Chapter 7

AN: Heya! Glad everyone is still enjoying the story, and I aim to continue to improve it each time. A shout out to Sirnightchase816 for their story 'Kitsune Sanctuary'. I you haven't read that one, I recommend it whole heartedly. The writer doesn't update very often but when they do the material is top notch! Also the author pointed me to Yakumo as a possible pairing for Naruto. To be honest I had forgotten about the girl but after watching the episodes again I plan to add her to the story some how. So for all you Yakumo fans rejoice! However, as Naruto is only twelve, no real pairings yet- still, she is one of my top choices at this point in time.

But seriously, check their stories out. You won't be disappointed, promise!

Border between Konoha and River…

Naruto exhaled to keep from killing two of his comrades. Sasuke and Sakura's ability to work together had diminished to almost non existent within the span of three days. After Sasuke made the first remark, the Uchiha continued to do so with increasing viciousness, only this time aimed at both the team and the mission.

"This is pointless. I could be training, not waiting here to trade some pieces of paper." Sasuke said arrogantly. His attitude went sour and ego took a hit when Sakura decked both him and Sai during an argument last night. To save face the boy was no acting like a petulant child.

"Suck it up you jerk" Sakura growled. Sakura Haruno would never have treated her 'beloved' that way but ever since Hikaru began her medical training the girl took off her rose tinted glasses and actually saw both her teammates. The verdict? Both were assholes, though Sai was just clueless while Sasuke was the child who had to have his way. Sure he was improving over time, but this mission reverted him back to his bad habits.

"Both of you! Just… please shut up. We're on a mission and I don't want to be the one to explain to the council why Konoha now appears bad to our supplier of rice." Naruto rubbed his temples. Both now fueled their ire to him.

"What the hell Naruto! He/she started it." The two said simultaneously.

"Ugly and Dickless are childish" Sai pointed out. Naruto looked deep within himself.

Kurama. What should I do?

You're asking me?! I told you days ago to just kill them and be done with it- especially the Uchiha.

Sighing annoyance he let the Kitsune's bad advice go. WWDD- What would Dragon do? He pondered, and then tossed out Dragon's obvious choice of personal hell disguised as training- can't do that on a mission. Tenzo's method of fish eyes and creepy lighting weren't possible for Naruto either. Finally he settled on bribery.

"If you three can act professional until we return to Konoha- and I mean no fighting or bickering- I will teach each of you something. Sasuke, I'll let you copy some of my taijutsu moves, Sakura I'll show you the one genjutsu I know and Sai… how about I just give you some of my chakra smoke tags?" Each of the genin looked thrilled in their own ways.

"Hn. Fine." Sasuke rolled his eyes. He'd do anything for more training- even play nice with useless 'teammates'. For now, anyway.

"Yes, captain" Sai quipped blandly. As Root the pale boy was accustomed to following a superior's orders- only his standing mission of killing Sasuke Uchiha in the event of defection would over ride Naruto's orders in Sai's mind.

"Fine, but the next person who mocks me becomes my test subject next lesson with Hikaru-sensei" Sakura warned. With a quick nod Naruto clapped his hands.

"Since that's done it's time for me to tell you the real reason behind the mission." Naruto said, bringing three confused looks. "You are all aware of the increased activity of rogue shinobi and skirmishes." Naruto stated.

"Of course- Ino said we're prepping for war with somebody though she didn't know who" Sakura said. Naruto mentally noted to find out where Ino got her source- while not exactly top secret, genin shouldn't have been aware that war was even a path they were considering right now. As ANBU Naruto was in the know though- either during or soon after, Konoha would be in warfare be it with Suna, Oto, or another country that took advantage of the situation.

"Yes, but don't go spreading that around, as it's too early to confirm or deny that possibility. However, in wartime or times of tense relations ninja villages are unable to splurge on supplies as much and we can't afford to go year-by-year with food when conflict could make securing supplies impossible. That means today when the representatives and negotiators show up we will make them agree to continue to be our supplier even if another country tries to convince them otherwise." Three confused looks were aimed at him.

"…make them?" Sakura asked.

"Yes Sakura. There is some fear that River will use this to either up the price or back out of our trade agreement. Don't worry, I'll handle the speaking parts, your team is more of a show of good faith." Naruto assured her. The boys looked confused but Sakura thought it over. Realization dawned on her.

"Because sending the last Uchiha to this proves Konoha wants to put their best foot forward and trusts River country enough to send an endangered bloodline to the border." Sasuke looked a little peeved at being used as a show of good faith but let it go at Naruto's warning glance.

"Correct. Sasuke will be present as will Sakura. Sai, I'll need you in the trees on lookout for any trouble." Naruto got three nods in return. What he didn't tell them was that Naruto was the biggest play in the mission: the representative for the rice company originated from Konoha and knew about Naruto's Jinchuuriki status. Once he saw the blonde shinobi he'd think twice about attacking or attempting treachery, even with the samurai he'd no doubt bring. Once Naruto had read that part in his apartment while packing he'd sent Angel to stay with Hikaru for the week: the hell cat was strong for her age, but if he had to pull a full fight or draw on Kurama's chakra he couldn't be worrying about his partner- she wasn't ready to take part in this type of mission yet.

An hour and several traps and stationed shadow clones later team seven and Naruto could sense the approaching party.

'ten samurai- three officials' Sai signed, not that anyone but Naruto noticed- genin didn't normally know sign, much to Naruto's chagrin.

'Good. Keep a lookout- be ready for anything' he signed back. If worse came to worse, Naruto would have Sai activate the traps and clones while they ran back to Konoha, killing the people from River for breaking ties. By the show of force from River they had to be ready for anything.

The negotiators arrive in a fanfare. The man who ran the talks, Rai Gekko, a distant relative to Hayate perhaps Naruto mused, was looking out of breath from the walk. When he spotted the Uchiha he felt his spirits rise at Konoha's trust, ensuring that the village wanted to continue peacefully and could be manipulated. But when he saw Naruto, Konoha's Jinchuuriki and 'demon brat' he paled: to be sent on this meant that his life was forfeit if he attempted any bullshitting or tried to raise prices unfairly like he planned to before if possible. And the worst part? The third's law was absolute and if Rai broke that to warn his associates now or later, Konoha would retaliate full force as well as slaughter him and his family.

"Gekko-sama, it is an honor to meet with you about continuous friendship between our two nations. These are my teammates, Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha. I am Naruto Uzumaki, as I'm sure you're aware." Naruto said and bowed deeply, which for a ninja on a mission was a show of good faith. Naruto was proud of himself: the advanced diplomacy books Dragon made him read over the last several weeks worked. Realization hit him like a brick. He planned this all out the bastard! Naruto fumed, though his masked face remained neutral. Rai winced inwardly. By the last statement Naruto knew about his status, meaning the boy likely could use some of the demon's power like legends stated that demon hosts could. Time to play patch up and give Konoha what they wanted.

"Of course, Uzumaki-san, I know exactly who you are. It is a pleasure to work with you and your team. These are my associates, Dan Sasame and Hideki Momichi." Rai replied.

Over the next hour Rai received strange glances from his convoy. When he offered to double Konoha's rice supply and small discount in exchange for continued friendship and alliance in conflict, they turned slack jawed. But, there was nothing Rai could do: he preferred living and he was the boss, second only to the Daimyo of River- the man also knew about the Kyubi Jinchuuriki as he was visiting Konoha to offer aid before the third's law took effect after the attack and took the oath to prevent war with the country. Rai was sure the man would agree that angering Konoha at this point would be suicide.

"I am happy our negotiations went smoothly, Gekko-sama! Konoha will send a team to collect the rice and exchange payment in one month!" Naruto said cheerfully. Rai nodded quickly while his associates looked agape but as per orders stayed silent.

"Of course, Uzumaki-san. Tell Hokage-sama it is always a pleasure to do business, even if it was unexpected to conduct extensive negotiations here." Rai said with an underhanded meaning: he had expected to use the fact that Konoha was sending just shinobi this time instead of the negotiator to charge more and then 'lose' the rice shipment in favor of Suna in the upcoming conflict the Kazekage told them about. By sending their Jinchuuriki- which had eight more tails than Suna's- Konoha ensured River was loyal to Fire, not Wind. A sneaky tactic, but it worked. No wonder ninjas ran the world.

"Just a precaution. After all, my friend in the trees would have had trouble keeping lookout for enemy shinobi wanting to interupt in an office" Naruto replied airily. Rai gulped as did the rest of his side: though the Konoha shinobi said it as looking after both sides, the message was clear: we were prepared to slaughter you.

"Haha, of course, of course. Have a safe trip back." Rai bowed.

"And you." Naruto bowed back. "Oh, and my furry friend had hoped to play together. Perhaps next time?" The man went ashen and quickened his pace to get away.

On the trip back Sakura and Sasuke watched their temporary leader with fascination.

"What?" Naruto asked them as he was balancing a senbon on his palm, an exercise meant to help with the Rasangan's second step.

"You played them- how, Naruto? My brain couldn't keep up with all that went on. And why was he so scared of you?" Sakura asked him. Rai looked ready to pee his pants every time Naruto spoke or looked him in the eye.

"I really didn't do anything, Sakura. I read a lot and working in the tower means I can play the game somewhat. And as for the second question- I'll tell you when you make chunin." He said with a glint in his eye that meant drop it. The secret was his to tell but Naruto didn't think giving one of Konoha's secrets- even one about him- to genin, especially the Uchiha who was still a flight risk. When Sasuke becomes a chunin, it would mean he was no longer at risk of becoming a missing ninja, and as such Naruto would trust him more.

"Okay, I won't ask then. But I didn't know you read, Naruto. What do usually read?" Was Sakura's response. Naruto looked up from concentrating on his palm; the senbon was refusing to stay steady.

"Everything. Though lately my superior is making me read a lot of politics and geography" Naruto said a bit miffed: Dragon had him study not only the manual of treaty codes, but also an advanced geographical guide over Fire's landmarks for shinobi. His reasoning was sound- ANBU should know as much as possible and with his shadow clones absorbing mass amounts wasn't difficult- but Naruto still resented the man for swiping his comic collection as collateral. "Let's pick up the pace. We can be back in Konoha by tomorrow evening if we push it."

Meanwhile, Konoha's ninja academy…

Jiraiya knew someone hated him- why else was he being forced to teach a bunch of eleven and twelve year olds basic fuinjutsu? As he and four clones walked around the field of students- he learned his lesson the first day of allowing them to work inside when half the desks melted due to a misspelled matrix- Jiraiya dodged explosion after explosion as the kids eagerly put their new skills to the test.

"Jiraiya-sensei! How can I make the explosion bigger?" A girl from a civilian family asked, Momo Jiraiya remembered was her name. She picked up the lessons like a fish to water and Jiraiya was about to answer the budding fuinjutsu user when their teacher appeared.

"Alright class- head back inside for a break!" Iruka shouted from a safe distance. "And don't forget: no fuinjutsu inside!"

"Yes, Iruka-sensei! Bye Jiraiya-sensei!" The students cheered. Jiraiya slipped the girl a level one fuinjutsu book with a wink, which she returned. As they disappeared Iruka walked up. The chunin was covering for their normal teacher while his class was on a field trip with his assistant.

"Thank you for volunteering, Jiraiya-sama. Being able to create basic storage scrolls and exploding tags will help them in the field" Iruka complemented. It was true: most shinobi couldn't afford more than a few tags or one storage scroll at a time, resulting in them having to make do. By creating their own it would mean better prepared shinobi during missions. "And teaching me how to create them was kind of you as well, Jiraiya-sama. Konoha's future looks brighter!"

Jiraiya blushed.

"Eh, no problem, gaki! It's time for research- want to join?" Jiraiya asked with a lecherous smile. He couldn't act perverted around the kids but teasing the chunin who blushed at the suggestion made up for it.

"I-I-I can't, Jiraiya-sama" Iruka stammered.

Somewhere in Rice…

Kakashi popped his second chakra pill in as many hours, Tenzo on his back bleeding out and Yugao breathing heavily. With ragged breaths while he ran through the trees towards the border, Kakashi wondered how it all went to hell.

Oh yeah, a Kaguya happened.

Flashback, meeting between Suna and Oto…

Kakashi and Tenzo hid among the trees, a double layered genjutsu curtesy of Kakashi's eye concealing them (AN: really, ANBU should at least of some skill with it, at least captain level, so of course Kakashi would know it- I mean, come on, captains are supposed to be well rounded, not overspecialized like in canon.) from the shinobi below. Yugao was across from them in another tree, ready to get the drop on them if needed.

"Our Kazekage has agreed to meet with Orochimaru. But be warned, Suna won't take any treachery." A Suna Jonin- A ranked, named Baki, Kakashi remembered- said after pleasantries. The Oto shinobi, a Kaguya based on the bone sword in hand and physical features, looked bored.

"Don't threaten my master, trash. Orochimaru promises: help us destroy the leaf and your village will prosper" Kakashi sucked in a breath at that. It was true: Suna was deliberating the pros and cons of betraying them, and with their biggest traitor no less. Though, by the look on Baki's face he didn't think it was a good idea either but followed orders.

'Plant a seed on the Oto shinobi. We'll find the base then leave.' Kakashi signed, receiving nods from both. After the two departed Kakashi quickly summoned Pakkun and handed him a scroll with the information from the meeting. As the dog took off towards the ANBU border patrol Kakashi couldn't stop the feeling they were walking into a trap.

Too bad Kakashi was right.

"Trash like you should come out now. I'll admit you fooled me for a time but holding a genjutsu while moving is difficult- your lives end here" the Kaguya says, stopping in an open field that gave him the advantage.

'Abort! Leave, now!' Kakashi ordered quickly. Kakashi had seen one Kaguya in battle during the third war and didn't wish to fight one himself, especially when the teen started having black marks covering his skin.

The three bolt back through the forest, but it turns into a game of cat and mouse. With them being restricted to using basic jutsu not unique to them or Konoha, they were easy to pick off. Within minutes Tenzo had been hit through the stomach and shoulder with long bone spikes while Yugao got a sliced side from one of the Kaguya's finger bullets he could use with frightening ease. Kakashi avoided injury and used six henged mud clones and quick release traps he'd had set up before hand in case of pursuit, leading their pursuer away as he hid himself and his injured comrades. After cauterizing Tenzo's stomach wound Kakashi and Yugao took off, pumping chakra into their legs.

End Flashback…

That was twelve hours ago and Kakashi still couldn't rest. His comrade, his kohai, was dying on him and Kakashi would be damned if another person died because of him. I've gotten lazy- if we survive I'll have to improve myself- the brat shouldn't have been able to see through my genjutsu!

"Sempai- the border's up ahead" Yugao spoke up an hour later, and Kakashi didn't correct her. Tenzo was pale on his back and wouldn't last much longer.

"Good" He heaved a sigh of relief as their feet touched Fire's side of the valley.

"Halt" Seven ANBU drop down around them, seeing the Kumo headbands and being on guard despite suspecting this was the recon team the Hokage informed them about. When Yugao pulls off a bandage to reveal her tattoo they relax. "You guys look like hell- what happened?" A captain- Hawk- asked with worry.

"Medic first" Kakashi managed before passing out from chakra exhaustion and chakra pill poisoning. Taking four of the military grade chakra pills tended to do that to you.

Orochimaru's base…

"They got away" Orochimaru hissed in annoyance. "The trail was lost; where did they come from?"

"Kumo, Orochimaru-sama. I captured one mud clone- a female one- before it dispelled. They were missing-nin looking for sanctuary but didn't like the thought of you" the teen Kaguya said. He was ticked at himself for failure and made sure to memorize their faces the best he could: he'd find them and kill them.

"Do you believe them" Orochimaru asked. He trusted his pet: the boy was fanatical in his loyalty, but the thought of missing-nin spying on the meeting irked him and sounded too much like Konoha or even Iwa.

"I…am not sure. I will check the bingo books though. Will this change our plans, master?" Orochimaru pondered for a minute.

"No…unless Kabuto finds that Konoha and Sarutobi-sensei was the one to send the ninja- Kabuto will find out if that's the case. He is our best spy after all."

"Of course, Ochimaru-sama" Kimmimaro bowed deep before leaving the snake sanin to his thoughts.

Little did either know that Kakashi, in all his wisdom, had based their disguises on three Kumo missing-nin that Konoha had picked up. And he had no way of knowing that that their corpses would be planted by week's end to be picked up by Oto's patrol schedule that Jiraiya's toads had found. To everyone in Oto, the Kumo shinobi died by injuries from the Kaguya and had managed to almost make it to the Land of Hot Springs.

Orochimaru would learn that despite the appearance of compassion and weakness, Konoha could play the game of cutthroat better than anyone.

Konoha, next evening…

Naruto and team seven made it before dark, checking into the guard station with tired eyes. Naruto turned to his team.

"Remember: don't talk about the negotiations and cut down any rumors of tensions rising" Naruto said. The genin nodded in understanding as Naruto had talked to them on the run back about the dangers of letting Konoha appear as anything other than 'business as usual' to the outside. And spies could be anywhere. "Take the next two days off, Kakashi-sempai will contact you soon and I'll begin your reward lessons next week. I'll take care of the report so go home." Using a shunshin Naruto took off towards the Hokage tower. In the dying light the village below the roof tops Naruto ran across looked more beautiful than Naruto had ever seen it, the people below becoming blurs. Reaching the tower Naruto made the sign allowing him to bypass the secretary. Knocking he hears a 'come in' and quietly slips in.

The Hokage was in a meeting with elder Danzo and the commander, all of whom turned to the young ANBU in chunin garb.

"Ah, Naruto. How was your mission?" Sarutobi asked, grateful for the distraction. With what they heard from Kakashi's team war was inevitable. There was a spy in the ranks as well, and they had been discussing how to feed the medic-nin traitor Kabuto misinformation without alerting him.

Naruto glanced at the powerful people in the room, all of whom could snap him like a twig still, and went into a crouch after setting the scroll on Sarutobi's desk.

"Mission success, Hokage-sama. Rai Gekko was terrified enough of me to give into our demands- I even managed to 'convince him' to give Konoha a discount with the doubled order without so much as asking." Naruto kept his face carefully blank at the gasp and pleased smile from the Hokage.

"It seems our weapon is a skilled negotiator" Danzo Shimura mused. Sarutobi shot him a warning glance but Naruto remained passive: Dragon told him the old war hawk thought Jinchuuriki were merely weapons, along with most shinobi. It didn't bother the blonde- it's not like the man actually had any power over him as he was an ANBU.

"I'm proud of your first mission as a squad leader, Naruto. Tell me, how did team seven perform?" Naruto's eye twitch caused Dragon to suppress a face palm and Sarutobi to sigh. The Uchiha must have caused trouble was the duo's thought.

"Sai was excellent- as in my report he was respectful though needs to learn how to interact more as his 'nicknames' caused tension between him and his team. Sakura Haruno…well Hikaru owes me fifty ryo as she snapped at Sasuke, who was broody and unable to work with the team. Thankfully with bribery for more training the genin were able to put aside their differences." Naruto finished, leaving the rest to the written report. Sarutobi gave him a considering look.

"Do you consider them ready for the chunin exams in two months?" Sarutobi asked. The plan to draw out their enemies required the Uchiha and Hyuga to take part, but losing the last of a bloodline either to treachery or death was not worth it. At Naruto's widening eyes Sarutobi had to chuckle. "Yes, I value your opinion. You may be young but you have proven yourself to make wise decisions, especially on this last mission."

"Well… they don't deserve it to be sure. But" He added at the somewhat disappointed looks. "They will survive with Ro and Gama watching over them. The Uchiha and Haruno are not ready for the rank as Sakura is just now getting out of her fangirl phase when she saw how Sasuke treated her and Sasuke would not pass a loyalty test if his life depended on it." Naruto admitted. Danzo coughed.

"And the third? What about Sai?"

"The undercover handler is almost jonin level and I have no troubles with him" Naruto shot back, not liking his games. Everyone knew the pale boy was Danzo's so why beat around the bush. The mummy sent a pleased hum but didn't confirm or deny it.

"And his training? There is some who voice their desire to see Sasuke learn higher level techniques and the elders wish Kakashi to start on training his chidori." Sarutobi looked pensive at the thought- even Kakashi had shot down the notion of upping the Uchiha's training. Naruto scoffed.

"Absolutely not Hokage-sama. Sasuke Uchiha still harbors dark thoughts about both his team and brother. He feels superior to everyone around him. If a traitor or another village offered him power he'd leave Konoha in a heartbeat- giving him instruction in jutsu unique to our village or has a high assassination ability would be foolish." Naruto wished for nothing more than for Sasuke to grow up as a loyal shinobi- that's why Naruto gave his word to help the avenger kill Itachi- but until Sasuke stopped his path of darkness, any jutsu or instruction had to be handed out carefully.

"Thank you Naruto. Kakashi and his team are in the ANBU hospital with injuries- your captain and Yugao is there and will be until next week. Hikaru will run team seven for the foreseeable future as he is obviously a good influence on them and Ro will be split for a month except for team exercises"

"Will I be able to visit my captain?" He asked in concern. Sarutobi shook his head.

"Not for a few days. Tenzo is in isolation as his wound was infected with both Kakashi's and the Kaguya's chakra. Kakashi and Yugao you can see tomorrow."

Naruto inclined his head the obvious question: where would he go for the time being? Dragon spoke for the first time.

"You're to continue training with the Hokage and toad sanin and be on a fill in basis, Mouse. Additionally, Hayate Gekko requested you for a mission due to your unique henge. You're to meet him in three days." Dragon spoke with hidden amusement, which led to Naruto having a sinking feeling. Dragon being amused about shinobi matters usually led to embarrassment or pain to all others involved. But, Naruto was a loyal Konoha ANBU, and ANBU don't question their commander.

"Of course, Dragon-sama. Is that all?"

"You may leave now. Meet me at our training grounds tomorrow at nine am Naruto." After a final bow Naruto disappeared and headed for his apartment.

Naruto knocked tiredly on Hikaru's door and sighed when it became apparent the older teen was gone. Probably at a bar with girls he growled in annoyance. Using the key Hikaru gave him Naruto crept inside. Unlike most shinobi, Hikaru had no traps set up or seals activated. Tenzo it'd be the end of him one day but the Hyuga would just laugh it off. Still, what he lacked in traps he made up for in mess: while Naruto learned quickly to keep his home neat Hikaru felt the less floor space the better.

"Angel? You here?" Naruto called not wanting to venture inside.

"Naruto! You're back" Was the instant reply and his feline friend run on the ceiling to avoid laundry, landing on his head in a happy heap.

"Woah, when'd you learn how to tree walk?" He inquired as the pair made their way back inside their own place. Naruto had taken the liberty of picking up Angel's favorite, sushi, as apology for dumping her on Hikaru of all people. Thankfully as the cat gorged all seemed forgiven and forgotten.

"Dragon taught me. Now I can become twice as big!" She said between bites. Naruto, sporting his own plate of raw fish and rice, was impressed: the Hell cats normally couldn't change size before their third year- Angel was barely two.

"Congrats! Tomorrow we have training with Hokage-sama. I could teach you water walking if you'd like" he offered.

"Yes! Soon I'll be able to go on all your missions" the cat cheered. Naruto blinked then winced. So she wasn't over it.

"Angel, I'm sorry. I couldn't risk your safety." The cat looked up and glared with an intensity enough to shame a Hyuga.

"And I'm your partner Naruto! I can take whatever you can." She insisted.

"Tell you what: when you can use the three genjutsu Dragon-sama left for you in the scroll, can water walk, and are able to beat Tora in a spar-no gen or nin jutsu- I'll take you along on every mission that doesn't need me alone. Is that fair?" The first two were easy but the last one could take awhile, just as Naruto intended: with this deal he'd be able to keep Angel inside the village with occasional patrols around for months. Tora was technically a house cat but Naruto had been friends with the she devil since his seventh birthday: through fighting and chase games the cat became Konoha's menace to genin- not that anyone knew it was Naruto that taught the cat how to hide its tracks or the spots to aim for the most damage or the more recent ability to tree and water walk. It would take months before Angel could hope to beat the older cat without ninjutsu or genjutsu. In the meantime Naruto would prepare her to be deadly and untouchable.

"Deal. But just you wait- I'll beat that Tora before you know it!" Angel declared.

"Meow" came from the living room window. With practiced ease Tora unlocked the window and slid into the apartment, accepting a roll of sushi.

"Hey Tora. The Daimyo's wife too clingy again?" Naruto asked as he petted his visitor gently.

"Meow" Tora replied. Angel translated.

"She says 'yes and I want to live here forever.'" Both residents looked in pity: the Daimyo's wife adored her pet to the point of torture and would never part with Tora or else he'd have adopted her years ago.

"Hmmm. Why don't you stay here tonight girl? You could show Angel how to water walk tomorrow in the bathtub" He suggested. Tora wrinkled her nose slightly. She liked it better before the black cat came along and it was just her in his life. Naruto sensed this and added incentive. "If you do you can hide here all day tomorrow- the seals will prevent others from being able to track you."

"Meow"

"She says fine but that I better not take too long water walking. Why, you fat excuse of a cat! I'll learn it by tomorrow night!" Angel vowed and launched an attack at Tora. Naruto ignored the familiar scene and got up.

"Alright you two don't stay up too late- see you in the morning." Luckily Gai had his genin on a week long training trip in a secluded training ground for survival training- Naruto could at last sleep in and visit his friends in the hospital before meeting with the Hokage.

That's what Naruto wanted to believe. However, at four am a water jutsu hit him square in the face.

"You've had enough sleep- time for training!" Dragon spoke in a cheerful tone. "Oh, and letting Tora hide out in your apartment? I'll allow it but I will black mail you later" the commander added on at the sight of the two cats asleep on the floor, still tangled up from fighting into the late hours. "Meet me at the training grounds in five" and left through Naruto's bedroom window.

"Sadist" Naruto grumbled thirty seconds later as he was dressed in his full on duty ANBU gear and fitted his weights on tight. After filling up the tub and leaving a note for the cats he followed his commander out the bedroom window.

Dragon wasn't a cruel or sadistic man, really, even if he found immense joy in his youngest operative's cries of frustration as the boy kept attempting his new genjutsu, false surroundings, on Dragon. The commander didn't have the heart to tell him it was literally impossible to catch him in any genjutsu, much less a weak one. Even without the success, Naruto was improving rapidly, and he himself could detect and break most C rank genjutsu.

Too bad in the black ops mission higher powered genjutsu was used. Thankfully the fox wasn't messing with his subordinate's chakra anymore, and as the two grudgingly worked together Naruto's control shot up. By the time Orochimaru made his move the blond would be able to dispel A rank genjutsu. Even if Dragon had to beat it into him.

"Enough, Mouse. You did almost passable, the waterfall climbing is helping. Go work on the rasangan while you wait for the Hokage." And the commander was off without a goodbye. Naruto huffed at the common occurrence and plopped down on the grass, rubber ball already in hand, eating a nutrition bar with the other. Twenty clones joined him in intense concentration.

Because of the senbon balancing Naruto was able to pop the rubber consistently by the time the Hokage showed up an hour later.

"Impressive- now you just have to ask Jiraiya for the third step!" Sarutobi praised, walking up in his own training gear. Naruto beamed at the complement. He always looked forward to his time with the third, even after everything. "Now, let's see your water manipulation second step- I have a water jutsu for you but we must get your manipulation up to par even with your reserves for prolonged battles". With fierce determination Naruto began the arduous process with one hundred clones to push the waterfall up. Learning a non primary element took twice as long but Naruto wouldn't fail: his village needed him strong enough to fight a Jinchuuriki reports said could fully transform.

You could let me take over and I'd beat that brat Shukaku back to the desert Kurama offered. Naruto snorted.

Sorry Kurama, but I can't let you take over my body- but if you want to help beat your brother I'm up for strategies.

No thanks- just learn the damn water fall trick. It can't be that hard, your mother did it in half the time! Kurama taunted. Naruto ignored him and turned back to his task. Soon. I can feel it.

After an hour his clones dispelled in groups and another batch took the task back up. For the rest of the day Sarutobi decided to avoid the office work and helped the real Naruto with taijutsu and battle tactics- by beating the crap out of him. When the sun set Sarutobi was still fresh while Naruto had various scorch marks, frazzled hair, and bruises.

"That was a good warmup. I'll see you Monday Naruto: remember that until Tenzo recovers you'll be having extra time with me. Oh, and enjoy your mission." Naruto simply panted back at the man from his heap on the ground. That night Angel found him and Naruto gave a groan of congratulations when she demonstrated being able to stand shakily on the water. The two slept in the summer air, proud but dead tired.

Two days later…

Naruto walked towards the Hokage tower in the afternoon with a chipper step. He'd just gotten back from visiting Yugao and a restrained Kakashi- the man hated hospitals with a passion. His sempai had cried and offered Naruto anything to be let loose: Naruto would have happily complied if the ANBU on guard weren't staring at him. He liked living more than having the copy ninja in his debt. Tenzo was still unconscious during the visit to allow his body to heal but the ANBU medic assured him that his captain would be awake by the time Naruto returned from his mission.

Inside the mission meeting room Hayate was already waiting, his two teammates Genma and Raido leaning against the wall.

"Well if it isn't the Mouse- oh and you're a chunin now! One step closer to Hokage, eh" Genma smirked at Naruto's slight blush from the tease at his pre-graduation days.

"Quiet, Genma. Now that we're all here... this is an A ranked mission. We're going undercover as a noble's daughter and her hired ninja escorts to the land of Tea- there's a political gathering of the region's noble girls and her father is worried about potential kidnappings due to her young age. Naruto, you'll be henged into the girl seeing as your henge is actually a shape shift. The rest is in the scroll, but any questions?" Hayate asked between coughs.

"I hate you" Naruto glared at his temporary captain. Hayate smirked while the other two sniggered.

"The quicker we finish the quicker we'll be home… Tsubaki-sama" He teased. "We're ready for you now."

Naruto cursed inside as the door opened and a six year old girl walked in. This was going to be a long mission, the only upside being that Hikaru wasn't there and Angel was hanging out with Tora and Gama squad on their patrols while he was gone in exchange for Tora hiding out in his apartment again and Naruto giving Hawk five of the chakra smoke tags.

"Time to get to work my lady" Genma chuckled. A long mission indeed.

End! How was this chapter? I've spent a lot of hours typing this over the last day and a half. I hope it is up to snuff- next time will be the mission with Hayate, time with Jiraiya, more build up for the exams, and more!

For those wondering about the change in the build up to the exams:

This is fanfiction.

I find it believable that ninjas would try and figure out everything they can about the enemy and allies, all the while blaming it on another village.

As for Kabuto- his whole person screamed 'spy' and with increased security he'd of course be easy to uproot. Now it's just a case of using him to Konoha's advantage.

Finally, for Orochimaru: he's arrogant, no doubt about it, and wouldn't alter his plans if possible.

Have a great day everyone!