The Ninja Witch (More or less Fem Naruto)

by Loki123534

Strange occurrences have revolved around Naruto since her birth, and not even the Hokage is aware of her true nature. That is, until a mysterious elderly man arrives in Konoha, asserting that Naruto possesses magic. My English is not very good and I'm sorry about that.

39. N Part 2:Chapter 5: Chunnin Exam Finals

-I'm worried- Izumo mentions taking a can of soda before passing it to Kotetsu.

-You're talking about Naruto, right?... Yeah, I am too -Kotetsu answers, opening it as they both walk back to change shifts guarding the doors at night -That boy is clearly going to have no mercy, much less now that Naruto is looking for him like a fighting cock-

-We both know that Naruto's mouth moves on its own sometimes, especially when he's angry, he must be writhing around thinking about what to do... sad and... alone... -That depresses the guards who are positioned at the door, Izumo squeezes the can and throws it into the trash can making a metallic sound when it falls into the empty container.

-Anko has been looking for Naruto for days, she talks about kicking destinies and that she would teach him, but… I prefer a joking Naruto and not a wild and aggressive one thanks –

-Well then let's be thankful that Naruto isn't in the village for that - he raises the can as if he were making a toast before taking a big sip.

- what are you talking about? -….

The two chunnin "no" shouted, they "no" had been surprised to see the blonde in front of them, with the luggage trunk in one hand and a bright scarf around her neck.

-n-nothing –

-yes, nothing, nothing –

Naruto pouts and puffs out his cheeks before turning his eyes into simple golden slits -well, I don't have much time, the exam is in two weeks and I can't be involved in your love ttebayo, bye! - both chunnin blush, Kotetsu steps forward as Naruto enters Konoha.

- What are you saying?! -…

-I thought the holidays would start right the weekend before the exams, why did you come back early, Naruto? -the hokage asks looking at the blonde giving him an overly bright smile, she felt strange, not different she knew this was her granddaughter, but now she shone twice as bright as before .

-I just asked for permission, it wasn't complicated ttebayo - he explains while Hiruzen sees the creature around the blonde's neck.

-and… that- Naruto looks at what his grandfather was pointing at, only to see the kneazle.

-Oh he's Brave - Naruto gently caresses under the creature's chin and the hokage just curses softly, Naruto could almost guess what the old man was saying.

-Well leaving aside your pleasant premature return home, you need a teacher to teach you, Ebisu is still available, he could come back and talk to -Naruto quickly shakes his head and his smile grows.

-No, I already have that solved -Hokage tries to notice any lack of truth or sadness, anyone would notice that Ebisu and Naruto have not gotten along over the years so the old man could be thinking that Naruto was lying and that Naruto was saying it so that he would not involve her with that teacher -Believe me, I already have a teacher, ttebayo-

-Well, if you're so trusting and you tell me the truth, what's his name? -…. That was like throwing a bucket of ice water on her… his name? She didn't know, she had given him a nickname since… basically always -You know I don't like lies, Naruto Uzumaki-

- I'm not lying! Just… don't ask his name –

-Well then, how is it? -That makes Naruto search through his pockets before taking out his hita ate and putting it on his forehead.

-He has a hita ate like the one in Konoha, but it says oil , he's an old toad hermit and from what I saw he's extremely strong - she raises her arms as she sees the wrinkled man's face full of surprise - What's wrong? -

He murmurs so low that Naruto can't hear him -nothing, nothing, you can go - Naruto turns on his heels lightly, one more thing to add to Naruto's changes -and... did something happen at Hogwarts? - Naruto stops and doesn't hesitate to answer.

- No - it was the first time that Naruto had really cut the conversation off like that, he would always tell his grandfather everything, how he spent his days learning spells or flying on brooms, but today Naruto simply didn't do it, he wasn't going to tell him any more about that unknown world - Oh... - Naruto suddenly turned around and gave his grandfather a small smile - I'm back Hokage ji chan - he said before walking again until he left the office.

- Boar - the head of anbu falls in front of the hokage.

-You were calling me? -Hiruzen takes a sip from his pipe before frowning at his anbu commander.

-I found out that Jiraiya has returned to the village… and he has been here in Konoha for almost two months… I thought they were looking for him - the boar does not show any emotion except for shaking a little.

-Hokage sama, I can swear by everything I have that we had searched the entire place for Jiraiya sama without finding any trace of him - the hokage sighs.

-I thought so... it will never be easy to catch someone who -Hiruzen remembers his granddaughter's last look before leaving the office, one that no longer openly sought his affection, he knew that the blonde still loved him but now she looked like Jiraiya, a renewed bright look, wanting to overcome everything that has happened, someone who -is finally finding her way as a shinobi- he can't get angry, first of all that would make things worse and it would also be hypocritical to scold Naruto for keeping secrets when he had done so all his life, he had only thought that Naruto would always be the same brilliant but naive girl all her life, but he himself knew how life was capable of twisting the paths and he knows that Naruto's path always changes direction by twisting and bending...

Naruto looked at the man puffing out his cheeks and standing on his tiptoes, he expected it wouldn't have been easy to find him, but surely "easy" would be the perfect description for how much it cost him to find him, the man laughed in that perverted way while hanging from the branch of a tree watching some girls playing in the water - ero sennin! - Naruto whispered he exclaimed causing the man to not pay attention to him at first, clenching his fists and stomping he walks until he kicks the tree, he sees the man wobble on the branch in a comical way before he reflexively catches what was going to fall on his face, it was the book that the perverted sage was always writing, he separated it a little and began to read

Mirumi looked at Tanaka suspiciously, she had always been a jealous woman but she had never expected to feel such desperate feelings for a man, Tanaka coughed softly and Mirumi came out of her reverie.

"I'm sorry, I never thought you'd be so upset about that," although his apology was sincere, his smile was playful as he ran his thumb over the woman's cheek, causing her to wrinkle her nose. "But I didn't know you cared so much."

"Shameless man" Mirumi pushed in a little before Tanaka moved a little closer, their lips meeting in desire as arousal filled them both, Tanaka's hands wandered until they reached the hem of her skirt and he slowly reached inside feeling the lace fabric, he tugged at the rubber as their lips parted "you're not going to do anything" Mirumi whispered seductively before Tanaka reached between Mirumi's underwear and-

Naruto jumped with a shriek, slamming the book shut as the perverted sage lunged to retrieve his manuscript. "Give that back! Now!" She stepped back before looking back at the "manuscript" in her hands.

Naruto knew that the text was definitely perverted even though he didn't understand half of what was written, many of the words were confusing and he had never heard them before and... -ero sennin, who would wear lace underwear? Lace is uncomfortable- the old man lets out a grunt and takes the manuscript, snatching it away when Naruto hands it to him.

-Forget what you just read, button - that makes Naruto puff out his cheeks.

-Don't call me button, I'm Naruto, call me that –ero sennin puts the manuscript away in his clothes.

-I see you're finally back, I thought you'd be gone longer - that makes Naruto smile softly.

Staggering back and forth – I came back for you to train me –

"I see," the man looks at the girl acting peacefully, before his fist shot towards Naruto's face.

The blonde is surprised, she sends her hand forward and grabs the fist before it hits her face. "What are you doing?!" She screams, jumping to her feet when he lets go, her eyes shining with anger. Why had he tried to hit her?

-Yes... I see it -the man smiles and nods- good!, it's time to continue with the training -that surprises Naruto.

-You said I would have to show you a new Naruto if I wanted you to continue training me, so why…? –

-You already did it - that makes Naruto turn his head a little like a confused kitten - let's start where we left off when you left... -

Naruto presses his finger against the ground and a normal little frog appears -well... that's rubbish- that makes Naruto cross his arms and raise his head.

- I'll try, you know, it's not easy - they had been practicing since morning, the progress was not good enough or fast enough for the wise toad.

- "I know… it can't be easy having so much Chakra to maintain… I don't think I have any other option" let's leave the summoning for today, I want to see your fighting style that you told me about a while ago - that encourages Naruto a lot while the frog he summoned disappears, getting up he jumps to his feet.

- Of course!... wait, I'll fight you?! - she asks when she sees the man move to be a few meters away from her, as if in a real fight.

- Who else could you fight then? -Naruto then tenses up -Or... are you regretting it? -That makes Naruto frown, offended.

- Never - she begins to settle down.

- "Her shoulders are tense and she stretches her leg as a way to measure the distance between her opponent and her, one arm is shrunken near her chest, a good option against the Hyuga taijutsu to avoid deadly blows, the other a little stretched, I imagine she also thinks it can work to measure the distance" -the wise toad thinks before smiling- shall we begin? -Naruto nods fiercely- go ahead-

Naruto launches himself forward, rotating on his body to send a kick towards the esophagus of the older man, who stops the attack by pushing his leg, he doesn't lose his balance and propels his body backwards, supporting himself on his hands before spinning in the air, landing on his feet, but without leaving time to stop he attacks again, he jumps and tries to punch him, but is grabbed by the wrist. "Is that all?" The man asks, making Naruto grunt, who takes advantage of the little momentum he still has in the air, and raises his other fist, causing her to be caught by both wrists.

- "She may not have lasted long, but" -the man thinks seriously watching Naruto struggle under his grip on the wrists-"it was pretty obvious that she wouldn't last that long against me, she's still too young a girl... but now she's showing those guts" you should stop doing that -the toad sage didn't expect Naruto to really stop, but he did, he raised his head and looked the man in the eyes.

-You should have planned better when you asked me to show you my new way of fighting- that confuses the hermit, even more when a smile appears on the blonde's face and those blue eyes become too sharp under those slits in the shape of golden eyelashes that make them even sharper -You never just said taijutsu- the Naruto that the toad sage had caught disappeared in a puff.

Quickly Jiraiya turned around hiding his surprise when he stopped Naruto's fist inches from his face, Naruto didn't back down or waste any time pulling on the fist that Jiraiya was grabbing knowing he wouldn't let go, using the momentum his leg shot towards the hermit's stomach, Jiraiya had to let go of Naruto's fist in order to stop the kick, he grabbed his ankle, but he had given Naruto enough time to put his hands on the ground and with one hand he grabbed Jiraiya's own ankle and pulled it, the toad sage let go and jumped away from the girl's grip, Naruto spun around and was on her feet again.

- "Attack, attack and attack" -Jiraiya thinks as Naruto rotates dodging his grab, before trying to grab Jiraiya by his clothes to stab him in the stomach with his knee –"Is that your plan?... no, that's your instinct "- he sees the sharp look in those blue eyes, Naruto wasn't going to give up until he hit her or she fell exhausted, one of two would happen soon, so Jiraiya decided to speed things up a bit, he accelerated his speed even more surprising the blonde when a fist landed hard on her abdomen, she gasped for air when it escaped -I thought you had improved more, button - Naruto ends up on his knees breathing heavily, he had attacked and attacked, that being part of the exhaustion he was feeling.

Then she recognized the word, she frowned and tremblingly, still holding her abdomen, she stood up and looked at Jiraiya - I'm not a button! I'm Naruto! - She hadn't planned to show this yet but she won't allow that ero sennin to hit her in such a painful way again, she flooded her body with Chakra revealing a strong dark blue around every part of her body before launching herself forward at an even greater speed.

Jiraiya stops the punch before noticing that the blonde, in addition to having gained muscle, the Chakra enhanced her strength and it was easy for her to get out of his grip, throwing her other fist jumping towards Jiraiya's face, the toad sage steps back dodging, before the blonde still in the air rotates a little and gains a few more centimeters of momentum close to Jiraiya before pulling the red fabric of his clothes, gaining even more momentum, she shoots her leg in a solid blow to the hermit's shoulder, who pulled the ankle when she was about to hit him, Naruto used his other leg to try to hit Jiraiya in the face without success when she was taken by both ankles, she takes the last momentum she has left and manages to get away, falling on all fours away from Jiraiya - "this is promising ... no, what am I saying, that Naruto could improve so much alone with only a five-day guide from you was impressive, to hell with whoever calls the Uchiha a prodigy, Naruto is brilliant, he reinvented his entire life, he is a genius ... "I'm sorry, but I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that. I'm not ... a tree, for today it was enough, he regretted what he had to do but it was for the best, Naruto would understand later...

There are thirteen days left until the final of the chunnin exams

Naruto didn't understand many things, including when she arrived at her apartment at night and fell asleep wrapped up in her bed without her sweatshirt, just her t-shirt and pants, she also didn't understand why Jiraiya was taking her to a cliff.

-May I ask what we are doing here? - she asks, looking at the edge with suspicion.

Jiraiya clears his throat with a smile -you see the seal that keeps the kyubi locked up works in a very unique way, when you die the kyubi will too, do you know what I'm saying? - Naruto shakes his head -I mean the kyubi does n't want to die , which is why "I want to think" it would save you from such a fall- then Naruto shudders and tries to back away from that high cliff but the toad sage was already in front of her -don't hold a grudge against me, okay? - then she is pushed and now she is falling.

She lets out a loud scream as she does so, before rolling over her body and settling herself down like a falling cat –"okay, okay, now I need to think this through, I know I normally hate having episodes of accidental magic but now, please I want one where I appear on the ground again, please ttebayo" -she looks at the ground she is about to crash into and knows that such magic will not come to her rescue this time and she doesn't understand why -then, I'm going to…. no, I'm going to fix this, -she says feeling the cold air hit her in the face as she falls, her hair fluffing up from the strong breeze –" I want to talk to you kyubi " -she thinks and closes her eyes…

When she opens them she is in a long hallway, blinking many times feeling strange -h-hello is there anyone here? - she screams but only hears the echo of her own voice, she walks slowly down the hallway before noticing that what was beneath her where she walks was water, breathing deeply she walks again until she reaches a large room with bars as big as doors and on the seal a paper with the seal that had marked her life, she felt her heart beat hard as fear invaded her, she took a breath and spoke -kyubi? -her voice bounced off the echo in the room.

Then a large red eye was visible before her, she let out a shriek and took a step back, the slit pupil was staring at her with too much intensity - I never thought you would make it here - that harsh and loud voice made Naruto even more nervous.

-I am Naruto Uzumaki-

- You think it isn't? - That makes Naruto puff out his cheeks a little.

-Well, usually when you meet someone new – she begins, but is interrupted.

- I'm not "new" I've been in this damn seal your whole life brat, I know your name - that makes Naruto cross his arms.

-Then you can call me Naruto ttebayo -the kyubi opens both eyes and squints.

- I will never call you by your name, little thing - Naruto lets out a squeal and puffs out his cheeks.

-I'm not small at all –

- I wish I could get out of this prison and end it all at once - the killer instinct running through the air makes Naruto shudder as he keeps a healthy distance from the kyubi.

Naruto takes a deep breath -I-I need your help… I don't need to explain it to you, you know that right? - Naruto waited for the kyubi's refusal and his end, but there was only silence, Naruto looks into the kyubi's eyes and sees that the fox is looking at her in a strange way, at that moment Naruto feels that she had already heard that deep and growling voice of the kyubi at some point, but she wasn't sure.

- I guess that will be your reward for having come this far - the kyubi says before Naruto felt that she was pushed out of the place.

The air whipped her face hard, opening her eyes she saw her impending death in front of her, but something was different, she felt strange, warm, she bit her thumb before expelling a lot of Chakra as a ground to perform the invocation - Kuchiyose no Jutsu! -

Jiraiya looked at the cliff where he had thrown his goddaughter, feeling that maybe it hadn't been the best idea in the world to throw a girl with little Chakra control into that bottomless hole, but he never doubted that Naruto would manage to save himself, because after all...

Jiraiya couldn't help but let a smile fill his face as the frog boss appeared stopping Naruto from falling any further, he could barely see the small speck of yellow that was Naruto from where he stood, the same fluffy golden hair.

After all, it was obvious that she was Minato's daughter ...

Naruto was surprised when she bounced off something cold, holding on tightly to it, trying to steady herself, but she slid with a screech until she stopped when she finished the curve, she could see a huge pipe, very similar to the one the third hokage smoked, but again it was too big.

-Hey- Naruto lets out a scream when the voice calls her, thinking it could be the kyubi, but, it had been heard outside so... she turned on her heels and saw two yellow eyes.

-Hello -Naruto waves his hand in greeting.

- Why are you using my face as a slide Gaki? - She can't blink many times in a short time at the question.

-I know the question will be silly ttebayo, but are you a summon? -that makes the big frog turn his head a little and sigh making Naruto cling on with all his being.

- Hey Jiraiya! - the frog suddenly shouts looking up, letting out a squeal Naruto grabs one of the corners of his nostrils - I'm not a babysitter! Get your ass here right now -

Jiraiya who was on top just whistles a little and steps back -I think it's time for me to retire- he throws the contract scroll on the ground and opens it -good luck, Naruto-

-That… - the big frog doesn't finish when Naruto gets up again after stabilizing himself.

- If you're a summon! I... really did it - she beams at the discovery that she did it, bouncing on her feet.

- What did you do? - the big frog asks, sensing the change in the atmosphere, the little girl's big toothy smile reminded him so much of Jiraiya's... of Minato, no... everything about her reminded him of Minato.

She stretches and shakes her arms - I summoned you! - she says happily, causing the frog to let out loud laughs, surprising Naruto.

-Don't lie, how could a baby like you summon the chief of the frogs? -That answer had taken a while to reach Naruto's brain- I am Gamabunta -

As the words finished their process Naruto shouts - I'M NOT LIE, I WAS THE ONE WHO SUMMONED YOU! AND I'M NOT A BABY EITHER - she finishes crossing her arms and looking suspiciously at the big frog, before the frog shook itself, surprising her.

-You have the guts to yell at me… - that paralyzed Naruto, but sennin had said that Naruto lacked guts, but now - but if you stop doing that I might take you under my care -

-Oh… - Naruto thinks for a bit before nodding - Yes, boss Gamabunta! - The toad laughs a bit before opening his mouth, taking Naruto with his tongue, she screams when Gamabunta screams and jumps off the cliff, falling heavily on the ground…

Gamabunta looked at the little girl, knocked out, leaving her back on his head before he saw the contract scroll on the ground with the different names that once had a contract with the toads.

Naruto Uzumaki

-mah… then the girl wasn't lying, which means that you must be Naruto, Minato's daughter, the one Jiraiya had mentioned to receive permission to have her sign…

There are three days left

Naruto wakes up in a hospital bed, sitting up straight he looks around -oh finally, I thought you would sleep for me

Always - I turned my head slightly at a voice I recognized and saw Shikamaru at her side with a basket of fruit.

-Hey Shikamaru -she greets when she realizes that she most likely ran out of Chakra, stretching she notices that she is in a white t-shirt without her bandages -What day is it today? -The Nara boy shrugs.

-April 5th- Naruto stands stiff with her arms outstretched still stretching as her head spins at the rusty sound.

- April 5th? - Naruto asks slowly.

Shikamaru can't help but let his eyes wander to the strange curvature of the loose shirt on his friend's chest, but he quickly nods -if it's today- Shikamaru couldn't help but notice the desperation on that face.

- ARE THERE THREE DAYS LEFT?! - she shouts standing up on the bed, Shikamaru can't help but snort when he sees those long underwear with bear drawings, he avoids looking much longer and looks into Naruto's eyes - Why didn't you wake me up earlier?! -

- Do you think I didn't try? Believe me when I say that you were sleeping very soundly - he jumps out of bed and starts looking for his clothes, without success.

Before stopping dead and sitting down, the Nara turns his head curiously - I'm hungry - well that was pretty obvious, he had been sleeping for days as far as Shikamaru knew.

He had come to see Chouji, who had suffered food poisoning from a basket full of fruit only for his friend to tell him that he was being cruel and that he couldn't eat it, when his visit was over he had gone down to the reception to leave when he heard a lot of whispering and among them was that according to some "drunk" people the fourth hokage had come back on top of a frog and among others was that "Uzumaki" Naruto was in the hospital, so he decided to come to see if he would deport him and here he was seeing the blond pouting -hey, here - Naruto raises his head and receives the apple with his hands, she rubs it against her shirt.

- Thank you! - She then bites it.

Shikamaru knew there was a very, very small chance of Naruto beating Kiba, but Neji Hyuga? A prodigy who always showed extraordinary talent, he didn't believe Naruto could even stand up to him and the more he saw it the less he believed it, Naruto was a small cotton ball and Neji was a brick, brick beats cotton ball, Naruto was small and not a great fighter.

When she finishes her apple she looks at Shikamaru and the basket - What are you doing here Shikamaru? - she asks licking her finger quickly.

-I came to visit Chouji- that makes Naruto frown- don't worry it's just food poisoning, although it is a pain that I go through the trouble of getting him all this fruit and he can't eat it- Shikamaru clarifies leaving another apple for Naruto.

-Okay, then I want to go see him -she stands up- let's go -Shikamaru doesn't move from his chair making Naruto raise an eyebrow- What's wrong? -

- Aren't you going to get your pants? - I'm not criticizing the new fashion, which apparently were teddy bear underwear.

-I can do that later, besides I'll have to look for ero sennin soon to continue training the rest of my days - she jumps on her bare feet and gives Shikamaru a big smile - let's go! -….

-Oh, hello Ino! -Naruto greets when the girl freezes staring at the teddy bear pattern.

-You're in underwear- that confuses Naruto and he looks at the lower part of his body to see without it seeming like too much.

-Yeah, Naruto knows about that- Shikamaru yawns -Let's go see Chouji- he comments as Naruto staggers back and forth, his Chakra feeling around him before stopping dead.

Bum Bum bum

Naruto's heart was pounding hard against his chest, getting faster and faster when he felt something that made his skin crawl. "Naruto?" Shikamaru asks, watching Naruto tremble.

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom

Then she hears the sound of sand and reacts - I have to go! - Naruto runs in the opposite direction to Shikamaru and Ino, surprising both members of team ten.

- Ino, hold this! - Shikamaru hands her the fruit basket and steps back a little before running to find Naruto.

Naruto when she sees him throws herself forward and hits the sand boy in the face only to be stopped by sand, she looks at Lee who is unconscious, wrinkling her nose she feels how the magic pours into the cold environment - What are you doing?! - Gaara doesn't flinch at the blonde, his sand flutters around him while Naruto swallows heavily.

Then a shadow passes by Naruto and catches the sand ninja -Shikamaru, what are you doing? - she asks when she sees the boy standing trying to hold Gaara.

- Don't you see? I'm trying to stop him, so don't hit him or you'll be hitting me - that surprises Naruto who looks at Gaara clenching his fists.

-I'll ask you again, what are you doing? -Naruto narrows his eyes at Gaara.

-I was going to kill him- both Shikamaru and Naruto are paralyzed by the boy's unscrupulous statement.

- Do you have something personal against him? - Shikamaru asks, feeling as if his shadow wasn't really stopping the boy.

-Not really, I just want to kill him- that makes Naruto take a step forward, Shikamaru wants to pull Naruto back but he won't undo the Jutsu

- You're crazy! - Naruto exclaims causing Shikamaru to try to avoid the confrontation before realizing that the only thing stopping Naruto from hitting this guy was Shikamaru's shadow and that he now knows that he can hurt him if he hits Gaara.

- Naruto stop, this guy has the power of a monster! - Shikamaru sees Naruto freeze and clench his fists.

-That... doesn't intimidate me because I - Naruto frowns and looks into Gaara's eyes - have a real one inside me - Shikamaru didn't know how big Naruto's lack of intention was in avoiding hurting him compared to the heavy and cold atmosphere that was forming, he could almost see the window panes turning to ice and Shikamaru wondered what Naruto meant by "I have a real one"

-Well, mine is as real as yours- that makes Naruto step back, much to Shikamaru's relief, a relief that was fleeting when he saw Naruto's horrified face.

- "h-he's l-like me" -Naruto thinks feeling something strange growing in his heart –"if he's a monster, what am I?" –

-When I came into the world, I ended my mother's life in the process, my father put a Chakra being inside me hoping that I would become a great ninja - Gaara's gaze sharpens on Naruto's blue eyes - but I only became a monster, one that he has tried to undo since I turned six -

- "He is… How could I have ended up, a bloodthirsty person" -Naruto thinks frowning, while feeling himself trembling uncontrollably.

- What's wrong? - Shikamaru asks without properly understanding the reaction, of course it was also shocking to hear the boy's story, knowing that he has a Chakra being locked away was sincerely terrifying.

-Careful- Naruto whispers in a growl as he sees Gaara's sand rise, the battle was about to begin and.

The door was slid open, in front of it stood Guy who was frowning at the redhead - What do you think you're doing here? - Gaara looks at the sensei of team nine and walks away.

-Nothing, at the moment, but…. -Gaara passes by the two genin and jounin sensei to look at them from the door -but believe me, next time, I will kill them both-…

-Well, that was... bullshit- Shikamaru says rubbing the back of his head- let's go, now with team 9's sensei here, that madman can try something again, let's go see Chouji- Shikamaru says, he wanted to get Naruto out of the room as quickly as he could, he had more questions than answers and he wanted to ask Naruto why he had referred to himself as a monster? Or an even older question he had, are you a girl? But he wasn't sure how many dice he could roll without damaging the friendship between the two.

-No... I want to ask Guy sensei something - that leaves Shikamaru paralyzed as he looks from Naruto to the bowl-haired sensei and vice versa - You can go ahead Shikamaru - Naruto gives Shikamaru a smile, closing his eyes. The boy hesitates for a few seconds before nodding and leaving the room -Guy sensei... I've heard some things since I left... And I wanted to ask you if... they're real, if... w-what that medical ninja said was true, that Lee won't be back - Naruto notices how Guy clench his fists, stopping his question.

-It couldn't be reviewed properly and Lee is too stubborn - Guy smiles and looks at the blonde who reflected so much sadness when seeing her student.

- Can I… come visit him in the morning before the final? - Guy blinks a couple of times in confusion before nodding.

-I'm sure your presence will be a great support for Lee - that brings a little smile to Naruto's face and he nods fiercely, rubbing his fingers against the fabric of his orange sweatshirt.

-Well, that was it- Naruto tightens his fingers on the fabric as he wrinkles his nose and his smile fades, What was it he could do for Lee?

" If anyone can help your friend, it's you, dear, even if you can't cure him "

Naruto remembered those words and even though she wasn't sure how to help Lee she knew she would do everything in her power to do so...

Naruto found Shikamaru not far from Lee's room, surprising her, she thought the lazy boy had already left -I thought you were already with Chouji- Naruto speeds up to be next to his friend, making Shikamaru give him a narrowed eyed look.

-I'm not in as much of a hurry as you, Naruto - he shrugs, watching the blonde pout.

They walked in silence up the stairs -… I wanted to ask you, but… - Shikamaru hesitates for a second before continuing - Why did you say something about your demon being real? - that makes Naruto stumble on a step and look at Shikamaru, his blue eyes shining brightly, afraid of giving a wrong answer.

-… Shikamaru, I've always been called for that kind of thing - Naruto answers quickly wanting to cut the subject immediately.

But it seems that nothing escapes Shikamaru Nara, he frowned as he continued - and you... you believe them, don't you? -

Bang

That was straightforward, Shikamaru had hit the nail on the head with that, she wanted to think that he didn't really believe it anymore, but ever since she found that out, the thought hadn't diminished instead it had only increased.

She let out a nervous laugh and gave a big smile that didn't reach her eyes - what are you saying? - She walks forward without looking back.

Shikamaru had left Naruto alone, thinking that he was too happy... too stupid to realize what happened when they were little and when they became friends, he could never find the words to tell Naruto that when he called him annoying or stupid, it wasn't that Shikamaru thought less of Naruto, he wasn't into feelings, he could leave that job to Chouji and Ino, but at this very moment he knew what he had to say -I don't believe... that you're a demon and much less someone like that crazy man in the sand -Shikamaru followed Naruto who clenched his fists, Shikamaru felt like every time he exhaled a large breath of air it was like smoke escaping, the atmosphere was cold -Naruto -Shikamaru exclaimed when the blond had accelerated his pace even more, he jumped two steps and pulled Naruto by the arm just as he finished the stairs, he crashed into the wall with a soft thud, Naruto had his eyes closed refusing to look Shikamaru in the eyes.

- How can you say that with such certainty? - Shikamaru wouldn't let Naruto go, he stood on the same step in front of the blond.

- What is your dream, Naruto? - that confuses Naruto who turns his head a little even without opening his eyes - I asked you, what is your dream? -

-I want… to be hokage –

- Because? -

-Because I want to be respected and loved- she said quickly, but Shikamaru knew that wasn't all, but for now that was more than enough.

-I don't see any monsters - Naruto breathes shakily and opens his eyes seeing that bored look of the Nara, but a smile appeared on his face -I only see a dreamer, a big dreamer - that makes Naruto puff out his cheeks.

- It's not just my dream, it's my invasion! –

-ambition -Shikamaru corrects making Naruto just sigh, but the warmth returns to the environment and a smile breaks out - let's go see Chouji! –….

There are two days left until the final

Naruto tries to focus on his Chakra as he gets into his taijutsu stance, feeling the thin layer of Chakra surrounding her, she felt a drop of sweat slide down her forehead passing through her cheek to her chin, since yesterday she had been practicing and she felt some improvement about it.

She wrinkled her nose in concentration, her sweatshirt was thrown to the side because she felt like she would die of heat if she kept using it, Jiraiya looked at Naruto as he tried to keep that damn amount of Chakra under enough control to make his armor -it seems like you have constipation- that distracts her, stumbling on her feet she looks at Jiraiya harshly.

- I was this close! -she shows two fingers very close together- if I could do it!

-You should relax, let it flow, not try to catch it all - that makes Naruto laugh.

-That sounds like going to the bathroom- he mocks childishly with a laugh, something Jiraiya expected to happen.

-loosens his tongue. What's bothering you? -Naruto stops laughing and his face darkens.

-I've been thinking a lot about the finals ttebayo -she squirms, rubbing her fingers against the fabric of her shirt- and I just came to the conclusion that there really... really will be a lot, a lot of people -that makes Jiraiya raise an eyebrow.

-Yes… there will be. What is the problem? –

- That, that's the problem! There will be a lot of people from Konoha... civilians who hate me to death , ninjas who ignore me and academy teachers who just wanted me to give up, do you know how many murmurs there will be? I... -

Jiraiya stands up and walks up to the blonde before standing on his hind legs in front of her and with two fingers of his right hand he gently takes Naruto's chin and lifts it up so that the blonde looks him in the eyes -The day after tomorrow, Naruto Uzumaki will stand up and perform in the finals, people will get angry and surprised to see her, they never expected to see her here! But well it was luck, they will think, then you will kick the Hyuga's ass, raise your fist and look at all those people who ever doubted you, tomorrow will be the day you can show who you really are, something you are looking forward to, right? - Their gazes collide, while Naruto's blue eyes lighten and he nods fiercely.

-The day after tomorrow Naruto Uzumaki, she will not hesitate and will go to introduce herself, she will win and show everyone who she really is - Jiraiya moves his hand away and lightly hits Naruto's shoulders.

- That's the way to talk! - Naruto can't help but smile.

-ero sennin -the man had stood up, but now he felt a twitch in his eyebrow at the nickname again- thank you! -she exclaims and walks away to continue with the training…

Naruto breathes heavily, exhausted and in pain, but that doesn't stop him from screaming at what the toad sage said - What?!, y-you can't give me the day off tomorrow -

-Look, button, training tomorrow won't be of any use, besides, I have other things to do - Naruto sulkily clenches his fists.

-You're going to investigate- that makes the ero sennin approach and rub his finger against the whiskered gennin's forehead.

-Yes, whatever you say - Naruto waves his hands in front of his face, pushing Jiraiya's face away - I would really like to see those young girls playing in the water, but I actually think it's time to go see sensei -

- Sensei?, does ero sennin have a sensei? - Jiraiya taps Naruto's forehead with a finger - itaiii! - She rubs herself and looks at Jiraiya puffing out her cheeks like a squirrel, almost looking like a fighting cock when she shakes her arms a moment later - What was that for?! -

-nothing -Jiraiya walks away -we'll see each other -then he left... he really did, Naruto expected the man to walk away, but still keep his Chakra tracking him, but it was literally as if his Chakra mixed with the civilians' and Naruto lost track of him...

-I see that my student finally decided to come see me -Hiruzen doesn't need to turn around to know that Jiraiya was there -after all you have spent two months avoiding me-

Jiraiya scoffs -I never avoided you, I had more things to do-

-How to train Naruto chan behind my back?

-So you know -Jiraiya advances, standing in front of his old sensei, noticing how he closed his fist, an anbu signal for them to leave -Mah, anyway, it's not like I tried to hide them, she is my goddaughter after all-

-After so much time -

-Don't give me that, you know I would have taken Naruto with me when he was a baby, but no, because Naruto, especially being my goddaughter, is a citizen of Konoha and a citizen of Konoha is prohibited from leaving unless she gets a permit, one that you could have provided her -

-Your trip was dangerous, you were always looking for the masked person who attacked the village on the day Naruto was born, I didn't think it was a good idea - Jiraiya raises a hand and answers.

-But it was the best idea to leave her in Anbu, growing up alone and surrounded by soldiers, but it was the best idea for the village to find out that she was the jinchuriki, because of course, she would never be hurt, physically, mentally and emotionally, right? -Sarcasm filled the man's voice-But it was the best idea to keep who her parents were, who I am, or even who Mikoto Uchiha was! Because of course Naruto will one day receive his inheritance and it will seem strange to him that a certain Uchiha is leaving him money, without knowing that that Uchiha was his mother's best friend, but... it was the best idea, right? -

-Enough Jiraiya - the man stops to just look at the third hokage with boredom, not resembling at all the attitude he took when he was with Naruto -I see you were really investigating-

-Of course I do, I have to know where I stand to know how I should present myself in Naruto's life... I know a lot now, believe me, his medical history was one of the first things my connections gave me -then Jiraiya approaches -also about Uzumaki and an unknown place, Naruto hasn't given me much information and what I could get was scarce -Jiraiya shrugs and takes out a paper that the old man recognized as Naruto's exit permit -I ask you to tell me before I investigate further on my own-

-It's not that simple to say -Hiruzen sighs taking his pipe- you will think of me as a crazy man-

-I already think of you as a rather negligent person in your position, adding crazy would solve the negligent sensei thing -Hiruzen knows this, he knows he can't contradict or correct Jiraiya now, he had time to guide him in the past when he was a child, but he decided it was easier to educate his two other students, but... now that he thought about it, the first one betrayed the village and the second was missing, the only one who stayed was Jiraiya who was never completely under his tutelage.

-I need you to imagine that there is a veil –

-Now let's go with the metaphors -that makes Hiruzen frown and Jiraiya raise his hands in surrender -I'm on it... okay I got it-

-On one side of that veil is everything we know, the nations with their respective lands and hidden villages -Jiraiya frowns, almost understanding where this was going- and on the other side there is a completely different world , without Chakra, where only normal people live like civilians from normal villages who would be even more surprised than expected if they saw a ninja using a Jutsu -

-That's... it's complicated, but I understand, but... Why does Naruto go to a place that doesn't teach him anything? -Hiruzen puts the pipe aside.

-You didn't let me finish. Besides civilians without Chakra or any special power, there are a number of people who were born with something called magic - then Hiruzen stops, getting up from his seat before searching in one of the filing cabinets. Jiraiya could see his teacher's notes - something your goddaughter was born with, something that her mother most likely had as well -

-! -Jiraiya remembered, when Kushina was angry there were strange things that happened, objects exploded out of nowhere or the environment froze.

- Why would both Naruto and his mother have such power? –

-because they were Uzumaki -Hiruzen lets Jiraiya read his notes while he explains- before we had never known much about the Uzumaki clan despite being more than an ally to Konoha for being a distant brother of the Senju, Naruto chan told me that there was an old legend on the other side of the veil, the legend of Uzumaki to be more precise, which tells how the separation of our lands happened, and sincerely I believe more and more that it is a probability that that was what happened -Hiruzen finished, waiting for an answer from his student.

-oh what shit -Jiraiya reacts and leaves the file on the table -that… it just changes a lot of things, a world different from ours with technology even more superior than ours, with an unknown power tell me that you made a treaty with that land -Hiruzen notices something strange in Jiraiya, of course he reacts surprised, but… it wasn't the surprise he expected, it was more like a puzzle that had just been completed.

-no -that almost made Jiraiya fall -I couldn't do it because no leader really came-

-So how did you find out? –

-In that world… well Naruto divides it in two, the muggle world and the magical world, in the magical world there is an academy that teaches young people from the age of eleven to use and control that power, the leader of that academy came to talk to me and tell me about how Naruto had magic and there were more children like her, the man told me that he was only the director of the school, the magical world was run by other people, Naruto told me that it is called… Ministry of Magic and Wizardry ? -the older man repeats the pronunciation -I asked him if I could bring them to talk, but he said that was not possible since there is a law that prohibits him from talking about the magical world and by talking to me he is already breaking the most important rule of all-

-That just brings me another question. How did you find out that Naruto had that... thing called magic? There is supposed to be a veil that hides our land with theirs.

- The veil is tearing, were his exact words, he did not give more details, but Naruto said something like, a pen wrote my name alone in a big book in a tower… don't try too hard to understand that, I myself am trying to understand what kind of detection they have in that place to detect –

-Well… Naruto is an unpredictable ninja… I am one too, at least it helps me understand a little about the cat –

-Brave, Naruto calls it that, the creature itself gets angry if you call it a cat - the hokage lets out a laugh.

-Well that explains that -Jiraiya ends up letting out a laugh along with his sensei, before stopping and returning to his previous seriousness- What… What do you think?, about the final the day after tomorrow -

-What I think or not will be irrelevant, the day after tomorrow it is a fact that Orochimaru will attack the village, but I am still not sure which village will be the ones to help in this, that is why I was looking for you Jiraiya, I need you to take charge of maintaining and fighting everything that comes from outside… -

-I didn't come with the idea of fighting Orochimaru - the hokage hums when Jiraiya takes out one of the papers that surely one of his informants gave him - you have been spreading that Naruto's seal was altered among the anbu, that he could not do anything and weakened, only to find a Naruto who lost only her Chakra control and regeneration, but otherwise in a decent state -

-It's not my fault that you decided to worry when I also sniffed a little that Naruto would be in the exams that you decided to send a spy to watch me and you found out -Jiraiya just rolls his eyes a little- you've been better at taking care of Naruto and he doesn't even remember you, you took care of giving him the best you could while you were busy, you bought him everything when you found out about... that incident, something for which I am grateful to you-

-You don't need to be, I didn't do it for you-

- "Besides… you bought all his weapons when Naruto had mentioned to me that he wanted to improve in weapons or you paid for his entrance into the academy when he had just started" - thought Hiruzen looking at his student waiting for him to digest something else - he would be grateful -

-You hit the nail on the head there, I'm doing this for her parents and for Naruto herself, my goddaughter, I don't have to answer to anyone else... except sometimes to that old hag - Jiraiya mocks...

One day before the final

-I'm dying of boredom- Naruto sighs looking at the book that used to cause so much curiosity now he simply leaves it next to him, Brave was playing on the fridge, probably hunting spiders or something like that, he had done a little training in the morning and had returned to the apartment to take a bath.

Having a towel around his neck he dropped onto the bed in only a pair of blue boxers covered in yellow stars and had decided to grab his favorite book to read about some unspecified creature only to realize that he could most likely recite every word like Hermione about this book.

Knock Knock

Naruto sits up instantly when he feels the Chakra and hears the knocks on the door, he sharpens his hearing a little and manages to hear how the person slides some papers under his door -not the landlord- she gets up and searches for her bandage in her unmade bed until she quickly pulls it out and rolls it over her chest before putting on a t-shirt, her bare feet echoed as she approached the door and took the envelopes, at first it wasn't very exciting, she had guessed about her landlord charging but then she found letters that were definitely not in her native language -it's Harry's! - she screams and runs inside not seeing how Brave was carrying a large spider between her teeth.

"Hello Naruto!

I wanted to tell you that Hogwarts is doing pretty well right now, it seems that whoever was causing the attacks has stopped for a while, that's good.

Ron flatly denies having anything to do with spiders. I discovered the reason for his fear of them. When he was three years old, he broke Fred's toy broom and, in revenge, he accidentally magicked his teddy bear into an eight-legged creature. I'll keep insisting, but I doubt I'll ever get anywhere. Hey! Maybe you can do it.

How did it go in the final? Has it already happened? I would really like to hear about it, if it hasn't happened yet then good luck, I'm sure you will win that duel!

Hermione wanted to send you the topics we've covered while you've been gone, over ten pages of text just for the history of magic even though I don't really think we've seen much of anything, I told her the owl would probably weigh down the envelope too much if it carried that letter.

It took me a while to realize, but Neville feels different, I don't know, he seems to be helping Professor Sprout even more with the mandrakes even though he already did that before.

Get ready, Professor Snape has a test prepared for you when you return, he surely intends to make Gryffindor lose many points.

Well that's all for now, the Potter heir says goodbye

-Harry"

Naruto smiled except for the end with Snape threatening him with a test, the rest was great, he hoped nothing bad would happen to his friends, much less when she was gone.

- Hey, that's disgusting! - he exclaims when he sees Brave with the spider playing with it on the floor.

Deciding that he wouldn't stay in the apartment all day he walks to find a clean pair of pants to go out in. "Hey Brave! Do you want to come with me?" The animal stands up before jumping on the bed, curling up. "I guess that's a no ttebayo."

While he was looking for his pants, his eyes fell on a wooden item that was on his nightstand, a light bulb went on in his head, as he bounced around a bit before picking it up.

-Oh, hello Naruto -Chouji greets, he had gone to look for Shikamaru at his house in the Nara clan only to come out surprised when his mother had told him that Shikamaru had left about fifteen minutes ago.

I search a few of the usual spots Shikamaru used to nap *cough hiding from his mother cough* only to find nothing, before deciding to go search the valley near the academy where they also spent time eventually finding him in the company of Naruto, facing each other with a board that Chouji at first thought was shogi, but in miniature only to see that no, they were different pieces, he could make out a knight or a rook.

Part of him wasn't expecting to see his blond friend today, he thought Naruto would be really nervous, but instead he gave Chouji a big, bright smile as always - hello Chouji! - he shakes his hand.

-Hey Chouji -Shikamaru says as a greeting. Chouji is used to it and sits to the side, getting a better look at the board.

- What are you doing? I thought Asuma sensei would have you trapped trying to improve your physical strength - Chouji can't help but laugh when Shikamaru lets out a big sigh and rubs his sore shoulder.

-Don't talk to me about that, you've been making me train like that for days, I'm dead... How are you, after that indigestion? -That makes Chouji frown.

-Leave that alone, I still can't eat well and I probably won't be able to go to the finals to watch- then Chouji focuses on Naruto -well I was hoping that Asuma sensei would give Shika the day off, but I didn't expect you to take it too- that makes Naruto puff out his cheeks.

- Of course I didn't take it at will! I wanted to continue, but - Naruto murmurs at the end, Chouji can't help but see both sides of a coin, Naruto wanted to continue, but they didn't let him and Shikamaru insisted that they give it to him.

They both finish and go back to the game… whatever it was they were playing according to Chouji, seeing Shikamaru's confused face -Naruto called this game chess , it's similar to shogi at its core-

- Really? - Naruto asks - I've never played shogi so - that surprises Shikamaru.

-I've never invited you to play shogi? -That surprises the blonde, why was Shikamaru so surprised that she had forgotten to invite her to play shogi?, that's a game for people with Shikamaru's brain, it's not her type of game, besides surely when she was younger she couldn't have stayed still for more than three minutes before getting frustrated, Ron himself had to explain the rules to her thirty times before Naruto could finally memorize them -well, I'll teach you later, explain the rules-

-o-oh well let's start with the king, it can only move one space in any direction unless it's blocked, pawns can only move forward and diagonally if they eat another player's piece -Naruto opens and closes his mouth as if he was eating something… don't blame her too much Ron found that it was better to teach her that way -the queen can move in any direction unless it is blocked by a piece like now that we are starting ttebayo, bishops only move diagonally and only if there is no piece blocking them, knights must always move two squares forward and turn two in any direction or the other way around, in L -Naruto moves his hand to point to his white knight -then there are the rooks, they can only move forward, left, right, backward, not diagonally and not jump pieces either, the one who eats the other's king first wins -Naruto finishes and looks at his friends, Chouji looks a little surprised but Shikamaru doesn't even seem to look at him, analyzing the board.

-It's similar to shogi -Shikamaru ends by saying, not entirely, but in some parts... can you promote pieces? -turning her head like a confused kitten, she makes it clear that Shikamaru should specify -in shogi you promote pieces and you can make more moves than you could before-

- Oh, here in chess you can only promote pawns, they have to reach the opposite side and they will become queens - Naruto answers and Shikamaru nods.

-I got it -he straightens up- we can start-

-Well, the white pieces always start the game -Ron always let him be -Do you want to be white?-

-Nah, I think I'll be fine with these –

Chouji didn't expect this to last long when he arrived, but now that shogi was mentioned, he felt like this could last for hours, if he didn't know Shikamaru.

The Akimichi boy at first watched the game with interest and it was endearing to see Naruto squirm in his spot trying to stay seated, but before long he found himself taking out a bag of chips and eating them while watching Shikamaru finish off one of Naruto's pawns.

Naruto moves his bishop when his king is in check by Shikamaru's queen, so that in the next turn he will attack his abandoned rook in a corner, Naruto's next move was not very smart when he moved his knight, thinking that this way he could attack the black queen with his own queen only to remember that it was Shikamaru's turn who did not hesitate to attack her and leave Naruto in check again - What?! - Naruto lets out a squeal and puffs out his cheeks, but he doesn't give up, last year whenever he played with Ron he hated it when he killed his queen and she would leave sulking when he did, but then she realized that the move was not entirely good since - it's an exchange of queens -

- a what? -

Naruto didn't explain and moved his king to finish off the queen next to him, Naruto had managed to take one of the best pieces - could you kill with the king? - Chouji asks and Naruto nods happily.

-if I could- Shikamaru says disinterestedly, before moving his bishop that ended up checking Naruto again in the black pattern zone, frowning he moves his king down to the white ones, before Shikamaru moved his other bishop along the white diagonal line causing Naruto to fall into check again, he hid his king behind a pawn out of the danger zone but had left the entire rook zone unprotected, Shikamaru didn't hesitate to send his own rook to finish off the only one Naruto had left, she was now more sulky, she thought she knew how it felt to be under Shikamaru's gaze, to try and fail to keep up with her friend's brain, to feel a little more stupid but to have Shikamaru outdo her with the game she herself had just taught him.

- It's unfair! - She crosses her arms and watches Chouji smile out of the corner of her eye.

The game ended when Shikamaru finished promoting two pawns and cornering Naruto's king in just twenty minutes of play - well, let's start over, Shikamaru says and makes Naruto gape, he still wanted to play with her even though he defeated her easily?

-A game is a game and it's fun to play with you -Chouji says looking at Shikamaru -You must think that Shika -The Nara boy just keeps arranging his pieces, Naruto feels a small smile appear and looks at Chouji.

- Chouji, let's join forces and defeat Shikamaru! - she exclaims, stretching her arms above her head.

-I don't know how we could defeat Shikamaru like that, but okay -Chouji slides next to Naruto.

-traitor -Shikamaru narrows his eyes at his friend in amusement -you're supposed to be on my team-

-I think we're all on the same team in the end -Naruto says placing his king back at the start -that's why "I think Albus Ojii san is right" it's harder to face a friend than a stranger -

-… -Shikamaru put his joke aside and looked into Naruto's eyes, Naruto's blue eyes were fixed on the board, narrowing them into golden slits... powerful and calm, the same atmosphere accompanied Naruto's reassuring smile, his friend was always nice, but now... he was no longer just a mischievous child.

Maybe Chouji didn't analyze Naruto like Shikamaru did, but he did notice that powerful change in the atmosphere...

- See you Chouji, Shikamaru! See you tomorrow - Naruto said goodbye, shaking his hand vigorously, becoming bouncy and unruly again. They hadn't managed to beat Shikamaru even once all afternoon, which had made her a little sulky, but she had had fun, and she ran away from the boys' line of vision.

Shikamaru had waved goodbye, but with less force and more laziness, while Chouji just smiled at his retreating friend before looking back at Shikamaru and the chess set Naruto had left with them.

Shikamaru had asked to borrow it, he wanted to show it to his father and Naruto quickly accepted… that wasn't the surprising thing.

-Okay -Naruto says as he helps put the pieces away -I wanted one of these to play with you -Shikamaru raises an eyebrow.

-You could have asked me if you wanted to play something with me, I could have taught you shogi - Naruto shakes his head.

-Shikamaru, you're smart, very smart, I wanted to be in a game that you haven't played before that wasn't outside of what you like, ttebayo - Naruto said without hesitation before handing him the board that held the pieces inside.

- Why do you think I wouldn't want to play something you like? - Shikamaru looked at the board with a slight frown.

-I'm not saying you wouldn't do it... I just wouldn't like it if I forced you to play something you didn't want to, at least today I forced you to do something that you seemed to like, oh! I have to go -Naruto gets up...

-You know Chouji -Shikamaru speaks while both boys walk to their respective homes- I was 100% sure that Naruto would not win the fight against that Hyuga prodigy and… still in my mind it is not possible that he will achieve it, but…. –

-You have a hunch that things won't go the way you think they will- Chouji steps forward and watches as Shikamaru sighs and ruffles his hair.

-I wouldn't call it a hunch... -….

- Naruto nee chan! - Naruto hears her name being called in the distance, turning around to see Konohamaru running towards her - wah! - he exclaims when his feet trip over her scarf, but being lucky enough to be close enough to Naruto for her to catch him before his face ended up against the ground, stabilizing him, he notices how the boy jumps to his feet - it is, right, is it?! - he exclaims excitedly, making Naruto raise an amused eyebrow.

- What thing? - Konohamaru pouts before raising his arms, the bracelet matching Naruto's moving at the movement.

- You're in the finals! - She basically yells causing Naruto to be unable to help but look around at her for having caught her attention, the murmurs started and she couldn't help but lean a little towards Konohamaru and adjust his scarf before smiling.

-Yes I am ttebayo -before Konohamaru could jump or scream again she continued -but let's talk about it while we walk together, okay? -she straightens up completely and takes the hood of her buso tunic.

- How were the exams? Was it fun? Oh! I heard something strange happened - Konohamaru begins to bombard Naruto with many questions.

-The exams... - Naruto wants to wrinkle his nose a little, when he remembers what happened in the forest of death, to Sasuke who couldn't even detect him with his Chakra, to Hinata and her promise to beat Neji and... to Lee being defeated by that boy who turns out to be like her.

bam!

Naruto slaps her cheeks with the palm of his hands, surprising Konohamaru, she shouldn't think about that now, smiling as big and happy as she can she says -they were good, there were very strong people from many different places- the atmosphere twisted between truth and lie, she wanted to cool down at the same time she just wanted to be cool to hide everything that really happened -it was... weird I guess- she tries to explain frowning, the excitement of being in the finals dissipated between the memories before getting to a part that she did like -I fought Kiba! That was great, he's so strong, you should have seen it Koh, he made a great duo with Akamaru, even Akamaru transformed into Kiba-

- Really?! - Naruto nods fiercely, jumping to his feet like Konohamaru - How did you defeat him? -

-I sent Akamaru to sleep and used shadow clones to attack Kiba afterwards, although before that I used a mass that left him stuck to the ground - she giggled, as the atmosphere became warm, when all the sadness vanished.

- Shadow clones! - Konohamaru suddenly exclaims loudly confusing Naruto - You said you would train me soon, would you teach me how to make them? -

-I can't - that makes the younger boy cross his arms - you know that hokage Jii chan would kill me if I taught it to you, it's a high-rank technique since it takes a lot of your Chakra -

- You know I can handle it! I'll be Hokage one day, just like you! - Naruto can't help but stretch his arms out to each side as if he were balancing on a tightrope.

-Then I'll show you, but -Konohamaru was already declaring victory when Naruto added his long "but" -first I want to show you the taijutsu I've been practicing -Naruto prepared himself for the excited Konohamaru and was quick to arrive.

- Taijutsu! Yes, yes, yes! -he exclaims jumping high several times before stopping- oh! It's true, tomorrow is the final, I have to go if I want to see you tomorrow-

- Don't you have an academy?

- Bye Naruto nee chan! - Konohamaru doesn't answer the question and runs away...

-Hello Naruto -she looks to the side before realizing she was in front of Ichiraku, Ayame greets - come on in! -

Naruto freezes when the older girl walks firmly and quickly until she reaches her side and guides her -no... I was thinking about eating ramen today ttebayo, you know I'll take care of my little frog purse- Ayame laughs and shakes her head.

-Just come in- he guides her to her seat and Naruto slowly looks between old man Teuchi and his daughter not knowing if this was a sales tactic… well Naruto has fallen for it, because now he felt that he couldn't leave without at least.

- Huh? - Naruto blinks when an overly full plate is placed in front of her, she looks at Teuchi and her mouth moves, but Teuchi speaks first.

-Just eat... -He doesn't look at her and continues talking-Tomorrow is the final and you're in it, aren't you? -Naruto feels a little warmth growing in his chest at that and smiles as much as he can, the atmosphere turns more bubbly.

- Yes, thank you! - She doesn't know why Teuchi and Ayame would do this for her, but… she can't help but be happy for the gesture…

Day of the final

Bum Bum bum

Naruto heard the birds whistling and knew it was time, he couldn't sleep well last night and his heart felt like it was beating a thousand times a minute, no exam before had made him feel so terrible, not even Snape's and she thought the man was the king of making people nervous by breathing down their necks while they took the exam.

Boom, boom, boom, boom

He sat on the edge of the bed and looked at his bare feet.

Did that demon child just enter the academy?

Yes, how horrible, he sat with our children, it is a danger

A monster

-… - Naruto heard the slight movement beside him, he jumped a little before a pair of purple eyes greeted him, Brave gently rubbed against his arm, breathing deeply Naruto caressed the kneazle under the chin, who happily accepted the caresses, before she stood up.

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom

She ruffled her hair with the towel when she finished showering and when she walked past the mirror she couldn't help but stop when she saw the tangle that was her hair.

He pulled at the strands of hair between his fingers, before Brave brought something into his mouth, Naruto had to look at it twice just to notice it was a hairbrush, he quickly ran it through his hair tugging until it was good enough, after all he hadn't combed it in over fifteen days.

It hung just above her shoulders now, fluffy and somewhat long, and she set the brush aside and felt the weight of the day again.

You take that small appearance to deceive, but we will not fall for that

Surely he seeks to charm them, isn't that true? Surely his mother was a whore.

a fox

At that moment Naruto came out of his memories only to see the slight tremors that her bare shoulders gave, he doesn't know if it was because of the cold and that she hadn't gotten dressed yet or it was because of the memories that suddenly invaded her.

I place the bandages around her chest looser than usual while she was distracted and search for a clean, white t-shirt before putting it on with a pair of blue pants.

He picked up his old, many times repaired orange tunic shirt in his hands, despite countless washes it still gave off a strange smell of cologne… and a bit of snake visors, but that was a recent addition courtesy of a giant snake.

He took his hita ate in his hands, took a quick breath and let it go -let's go there- Naruto approached Brave and gently caressed him under his chin -stay here, there will be a lot of people at the ttebayo stadium and I don't want you to get lost- Naruto moves awkwardly, a nervous laugh escaping before he leaves his apartment.

There was a slight breeze this morning, but not enough to make Naruto confused as to why his hands were freezing, he tried to focus on the continuous clash of the star bag bouncing against his leg with every step or avoid the gaze of the villagers.

Then he arrived at his first stop, the hospital.

She knew she was lucky to know Lee's room number, she doubted any nurse would tell her or even let her in, plus she hadn't seen Eiji since she healed him, well... that's how their doctor-patient relationship worked, right? They don't see each other until Naruto is hurt again.

She dodged the nurses and didn't even come over to sign in, walking past with her hood covering her hair.

Lee heard the light footsteps approaching his room, Guy sensei had said he would be back in a while so it was surprising that he came back so soon for Lee.

Only it wasn't his teacher, the footsteps stopped at the side of the open door, the boy tries to get up a little to see, but at the same time a lock of hair peeked out... - blond? - Lee says in a low voice before the face peeked completely from the door, the blue eyes clashed with his - oh Naruto kun - he said happily seeing how that seemed to get Naruto out of his place, he walked into the room with his hands on his lower back, hiding his hands.

-Hello Lee -

- You're going to face Neji! - That surprises Naruto who jumps a little - I'll do it - she says without hesitation.

-That... will be incredible, I would love to go see that battle - Lee's hands clench in the bed sheet.

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom

-I will beat Neji - Naruto exclaims despite the contradiction that was his heart at that moment -the battle of effort against prodigy that you wanted... I will do it - Lee looks into Naruto's eyes, those blue eyes were darker... firmer than when he saw him fight against that Inuzuka boy... more powerful.

- "That… is a great goal Naruto kun, but… Neji is a prodigy, a person who was born to succeed… one that I can no longer… face at this rate"- he thought, but never said it, those eyes didn't allow it, it was impressive the way Naruto could handle the environment as he pleased, just with his attitude and mood…

Naruto left the hospital, there were a lot of people on the streets now, more than usual and even from other places.

He bit his lip gently before rubbing two fingers against his long tunic, before advancing towards where the battle would begin…

I look to the side when I see Hinata in that training camp -oh... hello Hinata chan- the girl in question jumps and looks at Naruto, her cheeks blushing heavily.

-o-oh... N-Naruto kun -she answers and Naruto can't help but let a small smile form on his face, this was the Hinata he had always known, shy and kind.

The smile fades as he remembers what happened during the chunnin exams. "Are you okay?" Naruto takes a while to ask, but he does.

-Y-yes… a-already i-it's b-better - Naruto feels relieved about that.

-It's… -Naruto hesitates-… don't you regret having fought against Neji? "Of having followed me? Despite not being the best example" –Naruto is the one who hesitates, but Hinata smiles instead.

-I don't... that was what I chose, it was my battle and I fought it... I followed my path , one that I forged myself... that's something that I've always... I-I've admiring about you - Naruto clenches his fists and smiles.

-I see… "I can't go back on my word… I never will" I have to go to the state -she turns and starts walking -I hope… you're there -Naruto's voice becomes softer but his eyes darken with a gleam that Hinata couldn't recognize, but she felt her heart tighten against her chest….

He stood in front of the stadium gates, not knowing what to do with the panic that was filling his chest too much…

-It's time to go in -Naruto whispers to herself and… continues …

- Naruto chan? - Naruto jumps in fright, too restless she turns her head to see the third hokage walking down the hall.

- Hokage Jii san? - He turns around completely and smiles nervously, before noticing the tense line that was the old man's lips.

Hiruzen Sarutobi should never have been hokage

Tobirama Senju had looked at Hiruzen as if he had found something in him, when he said his name and told him that he would be his successor, when Hiruzen was still thinking about the position that Tobirama received he clarified.

"Beware of power and pride, it is easier to follow the path that hundreds and hundreds of people created "

At that moment Hiruzen did not understand why his sensei was so against following the same path that his ancestors had created for future generations.

He himself was a sensei at that point in his life and had seen the potential of two of his students, both were brilliant…

He followed that path and began to lead the village, the third shinobi war began

His pride did not allow him to see how many mistakes he had made along the way in order to show his power.

By the end of that war I knew I was getting older.

And although Orochimaru doesn't know it and will never find out, he was his first choice to become the next Hokage, he was proud of his three students and perhaps his decision was because Orochimaru was more like what he expected from a leader.

Someone proud

Someone powerful

Someone like himself... But since when does life follow the same course of action?...

Then she met him.

The boy was fourteen when he had noticed him, blond hair and bright blue eyes, he was different from the gloomy look of his student.

And two years later he had sent that same boy to kill a thousand soldiers single-handedly.

He did not hear from Minato Namikaze again until he obtained Kakashi and then the two remaining members of his gennin team.

-So Minato kun wants to be hokage - the boy in question turns his head to bow shortly after in greeting.

-Good evening, Hokage sama -Minato gave him a polite smile, before answering the question -Well... I'm going to be Hokage -Hiruzen hid his stunned state well at Minato's firm response.

-I know very well that Minato kun has the ability to proudly follow the path that our ancestors have taught us - said Hiruzen politely.

Minato's polite smile fades, leaving his lips bitterly tense -With all due respect Hokage sama, "following" a path is the same as doing nothing, nothing bad may happen, but nothing good will come from that either, and the people who created those paths lived in war, pain... death - Minato trembles and looks at the ground - Yes... it's supposed to be the right thing to do, why does it feel so bad? Why do people suffer if everything is right? -

Minato doesn't need to tell him his goals as Hokage to realize that these convictions were the closest his sensei expected of him.

So when it was time to choose, his sensei's words echoed in his head.

"Be careful with power and pride, it is easier to follow the path that hundreds and hundreds of people created " -I propose the jounin Minato Namikaze as the fourth hokage-

Hiruzen thought that this had been his best and a good decision since he became hokage.

Minato was a young man with a different mentality than the ninjas.

A man who sought peace with conviction… A real… a…

But his joy did not last long, he knew that Orochimaru had not taken well his decision to make Minato hokage, showing a new side of the student he thought he knew...

She discovered the experiments he was doing with children in orphanages and sick people in hospitals…

It was the reality check he needed to realize that he should never have taken the job and he began to think, what would have happened if someone more capable than him had taken his place?

It had made him reconsider everything he once did, realizing that he most likely disappointed his master.

During the short time he was in power, Minato had tried to make peace treaties and agreements between villages, and also tried to solve the problems that lay in Konoha, the Hyuga and their seals, the disputes between the Hyuga and Uchiha clans.

But… he died saving the village, leaving behind a small package hidden among blankets…

-And why don't you like each other? - Naruto leans against the railing sighing, the third hokage managed to hear.

-because the secondary branch has a great resentment towards the main one-

-I understand that, but then... Why doesn't the main branch apologize and change things? - then maybe at that moment he understood what had made Minato so special, what made Naruto so special.

It was a refusal to follow in the footsteps their ancestors had made for them, ones filled with war, pain and slaughter, seeking strength above all else… a path Hiruzen Sarutobi had followed his entire life.

-hokage Jii san -Hiruzen looks at Naruto and gives him a smile as he pulls out his pipe and puts it away, enough was enough .

-You will win... I'm sure of it - Naruto was surprised, but then she smiles mockingly feeling that it would relieve her nervousness.

- Should a hokage say that to a genin? –Hiruzen lets out a tired laugh.

-I'm from the old school, I was taught to have favorites and... -Hiruzen couldn't help but Minato's shadow from blooming behind Naruto, those same eyes -I think... I was wrong -those same blue eyes open too wide -I believed so blindly in something and I did many things... but I know that at least I will do something right and that is to give advice to who will become hokage one day -Naruto was confused now, why did grandpa speak that way, mentioning about a new hokage? -A hokage does not lead his village to his own death and war, he leads them down the path he believes will make more people survive even sacrificing his own life -he finished, gently resting a hand on Naruto's shoulder giving him a small smile, which Naruto returned in a tense manner, turning his head the hokage walks away -goodbye Naruto -….

-Sakura… you can't be arriving late, the competition is about to start! - Ino scolds when she sees her… friend?... rival?, rival friend? They hadn't even tagged her completely yet.

Ino expected Sakura to digest or do something else but she just moved forward to be next to Ino watching as the entire stadium filled up. "What's wrong?" Ino asks when she sees that Sakura doesn't respond.

-I haven't seen Sasuke or Naruto since the preliminaries- that makes Ino sigh.

-Oh come on, I saw Naruto a few days ago at the hospital - Sakura's eyes are wide.

- He was in the hospital?! - she exclaims - He's okay? He's going to come, right? -

-It will, it seems that it was nothing very serious, Chakra exhaustion it seems - Sakura now also sighs with relief

-That Naruto -Sakura murmurs before feeling the worry return -and… have you seen Sasuke? -Ino shakes her head quickly.

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom

Naruto wanted his heart to stop pounding against his chest, but he couldn't, especially with the Hyuga's gaze fixed on his neck, but he was lucky enough not to show that nervousness... or did he?

-Hey Naruto -Shikamaru greets and Naruto jumps, looking at his lazy friend who looked surprised again that Naruto didn't know he was behind her -What's wrong? -Naruto shakes his head quickly.

-n-nothing… nothing - she looks towards the stadium, she heard the voices of so many people that made her want to curl up under her hood even more.

-Alright, I think it's time we get started- Naruto jumped again at the voice and looked to his side only to see who was undoubtedly Hayate Gekko's replacement.

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom

When they went out to face all those people Naruto knew what was coming.

I didn't know that... that would be participating.

How horrible! How do I even get through?

Maybe the tournament standards aren't as high now

Naruto couldn't help but feel like she had been kicked, but there wasn't much else she could do against it, she took a deep breath and tried to calm her racing heart... without any success.

- "… wait a second… Where's Sasuke?" - Naruto turns his head to look from one side to the other without finding his teammate anywhere.

The third hokage stood up and coughed softly before speaking - Welcome to the final of the chunnin exams! - Hiruzen begins - It is a pleasure to have you here, these are the eight candidates who passed the preliminaries, and now for their final test they will face each other in combat! Enjoy the show until the end! -

Naruto heard people talking and whispering excitedly, she is a little more relieved when they are no longer focusing on her - well before we start I want to notify a change - the examiner takes out a sheet where Naruto could see the names of each one connected in a fight…

For a second her heart stopped, it was going to be the first! The first battle would be hers against Neji.

-!- Shikamaru looks at the paper somewhat wondering what had happened to the person he was going to face, but relieved not to have to do another extra fight.

-I want you to know that the rules are the same as the preliminary round, if the person dies or surrenders the fight ends, but I as your referee will choose when the combatant can no longer fight… -

- There's a free spot here Hinata! -Kiba exclaims stretching out a hand, Akamaru barks in response and Hinata approaches, both sitting down and looking at the battlefield –"I want to see how much you've improved in two months to face Neji... Naruto" -Kiba leans forward with excitement.

-I hope we weren't late - Izumo says to Kotetsu.

-No, it seems that it hasn't started yet, that's good, the first fight if I remember correctly was that of that Hyuga and... Naruto –Kotetsu answers, looking with narrowed eyes at the Hyuga.

-I really wouldn't like to be in Naruto's shoes, at his age I'm sure I would never have defeated him... -Izumo answers.

- Well, with that we begin... the first fight is between Neji Hyuga and Naruto Uzumaki - the examinee exclaims Naruto swallows heavily, when the murmurs return.

This fight will last seconds

Seconds? I think Hyuga san will defeat that kid in one hit.

As everyone left Shikamaru looked at Naruto and heard people talking, he frowned but couldn't do much else before leaving and going up to find a good spot to watch the fight.

Kiba wanted to growl at all the people who were talking about Naruto, but he held back trying to keep his eyes on Naruto and the Hyuga.

Sakura on the outside remained calm, but her inner Sakura was screaming and throwing punches at everyone -yoh- Sakura looked over when she saw the girl Tenten sitting next to her.

Naruto stood face to face with Neji.

Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom

Naruto felt like his heart was going to explode.

Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, Boom,

She couldn't do this, she just couldn't stand the whispers... the people around her, she wanted to go home... she wanted to go to Hogwarts.

Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom, Boom, boom,

Wanted to…

-The day after tomorrow, Naruto Uzumaki will stand up and perform in the finals, people will be angry and surprised to see her, they never expected to see her here! But well, it was luck, they will think, then you will kick the Hyuga's ass, raise your fist and look at all those people who once doubted you, tomorrow will be the day you can show who you really are, something you are looking forward to, right? -

Boom…

Naruto took a deep breath and raised his head, his hood falling revealing his blond hair -here I am and -he saw Neji frown at him- I will never back down and I will not break my promises ttebayo- …

- With this I begin the fight! - the examiner says raising a hand…

Naruto didn't change his position and looked at Neji waiting - do you really want to do this? - Neji asks, his proud eyes strangling Naruto's normal posture, while he stretches out his palm - it's not too late to withdraw... to repent and apologize -

Naruto narrows his gaze at him - it seems like you want me to give up, are you scared? - Neji settles completely into his Hyuga style with a frown.

Veins were bulging around Neji's eyes…