The Chunin Exams and The New Sensei

"You seriously won't consider staying?" Minato asked again for the thousandth time.

"Unless you, as Hokage, are ordering me to," Tsunade gave the young Hokage a look that almost dared him to make the order.

"Of course not," Minato leaned back in his chair, folding his arms over his stomach, "the third gave you freedom to do as you like, and I will continue that."

"Thanks, gaki," Tsunade smiled while Minato just rolled his eyes.

The two blondes were currently in the Hokage's office with Minato sitting at his desk, using the elder blonde's presence as an excuse to not be doing paper work.

"You're leaving, baa-chan?" a weak voice called from the door.

Both older blondes turned their attention to the door to find a miniature version of Minato standing in the doorframe.

"Yeah," Tsunade nodded.

"Why?" Naruto asked.

It had been two months since Naruto had woken up from his coma, and he gained his strength back a lot faster than either one had expected. Minato suspected it was due to the Kyuubi. Only the past couple of weeks, he has gone back to his team, and everything seemed to have gone back to normal.

"Being in the village just isn't my style, kid," Tsunade shrugged at the youngest blonde.

"But why?" Naruto asked again, "there must be an actual reason that you don't want to be in the village?"

Tsunade waved him over to her and she leaned down so she was face to face with the boy, "there is but that doesn't mean I am going to tell you."

"So? Stay," Naruto insisted looking directly into the elder's eyes, "You're a Konoha shinobi, so act like one."

Tsunade was slightly taken aback at the maturity of Naruto's statement. Most genin his age still think being a shinobi is a game, but Naruto has realized the importance of being a shinobi. What being a shinobi really means. She could tell by the look in his eyes, that he knew that she was a damn good shinobi and Konoha needed her.

"I know that tou-san can order you to stay here and become an active duty shinobi again, but he won't because he knows the reasons you don't want to stay and he's trying to be a good person," Naruto continued, "But you and I both know that what ever those reasons may be, they aren't good enough to put ahead of the village. The village is more important than your selfish reasons."

Tsunade opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. He was right and she knew it. There was nothing she could say to argue that point. Her selfish reasons are what kept her from the village for so long. There are so many things Sensei had wanted her to do in the village before he passed, but she was selfish and kept her knowledge to her self. Naruto was right; the village needed her. With the Akatsuki on the move to collect the tailed beats, Konoha is going to need every medic- nin they can get. Tsunade took a deep breath then stood up to face the Hokage.

"Damn it," Tsunade swore, "I thought you were the Hokage, Minato."

Minato couldn't help but laugh. Naruto just has this way with people. A few short words and he can completely change someone's mind. He'd make a good Hokage one day, and apparently Tsunade agreed.

"I am," Minato replied, "but I may be fighting someone for the position soon."

Naruto just grinned at his father then turned his attention back to Tsunade, "So? Are you going to stay and help the village or not?"

"Alright, I'll stay," Tsunade sighed.

"Good!" Minato smiled, "I've got a person I want you to train."

"What?!" Tsunade replied.

Minato turned to Naruto and gave him a look that excused the blonde boy. Naruto nodded and turned to leave.

"You'll pay for this, Gaki!" Tsunade called.

Naruto just smiled in return and made his way out of the office.

oOo

Naruto ran through the village ignoring all the stares and whispers. Most of the villagers knew his linage by now, but they still talked. He made his way to his favorite spot where he was meeting one of his favorite people. He was supposed to invite his dad, but he looked busy with Tsunade. Naruto ran up to the ramen stand and found the large white haired man sitting at one of the stools. His dad had told him that Ero-Sennin had helped Tsunade save his life and for that he would do anything for the old pervert… well almost anything.

"ERO-SENNIN!" Naruto yelled at he entered the stand.

"Damn it , gaki!" Jiraiya replied turning around, "I told you not to call me that!"

"Well, too bad!" Naruto replied taking his seat beside the older man.

"Naruto, same thing?"

"Of course!"

The two ate in silence, enjoying the best ramen in the fire country. When they were finished, Jiraiya turned to Naruto, "I've got a proposition for you."

"Actually, I was going to tell him that," a voice broken in and Naruto turned and found his father walking under the curtains of the stand.

"Well then go ahead, gaki," Jiraiya replied.

"I'm not a gaki any more. I am the Hokage," Minato laughed sitting down, "And your boss."

Jiriaya just shrugged.

" Anyways Naruto," Minato continued, "how would you like for Jiraiya to train you?"

"Huh?" Naruto gave his father a look, "I thought Kaka-sensei was training me?"

"Well, yes he is," Minato laughed, "but I am talking about after the Chunin exams."

"The Chunin Exams!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Yes the Chunin Exams are in about two months," Minato laughed, "I think Kakashi is going to enter your team. But that is up to him. He'll determine if you are ready or not."

Naruto, who wasn't really listening to his father, was to excited to even consider the possibility that his sensei wouldn't enter his team, "I am going to be a Chunin!"

"You have to pass the exam first," Minato laughed.

"Crap," Naruto shrunk.

"What's wrong with him?" Jiraiya asked a little confused on the sudden change in personality.

"He's just like his mother," Minato smiled.

"Huh?" Both Naruto and Jiraiya gave him the same look.

"Kushina, your mother, was a terrible test taker too," Minato smiled, "and she became a Jonin. Hell, I became Hokage!"

"Mom became a Jonin? Even though she was like me?" Naruto asked.

"Yes, she did," Minato nodded.

"Yeah, after taking it four times," Jiraiya muttered.

Minato reached around his son and smacked his old sensei on the back of the head.

"What's that for?" Jiraiya asked rubbing the back of his head.

"Don't discourage him!" Minato replied.

Jiraiya rolled his eyes.

"Anyways, Kakashi will train you and you team mates before the Chunin exams, then afterwards your team will be split to do specialized training," Minato explained.

"What do you mean specialized training?" Naruto asked.

"You will be with Jiraiya who will teach you the same things he taught me, because you are my son and have similar abilities to me," Minato continued, "Sasuke will be trained by Kakashi to work on his Sharingan. Sakura will be trained by a medic-nin since that is the direction it looks like she will be going."

"Cool!" Naruto exclaimed, "but what if I don't make Chunin?"

"Doesn't matter," Minato shrugged.

"But we will have to retake the test if we don't make Chunin so shouldn't we stay together as a team?" Naruto asked.

"Not really," Minato replied, "since genin become Chunin individually not by teams. So you could be a Chunin while Sasuke or Sakura might not."

"Oh," was Naruto's only reply.

"So what do you think?" Minato asked.

"I'd love to train with your sensei, Tou-san," Naruto smiled in a way that made Minato believe that he was looking a mirror.

His personality is starting to come through, now that the villagers and shinobi don't frighten him any more. Minato thought as he looked at his son's genuine smile.

"Great," Jiraiya muttered, "Another blonde haired Gaki to train…"

This time it was Naruto who punched him, "You know, I might be Hokage one day too, and that means I'd be your boss. If I were you, I'd be nice to me."

Rubbing his arm where the kid had punched him, Jiraiya just laughed, "he's got Kushina's violence and your 'Hokage' attitude!"

All three laughed.

oOo

"Chunin Exams?" Sasuke repeated.

"Yep, I entered the three of you," Kakashi nodded.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura surrounded the grey haired man on the small red bridge they frequently met up at.

"When is it?" Sakura asked.

"Oh about a month from now," Kakashi shrugged.

It had been about three months since Naruto had woken up from his coma. Kakashi and Minato had both noticed that Naruto seem to have a new drive pushing him to train harder and become stronger. As long as Naruto didn't push himself past his limits-endangering himself- they wouldn't be too concerned about it.

"So we've about a month to prepare," Sasuke repeated.

"Well, yes and no," Kakashi shrugged, "In about three weeks, we will travel to Suna which is where the Chunin Exams will be held."

"Suna?" Naruto repeated.

Kakashi glanced the young blonde's way but decide not to make a scene in front of his other two-team mates, "Yup, Suna. Originally, Konoha was supposed to host it, but since the Hokage's son will be participating, the other nation's decided it would be best that Konoha not have too much interference in the exams."

"Makes sense," Sasuke shrugged.

"Will you becoming with us?" Naruto asked.

"Yes, I will be coming with the other Jonins to observe and aid you when possible," Kakashi nodded, "well anymore questions- save them for later. You are dismissed for today."

Sasuke and Sakura nodded then turned to head in their respective directions. Once they were out of hearing range, Kakashi turned to Naruto but before he could say anything, the boy spoke first.

"Is Tou-san coming with us too?" the younger asked.

"Not until the final round," Kakashi replied shaking his head.

"Oh," Naruto nodded.

"There is another reason, the exams will be held in Suna this year," Kakashi stated, when Naruto didn't reply he continued, "since the incident a few weeks ago, the Kazekage has raise his defenses in order to protect you and Gaara."

"Gaara?" Naruto repeated, "oh, the one who is like me in Suna?"

"Yes, that's him," Kakashi nodded then eyed the blonde, "did you know that he considers you to be precious to him? He called you a precious person and even protected you while you were out of it in Suna."

"What? Really?" Naruto smiled.

"Yeah," Kakashi nodded.

"Then I guess I should consider him one of my precious people too," Naruto's smile got even bigger if that was possible, "I can't wait to see him again. Is he going to be in the exams too?"

"I have no idea," Kakashi shrugged, "anyways, you don't have anything to worry about besides the exams in Suna," Kakashi placed his hands on the youngers shoulders, "I wont let anything happen to you this time."

"What happened in Suna wasn't your fault, sensei. It was mine," Naruto looked down, "if I hadn't run into battle without thinking I would never have gotten hurt, but I am smarter now and I know better."

Kakashi nodded; impressed with Naruto's matureness, "then I guess we have training to do over the next few weeks."

oOo

Over the next several weeks, Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto trained for the Chunin Exams under Kakashi, while Jiraiya and Tsunade stepping in once in a while. Kakashi watched with pride as he watched his students grow at an extreme pace; going from baby genins to possibly Chunins. He had no doubt that one of them would be chosen to be a Chunin, if not all three of them. They had their on eye on the exams and didn't let anything get in their way of their goal. That is what amazed the grey haired man the most, was that it wasn't an individual goal-it was a team goal. They were going to reach Chunin together. Who knows, it might the first time in a while a whole team of genin made Chunin on their first exam. It wasn't impossible but it was highly improbable and Kakashi could see them accomplish that.

Naruto's physical skill grew everyday, but what was most impressive was his intelligence skill grew enormously. Kakashi suspected Minato might have been aiding in that arena since the incident in Suna. His combat tactics could rival a Nara at the same age. He had also set his differences aside with Sasuke so their teamwork could sky rocket and it did. Naruto and Sasuke reminded Kakashi of his friendship with Obito. Naruto would have definitely liked Obito, while Sasuke remind him too much of him self. Sakura on the other hand was going to be an excellent shinobi one day, especially if Minato's plan worked out for her. Kakashi could already see it, these three were going to be the one of the most powerful three team combo Konoha has yet to see.

Finally the time came for the genin teams to leave for Suna. There were three other teams aside from Kakashi's. Guy was taking his team of second year genin. Kurenai was taking her team of rookies- a reconnaissance team in training. The last team was Asuma's team- the next generation Ino-Shika-Cho, who no doubt has been training their teamwork since they could walk. The four teams lined up at the gate of Konoha at 6am. Minato, along with the other parents of the genin met them at the gate to see them off.

Minato nodded at Kakashi in a silent agreement. Naruto hugged his father one last time before they headed off. The other genin did the same thing. Although the Chunin exam was held over the course of two months, the genin were going to be staying in Suna instead of traveling back to Konoha, even if they didn't pass the first or second test they would stay to cheer on their fellow comrades from Konoha.

Glancing around Naruto knew most of the genin that were going, except for the team with the two green clad shinobi. He looked over to Kakashi who shook his head indicting for Naruto not to ask. Laughing silently to himself, he seemed to understand that Kakashi didn't want to explain the ridiculous outfit so early in the morning. The elder of the two green shinobi seemed to know Kakashi, which both teams found a little weird. Kakashi's team didn't think he had any friends, while Guy's thought no one would be able to put up with Guy's weird antics.

After making the finale preparations to leave, Minato spoke a few words about teamwork, friendship and the exams in general.

Then they were off to Suna.

No Judging the grammar! I didn't really do much editing before I published- which I know I should have but its late and I wan to hurry up and post the chapter.

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