Beta by: OtsutsukiMitra
Can we get a big shoutout for my new beta please? Fortunately, they had some time to complete all those lovely chapters I prepared for you and now I can release them step by step.
All the Genin who had managed to come to the tower were standing on the rafters and looked at the Hokage standing in the middle. "Congratulations to all of you fine Genin who have managed to come here and stand proud before me."
Hiruzen let his gaze wander for a second looking at the teams. Internally he was very proud to see so many Konoha Nin. "Before I get to explain how we will move forward your Jonin Sensei informed me that two of you can't or won't be able to continue. Genin Yakushi and Lee, don't worry your time will come. The rest of you are lucky that two have withdrawn. What that means is that we will not have Preliminaries and go straight to finals. But we will do it a little bit differently. In times of Peace, the Chunin exams are often used as a show of strength from each village. A substitute for war if you want to call it that. Dignitaries and guests will arrive in one month when we will host the third round in Konoha. We will embrace the theme of War Games. In the first part, you will be paired up with a partner who may not have to be out of your team. When you manage to beat the other team you will be matched up against, your next opponent will be your partner." Some Genin gave an incredulous look at that comment that gave the Sandaime a wide grin.
"In the world, we live in and as prospective Chunin you have to manage many things. Coordinate with your partner to overcome adversaries and manage the fact that someone you trusted may switch sides shortly later."
Most assembled Genin were shocked for a moment while some looked disinterested. The Hokage just wanted to pat himself on the shoulder. After he enjoyed that mental image for a moment, he continued. "Well, I know you are eager to know who to fight against. Hayate if you would" The Hokage gave a short nod to a coughing Jonin who nodded before a big screen was lowered for all to see.
"My name is Hayate *cough* Gekko. And I will be your Proctor for the whole third round. To determine the teams we compared the results from the first and second exams. Rock Lee had to resign thanks to a venomous infection and Kabuto Ya *cough* kushi with exhaustion, we had to switch some teams up a bit." He pointed to the wall where the Teams are listed.
Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto vs. Sabaku no Gaara and Sabaku no Kankuro
Sabaku no Temari and Nara Shikamaru vs. Yamanka Ino and Inuzuka Kiba
Haruno Sakura and Akimichi Choji vs. Hyuuga Hinata and Aburame Shino
Higurashi TenTen and Hyuuga Neji vs. Akadō Yoroi and Tsurugi Misumi
"The order of the *cough* matches will be random and announced on the day of the finals. Now scatter!" The Jonin ended with another cough. In the distance, you could hear one Nara groan his signature "Troublesome"
Team Seven stood before their Kakashi who looked at them proudly. "Have to say I'm proud to see you standing here. All qualified for the final round. Now this last change in the way the third round will be held brings with it its difficulties. Sasuke was to train with me while Naruto would have his own Sensei, usually, I planned to ask Kurenai to train you Sakura. With Hinata and Shino as your direct opponent in the first round, I will reach out to Asuma because you will have to fight with Choji and Hana Inuzuka because of your Medi Nin questions. I will send you Pakkun Sakura but be ready tomorrow morning. Same to you Sasuke. Naruto I think you will meet your trainer at your home or around the hot springs as far as I was informed."
All of his three Genin gave a short salute before two vanished in the telltale leaf Shunshin the last just left an afterimage. Kakashi had to chuckle but made his way to the rest of the Jonin. Arrangements had to be made.
Uzumaki Compound some hours later
The Party was in full force. Karin had sat beside Naruto telling him about the new experiment she conducted and both enjoyed their sodas while Mito, Minato, and Kushina smiled brightly. After Naruto finished the explanations his father was very proud of how he handled the situation while Kushina was just half a step short of grounding him in the compound. Mito was the first to speak and bring the festivities to a halt.
"I allowed myself to notify Hatsumi about the situation. She will be back for the finals. She and her operatives. One last time the Uzumaki will help cleanse the bad roots from the great tree." Her gaze landed on their new member. "Karin, till we relocate you will have to stay in the compound maybe even the underground part of it for some time. The Laboratory is down there anyway" Karin gave a small nod before Mito looked at Naruto again. "I think it's time to show strength. For our plan to work, you need to be Chunin and at best have your entry in the Bingo Books." Naruto gave a small nod unsealing a three-pronged Kunai looking at Minato.
"You think they will remember tou-san?" His voice was steady but unusually quiet.
Minato looked at his son with a sorrowful look before his face got stern.
"They better do son. I still can't believe that you can use the Hiraishin with your clones. Using Futon reduces the friction in the space compression and makes the complete seal much more efficient for you to use. Simply brilliant." He looked at Kushina who smiled again.
"My little Naruto, so strong. Anyway, I sensed Jiraiya entering the village. I think he is the teacher who has planned for you. Fitting but don't get perverted by his ways." Unnoticed Karin got a small blush, while Naruto just looked on embarrassed.
"Mom. Really. I am not old enough yet. Will Haku-chan join Hatsumi-chan or will she stay with you guys?"
Kushina grumbled something about perverts and kicking them in the balls if they corrupt her little naru-chan while Minato scratched the back of his head. Mito sighed and looked at Naruto. "Haku will be using her mirrors to look after you so she can assist. Her Reserves have increased big time since she joined our clan and uses our training regiment. you should train and do some reconnaissance this month. You left your marker on the sand kid, right?"
Naruto nodded and grinned mischievously. "As if I would let that crazy Tanuki out of my eyes. Even the fox thinks he is derailed big time. I even prepared the seals for the old man. He never noticed me slipping them in his Kage robes."
Mito nodded. "Very well. I will meditate and retire for now. I hope Hatsumi's reports were not exaggerated. I want to return to the lands of my forefathers." With these words, she was leaving the party. While Naruto and Karin chatted for some hours, getting the other up to speed they did not even notice as Kushina and Minato left them alone, smiling.
Early Morning, the next day.
Naruto was on his way to look for his Sensei as he could feel chakra in his near vicinity. Quickly he made some clones and henged into a Jonin he did not even know the name of and rushed to the spot. On the ground in a pool of his blood lay the person he knew from the exams. Quickly setting up a perimeter with his clones he rushed to him feeling for his signature to get the feeling that he was on the brink of death, Naruto used his very small knowledge of medical Ninjutsu and pooped a blood pill into the Jonin's mouth.
Dispelling his Henge he could hear the rattling breath of the proctor. Starting with basic first aid procedures by applying pressure on the many cuts on his body, one of his clones rushed away to find help. The eyes of Hayate flickered open for a moment, seeing the blonde hair and the Konoha head guard. "U..Uzumaki?"
"Lay still Proctor-san, help is on the way."
"Listen to me… Uzumaki…" Hayate pressed out and nod even waiting for Naruto's nod to continue. "Suna is with the snake. They will attack on the days of the final."
As he ended his sentence Naruto just nodded, Anbu joining them on the ground. A cat-masked Anbu with an emotionless voice gave hand signs to her colleagues before she asked. "Report Genin!"
"Six to seven Cuts got a blood-replenishing pill a minute ago. Gave me a message for the Hokage." Naruto replied without stopping applying pressure. One Anbu joined him with green-glowing hands. It took nearly five minutes to stabilize Hayate enough to rush him to the hospital. Which included for Naturo to see the cauterized cuts with carefully applied Katon Chakra. While most of the team took care of Hayate the purple-haired cat took Naruto straight to the Hokage. Naruto repeated Hayates words while the Hokage dismissed the Anbu with a wave of his hand.
"Well done Naruto, you maybe saved a fellow Ninja but either way could have given the last confirmation of what we thought. It troubles me that they could strike inside our walls."
Hiruzen said while he had lit his pipe.
Naruto was sitting in a chair before his desk. "Is that a reason you put your best Genin against the possible WOD of Suna?"
Hiruzen smiled. "You are confident aren't you." The blonde just looked smug interlacing his fingers.
"I could say I told you so. But… Yeah, I told you so. I got something for the Tanuki. Is Konoha ready for this? Even with him, I don't know if we can do enough" Naruto joked before getting serious. Earning a short nod from Hiruzen.
"The reason why I called him back. You should meet him at the hot springs. Give him this scroll please would you." Taking out a sealed scroll and throwing it at Naruto who had no trouble catching it the blonde nodded.
"Will do so Jiji. I should get back to my training and my best to the Proctor I hope he survives." With that, the blonde hugged the Hokage and disappeared only leaving an after-image behind.
Remote Training Ground
Naruto had found the perverted Sannin and could stop him before he could introduce himself in his gallant ways by giving out the scroll. Now they were in this training ground far away from Konoha. Jiraiya was standing but panted and had to struggle to get some air into his battered lungs. He wanted to feel how far Naruto had come in his training. To say he was surprised would be an understatement. The blonde enigma had wiped the floor with the white-haired kabuki warrior before Jiraiya had no choice but to get the gloves off. After that, he could beat Naruto but that was with both of them avoiding maiming and above.
"Okay Gaki, that was something." Still, a bit out of breath, he looked at the blonde. "Looks to me like your basics are covered, Fuinjutsu surpasses mine in battle by a wide margin and the use of your chains is good and looks intuitive. Don't get me started on that crazy blade of yours. Do you want to make Kiri envy you? Good Start Gaki. But you are missing one very important thing. The Jutsu that makes most Shinobi from superior to legendary."
Naruto was on his knees licking some of his wounds. Well not literally he looked as the Kyuubis chakra dealt with them but he was paying much attention to Jiraiys words.
"The technique to summon! Nothing can much up to the possibilities." Jiraiya exclaimed excitedly.
Naruto nodded fast. "What are the Hand Seals?"
Jiraiya was bathing in his attention looking into the sky. "You will need to make a small offering of blood followed by using the Hand Seals for Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, and Ram before you put your hand on the ground." Jiraiya was so occupied with his ways that he did not see Naruto doing what he did.
The Blonde was standing again as Jiraiya began to explain the inner workings of the Jutsu. He collected chakra he knew that all good Jutsu need some Juice so he put in more than half of his remaining which was more than a standard Jonin would have and nicked his fingers, rushing through the hand seals.
"And most importantly never use the Justu before…"
"Kuchyiose no Jutsu!"
A cloud of smoke was the only thing Jiraiya could see as he looked at the spot where Naruto stood seconds before ending his sentence. "... signing a contract. Shit. Sensei is gonna kill me." He quickly rushed to Hokage Tower to report his little setback.
Meanwhile, Konoha Hospital
Yuugao Uzuki stood at the bedside of her fiance holding his hand. The otherwise trained professional had tears on her face. "Come on Yuugao, don't waste your tears on me. We knew that it could have happened. Now I knew that it will not be slow and painful. *cough* And thanks to that little kid I can even talk to you before it will happen." He was attacked by a fit of coughs after that.
The purple-haired Jonin looked at him. "Yeah, that Uzumaki kid saved you. But that your illness got advanced thanks to those traitors fucks from Suna just, If I did not have an order I would slaughter them" Her face spoke the truth of her words and Hayate once again remembered that hell hath no fury as a woman scorned. He knew her feelings for him and he was deeply sad that his time would come much sooner than expected.
"Yuugao. Listen to me okay? Even Tsunade would not be able to help me. There never was a chance that I could live long enough but I am grateful that I had the time with you that I had." That only to more tears. But Hayate wiped them away coughing in between. "Could you get me some empty scroll it would be better for me to sort some things out and preserve my knowledge. After you I want another person to get something from me."
Yuugao nodded and left to get him these empty scrolls and she had an idea what her fiancee meant by those words.
Soem days later Uzushiogakure, Porttown
"Good, I want those mountains all around the island like on the map. This Uzushio will be a fortress in itself." Hatsumi was directing her workers with Tazuna's guys, they even had managed to build a small town at the port to settle. The Reconstruction of the village was in full swing but it would take some years till they would be finished. She had scouting teams around the islands. Her Agents well versed in Doton had begun to raise mountains around the island. It was very taxing but in the end, they would be the anchors for more Fuinjutsu the Uzumaki wanted to have here. Hidden Watchtowers, built in the stone of the mountains would make the island well-fortified. Not only the Whirlpool defences but now Ships would need to land in special places while those mountains would be littered with Seals to prevent chakra usage. It was an improved version of the seal that defended the island for a long time. Chakra that would be applied to the mountains would be absorbed. Walking up the Mountains like in the Tree-Walking was impossible. Jutsu that would be fired against them would be broken down into chakra before they would be absorbed. All this Chakra would be collected into something called the seed. Hatsumi did not understand what Naruto and the Kyuubi came up with but it was like a big chakra battery.
Hatsumi had one-time clones from Naruto sealed into a scroll who would etch the seals into the mountains when they were ready. After that, her crew would have to place the anchor seal in the middle of the island right deeply below.
Naruto even had come up with an idea to prevent an overcharge by linking the seals to Uzu's whirlpools. If they would be attacked or otherwise have too much Chakra in the seed the power would be directed into the seal matrix for the whirlpools increasing the speed of the rotation. Should that fail Naruto could tap directly into the seed and sap the power away.
Hatsumi could not say how he could come up with something like that but after the Forrest of death, it looked like he formed a different connection to the Kyuubi. So the Fox helped him with this problem so they could have a safe place she guessed.
She was in the preparation steps for her mission. Danzo would fall for what he did to her former clan. You do not cross the Uchiha this way. She looked in the sky and she felt a crow looking at her. As she turned around two Anbu landed in a kneeling position before her. But they had not the Konoha Anbu mask that looked like animals. Now this mask had a whirlpool-like design. Under the holes for the eyes though were tears in blood red. Something that in the dark would draw attention to the blood-red eyes with three tomoes.
Hatsumi knew who was under those masks, masks they had sworn to never put down till they would have found each of those who were responsible for the Massacre of their clan. Starting with one old Warhawk.
Hatsumis's voice was forceful as she assembled her forces with a ping through their chakra tattoos that she had adapted from the Anbu. "Listen up, Konoha will be under attack in nearly a month. I will take half of you with me to Konoha. The other half will stay here to defend and progress to build our new home. Sai will be in command for the time of my absence. We have hard evidence that Danzo Shimura not only was responsible for the near demise of a founding clan of Konoha no he is also in league with a traitor to the leaf. Even if we are no longer direct members of the leaf one last time will the tide cleanse the roots of the great tree. Our brothers and sisters will be freed and those who can't be saved will be freed to embrace Kami's arms to find eternal peace. We will avenge them, we will walk this dark path together to the light of this new island of peace and salvation. But before we can step into the light we will avenge our comrades. Because this is our Nindo. We are avengers of our fallen, and we will stand together! Now assemble what you need. Sai, Sort the volunteers for the mission."
She ended her passionate speech before she moved away with the two Anbu her red hair flowing in the wind. Her eyes changed to a red pattern that reminded one of the waves as she looked into the other two Mangekyou Sharingan of her companions. Summoning Shadow Clones to put up a triangle barrier that blocked all sound and light from and would make them invisible to the outside. With an expectant look, she looked at them both.
It took some time before one and shortly after the other hugged her. "Good to see you so healthy my dear son" Her voice carried a deep motherly affection while she looked at the other. "You too. Did you exchange eyes?"
The latter spoke with a clear and cheerful voice. "Well that little crow of yours damaged his by overusing them and after he was free of the illness he had we switched them to restore our normal sight. Those Genjutsu to hide them even with the seals you provided Auntie were troublesome over time."
Hatsumi had to chuckle before she got serious again. "Son we should update each other. So if you would be so kind."
A loud sigh came from the last of the three that had not spoken till now. "The near pinnacle of Uchiha Genjutsu used for gossip and chit-chat. TSUKOYOMI!"
with Naruto, shortly after he had used the Summoning Jutsu
Naruto had many thoughts at this very moment. First, the air was thin and seemed to burn in his lungs. Should he not summon something to him, he could feel that he summoned himself somewhere. Slowly opening his eyes he could see wide rocky areas and it looked like there were pools of magma around. A screech of a bird could be heard and Naruto looked around going into a defensive position as a bird came into view. The size twice as big as him had the young Shinobi on the edge. Naruto had read about them in an old scroll about mythical beasts. A Phönix. A bird of Fire, Wind, and Rebirth.
Before he could admire the plumage that was made out of Orange and Gold, a stream of fire left the bird's beak. Naruto quickly summoned clones that dodged away before he used Doton: Earth Wall to block the flames. He could not feel the chakra build up and had to dodge again as the bird flew over the wall and attacked again. That fire was no Jutsu!
Quickly unleashing his chains he used them to drag himself out of range. Witnessing as the bird took a left turn and did a summersault in the air only to change into a human. A female wearing a black Kimono with orange flames and gold trimming. If it were not for the Wings that still stuck out of her back Naruto would have had trouble comparing her with the bird that was in her place seconds ago. Her voice was high but melodious you could imagine if she sang a song right now the world would listen. "Why are you trespassing in our area human child?"
"Uzumaki Naruto is the name, I was about to train the summoning Jutsu. I maybe did something wrong." He used his trademarked grin to get a bit of the heat out of this conversation.
"The Summoning Jutsu? Would be the only way to come up into our realm. You will follow me to the Elder. He will decide what we are about to do with you. I hope you can stand the heat." she chuckled before making her way on a path Naruto just saw for the first time. He would swear it was not around the first time he looked around.
Coating his body in Chakra is something he had learned while training his chakra control but that even the Fox in his gut didn't give one sarcastic comment about his epic failure was something that had him raise his senses to a max. After about ten minutes of a walk, they reached something like a temple that was built into the stone of the mountain. It was a beautiful serene place. Peaceful and even the heat could not trouble Naruto for the moment as he looked around to take in the scenery. His guide directly lead him to a big entrance hall and after that to two doors made out of white marble. She opened the door for him but stayed outside. "You will have to meet the sage on your own. Good Luck Uzumaki Don burst into flames." Laughing over her joke, she did exactly back, and after he heard a screech of a bird he witnessed a phönix flying away.
Naruto gulped before he slowly entered the hall. Stone torches lit with white flames as he passed them before he stood before a golden bowl that filled the whole room and was inhabited by the biggest white flame he could remember. Easily towering a two-story building it was an impressive sight. Before the Flame turned into a peaceful-looking man with red hair. His wings were completely golden with white tips. on the inside was a bit of red. His voice was deep as he smiled. "Welcome Uzumaki Naruto. You gave your teacher quite the scare. So much so that he summoned the elder of the Toads. Fukasaku contacted the Toad sage. The sage used his ability to see where you had gone too. His ability to divine is the reason you are standing in this hall and not a pile of ashes in the wind. My Daughter Kiezu loves to do that to entities that could threaten our Domain. My name is Hiero. The current Sage and leader of the Phönix clan. Be welcome."
Naruto tried to follow everything. The other Phöeix was the daughter of the leader? The phoenixes are a summoning clan? He needed to ask questions. "Thank you Hiero-sama. For not burning me to ashes that is. The toads asked for me?"
The man had a bright smile. "We still can do that if you prefer, sometimes it is a good thing to be reborn out of his ashes." The smile shortly took on an unnerving cross between peaceful, and serious. "I digress. I think you would have to reach sagehood before that work for you. Yeah the toads, the summon of one Jiraiya of the Sannin. They even asked me for permission to let you sign their contract too. Something I will have no trouble with if you pass my test."
Naruto gulped while Hiero looked deep into his eyes. You could hear the cracking of the white flames in the back. The wind softly whistled through the big hall. Naruto held his breath while he waited for instruction or something remotely similar. Nothing happened before after a minute he had to take a breath.
"One Minute. Not bad Uzumaki, I approve of your aims and ways. We will guide you and stand beside you. Even offer you Sage training later on. But we are no fighters for that you will have to refer to the toads. A proud bunch, and don't call them frogs by the way. But we need to complete the contract."
Naruto was shocked "Excuse my Hiero-sama not to sound ungrateful, but how did I pass the test if I did not do anything?"
"Oh, sure that I should have foreseen. I talked to your Tennant. He told me everything I wanted to know." Before Hiero, a smaller bowl with gray flames burst into existence. "If you be so kind and drop seven drops of your blood into that flame. Seven, no more that would be unhealthy for you."
Again Naruto gulped before he did as told concentrating to drop exactly seven drops of his blood into the flame. Quickly pulling his arm away only earning a chuckle from the Sage.
"What?"
"You fell for that, ahh the youth. After seven millennials this one still amuses me every time. What do you think We do here? Magical Rituals? Okay. Now when you sign the toad contract you will need a way to distinguish between us. Now, reach out with your hand."
Naruto did exactly that only for the man to reach for his forearm. Naruto could feel it burning for just a second before he found a symbolized phönix as he looked where Hiero put his hand to.
"If you want to summon one of us or reverse summon back here to start your training as a sage instead of swiping the blood on your palm you swipe it right over this tattoo. But for now, you should get back to Konoha. We will see each other again"
Before Naruto got even the chance to reply he was engulfed in a white flame that did not burn him or even exude heat. As he opened his eyes he looked around to find himself back in the remote Training ground looking straight into the eyes of Jiraiya who pointed at him.
"YOU ARE BACK!"
Naruto pointed at him too. "What are you still doing here?" Jiraiya would have nothing of that and reached for him and Shunshined them both straight back to the Hokage tower. What followed were explanations. The Hokage and Sannin were surprised as he showed them his tattoo. Jiraiya was excited that Naruto still would be able to sign the toad contract. They made plans for Naruto's training. He would still reverse summon to the phönix realm for some hours of training. But most of the time, he would summon different toads and incorporate them into his arsenal.
"So we agreed. We will show strength and maybe convince Suna that an attack will be a very bad idea. Jiraiya your network will have to track down Tsunade. I feel the hat getting heavier with each day and one of you two will have to take over."
Jiraiya nodded and looked at Naruto. "See you tomorrow for training Kid." Naruto sighed, he would go through hell again. But he needed to be strong for the invasion. For his family to make his dream come true. If it meant tearing muscles. Okay. If he would have to bleed. Bring it. If he would need to sprain his bones day by day. Just for them to grow stronger. He would do so. Nobody will be able to say that Naruto Uzumaki lacked conviction. It was about drive and Naruto Uzumaki lacked some things but not Drive or Conviction. He will endure again, He will grow stronger again and someday he will be strong enough to live out his dream.
