Chapter 6: Changes
Naruto woke up the next morning pondering. He looked at his hand, contemplating all the changes that had taken place in his life. Naruto had power, more than he knew what to do with. It almost seemed to overwhelm him at times. The fact that nothing was out of his reach almost seemed too good to be true. He laid in his bed reaching toward the ceiling. He smiled at the perfect texture on the walls of his home, gazing at the clean and non-chipped paint.
He turned on his pair of mangekyo sharingan, Fukurokuju coming to life before him. He clenched his hand as suddenly it enveloped into a hard metal. Naruto expanded the hand, making it three times bigger than it was. He then watched it slowly recede into his normal tan skin and unblemished nails. Fukurokuju might be limitless. Hell he can go through the rest of puberty right now if he wanted to. He can bring to life the dead, atomize someone until they no longer existed or into a damn sperm cell if he wanted to.
He gazed at his hand.. and he felt unstoppable. Sure he just lost to Hiruzen yesterday, but both him and the Hokage knew if the fight kept up.. Naruto would ultimately become the strongest leaf shinobi. Naruto wondered if it was too late to teach him humility, or if he should keep up the confident bravado. Realistically who could stop him? Who could get in the way of his goals? By force, nobody surely. But someone who could help him love and be loved by him? Naruto thought that could be his weakness, people he cherished. People he needed in his life. And yet that too could be his strength as well. To protect, to hold close to him. Those were the reasons why he didn't charge out into the open and take what was rightfully his, respect, power, dominance.
He didn't want to be seen as a monster, especially now that he could back up his claims. His fist glowed as he clenched it, his power overflowing in the sensation. Naruto exhaled as he let the power go, letting his hand fall to his bed as he stared at the ceiling.
The lone Uzumaki pondered on his power for a few more moments before getting ready for the day. He and Sakura were going to train, as was their usual every morning. Naruto smiled at that, tipping his excitement over until it spilled throughout his body. The blonde damn near flew as he went through his morning routine. The way he and Sakura were now was a moon's distance of how they used to be. Sakura took to his words like he was Hagoromo himself. The way she treated him, smiled at him, joked with him. Oh the memories started pumping his heart faster right then and there.
Naruto became ready at lightning speed. Naruto put on a black long sleeve with a large orange Uzumaki spiral on the back. He also slid on black shinobi slacks and high top shinobi sandals that covered his ankles significantly. Naruto looked into his full body mirror and smiled at his outfit. He then widened his eyes as he almost forgot the most important part of his outfit.
Naruto looked to his desk right beside his bed, there was a lamp and an alarm clock stationed on top of its dark oak features. However what caught Naruto's eyes was the elastic black headband that held his Konoha forehead protector. Naruto exhaled fondly at how he came to acquire these things. Although he was a little grouchy when he woke up before his designated alarm did.
2:33AM Naruto's Bedroom:
There was a loud pounding that shocked Naruto into alertness. Without intention his heart raced a foot out of his chest. At least that's what it felt like to him.
"Wake up brat." Zabuza's voice seemed tired, but ready for action all the same. Naruto grumbled before he opened his door to welcome the newly minted leaf jonin.
"Oi Zabuza-jiji. Just because you're working the night shift doesn't mean I have to as well!" Naruto grouched and Zabuza raised a menacing eyebrow.. ridge toward the blonde. Huh, Naruto never noticed the man lacked eyebrows, there was just a plain ridge of smooth skin where they should be. In the middle of Naruto's pause Zabuza stepped into his room and sat on the blonde's bed.
"Gee, make yourself welcome in my room." Naruto grumbled quietly as he rubbed the tiredness out of his eyes. Or tried to, instead he just kept rubbing them much to Zabuza's amusement.
"Naruto, come here." Zabuza spoke with seriousness and Naruto straightened immediately. The blonde didn't know why Zabuza became even more serious than he usually was. And if anyone knew Zabuza personally, they knew that was a feat not taken lightly. Naruto almost gulped as he watched the jonin take out a scroll.
"Sit." Zabuza ordered and Naruto did so, wondering what the whole thing was about. He also had a side thought that questioned if this whole thing could've waited until Naruto was awake later on in the morning. He noticed Zabuza grip the scroll tightly, his fingers turning white showcasing the force of his latched fingers.
"Me and Haku finished up our shift early. And Haku suggested something.. a gift, to give you. Haku said I should, and told me to do so as soon as we arrived home. She should be asleep now, and I wouldn't bother her. Believe it or not, even she gets pissed when being forcefully woken up." Zabuza chuckled and Naruto smiled at the thought of Haku's reaction. Naruto would bet it was both deathly intimidating as well as cute.
"I wanted to thank you kid. For letting me and Haku follow you back to your home. I'm not good with words, so I'll just unseal this." Zabuza did so, and Naruto's jaw dropped as a fresh set of clothes popped out of thin air. Zabuza took them and placed them on the bed between him and Naruto.
"I know you like orange, but I also think you should wear something that won't get you spotted so easily. We're shinobi, we need to advise discretion. Don't forget that lesson brat." Zabuza said as Naruto bit his lip. Both of them quivering at the kind gesture from the man in front of him. Naruto felt his eyes gloss with wetness, the emotions were threatening to overwhelm. So before Naruto could back out of it he leapt and grabbed Zabuza into a tight embrace. The man felt tears stain his uniform as the kid cried joy onto him.
"Thank you thank you thank you thank you!" Zabuza's face softened as he tightened his own arms around Naruto. The blonde laughed at the absurdity of his attitude, finding that the tears didn't stop coming. And much to the little blonde's chagrin some snot did too. The two stayed like that for a second, letting Naruto take out years of pent up sadness, aggression, and loneliness. Zabuza let him, because the man doubted he would be any different if he was in the same situation.
After some time Naruto let go of Zabuza, wiping his tears and snot on his night shirt.
"I'm sorry, I got your jacket all.. boogery." Zabuza merely chuckled.
"Don't worry about it, not much different from traipsing in the woods and mud outside." Zabuza patted Naruto on the head and Naruto blushed at the intimate and possibly fatherly gesture.
"Thank you Zabuza-jiji." The man almost laughed at the additive, he was really getting used to Naruto calling him that.
"You don't need to thank me brat. If you need anything don't hesitate to come to me. You and Haku.. you're the only family I have-" Before Zabuza could finish his sentence Naruto latched onto him again. Family, Naruto finally found out what it was like to have a family. Naruto to his credit didn't cry. But the warmth that flooded him had him highly emotional.
Zabuza patted the blonde on the head, letting the genin have this moment with him. After all, to Zabuza this might as well be a father consoling his son.
Four Hours Later Training Ground
Sakura decided last night before she went to bed that she needed a little makeover. Or at least a really extended haircut. Sakura had asked her mom to cut her hair, saying that it kept getting grabbed when sparring with Naruto. Sakura felt a chill run down her spine when she remembered how she tried to retreat from Naruto only for him to yank on her hair in a vice grip.
Her parents had been surprised by that, they both knew how much Sakura loved her long flowing pink locks. Her mother obliged however, seeing how serious Sakura was becoming about her career.
Now Sakura entered the training ground her and Naruto usually trained at. However today Naruto seemed to be lagging behind her. So she leaned up against a tree and contemplated, running a hand through her hair. The action was a little self conscious, she wondered what Naruto would think.. she hadn't styled her hair like this since she was like seven or something.
She shook her head at the thought, those were different days. And the more she sparred with Naruto realizing how strong he had become, the more she realized how much stronger she wanted to become too. She was becoming different, someone who didn't worry too much about the details of her hair, as well as the complexion of her skin. Albeit she still looked pretty, she still took care of herself. But after the Land of Waves she decided to overhaul her abilities as a shinobi.
'To think all of this is because Naruto saw something in me. That idiot.' She smiled fondly as she reminisced on her time with the blonde. His capabilities and belief in her have changed her outlook on him severely. She was living in the memory of one of their previous spars as she saw him arrive at the training ground. Sakura felt her eyes widen a fraction as she took him in.
'I guess he wanted to change something about himself too.' Sakura involuntarily smiled as she saw the much darker and much more form fitting outfit on her training partner.
'The black looks really good on him, without that eyesore of a jumpsuit from before he might actually be.. kinda cute.' Sakura wasn't a fool of course. Tan skin, blue eyes, blonde hair, and what seemed to be a slim powerful build for a twelve-year old. Sakura bit her lip at the train her thoughts went on. She saw the blonde in regard smile at her, a sparkle in his blue eyes.
"Wow Sakura-chan. I don't know if I could focus on our training with your hair like that y'know. Yeah.. way too distracting. But I guess Kami had different plans when it came to your beauty neh?" He teased and Sakura felt her cheeks heat up despite his goofy attitude toward her.
'So basically he likes it, hah. Dork.' She almost laughed at her thoughts as she ran her hand through her hair again. She didn't see it but Naruto gulped as he felt his stomach drop at the sight of her. He liked her with long her, but something about her short hair was driving him wild. He turned around to stretch a little, and Sakura felt her eyes draw down to his backside. She then slapped herself as she recognized that it was actually nice to look at.
'Calm down Sakura, it's just Naruto. It's not like you actually find him attractive.. oh my Kami-' As she thought that she witnessed Naruto perform a couple handstand push-ups. Her eyes instantly trailed his exposed midriff as his black shirt slid down toward Naruto's chest. Sakura couldn't hold back a gulp as her cheeks reddened.
'Okay, okay, okay. It's okay Sakura, you still love Sasuke-kun. You can find someone attractive and not act on it.. most definitely.' She shuddered as Naruto's abdomen flexed, his abdomen muscles clenching and revealing itself to her. She then watched Naruto push up and jump back onto his feet. It was if he was floating in the air the motion so seamless.
"Whew! Sakura-chan your face is red already? Don't work up too much of a sweat, we still need to spar y'know!" Naruto gave her a cheesy grin and the girl rolled her eyes at him. She stretched out her arms and legs, the previous thoughts dissipating as she saw her teammate focus.
Soon both of them stood across from one another, but warmed up and ready to fight.
"Don't hold back your punches Naruto. I don't care if I have to go to the hospital after this. If you hold back, I won't become stronger. And all of this would be meaningless." Sakura said and Naruto nodded firmly. Sakura gave a devilish smile at his attitude. As intimidating as it is to face off against him, she knew it would be better for her in the long run.
"Alright Sakura-chan, here I come!" With that the two clashed, their punches and kicks resounding throughout the training grounds.
2 Weeks Later: Chunin Exams
"Oi Sakura-chan, Sasuke. You both ready?" Naruto asked as he surveyed his teammates. Both of them being fired up for what was coming.
"You don't have to ask me dobe." Sasuke smirked and Naruto smirked right back at him. He looked Sasuke up and down, nodding in acknowledgement of his teammate.
Sasuke's hair was a little longer, his bangs going down his cheeks and his blue-black hair sticking out a bit more. His outfit consisted of a black top with a high collar, his signature Uchiha symbol on his back. His left arm was wrapped in bandages and black wrappings. Both of his elbows donned an elbow pad. He wore black shorts and had his legs and right thigh wrapped the same way, with black shinobi sandals for footwear.
Naruto then had to intake a breath once he saw Sakura's attire. If he was being honest it was a little hard for him to hide how uncomfortably tight his boxers were becoming at the sight of her.
Sakura also had an outfit overhaul. She kept her hair short and wore her red headband on top of her head. Her red top had the sleeves shortened to reveal feminine but powerfully toned arms and shoulders. Her elbows had matching dark pink elbow pads. Like Naruto thought it was a red top and no longer a dress that she wore. Her bottom portion, which was making Naruto britches tighten.. Was a loose dark pink skirt with slits in the front and back and the side with a little clip holding it together. So as not to sway to the wind or something. Sakura also wore skin tight shorts that Naruto gulped at the sight of. Her right thigh was wrapped with bandages and her shinobi sandals were designed to cover her legs all the way until it reached the underside of her knees.
All in all she looked good, devastatingly good.
Naruto didn't go through too many changes when it came to his outfit. He still kept the outfit Zabuza gifted him, except he rolled the sleeves up to his elbows, revealing a pair of mightily toned forearms. He wore his black headband around his neck letting his blonde bangs flow out over his forehead. Sakura even complimented how his hair looked better that way so Naruto kept it. And the last thing that was different was that Naruto wore a black pair of finger-less gloves with metal plates on the back of his gloved hands.
However what the three had in common was that they were a few inches taller than two weeks ago, losing a bit of baby fat as well. Naruto actually had the most growth out of the three of them, so much that Sakura had to tilt her head up a little to look at him.
Naruto and Sasuke stood at 5'2 while Sakura stood at 5'0. All in all they had become different people. And they knew they were going to dominate the Chunin Exams.
Sakura looked toward Naruto and nodded haughtily.
"Yeah, let's show them what we're made of!" Their enthusiasm had the blonde grinning.
"Alright, let's get to it!" Naruto lead his teammates to the Konoha Academy Building, where the first segment of the Chunin Exams will take place.
When they reached the second floor the trio noticed a commotion in front of a pair of double doors. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke noticed the genjutsu placed on the sign above the door. One of the chunin shoved a bushy browed genin who landed on his rear. Naruto looked to Sakura and Sasuke and shook his head. The three of them walked around the crowd inconspicuously.
They didn't notice the looks three genin sent their way. The one who was shoved to the ground frowned before he and his teammates walked off to follow Team 7.
"Neji-kun, Tenten-chan, go ahead without me. I have something to take care of." Neji merely nodded while Tenten looked a bit annoyed.
"Okay Lee, don't keep us waiting." Lee nodded, watching them walk off to the third floor.
With Naruto and his team they had entered an open area with some pillars donning the outskirts. The room was brightly lit from the sun coming in, its wooden floor expansive in its size. They were about to look around for the third floor entrance when they heard a voice from above them.
"Hey you, with the black hair and attitude." Lee stood up on a platform with rails. The Genin leapt down, performing a few flips before landing in a crouch.
"The Rookie of the Year, Sasuke Uchiha. I am Rock Lee and I want to test my mettle against you." Lee held a firm look that held Sasuke's attention. Naruto rolled his eyes while Sakura almost gagged with how big the boy's eyebrows were. Sasuke was about to step forward but Naruto placed a hand on his chest. Sasuke looked at the blonde who shook his head. Sasuke frowned but stepped backwards, no longer challenging Rock Lee. Lee looked to Naruto, remembering his battle with The Third Hokage, and felt himself shudder.
If it came down to it, Lee knew he was clearly outmatched against the blonde. However when it came to his other two teammates.. even with Sakura's enchanting beauty, he would win against them. Albeit he wouldn't get to today, especially when Naruto started speaking.
"As entertaining as that would be Bushy Brow.. you do realize we only have thirty minutes before registration ends right?" Lee was about to speak but Naruto put up a hand and Lee shut his mouth immediately.
"Which means we're not going to let you waste our time. If you really want to fight Sasuke, then you have to register with the rest of your teammates. Don't be an idiot just because your blood started pumping when you saw Sasuke." Naruto admonished and Rock Lee had the decency to look sheepish.
"Y-yes, my apologies. Sasuke, may you and I face each other in the future. Don't get eliminated until we fight." Lee said and Sasuke smirked.
"Right back at you. But before the exams end, you and everyone else will realize how hopeless it is to face off against an Uchiha." Naruto rolled his eyes with a chuckle. The blonde placed each arm around his teammate as they turned around and walked off. They left Lee there contemplating, the genin then shook his head before following them at a fair distance.
The trio were heading to one of the entrances to the registration after all.
Once Team 7 arrived to the double doors, they were met by Kakashi who had his signature orange book in his hand.
"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, you all made it." He eye smiled and the jonin received a collective of smirks in return.
"Of course Kakashi-sensei. We're gonna crush this thing." Naruto declared and Kakashi chuckled.
"I have no doubt you three will do great. Just remember to stick together, and I believe in you." His genin grinned as they opened the double doors. Once they did so the first thing Naruto noticed was the influx of knowledge that flooded his mind.
'Whoa.. Some of these guys have a few neat tricks. However a few things stick out. Medical ninjutsu, sand manipulation, snake summoning being some of them.. and there's someone who can heal people by letting others bite her.. Karin Uzumaki. Ooh, she also has a very powerful sensing ability. I can use that for sure.' Naruto felt glee before widening his eyes as he realized the girl had the same last name as him. Naruto shook his head before looking around, Sakura was staring a hole into him and he smiled at her.
"You look like you just inherited something useful. Anyone Sasuke-kun and I have to worry about?" Sakura asked and Naruto nodded.
"When we're in private I'll tell you both what I've learned." Naruto said and both Sakura and Sasuke nodded.
"Alright, we're trusting you Naruto." Sasuke said and Naruto smiled at that.
"Then you're both in good hands." The blonde chuckled and Sasuke rolled his eyes with good nature. Before they could continue they heard a new voice speak up beside them.
"I guess it's a no brainer that you three are taking the exams too. Troublesome." Shikamaru sighed as Choji and Ino followed beside him. Choji had a bag of chips in his hand, his other thrashing into the bag with hand fulls of the snack.
"Mmm mmm mmm hey guys-"
"Sasuke-kun!" Ino glomped the Uchiha from the back much to the Uchiha's and Sakura's annoyance.
"I bet you've been waiting for a real woman all along huh Sasuke-kun." She almost purred and Sakura sighed.
"Get off of him Ino-pig." She exasperated, using one hand to lift the aforementioned girl off of Sasuke like one would hold a cat by the collar.
"Hey forehead! Paws off!" Ino screeched and Sakura rolled her eyes again before letting her grip go once the blonde was off her teammate.
"Have some decency Ino-pig. We're here for the exams, not to drool over our crushes." Sakura said with a matter of fact tone, and Ino gritted her teeth.
"Says you, you're just afraid my womanly charms will actually work on him this time." Ino tilted her head up to look Sakura up and down, before turning to the rest of the team. Noticing their outfits and how they grew in height, as well as noticing how.. toned their bodies seemed under the clothing.
"Afraid? More like annoyed. If Sasuke-kun actually liked you back then I'm sure he would at least do something to show that." Sakura's sarcasm had Ino even more annoyed as she pointed at Sakura.
"Now you listen here forehead-" However Ino yelped in surprise as Naruto stepped in and grabbed her finger with his hand.
"N-Naruto?" She tilted her head up to look at him, noticing his height and powerful frame look down at her.
"Yeah.. as entertaining as this all is, we're getting sidetracked. Can you at least be cordial with my teammate until we actually get to the fighting part of this thing?" Naruto asked with a raised eyebrow. Ino huffed before taking back her finger and pointing it into Naruto's broad chest.
"Okay, Naruto-kun." She purred and for some reason the fact she flirted with Naruto just then annoyed Sakura from one section of Earth to the other.
"Can you quit touching everybody pig?" Sakura griped with more fire and Ino made an o with her lips in amusement. She looked up at Naruto with a wink and Naruto held back a shudder. No matter how powerful the blonde became, even he was a sucker for a woman's enchantment. Especially when he has had zero romantic interaction with them.
No, training with Sakura didn't count. For some reason the thought of that burned something with Naruto. He looked down at Ino, her eyes and how sultry blue they looked, her voice and how it lowered into an almost whisper. Naruto is a prankster at heart, and he felt he could play a very little one on her.
"Thank you, Ino-chan." He did his own version of her charm, all while laying his left hand over her hand on his chest. She widened her eyes and her cheeks took a very noticeable trace of red. It seemed she caught herself because she pulled back with the force of a thousand suns.
"B-baka.." She muttered, yet the blemish never left her cheeks. Naruto looked confused while Sakura was internally fuming at their interaction.
'Why is he acting so stupid!? CHA!' Sakura felt as if steam was coming out of her ears. The level of irk she felt was not conceivable. Meanwhile Ino looked wary of Naruto, like a leopard in front of a new predator. Naruto himself was so confused by the whole thing.
'I replicated Ino perfectly. What did I do wrong?' He thought as Sakura dragged him back to her and Sasuke.
"Naruto stop being an idiot." She said and Naruto smiled at her, albeit with a hint of cluelessness of why she was so annoyed.
"Ah, now that sounds familiar." Another voice arrived as Kiba lead Hinata and Shino into the group.
"Kiba." Naruto acknowledged and the Inuzuka fist bumped the blonde when they came within range.
"All the rookies are here. People are saying that hasn't happened since the last five years or something." Kiba said and everyone arched an eyebrow.
"Five years huh? Well let's all be the first to make it into the finals!" Naruto grinned and everyone mirrored him with either smirks or nods of acceptance.
"T-that's right N-Naruto-kun.. Let's do our best." A voice barely above of whisper registered to him, and he looked to see Hinata blushing while twiddling her fingers.
"Don't need to be so nervous Hinata-chan. If you need me I'll be here for ya." Naruto gave her a cheesy grin and Hinata's face turned into a shade of red mankind couldn't recognize.
"I-I-I-I-I-I-" She stuttered and Sakura yanked on Naruto's ear.
"Oi Sakura-chan!"
"You don't just say stuff like that Naruto!" She let go and Naruto rubbed his ear to quail the pain.
"Sheesh, It's not like I insulted her anything right?"
'That dense idiot.' Both Sakura and Ino thought as Hinata struggled to gain her composure.
"Hey you guys might want to keep it down over here." A silver haired and bespectacled genin approached them with a friendly smile.
"Why?" Sasuke asked, cool, crisp and confrontational.
"Well you're kind of angering the rest of the contestants. It's a good thing Naruto's here otherwise some other Leaf genin would show up in my place. However.. those Sound shinobi might do something anyways. Weird ones those guys." As if remembering his manners Kabuto straightened his glasses sheepishly.
"My bad, in my haste to warn you I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Kabuto Yakushi. I'm kind of a vet when it comes to these exams." Kabuto introduce and everyone frowned at him.
"A vet? Like, you've never passed these exams before? Troublesome." Shikamaru grouched and Kabuto rubbed his head with embarrassment.
"Yeah.. but being in my position of taking this exam seven times.. I've gathered quite a bit of info." Kabuto said and he slyly slid a deck of cards out of his hands. Everyone looked at the blankness of them before turning their puzzled expression to the older genin.
"If you have their name, or even their village and physical appearance I can name their stats and-" Before Kabuto could react a Sound genin sped toward them. He wore a fur coat and wrapped his head with bandages, leaving only one eye visable. Everyone looked shocked by his sudden appearance. All besides Naruto who was quickest to react.
Before the Sound shinobi could swipe at Kabuto, Naruto nullified the sound coming out of his gauntlets and slammed him on the ground. Naruto held the genin's metal gauntlet arm and slammed his black sandal in his face. The genin's body was belly first on the ground, one arm gripped by Naruto, and his face turned to the right to look up at Naruto's sandal.
"I don't know who you are.. but I do know you don't have manners." Naruto placed some pressure on the elbow, getting a groan of pain from the sound shinobi.
"Technically our exams haven't started yet even if we're within the vicinity. So what you just did could be explained as an act of war against one of the five great ninja villages. If you're able to comprehend that then you can understand that I can break this arm of yours, take the gauntlet, and have it in our village's custody. All because you were thirsty for blood and combat. Now that you fully grasp the consequences.. do you think you can play nice before I give you a reason to learn ambidexterity?" There was silence.
Naruto put pressure on his bandaged head, the genin grunted from the weight of Naruto's foot.
"It seems you're not listening. Maybe I'll break this arm after all. Naruto placed a lot more pressure and the genin below him screamed.
"OKAY I UNDERSTAND! IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN!" Naruto gave a predatory smile.
"Good, now what's your name?"
"..Dosu Kinuta." Naruto placed more pressure on the genin's head, hearing the crack of concrete below him.
"Alright Dosu Kinuta, remember what I said.. and tell your friends." Naruto lifted Dosu up and shoved him away from the Leaf genin. Dosu stumbled off, all while grabbing his arm in pain. Naruto turned around to look at the stunned faces of his friends, all of them silent at the display.
"That was.. intense." Sakura said, stepping close to him. Naruto simply nodded.
"Intense situations call for intense reactions. You know that by now." Naruto responded and Sakura nodded firmly. They both looked to Sasuke who also nodded, acknowledging Naruto's words. Before anyone else could speak a voice rang out, drowning out their chatter.
"ALRIGHT YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING INGRATES! MY NAME IS IBIKI MORINO! I'M YOUR PROCTOR FOR THE FIRST EXAM!" If Naruto was being honest, he didn't feel the need to cover the first part of the exam. All it was, was a written test that had a bunch of coded words for cheating to get the answers. And Naruto.. he had many ways to cheat during this test.
He also sat by Hinata Hyuga, who had a very pleasant aroma and aura to her.
'Yowza she smells good!' Naruto almost chuckled. Afterwards he saw someone get marked down by a proctor on the side row of the room. Naruto sighed he closed his eyes, using a combination of sand manipulation and his byakugan. No one saw it but a very small clump of sand turned into an eye of the Hyuga in the corner of the room.
'This is very unfair, so is life so I guess I don't have anything to complain about.' To anyone else it would seem Naruto was very concentrated on his paper, doujutsuless and genuinely prodigious. Naruto completed the test within record time and just hung out with Hinata. Well, as much as he could as they restricted talking and Hinata was a nervous wreck next to him.
'She's pretty smart.. so she might be worried about something else besides this test.'
All in all, the first portion went by swimmingly. Ibiki announced it was over and the rest of them passed right before someone crashed through the window. The perpetrator was a woman, purple hair, light brown pupiless eyes, a brown trench coat.. and to Naruto's unfortunate/fortunate eyes.. an offending mesh armor that left little to the imagination.
If Naruto was being honest then his undergarments had gotten very tight just now.
"I'm Mitarashi Anko! The sexiest proctor you'll have for these exams!" She introduced and Naruto couldn't help but agree, especially with the way his eyes roamed over her lightly armored form. He shook his head, focus Naruto.
"Everyone take a thirty minute lunch and meet me outside!" Anko said and disappeared the way she came. Naruto smiled at Hinata who twiddled her fingers and reddened.
"You must be really smart Hinata, you didn't even use your byakugan to cheat on the exams." Naruto said and Hinata gasped before looking away shyly.
'Somebody give this girl a hug.' He felt she was one of the only people in the world who can pull off the timidness she expressed. Naruto kept his smile as he pulled the girl into a hug, shocking her as well as others nearby.
"N-N-Naruto-kun?!" She whispered and Naruto hugged her tighter. Hinata felt like she died and went to Heaven the sensation was so unreal.
"Sorry if this was random.. you just seemed like you needed a hug is all." Naruto said and Hinata widened her eyes. To her credit instead of passing out she put her arms around to return the embrace. She closed her eyes and inhaled the nice earthly, soapy scent Naruto possessed.
"Yeah.. I-I guess I did.." Hinata agreed and Naruto held on a bit longer before pulling away. However instead of her back his hands repositioned to her hips. She bit her lip timidly but looked into his deep ocean eyes.
"Whatever it is you're going through, just know you can talk to me alright?" Naruto said and Hinata nodded vigorously.
"Y-yes! I will!" Naruto pinched her cheek and stood up, leaving the poor girl beyond flabbergasted. He didn't know but Sakura and Ino were watching the whole display with interest. Except the former was more annoyed than the latter.
"Hey Naruto! If you quit hugging up on your girlfriend you can join me and Sasuke-kun for our lunch!" Sakura sarcastically said and Naruto rolled his eyes.
"Neh Sakura-chan you don't need to act so jealous y'know.." Naruto teased and the girl looked at him with mirth. Naruto walked up to his team and placed his arm over Sasuke's shoulders and around Sakura's waist.
"B-baka.." Sakura widened her eyes but didn't say anything else. The team walked off while Hinata sat there, feeling like she was floating she was so light. Ino took this as her chance to sidle up beside Hinata a chance for gossip not being missed by her.
"So Hinata.. what's the story with you and Naruto?" She asked the dazed girl. Hinata widened her eyes, preparing for the grilling Ino was going to do.
After lunch everyone met up at the Forest of Death, where Anko directed them and had them sign consent forms.
'Yes because we need to consent to our demise, otherwise someone from another village or our own would get very mad if we didn't.' Naruto thought with a sardonic edge. However he and his team were sent to a gate and Naruto grinned at them.
"Okay you both take these kunai," Naruto handed them both a three tri-pronged kunai and the two nodded.
"I'm going to teleport to the seal I placed on Dosu, see if him and his team got an Earth scroll." Naruto placed the Heaven scroll they had with Sasuke, who took it firmly.
"We're going to get this test done within five minutes, and that should break the exam record by a landslide." Both of his teammates nodded.
"Just.. be careful Naruto. I know you're strong, stronger than anyone has any right to be. But.. seriously." Sakura said and Naruto's face softened.
"You seem worried, gotta be careful Sakura-chan otherwise I'll think you care about me." Naruto teased and Sakura's irritation flared.
"Of course I care about you- you idio-" She stopped as she looked at his expression, before rolling her eyes and lightly punching him in the chest.
"Baka." She smiled fondly and Naruto mirrored her.
"We know what you're capable of, but you still need to be cautious. We can't pass this part of the exam without you." Sasuke said and Naruto arched an eyebrow at him.
"Are you saying you need me teme?" Naruto asked and Sasuke smirked.
"No, I'm saying you'll drag us down if you don't finish your part of the plan. Dobe." They chuckled before bumping fists.
"Don't even think about my part of the plan when we start. Just wait it out at the building when you get there. And if anyone tries to fight you.. destroy them." A dangerous glint appeared in all three pairs of their eyes as they nodded.
"Alright maggots! Start!" Anko shouted out and the gates opened. Sakura and Sasuke dashed ahead just like Naruto said to. Naruto instantly teleported to the mark on Dosu's arm. The blonde grinned as he appeared behind the trio. Two guys and one girl, all with sound based attacks. The trio immediately turned around to look at Naruto. Dosu's teammates glared at him while Dosu widened his eyes in shock.
"H-how did you get here so fast?!" Dosu asked and Naruto shook his head.
"Yup.. not going to answer that. Any last words?"
"Yeah.. SPLICING SOUND WAVE!" Dosu's teammate shouted and Naruto dodged.
"No you idiots! Don't attack him he's too much for us!" Dosu shouted, paralyzed with fear. Meanwhile his teammates turned their glares on him.
"Says you! Coward!" The girl shouted as she threw senbon at Naruto. Naruto deflected the senbon easily. He then dodged as the other boy attacked his position splintering the tree branch Naruto leapt from.
"As fun as this is.. I have people waiting for me, and I'm not going to make us late." Naruto said and all of a sudden everyone was snatched up by the trees around them. Unknown to the three Sound genin the trees placed Hiraishin symbols on some part of their body. Just in case Naruto had to use them later.
"Now.. what kind of scroll do you guys have?" Naruto's question had the tree strangling Dosu force his arm out. The tree branch extended an Earth scroll from Dosu's grasp.
"Thanks guys, and girl. See ya later!" With that Naruto dashed away, leaving the sound genin entangled with the branches. When Naruto leapt away a good distance he sensed the area around him, just in case someone else was watching. However he only sensed Karin Uzumaki, and an unnaturally powerful bear closing in on her. Naruto shook his head before dashing toward her location.
"H-HELP!" Karin screamed as the bear she was running from caught up to her. The bear was about to swipe at her right before a loud crash sounded behind her.
"Uzumaki barrage!" Naruto shouted and Karin looked in shock as the bear was felled with one kick. The bear flew down to the depths of the forest, roaring in pain all the way. Naruto landed next to Karin and smiled.
"Hey, seemed like you needed help." Karin stood uncomfortably on edge. She knew whoever this was, was much stronger than her. And despite how friendly he seemed, he could take her scroll without even trying. Naruto seemed to notice this and set himself into a more relaxed stance.
"I'm not here to get your scroll. It seems like you have a Heaven anyways. My team has the other scroll and are probably already at the next exam building." Naruto said and Karin sighed before looking back at where she came.
"My teammates are dead, I'm the last one left." Her words had Naruto frowning, he didn't know what to say.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.. we can recover their bodies and bury them after this if you want." Naruto offered and Karin laughed humorlessly.
"No, that would be too good for them. The assholes." Karin spat and Naruto frowned.
"Well.. I'm Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki." Karin widened her eyes at his words.
"Uzumaki? I'm also an Uzumaki. Karin, is my name." She said and Naruto offered a kind smile.
"I guess that makes us family. What are you doing with Kusagakure?" She sighed in response to his question.
"Long story." Her terse tone had Naruto backing off.
"Well, since your teammates are no longer participants.. do you want me to take you to the building? My friends should be there by now." Naruto said and Karin bit her lip nervously.
"W-why would you help me? I'm not a part of your village and we just met." Karin asked and Naruto shrugged.
"You don't seem so bad, and besides.. we're family." Naruto explained and Karin almost wanted to roll her eyes at his naivete. Naruto simply chuckled before taking her hand. She blushed and widened her eyes.
"W-w-what are you doing?!" She screeched and Naruto kept his smile as they disappeared from the vicinity.
Gaara was pissed, more so than usual. During the first exam was when his rage had started seething. Someone here had used his sand. HIS SAND to pass that test. No amount of blood spilled during this part sated him or his mother.
'Kill, find the one who dares use our power. Kill them, KILL THEM ALL!' It took all of Gaara's willpower not to turn this whole forest into a raining graveyard.
'Soon mother, soon we will have our blood. We will kill the culprit, to keep existing I know we will.' His mother went quiet, a characteristic Gaara didn't associate with her often. His mother then hummed with acceptance, letting Gaara keep the reins some time longer.
They will find whoever dared use their power, and once they did it will rain blood. Blood was all Gaara could see now.
Temari and Kankuro looked at their little brother with worry mixed with heavy trepidation. They felt, saw, hell even tasted Gaara's bloodlust. He had been silent on the matter, saying his power was violated, and once he found who did it they would pay.
All in all they barely spared time for conversation, even when they breezed through the exam. They just had to keep placating Gaara until they could enact their plan. They just needed time.
If Shikamaru could describe this whole experience with one word then he wouldn't even bother. It was too much work to describe much of anything, especially in one of the worst places on Earth. Why did their village even have a Forest of Death anyways? If someone used this place to train then Shikamaru would know they're one bad day away from being tranquilized and transported to spend the rest of their days in the loony bin.
He sighed as he looked at his munching best friend and then to the bossy blonde pacing back and forth. Shikamaru had an idea on what team to go after. A bunch of nobodies from their village would do.
Naruto reappeared with Karin, startling an alert Sakura and Sasuke. Naruto gave a disarming grin while his teammates tossed a puzzled glance toward Karin.
"Oh right, this is Karin. I saved her from a bear. She also has the same last name as me, neat right?" Naruto asked and Karin palmed her face at his tact.
"Same last name, Uzumaki? Does that mean there's a clan of Uzumakis, and if so why haven't we seen any until now?" Sakura asked and Karin grimaced.
"I can tell you some things about it, but I don't know everything." Karin said and everyone nodded.
"Let's head in first, you can forfeit Karin-chan, and then we'll head to the Hokage's." Naruto said and Karin pushed her glasses up in confusion.
"What do you mean Naruto-kun? Why would we do that?" She asked and Naruto grinned.
"So we can get you reinstated with Konoha of course! You're family, and family sticks together." Naruto's simple view of that had everyone open their jaw in stupefaction.
"I-I mean we barely know each other a-and it's so soon! Are you sure the Hokage would even accept?" She asked and Naruto nodded crossing his index and middle fingers.
"Yeah me and jiji are like this. As long as you want to then it'll happen. Do you want that Karin-chan?" He asked and Karin thought about it for a split second before nodding enthusiastically.
"Yes. Yes that would be wonderful." She said as her glasses fogged up, the heat of her being flustered affecting them greatly.
"You sure? You don't have anyone at home you'll miss?" Naruto asked and for some reason the question flared fury within Karin.
"No, those pricks can burn to hell. All they did was use me for my abilities, and they did it to my mom too. So no, matter of fact FUCK NO. They can rot and burn for all the damn I give-" Before Karin could finish Naruto pulled her into an intense embrace. He felt Karin's body shake, her shoulders trembling while tears fell on his shoulder.
"Th-they killed her, my mom. She overused her power a-and it killed her.." Karin finished softly as Naruto frowned into her hair. He took a look at his teammates who offered pitying glances.
"You won't have to worry about them anymore. I promise." Naruto said as he consoled her. He nodded to Sakura and Sasuke, an unspoken order to give them some space. They both did so as Naruto rubbed Karin's back.
"I've got you Karin-chan, I've got you.." He whispered and she nodded, still trembling as tears, anger, and fear let itself out in the open.
It wouldn't be long before Karin became a Konoha shinobi, all it took was some pain and shedding some tears to get there.
Naruto grabbed Karin's hand as he followed his team into the building. They nodded to him and the sullen girl while Naruto took out his Earth scroll.
"Guess it's time to open these." Naruto said while opening up the Earth scroll. He looked to Sasuke who opened up the Heaven scroll. They threw it into the middle of the room and watched as Iruka Umino was summoned. He looked aghast for a second as he looked at them.
"Wow! I didn't think you would summon me so quick! This has got to be an all time record.. yeah definitely. It hasn't even been ten minutes yet. I am very impressed with you three.." He trailed off as he saw Karin holding her left arm and looking to the side awkwardly. Naruto laughed sheepishly as he put his arm around her, getting a flustered blush and a yelp for his troubles.
"This is my cousin, she's just tagging along. She wants to forfeit, her teammates didn't make it.." Naruto trailed off and Iruka understood.
"Okay! Well good to meet you Karin-san. Now Naruto, Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan. Allow me to congratulate you on passing the second exam. I'd love to treat you all to some Ichiraku Ramen.. but that will have to wait until after all this is over with. So unfortunately you'll have to be cooped up here for the week." Iruka said and everyone nodded. Everyone besides Karin was less than harmed so they didn't feel the need for anything special. After all Naruto did all the heavy lifting.
'Good thing I'm so much stronger now than before.. otherwise I would feel bad about that.' Sakura thought as an involuntary shudder echoed over her whole body. The last two weeks before the exams had Naruto put her and Sasuke through impossible paces. Even with the fact that he.. had a special power. She shook her head as Iruka kept on speaking.
"If qualities of Heaven are your desire, acquire knowledge to take your mind higher. In other words.. if your intellect is weak, then study harder, and learn principles that will help on your mission! If qualities of Earth are what you lack, train your body in the fields and prepare to attack. If your weakness is lack of physical strength, it means you need to train hard daily! And once you access both qualities of Heaven and Earth... No mission, however dangerous, will be a wrong path for you. In other words, you'll be on a safe path even in the most perilous mission!" Everyone nodded at his words. Team 7 felt like they were becoming better shinobi, and another step closer to Chunin, or Jonin in Naruto's case.
"You all passed beyond flying colors, even breaking the previous record.. Just remember, Chunin are commanders in the field. They are responsible for leading a team. They do it through a combination of intelligence and strength! I can't emphasize it enough. Learn it and live it. Keep the Chunin Directive in mind as you move on to the next exam. That's it! That's the message I was sent to give you!" Iruka said proudly and everyone nodded, Naruto even saluted as he and Iruka shared a private look between them.
'He's growing up before my very eyes.. Naruto I am unbelievably proud of you. I hope you know that.' Iruka thought as he looked at Naruto's bright grin, before shaking his head with a chuckle.
"Just.. don't overdo it when you all go onto the third exam alright? I don't want any of you-"
"Neh Iruka-sensei.. the moment I got this headband I stopped being an Academy student you know? Don't worry about us, we're up for the task. We're all at full strength and ready to show the world what we got! Do you hear me team?!" Naruto asked and both Sakura and Sasuke smirked.
"Hai!" Naruto's team echoed as they looked at Iruka with a fire in their eyes. Iruka shook his head, as if most of his worry dissipated right then and there. He took some steps toward Naruto, immediately noticing how much taller the blonde grew in such a short time. Iruka smiled before placing a fist on the blonde's chest.
"If you mean what you say.. then do me proud and prove yourself right. Make them know who Naruto Uzumaki is!" Iruka said and Naruto grinned, nodding his head as he and his team stepped through the double doors.
He almost stepped all the way through before looking to Karin, who stood by awkwardly.
"Iruka-sensei, can you take Karin-chan to Hokage-jiji for me? We're recruiting another Konoha shinobi today." Naruto's cryptic explanation had Iruka confused but he decided to follow through anyways. Naruto gave another once-over to Karin.
"Don't worry Karin-chan. Jiji will make sure you can crash in my room until this whole thing is over. Then we'll go house shopping! It'll start getting cramped with me, you, Haku-chan, and Zabuza-jiji.." Naruto trailed off while Karin blushed.
"N-Naruto! I can't just 'crash' in your room! T-that's t-that's!-"
"Oh it's fine! My room is nice and clean, promise."
"-That's not what I mean-"
"Byeee Karin-chaaaaan!" Naruto grinned as he and his team finally entered the building. They entered and saw that there was an open space with two separate internal balconies. There were two statues on the very end of the middle of the room, two hands made the symbol of unity.
"Sheesh, such a big room. Where are we supposed to be for the next four days?" Naruto asked as a puff of smoke appeared before them. Team 7 looked as the smoke dispersed to reveal Kakashi with his eye-smile and orange book handy.
"Hey team, honestly I'm quite surprised by your exam time.. definitely faster than someone else's that I know of.." Kakashi hummed in thought while his team gave him deadpan expressions.
"Well anyways, I'm here to show you your room, since there's so many people taking the exams this year each team is only allotted a single room per cell." Kakashi explained as he lead them to the room.
"And this my cute little genin, is your room." Kakashi said and everyone looked in to a pretty average sized room with another door to where the bathroom would be.
"You three choose your sleeping arrangements. There's three beds and even little sleeping bags if you're so partial to it." Kakashi said and Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura looked at each other before entering the room.
"Sensei where do we get food at?" Sakura asked and Kakashi eye-smiled.
"There's a cafeteria on the other side of the building, we have a cook who will serve you with the utmost amount of gusto." Kakashi pointed to where the entrance to the cafeteria was located.
"Anymore questions? I'm about to make some bets that'll set me up for life." Kakashi nonchalantly said and his genin deadpanned once more.
"We're good Kakashi-sensei. All we have to do is pass the time now." Naruto said and his team agreed with nods of their heads.
"That's good to hear, and let me just say.. I'm proud of you three for making it this far. Keep up the good work and soon you'll be a chunin, and then a good exampled jonin like your sensei." Kakashi chuckled and his genin rolled their eyes.
"With that.. ja ne!" Kakashi disappeared into a puff of smoke leaving his Genin for themselves.
"I'd say who wants to eat, but lunch was like an hour ago." Naruto smiled and his team mirrored him.
"No I'm not hungry.. I'm actually itching to train a little. Can you do your dimension hopping trick again?" Sakura asked and Naruto grinned.
"You in Sasuke?" Sasuke responded to Naruto with a smirk of his own.
"Definitely." Naruto nodded before taking out a scroll and putting his chakra into it.
"Alright, let's go!" Naruto and his team witnessed a black and purple swirl'd portal settle in front of them. They all stepped through it as Naruto placed privacy seals around his room. No one will know they were gone while they were away.
Time to get even stronger.
5 Hours Later Orochimaru's POV:
"Where the hell are these brats?! They should've been around here according to my calculations!" Orochimaru shouted in a feminine voice, as he was still disguised as the Grass kunoichi. Orochimaru had leapt all over the Forest of Death, looking for Team 7 with reckless but calculated abandon. Despite what Kabuto said Orochimaru knew they should still struggling through this part of the exam, only the most experienced or gifted shinobi could get through this forest unphased.
He punched through a tree as his anger spiked once more.
"NARUTOOOOOOO WHERE ARE YOU?!" Orochimaru screamed, scaring the birds near him to flight. It was safe to say Orochimaru was not having a good time, his two targets were nowhere to be seen, and he was in this muck and dirt filled forest for five hours more than he wanted.
If he didn't find him soon he was going to assume that they passed, no matter how miraculously that would be, and then find his own scroll so he can pass into the next exam too. If he had to he will find a way to fight one of them in the finals and plant his curse mark then.
No matter what Orochimaru will find a way.
Naruto's Effect on the World: C-Rank
Konohagakure: A-Rank
Konoha's opinion remains the same, this will change depending on Naruto's performance in the final exam. If he makes it there.. Right now Naruto is willing to show Konoha and the rest of the world what he can do. If they're ready for it is an altogether different thing though. Although Naruto and his team have stapled a shocking new record for the Forest of Death Survival Exam. New eyes will watch for Naruto as he progresses through the exams.
Kirigakure: D-Rank
Land of Waves has been deeply impacted by Naruto's intervention. Zabuza and Haku remained alive, they too hold information about Naruto's accomplishments.
Kumogakure: E-Rank
Might as well be nonexistent.
Iwagakure: D-Rank
They believe the 4th Hokage's Descendant exists. They don't know who it is.
Sunagakure: C-Rank
They know Naruto exists, but in their eyes he hasn't done anything too impressive. All they have to go on was Naruto disciplining Dosu before the first exam begun. Gaara is still looking for the person who used his and his mother's sand however.
Land of Waves: S-Rank
The highest and most positive rank has been achieved. Naruto has gone above and beyond to secure the Land of Waves a prosperous and fortuitous future. Naruto Uzumaki's tale is now a story people will often hear about, especially when tourists drop in for vacation. They will all know Naruto Uzumaki's name and what he did for their people. His symbol is the bridge that had been built by people who believed in him. Anyone outside won't know his face, but they will know his name.
Team 7: ?-Rank
Naruto has been placed in a definite position of leadership. But how did this come to be? Both Sakura and Sasuke are following Naruto's orders without question. Until this reason has been revealed then Team 7's rank will remain as a symbol of ?. Kakashi himself sees Naruto as the way he is still, more so now that Naruto and his team keep accomplishing more and more as shinobi. Overall it seems everyone in Team 7's perspective sees Naruto much more positively as of late.
Kakashi: A-Rank Naruto continues to impress, to the point that Naruto has changed his team's dynamics drastically. Kakashi sees Sakura's and Sasuke's growth and admits that being on a team with Naruto has helped them all tremendously. Yet something keeps Kakashi from reaching S-Rank, what could it be?
Sakura: ?-Rank Sakura's opinion has changed after 2 weeks of something. We have yet to see what that is. Her rank will remain ? until the reason is revealed.
Sasuke: ?-Rank Sasuke's attitude has flipped a complete 180, going from despising Naruto to respecting the blonde's decisions. Like Sakura his opinion changed due to something that has happened within the last two weeks. His rank will be ? until the reason is revealed.
The Rest of the World: C-Rank
This rank will change from higher or lower due to Naruto's performance in the final part of the exams, if he makes it there. Land of Waves and Konoha see Naruto in a positive light. The rest of the world has yet to see what Naruto can do, as well as the impact he will have on it.