving everybody stunned. And the cheers began.

Rookie booth

Naruto was impressed. That was ingenious, even he wouldn't be able to think of something as complex and as lucky as that. The whole plan started at the beginning, in fact he already had the kunai's ready, so the plan started off weeks ago, and if even one thing went wrong, it would've ended up with him losing, or in serious pain. That guy was smart. He looked around and noticed the others were also impressed and when he walked in he got a couple of applause from his teammates and even Nanami applauded.

He looked out the window and waited for the next match to be called, these were interesting.

Arena

Anko smirked as she was still stunned by the explanation but cleared her throat.

"Will Yamanaka Ino and Akamichi Chouji please step up." She brought her hand to her ears as the radio played.

"Chouji has forfeited, Yamanaka Ino is the winner." The crow booed. She continued.

"Will Hyuga Neji and Tenten, please come to the arena." She heard some more dabble over the radio.

"Tenten has forfeited, Hyuga Neji is the winner." Anko said, some more booes. 'is there anybody that actually wants to fight? Unless this was already part of Minato plan.'

"Will Haruno Sakura and Sorrow, please come to the arena." She waited for the radio but there was none. Both girls walked out a couple of seconds later. The crowd went wild! No more chickening out. Sorrow looked a little bored as she stood across from Sakura. Anko nodded.

"Are both contestant ready?" She got a nod. "Begin!."

Cliff hanger.

I'm evil I know.

tune in next time.

The path I must take.