Izumi Uchiha And The Nine-Tailed Fox

by Nikhey99

What if Izumi survived the night of the Uchiha Massacre? And what if she became a Jonin-Sensei for Naruto Uzumaki and Team 7 (with a Sakura Haruno replacement because I hate Sakura) and what challenges might come of these changes and how will they affect the Ninja World? Especially since Izumi doesn't want to kill if she doesn't have to? Read to find out.

3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Betrayal

Naruto was happy. Ever since the day he returned from that mission with Emiko. Well, the more accurate statement was that he was happy until the Mission to the Land of Waves.

See, it started out with a simple task (that Naruto thought was too simple). Take a bridge builder back to his home in the Land of Waves because he could be attacked by bandits or highwaymen or whatever.

But then, like with that mission to hunt down that criminal, things turned out to be more complicated than they seemed. The only difference now is that the complications didn't have the international ramifications that Team 7's first C-Ranked mission had.

See, the man they were escorting, Tazuna, lied to them about the mission's parameters on the mission request because, despite the fact that the mission seemed like it should've been B-Ranked, at the very least, he couldn't afford anything higher than a C-Rank. It was something that Naruto thought was weird because if mission requests cost so much money to put in, then what would be the point in someone as poor as Tazuna putting a mission request in in the first place?

Well, Tazuna explains it all...and it's not a pretty picture he painted, figuratively speaking. Around a year ago, a "business tycoon" (who was really a mob boss) named Gato moved his "business" to the Land of Waves, and quickly took over the place. He destroyed the country's economy, and made it so that only he was the one getting all the money in the country. Nobody liked Gato because he turned their country into one big rat-infested ghetto. But, at the same time, nobody would fight against him because he had an army of criminals on his side. Criminals who've beaten people up for resisting against Gato before. Tazuna, however, didn't want to give up. Gato may have disrupted trade routes so that no ship or boat could import or export anything, but he neglected to think about the path on the mainland across from Tazuna's hometown (which was on an island). Tazuna was building a bridge leading to that path, but Gato somehow got word of Tazuna's little project and so, this time, just to make things worse, Gato sent four rogue ninjas he'd hired prior to this conflict of theirs to give Tazuna a warning: discontinue building that bridge...or else. That was basically it. So now, Tazuna had no choice but to hire ninjas from the Hidden Leaf Village. He chose the Hidden Leaf because it was the closest to the Land of Waves and because he is an old friend of The Hokage.

Even though they were under no obligation to continue with this mission because, as stated before, if the client lies in the mission request, the ninjas would have to go back to the village, and abandon the mission. But Izumi-Sensei forged ahead anyway because, as she said, she wouldn't feel right morally if she left the people of the Land of Waves to their fate. The mission may have traumatized Naruto because, before Tazuna revealed all these details to Team 7, he (with sheer dumb luck) killed one of the two Demon Brothers, a duo of rogue ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village who were under orders from another rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist Village named Zabuza Momochi and Naruto has never killed anyone before, but Naruto wanted to forge ahead, too. At the time, he felt that he needed to stay positive in spite of everything because, the truth of the matter is that Tazuna needed their help and it wouldn't have helped anyone if he lingered on his trauma for the entire trip.

Fast forward a bit, and they found themselves confronted by none other than Zabuza Momochi, who they fought. Well, to be more accurate, Izumi-Sensei fought Zabuza while Naruto, Yuki and Sasuke took up a formation to guard Tazuna from the left, the front and the right. The only problem was that the back was exposed so that meant (as Izumi-Sensei later told Naruto) that Zabuza could sneak up behind Tazuna, and kill him that way if he wanted to. Oh yeah, Zabuza's orders now were to kill Tazuna because Tazuna had the balls to hire some ninjas of his own.

Like when they fought Akira, Zabuza seemed too evenly-matched for Izumi-Sensei. And so, for the first time ever, Naruto and Sasuke worked together to distract Zabuza long enough for Izumi-Sensei to turn the tide against Zabuza. He remembers feeling the cold killing intent emanating from both Izumi-Sensei and Zabuza. It was frightening, terrifying. It felt like they could die at any moment. But then, suddenly, Izumi-Sensei assured Naruto and Sasuke that she'll never let her comrades die. Naruto thought that that reassurance was scary, in and of itself because how could she know how he was feeling? How he and Sasuke were feeling? The Nine-Tails told him that it was the power of the Sharingan. Izumi

-Sensei activated her Sharingan before the fight so Naruto didn't question that explanation.

Speaking of which, Naruto and The Nine-Tails are on (somewhat) friendlier terms right now. This was because, in the time between their first C-Rank mission and the Mission to the Land of Waves, Izumi-Sensei told Naruto that she's not benching him anymore but only on the condition that he undergo special training with her that concerns the use of The Nine-Tails' power. Naruto accepted that condition and so, he spent a good deal of time undergoing that training with Izumi-Sensei and The Nine-Tails, who agreed to help her train him only because the only Human he cares about is Naruto and that's because he is his Jinchuriki. He tried toughing it out and not admitting it, though because he has a "reputation" to uphold, but Izumi-Sensei saw through that veil, and tore it down.

The Nine-Tails hated her for doing that, but since he couldn't kill her (Naruto wouldn't let him do it anyway) all he could do is act indifferent like Sasuke.

In any case, he felt relieved when it seemed like Izumi-Sensei was about to defeat Zabuza. But then, two senbon came out of nowhere, and hit Zabuza in the neck, seemingly instantly killing him. The senbon came from a Tracker ninja standing on a tree branch. The Tracker ninja thanked the three of them, and then grabbed Zabuza's "corpse", and went away with said "corpse" in tow.

Naruto thought it was pretty strange that the Hunter ninja wasn't wearing an Anbu uniform. Actually, she (the Tracker ninja had a feminine voice) was dressed like a geisha and her black hair was done up in a geisha-like hairstyle. The only thing that made her look like an actual Tracker ninja was the porcelain Anbu mask with the Hidden Mist symbol near the very top of it. Naruto voiced these suspicions to Izumi-Sensei, and all she could say was, "Now that you mention it...you're right."

"Keep on your guard. She could be working for Zabuza, for all we know." Izumi-Sensei said at the time.

Naruto also didn't understand why that Hunter ninja collected the body if Zabuza was already dead. Izumi-Sensei explained to him that the Tracker ninja's mission was not only to track the rogue ninjas of the Hidden Mist down, but also to erase every trace of the corpse so that no evidence of the ninja's existence could be left behind. Naruto thought that was awful, and she said she thought so too, but as much as she said that she hated to admit it, it makes a morbid amount of sense. The reason they do this, she said, is so that an enemy ninja doesn't find a village secret in the dead ninja's body or, at least, couldn't take it, and give it to their own village. In fact, the Anbu in all the other villages have the same policy. She also gave him an example presumably just to give him a better understanding of this: in the event that Izumi-Sensei, herself, was killed, the Hidden Leaf Anbu would have to erase every trace of her existence simply because of her Sharingan Eyes because the Sharingan is the Hidden Leaf Village's village secret.

Naruto guessed he understood it, but it was still very bad to him. Especially because that meant the desecration of a corpse. And last time Naruto checked, that's a sin.

But he would soon go on to realize just how sinful most, if not all ninjas are.

Izumi-Sensei had then seemingly deactivated her Sharingan, and they moved onwards.

Fast forward some more again, and Tazuna and Team 7 arrived at the Land of Waves. Specifically, they were now in Tazuna's hometown. Tazuna said that they could use his home as a place to stay during the duration of the rest of the mission. And on their way to Tazuna's House, they saw just how poor and destitute the Land of Waves was. Homeless emaciated children stole bread from a market stall nobody was buying from because they were all too poor. Other, much older homeless people were begging near the town's marketplace but no one would give them money because either the beggars were annoying or the people passing by them felt as though they were poor enough without giving to the homeless so, the logical question they ask themselves is, why would they give money to the homeless? It also doesn't help that Gato has made the Land of Waves' government too poor to do anything about their current financial situation.

Suffice it to say, Tazuna wasn't kidding. It was a ghetto out here. The saddest thing Naruto saw that day were those kids running from angry adults because they stole to eat. Those kids reminded him too much of himself and how he would always be the one running from adults, being beaten up by adults or even being chased by ninjas because he pulled some big prank. He remembers being left injured and alone in random alleyways or sometimes in random trash bins. He wondered if that bridge being built would really change anything. It looked to him as though they'd been living like this for a Hell of a long time and that Tazuna only acted after keeping quiet for so long.

The only bright side to this mission was that Naruto met Tazuna's Daughter, Tsunami and her Son, Inari.

All three members of Team 7 happily hang out with Tsunami and Inari when they're on break from their duties as ninjas of the Hidden Leaf. Tazuna said that it'd take a week for the bridge to be completed so Team 7 decided that a week is all they need before they head back to the Hidden Leaf Village. And all that time, while guarding the incomplete bridge and taking breaks, they had a strategy meeting where Izumi-Sensei revealed that she suspected that Zabuza may not actually be dead. "As Naruto said, that 'Tracker ninja' was too unusually-dressed to be an actual Tracker ninja. She could've used something to make it seem like Zabuza died. You have to remember what I told you: stay on your guard." Izumi

-Sensei told them back then.

Izumi-Sensei also put them through some training. She taught them how to walk up trees like they were simply walking up a wall. Izumi-Sensei said that to pull off this exercise perfectly, they needed perfect chakra control. Yuki could do it without a problem. But Naruto and Sasuke had trouble with it.

Naruto didn't know why, but he was compelled to go to Yuki for advice. He tried to resist the compulsion because he doubted that she really knew anything (she was a student, not a teacher, after all) but every time he tried, his chest started hurting. And so, he went and asked her anyway. After that, his attempts at the exercise actually improved. Sasuke walked up to Naruto before Naruto's next attempt at this exercise and asked him what Yuki said to him. Naruto, for some reason, was forced to tell him to ask her himself. He then tried walking up the tree again.

After succeeding at the exercise for the first time, Naruto told his teammates that they could go back to town without them. He wanted to perfect the exercise so he kept walking up and down that one tree for the entire day. He ended up tiring himself out and experiencing chakra exhaustion. And so, he fell asleep on the ground near the tree. When he woke up, he woke up to the sight of a lovely and beautiful girl with long wavy black hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a pink dress, a pair of brown sandals, and was carrying a picnic basket. She said that her name is Haku. Naruto thought that was funny and he told her for whatever reason. She asked why, and he told her that, not too long ago, he'd heard about a crazy girl named Haku who lives in a town called Satoshi Town in the Land of Fire. He told her that she dresses like a Tracker ninja from the Hidden Mist's Anbu Black Ops. More to the point, "this" Haku thinks she actually is a Tracker ninja. Haku told him that he must've been thinking of someone else. She then asked him who he was and why he was here. He told her his name and only told her that he's a Hidden Leaf Shinobi out on a mission that he wouldn't tell her about. Ninja Academy Students are taught to keep the parameters of their missions a secret from the general public unless they absolutely have to do otherwise. Like when Team 7 was searching for that criminal nearly a month ago. Naruto then asked Haku why she was here. And she told him that she was gathering herbs to heal wounds and illnesses. Naruto decided to help her out a little with it. Especially since, at the time, he thought she looked pretty.

And while they're gathering herbs together, Haku asked Naruto a surprising question..."Is there...someone who's precious to you?" "Someone who...what are you sayin', Sis? What do you mean 'precious'?" Naruto asked in reply. "You see...when a person has someone precious they want to protect, then they become genuinely strong." Haku clarified. It made Naruto think about all the people who've been kind to him, everyone who's ever protected him when he was in danger and everyone he's saved. "Yeah! I know exactly what you're saying!" Naruto replied, understanding it all now.

After she collected all the herbs she needed, Haku told him that he'd get strong. She said goodbye and left him. Naruto walked back to town.

He remembers Izumi-Sensei scolding him for staying out too long.

And then it happened...that terrible day of revelation.

One day, Naruto woke up to discover that his teammates were gone. He'd slept in. More to the point, he heard a ruckus downstairs, some kind of noise. Naruto got dressed, equipped his ninja gear, and he snuck downstairs to see two big thugs armed with big swords and dressed like complete numbskulls. It looks like they'd broken into the house and, at that time, they were surrounding Tsunami. They wanted her to come with them but she just wouldn't. Then, Inari came in, talking big and so the thugs turned their attention to him. That was when Naruto knew he had to intervene. Naruto brazenly ran up to the thugs, and knocked them out with the Taijutsu that Izumi-Sensei taught him.

The thugs fell down, and went unconscious. Naruto asked Tsunami and Inari if they were okay, and they told him that they were. He then sensed something. The Nine-Tails inside him sensed it, too. A fight was going on. Naruto told Tsunami and Inari to stay in the house, and then, Naruto ran outside, and ran to the bridge's construction site. Once there, he saw Izumi-Sensei fighting Zabuza, Yuki standing guard in front of Tazuna, and Sasuke being trapped in a dome of ice mirrors. And that dome was being made by a Jutsu that Sasuke's opponent had cast. Said opponent was...a geisha girl wearing a Tracker ninja mask! Izumi-Sensei was right, is all he could think at that moment. He ran onto the battlefield, and ran up to the ice mirror dome. He thought of going inside, but common sense was telling him that was a no-go. He tried to find the false Tracker ninja, but he was nowhere outside of the dome.

He tried destroying the dome using the Fireball Jutsu, the Fire Punch Jutsu (the strongest variant of it) and paper bombs attached to kunai knives. None of them seemed to work.

"It's no use! You need my power!" The Nine-Tails shouted. Naruto agreed. So, using a ninja tool that allowed him to mentally link up with Izumi-Sensei (that he got when he was undergoing Jinchuriki training with her) to ask her permission to use The Nine-Tails' power. Izumi-Sensei granted him permission presumably because she had no other choice at the moment. And so, Naruto activated Nine-Tails Chakra Cloak, and a cloak of orange-red chakra surrounded him and gave him two additional liquid-like and fox-like ears on his head, two liquid-like and fox-like tails coming out his butt, red slitted eyes, sharp teeth and sharp fingernails. His whisker-like birthmarks were more pronounced and his strength was boosted.

Naruto then punched the dome, and the dome came crumbling down. The masked Kunoichi was knocked backwards, and Naruto then ran over to Sasuke to make sure he was safe. "What's gotten into you? Did you finally find a way to stop being an idiot and a loser?" Sasuke teased. "Go help Yuki." Naruto told him in a serious tone-of-voice. "Hmph. Alright." Sasuke replied. Sasuke then went away and Naruto covered his escape.

And this is the part that gets Naruto so depressed.

"Naruto...? Is that...you?" The masked Kunoichi asked.

This was always what he feared from the moment he first saw that masked Kunoichi, but it still hurt nevertheless when the masked Kunoichi took off her mask to reveal that her true identity is Haku.

"I always thought it was you when you told me that your name was Haku and when you 'killed' Zabuza before we got to this place. I just...a part of me didn't want it to be true." Naruto said. "I see. I shouldn't have made myself so obvious, then." Haku replied. "Tell me. Is the person who is most precious to you Zabuza?" Naruto asked. "...yes." Haku simply answered. "Why?" Naruto then asked. "That guy is a cold-hearted killer. I doubt that he cares about it at all." "Because I'm his tool. As ninjas, we are tools to those we serve. You are no different in that respect. And Zabuza is kinder than I think he'd like to admit. You see, I was a part of a clan from the Land of Water called the Kori Clan. Life was...normal until the Mizukage started the Clan Purges. Everyone in our clan had to run, separate and hide. My Mother and I managed to make it to this snowy hamlet elsewhere in the Land of Water. My Mom fell in love with a man, and then they started a relationship, started living together. From that point on, he was practically like my Father. But my normal life came to a crashing end when my abilities started manifesting themselves within me. See, my clan is known for its Ice-Style Ninjutsu. It's our Kekkei Genkai-our Bloodline Trait, if you will. Just like your Sensei's Sharingan. My Mother thought she could hide this part of us. But my curiosity proved her wrong. I was toying with it when my Mom caught me, and told me off for using Ice Style. We then got back to our house, and...my Mom's boyfriend saw everything. We went inside, and my Mom and her boyfriend started arguing about it. The argument escalated and escalated and escalated to the point where he killed my Mom, and then, in a fit of rage, I used an Ice-Style Jutsu I had no control over to kill him. I luckily managed to make it out of the house. The last time I saw that place was when I saw what I had done to it. Ice spikes practically destroyed or dominated the house. I got sad, and started to cry. But I couldn't cry for very long. There were villagers who were angered by my Mom and her boyfriend's deaths. I tried calmly explaining it as best as I could, but as soon as they learned that I had these abilities, they twisted the story, and said that I was the one responsible for their deaths. And so, they chased me out of town, and I was left a homeless orphan who should've died long ago. I felt as though I had no purpose in this life. I was...all alone. I somehow managed to make it to another town in the same area of the Land of Water, and I was waiting on the cold bridge there because that was all I could do. That was when Zabuza approached me. He could've left me to die an orphan, but he took me in...and raised me to be the ruthless killer-the most useful tool in his arsenal-that I am today." Haku explained.

Naruto knew all too well what that was like. To be hated and feared and given no purpose. Naruto was lucky enough to have friends who cared for him and gave him the purpose he always wanted. He was lucky he had all these people (even if they're small in number) who treated him as a Human being instead of a tool or a weapon.

"Do you, Naruto, understand what that's like?" Haku asked. "I understand it all too well. I am the Jinchuriki of The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox. The Nine-Tails is what made people hate me as a child. Twelve years ago, The Nine-Tailed Fox showed up, and attacked the Hidden Leaf Village. My Mom and Dad were killed presumably after giving birth to me. Everyone thinks that The Fourth Hokage defeated The Nine-Tails, and that was that. What they don't know is that my parents gave me to The Fourth Hokage so that he could seal The Nine-Tails inside me. As much of a badass The Fourth Hokage was, he still wasn't powerful enough to defeat-much less kill The Nine-Tails. And so...he made me into a Jinchuriki. The current Hokage wanted to keep it a secret, I guess, but some bad person let the secret slip out, and then, because of that, I was kicked out of the orphanage I was in when I was four years old, and I've had to endure beatings, villagers chasing me everywhere and people calling me names. Stores would price gouge anything I wanted when, if another person went up to the til with the same thing, they'd pay the regular price. So I had to live like a streetrat to survive. Even though I have a dingy apartment that I live in. The villagers hated me so what did I do? Did I wait until some shining prince dressed like a surfer gave me a purpose? Did I cry? Did I give up on being the idiot I am? No. I forged ahead, made my own purpose and never let anything get to me-even if a Leaf ninja or a villager called me a 'Demon' or a 'Demon Brat' for the billionth time-and now, here I am, protecting a bridge builder from that shirtless thug you love so much all because I didn't give up...and because you did." Naruto explained.

"Then, I guess, even if our paths are very similar, we must still be at odds." Haku said. "You've got that right." Naruto replied.

Naruto weaved together three hand signs, and thought, 'Fire-Style: Fireball Jutsu!' And then, a stream of fire expelled from Naruto's mouth, formed into a big ball, and shot towards Haku.

Haku just made one hand sign, and said, "Ice-Style: Ice Mirror!" And then, an ice mirror appeared in front of her, and blocked Naruto's Jutsu.

Haku then quickly put her mask back on, dashed away, and the mirror broke.

"Watch yourself, Haku! Breaking a mirror will bring you seven years of bad luck." Naruto quipped. Haku then pulled out two senbon, and threw them at Naruto. Naruto used his Nine-Tails Chakra Tails to deflect those senbon.

Haku then pulled out two more senbon, and charged towards Naruto. Naruto threw three shurikens at her, and Haku swiftly dodged each one.

Naruto then pulled out two of his kunai knives in preparation for the attacks that Haku might unleash. Although, this might not be Haku's smartest move because during training, both Izumi-Sensei and Naruto discovered that the visible red chakra surrounding Naruto while he is in what is now called his "Jinchuriki Form" is very, very hot to the touch and that if Naruto's opponent ever tries to fight him at close range while Naruto's in his Jinchuriki Form, they will get a lot of burns on their skin and none of their hits will hurt Naruto...much.

And Haku found that out the hard way. Haku tried attacking him with her senbon but Naruto blocked her strikes with his kunai knives.

The fight went on and on and on until Naruto kicked one of Haku's senbon out of her hand and Haku knocked one of Naruto's kunai knives out of his hand.

They then continued fighting until both had disarmed each other.

After that, Naruto struck her three times with strong punches. That last one broke her mask. "Does this...strength come from The Nine-Tails?" Haku asked. "I wouldn't be fightin' ya without it, Sis." Naruto answered. Haku chuckled. "If breaking mirrors gives you seven years of bad luck, then I wonder how many years of bad luck or damnation will relying on a Demon for strength earn you?" She quipped. "I don't know and I don't care. All I care about is keeping that old drunkard alive so that he could see his family again when this is all over." Naruto replied. "I see..." Haku says.

Haku then does something unexpected. She made a fist with her right hand, and said, "Ice-Style: Ice Punch." And then, her right fist was completely covered in ice. Naruto made a fist with his right hand, and shouted, "Fire-Style: Fire Punch!" And then, his right fist was completely engulfed in flames.

Both elemental punches connected, and the Fire Punch Jutsu won out. The ice around Haku's fist cracked, and her arm exploded as a result of the ice cracking. Haku backed away, and Naruto dispelled the Fire Punch Jutsu. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Her whole right arm's been blown off.

It was at times like this where he looks at himself, and thinks, 'What the Hell am I?'

The hole where Haku's right arm should be was leaking blood. Lots of it. "Haku, I-" "It's okay, Naruto." Haku said, interrupting him while smiling. 'Why is she smiling? It must hurt like Hell.' Naruto thought. "You've just proven that you're a better tool than me." Haku continued.

They then heard something disturbing.

"Chidori!" Izumi-Sensei shouted. Naruto and Haku looked over at the fight between Zabuza and Izumi-Sensei and saw that Izumi-Sensei had her Sharingan activated. They also saw that she was about to stab Zabuza with a hand that was covered by lightning. The lightning's cracks also sounded a Hell of a lot like a thousand birds chirping all at once. Haku looked at Naruto, and said, "Goodbye."

She then dashed towards Izumi-Sensei and Zabuza and put herself in between Izumi-Sensei's Jutsu and Zabuza. Izumi-Sensei's Jutsu tore a hole in her chest. "No!" Izumi-Sensei yelled. "Th-Thank...you...Master...Zabuza..." Haku says before Izumi-Sensei pulled her hand out of Haku, and Haku fell down, and died.

Zabuza tried to act like she didn't matter to him, but Naruto scolds him for acting like he didn't care, stating that Zabuza was someone precious to Haku. He told him that Haku gave up her life to protect someone precious to her. Zabuza was touched by Naruto's words so, when Gato and his army of thugs came to "help" Haku and Zabuza, Zabuza joined Naruto and Izumi-Sensei in killing those thugs and taking care of Gato. In the end, Zabuza ended up killing Gato and the thugs who were left alive ran away because their opponents were proper ninjas and their employer just died meaning no one was alive to pay them and they therefore have no incentive to continue what Gato started.

Zabuza, tired out and severely injured from his fight against Izumi-Sensei, limped over Haku, and laid down next to her.

It turns out, he really did care about her after all. He just didn't show it because, as a ninja, he was always taught not to wear his feelings on his sleeve.

Zabuza died slowly and then, it started to snow. "Snow? At this time of year?" Tazuna asked. "That's strange." Yuki commented.

The snow quickly disappeared, though.

After that, Izumi suppressed The Nine-Tails' chakra in Naruto using her Mangekyo Sharingan so that Naruto could return to normal again, the bridge was completed the next day, and then Team 7 went back to the Hidden Leaf Village.

The best part about it? When they got back, Naruto and the other members of Team 7 heard that they gave the bridge a name. "The Great Naruto Bridge". Sasuke looked envious of Naruto, Izumi-Sensei and Yuki both looked happy, and so did Naruto. But Naruto still couldn't stop thinking about Haku's words, her sacrifice, Zabuza's sacrifice and the concept that ninjas are just tools for their masters to use which is a concept Naruto still can't wrap his head around. Especially not after Haku's sacrifice. Of course, Team 7 made graves for both of them and everything and they even leaned Zabuza's sword onto his makeshift gravestone to honor that sacrifice. On top of that, their graves are right next to each other.

But that didn't clear Naruto's mind on the situation, either.

And that's where Naruto is now, at his apartment in the Hidden Leaf Village, sitting on his bed, ruminating on the events of the Mission to the Land of Waves.

And after giving it a lot of long thought, Naruto swore that he will honor Haku's sacrifice by always fighting as a Shinobi of the Hidden Leaf with his comrades in his mind and in his heart from this point on. 'We may be ninjas, but we're Humans, too. And when I become The Hokage, I'll do my damn best to remind the Ninja World of that fact even if it's the last thing I do.' Naruto thought.

---

Izumi, meanwhile, was delivering Team 7's mission report from the Mission to the Land of Waves to The Hokage in The Hokage's office in The Hokage's Tower.

"...and that was how it all went down, Sir." Izumi said. Lord Third Hokage sighed. "Never, in all my 69 years of life did I think Tazuna was one for deception. It's almost like this is becoming a routine for Team 7." He replied while putting the mission report in a drawer in his desk. "Though, I understand why he did it. And I commend you and your team for having the moral fibre to carry on with the mission. Many would've turned around, and came back. And I wouldn't have blamed you one bit if you did return after discovering Tazuna's deception." "Thank you, Lord Hokage." Izumi then said. "How is Naruto coming along?" Lord Third asked. "Excellently. When he was fighting Haku, he asked me for permission to change into his Jinchuriki Form." Izumi answered. "Using that Psychic Link Transmitter I had you give him?" Lord Third then asked. "Yes." Izumi answered. "Good." Lord Third said. "Believe me, I had to practically fight Inoichi to get him to relinquish it to me. I assume you told him to use it in circumstances where he had no choice but to change into his Jinchuriki Form." "I did." Izumi told him. "That is also good news to my ears. I think he'll grow into a great Special Jonin, indeed." Lord Third assessed. "You were actually serious about that?" Izumi asked. "I was." Lord Third answered. "And I still am." "But, Sir, he'll still need me. And some of the kind of missions Special Jonin get aren't ones where you have a team at your back." Izumi replied. "Those kinds of missions can be done with two ninjas, though." Lord Third also replied. "Is that so?" Izumi asked. "That can be arranged, to be certain. Until Naruto is ready to undergo his Jinchuriki training." Lord Third answered. "I understand, Sir." Izumi acknowledged. "Is that all, Sir?" "I have another C-Rank mission in store for you four, but I'd like you all to take it at the Mission Assignment Desk tomorrow." Lord Third answered. "Yes, Lord Hokage." Izumi also acknowledged. "If that is all, you are dismissed." Lord Third told her. Izumi simply bowed to him, quickly stood up after bowing, turned around, and left the room.

After Izumi walked out of The Hokage's Tower, she saw that the Sun was starting to set. 'Was I in The Hokage's office for that long?' Izumi thought. She continued walking, intending on heading to the park when she saw Iruka seeing a student off just outside the main entrance to the Academy. Izumi remembered when one of the teachers did that for her, as well. After the two of them said goodbye, the student ran towards his parents, and left the Academy's grounds. Izumi remembered running over to her Mom after the teacher saw her off.

'Must be a new Academy Student.' Izumi guessed.

She then saw that Iruka spotted her. 'Oh shit.' She thought.

Iruka walked up to her, and said, "Well, well, well, if it ain't the Leader of Team 7. I'm honored." "Could you stop?" She asked. Iruka has had a crush on her ever since he met her when he was just an Academy Student. His (rather pathetic) attempts to flatter her or flirt with her have been super obvious (especially so in the wake of the Uchiha Massacre). Before the Massacre, Izumi rejected him numerous times because she already had a boyfriend, namely Itachi. Also, Iruka was too young for her at the time. After the Uchiha Massacre, Izumi still rejected him for not only the age difference reason but also for an entirely new reason: after what Itachi did (mainly be one of the men responsible for the Uchiha Massacre) she has lost all faith in romance and romantic relationships. Well, in truth, she was just afraid of her next boyfriend becoming just like Itachi. Hell, she still has nightmares about Itachi. But she would never admit to that.

"Oh, come, now. Don't be like that." Iruka replied. "You make me cringe every time I see you." Izumi also replied. Iruka sighed, knowing that, yet again, she is not flattered. "Then can you please take a walk with me-just as friends, I assure you." Iruka requested. "I haven't heard from Naruto since he left the Academy. Well, I'm sorta lying. I did read about that time he and the other members of Team 7 caught a criminal from the Land of Lightning, and gave him to an Anbu unit so that the criminal could be sent back...but not much else after that. I want to know how he's improved as a ninja."

Izumi sighed. "Alright. Let's head to the park." She said, feeling as though she'll regret accepting his request later on.

And so, they started walking to the park side-by-side.

"Alright, now, so...? How is Naruto coming along?" Iruka asked. Izumi chuckled. "I've never met a single Academy teacher who's cared so much about their student's life after leaving the Academy." She remarked. "I'm just about the only one who cares about him-aside from Lord Third, of course." Iruka replied. "I care about him, too." Izumi said. "Really?" Iruka then asked. "Yep. To tell you the truth, I've been interested in making him into the best ninja he could possibly be after he became my student. I now want him to surpass me, I want to make his dreams into a reality. Trouble is, he doesn't have parents of his own to care for him. So I feel as though I have to step in since no one else will. Even if it isn't my obligation to do so." Izumi honestly answered. "I ran into that same problem when he became my student. Especially since he started pulling stupid pranks just for attention. Though, I was no better." Iruka said. "How?" Izumi asked. "Back when I was an Academy Student, I became the class clown all because I wanted attention, too. My parents were killed defending the village during the Nine-Tails Incident so I'm just as much of an orphan as he is. Anyway, since Naruto didn't have any parents of his own, I stepped up when I could, even when I had tens of other students to think about." Iruka explained. "I'm luckier than you. I only have two other students to think about." Izumi said. "So you do." Iruka replied. "But back to my original question..." "Oh, right!" Izumi shouted, reminding herself that Iruka asked about Naruto's development as a ninja. "Well...to tell you the truth, he's coming along quite well. I've managed to improve his Taijutsu by teaching him the Taijutsu taught to me by my clan." "I thought you needed the Sharingan for that Jutsu." Iruka said. "No, you don't. Everyone can use it if it's taught well, it's just that the clan spread that lie throughout the village because we had somewhat of a 'no outsiders' policy, even when our relationship with the village was at its best. I've always thought it was stupid, but I obeyed that policy until the Massacre happened. I guess, in a bittersweet sense, I did away with my clan's more stupid rules because I could get away with it and that's only because the only Uchihas alive today are myself, Sasuke and...Sasuke's Brother. Or, to put it another way, I don't have to follow the clan's rules anymore for that same reason. It's the reason why I use the Uchiha Training Grounds for a majority of my team's training sessions." Izumi explained. "Oh, great. My life's been a lie." Iruka replied. Izumi laughed.

"Is that all you've taught Naruto?" Iruka asked. "No. I've also sharpened his skills with the kunai knife and the shuriken. Nowadays, I'd say he's pretty adept at using kunai knives and throwing shurikens. I've also managed to teach him the Fireball Jutsu and the Fire Punch Jutsu." Izumi answered. "You did what?!" Iruka then asked, visibly surprised. "I know, right? I was surprised when I found that he could do it, too. Turns out, positive encouragement works on him." Izumi told him. Iruka sighed. "You've got me beat. All I've managed to do, as far as Ninjutsu goes, is teach him the Substitution Jutsu and the Transformation Jutsu. Not to mention that every time Naruto failed at something or misbehaved, I just yelled at him." He told her. "I've also been training him in...other ways." Izumi added. "What do you mean? Like...oh. Oh no, tell me you didn't, Izumi." Iruka said. "Not like that, idiot!" Izumi shouted.

"I've been training him to use his Jinchuriki powers responsibly ever since the first time he changed into his Jinchuriki Form for the first time back during our first C-Ranked mission." Izumi whispered. "Jinchuriki Form? What does that mean?" Iruka whispered back. Izumi then quietly detailed to him what that meant.

"I see. And how's that been coming along?" Iruka asked. "Just fine. In fact, he now knows to ask me for permission before changing into his Jinchuriki form." Izumi whispered. "Why would he have to do that?" Iruka then asked. Izumi rolled her eyes, and quietly explained that, too. "Dear Kami...and Lord Third approved this?" Iruka questioned. Izumi only nodded in response.

"To be fair, I was the one who requested this training." Izumi admitted. "Why?" Iruka asked. "Apparently, Lord Hokage wants us to enter the upcoming Chunin Exams." Izumi answered. "Is he crazy?!" Iruka shouted. "That's what I said when he pitched this to me." Izumi replied while chuckling. "But he told me that if we did enter, he'd have a special surprise in store for Naruto." "What surprise?" Iruka then asked. Izumi whispered the answer into his ear. The only reason she's been whispering about Naruto's lower-level Jinchuriki training and Naruto's Jinchuriki form and Lord Third's surprise is because they're in public right now. "Whoa!" Iruka then shouted. "I know, right? But apparently, it's always been his intention to wait until Naruto's a Chunin to reveal those things to him." Izumi told him. "I see. So he's actually come a long way." Iruka remarked. "And he still has a longer way to go." Izumi added. "So he does." Iruka agreed.

They finally arrive at the park. "Hm. That's a shame. I got everything I wanted from you before we got here." Iruka said. "I know..." Izumi says. "We...We might as well talk a bit more before we go home, eh?" "Are you asking me out on a date?" Iruka asked in reply. "No!" Izumi shouted. "Alright, alright! Let's just walk and talk already." Iruka replied. "Alright, then." Izumi also replied.

And so, they continued walking. "You know, I think that...if we ever did date, we'd make the perfect couple." Izumi awkwardly admitted. "Really? You've always rejected me in the past..." Iruka says. "That's because you're as subtle about it as a brick being thrown through a window. Anyway, I think that we'd...we'd make a good couple because...because we both care so much about Naruto. There are times when I think about whether or not I'm seen as a Motherly figure to him. I know that some people talk about you and Naruto like you're his adoptive Father." Izumi continued. "Maybe I am. I...I've never really thought about it like that." Iruka replied. "But, wait...does that mean you're thinking about having children?" "No!" Izumi unconvincingly lied. "Oh, c'mon!" Iruka then replied. "No! Never in a million years will I think about children!" Izumi doubled down. "Whatever. Lie all you want." Iruka replied while shrugging. "That doesn't really change anything, does it?"

Then, suddenly, he asked, "Wait a minute, you've only known Naruto for, like, weeks or something like that, right? So why're you thinking about whether or not he sees you as a Mother-like figure." "Where do you come off, asking a question like that!" Izumi shouted, startled. "Hey, you can't blame a guy for being curious." Iruka replied. "So...back to my question." "Well...if you really wanna know, I've known him ever since the mere days before the Massacre. Naruto was just a little snot-nosed kid back then...I was taking a drink of some orange juice before I heard some guys roughing up Naruto. I looked towards the chaos, and saw them taking him to an alleyway. I paid for the drink, got up, and bravely went into that alleyway before I saved him from those thugs. Naruto must've been like...what, seven years old back then? Anyway, we had a small talk afterwards after I assured him that I wasn't there to hurt him. We became friends-well, more like acquaintances, actually, now that I think about it. And that was because I hadn't encountered Naruto or interacted with him ever since that first meeting up until I became his Sensei." Izumi explained

"But he must've looked up to me and maybe even loved me in a family-ish way because he's rarely ever disobeyed my orders and he never talked back or misbehaved during training. He basically wasn't the brat that everyone else knows him as when he's around me. And that may be because I was one of the very few people who's been kind to him and saved him from a beating and treated him like a Human being. In fact, I kinda wish I hung out with him more because he was an otherwise friendly and happy-go-lucky kid...and also a noisy, knuckle-headed idiot. And I love those things about him. And there is not a thing in the world I'd do to change that-okay, maybe I'd make him less of an idiot, but still. Something about him makes me want to...believe in him." Izumi continued. "I feel like he has that effect on everyone he meets. Well, everyone with an iota of compassion, anyway. It's honestly one of the more charming aspects about him, in my opinion." Iruka replied. "True..." She agrees.

---

Yuki meets with Terumi at her own house once again. They were meeting in her house's basement. "The day of reckoning for the Hidden Leaf is coming soon. We have intel about your final mission with Team 7." Terumi said. "What is it?" Yuki asked. "You are to capture a criminal who's been murdering civilians around the city. It is unknown at this current time where he is or who they are." Terumi answered. "So we're supposed to be detectives, now?" Yuki then asked. "Sources close to The Hokage say that The Hokage doesn't trust your team with C-Rank missions outside the village...not after the first two." Terumi told her. "Well, that fits. The amount of people who're lying to the Hidden Leaf on their mission requests must be very high. I'm surprised that the people have been able to get away with lying to them so much. The Kazekage and the Jonin Council wouldn't have stood for it." Yuki assessed. "True." Terumi replied. "Do whatever you can to bring this mission to it's completion for Team 7. I would hate for you to have to take on heaps of D-Ranks before the invasion force is here." "The invasion force...?" Yuki asks. "Yes. Perhaps I forgot to mention...acquiring The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki is not the only reason we've been here, gathering intel for our higher-ups. The Hidden Sand is planning to invade the Hidden Leaf, to cause a new war. The Hidden Stone and Hidden Sound are invading the place with us, too." Terumi revealed. "But that would mean...there would be so much death..." Yuki says. "Yes. That's what war is, Yuki. Death. But it would be foolish for us to let ourselves be seen as weak." Terumi said. "What do you mean? I mean, I get why we're stealing The Jinchuriki away from the Hidden Leaf, but why cause a war with them?" Yuki questioned. "Because the Feudal Lord of the Land of Wind sees us as weak. He's been assigning missions to ninjas in other villages instead of us and paying us less. If you could imagine the layoffs the Kazekage has to make...you would understand. We need to remind him of our strength." Terumi answered. "I...I see." Yuki said. "Now, go. Prepare for your next mission." Terumi ordered. "Yes, Captain Terumi." Yuki acknowledged.

She then leaves her basement, and walks all the way up to her room. 'The Hidden Sound...isn't that the hidden village founded and run by Orochimaru?' Yuki thought. 'But no...those are only just rumors...'

She then went to sit down on her bed. 'But...wait, why am I having any moral objection to this? I'm a Hidden Sand Kunoichi and, more to the point, I'm a member of the Hidden Sand's Anbu Black Ops. I should be fiercer, stronger than this. Maybe Naruto is having an effect on me...' Yuki thought. She looked out the window to see the Nohara Clan's small compound and the rest of the village.

'The Hidden Leaf Village looks so...quiet...and beautiful...and peaceful. I'd hate to disrupt all that all over the Hidden Sand's pride.' Yuki thought. She then sighed. 'Alright. I'm just going to focus on The Jinchuriki. Not the invasion, not the battle that will come after the invasion and the war that will come after, either. Just...Just Naruto.'

The Next Day...

Izumi walked up to the Mission Assignment Desk with her three Genin students. This time, they walked up to Iruka, since he was the only one who didn't seem to have anyone else lining up to get a mission from him. For some odd reason...

Also, Lord Hokage wasn't there, either. "Izumi-Sensei, why are we here again?" Yuki asked. "Because this is where we normally receive missions. I just got the ones I did from The Hokage to get away from the long lines, to be honest." Izumi answered.

"So...Iruka, what mission do you have for us today?" Izumi asked. "The Hokage had me save this for you." Iruka answered as he handed her the mission request. Izumi read the mission request. "It's a C-Rank mission. Apparently, there's a murderer on the loose."

Sasuke scoffed. "You think we're detectives, now?" He asked. "Ever since the Hidden Leaf Police Force was wiped out, yes." Iruka answered even though he didn't have to. "What about the Anbu? Don't they get missions like this?" Naruto asked. "This mission was requested by our Anbu Commander, a man called Kuro. Apparently, the murderer seems to have been a ninja at some point in time, based on how he murders his victims. But he doesn't appear anywhere in our records. Kuro would simply like our input in this situation." Iruka explained. "The only problem I have with this is that Naruto wouldn't have the patience for this kind of mission." Izumi replied. "Hey!" Naruto shouted. "Sorry, Naruto." Izumi said while chuckling. "Eh...something tells me that Kuro will find a way to compensate for that." Iruka said. "Meet him at the Hidden Leaf Police Station. The mission will go on from there." "Alright, then." Izumi acknowledged as she put the mission request in her pocket. "Hidden Leaf Police Station it is. C'mon, you three." Izumi then ordered.

The four of them turned around, and walked out of the room and then out of the Academy. They then walked off the Academy grounds, and started walking to the Hidden Leaf Police Station. "Jeez. Now, we're going to the Police Station? I thought they'd leave that place alone after...after the clan was..." Sasuke says. "I know what you mean, Sasuke. But the Anbu don't trust us with using their own facilities. Hell, they barely trust us-and each other-with their true names." Izumi said. "Then why should we trust them?" Yuki asked. "We shouldn't. Well, we're supposed to act like we don't trust them. But we do only because they're-well, usually-on our side." Izumi answered.

They arrived outside the Police Station where a masked ninja dressed in an Anbu uniform, which was covered by a black hooded cloak, was already waiting for them. "You must be Kuro." Izumi said after Team 7 walked up to him. "I am. My squad is waiting for us inside." The masked ninja said. "Your squad?" Izumi asked. "Aside from me, there are four others. Together, we're Team Ro." Kuro quickly explained. 'Team Ro...' Izumi thought. She remembers that name. That was the name of the old team that Kakashi was a part of in his days as a member of the Anbu. Actually, Kakashi was the leader of Team Ro, if she remembers right. She also remembers that that was the team assigned to protect Naruto before he became a ninja.

"Well then, nice to meet you." Izumi said. "Come. We have much to discuss." Kuro told them. The five of them walked into the Hidden Leaf Police Station. The interior of the Police Station was bringing back memories. None of them were good. And judging from the look on his face, the place was bringing back bad memories to Sasuke, as well. She guesses that he's lucky he didn't have to come here very often. She remembers coming here quite a few times to report a crime to the police and they either actually investigated it or they just threw up their hands, and said, "Not our problem." or "Not our jurisdiction." Or something else that meant pretty much the same thing. She didn't know it at the time, but around that time, the police ninjas were giving her answers like that because it actually wasn't in their jurisdiction. The Anbu got to handle the village's law enforcing duties while the police got relegated to what is essentially nothing more than beat cop duty. Might as well become a regular ninja or join the Anbu if you wanted to enforce the law in the Hidden Leaf Village which is a sentiment that is more of a fact than an opinion now that the majority of the Uchiha Clan is now dead.

Kuro led them to an old briefing room. "Whoa..." Naruto says. "This place looks like it's seen better days." Yuki commented. "Why do you think that is?" Sasuke rhetorically asked Yuki. The room did look old, in fact. The gray walls were rusted, the gray roof looked like it was about to crack at any moment, the room's lights looked kinda dim, and the gray floor looked like it was recently cleaned by the members of Team Ro, themselves. At the far back of the room were several boards that also looked to have recently been cleaned. Sitting or standing around were four masked ninjas. Only one of them had any features that distinguished them from the rest.

That one had long purple hair and a cat-like white porcelain mask. The purple-haired masked ninja was sitting on a table, looking like they were waiting for Kuro, just like the rest.

"Meet the other members of Team Ro. I'm sure you've noticed Neko first. She's our most gifted swordswoman." Kuro said, gesturing towards the purple-haired masked ninja. 'So that's one of Kakashi's former team members...' Izumi thought. "The others are Karasu, Rakun and Okami."

Only Neko gave Team 7 a little wave. "Team Ro, this is Team 7. Naruto Uzumaki, Yuki Nohara and Sasuke Uchiha. And this is their leader, Izumi Uchiha." Kuro told them. "An Uchiha who's a team leader...interesting." Karasu remarked. "Save the conversation. For now, we must discuss the mission." Kuro said. "Have they been briefed?" Neko asked. "They have." Kuro answered. "Let's get to work, then..." Neko says as she stands up.

They all gathered around Kuro and Izumi went right up next to Kuro. "Do you have any additional details? Anything that the guys at the Mission Assignment Desk might not've told us?" Izumi asked. "Only the evidence we have and the additional evidence we've gotten quite recently." Kuro answered. Team Ro led Team 7 to a table with all the evidence they have so far. Which are a bunch of pictures of dead bodies, footprints, damaged walls and blood splatters. Naruto got a little freaked out by the pictures. "It's okay, Naruto. They're just pictures." Neko said. Izumi and Yuki chuckled. The recent pictures were the ones of the footprints and the damage from missed strikes. And also..."Burn marks..." Izumi says, noticing those new pictures of damage done from the killer's missed attacks. "We also have evidence that our killer used Lightning-Style Jutsus and Water-Style Jutsus." Karasu said. "That suggests that our guy is willing to go to extremes to kill his victims." Izumi remarked. "What about the footprints?" "I've checked-they lead nowhere." Rakun answered. "Then he's intentionally throwing us off." Izumi assessed. "That's what we think, too." Kuro told her. "I don't get it..." Naruto says. "What's not to get?" Neko asked. "If this guy's some very experienced ninja, then why did he miss so many times before he killed someone?" Naruto asked. "They never said he was experienced." Izumi told Naruto. "Just that the killer might be a former ninja." "Still, the kid raises a good point." Karasu said. "Then maybe there's something we've missed..." Kuro says. "How many victims has this guy taken?" Izumi asked. "Three. The last one was the one where he's seeming to make fewer mistakes before the kill." Kuro answered. "Then this guy must've been dropped from the program, kicked out by their Jonin-Sensei or their superior or The Hokage for whatever reason." Karasu supposed. "In that case, maybe the guy still wants to be a ninja, but since he can't be a ninja anymore, and he can't leave the village on 'missions', he's taking it out on the civilians." Yuki said, only adding to Karasu's theory. "We've always suspected that that was the case, but since we've never caught the guy, we can't know that." Kuro told them. "Do you have any suspects?" Izumi asked. "No. As you probably know, we've checked the records of ninjas who've retired or were kicked out of the Academy, but none of them were a match." Kuro answered. "Then how about this: we search the records for any ninjas who know Water, Fire and Lightning styles and have been dishonorably discharged by either their superiors, or The Hokage." Izumi advised. "That seems to be a good idea." Neko said. The other members of Team Ro seemed to agree, too. "Then let's head to the Library." Kuro said. "Of course." Izumi replied.

---

At the Library, most of Team 7 was searching through the ninja records while Team Ro watched from the shadows and there were a lot of them since ninja records are sealed within the restricted section of the Library. Of course, Naruto was left to wait outside the restricted section because The Librarian wouldn't let him in there because of his Jinchuriki status and because of the incident which made him into a Genin in the first place-the incident where, because of Mizuki's lies, he stole the Scroll of Sealing from the vault within The Hokage's Tower. Also, the restricted section held many smaller individual scrolls, each of which contained just one Sealing Jutsu.

Considering it couldn't be helped, Izumi had to have a bit of a talk to explain to Naruto why he had to wait outside. Izumi knew that it'd really test his patience since this sort of search would probably take a lot of time, but, as was mentioned before, it couldn't be helped.

Thirty minutes into the search, Izumi expected Naruto to have become a bothersome problem by now. This was concerning, but Izumi can't focus on that right now. Kuro, however, could tell that she was concerned about Naruto. The problem, however, is that she can't send anyone out to check on him. Yuki and Sasuke are just kids, themselves, and she felt as though she couldn't impose on Team Ro, who are supposed to be watching them. They aren't meant for that, after all. What Kuro presumes that Izumi doesn't know, however, is that Team Ro has been looking after Naruto from the shadows (whenever they had the time, at least) from the moment Naruto was kicked out of the orphanage at age four to the moment he became a ninja. And Kuro knows that, aside from Kakashi (who was known as "Inu" back then) Neko is the only one in the Anbu who cared about Naruto and Naruto's safety. That's probably because she's been on Team Ro the longest. Kuro doesn't really know because he doesn't pry into the lives of other Anbu members just as every other Anbu member would do for him. Kuro stealthily walked up to Neko, and whispered, "Can you check on Naruto?" "Finally. I've been worried, myself. If you didn't say anything, I was going to sneak out, and keep him entertained. The boy is such a brat..." Neko says. "That's the reason I asked." Kuro replied. "Don't worry. I'll think of a way to keep him company. I honestly think we scare him." Neko replied. "With these masks on, of course." "Naturally." Kuro also replied. "Let me know when you're finally done." Neko told him. "Don't worry, I will." Kuro told her. Neko then disappeared.

Outside The Restricted Section...

Naruto was becoming bored. He'd been waiting here, sitting at this random table with another chair across the table from him in the Library, for Kami knows how long. The Librarian gave him books to read, but if they knew anything about Naruto at all, they'd know that Naruto isn't into the whole reading thing. Especially if the reading material didn't have something he could use to train like a new Jutsu or a new form of Taijutsu. But, like everyone else, The Librarian has never bothered to know Naruto-especially in light of the fact that he's a Jinchuriki and The Librarian has an inherent anti-Jinchuriki policy that they unfortunately couldn't implement into the Library's rules. If they could, they would've banned Naruto and any other Jinchuriki who came around. Naruto knew this to be the case so he didn't even bother to make a stink about it. But all this waiting was stretching his patience to it's limits. 'Wow. Izumi-Sensei was right about me not having the patience for this.' Naruto thought. 'Maybe I should've ducked out from this mission before I jumped right into it.' Suddenly, an extremely attractive woman with long purple hair and brown eyes sat on the chair across the table from him. She was wearing a Hidden Leaf Jonin uniform and had a Hidden Leaf headband on her forehead. "Mind if I sit here?" The woman asked. "Sure." Naruto answered. Naruto didn't know if he was dreaming, daydreaming or if he finally struck gold. The only negative about this woman is that she is too old for him. "Great." She said while smiling at him. "What're you reading?" "Nothin' much. It was pretty boring, to be honest." Naruto answered. "Might I read it instead?" The woman asked. "Of course. Be my guest." Naruto also answered. He gave the book to her, and she saw the cover. "Hm...that's interesting. 'The Tale of a Gutsy Ninja'." The woman commented. "What's so interesting about that?" Naruto asked. "It was written by a woman named Kitsune Senju." The woman answered. "Senju...you mean like the First and Second Hokage?" Naruto then asked. "Yes. For someone who doesn't like reading, you at least know who Lord First and Second are." The woman commented. "Of course, I do. If I'm going to be The Hokage, then I'd have to know about the others who came before me, right?" Naruto replied. "Right." The woman also replied. "And yes, Kitsune is related to them. Specifically, she was The Second Hokage's Granddaughter. And the First Hokage's Daughter is her Aunt. But even more than that, she is one of the Three Legendary Sannin. Or the The Three Sages, to put it in simpler terms. And the Sages are the greatest ninjas of them all, perhaps even rivaling The Four Hokage in strength." "Whoa." Naruto said. "Agreed." She chuckled.

"If she's so impressive, who are the other ones?" Naruto asked. "Tsunade, who is Kitsune's Cousin and...Orochimaru. Kitsune is known as The Fox Sage, Tsunade is known as The Slug Sage or The Slug Queen or the Hidden Leaf's Slug Princess, and Orochimaru is known as The Snake Sage and...well, known and feared by other names." The woman answered. "You keep talking about this Orochimaru guy like he's bad. Why?" Naruto then asked. "Because he is. Aside from Madara Uchiha, he is one of the Hidden Leaf's most infamous rogue ninjas and is listed as an S-Class criminal in all the Five Great Nations. He is bad news and extremely powerful-if that wasn't understood already. He murders innocents by forcibly putting them through horrendous and torturous experiments." The woman answered. Naruto was shocked. 'Could he be the guy who we're after?' Naruto thought. He gulped. "That's...that's evil." Naruto then said. "The rest of the Ninja World agrees." The woman replied. He struggled to think of what to say next. "You seem interesting. What's your name?" The woman then asked. "Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto answered. "I'm Yugao Uzuki." The woman told him.

"Wait...you're that boy, aren't you?" Yugao asked. "Of course...what, you think I'm bad, too?" Naruto replied, annoyed. "No! Not for that reason, silly! I'm talking about the boy who exposed the traitor Mizuki and caught Akira." Yugao told him. "Wow...so you know about that?" Naruto asked. "I do." Yugao answered.

Yugao then leaned over the table, and whispered, "This is a big secret, but I'm a part of the Hidden Leaf Intel Corps." "Wow." Naruto remarked. Yugao then sat back down. "That's...well, in that case, I guess it makes sense that you'd know." Naruto then said. "So what're you doing here?" "My...uh...boss has given me a break from my usual duties." Yugao answered. "Oh...uh...of course." Naruto said, trying to tell her that he wouldn't tell anyone about what her true job is. Not that he thinks anyone who'd ever interrogate him would actually ask about her (he reasonably thinks that they'd more likely "ask" him about Izumi-Sensei or Yuki or Sasuke) he just wants her to know that because he likes her. Yugao chuckled.

Yugao looked around, and said, "You know, I'd say you're right. This place is a bit boring. Maybe we should take a bit of a walk for fresh air." "But I'm kinda in the middle of a mission right now. You see, my teammates are in there, looking for intel on someone." Naruto told her, pointing at the entrance to the restricted section. "I'm not in there because The Librarian won't allow me to be in there because I'm...me." "Don't worry. I said we'd be going on a bit of a walk, after all." Yugao told him. Naruto and Yugao stood up, and Yugao said, "Let's go."

---

Yugao and Naruto walked around the Library's building while just talking. "So...what's your team like?" Yugao asked. "Eh...to be honest...weird. Well, sorta weird." Naruto answered. "How so?" Yugao then asked. "Well, Sasuke and Izumi-Sensei are just fine and normal...even if Sasuke likes to annoy me sometimes..." Naruto answers. "Those two are also the only ones who see me as an actual Human being." "And what about your other teammate?" Yugao questioned. "This is where the weird part comes in...have you ever had a teammate who acts weird around you? Who makes it so obvious that they're in love with you while also trying to kill you at the same time? She's also very creepy because the way she flirts with me is...ugghh." Naruto answered. He then shuddered. "Not to my recollection, no." Yugao answered. Although, she would kill whoever approached her like that. She bets that Naruto would feel the same way if he were an actual veteran. "Then you're lucky because that is my third teammate, Yuki Nohara, in a nutshell." Naruto told her. It was clear that Naruto is scared of Yuki. Although, that is reasonable. No one really knows much about her aside from the fact that she's a Hidden Leaf Kunoichi and can apparently use Water Style and Lightning Style. And unfortunately for everyone else, the Anbu knows a bit more about Yuki. For a couple of examples: Yuki's parents would act...odd every time someone came over to her house and the fact that even though what little her academy records do say said that Yuki started attending the Academy at age seven, like everyone else, those who were actually at the Academy at the same time as Naruto, Yuki and Sasuke say that she'd only enrolled a year or two ago, meaning that she wasn't in the village for that long. And now, Yugao has apparently learned that the girl has a schoolgirl crush on Naruto...feelings that aren't reciprocated by Naruto, himself. Or are those feelings just a mask for what she truly wants out of Naruto? Everyone theorizes that Yuki's just a spy wanting Naruto because he is a Jinchuriki. Although, if you asked a normal Hidden Leaf ninja about it, they'll just say it's just a rumor that no one can verify. 'Well, it's true that no one can verify the claim, at least. Everyone who's tried has died. Not even Danzo's agents could figure her out and that's saying something.' Yugao thought.

"What's even weirder about her is that-ack!" Naruto was interrupted by what is apparently a bout of chest pain. "Hey! Are you alright?" Yugao asked. Naruto caught his breath, and said, "Yeah...that's the other creepy thing about her. Every time I talk even more about her, my chest starts to hurt which is weird because that's never happened before...uh..." Naruto started blushing like he's ashamed or embarrassed about something.

"Before what?" Yugao then asked. "Honestly, you seem like a good person so I want to tell you, but if I try to, my chest will hurt again...and believe it or not, it's happened before." Naruto answered. "Oh, I believe it. I've been around longer than you have, kid. And I've seen crazier things out there. In any case, I think you should get checked out." Yugao told him. She's seen crazier things, that's true, but someone as young as Naruto getting a heart attack every time he tries to reveal a certain piece of information about someone else is telling. And the fact that that person is Yuki is even more telling. She then heard Kuro contacting her over her earpiece. "Neko, we've found three likely suspects. You should get back in here." He said. "Acknowledged." Yugao whispered.

"Well, it's time to go back inside." Yugao told Naruto. "What? Awww...why? Why can't we stay out here a little longer?" Naruto whined. "Because my boss has called me back to work and you don't want to be waiting for your little friends out here do you?" Yugao replied. Naruto pouted, and followed Yugao back into the Hidden Leaf Library.

---

Naruto and Yugao were back in the Library, and she took Naruto back to the table where they were sitting before they went out, and Naruto sat down at said table. Yugao then disappeared. Then, he saw his teammates walk out of the restricted section. Naruto swiftly stood up, and excitedly ran up to them. "Thank God. I thought I was going to go crazy with boredom." Naruto told them. "Why didn't you?" Izumi-Sensei asked. "This Kunoichi came and talked to me. She said her name was Yugao. We talked for a bit, took a walk outside, then she plopped me back here, and disappeared. I'd say that's strange, but that's a pretty standard unwritten rule for ninjas isn't it?" Naruto explained. "Is that so?" Izumi-Sensei asked. Naruto nodded. "But enough about me, what about you? Where'd the search lead?" He asked in reply. "It was annoying, but we finally found three guys. We're going to find the oldest one first." Sasuke answered. "C'mon." Izumi-Sensei told him. And Naruto rejoined his team, and followed them out of the room.

Meanwhile, Neko reappeared in the shadows right next to Kuro. "He said that you gave him your real name. Did you tell him anything else?" Kuro asked. "No, I just told him that I worked for the intel corps which is sorta the truth, isn't it?" Neko asked in reply. "Well, at least a half-truth is better than the whole truth." Kuro said. All five members of Team Ro began stealthily following Team 7. "I think so, too. That being said, there's more." Neko replied. "More...?" Kuro asks. "It's about Yuki. She apparently confuses him with her feelings because there are times when she wants to kill him, but most times she just makes creepy lovey-dovey eyes at him that reasonably creep him out. I also found out that he gets chest pain whenever we approach a certain topic regarding Yuki." Neko elaborated. "That either sounds like a good excuse for concealing information...or a spy doing her best to keep her cover from being blown." Kuro assessed. "That's what I'm thinking, too." Neko agreed. "Then we should report this to The Hokage after this mission is completed." Kuro told her. "I also agree with that, but the Chunin Exams are coming up and we'll have to worry more about the village's security and the safety of each and every Kage that comes into the village than Naruto. So we won't have time to act on the information I've just given you." Neko said. "That's also true. But I believe we can work around that." Kuro replied.

Back with Team 7, Izumi is finally relieved because they're one step closer to this mission's completion. 'If I had one hour to live, I'd spend it in the restricted section, looking for something very specific because it felt like an eternity.' Izumi thought. It tired her out, but at least they have something, which are three suspects:

Kizashi Haruno, male, 37 years old. He was a former very experienced Genin and currently, the Father of one Daughter: a girl named Sakura. Izumi recognized Sakura's name because she was supposed to be on Team 7 but got replaced by Yuki for some unknown reason. Izumi heard that Sakura dropped out of the Academy because she won't get to see her precious Sasuke again after he graduated and because no other team had openings for her. Sakura's allegedly been having issues at home because of it. Kizashi was kicked out of his team and dropped from the program because he was very short-tempered and not easy to work with. There are rumors that he's been abusing his wife ever since he was dropped. It is, therefore, the reason why he is one of the suspects.

Suki Kimura, female, 23 years old. She is a drug addict. Been one since she was a pre-teen. The Hokage was reluctant to drop her from the program when he discovered her drug stash because her story is honestly a sad one. She grew up poor and homeless and couldn't keep herself out of jail. Suki became a ninja because she knew that that was the only way a poor person like her could make something of themselves. But her other superiors caught onto her, too. And so, The Hokage's hand was forced. He dropped her from the program. And now, she's back to living on the streets of the Hidden Leaf Village, never keeping herself out of jail for too long. The drug she's addicted to is called meth, a new and hot one on the market that's been secretly spreading amongst the village's poorest and youngest residents. And meth could sometimes make you get violent with some people. The chance of her being the killer is low because to cast Jutsus, you need a mind that could think straight, which addicts do not have...especially not while high on drugs. But if she is the killer, it won't be jail time she'll be facing, instead, it'll either be life in a military prison or the death penalty.

Daichi Inoue, male, 50 years old. This man was recently dropped because he could never get promoted to Chunin no matter how hard he tried or if he fought in the Great Ninja Wars and also because he's getting too old to be a ninja. Daichi, however, is a hardcore conspiracy theorist who claims that they didn't promote him because his skills are too deadly. Like with Suki, the likelihood of Daichi being the killer is rather low due to the fact that time was not kind to him. But if he were, the majority of people would agree that the death penalty would be seen as a mercy to someone his age.

Team 7 went to Kizashi's House first because it was the easiest and closest one to the Library to get to.

They were close to the house when they heard yelling and screaming coming from inside the house. All four members of Team 7 knew what to do. They hid in strategic locations around the house and pulled out their kunai knives. Izumi snuck up to one of the windows, and peeked through it. She saw Kizashi beating his wife up with a saucepan in the living room while his wife, Mebuki was on the floor, in a fetal position, clearly afraid. Across from them was Sakura, who was just witnessing the whole thing. She looked like she wanted to do something, but she couldn't figure out what.

"THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR FUCKING UP RICE BALLS, OF ALL THINGS! HOW THE HELL DO YOU FUCK UP A RICE BALL?!" Kizashi yelled. "DAD, PLEASE! STOP!" Sakura yelled. "STAY OUT OF THIS, BITCH! I'm trying to teach your weak-ass Mother a lesson..." Kizashi says.

Izumi gave everyone the signal to run into the house and as soon as they do, they see Sakura trying to get her Father off of her Mother but, perhaps unintentionally, he grabbed her, and pushed her into a wall so hard that she slumped down onto the floor, and her head started bleeding. "SAKURA, NO!" Mebuki yelled. "STOP RIGHT THERE!" Izumi yelled as she and Team 7 began surrounding Kizashi and Mebuki while pointing their kunai knives at Kizashi. Kizashi looked around him, and saw Team 7.

"Calm yourself, and put the saucepan down, Sir." Izumi told him. "We just want to talk." "You...you're Team 7. Why should I talk to YOU!" Kizashi yelled. He then turned, and rushed towards Yuki. But Sasuke got in between them, kicked Kizashi in the shins, and disarmed him. After that, he knocked him out with a punch from his left fist. Then, Team Ro appeared. "What happened, here?" Kuro asked. "It seems that those rumors about Kizashi being a family wrecker are true. He was beating his wife with that saucepan and then, when Sakura tried to get him to stop, he grabbed her, and...I'm pretty sure you can see what happened to her over there." Izumi answered, pointing at Sakura's body. "Neko, check on her." Kuro ordered. Neko silently nodded, and went to check on Sakura.

"Anyway, we got in after he did that to Sakura, and tried to get him to come with us quietly but he realized what team we are, I guess, then he decided to try to assault Yuki. Sasuke bravely stepped in between them, and put Kizashi in the state he's in now." Izumi continued. "Huh. Well, isn't that great?" Kuro sarcastically asked. "Even if he does give us a solid alibi as to why he's not the killer, we'd still have to arrest him for assault and-" "Good!" Mebuki shouted as she stood up, interrupting Kuro. "The sooner he's away from this house, the sooner Sakura and I can have-SAKURA!" Mebuki then yelled.

Mebuki ran over to Sakura's body, and then, at the most inopportune moment, Neko said, "She's dead."

Kuro sighed and facepalmed. "Neko..." Izumi said in a disappointed tone of voice. "What?" Neko asked before seeing Mebuki standing right next to her. "Oh. That." "Yes. That." Kuro told her. "I-Is it true? Is she really...?" Mebuki asks, on the verge of tears. "I'm afraid she is, Ma'am." Kuro told her. Mebuki dropped to her knees, and started crying. "C'mon, we'd better get some answers from Kizashi before his wife decides to kill him." Kuro then said as Karasu and Rakun tie Kizashi's hands behind his back. "Agreed. Although, if I had my way, I would've thrown him to the wolves before questioning him." Izumi commented. The ninjas all took the cuffed Kizashi out of the house, and went to a nearby alleyway where they threw him against the wall to their left. The impact woke Kizashi up. "Good. You're awake. Asshole." Izumi said. "What's happening? WHY DO YOU HAVE ME TIED UP LIKE THIS?!" Kizashi yelled. "Yell one more time, and I'll have you interrogated using harsher methods." Izumi threatened. "I'm being interrogated? Why?" Kizashi asked. Kuro stepped in, and said, "There have been killings going on throughout the village by a former ninja who uses Lightning Style, Water Style and Fire Style. Their other killing tools seem to be whatever they have on hand. Where've you been for the past few weeks?" "I-I never leave the house. My wife always cooks and cleans for me-for us-even if she is sometimes shitty at it..." Kizashi says. "Who can verify that?" Kuro asked him. "My wife." Kizashi answered. Izumi and Kuro exchanged looks. "She'll not be in an emotionally stable condition to question for quite some time." Izumi said. "Don't worry. The Anbu are nothing if not patient." Kuro replied. "Well, Kizashi Haruno, you're under arrest for assault and battery and murder." "WHAT?! But I told you I didn't kill those people!" Kizashi shouted. "We know you didn't, but you still killed your child." Kuro told him. "Wait, what?" Kizashi then asked. "Sakura. When you pushed her into that wall, it seemed that her brain started bleeding and then she bled out and died." Izumi explained. "Medics probably could've saved her if you weren't stuck being an asshole." "My...My Sakura..." Kizashi says, looking sad and guilty. Two other Anbu ninjas appeared. "Take him away." Kuro ordered. The two masked ninjas nodded, picked Kizashi up, and then, they disappeared. After that, Team 7 left the residence, and Team Ro seemingly disappeared again. But they know that Team Ro is still watching from the shadows.

"So where to next?" Naruto asked. "Next, we're going to find Suki. Remember, Suki is a homeless addict so doing that is going to be harder than it seems. The first place to ask is the jailhouse, which is on the other side of the village from here." Izumi answered. "Alright, then." Naruto said. And so, they moved onwards.

While on their way to the Hidden Leaf jailhouse, Izumi saw that Naruto had something on his mind. "What's wrong, Naruto?" Izumi asked. "I...uh...don't want to come off like I'm jumping to conclusions, or anything, but that woman I met, Yugao, told me about The Three Legendary Sannin and I've been wonder

-ing...could Orochimaru be a suspect?" Naruto asked in reply. Izumi chuckled. "No. Sure, he's killed people and murdered innocents by experimenting on them, but Orochimaru, from what I've heard, is mainly a scientist. A scientist who wants to know every Jutsu known to mankind. Which means that he isn't some kind of serial killer. Especially if it doesn't suit his personal interests. Which simply means that he doesn't murder someone if he doesn't absolutely have to." She explained. Naruto breathed a sigh of relief. Izumi chuckled again. "What's that for?" She then asked. "The fact that he isn't a suspect means that we won't have to face him in battle. Yugao described Orochimaru as really, really strong. I would hate to have to fight that guy." Naruto answered. "I think any ninja here who isn't on his level or doesn't have a death wish would agree with that, Naruto. Orochimaru is, indeed, strong. Powerful, even. And scary. People who saw Orochimaru when they were kids were so scared of him that they questioned if he was even Human." Izumi said. "What do you mean, Izumi-Sensei?" Naruto asked. "I personally hope you never have to find out." Izumi answered.

Many minutes later, they finally reach the jailhouse. Izumi told her students to stay outside the jailhouse because they didn't have the clearance to go inside without being a criminal, going in there to get locked up. As soon as Izumi went inside, she saw a masked ninja standing at the reception desk. "Can I help you?" The masked ninja asked. "You don't look like you're dropping a new prisoner off." "I'm here to ask about Suki Kimura. Where is she?" Izumi asked in reply as she walked up to the reception desk. "She was brought in here yesterday, and was released last night. Don't know where she is now." The masked ninja answered. 'As usual with hopeless cases like hers.' Izumi thought while rolling her eyes.

"Thank you." Izumi replied. Izumi then turned around, and walked out of the jailhouse. "So...?" Naruto asks. "As usual with cases like hers, Suki was just in here yesterday, but she left last night." Izumi answered. "Which means we're going to have to get creative. We need to ask around the village. The village's big, but not so big that we won't find her soon." "Right!" Naruto, Yuki and Sasuke all shout. The four of them walked to another part of the village, and started asking around.

It took them 32 minutes, but they tracked her down to an alleyway near the Akimichi Compound, eating whatever scraps were thrown away by the Akimichis' BBQ Restaurant's customers. Izumi took one look at Naruto, and saw that he partially empathized with her. And she understood why. If a time traveller moved the wrong chair, it could've been Naruto sitting there, eating from the trash. Suki looked emaciated. She had shoulder-length brown hair, gold-colored eyes and was dressed in prison clothes that the jailhouse probably gave her the first time she went to jail. Suki saw Team 7, and ran up to Izumi. "Food? Food? Are you here with food?" She asked. "Back off!" Sasuke shouted. Suki backed away a little bit, and whimpered. 'This girl was a ninja?' Izumi thought.

"We're here with questions. Someone's been running around here, murdering people." Izumi told her. "We're wondering who and where they are. And if you had anything to do with it." "Me? No, no. Never hurt anyone, no. Was close to murdered once, yes. But then good ninjas came, and he got scared and ran off." Suki said. Izumi then turned around, and Kuro appeared next to her. "Do you think she could be lying?" Izumi asked Kuro. "Not entirely. The killer's victims seem to match her description. Except, unlike her, none of them could wield chakra like we do." Kuro answered. "The more likely story is that the killer saw her, and was about to murder her when, all of the sudden, she unleashed a more vicious attack which scared the killer away." "Then we know that he doesn't like victims who can defend themselves." Izumi remarked. "What killer would?" Sasuke interjected. "You'd be surprised, boy." Kuro told him. "How do you want to play this?" Izumi asked. "Move on to Daichi Inoue. There's nothing more we can get from her. It seems like she's become even more batshit crazy than before..." Kuro told her. "And leave Suki be. She's just eating." "Agreed." Izumi said.

Izumi turned to her teammates, and said, "C'mon." And then, Kuro disappeared, and Team 7 walked out of the hallway, and turned left, and kept walking. "Where do we find Daichi?" Naruto asked. "He might still be working as a blacksmith for the guy who owns the Weapons Store." Izumi answered. "So he must have a workshop. Where is it?" Sasuke asked. "Up there-in the part of town above the Hokage Stone Faces." Izumi answered while pointing to it. "Isn't that where Lord Third and the elders live?" Naruto asked. "Yes. His file says that back when he was a young man, he made weapons for Lord First and Lord Second." Izumi answered. "That's why he works and lives up there." "He lives up there? Whoa..." Naruto remarks. "He must get a good view from up there." Yuki commented. "Oh, I know he does. Sometimes I go up and sit on the top of The Fourth Hokage's Stone Face. And I get a Hell of a lot of good views of the village from up there." Naruto told everyone. "Doesn't that seem...dangerous?" Yuki asked. "Oh, no. I've always made sure to stay safe up there." Naruto answered. "Then why go up there at all?" Yuki then asked. "To get some...quiet. It's a good place to take a break, relax, stare at the sky, and...think." Naruto answered. "I go there when I have some really big things to think about." "I see." Yuki replied. They continued walking all the way up to the mountaintop above the Hokage Stone Faces. To their left hand side was the older part of the village where (along with the elders and The Third Hokage) a bunch of old people live and to their right was the rest of the village, which was far below their current location. The three Genin took in the view of the rest of the village from above before Izumi shouted, "C'mon!"

They continued walking to Daichi's House, which had a hut next to it. Smoke was coming out the top of that hut so the four members of Team 7 reasonably assumed that he was still working. They walked up to the hut, and Izumi knocked on the door. "Hello? We're ninjas of the Hidden Leaf! We would like to talk to you!" Izumi shouted. "Just give me a minute!" A gruff voice called out. A moment later, the door opened from the other side. Standing there was an old man with long gray hair, a blue left eye, a right eye that was covered by an eyepatch and a gray beard and mustache. "Are you Daichi Inoue?" Izumi asked. "That I am. Sorry for the long wait. My legs aren't what they used to be." Daichi answered. "It's fine. My name is Izumi Uchiha. And I'm the Jonin-Sensei of these three: Sasuke Uchiha, Yuki Nohara and Naruto Uzumaki." Izumi told him. "We would like to talk to you about three murders that have happened in the village recently. Do you mind if we come inside?" "Not at all." Daichi answered. He stepped aside, and the four of them walked into the hut. The hut was pretty barebones, as far as living spaces or work spaces go. All it has is a blacksmithing workstation, an armor workbench and a stone grinder. There's also a tanning rack with a little chair next to it. Daichi walked over to the chair, and sat down. "I'm sorry I don't have anything to give you." Daichi then told them.

"I'm not the most reliable man at the best of times, it seems..." Daichi mutters. "Why do you say that?" Naruto asked. "Because I've read about the murders in the newspaper. And I know exactly who committed them." Daichi answered. "Who?" Izumi asked. "My Grandson. Aizen." Daichi then answered. "Why do you think it's him?" Yuki asked. "Because the way he's killed those people is an unrefined version of his Father's killing methods. See, my Daughter moved somewhere over in the Land of Blades. And she met a sweet, innocent-looking Hidden Grass Shinobi. It makes sense. You can only live alone out in a town in a foreign land for so long before you start feeling lonely and homesick...and lovesick, I guess. The town was not too far out from the Hidden Grass Village-in fact, the town's mayor used to contact the village because the town needed guards. And my Daughter lived her life surrounded by ninjas until she moved out at eighteen, and moved away from the Hidden Leaf Village. Said she wanted to get away from all the bullshit that comes with being a hidden village in one of the Five Great Nations. So it was only natural that she found love with a Hidden Grass Shinobi named Satoru Suzuki. Three months after they met, they had Aizen. Then, when Aizen turned three years old, my Daughter...she...she died. My Daughter had wanted to surrender custody of Aizen over to me because when Aizen was two years old, Satoru became a rogue ninja, an S-Class Criminal. Do you want to know why?" Daichi asked. "Yes." Izumi answered. "It was discovered that Satoru was killing random villagers in the Hidden Grass Village whenever he wasn't out on deployment and...apparently, he got caught in the act one day. He's felt this insatiable hunger to kill ever since he got his first kill while on duty. And when he was arrested, he took that as them having a grudge against him because even in spite of his murderous ways, he was a good Shinobi." Daichi answered. "Not everyone in our line of work takes to killing as well as others. Some ninjas either give up and quit, or spiral down the road Satoru went. So how does Aizen fit into all this?" Izumi asked.

"After his Mother died, some Hidden Grass ninjas took him to me, and then left him with me. I thought everything was going to be fine. He even enrolled at the Academy, and made a few friends. But then, when he was eight years old, Satoru broke out of the prison he was in, and came all the way here to kidnap his Son, and leave." Daichi answered. "Why didn't you stop him?" Naruto asked. "Because even back then, my body was starting to grow old. Besides, I'm no fighter." Daichi answered. "You could've at least reported it to someone." Izumi suggested. "I did. The only result that got me was a headline in the newspaper. 'GRANDSON OF FAMED HIDDEN LEAF BLACKSMITH LOST! HAS YET TO BE FOUND!' There were also a Hell of a lot of missing posters for my Grandson too, but, again, no actual results came of that. When I came to terms with Aizen's kidnapping, I thought of myself as a shameful Grandfather and an even worse Father for not warning my Daughter to not fall in love with crazy people." Daichi told them. "Satoru must be really old by now. What if these 'unrefined' versions of his methods are just Satoru getting sloppy in his old age?" Naruto theorized. "Because a few years ago, I got word that Satoru died while fighting some Hidden Mist ninjas somewhere in the Land of Fire. His death was later confirmed by the Hidden Mist Village. But the 'child he always had by his side' went missing. Later on, I heard word of murders that looked exactly like they could've been the work of Satoru in the Hidden Mist Village. But the problem was that Satoru was already dead and the methods used to kill the victims were…unrefined, to say the least. The Hidden Mist Police realized that they had a copycat killer on their hands. But despite their best efforts, they never found the perpetrator. And when I heard about the killings from the past few weeks, I knew that my Grandson was using the Hidden Mist Village as his testing grounds." Daichi told him.

"So now, he's here." Sasuke said. "Exactly." Daichi replied. "A killer instinct isn't something you're born with, it's taught." Izumi said. "Right. His Father probably taught him everything he knew." Daichi agreed. "You say that his Father probably taught him. That implies that you didn't know Satoru." Yuki observed. "You're right. I didn't. Never even met 'im, in fact." Daichi said. "So...that's all of what we know about Aizen...do you know his whereabouts?" Izumi asked. "I haven't seen him since he was eight years old so...no." Daichi answered. "And before you ask, no, he hasn't gone to the Academy, either. Hasn't been there since before his Father kidnapped him." "Now, how did you know we were going to ask that?" Izumi then asked. "I've lived here for years, Uchiha. I know ninjas like the back of my hand." Daichi answered. "Alright, then. Naruto, Sasuke, Yuki, I think it's time we left this old man to his work." Izumi said. "Yes. I was growing quite tired. You four gave me the break I needed. Thank you." Dachi said to them.

Naruto, Yuki and Sasuke left the hut and, before Izumi, herself, left, she said, "For what it's worth, you are not to blame for what happened to Aizen. If anything, it might as well be Satoru's fault for becoming a rogue ninja and kidnapping your Grandson like that. Maybe, at some later point, the two of you can reconcile. Wouldn't you like that?"

Daichi smiled, and said, "I would." "Goodbye." Izumi said. "Goodbye." Daichi replied.

As soon as Izumi got outside, Team Ro appeared. "Well...?" Izumi asks. "We looked up the reports Daichi was talking about and our findings were

...interesting." Kuro answered. "Interesting how?" Izumi asked. "It's probably best not to talk about it in such a public setting. Meet us back at the Police Station." Kuro told her. "Right!" Izumi shouted while nodding. Team Ro then disappeared. "It always weirds me out when they do that." Naruto commented. "Let's get back to the Police Station, you three." Izumi told them. They then started walking.

---

Back at the Hidden Leaf Police Station, Team Ro and Team 7 met in the same room where they first met when the mission began, standing around the table on which they first saw the bits of evidence Team Ro already had. "So what did you mean by 'interesting'?" Izumi asked. "Daichi wasn't lying, but he wasn't telling the truth, either." Kuro answered. He then handed her a picture of Daichi, and two other people who are presumed to be Daichi's Daughter and Son-In-Law. Daichi's Daughter was also holding a baby in her arms, the reason Izumi assumed she was Daichi's Daughter. "A picture, eh? So Daichi and Satoru have met..." Izumi says. "That picture was taken on Aizen's first birthday. Also..." Kuro says. Kuro then handed her a newspaper. Izumi put the picture down, and read the newspaper. "So that newspaper about Daichi's missing Grandson was true, and yet-" "But look at the date." Kuro said, interrupting Izumi. Izumi took a look at the date. "No way..." Izumi says. "What is it, Sensei?" Naruto asked. "Based on the date of this newspaper, either Aizen is older-or younger-than Daichi believed him to be, or maybe he lied about when, exactly, Aizen's Mom left home, and became a Mother. Or maybe...maybe...it wasn't Satoru who kidnapped Aizen after all..." Izumi theorizes. "Then why don't we get the truth from that old man! He lied to us!" Naruto shouted. "That's not necessary, Naruto." Neko told him. "What do we do, then?" Naruto asked. "There's...There's a guy I know. A Hidden Grass Shinobi I befriended a few years back, right around the same time Satoru died. I was delivering a peace treaty from the Land of Wind to the Hidden Grass Village, where The Kusakage-the Hidden Grass' version of The Hokage-was supposed to deliver it to the Feudal Lord of the Land of Blades, which was the Hidden Grass Village's host nation. The Feudal Lords of both nations were at odds with each other-so much so, that both were thinking about declaring war on each other. Both The Kazekage and The Kusakage knew that if both nations went to war, their villages would be involved and the Hidden Sand did not have the funds to sustain such a war while the Hidden Grass did not have the manpower necessary for a war. But there was a rogue ninja from the Hidden Grass Village who nearly threatened the entire thing-no, it was not Satoru. Anyway, the guy I'm talking about knew Satoru." Neko answered. "What are you thinking?" Karasu asked. "That we can use my guy as a source of information from within the Hidden Grass Village. His name's Satoshi Kuze." Neko also answered. "The Hidden Grass Village is pretty far away, Neko. I think Naruto's plan, while simple and brash, is easier and quicker." Kuro told her. "Oh, I have my ways of making this quick..." Neko says.

Neko turned around, walked over to the middle of the room, weaved together five hand signs, and slammed her hand on the floor while shouting, "Summoning Jutsu!" And then, Neko lifted up her hand, and a white cat with yellow eyes and a black Hidden Leaf headband around its neck appeared.

The cat curiously looked around, and then it looked up at Neko, and meowed curiously. "Hey, Kai, I was wondering if you could send a message to Satoshi." Neko said. The cat who is apparently named Kai nodded at Neko, and then Neko crouched down, and whispered the details into Kai's ears. Neko stood back up, and Kai nodded in acknowledgement. Kai then disappeared. "Wow! That was so cool! Sensei! Sensei! Can I learn that?" Naruto asked. 'Of course, He'd ask that.' Izumi thought.

"No. You're not ready yet." Izumi answered. "Aww..." Naruto whined. "I've heard of that Jutsu. It's called the Summoning Jutsu. It's a Space-Time Ninjutsu that lets you teleport a Summoning Animal from it's home-for example, Ryuchi Cave or Dragontail Vale-and to you." Yuki said. "Yes, provided that you sign a contract in blood with the animal's corresponding Summoning Scroll." Neko replied. "That was a Messenger Cat, wasn't it?" Sasuke asked. "Why, yes. His name is Kai." Neko asked. "How did you know?" "The Uchiha have also been known to use Summoning Cats." Izumi interjected. "You could say we're...well-acquainted with the feline species." Sasuke added. "You know how wrong that sounds, right?" Naruto replied, starting to giggle. "Shut up, loser!" Sasuke shouted. Yuki started to laugh, too.

"Not you too..." Sasuke mutters, pouting.

"Hey! We're taking part in a murder investigation here, remember?" Izumi reminded them. Yuki and Naruto then stopped laughing. "Thank you."

"I was just trying to lighten the mood..." Naruto mutters. Sasuke glared at Naruto.

"Don't give him that look, Sasuke. You choose to word it that way." Izumi chastised.

Kai then appeared right back where he was. Neko crouched down, and Kai whispered some things in her ear. Team 7 and the other members of Team Ro couldn't hear them because they were kinda far away. Once Kai was done, Neko stood back up, and said, "Thank you, Kai."

Kai then disappeared again.

"There. Now, he's safely back in Nekotana City." Neko said. "There's a city full of cats?" Naruto asked. "To put it simply, Naruto, yes." Izumi answered. "So what's the situation?" "The truth of the matter is a little...complicated. Satoru is simply one of three male triplets, the others being Shizuo and Aizawa. It's claimed that one of Satoru's first victims was Shizuo. And while it was true that Shizuo was killed, Satoru wasn't the one that murdered him. It was Aizawa. Or, that's what was found out, anyway. Everyone in the village thought it was Satoru because all the evidence pointed to someone matching Satoru's description. What the villagers of the Hidden Grass Village didn't know was that Aizawa was the one who displayed violent tendencies after getting his first kill while on duty, not Satoru. For that reason, Aizawa's family, a very influential clan within the Hidden Grass Village, had The Kusakage drop Aizawa from the program, and put him under house arrest in this cottage outside the village owned by said family. They did not want anyone to know of Aizawa's existence after the fact so they told the village that Aizawa was killed in action while on duty." Neko explained.

"Hmm. Not surprising. It's likely that they thought that Aizawa's actions would've hurt the clan's reputation village-wide." Izumi assessed. "How did Aizawa commit those murders if he was locked up in that cottage all the time?" Naruto asked. "How else? Aizawa would often break out of his cottage at night to kill those people. When it was apparent that Satoru would be the one blamed for those killings, he convinced The Kusakage to send him on a long assignment outside the village." Neko explained. "He thought it'd give him a solid alibi for the killings." "Which leads to Satoru meeting Aizen's Mother." Izumi said. "Not only meeting her, but also marrying her." Kuro said, handing her a picture taken on the day of the wedding. Again, Aizen's Mother was carrying a baby Aizen. Izumi found herself smiling at baby Aizen before regaining her emotional composure, and asking, "How old was Aizen in this photo?" "One year. Why do you ask?" Kuro asked in reply. "N-No reason." Izumi lied while blushing and putting the picture on the table. "Anyway, when Aizawa killed a fifteen-year-old Hidden Grass Kunoichi named Itsuki Majima, the whole village was outraged. The girl was a member of the Majima Clan, who are the rivals of the Suzuki Clan. To keep the peace between the clans, The Kusakage was forced to frame Satoru for all the murders-regardless of his innocence. And so, a couple of Hidden Grass ninjas went to the village where he was staying, and arrested Satoru, and then brought him back to the village to be tried for the crimes. Satoru was sentenced to life imprisonment while the Suzuki Clan had strengthened the security measures around Aizawa's Cottage. Then, five years later, Aizawa had escaped from the cottage, and fled from the village. To keep the calm in the village, they had to say that Satoru escaped the prison, and ran off and then, they transferred Satoru to another prison with harsher security measures just to keep Satoru from actually escaping and to prevent any curious outsiders who might stumble upon the prison, and discover the truth of Satoru's fate." Neko told them. "Damn. And I thought my clan was bad..." Izumi says.

"So how does this tell us where Aizen currently is?" Kuro asked. "The Hidden Grass is allied with the Hidden Leaf. Therefore, their clans are pretty friendly with our clans. Because of that, it's safe to say that he could've been and also could be hiding in any of the three Suzuki Summer Homes in the Hidden Leaf Village." Neko answered. "Of course!" Okami shouted. He then pulled out a scroll, and put it on the table to reveal that it contained a map of the entire Hidden Leaf Village. He then pointed to the three locations of the summer homes. "How do you know this?" Izumi asked. "Let's just say that I'm a friend of the Suzuki Clan." Okami replied. Not wanting to question it any further, Izumi turned to Team 7, and said, "Alright, you three. We're going to search each of those summer homes until we find Aizawa." "Right!" All three Genin shouted. "Team Ro, same thing." Kuro ordered. All the members of Team Ro then disappeared. Team 7, meanwhile, ran out of the Police Station, and continued running.

---

The first summer home is on the village's western outskirts (somewhere in the forest near the Hidden Leaf Training Grounds) and Team 7 started searching the home for Aizen.

He was not there.

"Damn!" Naruto shouted, all four members of Team 7 meeting in the house's living room. "Where could that guy be?" "Don't worry, Naruto. We have two other places to check-" KABOOM! Izumi was interrupted by the sound of an explosion. "What the Hell was that?!" Yuki shouted. The four of them ran outside into the house's front yard, and saw a large black cloud of smoke rising into the air. "That looks like it came from the park." Izumi said. "Let's go!"

They ran all the way to that park in the village, and found a little house that was destroyed.

"That's funny. I thought this house was a part of the shrine behind it." Yuki said. "So did I." Izumi replied. Yuki looked around to see if anyone was nearby (because a small explosion like this one isn't triggered from very far away) when she saw the bridge where she first asked Naruto to come away with her, and go all the way to the Hidden Sand Village. It was then that Yuki realized something: when this mission is over, everything's going to be about the Chunin Exams. Things are going to start ramping up in the Hidden Leaf Village soon and it'll be all the more troublesome. She also realized that a good chunk of her likes this place. They care about their comrades (which means that they'll probably fight like Hell against her when she captures Naruto) they treat everyone in their village like family and unlike The One-Tail's Jinchuriki, The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki is actually a nice and sociable guy. Even when she's done some pretty horrible things to him, he still has that same smile, that same goofball personality that makes him come off as a little kid and a barking puppy who thinks they're a big dog and barks the loudest. It makes her believe that the village must've done something really good to him if he's this happy and goofy all the time.

'I'm really going to miss this place...' Yuki thought.

She then pulls herself out of her own thoughts, and comes back to reality. "Hey! Yuki, we're going in there!" Naruto shouted. "I'm coming, goofball!" Yuki shouted. Yuki ran up to the rest of her team, and they walked into the destroyed house. "Good Kami..." Naruto says. They saw the dead bodies of the members of Team Ro strewn all across the floor. Some have had beams that had fallen down on them as a cause of the explosion while others looked like they were readying a Jutsu that was supposed to erase every trace of their existence but they bled out and died too fast for that to work. The only Team Ro member alive seems to be Neko, who came out of the shadows just in front of them and looks to be severely injured. "Well. This isn't good. At all." Neko remarked. "No kidding." Yuki agreed.

Neko's mask started cracking, and then, it shattered into pieces. Naruto was shocked. "You're-You're..." Naruto says. "Hey, Naruto." Neko said. "You know Neko?" Izumi asked. "I met her back when I was waiting for you guys in the Library." Naruto answered. "So this is...Neko is...Yugao." Izumi deduced. "Izumi Uchiha, you clever bitch." Yugao said. "In any case, yes, I'm Yugao, Yugao Uzuki." "Well...uh...I guess I have you to thank for keeping Naruto busy while we searched for suspects." Izumi said. "Thank you." Yuki said genuinely and gratefully.

"Anyway, that explosion mustn't have been triggered too terribly far away. So that must mean that Aizen is around here, somewhere-" "No, Sasuke. That isn't what happened." Yugao said, interrupting Sasuke. "What, then?" Sasuke asked. "When the other members of Team Ro and I entered this place, we all felt that something was about to go off. We thought the same thing you thought-that Aizen was nearby, and he was just fucking with us but Okami told us that this place was actually rigged with what the Suzuki Clan calls 'outsider tags', which are explosive tags that are supposed to go off the moment someone who isn't of the Suzuki Clan." Yugao explained. "...and you can guess what happened next." "Right. None of you are members of that clan so it only makes sense." Izumi said. "So the tags were set up by someone else, not Aizen or Aizawa." Sasuke deduced. "Exactly. So it would've gone off regardless if we were here under the context of a murder investigation or not." Yugao said. "Do you have anything to confirm that it was rigged explosive tags?" Yuki smartly asked. Yugao took one of the explosive tags out of her pocket, and showed it to them. It looked like almost any other explosive tag, except a hawk-like symbol was embedded into the tag's formula. "What's that hawk in the formula?" Yuki then asked. "That's the Suzuki Clan's symbol or crest or whatever you clan ninjas wanna call it. It's the reason why a Suzuki Clan member won't set off the tags." Yugao answered. Yugao then put the tag back in her pocket. "Did the search of the summer home in the west bear any fruit?" "No, but we're lucky because the house we were in didn't blow up on us." Izumi answered. "Then Aizen must be in that last one-the one in the village's east side. Let's go." Yugao told everyone. Yugao was about to run off ahead, but Izumi stopped her. "Wait!" She shouted. "What is it? There's a criminal we have to catch, remember?" Yugao asked. "You're injured, Yugao. You need the Hidden Leaf Hospital or at least a medic. You also need a new Neko mask, if I'm not mistaken." Izumi told her. Yugao sighed. "You're right. It's just...my friends died on a stupid mission like this. If I died alongside my friends on Team Ro, I'd rather do it protecting Naruto than catching some serial killer." She told them. "Wait, what?" Naruto asked. Yugao chuckled. "You'll find out some other time." She answered before walking away. "She's right, Naruto. We've still got a mission to finish." Izumi said.

They then ran right over to the village's east side, near where the Uchiha Compound is. "Alright, so this is right around the last place Okami pointed to when he pointed out the summer homes' locations to us." Sasuke said. "Alright. Spread out. Start searching around. Sasuke, you can go back, and wait outside the compound's gates if this place gets you a bit too emotional. I know you struggle with that when it comes to Uchiha-related things." Izumi ordered.

"Trust me, I'll struggle with keeping my emotions in check, too." Izumi muttered.

Yuki mischievously smirked. 'Might as well see what kinda dirt I can dig up on the Hidden Leaf Village.' Yuki thought. Yuki ran off, and came across the Uchiha's Main House. 'Oh? This must be where Sasuke used to live.' Yuki then thought.

Yuki walked into the house, and snuck around in case anyone else might come and interfere with her fun. Every ninja in the Hidden Sand calls her crazy for this, but she personally thinks of being a spy as a fun little game.

She found that the house was rather...barren. Kinda boring. 'Then again, how else is it supposed to be when the majority of the clan's been killed?' Yuki thought. She snuck around some more, and found a barren room with a little paper in it.

'Hello...what are you?' Yuki thought. Yuki opened the sliding door, and walked into the room. She then walked over to the little piece of paper, and picked it up.

It reads:

I got tired of missions.

At this rate, the Uchiha will have no future.

And neither will I...

I am unable to walk the "path" any further.

'Damn. This reads like a suicide note. And what does the "path" mean?' Yuki thought.

She then pockets the letter. 'Something tells me I'd better hold onto this little note.' Yuki thought.

She then heard sounds of fighting.

Yuki ran back out of the house, and heard the sounds of fighting coming from the Nakano Shrine. Yuki turned right, and ran all the way to the Nakano Shrine, where she found Izumi and Sasuke just standing around. "So you heard it too, huh?" Izumi asked. Yuki nodded. "What happened?" Sasuke asked. "Naruto was searching around here...I think." Izumi answered. "I don't know what happened after that..."

Sasuke then noticed something. "Look! There! To the left of the entrance to the shrine!" He shouted. They all looked where Sasuke directed them to, and saw an open trapdoor. "A trapdoor..." Yuki says. "What would a clan like the Suzuki Clan have to gain from being so secretive?" "And why would the Head of the Uchiha allow such a thing to be here?" Sasuke asked. "Those are questions we can all answer later. For now, we go help Naruto." Izumi told them. They all ran up to the trapdoor, and went down the ladder as quickly as they could to turn around, and find the underground summer home's main hall once they were on solid ground. 'This place is as big as a basketball court...' Yuki thought. Halfway ahead of them, they saw Naruto standing in between five other Naruto Shadow Clones and facing off against a man dressed in a Hidden Leaf Jonin uniform and flak jacket. He had long messy blue hair and black eyes and he wore black sunglasses, too.

"You're good, boy...but not good enough for me." The man said. He then casted the Raging Waves Jutsu at Naruto. Izumi casted the Mud Wall Jutsu to block the stream of water coming for Naruto and his clones. Naruto and his clones looked around to see who casted the Mud Wall Jutsu only for one of his clones to spot Yuki, Izumi and Sasuke. "Hey! Look!" The clone called. The others spotted them, too. Izumi sighed as the three of them walked up to Naruto. "Loser." Sasuke said. "You goofball." Yuki said while chuckling a bit. "What? What did I do this time?" Naruto asked. "You drew the enemy's attention to us. You're lucky that guy didn't attack us." Sasuke answered. "He's right. Who is that guy, anyway?" Izumi asked. "Well, I just came down here, he asked me if I'm here to look for him, I was like, 'who's asking' and he goes, 'Aizen Suzuki' and then he threw kunai knives at me! He then casted a Wind-Style Jutsu at me. I dodged the kunai knives, and then I countered the Wind-Style Jutsu with my Fireball Jutsu, and then some big explosion happened. That was when you guys came here, and saved me from his Raging Waves Jutsu. Thanks for that, by the way." Naruto explained. "I didn't really have a counter for that Wind-Style Jutsu since I only know the Fire Punch Jutsu and the Fireball Jutsu." "You're very welcome, Naruto. By the way, I think it's time that I teach you three new Jutsus-later, that is." Izumi said. "Alright, we need a plan to take this guy down. We can't kill him unless capture is absolutely impossible, do you three understand?"

The three Genin nodded. "Alright. Let's try this..." Izumi says.

Aizen threw a couple of kunai knives with explosive tags taped on them at the mud wall, and the mud wall was destroyed instantly. Team 7 had to separate a bit in order to avoid the debris.

"You think you can fool me? I am a Suzuki! I am the greatest ninja of all time!" Aizen yelled. He then laughed as he started randomly throwing kunai knives at Team 7. Naruto dodged the kunai knives while Yuki, Sasuke and Izumi blocked the kunai knives with their own kunai knives.

After dodging the last one, Yuki said, "This guy is crazy." "He never attended the Academy. What is he even talking about?" Naruto asked. "He must have some sort of mental illness." Izumi theorized out loud. Naruto looked confused. "She said what I said in much less simple...and way softer terms." Yuki explained to Naruto. "Well, what do we do?" Sasuke asked. "Well, we stick to the plan. Although, this time, I don't think it's going to be possible to talk to him...not while he's using ninja tools and Ninjutsus to throw a temper tantrum at us." Izumi told them.

Naruto pulled out a kunai knife, and then, they ran up to him alongside Naruto's clones. And when they were within melee range of Aizen, Aizen managed to defeat all the clones, but then, the real Naruto kicked him in the head. Aizen tried fighting back, but Naruto easily dodged his attacks. Same goes for Yuki when he tried attacking her, instead. After that, Aizen targeted Sasuke and ran up to him with a raised fist. But then, Sasuke threw a bunch of smoke pellets onto the ground, and smoke filled the room. Then, out of nowhere, Sasuke took him down with two punches and some kicks. Izumi then used the Gale Palm Jutsu to literally clear the air. Everyone saw an unconscious Aizen on the ground. Naruto, Izumi and Yuki all walked up to the unconscious Aizen, and then, Izumi said, "Good job, Sasuke."

Suddenly, two members of the Anbu appeared, and arrested Aizen while he was still unconscious. They then disappeared with Aizen in tow.

Much, much later, Team 7 was at the Mission Assignment Desk, receiving accolades and their pay from The Hokage. "Well done, you four. I imagine you would've made a great Police Ninja, Sasuke. Naruto, you did well, as well. You found the murderer first and you aided in his capture. So did you, Yuki. I imagine that you'd serve well as a member of the Anbu under my direct control. Not that I am making any such considerations now." Lord Third commended. Izumi then looked at Lord Third, who looked at her and they nodded at each other before Lord Third said, "Alright, congratulations are over now. You shall take a break. I imagine your mission must've tired you out." "Yes, Lord Hokage. Thank you." Izumi replied. The Hokage granted them permission to leave, and they did.

Yuki went back to her house, and decided to take a break in the living room on the couch after sitting down. But all hopes of a break were washed away when Terumi appeared. "How did your mission go?" He asked. "It was completed." Yuki answered. "Good." Terumi said. She then decided to ask him about something. "Um, Sir, near the end of the mission, we were searching around the Uchiha Compound for the murderer, and I came across something when I was searching the Uchiha's Main House." Yuki told him. She gave him the note she found. Terumi opened the note, and read it. "This reads like a suicide note." Terumi commented. "That's what I thought, as well so my next question was, who committed suicide and why'd the Hidden Leaf leave that note there after the Massacre?" Yuki also told him. He then looked as though he realized something. "Shisui Uchiha." Terumi said. "Who?" Yuki asked. "Shisui Uchiha was an old friend of Itachi Uchiha. He's the one who committed suicide and probably wrote this note." Terumi answered. "Why would he do that?" Yuki then asked. "Why would you want to know?" Terumi asked. "I'm going to have to take Naruto at some point in time and both Izumi and Sasuke are going to fight me over it so if I am to stand any chance against those two Sharingan-wielders and get outta here with The foolhardy Jinchuriki, I think I'm going to have to sow discord and chaos. Break up Team 7 more than it already would've been broken up. And while Izumi is more reserved when it comes to the Uchiha Massacre, Sasuke isn't. He's going to be so confused and angry that Izumi will be too distracted with trying to calm him down that when they finally regain their composure, and reunite, Naruto and I will be long gone." Yuki explained.

"Well...in that case, maybe it is beneficial that you learn what few details that the Hidden Sand has on the Uchiha Massacre. It started some time after the Nine-Tails Incident, when The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox came, and wrecked the Hidden Leaf Village. The Fourth Hokage died while sealing The Fox inside Naruto, as we now know, thanks to you, and that was that. People wanted someone to be responsible for the attack since The Nine-Tails inflicted so much damage on the village and killed so many people. People wanted to put the blame on the Uchiha even though there was no evidence of that. And so...the tensions between the village and the Uchiha started from that point on. Both The Hokage and The Uchiha Clan head, Fugaku Uchiha, tried opening branches of peace numerous times as the years went on. But those either failed or went absolutely nowhere. To make matters worse, the Uchiha Clan was forced to move it's compound to the outskirts of the village and the tougher assignments the Hidden Leaf Police used to get were reassigned to the Anbu Black Ops while the Police Ninjas got relegated to beat cop duty." Terumi told her. "Why are we talking about the cops, now?" Yuki asked. "Because the Uchihas founded the Hidden Leaf Police Force-that's the reason why it's always in the Uchiha Compound. Anyway, there were reports of scuffles between the Police Ninjas and drunk villagers because even the villagers came to hate and spite the Uchiha. There were also rumors swirling around the village that the Uchiha were planning a coup." Terumi explained. "So could that note be about the coup? Or the result of some foiled attempt to stop it?" Yuki asked. "It's unknown, but I can have our other spies look into it." Terumi answered. "Good work. When Lord Fourth Kazekage gets here, he'll tell us when to strike. Otherwise, take a break and wait for Izumi's message regarding the Chunin Exams." "Yes, Sir." Yuki acknowledged. Terumi then disappeared.

---

Just half a week later, Izumi was called to The Hokage's Tower. Specifically, to this big red room called The Hokage's Chamber, where Lord Third sits on this pillow and smokes his pipe all day...at least, that's what Izumi presumes he does in that room when he's not in his office.

She walked to The Hokage's Tower then all the way up to The Hokage's Chamber, where a bunch of other Jonin were standing around. Here, Izumi saw three friends of hers: Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi (who just became a Jonin and a Jonin-Sensei) and Asuma Sarutobi, the Son of The Third Hokage. Izumi heard that Lord Third and Asuma have not always had the best Father-Son relationship.

Izumi also noticed that a lot of older Chunin and even Chunin Academy Teachers like Iruka are here. Izumi was blushing because she saw Iruka, but she then regained her composure, and pressed forward.

The Jonin, Jonin-Senseis, Chunin and Chunin Academy Teachers all assembled in front of The Hokage. "I have summoned you for a very important purpose. Seeing your fellow Jonin here, I'm sure you realize what this is about." Lord Third said. "So soon?" Asuma muttered. 'Here we go...' Izumi thought. "I take it all the other lands have been notified. I noticed some of their Genin here in the village." Asuma said. 'So have I.' Izumi thought. "And, when do we start?" Kurenai asked. 'Good question...' Izumi thought. "We will begin in one week." Lord Third answered. "That's pretty short notice." Izumi commented. "Take heed: Exactly seven days from today, on the first day of July, the Genin will be gathered and tested. Only the very best will be selected as Chunin." Lord Third told them. "In any case, it's time we chose our candidates for the Chunin Exams. To begin, will the Jonin-Senseis in charge of the rookie Genin step forward?" Lord Third then asked.

Asuma, Kurenai and Izumi stepped forward. "Izumi, Kurenai and Asuma, what do you say? Are there any in your squads who you'd recommend? Are they ready for the Exams despite their inexperience? As you know, any Genin who has carried out eight or more missions is technically eligible for the Exams. Beyond that, only you can decide when they are ready. Of course, most Genin require a much longer training period and at least twice that many missions." Lord Third said. Izumi saw Iruka looking concerned. She just knows that Iruka will make a fool of himself in front of everyone. "So, Izumi, you begin." Lord Third told her.

'Alright, here goes...' Izumi thought.

"I lead Team 7: Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki and Yuki Nohara. I, Izumi Uchiha, recommend all three of these Genin for the Chunin Exams." Izumi said.

Then, Kurenai got her turn.

"And my team is number 8: Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame. And now I, Kurenai Yuhi, recommend all three."

And finally, Asuma.

"And my team is number 10: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi. And now I, Asuma Sarutobi, recommend all three."

The recommendations got the other Jonin to quietly chatter amongst themselves, surprised that nine rookie Genin are going to enter the Chunin Exams.

"Hold on, just a minute!" Iruka shouted. "Yes? What is it, Iruka?" Lord Third asked. 'I knew he would start something.' Izumi thought.

"Iruka, back down." Izumi told him. "No! I won't!" Iruka shouted. "Let him have his piece, Izumi." Lord Third said. "Lord Hokage, with all respect, the nine names that were mentioned were all my students at the Academy. I know their skills and abilities. Every one of them has great promise, but it's too soon. They need more experience before they are tested. If they try now, they're sure to fail the Exams." Iruka then said. "When Kakashi became a Chunin, he was younger than Naruto." Izumi told him. "Naruto is nothing like Kakashi! We're also not at war, so what the Hell is the rush for?!" Iruka yelled. "Are you trying to destroy him?" "Eh, I've gotta admit that I had my own misgivings about him joining the Exams, but upon further reflection, it might be a bit fun for him. Besides, you're not his Sensei anymore, I am. And he told me he wants to prove himself. If that's what Naruto wants, who am I to not recommend him for the Exams?" Izumi told him. "Wha-What did you say?!" Iruka shouted. "I asked you, who am I to not give him this chance to prove himself? Well...? I'm waiting for an answer." Izumi replied. "But seriously, Iruka. Relax. Listen, I understand how you feel. It's very personal for you and it upsets you but-" "Alright, Izumi. Back off, you've said enough." Kurenai told her, interrupting her fellow Jonin. "On the contrary, Kurenai, he needs to hear this. He needs to realize that they're not his students anymore, they're mine. So it's my decision, not his." Izumi replied. "But these Exams could kill them, you know that!" Iruka argued. "Iruka. You have made your point. I understand." Lord Third said. "Lord Hokage..." Iruka says. "Accordingly, I have decided that the best thing to do is to hold a special preliminary test." Lord Third then said. "Pre...Preliminary test?" Iruka asked. Izumi, Kurenai and Asuma sighed.

Later, Izumi met with her students in the alleyway where she first met Naruto, and gave them one form to fill out. "I know this is a bit sudden, but I recommended you for the Chunin Exams. All three of you. Those are the application forms." Izumi told them. "Chunin Exams...?" Naruto asks. Izumi chuckled. "It means you'll get promoted to Chunin if you do very well in these Exams. However, if one of you wavers, and decides not to apply, then all three of you can't enter the Exams." She clarified. "You are to submit these forms to me within a week because July 1st is when the First Exam starts." "Uh...okay." Naruto said.

After her Genin students leave the alleyway, Izumi sighs. 'I just hope I've made the right choice.' She thought.

---

Over time, more and more Genin from the other hidden villages started to pour into the Hidden Leaf Village en masse.

In the meantime, the three Genin from Team 7 handed in their applications for the Exams and then, a week after receiving the application forms, Izumi met the three of them outside the classroom where the First Exam was to be held.

"Izumi-Sensei..." Naruto says. "Glad you came. Now, you can all enter the Chunin Exams." Izumi said. "Yuki...Naruto...and Sasuke...I'm proud of you. I couldn't have asked for a better team. Good Luck." Izumi smiled before she stepped aside, and let her students walk through the door to the classroom. "We won't let you down, Sensei! Believe it!" Naruto shouted.

Izumi's expression then changed to a more serious one after the door closed. 'I pray they make it through this.' Izumi thought.

Later, while the First Exam was taking place, Izumi, Asuma and Kurenai were up in the Academy's staff lounge, lounging around. Izumi was sitting on a bench while Asuma and Kurenai sat on the couch across from her.

"It's quiet without the rookies around. I almost miss 'em." Izumi commented. "Don't worry. Chances are, they'll be back again sooner than you think." Asuma replied. "Why's that?" Izumi asked. "I heard that the First Exam's Proctor is Ibiki." Asuma answered. Izumi was shocked. 'So...already, their chances of passing look iffy.' Izumi thought.

"Great. They're sticking them with that sadist right off the bat." Izumi sarcastically remarked. Every instinct in Izumi is telling her to get her Genin, and hold them back for a few more years like she planned to, but that's not possible right now.

"Huh? What sadist?" Kurenai asked. Asuma chuckled. "I forgot you're a new Jonin, Kurenai. Otherwise, you wouldn't have to ask that." Asuma then said. "So, I'm ignorant. Who is he?" Kurenai then asked. "He's what you might call...a specialist." Izumi answered. "Oh yeah? In what?" Kurenai questioned. Asuma looked at Kurenai, and said, "Interrogation, torture." "Huh?" Kurenai also asked. "Not physical torture, he won't need to. That's not really his thing, anyway." Asuma answered. "He works on people's minds, not their bodies. He's famous for it. Everyone knows about the Head of the Anbu Torture and Interrogation Corps, Ibiki Morino." "Damn. Now, I almost feel sorry for my team..." Kurenai comments. "I know what you mean." Izumi replied.

Later, it turned out that Team 7 passed the First Exam. Izumi couldn't believe it. Izumi was walking home at night, letting the thought that Team 7, and more specifically, Naruto made it past the first one. She thought he was going to hold the two others back unintentionally, based on how hard she heard Ibiki's test was. Apparently, though, it was all a test about showing courage and determination in the face of a no-win situation. And when she heard all about Ibiki's test, Izumi remembered that Naruto has courage and determination in spades. The boy probably could lift a mountain while standing near a volcano with his kind of courage. 'Maybe we all haven't been working him hard enough.' Izumi thought. Izumi decided that she just might change that when the Exams are all over.

When she was about to get home, Anko appeared using the Teleportation Jutsu, and approached her. "You heard that your little shits passed Ibiki's test?" Anko asked. Izumi nodded in response. "Great. Tell 'em to meet me at Training Ground 44. And tell 'em to head there tomorrow." "The Forest of Death?! Why?" Izumi asked. Anko used the Teleportation Jutsu to disappear. Izumi scoffed.

'I thought we were supposed to be best friends.' Izumi thought. Izumi then continued walking home.

---

The very next day, while the Second Exam was going on, Izumi was watching live footage of the Second Exam in the tower in the middle of the Forest of Death alongside Lord Third and some other Jonin and Chunin. Even the Jonin-Senseis from the other villages are here. 'Three days?' Izumi thought. She heard the parameters of the test before any of the Genin. 'That's all they're getting? I hope they're okay...I also hope that Naruto doesn't grow impatient throughout this part of the Exams.'

Izumi then took notice of another team. They consist of: A blonde girl with four spiky and round pigtails who was dressed in a rather casual outfit and had a big fan sheathed onto her back, a boy dressed in some weird black onesie with some kind of mummy on his back and purple face paint, and a strange girl with long red hair who was dressed in a red t-shirt and had a large beige gourd on her back. She looked pretty enough but what's so strange about her is her creepy blue eyes and that stoic expression on her face. "Who are they...?" Izumi thought out loud without thinking about it. "That's my squad." A Jonin from the Hidden Sand Village answered. He seemed to wear the typical Hidden Sand Jonin uniform and had the typical Hidden Sand headgear. He also had some sort of a red marking on his face. Izumi turned to him, and walked up to him. "What are their names?" Izumi asked. "The boy with the wrapped up puppet on his back is Kankuro, the girl with four pigtails is his Sister, Temari and the redhead is Kankuro's other Sister, Mori." The Hidden Sand Jonin answered. "Uh...cool." Izumi said. "You seem...interesting. One of the few Jonin here not wearing the typical Hidden Leaf Jonin uniform." The Hidden Sand Jonin remarked. "What's your name?" "Izumi Uchiha." Izumi answered. The Hidden Sand Jonin looked surprised. "And you...?" Izumi then asked. "I am Baki." The Hidden Sand Jonin answered after regaining his composure. "Are you alright?" Izumi also asked. "Uh...yeah. It's just...to meet one of the last Uchiha is...a once in a lifetime event for someone like me, frankly." Baki answered. "Well, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance." Izumi said. "Where's your team?" Baki asked. "S-Somewhere in the forest, I guess. Although, between you and me, I don't have high hopes for them." Izumi answered."Why not?" Baki then asked. "Well...let's just say...one of my team members is even more childish than he already looks. And someone like him doesn't have much patience for a three-day-long test like this. He probably thinks that he can beat his opponents, get the scrolls, and be here by tonight." Izumi answered. "Even though you and I both know it's not that simple." "Why'd you sign 'em up for the Exams, then?" Baki questioned. "To test my own faith. I want to see if I'm wrong...or if I'm right." Izumi answered. "Then maybe we should watch what they're doing. Eh, Izumi?" Lord Third interjected.

The footage of Baki's team switched over to the live footage of Team 7 only for them to notice something very alarming. A lone Hidden Grass Kunoichi seems to have skills far surpassing that of a normal Genin. More to the point, something seems a little...off about that Kunoichi. And where's Yuki? She also saw that Naruto was down, and Sasuke was fighting said Kunoichi alone. Also, Sasuke seems to be struggling against the Kunoichi.

Suddenly, five members of the Anbu appeared. "Sir! We have reason to believe that Orochimaru is here!" One of the masked ninjas reported. "What?" One Jonin whispered. "Orochimaru?!" Another Jonin asked. 'Orochimaru?' Izumi thought. She hasn't had to think about that name...or that man, for that matter, since she last talked to Anko as a friend. "Look! On the screen!" Kurenai shouted. [AN: Did I forget to mention that Kurenai, Guy, and Asuma are in the tower, too? I did? Oh well. At least you know now.]

Everyone looked towards the footage and saw that Sasuke somehow managed to damage the Kunoichi, only for said Kunoichi to rip off her own face, and reveal that it was Orochimaru that Team 7 had been fighting all along. "I've gotta go!" Izumi shouted. "Izumi, wait!" Lord Third shouted. "Why, Lord Third? Those three are in great danger. Don't tell me you mean that Orochimaru is a part of this test too." Izumi said. "No, he is not a part of the test. But the fact remains that this battle won't last long...and I'm almost sure none of them will die." Lord Third answered. "But this is Orochimaru, we're talking about." A Hidden Leaf Jonin said. "Yes, it is. And Orochimaru's a scientist, not a murderer. He doesn't kill without reason or if he doesn't absolutely have to. As confident in their abilities as I am, even I admit that Naruto, Yuki and Sasuke are no match for Orochimaru. He will probably toy with them until he gets what he wants." Lord Third explained. They then saw Orochimaru dash towards Sasuke and bite the left side of Sasuke's neck before heading back to his original position, and saying a few things that aren't heard (because this footage only had video, no audio) before he disappeared. Yuki then jumped in, and grabbed Naruto and Sasuke before running away.

Izumi then used the Teleportation Jutsu to disappear, and appear somewhere in the forest. She snuck around until she found her team. Izumi ran up to them, and said, "Guys? Guys! Are you all alright?" "Izumi-Sensei!" Yuki said cheerfully. "Are you-they alright?" Izumi asked. "Yes. They're just unconscious right now." Yuki answered. Izumi sighed. "I see." She replied. Izumi then noticed something on the side of Sasuke's neck, right around where Orochimaru bit it. 'Oh no...it can't be...!' Izumi thought. She crouched down, and checked Sasuke's neck. On Sasuke's neck is a black curse mark that looks like the three tomoe of the Sharingan.

'I knew it.' Izumi thought. Izumi checked his pulse. 'He's alive, at least.'

Izumi then stood up, and turned to Yuki. "What is that marking?" Yuki asked. Izumi was tempted to scold her for abandoning her teammates, but now isn't the time for that. "It's a curse mark. One of Orochimaru's specialties is giving them to people he deems worth making a lab rat out of." Izumi explained. "Sasuke will be fine. For now. But when the Second Exam is over, bring him to me." "Why?" Yuki then asked. "I know a way to deal with a curse mark. It won't cure him, but it will negate whatever negative effects the curse mark might have on him." Izumi answered. "Why can't you do it now?" Yuki questioned. "Because you're still in the middle of an Exam, remember? Don't worry. I'll find the time to get to treating his current condition...eventually. But for now..." Izumi says. She then sensed another squad of three Genin coming towards them. "...you need to watch their backs while they can't. Oh, and try to make sure that Naruto learns nothing of the curse mark-at least not until the Exams are over. You can't have him worrying about Sasuke, now, can you?" "Right, Sensei." Yuki acknowledged. "I'll leave you to it, then." Izumi replied.

Izumi then used the Teleportation Jutsu to reappear back in the tower in the middle of the Forest of Death. 'I have to make Lord Third cancel the Exams. Until Orochimaru is dealt with, at least.' Izumi thought.

Izumi walked back up to the top, where she heard a huge argument going on.

"WHAT? BUT IF WE DON'T QUIT NOW, MY GENIN WILL BECOME ANOTHER ONE OF OROCHIMARU'S LAB RATS!" A Hidden Leaf Jonin yelled. "And who's fault do you think that will be, then?" Baki asked. "So what are we going to do, then, huh?!" The Hidden Leaf Jonin shouted. "Are you Hidden Leaf ninjas such cowards that you'd rather run away than see what's going on?" A Hidden Stone Jonin asked. "Why, you-!" "That's enough!" Anko shouted, interrupting her fellow Hidden Leaf ninja. "Anko? When did you get here?" Izumi asked. Everyone then turned their attention to Izumi.

Izumi walked into the room, got a harsh scolding from Lord Third about going off, and aiding her Genin students without his permission, and then, she got a lengthy explanation about the whole issue they're arguing about from Anko.

"Well...I did plan on telling Lord Third to stop the Exams right here and right now, but considering that Orochimaru said that he'll destroy the village if we do that, then, I guess, we have no choice." Izumi said. "Why would you do that? Did Naruto or Sasuke die or somethin'? 'Cause if they did-" "I was gonna ask Lord Hokage to stop the Exams because Sasuke now has a curse mark." Izumi answered. Anko grunted in pain. "I was wondering why my curse mark's been hurting after all these years...plus, he did say something about the Uchiha when we fought..." Anko said. "Then that was the whole reason why he's here..." A second Hidden Leaf Jonin says. "He's after the Sharingan." "More to the point, he has this Forbidden Jutsu called the Immortality Jutsu, a Jutsu that will make you immortal, but only if you pass your soul from one body to another like a reincarnation." Anko added. "But those bodies that your soul is in can only last three years. So when that body becomes useless you have to use the Immortality Jutsu to transfer your soul into another body, lest you and that body your soul is using die." "I heard somewhere that Orochimaru's ambition is to learn every known Jutsu in the Ninja World." A third Hidden Leaf Jonin said. "That is true." Lord Third interjected. "So, considering his ambition, then Orochimaru going after Sasuke makes sense for two reasons: Orochimaru's body's due date is coming up and he wants the Sharingan for himself." Anko said. "Then he should be outta the village, soon, right? He has what he wants." Izumi replied. "Maybe..." Anko says. "Let's hope so..." Lord Third says.

---

Luckily, no other such incidents like the one where Team 7 had to fight Orochimaru popped up throughout the rest of the Second Exam. Izumi was able to get and eat some dango and scold Iruka for the display he made during the whole recommendation thing all in the second day of the Second Exam without ever having to worry too much about her little Genin. Except...she did see Sasuke nearly rip one Sound Shinobi's arms off and she saw all the gruesome ways Mori killed her opponents without suffering even a single scratch. More to the point, she seems to scare her siblings.

So on the third day, when she sees all the Genin students of every remaining Genin squad pour into the bottom floor of the tower one-by-one, Izumi silently prays that neither Sasuke, Naruto or Yuki has to fight Mori. Sure, she still has misgivings about Yuki, but that doesn't mean she wants Yuki to die and based on all that Izumi's seen of Mori's handiwork, nothing Yuki could do to her would work, anyway. She just feels bad for the poor sucker who has to fight Mori.

Later, at the bottom floor, Izumi met with her Genin students again. "Glad to see you all here. If I'm going to be honest, I wasn't sure that you'd make it." Izumi said. "Then I guess we proved you wrong." Yuki replied while giving a cheeky wink. Izumi chuckled.

"Let's just go." Mori suddenly said as she, Kankuro and Temari walked past them. "Who knew she was such a killjoy?" Yuki asked. "Not many, I'd wager. I talked with their Jonin-Sensei. Apparently, she doesn't talk much...nor does she like to. She's even hated and feared by everyone in her own village." Izumi told her. "Whatever. We need to go, too." Sasuke said nonchalantly. "Again, killjoy." Yuki replied. "What does 'killjoy' mean?" Naruto asked while they headed into the next room. Naruto's three other teammates sighed and facepalmed, distraught by Naruto's apparent lack of anything resembling a brain...for the most part, at least. From all his Academy records, Naruto's a true genius when it comes to battle IQ. Boy could strategize his way out of the Hidden Grass Village, and be home in time for lunch. Izumi also heard that, aside from Shikaku, Naruto's the only one who can stand a chance against Shikamaru in a strategy game like Shogi. The only thing about Naruto's Shogi skills, when compared to Shikamaru's, Naruto's the only one who's managed to come close to beating Shikamaru in a Shogi game multiple times while Shikaku is the only one Shikamaru's ever lost against. Izumi doesn't know how Asuma fares in a game of Shogi against Shikamaru, though. 'Maybe I should ask him about that some time.' Izumi thought.

The room they were taken to looks like an indoor arena that's the size of a gymnasium with walls that were some shade of green, and a roof and floor that was of the same color as the walls. On either side of Team 7 were red metal stairs that led up two individual red metal (presumably, based on the stairs) platforms. Directly in front of them was a large red statue of two hands making one hand sign. And standing in front of that statue is The Hokage.

"What is this place? The final arena?" Naruto asked. Izumi chuckled. "No, Naruto. It's the place where they hold the preliminary exam before the Final Exam." She answered. "A preliminary? Why?" Naruto then asked. "Perhaps, I'll let The Hokage answer that." Izumi replied. "Stupid old man..." Naruto mutters. Izumi pretends that she didn't hear that, and then quickly tells Naruto, "Alright, so you're going over there to stand in a line with your teammates while I join all the other Jonin, and stand behind The Hokage to listen to his speech."

Naruto quietly grumbles, pouts and then says, "Okay..."

Naruto, Sasuke and Yuki all stood in a single-file line in front of The Hokage while the other Genin did the same and Izumi went to stand behind The Hokage with the other Jonin and the Special Jonin (Ibiki and Anko, who were the proctors for the last two exams). She also saw Hayate here. 'What is he doing here?' Izumi thought. Hayate was coughing. After a long-ass speech from The Hokage about the Chunin Exams and about the Final Exam (which will take place in a month) Lord Third introduced Hayate as the Final Exam's proctor and also the preliminary's referee. 'So that explains him being here. Don't know why Lord Third asked him to do this, though. The man looks so sick that he might as well be on death's doorstep.' Izumi then thought. Hayate stepped forward after The Hokage introduced him to the Genin, and explained the preliminary exam. Basically, there are still too many participants who haven't been mowed down just yet. And the Final Exam can only allow ten participants. To Izumi's knowledge, a preliminary exam hasn't been held since Kakashi and his team were Genin. Then again, there was a war going on back then so she guessed that it made some degree of sense. And Izumi wasn't there to see Kakashi's attempt at the Exams so she can't personally comment on Kakashi's performance during the Exams, but considering he made Chunin at six years old, it had to have been exemplary for Lord Third to have promoted him when he was that young. Meanwhile, Obito made Chunin when he was eleven, and Rin made Chunin when she was the same age as Obito (as far as Kakashi has told her) so maybe...if it weren't for the last Great Ninja War, both Obito and Rin would be alive today to be a Jonin just like her. Just as always, Izumi is getting into her head a bit too much. And who is she to think about Rin and Obito when she was never their friend? Hell, she never even knew 'em or met 'em. In fact, these things should be for Kakashi to think about, not her. And yet...he isn't here to think about them either, isn't he? Izumi guesses that the silver lining that could be found in this cloud she's thinking about is the fact that Kakashi is finally with his Father, his old team and The Fourth Hokage again.

First round is Sasuke against some random guy from the Hidden Sound Village.

"The non-combatants are to go to the platforms, and stay until the next combatants are called down." Hayate announced.

Izumi walked up to Naruto and Yuki, and they did as Hayate said, just as the other Genin and their Jonin squad leaders, as well. Only Sasuke and this Yoroi guy remained on the bottom floor.

Sasuke and Yoroi turned to face each other, and Hayate shouted, "BEGIN!"

The two Genin then started fighting. The rest of Team 7 watched the fight as did every other participant in the preliminaries. Hayate reminded Izumi of when she, herself, was the referee for all of Team 7's spars even though a spar is entirely different from a battle against an enemy which Sasuke's fight against Yoroi sort of is.

Speaking of the fight, Yoroi had the advantage against Sasuke at first by using two of his own Jutsus and using his unique trait that allows him to absorb Sasuke's chakra. But Sasuke then gained the upper hand by using some sort of Taijutsu that has Sasuke successfully kick Yoroi into the air, and then Sasuke jumps up, and follows close behind him and then, he provoked Yoroi into attacking, which gave Sasuke the opportunity to kick him into the air some more and with greater speed. Sasuke then dashed up above Yoroi, and punched him downwards, back to the floor and then kicked him while he was falling down, too. All while the Taijutsu was being carried out, Izumi saw that the curse mark came out just a bit (like it did when he nearly ripped that Hidden Sound Shinobi's arms off) but only to give Sasuke a little bit of chakra and physical strength and stamina to finish the move so when he was back on the floor, finished with the Taijutsu and Yoroi was also back on the floor, lying on the floor and unconscious, the curse mark receded. "What was that move he just used to knock out his enemy?" Izumi asked. "It looked like Bushy-Brows' special move...well...sorta." Naruto remarked. "Bushy-Brows...?" Izumi asks. "He means some weird kid with a black bowl cut named...uh...oh! Yeah! Rock Lee, that's it! His name's Rock Lee!" Yuki explained. "Sasuke fought that freak before the First Exam. It ended when that kid used a Forbidden Taijutsu to try and win against him and the kid's Sensei intervened and...scolded him in a very weird way. I reminded Naruto and Sasuke that there was supposed to be an Exam going on, and the two of them and I just left that kid and his Sensei there. Don't know how Mr. Bowl Cut and his team made it through the First Exam and the Second Exam, though..." "So that's it..." Izumi says.

'He probably copied that kid's move using his Sharingan, and added some of his own flavor into the mix of that Jutsu.' Izumi thought. 'Very clever, Sasuke.'

Hayate declared Sasuke the winner and...Sasuke looked like he was about to collapse from over exertion. 'Shit! Maybe that move was deemed forbidden for a reason...although, right now seems the right time to go and seal that curse mark of his...' Izumi thought.

"I'm going to be right back with Sasuke, okay?" Izumi quickly told Naruto and Yuki. Izumi then used the Teleportation Jutsu to disappear, and reappear right behind Sasuke. She caught Sasuke before he actually collapsed.

"You did alright, Sasuke. But you're going to have to come with me for a while." Izumi told him. "Why?" Sasuke asked. "I'll explain on the way." Izumi answered.

She turned around, and led Sasuke out of the room.

"That thing on your neck that appeared after Orochimaru bit you there is called a curse mark." Izumi told him on the way to another room. "A curse mark? Why would he give me something like that?" Sasuke asked. "Because Orochimaru sees you as...interesting. Just another...experiment, to put it simply. It's why he didn't kill the three of you when he easily could've." Izumi answered. "He's that powerful?" Sasuke then asked. "They don't call him one of the Three Legendary Sannin for nothing, you know. Even if he is a rogue ninja these days. Plus, he was also one of the three students of Lord Third. I wouldn't want to fight him if I had the choice to run away instead, if I were you." Izumi warned. "Is that why Yuki disappeared on us, then?" Sasuke questioned. "Probably. Though, I can't say that I know much about her, to be honest." Izumi answered.

Sasuke then grunted in pain. "Why is my shoulder and neck hurting?" He asked. "That's the curse mark at work, Sasuke. As you've probably guessed by now, the curse mark adds to your own power and your own strength and even your own chakra. You could probably even keep the Sharingan activated for longer with the curse mark's chakra boost. But the Jutsu Orochimaru used to give it to you is a Forbidden Jutsu, like the Shadow Clone Jutsu. And just like with every Forbidden Jutsu, the Curse Mark Jutsu bears a high cost. The curse mark gives you great pain in accordance with how long or often you use it or even overuse it. And only the caster of the Jutsu can lessen the pain, making you totally reliant on the Jutsu's caster. Fortunately for you, there's another way to alleviate the pain." Izumi explained. "What is it?" Sasuke then asked. "You'll learn about it and see it in action when I administer it to you." Izumi answered.

Later, Izumi made a ritual circle on the floor, and had Sasuke sit at the center of said circle with his shirt off. Izumi then went right behind him, and then she weaved together nineteen hand signs, put her left hand on Sasuke's back, and shouted, "Curse Sealing!"

And then, the ritual circle disappeared, and the seal appeared around the curse mark. "There. That seal should hold for as long as your own will does. If your will breaks, so does the seal and we don't want that, do we?" Izumi told him. Sasuke falls to his left side, and immediately goes to sleep. 'Oh dear...' Izumi thought.

"Are you sure he doesn't want that?" A sinister snake-like voice asked from behind Izumi.

Izumi turned around, and saw Orochimaru standing there, dressed in a Hidden Sound Jonin's uniform with a Hidden Sound Village headband on his forehead. Orochimaru's appearance was as vile and snake-like as Anko said. He had long black hair, yellow snake-like eyes and skin so gray that it would make a corpse jealous if corpses weren't dead and actually had feelings.

"Orochimaru!" Izumi shouted. "What's that surprised look on your face for, Izumi? You already knew I was here. And you already know why I'm here." Orochimaru said.

Izumi regained her composure, and then said, "So, the rumors were right. You are behind the creation of the Hidden Sound Village."

Orochimaru simply walked to steps forward, and then Izumi activated the Chidori. Orochimaru stopped before he took another step. "I don't want to have to kill you, but I will if it means that I have to protect him. You will not touch him." Izumi threatened. "I wonder about that..." Orochimaru says. Orochimaru then released intense amounts of killing intent. Almost over the same amount both she and Zabuza released when they were fighting each other. "You think you can intimidate me with that?" Izumi asked. She then activated her Sharingan, and unleashed her own killing intent towards Orochimaru...something she hasn't had to do since the Mission to the Land of Waves and before that...well, it was a Hell of a long time. In fact, something tells her that her killing intent would've been more intense the first time she unleashed it if she was actually using her Sharingan against her opponent and if her Sharingan was as strong as it is today. Orochimaru stepped back as a result of this stalemate. "You know what? I don't even need to retrieve him. In time, he'll come to me of his own free will." Orochimaru said. Orochimaru then turned around, and walked back into the shadows. Izumi then deactivated her Sharingan and the Chidori. 'What does he even mean by that?' Izumi thought. Izumi turned back around to face the asleep Sasuke.

'Well, I guess that question doesn't matter...for the moment.' Izumi thought.

Izumi picked up Sasuke, and took him to the Hospital. After that, she had some Medical Ninjas lay him down on a Hospital bed, and they gave him a private Hospital room at the top floor of a tower. Izumi then assigned some Anbu to guard Sasuke while he's recovering. Izumi also guarded him, as well.

Another Anbu offered her a break, and she accepted the offer. She went out for some dango, ate some, and then returned only to find a dead Anbu right outside Sasuke's private Hospital room.

'What the...?' She thought.

She stealthily walked into the room only to find a man...no, a boy...a teenager (at least that's what Izumi thinks) with a silver ponytail and dressed in a dark purple shirt, white short sleeves, a pair of dark purple fingerless gloves, a white cloth waistband, dark purple pants and a pair of navy blue ninja sandals. He also seemed to be wearing a navy blue headband although she couldn't see which village that headband represented because this kid had his back to him.

The boy stood over Sasuke's Hospital bed with a scalpel aimed at Sasuke's throat.

Izumi also found more dead Anbu on the floor. 'Impressive. This kid managed to kill the Anbu I assigned to guard Sasuke. I guess I shouldn't have taken that break...' Izumi thought.

Then, the kid suddenly threw the scalpel at Izumi, and Izumi caught it. "Izumi, was it? I didn't expect someone as soft as you to attack from my blindspot." The boy said. She threw the scalpel away. "I'm not soft on people who try to kill my subordinates...even if the would-be killer is a kid, in and of themselves." Izumi replied. "Then next time, you should assign at least ten more guards." The boy said as though he were giving advice. "You're not an ordinary Genin, are you? You caught a whiff of me, and immediately readied your weapon. Quite impressive. Perhaps Lord Hokage will give you a field promotion...if you surrender now, that is." Izumi offered. The boy scoffed. "Don't make me laugh. You know that I won't do that without a fight." He said. "Are you implying that you can take me on?" Izumi asked. The boy turned around to face her, pulled out another scalpel, and again pointed it at Sasuke's throat. "Perhaps you're forgetting that I hold the advantage, here." The boy replied. She could now see his face and the headband on his forehead. The boy wore black-framed glasses, had black eyes and the headband was a Hidden Leaf headband, of all things.

'Now I want to redeem him even more, considering he looks to be a Hidden Leaf Shinobi...or...' Izumi thought.

"Who are you? And what do you want with Sasuke?" Izumi asked. "Now, why should I tell you?" The boy asked. "Especially since you won't like the answer to your second question..." "Are you one of Orochimaru's puppets, then?" Izumi then asked. The boy looked offended...but also conflicted.

"Look, you can either answer me or I can take you in for questioning...and the guys at the Interrogation Corps aren't as kind as I am." Izumi told him. "Fine. If you really want to know so much, perhaps the only thing I can tell you is that my name is Kabuto...and that I have no choice. I'm under orders." The boy said. He then raised his scalpel, and Izumi immediately rushed into the room to disarm and restrain the boy who is apparently named Kabuto. "Come, I think you and I need to talk some more." Izumi told him. But then, Kabuto's body went limp. 'Huh? I didn't restrain him that hard.' Izumi thought. But then, one of the dead Anbu tried running out the door, but Izumi quickly realized that something wasn't exactly right about that corpse. Izumi dropped Kabuto, and she rushed to restrain the "corpse" but then, that corpse went limp, too, and another Anbu "corpse" got up, threw at least five shuriken at a window and ran out the window. Izumi ran over to that window, and watched the masked ninja as he fell. The masked ninja took off his mask to reveal that he was, in fact, Kabuto before he put the mask back on. Izumi then walked over to Kabuto's body double, and checked it's pulse.

'It's just as I thought...' Izumi thought. '...the Dead Soul Jutsu, where a ninja temporarily reanimates and controls a dead body, even transforming its face. Kabuto even stopped his own heart and eliminated all traces of his scent by impersonating a murdered Anbu Black Ops ninja. But how would a kid like him know how to do all this? Maybe it has something to do with who he is...I'll have to look in the records for any mention of a "Kabuto". Later, that is. For now, I must replace all these guards.'

She stood up, and looked around. Izumi flashed back to when Zabuza called her soft, as well. Although, the reason Zabuza called her soft was because she took on three Genin as her apprentices.

'But maybe Zabuza and Kabuto are right...maybe I am getting soft...' Izumi thought.

Izumi then assigned twenty members of the Anbu to watch over Sasuke before she used the Teleportation Jutsu to teleport right behind Yuki and Naruto. "Izumi-Sensei!" Naruto shouted, startled. "Will Sasuke be alright?" Yuki asked. "Don't worry, Yuki. He'll be just fine." Izumi answered while giving Yuki a smile to reassure her.

"What did I miss?" Izumi asked. "Oh, nothin' much." Naruto answered. "Shino won his match against that creepy dude with the brown spiky hair from the Hidden Sound Village, the creepy Hidden Sand guy used puppets to defeat some other guy from the Hidden Sound Village and right now, we're waiting to see who'll be matched up against who in the next match." "Sounds good." Izumi said.

"Next is...Yuki Nohara versus Ino Yamanaka!" Hayate announced. 'Well...this will be interesting.' Izumi thought.

The two combatants walked down to the main floor, and faced each other with six feet in between the two.

"Ready? BEGIN!" Hayate shouted.

Ino tried casting her Mind Transfer Jutsu at Yuki, but Yuki quickly casted the Water Shuriken Jutsu at Ino to give her no time to successfully cast the Jutsu. So instead, Ino dodged the Water Shuriken. "Ha!" Ino laughed. But she wasn't laughing for long because now, Ino couldn't move.

"What happened to that Ino girl?" Naruto asked. Izumi activated her Sharingan, and looked at Ino. 'Oh no...' Izumi thought. "Izumi-Sensei? Do you know what happened?" Naruto asked. Izumi deactivated her Sharingan. "Yuki put Ino under a Paralysis Genjutsu. Only Kami knows what will happen, now..." Izumi answers. The two of them continue to watch.

Yuki pulled out a kunai knife, ran up to Ino, and used her kunai knife to decapitate Ino. Ino's head fell onto the floor, the Genjutsu was released, and the rest of Ino's body went limp, and fell down. Everyone was shocked. Even Hayate was shocked and Izumi thought nothing could ever phase him.

Yuki looked at Hayate, and he said, "Ino Yamanaka is dead. Yuki Nohara wins!"

Yuki swung the blood off of her kunai knife's blade, and put it back in her ninja tools pouch before walking back up to the platform to join the rest of her team. Izumi glared at Yuki, and Yuki just turned around, and smiled at her Sensei in a mischievous way as though Yuki only pulled a prank and didn't just decapitate someone instead.

Izumi decided to stop glaring because right now isn't the moment to scold Yuki for such behavior. Everyone regained their composure, and continued watching on.

The mess was cleaned up, and then, everyone awaited the announcement of the next match-up.

"Next match is...Tenten versus Temari!" Hayate announced.

Both fighters got down to the ground floor, the match began, and Tenten tried fighting Temari with her weapon seals, but Temari Wind Style Ninjutsus were too much to keep up with so the outcome became a foregone conclusion. Temari used the fan she was equipped with to brutally kill Tenten.

Hayate declared Temari the winner, and Temari walked back up to the platform to rejoin her team like nothing ever happened. Tenten's body was dragged away, and the audience awaited the announcement of the next match.

"Next is...Shikamaru Nara vs Kin Tsuchi." Hayate announced. "Who the Hell is Kin?" Naruto asked. A black-haired girl with a Hidden Sound headband on her forehead went down to the ground floor.

"Oh. That girl." Naruto said.

The match was easily won by Shikamaru because he used his clan's famous Shadow Possession Jutsu to make her knock herself out by having her clonk her own head into the wall behind her. Kin fell down, went unconscious, and the shadow receded. After the girl woke up, the two combatants returned to their respective teams on the platforms.

"Next...Naruto Uzumaki versus Kiba Inuzuka." Hayate announced.

"Good luck, Naruto." Izumi said. Naruto walked down to the ground floor, and faced Kiba.

"Ready? BEGIN!" Hayate shouted.

At first, the two of them were fighting evenly by making this a Taijutsu fight. Both had excellent Taijutsu skills so it was only natural that they'd be so good. But then, once it became clear that there was going to be no winner or loser in a Taijutsu fight, Kiba backed away, and tried using his clan's signature Taijutsu on Naruto. But, suddenly, something was stopping him from doing just that and Naruto was subtly gaining extra power (Izumi doesn't think Naruto is even noticing it). 'Hell, he doesn't even have the experience to notice it.' Izumi thought Izumi tried using her Sharingan to see what was going on, but then, out of nowhere, someone put Izumi in some sort of Paralysis Jutsu. She couldn't tell if it was Genjutsu or if it was Shikamaru's bidding. 'Damn you, Itachi, for being so much better at detecting a Jutsu such as this one than I am...' Izumi thought. All she could do, now, is watch the rest of the fight unfold.

Next, Naruto ran up to Kiba, and they exchanged punches three more times before Naruto finally knocked him out with a single punch. Hayate had no choice but to declare Naruto the winner since whatever went on just now to make Naruto win wasn't against the few rules that this preliminary had. After the fight, Naruto's sudden power boost went away as he walked back up to the platform. At the same time, the Paralysis Jutsu that was placed on Izumi had been released.

'Whatever happened just now...was not normal. Even for a Chunin Exam cheating method...someone must've done this.' Izumi thought. "Good job, Naruto!" Yuki shouted. Naruto ran right up to her, and said, "Thanks."

And now, the next match is about to be announced.

"The next match is...Hinata Hyuga versus Neji Hyuga." Hayate announced. The atmosphere became tense after that announcement. Everyone knows that Hinata is a part of the Hyuga's Main House and conversely, Neji is a part of the Hyuga's Branch House. The Hyuga's main house vs branch house conflict started generations and generations ago all because the main house viewed the branch house as inferior and placed Caged Bird Seals on the members of the branch house so that the main house members could use the seal, and inflict pain upon whoever is marked by the seal whenever say, the branch house decides to get violent with the members of the main house. And the members of the branch house must do anything for the members of the main house, even if it means unwillingly becoming cannon fodder for whatever outside enemy might try to strike the Hyuga Clan. It's practically like slavery, in some people's eyes. And those same people wonder why The Hokage does nothing about it. Especially when some of the Hidden Leaf's enemies do the same thing or even worse. The branch house hates the main house for that very same reason. They feel oppressed and enslaved but with an evil seal such as the Caged Bird Seal on their foreheads, there's nothing the branch house could do about it.

Anyway, both combatants walked down onto the ground floor, faced each other, activated their Byakugan, and prepared themselves to fight the other.

"Ready? BEGIN!" Hayate shouted.

The two Hyugas ran up to each other, and used their clan's infamous Gentle Fist Technique to fight each other. All throughout the fight, Naruto was cheering on Hinata even though she was from a different team. This was because Neji unknowingly offended him by talking about things like how Hinata's loss is predestined. However, even an idiot like Naruto could see that Hinata would need constant streams of confidence boosters for her to have a chance of winning this fight.

But, despite all the cheering and all the determination Naruto gave her to carry on, Neji killed her with far too many Gentle Fist attacks.

Hinata fell down, and died on the spot.

"HINATA!" Naruto yelled. Naruto jumped down, and rushed to her aid.

"Hmph. What else do you expect? Her loss was predestined." Neji said. "What did you say?" Naruto asked, getting angrier by the moment. "Are you deaf? I asked you what did you-" Neji was interrupted because Naruto turned to face Neji, charged towards him, and came close to punching him out of pure rage but then, Izumi, Kurenai, Guy and that weird bowl cut kid named Rock Lee stopped Naruto. Lee convinced Naruto to save his anger for later, and Naruto relented before they all went back up to the platforms, and Hinata's corpse was taken away.

"Next up is...Mori versus Rock Lee!" Hayate announced.

Both combatants walked down to the ground floor, and faced each other.

"Ready? BEGIN!" Hayate shouted.

Lee ran up to her, and tried kicking and punching her with immense speed but all of his attacks were blocked by the sand that came from the gourd on her back.

It didn't look like there would be a winner until Lee pulled off a Taijutsu he called the Primary Lotus (which was invented by Lee's Sensei) and, as Naruto noted earlier during Sasuke's fight, the Taijutsu was very similar to Sasuke's version of the move, which would later be called Lion Barrage. Surprisingly, Lee managed to land a hit on Mori by using this Taijutsu. In any event, after the Taijutsu was finished, Lee punched Mori square in the face and it looked like Lee was going to be declared the winner of the fight, but, as though she was meaning to be unfair, Mori used her sand to cover Lee's legs, and broke them both by using an attack she calls "Sand Coffin". Lee was therefore unable to battle any further, and the win went to Mori.

Mori tried to go further after Hayate declared her the winner, but Guy, Baki and both of her siblings stopped her. "Why...Why would you protect him? He failed. He...He lost." Mori said, struggling to get words out because she was hurt for the first time in her life, presumably. "Because he is my comrade. And my student." Guy told her. Mori looked as though she couldn't understand what he was talking about.

But regardless, Mori and her team walked back up to the platform, and Lee was sent to the Hospital. Guy walked back up to the platform, too.

'Now, time for the final battle.' Izumi thought.

"And lastly...Dosu versus Choji Akimichi." Hayate announced.

The Hidden Sound Shinobi who looked like a Mummy walked down to the ground floor. Choji looked like he didn't want to go, but Asuma looked like he was convincing him to go down there, anyway. And so, Choji walked down to the ground floor.

Izumi wasn't sure if Asuma made the right decision, here, because based on how the other Genin from the other villages have fought before, Izumi wasn't sure that Choji would make it out of this one alive.

And...she was right. Choji tried all he might to fight Dosu, but, in the end, Dosu used his unique traits to kill Choji, even when he tried to bury his ears into the wall behind Dosu. All that was left of Choji Akimichi was a huge blood splatter on the wall and on the floor. Izumi doesn't think cleaning that up would be easy.

These kids aren't used to the way these ninjas from the other villages fight and based on the casualty rate among the Hidden Leaf's Genin, (Ino, Tenten and now Choji) Izumi can tell that that will be their weakness in the future if the Hidden Leaf's Jonin-Senseis don't step up, and teach them about it. 'Perhaps, we should've taught them about it beforehand...' Izumi thought.

"That concludes the preliminary exam. Jonin, Genin, make your preparations for the final exams. The other Kage and potential clients will be watching." Hayate announced.

Izumi smiled at Naruto. 'We got through this...' Izumi thought. She then shot a serious glare at Yuki, who seemed to be nonchalantly ignoring her glare. '...but at what cost?'

---

Everyone then saw the match-ups for the next Exam.

First is: Sasuke Uchiha vs Neji Hyuga (a match-up that frustrated Naruto because he wanted to fight Neji)

Then: Shino Aburame vs Dosu

Then: Yuki Nohara vs Temari

Then: Kankuro vs Shikamaru Nara

Then finally: Naruto Uzumaki vs Mori

The people who were going to be watching the Final Exam were excited about the Sasuke and Neji fight since both the Hyuga and the Uchiha are rival clans. They are also excited about Naruto's fight because Naruto's a Jinchuriki and there are whispers that Mori is a Jinchuriki, too. But to which Tailed Beast, no one can say.

Naruto, on the other hand, feared having to fight Mori. And Izumi had to convince him that it wasn't going to be that bad multiple times. So, to ease Team 7's jitters over the Final Exam, Izumi took them all to the Uchiha Training Grounds, and taught them how to use different types of elemental chakra to cast different types of Jutsus other than the ones they are most familiar with due to their chakra affinities. Izumi is sure that Yuki already knows how to do this, but this was for Sasuke and Naruto, not her. In any case, after teaching them how to do that, Izumi taught each of them different Ninjutsus. Naruto was taught the Lightning Cutter Jutsu (a Jutsu that's far less lethal than the Chidori and could be usable without a Sharingan, unlike the Chidori), Sasuke was taught the Chidori and the Lightning Cutter Jutsu and a special Lightning-Style Jutsu Izumi created by herself called the Lightning Bomb Jutsu (a larger version of the Lightning Ball Jutsu that explodes when it hits it's target) and the Thunder Punch Jutsu that they saw Emiko perform earlier. Naruto excitedly asked Izumi if she could teach him the Thunder Punch Jutsu, to which she agreed, and then, she taught both Sasuke and Naruto the Lightning-Style Jutsu called Spark and another Lightning-Style Jutsu called Thunder Shock.

The next day, Izumi taught all three of them the Raging Waves Jutsu (even though Yuki already knew it) and then she taught them the Mud Wall Jutsu.

She also taught them all the Air Slash Jutsu, a Wind-Style Jutsu that's simpler than the Wind Sword Jutsu that some of the ninjas of the Hidden Sand sometimes use, and much more deadlier and quicker to use than the Wind Sword Jutsu. It's also easier to use than the Wind Sword Jutsu. And while a ninja is capable of using the Air Slash Jutsu with their hands, it's much more effective with a sword in their hands. The Air Slash Jutsu could also be useful if a ninja finds themselves shrouded in mist.

And finally, she tells them to practice the Jutsus they've all just learned when training on their own time to hone them and make them better than when they casted these Jutsus for the first time.

Later that night, at the little lake where Izumi taught Naruto the Fireball Jutsu, Izumi privately taught Naruto the Majestic Destroyer Flame Jutsu and the Chidori since Naruto's got bigger chakra reserves than any ninja in the village and also because of the opponent he's facing. Which is Mori, whose only armor and weapon is the sand in her gourd.

"Everyone touts that sand as Mori's 'ultimate defense', but a long time ago, a...friend of mine taught me that every Jutsu has it's weak point-you just have to find it." Izumi told Naruto. "And if you want to pass this final exam, that will be your job. You've got to find her weakness, got it?" "Got it, Sensei." Naruto answered. After a couple of tries, Naruto successfully casted the Majestic Destroyer Flame Jutsu. The Chidori was surprisingly easier for him.

Half a month later, at night, Izumi and all the other Jonin were called to The Hokage's Chamber in The Hokage's Tower.

Lord Third sat on his usual pillow. Sitting to The Hokage's left was a male Hidden Leaf elder named Homura Mitokado. There was also a female Hidden Leaf elder sitting to The Hokage's right. Her name is Koharu Utatane. Both elders made up the Hidden Leaf's Council. Or, The Hokage's Council, to be more accurate. Danzo used to be a part of this Council, but right now, he's instead rightly under house arrest, for obvious reasons.

Every Jonin in the room (including Izumi).

"We have some very sad news." Lord Third said. "Hayate Gekko is dead." Koharu announced. "Dead?" One of the Jonin asked. They all started indistinctly whisper

-ing before Lord Third had everyone quiet down, and another Jonin asked, "How did he die?" "As you all know, the Hidden Sound are suspected to have some connection to Orochimaru after he was seen in the Second Exam. Our spies have also reported that the Hidden Sand are in league with the Hidden Sound, but those reports are unconfirmed." Lord Third told everyone. "But aren't we in a treaty with the Hidden Sand?" A third Jonin asked. "Spoken treaties and alliances can be easily broken-as we learned from the last Great Ninja War." Izumi interjected. "Agreed." Lord Third said. "We sent Hayate to confirm our spies' reports. But it seems that the enemy spotted him, and they killed him." Koharu told everyone. "Based on the findings of the autopsy performed on Hayate's body, he was killed by the Wind Sword Jutsu." Homura reported. The Jonin indistinctly whispered amongst themselves again. "So they have betrayed us..." Kurenai whispers. "We must not let Hayate's death divide us at this time. The Chunin Exams are still going on. And you will need to focus your efforts on preparing for the Final Exam, instead of growing to hate the Hidden Sand for what they may or may not have done to Hayate." Lord Third told everyone.

They then dismissed all the Jonin. Izumi later took a walk in the park, wondering if it would be at all possible for her fellow Jonin to not take Hayate's death so personally, like Lord Third told them not to.

---

A few nights later, a woman with big breasts who was dressed in a sexy red kimono and had red sandals on was walking out of a love hotel in the Hidden Leaf Village after having sex with a Shinobi from the Hidden Sand Village. She had flowing red, black and white hair, golden eyes and a sexy figure that would make any man want her. 'Man, what time is it?' The woman thought. She looked up, and saw that it was already daytime. The woman sighed, disappointed in herself because she often fucks until dawn. Sex is one of her biggest weaknesses. This woman's name is Kitsune Senju, one of the Three Legendary Sannin, and the Fox Sage of Foxhold Valley. Hell, she even wears a red headband on her right wrist with the kanji symbols for "Foxhold" written on the headband's metal plate. She remembers when that wrist had a Hidden Leaf headband on it. 'Those were the days...' Kitsune thought while smiling.

She remembers training with Sarutobi-Sensei alongside her former crush, Orochimaru, and her Cousin, Tsunade. Her smile then went away when she remembered everything that happened after she met Orochimaru. The three of them fought in the Second and Third Great Ninja War, meanwhile, warning signs of Orochimaru's descent into evil were showing up, but both Kitsune and Tsunade ignored it because they didn't want to believe that their crush could be so bad, Tsunade left the village with The Hokage's permission after Nawaki and Dan died, and then, during the time around when The Fourth Hokage was supposed to be chosen, Orochimaru finally asked her out, and then, after three dates, he took Kitsune's virginity. But their relationship didn't last long after Kitsune's student, Minato Namikaze, was chosen as The Fourth Hokage. Orochimaru was caught performing illegal experiments on villagers, ninjas and children alike, Sarutobi-Sensei failed to stop him, Kitsune tried to chase after and stop Orochimaru after he left the village but even she couldn't stop him and so, Kitsune spent years tracking Orochimaru's movements and setting up a spy network.

And then, she heard that her student, Minato, died sealing the Nine-Tails into his Son and a baby girl from the Uchiha Clan. Six years later, Danzo and the Foundation orchestrated the Uchiha Massacre, Itachi carried it out, Danzo and some other Foundation members tried killing the six-year-old Uchiha girl by taking the half of The Nine-Tails that Minato sealed into her, and sealing it into someone else, only to fail, and have the Uchiha girl die, and that half of The Nine-Tails escaping from the seal that was in place on the Uchiha girl, and then blowing up the Foundation's Headquarters before leaving the village entirely. And, in the end, aside from Itachi, only two members of the Uchiha Clan survived: a young woman named Izumi Uchiha (who was Itachi's girlfriend) and a kid named Sasuke, who is Itachi's Brother.

And then...? That was that. Kitsune continued her spy work out of the village while mourning the loss of her team and her student while Naruto had to grow up all alone. Even though he's her Godson, which would officially make her his legal guardian if she still lived in the village back then. And yet, she didn't know why she couldn't come back for Naruto's sake. But, in the end, she guesses it's all fine because the sex she's had while outside the village, gaining intel for The Hokage, and because she knows that it's not Minato's fault that a certain someone never taught him to be a Fox Sage and taught him her Sage Jutsu (or Senjutsu, as the older people call it) and taught him about the immortality and eternal youth traits that are unique to Fox Sages. 'Though, knowing Minato, he might not have wanted the "eternal youth" part that comes with being a Fox Sage, but at least it's better than the Mitotic Regeneration thing that does somewhat of the same thing although, she isn't immortal like me. In fact, her regeneration thing can only extend her lifespan.' Kitsune thought. Back when she first became a Fox Sage and could enter Sage Mode, she felt as though she had one-upped her Cousin and eternal rival, Tsunade.

All those things happened, and now...she's back here again.

'Why am I back here again?' Kitsune thought. She then remembers that she heard that the Chunin Exams were coming up and they were to be held in the Hidden Leaf Village. She remembers what Sarutobi-Sensei told her long ago...

He told her that Naruto will want to know the secret of his Jinchuriki status and the secret of who his parents are. And Sarutobi-Sensei told her that she will be the one to tell Naruto those secrets once he is elevated to the rank of Chunin. Based on the information Kitsune's gathered so far (while having sex and chatting up men who she thinks are hot) Naruto already knows about his Jinchuriki status but through no fault of his own. An incident happened between Naruto and one of the Academy teachers the day before he was promoted to Genin.

To put it simply:

Naruto was fooled into stealing a scroll he knew nothing about and then he ran into the forest with it, he used that scroll to learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu, the teacher who fooled him tried to kill him, another teacher saved him, the bad teacher told Naruto that he is a Jinchuriki, a battle was had between the teachers, the good teacher told Naruto to run, Naruto instead used the Shadow Clone Jutsu to pummel the bad teacher to the point where that teacher was nearly dead when the clones were done with him, the good teacher gave Naruto a field promotion, the next day, Sarutobi-Sensei scolded Naruto for stealing the scroll, and then he told Naruto that he was, indeed, a Jinchuriki, then, Sarutobi-Sensei upheld the teacher's decision to elevate Naruto to Genin, and that was that. Naruto's career as a full-fledged ninja started.

She guesses that the answer to why she's here should be simpler than that: Naruto.

Now, she has to look around, and find Naruto. 'Where the Hell do I start?' Kitsune thought.

Kitsune turned left and started walking and walking and walking until she found a blonde-haired boy with blue eyes and dressed in a navy blue and orange jacket, a pair of orange pants, a pair of navy blue ninja sandals and a navy blue Hidden Leaf headband on his forehead arguing with a Hidden Leaf Jonin dressed in all black and wearing black sunglasses at a hot spring elsewhere in the Hidden Leaf Village. From the first look at him, Kitsune could tell that the blonde boy is Naruto Uzumaki because he looks so much like Minato that it's almost uncanny. Naruto's navy blue Hidden Leaf headband is alright by Kitsune's standards, and so are his navy blue ninja sandals. 'But the orange is...yuck!' Kitsune thought. Surprisingly, looking at Naruto now brings back memories. To be more accurate, she remembers being just as loud and bratty as Naruto is displaying himself to be right now.

Kitsune walked up to the two of them, and asked, "Well, well, well...what's going on here?"

Both the man in all black and Naruto were startled by her presence. The both of them immediately ran up to her and tried explaining themselves to her all at once.

"Quiet down, the both of you. I don't work here, but I heard the two of you arguing and I think I might be able to help the two of you. So, in light of that, I'll ask again: what's going on?" Kitsune told them. "One at a time, please." "My name is Ebisu, Ma'am. I was trying to train young Naruto, here, some more advanced chakra control techniques. He, on the other hand, refuses to listen to me after I gave him explicit instructions on how to improve it." The man in the sunglasses explained. "Bullshit! That pervy sunglasses guy is lying! I tried his water walking thing many, many times but nothing happened every time I tried!" Naruto yelled. "You're being impatient." Ebisu told Naruto. Naruto growled. "Do you know who I'm going to be fighting in the Final Exam, you perv!" He shouted. "Wow! You're Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki?" Kitsune asked. "Uh...yeah. Why?" Naruto asked. 'Well, at least that calmed him down.' Kitsune thought.

"I am Kitsune Senju. And I think I have a better way to teach you chakra control." She answered. "I've been looking for you, in fact."

They looked shocked when they heard her name. "You...you're Kitsune Senju? The Fox Sage? One of The Legendary Sannin?" Ebisu asked. Kitsune nodded.

"Oh, welcome back, Mistress Kitsune!" Ebisu shouted. "That's Master Kitsune, Ebisu-San." Kitsune corrected. "Oh...uh...right. Sorry. Master." Ebisu said. "Let me take it from here, okay?" Kitsune asked Ebisu. Ebisu nodded, and walked away.

"Is he your usual Sensei?" Kitsune asked. "No, but Izumi-Sensei told me that he could train me instead of Izumi-Sensei, herself even though I asked her to train me." Naruto honestly answered. "Did she say why she could not train you?" Kitsune then asked. "No. She just said 'It's top-secret.' Or somethin' like that, and then just fucked off." Naruto also answered. "Then that likely means she's on a mission that only Jonin like her could do." Kitsune replied. "Then why would she leave me out of it?" Naruto asked. "They don't call it 'top-secret' for nothin', pal. Also...I think she was trying to protect you, too. So if I were you, I'd leave that little situation alone, for now." Kitsune answered. "Then what do I do?" Naruto then asked. "You train under me." Kitsune told him. "At least until the day of the Final Exam..." "Okay..." Naruto says, sounding defeated. The two of them then walked out of the hot spring together.

---

One night later, Izumi was on a random roof in the Hidden Leaf Village, observing the Hidden Sand triplets' Sister, Mori. Reports have said that, for some reason, Mori likes going out and taking walks at night. Normally, she'd be in bed by now (like mostly everyone else is) and she wouldn't give a fuck if some random Genin goes out at night to take walks instead of staying where they live, and going to sleep, but in the light of Hayate's death, and the sudden appearance of Orochimaru, they couldn't leave anything to chance which is why they assigned Izumi (as well as a few other Jonin-whom Izumi didn't know) to stealthily surveil Mori, Kankuro and Temari. Izumi wanted to know the reason for these nightly walks. That's just not something anyone would normally do (not without a very good reason).

There are times when Izumi feels as though she doesn't want to be doing this sort of thing because Izumi doesn't really have the right to pry into Mori's (in this case) private life and also because Mori is one powerful motherfucker. 'I mean, she scares Naruto, of all people. Naruto. And that kid usually isn't scared of anything even when he should be. More to the point, when I asked him why Mori scares him so much the last time he and I talked, he told me about how much he relates to her because of her backstory and the possible fact that if he didn't have friends like Iruka, Yuki, Lord Third, Sasuke and myself at his side, he could've turned out like her. Naruto is hated and feared because of The Nine-Tails. And from what I've heard, Mori is hated and feared in the same way back in her home village.' Izumi thought.

She then saw that Dosu guy walk up to Mori, and try to talk to her. A large amount of sand came out of her gourd, and killed Dosu. 'Serves him right for killing Choji. But I've gotta wonder...how and where does she get all of her power from?' Izumi thought. Izumi activated her Sharingan, and saw a seal on Mori's belly. 'I don't believe it...' Izumi thought. She remembers seeing a similar kind of seal on Naruto's belly the first time she looked at Naruto with her Sharingan. 'So the rumors about her being a Jinchuriki are true.'

Izumi deactivated her Sharingan, and jumped down to the ground, and started walking to The Hokage's Tower. 'I'd better report this to Lord Hokage.' She thought.

But then, she was stopped by Mori, who suddenly appeared in front of her. "What are you doing?" She asked. "W-What do you mean?" Izumi asked in reply. Mori gave her a cold stare. "Lie to me again, and I'll kill you." Mori threatened. "Like you can even try. Look, I'm not really trying to pry into anything too much-I swear, I'm not! But I'm under orders." Izumi told her. "Why?" Mori then asked. "Because, frankly, my superiors don't exactly trust the Hidden Sand anymore. One of our guys was killed by the Wind Sword Jutsu. A Jutsu that we know only your people know. Now, given that fact, it wouldn't do well to raise their suspicion any further by killing one of the last of the Uchiha, now, would it?" Izumi answered. "The Uchiha?" Mori asked as though she's trying to remember something. "That's my name. I'm Izumi Uchiha." Izumi told her. Mori started getting angry. "What did you see?" Mori questioned. "That what everyone's been whispering is true. You're a Jinchuriki. Your village sealed a monster inside of you and then they ostracized and hated you for years and years and years and years until you grew cold to the world and became the...uh...mentally-ill person you are today." Izumi answered, trying not to anger her even further.

'Sheesh. Now I know why Naruto is scared of this girl.' Izumi thought.

"Everyone in your village and probably even then some see you as some horrifying weapon that should be destroyed rather than-" "You know nothing about me! I was beaten and raped! I've had more attempts on my life than I could ever begin to count-many of those were orchestrated by my own Father! I grew up cold and alone in the desert!" Mori shouted, interrupting Izumi. "And you didn't know what purpose you had in life was, yeah, yeah I get it." Izumi said. "You don't!" Mori shouted. She tried attacking Izumi with her sand, but Izumi quickly dodged it. "How could you possibly understand?!" "Because our village has its own Jinchuriki. And he...he was hated and feared, too. But he found his own purpose in The Hokage and, when he made Genin, he became my student and then...after that...well, he sort of became like a Son to me." Izumi answered. "And...unfortunately, you scare him because he's your opponent in the Final Exam." "Good. Maybe that fear will lead to him chickening out of this rat race the Kage have set up." Mori said. "Maybe...but if you think that is likely to happen, then maybe you aren't as cold-hearted as you think you are." Izumi said. "LEAVE ME ALONE!" Mori screamed. Mori tried to attack Izumi one more time, but Izumi dodged the attack. So instead of fighting some more, Mori ran away.

Izumi watched her run, and then continued her walk to The Hokage's Tower.

Later that night, in The Hokage's office, Izumi delivered her report to The Hokage while standing in front of his desk and The Hokage was sitting at his desk, as usual. "...then...I saw it. The seal." Izumi reported. "What?" Lord Third asked. "The seal. The seal needed to trap a Tailed Beast into a Human, Sir. It seems what they're saying about her is true-she is a Jinchuriki. But it's still unclear as to which Tailed Beast she has living inside her-presumably rent-free." Izumi clarified. Lord Third sighed. "I suspected that might be the case. Anyway, I should think that, in reality, the answer to which Tailed Beast is living inside her should be pretty clear-The One-Tail, also known as Shukaku or Shukaku The Sand Spirit or, maybe, just, 'The Sand Spirit'. The Hidden Sand Village had gotten ahold of Shukaku long before Lord First Hokage gathered all the other Tailed Beasts, and shared them with the other nations, only keeping The Nine-Tails for the Hidden Leaf. But because the Hidden Sand already had The One-Tail, The First Kazekage demanded something else instead of a Tailed Beast at the First Official Five-Kage Summit. Arguments against this demand were made, threats of war were thrown around the table, but ultimately, Lord First Hokage relented, and gave The First Kazekage what he wanted. And that was that. No other real changes to the balance of power within the Five Great Nations have been made since that time." Lord Third explained.

"And yet there have been three whole Great Ninja Wars after that happened even though The Jinchuriki are used as war deterrents, right?" Izumi asked. "Yes. It's been my understanding that not all Jinchuriki have full control of their Tailed Beasts, though. The only one who's ever come close to gaining full, perfect control is The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi. That's why they called him 'The Perfect Jinchuriki'. But we all know what happened to him after the rebels won the civil war..." Lord Third says. "I know. Of course, he was a bad person, no doubt about it. That's half the reason there are so many rogue ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village, but even I can admit that he died too fast. He should've been in jail for life, at the very least." Izumi replied. "In any case, good work. Continue your surveillance of those three until the day of the Final Exam. Don't want to miss out on your teams' fights, now, do you?" Lord Third asked. "No, Sir. I don't." Izumi answered.

Meanwhile Kitsune taught Naruto how to better control his chakra by teaching him the Summoning Jutsu and teaching him how to summon foxes. The first time he used the Jutsu, he summoned a baby fox, and then, the next few times he summoned a fox, he only summoned teenage foxes and then...one day, when Naruto put too much chakra into the Jutsu, he summoned a big seven-tailed fox with white fur and blue eyes. That white fox is a female fox named Ahri who's very angry at Naruto because he is The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki and Ahri used to be The Nine-Tails' wife. And surprisingly, The Nine-Tailed Fox is scared of her.

"Let's just say she wore the pants in the family back when I actually...had a family." The Nine-Tails explained. He also told Naruto that Ahri is basically the Queen of his homeland, a place called Foxhold Valley. 'You were actually royalty?' Naruto thought. The Nine-Tails had explained far earlier that a Jinchuriki could communicate with their Tailed Beasts via their thoughts when it's not possible to get inside their own psyche, and do the same except The Jinchuriki and the Tailed Beast would be meeting face-to-face in that case. Sometimes, they could be talking to their Tailed Beast in their psyche while sleeping, while meditating or while The Jinchuriki is using their Jinchuriki powers. "Yes." The Nine-Tails answered. 'Why did you leave all that, then? That sounds awesome.' Naruto thought. "Madara Uchiha and The First Hokage. Madara summoned me, used his Sharingan to control me and then he used me to battle his rival, The First Hokage who was also known as Hashirama Senju this was all because back then, Madara became a rogue ninja because he saw no future for the Uchiha in the Hidden Leaf Village and because he all of the sudden used me and the power of his Sharingan to attack the Hidden Leaf Village. Hashirama stopped Madara, and then, he freed me from Madara's control. I thought I could get back to Foxhold Valley, and return to my wife before she got too upset but Hashirama turned around, and sealed me into his wife because he thought I was 'too dangerous' to be wandering around freely. And he must've thought the same of my other siblings, those who you call the Tailed Beasts, because he captured almost all of them, and distributed them freely to the other nations so that they could seal them in other Humans." The Nine-Tails explained. 'There are more powerful so-called "demons" like you? And what do you mean by "almost"?' Naruto thought. "Yes, there are more of us. Nine of us, in fact. And I said 'almost' because the Hidden Sand Village captured one of us, a Tanuki named Shukaku some time before Hashirama did the same with the rest of us." The Nine-Tails answered. 'The Hidden Sand Village?' Naruto thought. "Yes. In fact, I sense his chakra even now..." The Nine-Tails says. 'Well that doesn't sound ominous, at all...' Naruto sarcastically thought. "You should be more focused on my wife right now, brat!" The Nine-Tails shouted. 'Right!' Naruto thought.

Naruto managed to get Ahri to calm down by telling her that The Nine-Tails leaving her was not his fault. After that, they'd actually managed to become friends. And then, Ahri saw that Naruto had signed his name on the blood contract necessary to summon foxes.

Ahri looked at Naruto, and said, "I'm curious. Who taught you the Summoning Jutsu and to sign that contract? And why did you want to learn it?" "Well, you see, my Sensei's gone off on some secret mission and I wanted to be prepared for the Final Exam of the Chunin Exams and so, I wanted to train more and more and more and then...? Guess what? I met Kitsune! Or...I guess I should call her 'Kitsune-Sensei' or 'Master Kitsune', like all the adults do. Anyway, she taught me the Jutsu to improve my chakra control and ever since I learned the Summoning Jutsu, I've been practicing it. I've also been practicing the other new Jutsus that Izumi-Sensei taught me." Naruto excitedly explained. "Wanna see the other new Jutsus I've learned?" "Of course." Ahri answered. He then demonstrated the Lightning Cutter Jutsu, the Thunder Punch Jutsu, the Air Slash Jutsu, the Spark Jutsu, the Thunder Shock Jutsu, the Raging Waves Jutsu, the Chidori and the Mud Wall Jutsu. He also told her that he knows the Majestic Destroyer Flame Jutsu but he can't cast it here because it has such a wide area of effect.

"So Kitsune has taken on yet another promising young student..." Ahri mutters while smiling. "I'm sorry for startling you by summoning you, by the way. If anything, it was a bit of an accident." Naruto told her. "Then I forgive you. Practice makes perfect, though. Keep going at it, and I'm sure you'll be a force to be reckoned with." Ahri said. "Farewell, Naruto Uzumaki." Ahri then used some sort of Jutsu to teleport away.

Naruto practiced the Summoning Jutsu one more time, and found the fox that he thought he'd most likely use. The fox had black and orange fur, blue eyes, and it surprisingly took a liking to Naruto as soon as it was summoned.

"That one's name is Kovu." The Nine-Tails said. 'How do you know?' Naruto thought. "He's my youngest Son, that's how I know. I still have fond memories of Ahri and I playing with him before Madara summoned me away." The Nine-Tails answered. Kovu barked at Naruto, but never talked to him. 'Why can't he talk like some of the others did?' Naruto thought. "A few of the kids Ahri and I had together are disabled. Kovu is one of them. But that does not matter. He can still understand Human speech all the same." The Nine-Tails answered. 'Cool.' Naruto thought.

"Alright, Kovu, you can go home now. I'm done practicing the Summoning Jutsu for today." Naruto said. And just like that, Kovu disappeared.

'Man, I wish I could've summoned somethin' when I went up against Kiba...' Naruto thought. "Agreed." The Nine-Tails replied.

Naruto told Kitsune how he did with his Summoning Jutsu practice, and then, she gave him good praise.

The next day, Naruto went to Training Ground 3 all by himself and decided to train with the Summoning Jutsu once more. Tomorrow was the day of the Final Exam and he wanted to get all his bases covered before fighting Mori. Surprisingly, he learned that summoned foxes can use Ninjutsus like Humans can and he learned how to use their Jutsus in conjunction with his own to create devastating and powerful combo Jutsus. The Nine-Tails smirked a bit because he knows that Naruto would've reminded Minato of Kitsune if he was here to see Naruto training using the Summoning Jutsu like he is now. Naruto also found another summoning fox that he likes. This fox had white and yellow fur, orange eyes, two tails and it had the ability to grow to a larger size if it needed to, like the Akimichi Clan could. The fox introduced herself as The Nine-Tails' second

-youngest child and the older Sister of Kovu. Her name is Kiara. She also likes Naruto. The only con to being a fox summoner is that foxes can only use two kinds of elemental chakra: Ice Style and Fire Style. They can't use Wind, Water, Lightning or Earth or some of the other more unique styles like Lava Style or Boil Style or Crystal Style. Naruto reasonably believes that he can work with that.

---

'And now, it's time.' Izumi thought as she woke up. 'Today is the day. The day of the Final Exam.'

She got up, got dressed in her usual ninja outfit which is a sized-up version of what she wore as a Genin, equipped her ninja gear, walked from her bedroom and to the kitchen, made breakfast, ate her breakfast quickly, walked to the door to her house's front yard, put on her purple ninja sandals and her purple Hidden Leaf headband, which she kept on a hangar in the closet, walked out to the front yard, made a brief visit to the cemetery to pay respects to her dead Mother and Father, and then used the Teleportation Jutsu to arrive at the Exam Stadium early. That's right, the Final Exam matches are taking place in a large stadium with a large amount of seats for the audience. The highest of all the audience seats were reserved for the Five Kage. To her knowledge, only the Hidden Cloud, Hidden Stone and Hidden Mist Village all declined to partake in the Chunin Exams. Izumi doesn't know why, but she also doesn't care why because her three students were going to fight in the Final Exam, and, to her, that was all that mattered.

Izumi walked over to a seat, and took it. Then, many other audience members started pouring in all at once. She was so ready for this and filled with anticipation. She remembers when Asami-Sensei told her that she felt the same way when Izumi's other teammate was partaking in the Final Exam. Izumi already made Chunin back then, so she was just watching her teammate take part in the Exams for her own entertainment...even if she knows that it's fucked up to have literal children fight to the death for others' entertainment. Already, Tenten, Choji, Hinata and Ino have all died in their matches against their opponents. And she can't forget all the Genin who died in the Second Exam and all the children who were killed during the Uchiha Massacre.

Izumi sighed. 'Knowing him and his state of mind at the time, Itachi would've said that there are no innocents if I mentioned that he'd be killing innocent children, too, if he killed every other Uchiha except for myself and Sasuke. And, in a way, he'd be right considering that many children would grow up to be ninjas who would kill for the sake of the mission. And also...if I remember right, Itachi was thirteen when he killed all the Uchiha aside from myself and Sasuke. So he was also an innocent child-turned-killer. And I remember...one of the participants in the Chunin Exams killed Hinata's older Sister, Ichika, back when Hinata was seven years old.' Izumi thought. 'And, if I remember right, Ichika was killed by a Hidden Mist Genin named...Ao, I think. Back then, there was a lot of chatter about the fact that he was a little too old to still be a Genin.'

Moments later, Lord Third Hokage and Lord Fourth Kazekage appeared where they were supposed to sit (along with their Hidden Leaf Anbu bodyguards), and sat down. At the same time, Genma, who replaced Hayate as the Final Exam's proctor, appeared on the field using the Teleportation Jutsu and the other teams and their Jonin-Senseis arrived, as well. And so did Naruto, Sasuke and Yuki. 'At least all my kids are here.' Izumi thought. She then started blushing because she was embarrassed. 'Did I just say "all my kids"? Well, at least no one was here to hear my thoughts.'

Izumi thought back to Inoichi and his wife, Raiha, won't be here because their Daughter is dead. And neither will Choza and his fatass wife. Hiashi and Hanabi are only here to watch Neji's fight against Sasuke but at least Shikaku Nara and his wife, Yoshino, are here to watch. Izumi never knew why The Hokage didn't make Shikaku his right-hand-man since he's the village's Jonin Commander. She also can't see if the Aburame kid's parents are here or not.

Just then, Anko and another woman walked up to Izumi, and decided to sit on either side of her. Wait...is she-"Are you...Are you Kitsune Senju, one of The Three Legendary Sannin?!" Izumi asked as the woman sat on the seat to Izumi's right. The woman was wearing a pretty sexy red ninja uniform that consisted of: an armored-up version of a corset with only a couple of black straps instead of sleeves, a pair of red arm warmers and a normal pair of red sandals. She also wore a headband that had the kanji for "Foxhold" on it instead of any one hidden village's symbol. "Why, yes, yes I am." The woman answered so nonchalantly. "What gave me away?" "Your fox-like long silky hair and your headband." Izumi answered. "What are you doing here?" "She basically took over for Ebisu. Apparently, Naruto was becoming too much for the poor man." Anko answered for Kitsune. "Now, I'm just here to see the fruits of my training-and also to meet the Jonin-Sensei who abandoned him." Kitsune added. "Hey! I had a reason to hand him over to Ebisu for a bit!" Izumi shouted while pouting. Kitsune chuckled. "So I was right-you were on some kind of a top-secret mission." Kitsune said. Izumi grumbled because she knew Kitsune was right. "Chill out, Izumi. She's just fucking with you." Anko said. "So you're Izumi Uchiha, right? The Princess of the Uchiha Clan-the Last Girl of the Uchiha Clan?" Kitsune asked. The Exam's participants all walked out onto the field from the stadium's entrance, and stood in front of Genma. "Why do you wanna know? Are you going to tease me again?" Izumi asked. "No. I'm just telling you to be careful. I know you already know this, but this life of ours can be rough. And I want you to be there-for Naruto and Sasuke's sake, of course." Kitsune answered. "What's got you so sentimental all of a sudden?" Izumi then asked. "Well...Naruto's parents named me his Godmother. So even though he and I didn't meet until I came back to the village, part of me cares about him deeply. Also, you and Sasuke are the last of the Uchiha. And, as far as I know, Itachi's already been sentenced to death by now even though he hasn't been tried in a court martial just yet." Kitsune answered. "And it would be foolish of you both to go and join your clan so soon."

"Well, I guess that makes sense." Izumi said.

'Although, she doesn't yet know about Sasuke's curse mark.' Izumi thought.

"Shut up, you two. The Exam's about to start." Anko told both of them.

Meanwhile...

Naruto was angry although he didn't want to show it. But Sasuke can see right through Naruto's facade. "What's got you so riled up, loser?" Sasuke asked. "I won't get to fight Neji. I really want to tear him apart for killing Hinata." Naruto answered. "I...I get what you mean. Don't sweat it. I'll get back at him for you." Sasuke told him.

Mori looked at Naruto for just a second, and Naruto nearly tripped over himself out of a sense of fear. Sasuke chuckled and Naruto didn't know why. 'Doesn't she scare him too?' Naruto thought. "By the way, loser, why do you care so much about that girl?" Sasuke asked. "Well...she cared so much about me-even back at the Academy. I didn't understand it at the time because the way she showed her affection was...weird. Also, something about her eyes creeped me out. Then, I saw Neji mock her determination and ridicule her for even trying to get through the Exams, and I just knew I had to cheer her on. Even if we were from different teams. I cared about her because she was always caring about me. She even gave me that healing cream I still haven't used. Another thing that told me she cared was when Kurenai-Sensei told me that she doesn't give out that cream normally or talk to anyone normally. Also, I didn't always get it, but Neji was her Cousin, right? He should've knocked her out instead. But no, he chose to kill her. What kind of monster does that, and still thinks he's better than everyone else?" Naruto explained. "I understand that, too." Sasuke agreed. "Guys, shut up! The proctor's about to start talking." Yuki whispered.

The proctor told everyone that the Final Exam had the same rules (or lack thereof) as the preliminary exam. After that, he offered the participants a one-and-only chance to back out, and forfeit their match. "Anyone who forfeits can come back, and try again." The proctor said. That Kankuro guy raised his hand, and then walked to the observation platform above the stadium's main entrance.

"Alright. Because of a sudden death that took place before the Final Exam and because the Hidden Sand ninja Kankuro forfeited his match, the match-ups have changed. Shino Aburame will fight Shikamaru Nara and Yuki Nohara's match against Temari will instead be the second match." The proctor announced. "First up is Sasuke Uchiha and Neji Hyuga. Only the two combatants will be allowed to stay on the field. The rest of the participants are to head up to the observation platform, and wait for your match."

Naruto and the others walked up to the observation platform. Only Sasuke and Neji stayed down there. Sasuke and Neji turned to face each other, and took up a fighting stance.

"Ready? BEGIN!" The proctor shouted. Sasuke activates his Sharingan and Neji activates his Byakugan before they charge towards each other, and start the fight with each other's Taijutsu.

Back with Izumi, Anko and Kitsune...

Izumi, Anko and Kitsune watched as Sasuke fought Neji.

Neji was trying his best to hit Sasuke with his Gentle Fist Technique, but Sasuke dodged every palm that was aimed at him. "Look at him go..." Kitsune says. "Their Academy records say both Sasuke and Neji were at top of the class during their time at the Academy." Anko told Kitsune. "So it's a prodigy versus prodigy fight. Interesting." Kitsune remarked. "I think that aspect makes it less interesting because they'll probably be so evenly-matched that there'll be no clear winner in this fight." Anko said for the sake of argument. "I think you'll be wrong, Anko." Izumi said. "What? Why?" Anko asked. "Remember that bowl cut kid? Rock Lee? He was Might Guy's student and Guy is a Taijutsu master. Neji is also on the same team as Lee, the Tenten girl who died in the preliminary, and Might Guy. And before the First Exam, Sasuke fought Lee in an unsanctioned fight but thankfully, both survived that fight because Guy intervened before it could go any further. And I don't know if you saw it, but Sasuke sorta copied Lee's 'Front Lotus' move in the first preliminary match. And I heard from Guy, himself, that Lee views Neji as a rival. So I wonder what other moves Sasuke copied during his fight with Lee..." Izumi says.

Izumi was right about that, but not in the way she thought.

Sasuke backed away from Neji, and then, he casted the Fireball Jutsu and Neji. Neji blocked the Jutsu by using that Palm Rotation secret technique of his. But then, Sasuke casted the Lightning Bomb Jutsu while Neji was blocking Sasuke's fireball and then, the Lightning Bomb came at Neji faster than he could anticipate it.

The bomb hit Neji, and then exploded. Neji was instantly rendered unconscious. But, before he could fall down, Sasuke activated the Chidori, and then zoomed towards Neji before using the Chidori to stab Neji in the heart. "That was for killing your Cousin." Sasuke said. Sasuke pulled his hand out of Neji's chest, and then he deactivated the Chidori and his Sharingan. Neji fell down, and immediately died.

"Neji Hyuga is dead. The winner is Sasuke Uchiha." Genma declared. Hiashi then looked down at Izumi, and subtly glared at her. Izumi pretended to ignore it. After Hiashi regained his composure, he instead looked back down at the field. Sasuke was about to walk to the observation deck and the next combatants were about to walk onto the field when a loud sound was heard by everyone in that stadium. Blue smoke shot up into the air and then another loud sound was heard, and red smoke shot up into the air, too. The smoke was coming from where the Kage were sitting.

Then, one-by-one, audience members were starting to fall asleep, and white feathers started to slowly fall from the roof. Izumi activated her Sharingan. "It's a Genjutsu!" Izumi thought out loud. She released herself, Kitsune and Anko from the Genjutsu and then, she released some other Hidden Leaf ninjas from the Genjutsu. "That was one Hell of a Genjutsu." Kitsune commented. "Agreed, but who was casting it?" Anko asked. They looked down, and saw that members of the Anbu dressed in black hooded cloaks were holding up one hand sign. Izumi, Kitsune, and Anko threw one kunai knife at the Anbu who were clearly disguised enemies, and then, two of the Anbu were hit, and they fell down and died but the one meant for the third fake Anbu was blocked somehow. "What the-?" Izumi was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Hidden Sound ninjas and Hidden Sand ninjas who appeared to be working together to attempt to kill Izumi, Kitsune and Anko while protecting the fake Anbu at the same time. Izumi also heard other sounds of fighting amongst the audience.

'This is an invasion.' Izumi thought. She then saw one of the Anbu pull down his black hood, and take off his mask to reveal it was Kabuto.

Izumi knocked out the enemies who were trying to kill her. "You! You're Kabuto Yakushi!" Izumi shouted. "Kabuto...so you're the brat of the Chief of the Hidden Leaf medical corps who somehow 'died', huh?" Anko asked. "Yeah. It's like I told you." Izumi answered for Kabuto. "Which means we can't let our guards down." Kitsune said. "I know." Izumi replied. "So you've finally looked me up." Kabuto said to Izumi. Izumi was about to cast a Jutsu when Kabuto interrupted her by saying, "Nuh-uh-uh...I'd reconsider that if I were you." He then stepped to the side, and showed her that the triplets from the Hidden Sand, Baki, Yuki, and...Naruto (who was in his Jinchuriki Form) were on the field, confronting Sasuke like they were about to fight him. 'Wait, what? I didn't give him permission to use his Jinchuriki powers...' Izumi thought. Genma seemed to be the only one who's protecting Sasuke. "I believe you might want to protect your fellow Uchiha and that proctor, there. I don't think you'd want him to suffer Baki's Wind Sword like Hayate did..." Kabuto says. "It looks like Sarutobi-Sensei needs help, too." Kitsune said. On the roof of a building, Lord Hokage seemed to be fighting someone she couldn't see from this distance while the Anbu assigned to Lord Third seemed to be running up to them to catch up. But then, a large purple glowing barrier that covered almost the entire roof was cast around Lord Third and his opponent, preventing the Anbu from going any further. One Anbu tried running through the barrier, but the barrier burned them to death upon impact. The other Anbu just decided to wait outside the barrier. 'Useless Anbu...' Izumi thought. "You'd be right about that, Fox Sage. See, at this very moment, Lord Orochimaru is fighting your-and his-former Sensei. And The Tsuchikage should be joining in at any moment..." Kabuto says. "What the-Orochimaru? Here?" Kitsune asked. "What do you mean The Tsuchikage will be joining Orochimaru?" Anko asked. "I guess I should've told you...the Hidden Sound and Hidden Sand and Hidden Stone all agreed to use the Chunin Exams to set the stage for an invasion of the Hidden Leaf Village. All they needed to do was strike when the time was right. But Lord Orochimaru also had the foresight to kill The Fourth Kazekage and disguise himself as The Fourth Kazekage to get the opportunity to fight his former Sensei. And now, here we all are, in the middle of an invasion of the Hidden Leaf. All because you Hidden Leaf ninjas were too cowardly to say, 'Fuck Orochimaru's threat!', and stop the Exams anyway. At this moment, Lord Orochimaru will now kill his Sensei, and acquire Sasuke to use as a body for his Immortality Jutsu. At the same time, the Hidden Sand will get what they wanted, which was just a war with the Hidden Leaf and The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. While the Hidden Stone will get their revenge on the Hidden Leaf for their loss during the last Great Ninja War." Kabuto explained.

'Damn it!' Izumi thought. Kitsune turned left, and ran off. Izumi looked at Anko, and Anko said, "Go help out Naruto and Sasuke. I'll take care of Kabuto and everything else."

Izumi simply nodded, and then ran and jumped down to the field while rushing to Sasuke's aid.

After that, she put herself in between Sasuke and beside Genma. "So...the Exams were all a distraction, were they?" Izumi asked. "You were all fooled so easily." Yuki said. Izumi activated her Mangekyo Sharingan, and tried to use it to suppress The Nine-Tails' chakra, but Yuki made one hand sign, and kicked Izumi out of Naruto's psyche before she could even attempt to suppress the chakra while giving Naruto immense chest pain. "Oww...my heart! Izumi-Sensei, help!" Naruto begged. "Not so fast, Ms. Uchiha. I need him in this state." Yuki told her. "But how...how are you controlling him?" Izumi asked. Izumi looked at Naruto's chest, and found a tag on Naruto's heart. "Izumi-Sensei, what's going on?" Sasuke asked. "It-" "I'll answer for her, Sasuke. While you were dawdling about, minding your own business, I broke into his house at night, fucked him on his bed, and put a Forbidden Individual Curse Tag on his heart before I used a Genjutsu to put him asleep. I got him and I dressed, and then I escaped. I then used the tag to keep him from revealing otherwise delicate secrets about me and my plans." Yuki explained, interrupting Izumi. "Until now, that is." "She was our perfect spy." Baki said. "Although, I admit I'm a bit surprised at the methods she used to get The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki to this point." "I'LL KILL YOU!" Naruto yelled. "Ah. I forgot that you can hear us." Yuki said. She then used the tag again to give Naruto more momentary chest pain. "Give us that boy...the boy you call Sasuke, or I'll kill you." Mori demanded. "I'm sorry, Miss Fake Genin, but you're not exactly in a position to make any demands." Genma said. "He's right-you're not touching him." Izumi told them. "That's fine. I'm only here for Naruto, anyway." Yuki said. Yuki and Naruto turned to their left, and ran out the stadium's main entrance. "Can you handle them?" Izumi asked Genma. "I'll try..." Genma answers. Izumi sighs. "Okay." Izumi then said, knowing that that's probably the best answer she'll get. They then heard more loud noises and sounds of roaring from afar. "That'll be our reinforcements attacking from your village's gates." Kankuro told Izumi, Sasuke and Genma.

Izumi turned to face Sasuke, and asked, "You're not too wounded from your fight against that Hyuga member, are you?"

Sasuke shook his head.

"Great. Then this'll be our first A-Rank mission. We need to get Naruto back and defeat Yuki." Izumi told him. Sasuke nodded in agreement.

Izumi and Sasuke both turned towards the stadium's main entrance, and ran after Naruto and Yuki.

They ran and ran and ran and ran all throughout the village, fighting Hidden Sand, Hidden Sound and Hidden Stone ninjas along the way until they finally found them. Yuki and Naruto turned around to face them once Yuki realized they were there.

"Hmph. A persistent duo, aren't you?" Yuki asked. "Give back Naruto, or you'll regret it!" Sasuke threatened. "Sorry, Sasuke, I'm afraid that that will be an empty threat." Yuki said. She then demonstrated her use of that forbidden tag again, and caused Naruto a lot of temporary chest pain.

"Face it, you two. Team 7 is over-in fact, there never was a Team 7 in the first place." Yuki told them. "Why are you doing this?" Izumi asked. "Because Rin Nohara was my oldest Cousin and yet...you Hidden Leaf ninjas let her die. Contrary to popular belief, I was not kidnapped-my clan willingly gave me up to the undercover Hidden Sand Anbu group sent here to take me. My clan wanted to give one of their own clan members away to any hidden village-other than the Hidden Leaf-who would take them. All because they wanted revenge for Rin. And I also wanted revenge. The thing is, I never expected myself to get it this way. But I did all of what I did anyway. I also wanted to take my revenge on the Hidden Leaf because, back when I was 'kidnapped', I didn't understand why they were taking me or where they were taking me to. I spent many days in a Hidden Sand prison. Meanwhile, my parents, who knew nothing, called for help from the Hidden Leaf's Anbu. But no one came for me. After so many days of imprison

-ment, I came to resent the Hidden Leaf and so, I became the Hidden Sand's youngest Kunoichi. I was quickly elevated to Chunin by The Kazekage over time and then, I joined the Hidden Sand's Anbu. And now I'm here, taking away the Hidden Leaf's biggest source of power, and thus causing a shift in the power balance between the nations. Which means that even if the Hidden Leaf somehow manages to drive our forces out of the village and win the battle, the war we crave will still start because everyone will want Naruto after that." Yuki explained.

"Like Hell it will!" Sasuke shouted. He casted the Fireball Jutsu at Yuki. Yuki casted the Mud Wall Jutsu to block Sasuke's fireball. "Naruto, let's show them what we're made of." Yuki ordered. Naruto went around the Mud Wall, and ran up to Sasuke before punching him. "Stop, Naruto! That bitch is enslaving you!" Sasuke shouted. "I know, but I can't suffer another heart attack." Naruto said. A sad look was on his face and tears were streaming down from Naruto's blue eyes.

'Alright...if he's got Naruto, then I've got Yuki.' Izumi thought.

Izumi weaved together four hand signs, and then shouted, "Ninja Art: Lightning Ball!" And then, a bunch of balls made of yellow lightning appeared around Izumi, and fired themselves at the Mud Wall.

The Mud Wall was destroyed by the lightning balls, and then, Yuki dodged the debris from the destroyed Mud Wall, and then, she casted the Gale Palm Jutsu to counter the other lightning balls.

The lightning balls and wind gusts from the Gale Palm Jutsu collided, and made a big explosion.

"Alright, if you want to take revenge on us for Rin's death, then perhaps I should tell you how Rin died because what you're doing is so ironic that it borders on stupidity." Izumi said. "Tell me, then. Since you apparently know so much." Yuki sarcastically told her. "While Rin and Kakashi were returning home to the Hidden Leaf Village after the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, some Hidden Mist Anbu and Hidden Mist Jonin came out of nowhere, and kidnapped Rin. They took her somewhere to seal The Three Tails, the third of the Tailed Beasts inside Rin. They then placed a Forbidden Individual Curse Tag on her heart so that The Three-Tails would come out, and destroy the Hidden Leaf Village when Rin returned to the village. Kakashi came and saved her, and then they were running back to the village while some Hidden Mist Anbu were chasing them. While they were running away, Rin somehow figured out what was really going on, and she asked Kakashi to kill her. Kakashi refused, but the only way they knew how to remove the tag was to strike her heart. But Kakashi didn't want to acknowledge that. So, instead, Kakashi and Rin stopped, and fought the Hidden Mist ninjas while thinking of ways to take off the tag without killing her. But it was fruitless. So, instead, as Kakashi was about to use the Chidori to kill an enemy, Rin went and put herself in the way of Kakashi's Jutsu. The Chidori went straight through Rin's heart. And Rin died, but the enemy's plan was foiled. All anyone can say about the aftermath was that Kakashi fell down and went unconscious after killing Rin, and then, somehow, every Hidden Mist ninja was killed. Help arrived, probably thinking that Kakashi and Rin somehow killed them all before Rin was killed and help arrived." Izumi explained.

"Bullshit! How could you possibly know that?!" Yuki shouted. Yuki threw a kunai knife and Izumi, and Izumi dodged the kunai knife. "Because I knew Kakashi Hatake. He was there for me right after the Massacre. He and I became friends. And he told me all about how Rin and Obito died because they were on the same team. They were students of The Fourth Hokage." Izumi answered. "You put a Forbidden Individual Curse Tag on Naruto, who is The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki and yet, if Rin wasn't made into The Three-Tails' Jinchuriki, if that same tag was never put on her-Hell, if the Hidden Mist ninjas hadn't kidnapped Rin at all, Rin wouldn't have had to die. How come you can't see the irony in that?" Izumi asked. "Because I don't care if my actions here today are ironic or not. All I care about is taking the Hidden Leaf's power, and handing it to someone else for a change." Yuki answered.

Izumi looked shocked.

"Oh, what's that look for, Izumi? It's a simple and universal truth that you Hidden Leaf ninjas can't get through your thick skulls. That truth is called survival of the fittest-the weak shall perish and the strong shall survive. Then again, the strong may become the weak, in and of themselves due to complacency or indolence because they hold so much strength to begin with that they couldn't possibly fathom the thought that their power could be taken away." Yuki explained.

"Water Shuriken Jutsu!" Yuki shouted. And then, Yuki threw three water shurikens at Izumi. Izumi dodged all three.

Izumi then made two hand signs, and shouted, "Lightning-Style: Spark!" And then a lot of lightning generated from Izumi's body, and then shot towards Yuki.

Yuki got hit by the Spark Jutsu, but she's also still standing. "So, what, is The One-Tail not good enough for you Hidden Sand ninjas?" Izumi asked. "Correct!" Yuki shouted. "Holy shit, calm down! I wasn't actually being serious with that question." Izumi said. "The fact is, The Feudal Lord of the Land of Wind isn't taking us Hidden Sand ninjas seriously. He's cut our funding and given mission requests to ninjas of the other villages. The Kazekage has had to make cutbacks and layoffs." Yuki told Izumi, ignoring her quips. "So you aren't just doing this solely for revenge, either." Izumi said. "Exactly. We need to remind The Feudal Lord of our strength with this battle and the war that is sure to come in the aftermath of the invasion." Yuki replied.

Yuki then casted the Fireball Jutsu at Izumi and Izumi countered with her own Fireball Jutsu.

The fireballs collided, and made a big explosion. Izumi pulled out a kunai knife. 'Well, aren't the Hidden Sand higher-ups a bunch of geniuses…they probably don't realize that Orochimaru's been masquerading as their Kazekage this whole time. Not that it matters because their plan is dumb and smart at the same time.' Izumi thought.

Izumi ran up to Yuki with her kunai knife raised, and Yuki pulled out her own kunai knife, and blocked Izumi's incoming attack.

Meanwhile, Naruto and Sasuke were continuing to fight using Taijutsu. "Did you hear Izumi-Sensei? The only way to remove this tag thing from me...is for me to die." Naruto said, crying while fighting Sasuke. Sasuke dodged each strike Naruto attempted to make. "Kill me...Kill me, Sasuke." "Like Hell, I will!" Sasuke shouted. Sasuke then kicks Naruto, and Naruto punches Sasuke in retaliation. "Annihilate him, Naruto!" Yuki shouted. Naruto then used the Fire Punch Jutsu to launch Sasuke into a wall. Sasuke recovered. 'Damn. I can't find an opening.' Sasuke thought. Sasuke wanted to fight some more, but he was slightly injured. Izumi noticed this, and rushed to his aid. "Sasuke!" Izumi shouted.

Izumi used a special Water-Style Jutsu to heal Sasuke, and then, they turned to face Naruto. "To me, Naruto." Yuki commanded. Naruto then jumped back to Yuki's side.

Izumi and Sasuke walked to a spot six feet away from Naruto and Yuki, and prepared to fight again.

"It seems that we can't do this for too much longer. You attempted to defeat me with just words, and words, alone and yet you failed. So instead, I'm going to try the same to you. Because the village's been lying to you...Sasuke. Itachi didn't just decide to murder the Uchiha Clan just out of hatred." Yuki said. "What are you talking about?" Sasuke asked. "Sasuke, don't listen to her." Izumi told him. "It's interesting how even you know, Izumi and yet you never told him, either." Yuki taunted. "I don't understand! What do you mean?!" Sasuke shouted. Izumi passed a little white paper to Sasuke, and Sasuke caught it.

Sasuke saw that the paper had a note written on it. And he read it.

It reads:

I got tired of missions.

At this rate, the Uchiha will have no future.

And neither will I...

I am unable to walk the "path" any further.

"That's a suicide note written by Shisui Uchiha, a friend of Itachi's. Shisui was also feared far and wide as 'Shisui The Teleporter'. See, at the time, the Uchiha Clan was planning a coup against the Hidden Leaf. This was because the village wrongly accused the Uchiha Clan of orchestrating the Nine-Tails Incident. The clan denied the accusation, but the village doubled down on the accusation because there was so little known about the Nine-Tails Incident and no one else was comin' around and sayin', 'I did it.'." Yuki explained. "Why did they single out my clan, of all clans?" Sasuke asked. "Because there are only two ways to control or tame a Tailed Beast: The Wood Style or the Sharingan. Hell, an exceptionally strong Mangekyo Sharingan is more effective at taming and taking control of a Tailed Beast. The Wood Style is an extinct chakra nature that hasn't been seen since The First Hokage was alive. But the Sharingan was still very much alive. And the village knew that the Sharingan could control The Nine-Tails. As a compromise between the clan and the village to keep the peace, your higher-ups had the Uchiha move their compound to the village's outskirts. And then, over time, your superiors had been taking more and more from the clan to the point where your police ninjas were relegated to beat cop duty while the Anbu were given all the murder, robbery and drug investigations. The Anbu were taking down actual criminals while your clan was arresting people for rather stupid reasons like public nudity or the occasional drunken dispute. So it was no fucking wonder that the Uchiha were dissatisfied with these current circumstances. The village, however, suspected the Uchiha of being traitors who could incite a coup at any moment. And they knew that the other hidden villages would carry out their own strikes against the village if a civil war were to start in the Hidden Leaf Village. The Third Hokage and the Head of the Uchiha Clan-your Father-tried and failed numerous times to negotiate a peace between the clan and the village. But for some reason, those peace talks always wound up failing. So, seeing no other solution, your Father actually planned a coup against the village leaders. This was where Itachi and Shisui came in because they were double agents for the village and your silly little clan. After both Shisui and Itachi heard that the Uchiha Clan's Head would actually have the clan rebel against the village, Shisui planned on using his Mangekyo ability-the Kotoamatsukami, which is a mind control Genjutsu that allows the caster to make the individual they casted the Jutsu on do whatever they want them to do-on your Father to make him put an end to the coup before it starts. But before Shisui could even do that, he was approached by one of your village elders-a bad man named Danzo Shimura, who didn't have any faith in Shisui's plan so, instead, Danzo stole Shisui's Sharingan for himself, and, before Danzo could take the other one, Shisui teleported away, met with Itachi for one last time on the top of a cliff overlooking the Nakano River. As I mentioned before, Shisui knew that Danzo would try to steal his other eye, so he gave that eye to Itachi, and intentionally fell off the cliff." Yuki explained further.

"But-But Itachi told me he murdered Shisui when he and I last talked. That was how he got his Mangekyo Sharingan, wasn't it?" Sasuke asked. "Another lie Itachi, himself, fed you to make you hate him. Yes, Itachi did awaken his Mangekyo Sharingan but only after witnessing Shisui committing suicide. Murdering your best friend isn't the only way to obtain those Eyes, stupid." Yuki revealed. "So, is that...is that coup why he had to kill the clan?" Sasuke then asked. "Yes. Danzo ordered him to do it, too. There was no other way to resolve the conflict. But there was one tiny problem with exterminating the clan. Your Sister, Satsuki." Yuki answered. "What? Why was she a problem?" Sasuke questioned. "On the night of the Nine-Tails Incident, Naruto wasn't the only one who The Fourth Hokage sealed The Nine-Tails into. In fact, Naruto currently only has half of The Nine-Tails' chakra. The other half went to Satsuki. And so, upon Itachi's request, a deal was made: Sasuke was to be spared if Itachi, himself, killed every Uchiha but you. They also told him that Izumi's life would be spared-since she was his girlfriend at the time-if he gave her off to Danzo, who, using his own Foundation agents, would take The Nine-Tails' chakra out of Satsuki, and seal it into Izumi. That would, of course, result in Satsuki's own death but that was Danzo's intention. He needed your Sister to die. But something went wrong with the ritual they were performing and instead, that half of The Nine-Tails escaped from the seal placed on Satsuki, and destroyed the ritual site before escaping from the village. Satsuki was killed, and so were many other Foundation members, but Danzo and Izumi escaped from the destruction just fine. Izumi ran to the Uchiha Compound, found you passed out, and Itachi was seemingly nowhere to be seen. The Third Hokage and an Anbu unit investigated the entire compound, and found that you and Izumi were the only survivors. Before he actually left, Itachi threatened Danzo by telling him that if he ever hurt either you or Izumi, he'd sell the Hidden Leaf's secrets to every one of the Hidden Leaf's enemies and then, The Hokage secretly assigned him to act as a double agent again. Only this time, he was spying on the Akatsuki, a...weird organization full of weird rogue ninjas who kill for money and act as a private military." Yuki elaborated.

"Izumi, you said that there was irony to my using the Forbidden Individual Curse Tag to control Naruto for the express purpose of taking revenge on the Hidden Leaf for Rin's death. And yet you serve the village that made Itachi sacrifice everything to resolve the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and that same village. And you are both Uchihas. You should be fucking angry with the village, not Itachi." Yuki then told her.

"I-I-" "Is it true, Izumi-Sensei?" Sasuke asked, interrupting Izumi. "I...what?" Izumi asked in reply. "Is it true that you knew all about this?" Sasuke clarified. Izumi sighed. 'I never thought this day would come. And yet...no, I must tell him.' She thought.

"Yes, Sasuke, I did know-well, most of it, at least." Izumi answered. "Then why didn't you tell me?!" Sasuke shouted.

Suddenly, a giant Tanuki-like monster with fur that is the color of sand and yellow eyes appeared in the stadium. "The One-Tail..." Izumi mutters.

"She did not tell you because Sarutobi told her not to." A recognizable voice suddenly said. Izumi and Sasuke were startled. Suddenly, Danzo and five Foundation Anbu members appeared in between Izumi and Yuki.

"It was just about one of the only sensible things Sarutobi ever did." Danzo said. "Yuki, go. My agents and I will cover your escape." "Alright. See ya, Izumi!" Yuki shouted. Yuki and Naruto turned around, and ran off.

"So...siding with the enemy, I see." Izumi quipped. "This attack is for the sake of the village. Perhaps, the Council will see how ineffective Sarutobi is, and, for once, put a more forceful hand in charge of the village." Danzo said. "Is that the reason for this attack, or are you just helping the enemy because you've figured out that Orochimaru is behind the whole thing? I know he was your greatest ally before he left the village and became a rogue ninja." Izumi also quipped. Izumi then used her Mangekyo Sharingan to get a good look at Danzo's combat capabilities. 'I don't believe it!' Izumi thought. She saw that not only does Danzo have Shisui's eye, but he has six other Sharingans implanted into his right arm. 'H-How is that possible?'

"I thought that the Foundation, of all...uh...things...sub-factions...would be against another village taking The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. If I remember right, that's what Lord Third told me." Izumi quipped. "My mind's changed on the matter. The villagers will be glad that The Jinchuriki's gone. And it would be counter

-productive if a certain someone had to orchestrate another 'massacre' to quell another coup orchestrated by people who are dissatisfied with The Jinchuriki's presence in the village." Danzo told her. "That would leave us vulnerable to more enemy attacks-even if the Hidden Leaf got a Hokage who had a 'more forceful' hand, that would still be true. The Hidden Leaf would be at a disadvantage. Aren't The Jinchuriki meant to be war deterrents in the first place?" Izumi asked. "Naruto Uzumaki ceased to be a war deterrent the moment Sarutobi decided to let him have a 'normal childhood', as if there is such a thing for a Jinchuriki. The Hidden Sand 'raised' their Jinchuriki the right way-they taught their Jinchuriki to be a ruthless killer from the moment it was created. They created their weapon. The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, however, is just a loud-mouthed child who should never have been a ninja in the first place. If I were them, I would've had The Nine-Tails taken out of Naruto, and sealed into someone else." Danzo replied. "But Naruto will die-you know that!" Izumi shouted. "The Ninja World will not care. In fact, it will be glad he is gone. Naruto is a naive, idealistic child. A Jinchuriki needs to be a weapon." Danzo coldly said.

"Izumi-Sensei, what do we do?" Sasuke asked. Izumi deactivated her Mangekyo Sharingan and her normal Sharingan to conserve her chakra.

"We can't save Naruto right now. We have to run." Izumi answered. "Run? Why?" Sasuke asked. "Because we can't fight these guys-they're stronger than us. We need to run and hide." Izumi answered. Izumi and Sasuke turned right, and started running.

The masked Foundation agents were about to chase after the two Uchihas but Danzo stopped them. "Leave them. They've stopped their pursuit of The Jinchuriki. That's all that matters." Danzo told them. The masked Foundation members all gathered around him, and then one of them asked, "What do we do now, Lord Danzo?" "Whatever we can to aid the Hidden Stone, Hidden Sound and Hidden Sand until either they win or lose. If they lose, we will have lost nothing." Danzo ordered. And then, they disappeared using the Teleportation Jutsu.

---

Izumi and Sasuke ran and ran until they found an empty house to hide in. They hid for a solid ten minutes before Izumi said, "I think it's safe for us now." "How so?" Sasuke asked. "Those guys we ran from aren't after us." Izumi answered. "Who were those guys, anyway? I mean, I knew that those masked guys were Hidden Leaf Anbu, but what about the bandaged old guy?" Sasuke then asked. "That 'bandaged old guy' is Danzo, Sasuke. The Hidden Leaf elder that Yuki mentioned. And those Anbu are from the subdivision of the Anbu that Danzo, himself, created and currently leads. That subdivision is called the Foundation. They're bad guys who partake in downright despicable acts only for 'the good of the Hidden Leaf'. They care only for their mission-even if their orders are wrong and illegal. They are mercilessly trained to become merciless, in and of themselves. And Danzo is the worst of them all." Izumi explained. "How so?" Sasuke questioned. "As I said, Danzo is the Foundation's founder and leader and he's also a war monger who's opposed The Third Hokage ever since he was named The Third Hokage by The Second Hokage at the end of the First Great Ninja War. He opposes The Third Hokage because Lord Third is rather moderate by purely political standards and Lord Third would rather try a words-first approach as opposed to killing someone on sight. Just as Danzo is merciless, Lord Third is merciful. In a way, Danzo and Lord Third are complete opposites. Before the creation of the Foundation, Danzo tried creating another faction called the Hawk, which was full of other people who opposed The Third Hokage for other reasons. But they were put down. Thus, Danzo gained a nickname. That nickname was 'The Warhawk'. You should not approach him carelessly. Danzo and the Foundation will not hesitate to kill someone as young as you, Sasuke. After all, Danzo is the one who ordered Itachi to kill everyone else in our clan. Danzo is one scary, power-hungry warmonger who will probably stop at nothing to become The Hokage if we don't do something about him one of these days. It kinda surprises me that they're back, though." Izumi explained. "Why?" Sasuke inquired. "Because straight after the Uchiha Massacre, The Third Hokage officially dissolved the Foundation, and put Danzo under house arrest. But those who know ninjas like Danzo know that he won't be dissuaded from his horrible activities just because Lord Third said so, so naturally, the Foundation would just continue it's dirty work in secret. Also, I always knew that the Foundation would show their faces again one of these days, but the fact that they showed their faces right now is what surprises me because it's only been five years since the Massacre and the day when the Anbu's HeadQuarters was nearly destroyed." Izumi explained.

"But at least they're not really after us. They just wanted to stop us from going after Yuki and Naruto and they succeeded." Izumi then said. "So what are we going to do now?" Sasuke asked. "We're going to stop The One-Tail, that big Tanuki-like monster we saw earlier." Izumi answered. "That thing? How? It's taller than a building." Sasuke said. "My Sharingan can not only suppress The Nine-Tails' chakra, it could also do the same for every other Tailed Beast. And The One-Tail, as it's name might imply, is a Tailed Beast just like every other. Except The One-Tail is the least powerful as opposed to The Nine-Tails, which is the single most powerful. Hell, because of that, suppressing The One-Tail might be easier." Izumi told him. "Alright, then, how do we do that without getting crushed by that thing or attacked by the enemy?" Sasuke then asked.

Izumi walked outside, and looked around. She then got a perfect idea once she saw the Hokage Stone Faces. "Sasuke, come out here!" Izumi shouted. Sasuke ran up to Izumi, and Izumi said, "We'll be carrying out my plan from the top of The First Hokage's Stone Face Head." "I see." Sasuke said. They went all the way to the top of The First Hokage's Stone Face Head while sneaking past the enemy.

Once at the top, the two of them turned to face The One Tail, who was still inside the stadium, but was on the verge of breaking out, and then, Izumi activated her Mangekyo Sharingan and used it to enter Mori's psyche the same way she did with Naruto while Izumi's physical self stayed in the real world.

'Her psyche looks a lot like Naruto's.' Izumi thought. 'Except hers is darker.'

She walked on, and she found Mori and The One-Tail's cage, which had been recently opened. Mori was just standing around with her arms folded and her expression was cold and stoic.

Until Izumi came into the room, that is.

"How...How are you even here?" Mori asked. Izumi looked at her, and said, "I have special eyes."

Then, The One-Tail appeared in front of them. "Oh, the Sharingan, eh? In that case, I wouldn't trust this dame if I were you." The One-Tail warned Mori. "You mean The Nine-Tails?" Izumi asked. "Of course, I mean him. What are ya, stupid? Maybe the term 'dumb blonde' really is just a generalization." The One-Tail said. "Rude." Izumi replied. "He's right. Why should I trust you?" Mori asked. "Because I want to be your friend, silly." Izumi answered. "Friend?" Mori then asked. "Yes. Friend." Izumi answered. "What does that mean?" Mori questioned. Izumi was mortified by the fact that Mori doesn't know about friendship. 'Jeez. Well, she told me she didn't have a fun childhood...' Izumi thought.

"I think you'll find out later." Izumi told her. "Now, I must suppress The One-Tail, and redo your seal. And bolster it's strength, too." "You can't do that." Mori said. "Why?" Izumi asked. "I'm doing it to save my village." "Because I'm under orders to use Shukaku to destroy your pitiful village. You are not going to stop us." Mori answered. 'So, I was right. The One-Tail is the Hidden Sand's ultimate trump card in this fight.' Izumi thought.

"What, you think I'm just going to stop just because you say so?" Izumi taunted. Izumi walked up to The One-Tail, but Mori tried to stop her with her sand. But nothing happened.

"Not used to fighting without your gourd, are you?" Izumi quipped.

Mori then ran up to Izumi, and tried punching her, but Izumi stopped Mori with just her right hand by using a Paralysis Genjutsu on Mori. "I'm sorry, Mori, but in here, I'm a Goddess and you're nothing but a child.

Izumi then used the Great Fireball Jutsu to hurt The One-Tail so much that he had no choice but to let her put him back in his cage. Izumi then closed the cage, and redid Mori's seal before casting another complex Sealing Jutsu on top of the other Sealing Jutsu that was already there.

"There! That should do it." Izumi said. But Izumi felt that something was still wrong. "W-What's happening?" Izumi asked. The One-Tail laughed. "Nothing's changed, you whore. And it never will." He said. "I don't understand. I really-" Izumi cut herself off because she realized why nothing has changed.

Izumi turned towards Mori, and thought, 'So...if I just wake her up, It'll be all over.'

"No, you bitch!" The One-Tail shouted. "Back away from 'er!"

Izumi walked up to Mori, and then said, "Sorry for the blackout in advance. Still wanna be friends with you, though."

Izumi punched Mori to knock her out. Izumi succeeded in that task. Then, Izumi forcibly pulls herself out of Mori's psyche before she suffers the same fate as Mori.

Izumi woke up back in the physical world. "Izumi-Sensei! The monster's gone!" Sasuke shouted. Izumi looked around, and saw that The One-Tail was, indeed, gone. "It's gone, but it ain't dead. Although, I don't think Mori will be able to call upon it's power with as much ease as she did with today for quite some time." Izumi told him. Izumi then deactivated her Mangekyo Sharingan. "Let's get our asses down there, and beat the enemy back until they retreat." "Right!" Sasuke shouted. "What about Naruto, though?" "I'm afraid he'll have to wait. Yuki got what she wanted, here and so did the Hidden Sand. Because she's right. Now that she has The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, the Hidden Sand will get the war they wanted whether or not their invasion is repelled. Because every other hidden village will want their hands on Naruto since to them, the fact that they couldn't keep Naruto means that he's free real estate, essentially. Everyone will be gunning for him or coveting him for themselves. And a war will erupt because of that. On the other hand, though, that means that the Hidden Leaf won't be the only ones to declare war on the Hidden Sand. The other hidden villages will declare war on them, too." Izumi explained. "Another Great Ninja War, eh?" Sasuke then asked. "Pretty much, yup." Izumi answered. "Just great..." Sasuke sarcastically mutters. "Hey, we can't focus on the future, right now. We need to repel the enemy." Izumi told Sasuke.

They got back down to the ground, and joined the other Hidden Leaf forces fighting the Hidden Sand, Hidden Stone and Hidden Sound ninjas.

After a long, arduous and very difficult battle, The Third Hokage and his student, Kitsune, killed both Orochimaru and The Third Tsuchikage.

After that, they also joined the other Hidden Leaf ninjas, and repelled the enemy, who were all just lowly rank-and-file Jonin that would've been difficult to defeat for a Genin but not for a Kage like Lord Third or a Sannin like Kitsune. After a surprisingly staggering loss, the remaining enemy forces decided to cut their losses, and run out of the village. Meanwhile, the Foundation was accidentally discovered to be helping the enemy by Danzo's Granddaughter. They tried to kill her, but she was protected by some other Hidden Leaf ninjas. Danzo, himself, was then confronted by Lord Third as a result of this. Danzo knew that Lord Third could defeat him in multiple ways so instead of staying and fighting, Danzo and his Foundation agents ran away, and then ran from the village, thus branding them all as rogue ninjas and S-Class criminals.

The Hidden Leaf Village was saved from total destruction, and The Hokage's life was saved. The only thing to do now is rebuild the village and get reports of how all this happened. And to do that, all the Jonin and The Fox Sage met with The Third Hokage and Koharu and Homura in The Hokage's Chambers while Sasuke was left to do whatever he wanted as long as he stayed in the village.

"Alright. Let's discuss how this all happened." Lord Third said. "Perhaps I can best explain everything, Lord Third." Izumi said. "I can, too, Lord Hokage." Kitsune said. "Fine, fine, but I want to hear it from you, first, Izumi." Lord Third said.

"I believe it went all the way back to when Naruto, Yuki and Sasuke made Genin. See, Yuki was a Hidden Sand spy planted in our ranks to find The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. And I guess she found him." Izumi briefly explained. She then explained the rest of Yuki's plan to them and why she did it. Kitsune then stepped up and explained the rest of the enemy's plans to everyone, as well.

"Why didn't you stop Yuki from getting The Jinchuriki?" Koharu asked. "Danzo and around five other Anbu got in our way to cover their escape. I knew that they were too strong for Sasuke and I to fight so we turned around, and ran instead." Izumi answered as though she was ashamed of it. "Considering that we caught Danzo attempting to murder a villager's child, I'd say that Izumi's story holds up well." Lord Third assessed. "How was The One-Tail's attack halted?" Homura asked. "That would be my doing, Sir. I used my Mangekyo Sharingan to suppress The One-Tail and bolster it's Jinchuriki's seal's strength. I don't think The One-Tail's Jinchuriki will be able to call upon The One-Tail's power as easily as she did today. Not for a long time, at least." Izumi answered. "And where is The One-Tail's Jinchuriki now?" Lord Third asked. "I can answer that, Sir." Genma said. "After The One-Tail transformed back into Mori, Temari, Baki, and Kankuro grabbed Mori, and left because Mori appeared to be frighteningly low on chakra and also the battle seemed to be lost after The One-Tail was suppressed." "Thanks to the power of the Sharingan, of course." Kitsune said. "But I still lost The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki..." Izumi says. To everyone else, Izumi looked so sad that you'd think her child had died even though Izumi's never had any kids.

"You and I will address that later." Lord Third told her. "Yes, I think that's wise." Homura said. "Agreed." Koharu also said. "The question, now, is: how do we respond to this attack? Actions like these don't come without consequences." Shikaku interjected. "I believe that before we should take any action, words must be spoken. A Five-Kage Summit must be held." Lord Third answered. Homura and Koharu looked like they were reluctantly agreeing with this. "Preparations will need to be made." Shikaku said. "Yes. In the meantime, work on making efforts to repair broken parts of the village and our forces are to train now rather than later. If war is still going to come, we need to be ready." Lord Third ordered. Everyone accepted the order without question.

And thus, Lord Third sent letters to all the other hidden villages, requesting a Five-Kage Summit. Meanwhile, the Hidden Leaf ninjas and the villagers helped with the reconstruction of some of the damaged parts of the village. Izumi, meanwhile, is at home, moping because she lost Naruto and Team 7 was broken up.

---

After everything was arranged for the Five-Kage Summit (which was to take place in the Land of Iron, which is neutral territory) Hiruzen set out for the Land of Iron with Shikaku and Anko at his sides as his bodyguards and left Koharu and Homura in charge while he's gone.

"Are you sure this is the right decision?" Shikaku asked Hiruzen. "If we instead came to blows with the Hidden Sand, we'd be no better than Danzo." Hiruzen honestly answered. "I'd rather take this opportunity to settle this another way before we have no choice but to go to war." "Alright, then." Shikaku acknow

-ledged. "I just hope ya know what you're doin', Lord Third." Anko said. "I do, too." Hiruzen replied.

They walked and walked and walked, stopping only to rest or eat or to rest and eat whenever they reached another town, and then, after arriving at the Land of Iron, a contingent of Samurai (the Land of Iron uses Samurai, not ninjas for its military) escorted Hiruzen and his bodyguards to Lord Mifune's castle. Mifune is the leader of the Land of Iron and of all of the Samurai.

Once Hiruzen and his bodyguards and his Samurai escort were inside the castle, Mifune met Hiruzen at the door with his own Samurai bodyguards.

"Welcome, Lord Third Hokage. Lord Fourth Raikage and Lady Fifth Mizukage await you in the conference room." Lord Mifune told him. "Follow us."

Mifune and his Samurai bodyguards turned around, and led Hiruzen, Shikaku and Anko to the castle's conference room. In the room, there was a large table in the shape of a half-circle and five chairs that looked a bit more like thrones were situated at that table and they were also beside each other, too. Above the table were three bleachers hidden behind brown curtains with the kanji for the land each of the Kage are from (which tells the Kage where to sit) etched onto said curtains. There was also a sixth chair and a smaller table in front of the bigger table with five chairs. Lord Fourth Raikage (his name is Zekrom) [AN: Yes, I am changing The Fourth Raikage's name and instead naming him after a legendary electric-type Pokemon, and yes, I know that's stupid, but it at least is a Hell of a lot better than an even more stupid name like "Ay" which could also be spelled like "A". Like, I'm sorry, motherfucker, I'm not going to have people address him as "Lord Ay" because, as I said, it's Hella dumb.] was sitting at the seat on the far right while Lady Fifth Mizukage (her name is Mei Terumi) was sitting at the seat on the far left. Both Kage had their hats placed down on the table in front of them. Meanwhile, on the bleachers, The Raikage and The Mizukage's bodyguards sat, watching from above.

"You will sit at the table while I sit over there, and mediate over the proceedings. Your bodyguards will sit on the bleachers above." Mifune told Hiruzen. "Under

-stood." Hiruzen acknowledged. He subtly nodded at Shikaku and Anko, and they swiftly jumped into the bleachers.

Hiruzen walked over to the chair that was situated in front of the curtain that had the kanji for "fire" on it, and sat down on that chair. Hiruzen took off his hat, and placed it on the table in front of him. "I shall be back with The Tsuchikage and The Kazekage." Mifune said before walking out of the room with his two other Samurai bodyguards and the Samurai who came with Hiruzen.

"So, Lord Hokage...I heard you killed Lord Third Tsuchikage in battle. Is that true?" Mei asked. "Believe me, I had little part in that. If it was not for my trusted student, Kitsune, I would've been dead." Hiruzen humbly answered. "Why are you being so humble, Lord Hokage? The Hidden Leaf and the Hidden Stone have been bitter enemies for ages." Zekrom said. "So we have. But that does not mean that I take pride in taking life. There are always other options." Hiruzen replied. "Did you use those other options when fighting Lord Tsuchikage? Orochimaru's death, I can get behind. The snake's an irredeemable bastard who should've died long ago. But the Tsuchikage..." Mei says. "There was little time to negotiate a peace between us before I realized that he was too fixated on the Hidden Leaf's past actions to truly see the bigger picture. And...in the end, I thought I was a goner because he aimed his Particle Style Jutsu at me but then, Kitsune came at him from behind, and used a kunai knife to kill him." Hiruzen explained.

"Is that so? Well, then, I'll know to tell Lord Onoki's Granddaughter who to thank for killing him the next time I meet her." A male ninja's voice said.

Mifune walked into the conference room with three Hidden Stone ninjas and three Hidden Sand ninjas. "I have Representatives from the Hidden Sand Village and Hidden Stone Village who are here in the place of their Kage since their Kage are both dead." Mifune said. Mifune gave them the same instructions as the ones he gave Hiruzen, and both Representatives nodded at the two other ninjas, and they jumped onto the bleachers.

The Hidden Stone's Representative had short brown hair, tanned skin, a sinister look in his black eyes, and he wore a typical Hidden Stone Jonin uniform and flak jacket and wore a Hidden Stone headband on his forehead. 'That must mean he's a Jonin.' Hiruzen thought.

The Hidden Sand's Representative was a Kunoichi. She had long blonde hair, purple eyes, a blonde bang that covered her left eye and she wore her Hidden Sand headband around her neck. She was also wearing a Hidden Sand Jonin uniform and a Hidden Sand Jonin flak jacket.

"I am Maeda. I represent the Hidden Stone Village." The Hidden Stone Shinobi announced.

"And I am Chizuru. I represent the Hidden Sand Village." The Hidden Sand Kunoichi announced.

They then both went and sat where the Tsuchikage and Kazekage would normally sit. Mifune went to sit on the sixth chair in front of the three Kage and the Representatives and then, two Samurai appeared on either side of Mifune to presumably act as bodyguards.

"The issue on the table: The Hidden Sand and Hidden Stone collaborated with the Hidden Sound to invade the Hidden Leaf Village. In short, the battle was lost sometime after all three parties interrupted the Final Exam of the Chunin Exams, but the Hidden Sand took The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki and escaped with The One-Tail's Jinchuriki, as well. This left the Hidden Leaf without a Jinchuriki and thus disrupted the power balance in the Ninja World. So, can we agree to certain negotiations, or not?" Mifune summarized.

"The terms of negotiation are simple: the Hidden Sand will have to give The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki back to us or else, one of you will have to surrender your own Jinchuriki." Hiruzen said. "Ooooh. Cold and straight-to-the-point. Unusual for someone with your reputation, Lord Third Hokage." Mei remarked. "After the invasion, I've been...rethinking a lot of things." Hiruzen said while inwardly feeling ashamed. "Well, in that case, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint ya, Lord Hokage The Three-Tails' Jinchuriki died at the end of the civil war and we don't know where The Six-Tails' Jinchuriki is." Mei told him. "Then maybe we should take over the search. Let the Tracker ninjas kill the other rogue ninjas from your village." Hiruzen replied. "No. He's ours to hunt down." Mei threateningly told him. "I would hand you The Eight-Tails' Jinchuriki, but he's as annoying as Hell. I wouldn't bother with him." Zekrom said. "And what about The Two-Tails?" Hiruzen asked. "On a secret mission." Zekrom answered. "The Hidden Stone...might be persuaded to lend you a Tailed Beast Jinchuriki or two if you'd allow us to renegotiate the treaty from the last Great Ninja War." Maeda said. "You know we'd never allow that." Hiruzen told him.

'This is starting to become a fruitless effort.' Hiruzen thought. 'I should've listened to Shikaku.'

"Like Hell we're giving you your Jinchuriki back! Not after the effort it took to get him! And you won't be getting ours, either!" Chizuru shouted. "I don't think you realize the Hidden Sand's position, here, Chizuru. Sure, you have our Jinchuriki now, but that just makes your village a free target to every other hidden village. It also puts Naruto in danger, too. You're also pretty poor and low on manpower. Can you really fight my terms, and expect to win?" Hiruzen asked. "Not on her own, of course." Maeda answered for Chizuru. "What are you saying, Maeda?" Hiruzen then asked. "I'm saying that not all betrayal is so in-your-face and obvious." Maeda answered.

"Ready?" Maeda asked.

"NOW!" Both Maeda and Chizuru shouted.

Then, Chizuru's bodyguards came down, and stabbed Hiruzen with their kunai knives. "What the-?!" Mei, Zekrom, Mifune, The Mizukage's bodyguards, Mifune's bodyguards, The Raikage's bodyguards, Shikaku and Anko all shouted.

Suddenly, a Samurai burst into the room.

"Lord Mifune, a large group of Hidden Sand ninjas and Hidden Stone ninjas have stormed the castle and are moving toward-oh my God!" The Samurai interrupted his own situation report because he saw the state Hiruzen's in. Maeda's bodyguards disappeared, and then reappeared near that Samurai to kill the Samurai, Mifune's bodyguards and then Mifune, himself.

Shikaku and Anko came down, and kicked Chizuru's bodyguards away from Hiruzen. "I...I'm sorry...Shikaku...I should've...should've listened to you." Hiruzen said. "Shut up and save your strength!" Shikaku shouted. "Anko, we need to get him outta here!" "How? I don't have a stretcher on me and there could be an unknown number of enemies waiting outside." Anko said. "She's...right." Hiruzen added.

With his dying breath, Hiruzen gave Shikaku a paper, and said, "Deliver this letter to Kitsune."

He then finally died.

"Damn..." Anko says.

"Yes, Lord Hokage." Shikaku said. Shikaku pocketed the letter, and then they ran out of the castle's conference room. Sure enough, there were Hidden Stone and Hidden Sand ninjas waiting for the two Hidden Leaf ninjas. These ninjas numbered in the hundreds. The only thing Shikaku and Anko could do was turn around, and run while attempting to stall them by casting Ninjutsus at them.

And then, sadly, while trying to use the Shadow Possession Jutsu and Shadow Stitching Jutsu in yet another attempt to stall the enemy, one of the enemy ninjas tricked Shikaku into stepping into his own shadow stitch, which killed him but right before he died, he gave Hiruzen's letter to Anko, and then Anko ran out of the castle after making her own exit using explosives. After that, she ran again, intending to get back to the Hidden Leaf Village with the late Lord Third's letter.

---

Yuki and Naruto were now walking in a forest on the way to the Hidden Sand Village, with Naruto having returned to normal after Yuki made him return to normal with the tag on his heart and now he's also looking depressed. Yuki, on the other hand, is completely satisfied. She got Naruto, she's gonna go back home and receive a lot of praise from the Kazekage, and then a pay raise.

"Will you be satisfied when this is all over?" Naruto asked. "Yeah." Yuki so bluntly answered. "Why?" "Well, then...that's great but you've tried to kill me, you've raped me and now you've taken me away from my friends. Hell, you've taken the lives of one of my friends." Naruto answered. "Who? You mean that Ino girl? You and her weren't even friends!" Yuki shouted. "It doesn't matter. She was a Kunoichi of the Hidden Leaf and she sure as Hell didn't die like one." Naruto replied. "Who...The Hell...Cares? She was a ninja, not your wife. Just calm down, and forget about them. Besides, you have new masters to serve now, you fox." Yuki told him.

After a long-ass walk, they finally make it to the Hidden Sand Village.

Naruto looked around, and immediately saw why. Why the Hidden Sand was so eager to go to war. Every street in the village looked like a sandy ghetto, there are more people who look like they were on the brink of poverty than there were in the Hidden Leaf Village, and, if low income wasn't bad enough, the village's beige buildings look like they get hit by sandstorms almost every day. "So where are we going? To the Mission Assignment Desk?" Naruto asked. "Nope. We're going to our village's Anbu HeadQuarters." Yuki answered. Naruto gulped, afraid that he'd have to meet another masked ninja.

"W-What? But...aren't you just a Chunin?" Naruto asked. "I'm also a member of the Hidden Sand's Anbu Black Ops, but I don't think I told you that." Yuki whispered to him. They walked to The Kazekage's Tower, walked into The Kazekage's tower, and led Naruto down a staircase, and into a black door in a dark room where, past that door was another dark room with Hidden Sand Anbu members who were dressed in perfectly normal Hidden Sand uniforms, Hidden Sand flak jackets and they even that the weird headgear that covered half their face.

"I was expecting masked ninjas. Why aren't there any masked ninjas?" Naruto asked. Yuki chuckled. "The Hidden Sand's Anbu don't use masks, stupid." She told him.

Yuki brought him to a Hidden Sand Anbu ninja standing behind a desk, who told her to follow him after she explained everything to him.

The ninja led them to a prison below the Hidden Sand's Anbu HeadQuarters that looks utterly mortifying to look at (to Naruto, at least).

There were tons of emaciated prisoners who looked like they were drained dry of chakra, too. 'So these prisoners aren't just criminals.' Naruto thought. 'I wonder if they were even criminals at all...'

And just below that prison and beyond a barred cell door is a room that's almost as hot as a sauna. "You're lucky, Jinchuriki. You're going to be staying where The One-Tail's Jinchuriki used to live-until you start officially working for us, at least." The ninja said. "What is this room? It's hot." Naruto said. "That's the boiler room, Naruto." Yuki answered. The ninja unlocked and then opened the cell door, and then, Yuki pushed him into the room before the door was shut and locked. "Enjoy your stay, Naruto." Yuki said. "You belong to the Hidden Sand, now." The ninja added. They then left.

Naruto turned around and took a look at his surroundings. It didn't exactly look like a boiler room, but it did look shittier than his old apartment. There was a dirty kitchen to his right along with a small dining table with one chair, the most uncomfortable-looking bed to Naruto's left and right in front of his hand-me-down bed is a rotten wooden closet. The only good thing about this place seems to be it's fireplace which was across the room from where Naruto's standing and seemed to be always burning despite there not being any source of heat under the fire. 'Must be some kind of Jutsu.' Naruto thought.

Naruto turned back around, and thought, 'Maybe Izumi-Sensei will come and rescue me like she always does. Wait a second, "always does"? What do I mean, "always does"? I've never been imprisoned and enslaved and she's never broken me out and freed me before. Maybe she's forgotten about me by now.' Naruto thought.

Twenty-nine days into his imprisonment, Naruto was laying on his bed, thinking, 'Yep, she's definitely forgotten about me. Just like everyone else back home...maybe they'll be glad I'm gone.'

Three nights later, Naruto was crouching down and staring at the fireplace since there's nothing else more fun to do, when he heard a girl's voice say, "Hello?"

Naruto stood up, and turned towards the door. Mori was standing on the other side of it, dressed in her usual clothes. Naruto was so startled by her appearance that he almost fell into the fireplace. "Calm down. I'm not here to kill you." Mori told him. "What are you here for?" Naruto asked. "To make a delivery." Mori answered. She then dropped something through the cell door. Naruto walked up to the door. "It's the weekly newspaper. Someone said I should give it to you. There's apparently an article in there somewhere about someone called 'The Third Hokage'." Mori then said. Naruto quickly picked it up, opened it, found the article, and read it.

"The old man...Old Man Hokage...he's..." Naruto says, starting to tear up. "He's dead. So what? Old people like him die every day." Mori coldly said. Naruto threw the newspaper on the ground, and angrily stared at Mori with tears still in his eyes. "YOU SHUT UP, YOU REDHEADED BITCH!" Naruto yelled. Without knowing it, he had changed into his Jinchuriki Form. And at that moment, Mori looked scared of Naruto. But Naruto didn't care. He was angry. Naruto learned only a few days ago that not only is Mori The One-Tail's Jinchuriki, but she's also the Daughter of The Fourth Kazekage, who's been dead all this time and Orochimaru has been posing as The Fourth Kazekage up until the invasion. So he couldn't break her. Instead he just had a tantrum in his room.

Mori just turned, and ran away, probably thinking, 'Is that what I look like to other people?'

Naruto eventually calmed down after remembering the paper saying that Kitsune

-Sensei will take over for Lord Third Hokage, making her Lady Fifth Hokage. But then again, as a result of The Third Hokage's death, the invasion of the Land of Iron, the invasion of the Hidden Leaf Village, the Hidden Sand's refusal to give Naruto back to the Hidden Leaf and the unwillingness of everyone else to surrender their Jinchuriki to the Hidden Leaf, a war's started. Everyone will be gunning for each other's Jinchuriki right now but the most important players in this war know that the real aim of this war is to take or take back Naruto.

---

Emiko was jumping from tree branch to tree branch in the Land of Fire, on the way back to the Hidden Cloud Village after helping the Hidden Grass Village take down an entire drug trafficking ring that seemed to have been operating in the Hidden Grass Village and the Hidden Cloud Village when she spotted a kunai knife coming for her. Emiko stopped, and dodged it. She then jumped down to the ground, and saw two ninjas fighting. One of them was from the Hidden Leaf Village while the other was from the Hidden Stone Village...judging by their headbands, anyways.

Emiko decided to hide, and scope out the situation.

The two ninjas fought by throwing kunai knives at each other from the tops of tree branches. Then, after a while of doing that, the Hidden Stone ninja threw a kunai knife at his opponent's feet to get him to fall from the tree branch. Then, as if the pain from falling on the ground wasn't enough, the Hidden Stone ninja jumped down to the ground, walked over to the Hidden Leaf ninja, and stabbed him just as he was about to get up. "Have fun bein' dead, Hidden Leaf loser!" The Hidden Stone ninja shouted before leaving.

Emiko then came out of her hiding spot, and rushed to the Hidden Leaf ninja's aid. She used the Healing Jutsu to get the guy well enough to talk.

"Answer me, Mister. Why were the two of you fighting just now?" Emiko asked. "We're...We're ninjas. We're always meant to-" "Oh, cut the bullshit. If you say some shit like that again, you might as well go and run for Hokage. What's the real reason?" Emiko then asked, interrupting the ninja. "There's...There's a war going on. Don't you know?" The ninja asked. He then quickly explained everything before dying.

"A war? Seriously?" Emiko shouted.

She then heard the sound of a messenger hawk.

Emiko called it down to her, and took the letter it had strapped to it's left talon. She then petted it three times, and let it fly away.

After that, Emiko turned her attention to the letter, and examined it. 'It looks like it's from Lord Raikage.' Emiko thought.

Emiko opened the letter, and read it. It was, indeed, from The Raikage and it told her that there was, indeed, a war going on and that it started only moments ago. The letter said to return to the Hidden Cloud Village, where The Raikage will explain everything in more detail. Emiko grunted angrily as she closed the letter, pocketed it, and continued on her way back to the Hidden Cloud Village.

'What's Lord Fourth done now?' Emiko thought.

---

Later, at night, a very sexy (by some men's standards) Special Jonin with big breasts stood on top of the wall of the Hidden Mist Village, looking out at the world in front of it. She has a long red ponytail, light skin, blue eyes and a curvaceous figure that would make some weak men cum in their pants. She wore a black tank top underneath a blue and white sleeveless light sweater with a zipper on the front that she always wore loosely, dark blue denim shorts, black ninja sandals, and she wore her black Hidden Mist headband around her neck. This Kunoichi's name is Hiromi and she's been The Mizukage's spy ever since the rebels won the Hidden Mist Civil War (Hiromi was on the side of the rebels).

But, as sad as it is to say, there's another war going on. 'And just when things were starting to get easy...' She thought.

Just an hour ago, Hiromi was called to The Mizukage's office in The Mizukage's Palace, and Lady Mizukage told her that things did not go as anyone planned at the Five-Kage Summit and now, Hiromi is assigned on an out-of-village mission. Her goal will be to infiltrate the Hidden Sand Village, rescue Naruto Uzumaki, and bring him back to the Hidden Mist Village.

FLASHBACK

"Uzumaki? Like-Like Kushina's Son?" Hiromi asked. Hiromi was standing in front of Lady Fifth Mizukage, who was just sitting at her desk. "Yes." Lady Fifth answered. 'Wow.' Hiromi thought. 'I'm going to meet Kushina's Son...' "I know that you have a...complicated history with the boy's family because you're basically his Aunt and you had a falling out with his Mother before leaving the Hidden Leaf Village, and becoming a Hidden Mist Kunoichi. But I expect you not to let that interfere with your mission." Lady Fifth told her. "No, of course not." Hiromi honestly said. "Why is he so important, anyway? I heard that the other villages are in a race to get him, not just us and the Hidden Leaf." "Because he's the key to winning the war. See, he's The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki." Lady Fifth answered. "The...Nine-Tails? So...it's true? What I heard? It's true?" Hiromi then asked. "Yes, yes, yes. Naruto's arrogant disgrace of a Father sealed The Nine

-Tails into his own Son on the night of the Nine-Tails Incident." Lady Fifth answered. Hiromi got a little bit angry at hearing those words but she knew she had nowhere to put that anger since both Minato and Kushina are dead now. 'Damn you, Minato! Damn you Kushina!' Hiromi thought. "The Fourth Mizukage's spies confirmed it." Lady Fifth added.

Hiromi calmed herself, and said, "Thank you for telling me, Lady Fifth. I'll leave to complete my mission soon." "Alright, then." Lady Fifth replied. Hiromi then turned around, and left the room.

END OF FLASHBACK

In truth, she is so excited to meet her Nephew. Past problems with his family aside, she somehow knows that Naruto is not his Mother and Father.

On top of that, maybe this will be her chance to protect him, just as any family member would and even if Naruto turns out to be just a little bit like his Mother or his Father.

'Just you wait, Naruto.' Hiromi thought. 'I'm coming.'

She turned around, got down from the wall, briefly went back home to equip her ninja pouch and her shuriken holster, then walked back out of her home, ran to the village's gates, and set out on her mission.

---

At the Hidden Leaf's Ninja Academy, the another Graduation Ceremony was about to take place and a certain thirteen-year-old girl with long and straight pink and lime green hair (that had a little ponytail), pink eyes and was dressed in a pink sleeveless top, blue denim shorts, a black hoodie, a pink pair of ninja sandals and a pink hidden leaf headband named Nezuko Shimura was skipping into Iruka-Sensei's classroom, ready to become the next generation's Genin. All she had to do was pass today's Genin Exam. Sure, she may have failed last year (like a certain eleven-year-old named Naruto did) and she was an average student in her class, basically average in everything: Genjutsu, Ninjutsu and Taijutsu. She wasn't barely below average like Sakura Haruno (who died because she was murdered by her abusive Dad) but she wasn't as good as the prodigy known as Hinata Hyuga (who is also dead but only because she was killed in the Chunin Exams).

More to the point, her Grandfather, Danzo Shimura, had placed unrealistically high expectations on her which was why he was always so disappointed whenever she brought average grades home. See, she'd been living with Danzo for the longest until the invasion, during which they'd tried to kill her because she caught him aiding the enemy in the invasion. Initially, she wanted to become a ninja because she aspired to be a Kunoichi like Kitsune.

But after Danzo and some other Hidden Sand Shinobi killed her Mother and Father during the invasion, her priorities shifted. Sure, she still wanted to be like Kitsune, but now she has something Nezuko didn't have before...an immediate goal which was to defeat Danzo, and take his unconscious ass back to the village to stand trial for all he had done.

Another reason Nezuko's trying again is because she's feeling a stroke of good luck. During the invasion, Naruto was kidnapped by the Hidden Sand. Lord Third Hokage tried to talk it out by calling for a Five-Kage Summit. But then, Lord Third was killed at the summit.

And now, a war has begun. Usually, during wartime, the Academy rushes the graduations because they need the manpower for the war.

So even if her performance of the Clone Jutsu and the Transformation Jutsu are average, Nezuko will still pass it because she will be necessary for the war effort, whether the teachers like it or not.

Nezuko skipped her way into Iruka-Sensei's classroom as her ponytail bounces as a result of her skipping. Once inside the classroom, she stopped skipping, and then walked over to her desk (which was at the far left of the bottom row of the class). As soon as she sat down, Nezuko was spotted by a certain someone who's hated her since she started going to the Academy. That certain someone is a girl with dark green shoulder-length hair and green eyes. She wore black-framed glasses, a light blue tank top, a pair of blue denim jeans and a pair of navy blue ninja sandals. This green-eyed bitch's name is Miku Tanaka.

And she always sits at the desk in the far right of the class' middle row.

The classroom's desks are set up in three rows: the top row, the middle row and the bottom row. In fact, they're set up like this in the other classrooms, too. Nezuko couldn't be fucked to know why they do it like that, though.

"Hmph. Of course you're here, Shimura. I thought you would've ducked out after your Grandfather turned out to be a traitor, but I guess I was wrong. But, then again, I guess you can't help but to be like him, can you?" Miku taunted. "Oh yeah? How so?" Nezuko asked. "You're using the war to your own advantage because you know they'll rush you out the door just to do nothing else but fight." Miku answered. "But, hey, I guess it's all 'for the good of the Hidden Leaf', am I right, you little Shimura bitch?" "Look, you may be right about that, smartass, but the fact is, I don't care about this war. I just want to bring my Grandfather back to the village to face trial for what he's done. So honestly, fuck you and...whatever the Hell you just said about my integrity." Nezuko replied. "Why, you-!" Miku growls. "A noble goal, indeed, Nezuko." A surprising female voice said from the other side of the classroom's door.

Nezuko, Miku and the other students turn their attention to the front of the classroom. Iruka-Sensei walked into the classroom with...some random average-height MILF with what she presumes are D-cups, as far as Nezuko's perverted mind can tell. The woman standing to Iruka-Sensei's left also had hair that had the red, white and black coloring of a fox's fur and golden eyes. She also seemed to be wearing a sexy sleeveless tunic, a red headband on her right wrist that had the kanji for "Foxhold" written on its metal plate, and a pair of normal red sandals. "What the..." One student whispers. "I don't believe it..." A second student whispers. "Is that her?" A third student asked. "That's got to be her." A fourth student whispered.

Nezuko was surprised to see her idol standing right in front of her. If she had some water, she'd be spitting it out right now.

"As you all might've guessed, the person next to me is The New Hokage, Kitsune Senju." Iruka-Sensei announced.

"How-How do you know my name? You haven't been in the village that long-Hell, you haven't been The Hokage for that long." Nezuko said. "Well...let's just say I'm a fast learner. Something I'm sure Lord Third would attest to were he still here." Lady Fifth answered.

"So it is her..." The first student whispers.

"Now, if you're all done immaturely staring at The Fifth Hokage, we'll begin the First Test of the Genin Exam." Iruka-Sensei told everyone. Nezuko rolled her eyes. 'Well, as Shikamaru would've said, this is gonna be a drag...' Nezuko thought.

END OF CHAPTER