Naruto knelt down, brushing the last bit of debris from the floor, sweeping away the remnants of the shattered window and upturned furniture. His apartment had been left in disarray after the fight with Gaara, and he had been at it for hours, trying to clean up the mess.
Just as he stood up, wiping the sweat from his brow, there was a knock on the door, followed by it swinging open. Anko, Fu, Fuka, and Tayuya all rushed inside, their expressions tense and worried.
"Naruto!" Anko called, her voice a mixture of relief and frustration as she hurried over to him. The other girls followed suit, enveloping him in a tight hug. For a moment, he felt like he was suffocating, buried beneath the concern of the four women.
"Hey, hey! I'm fine!" Naruto chuckled, trying to ease the tension as he attempted to untangle himself from the mass of arms and worried faces. "It was just Gaara… Nothing to worry about."
"Nothing to worry about?!" Fu exclaimed, her teal eyes wide with disbelief. "Naruto, you could have died!"
"Yeah, you idiot!" Tayuya chimed in, her face a deep shade of red, clearly masking how scared she had been. "She tried to kill you!"
Anko, who had been quiet up until now, stepped forward, her arms crossed over her chest. "You're moving in with me. Now." Her tone left no room for argument. "I'm not letting you stay in this wreck of a place, especially after what happened."
Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly, trying to downplay the situation. "It's really not that big of a deal—Gaara's just struggling with her tailed beast. It wasn't her fault…"
Before he could continue, Fuka grabbed his arm, her usually calm demeanor giving way to frustration. "Not a big deal? Naruto, look at this place! You're seriously telling us that this isn't dangerous?"
"And who's to say she won't come back for round two?" Anko added, her eyes flashing with concern. "You're moving in with me until this exam crap is over. No excuses."
Naruto looked at each of them, seeing the worry in their eyes. He opened his mouth to protest again, but when his gaze met Anko's stern expression, he knew he was defeated. Letting out a sigh, he relented. "Fine, fine… I'll stay with you for now."
Anko's expression softened slightly as she gave a small nod, though the tension still lingered. "Good. Pack your stuff. We're leaving tonight."
As Naruto looked around at the still-messy apartment, Fu stepped forward, her eyes softening as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "We were so worried about you, Naruto... Don't scare us like that again."
Fuka nodded in agreement, her usual playful tone subdued. "Next time, let us help you handle things, okay? We're a team."
Naruto smiled at them, feeling a warmth in his chest that he hadn't expected. "I'm sorry I worried you all. But I promise, I'm fine. And if Gaara tries anything again, I'll be ready."
Tayuya, ever the blunt one, punched him lightly on the arm. "Yeah, well, you better be. Because next time, if you get hurt, we're gonna kick your ass ourselves."
Naruto laughed, the tension in the air easing as the girls started helping him gather his things. "Alright, alright. I'll make sure to stay out of trouble."
As they worked together, the air filled with light-hearted banter, though the underlying worry still lingered in the background. Anko, always the protector, kept a close eye on Naruto, making sure he wasn't pushing himself too hard.
After everything was packed, Naruto glanced at his apartment one last time, feeling a strange mix of emotions. He was used to being independent, to taking care of himself. But now, with the girls so adamant about keeping him safe, he realized that maybe it wasn't so bad to lean on others.
"Let's get going," Anko said, standing by the door. "Your new home awaits."
Naruto smiled, following Anko out the door, with the rest of the girls close behind.
Naruto sat cross-legged on the floor of Anko's apartment, trying to relax as the evening wore on. It wasn't exactly his idea of how the day should've gone, but here he was, now at Anko's place, surrounded by the girls, who seemed far more at ease after the earlier scare.
The living room had been turned into something akin to a sleepover; blankets were strewn about, pillows stacked in random corners, and snacks littered the floor. Fu was bouncing on a large cushion, her vibrant energy filling the room. Tayuya lay sprawled on the couch, her flute resting across her lap, while Fuka sat cross-legged on the floor beside her, not paying much mind to the conversation, just enjoying the company.
Anko, sitting close to Naruto, leaned in with her usual mischievous smirk. She was relentless in her teasing, her fingers softly brushing over his fox ears, causing them to twitch under her touch. "You're so easy to fluster, brat," she whispered, rubbing the fur on his tail next, knowing full well how sensitive those areas were.
Naruto squirmed, his face flushing red as he tried to maintain his composure. "Cut it out, Anko…" He grumbled, though his voice lacked any real annoyance.
"Oh, don't pretend you don't like it," she chuckled, her fingers now gently scratching behind his ears, causing a low purr to escape his throat before he could stop it. Anko's smirk only widened. "There's that sound again," she teased. "Maybe you're more like a kitten than a fox."
Tayuya, overhearing their banter, shot a smirk Naruto's way. "The great fox reduced to a pet. That's kinda cute."
"Shut up," Naruto muttered, though the girls' laughter made it impossible for him to stay mad.
Meanwhile, the rest of the girls were deep in conversation, gossiping about the upcoming Chūnin Exams. Tayuya had heard plenty of rumors about the other Leaf ninja they might face.
"I heard there's a guy with a whole bunch of dogs. Kiba or something," Tayuya said, her eyes narrowing. "Bet he's got fleas, too."
Fu nodded eagerly. "And there's this really quiet guy—Shino, I think? They say he controls bugs!"
"Bugs? Seriously?" Fuka wrinkled her nose in mock disgust. "Why would anyone wanna be friends with insects?"
Fu grinned. "I dunno, bugs are kinda cute."
Tayuya rolled her eyes but smiled all the same. "Yeah, well, I'm keeping my distance."
Anko piped up, still sitting beside Naruto. "Oh, there's also the Hyūga kid. What's his name? Neji. Supposed to be some kind of prodigy." She gave a lazy wave of her hand. "But, from what I've seen, he's all talk."
Naruto, now with his tail wrapped around him protectively, listened with mild interest. "Doesn't matter who's there. We'll crush them all if it comes to it," he said confidently, though his eyes darted toward Fuka, who was quietly cheering for them. She wasn't taking the exams, but her faith in them was unwavering.
"Damn right," Tayuya muttered. "I'll take 'em all down, bugs and all."
Just as the laughter died down, there was a knock at the door. Naruto, having already started to relax, furrowed his brows. "Who the hell's knocking at this time?" he muttered, standing up.
The moment he opened the door, his eyes narrowed at the familiar sight of Sasuke standing in the doorway. Sasuke looked hesitant, a rare moment where his usual cold demeanor was cracked with a hint of something softer.
"What do you want?" Naruto's voice was sharp, his eyes narrowing as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Sasuke shifted awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable with the situation but still determined to speak. "I… I heard what happened," he began, his voice quiet but steady. "Your apartment got attacked, and I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you're alright."
Naruto stared at him for a moment, his gaze hard and unreadable. There was an awkward silence, and for a moment, it seemed like Naruto might slam the door in his brother's face. But then, something in his eyes softened, just barely. It was a flicker of forgiveness, though it was quickly masked by his usual coldness.
"It's not your concern," Naruto said bluntly, his voice calm but distant. "I'm fine. I don't need you worrying about me."
Sasuke's jaw clenched slightly, but he didn't argue. Instead, he gave a small nod, understanding that Naruto wasn't going to let him in, not yet. "Alright… just… stay safe."
Naruto's gaze flicked toward Sasuke, his expression unreadable before he muttered, "I will. Now go."
Without another word, Sasuke turned and left, his footsteps fading into the night. Naruto watched him leave for a moment before closing the door with a quiet sigh.
Anko raised an eyebrow from her spot on the couch. "Was that your brother?"
Naruto shrugged, sitting back down and grabbing a snack. "Yeah. He's still trying to play big brother, I guess."
"Sounded like he cares," Fu said softly, looking at Naruto curiously.
"He doesn't need to," Naruto replied, his voice quiet but firm. "I've got everything I need right here."
Tayuya smirked and shot Naruto a teasing glance. "Yeah, you've got us, Fox Boy."
Naruto just chuckled, shaking his head as the conversation picked up again, the tension from earlier quickly fading as they settled back into their usual playful banter.
As the day wore on, the group gradually settled down, their playful banter giving way to a quiet, reflective atmosphere. The looming pressure of the Chūnin Exams was beginning to set in. Naruto, Tayuya, and Fu sat together, huddled in the soft warmth of Anko's apartment, mentally preparing for the challenges they would face tomorrow.
Tayuya rested her head against Naruto's shoulder, her hand tracing small circles on his chest, her thoughts elsewhere. "You think we're ready?" she asked quietly, breaking the silence.
Naruto's eyes softened as he glanced down at her, his arm draped around her shoulders. "Of course we are. We've been through worse."
Fu, who was snuggled up on Naruto's other side, nodded in agreement. "We've trained hard for this. I'm a little nervous, but… I trust us."
"Don't worry," Naruto said confidently. "No matter what, we're gonna crush it. We've got each other."
Tayuya smirked, nudging him playfully. "Better not get soft on me, Fox Boy."
Naruto chuckled softly, tightening his arm around her. "Not a chance."
The three of them stayed like that for a while, their breaths slowing in sync as the quiet moments stretched on. Outside, the night had fallen, the sounds of the village fading away, leaving only the quiet hum of the wind against the window.
Anko eventually walked in, her usual teasing smile replaced with something more affectionate. She leaned against the doorway, watching them for a moment before clearing her throat. "Alright, you three. Get some rest. Tomorrow's a big day."
Naruto shifted slightly, peeking over his shoulder at Anko. "Yeah, yeah… we know."
"You better," Anko warned, stepping closer to tousle Naruto's hair. "If I find out you're half-assing anything tomorrow, I'll kick your butt myself."
Naruto grinned but didn't respond, too relaxed to even bother with a comeback.
Tayuya yawned, stretching her arms above her head before snuggling closer into Naruto's side. "Good night, then."
Fu, ever the quiet one, simply smiled as her eyes slowly drifted closed.
Anko gave them all a soft, lingering look before heading to her own room. "Best of luck tomorrow, kids," she murmured before disappearing down the hallway.
The night passed in peaceful silence, the trio falling into a deep sleep, comforted by each other's presence.
The rays of the morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room as the group slowly stirred awake. Naruto was the first to open his eyes, blinking against the light before stretching lazily. Tayuya mumbled something unintelligible into his chest as Fu sat up, rubbing her eyes.
"Morning," Fu said with a soft yawn, her wings fluttering slightly as she stretched.
Naruto grinned, sitting up as well. "Morning, Fu. Ready for the big day?"
Fu nodded, her smile bright and determined. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Tayuya groaned as she sat up, stretching her arms above her head. "I can't believe we're actually doing this. Exams, huh?"
Naruto chuckled. "You sound like you're dreading it."
"I am," Tayuya admitted with a smirk. "But I'm gonna crush it anyway."
Anko poked her head into the room, her usual mischievous grin plastered across her face. "Good morning, sunshine. You three ready to get your butts handed to you?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "You really know how to motivate us, Anko."
Anko laughed as she entered the room fully. "Just trying to keep you on your toes. You know I'm rooting for you."
Tayuya stood up, pulling on her clothes for the day. "We're ready. Don't worry."
Anko gave a satisfied nod. "Good. Remember, don't stress too much. Exams like these are more about how you handle pressure. Just keep your cool."
Naruto kissed Fu on the cheek before standing up and ruffling her hair playfully. "You'll do great, Fu."
Fu beamed at him. "Thanks, Naruto."
As they all got ready, Anko handed Naruto a small bag of snacks. "Here. In case you get hungry. Just don't get caught eating during the exam."
Naruto took the bag with a chuckle. "Thanks, Anko."
Before they left, Naruto made his way over to Fuka, who had stayed behind, preparing for the day. He walked up to her, gently pulling her into a kiss on the lips, his hand lingering on her cheek.
"Be safe, Naruto," Fuka whispered as they pulled apart, her eyes full of concern.
"I will," he promised, giving her a playful smack on the behind. "Don't worry. We'll be back before you know it."
With that, Naruto, Tayuya, and Fu left the apartment, heading toward the exams. As they made their way through the village streets, the tension in the air was palpable. Other Genin were gathered, all of them preparing mentally and physically for the trials that lay ahead.
The rays of the morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room as the group slowly stirred awake. Naruto was the first to open his eyes, blinking against the light before stretching lazily. Tayuya mumbled something unintelligible into his chest as Fu sat up, rubbing her eyes.
"Morning," Fu said with a soft yawn, her wings fluttering slightly as she stretched.
Naruto grinned, sitting up as well. "Morning, Fu. Ready for the big day?"
Fu nodded, her smile bright and determined. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Tayuya groaned as she sat up, stretching her arms above her head. "I can't believe we're actually doing this. Exams, huh?"
Naruto chuckled. "You sound like you're dreading it."
"I am," Tayuya admitted with a smirk. "But I'm gonna crush it anyway."
Anko poked her head into the room, her usual mischievous grin plastered across her face. "Good morning, sunshine. You three ready to get your butts handed to you?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "You really know how to motivate us, Anko."
Anko laughed as she entered the room fully. "Just trying to keep you on your toes. You know I'm rooting for you."
Tayuya stood up, pulling on her clothes for the day. "We're ready. Don't worry."
Anko gave a satisfied nod. "Good. Remember, don't stress too much. Exams like these are more about how you handle pressure. Just keep your cool."
Naruto kissed Fu on the cheek before standing up and ruffling her hair playfully. "You'll do great, Fu."
Fu beamed at him. "Thanks, Naruto."
As they all got ready, Anko handed Naruto a small bag of snacks. "Here. In case you get hungry. Just don't get caught eating during the exam."
Naruto took the bag with a chuckle. "Thanks, Anko."
Before they left, Naruto made his way over to Fuka, who had stayed behind, preparing for the day. He walked up to her, gently pulling her into a kiss on the lips, his hand lingering on her cheek.
"Be safe, Naruto," Fuka whispered as they pulled apart, her eyes full of concern.
"I will," he promised, giving her a playful smack on the behind. "Don't worry. We'll be back before you know it."
With that, Naruto, Tayuya, and Fu left the apartment, heading toward the exams. As they made their way through the village streets, the tension in the air was palpable. Other Genin were gathered, all of them preparing mentally and physically for the trials that lay ahead.
As Naruto and his group approached the exam hall, they immediately noticed something was off. A large crowd of students had gathered around a staircase that seemed to be blocked by two older students. They stood in front of a door with crossed arms, sneering at anyone who tried to pass.
"Looks like they're trying to stop everyone from getting through," Tayuya whispered, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene.
Naruto's brow furrowed. "Yeah, but it doesn't make sense. We're on the second floor, right? The exam's supposed to be on the third."
Before they could move forward, Sasuke stepped into the center of the room, his eyes scanning the group. He glanced back at Karin and Sakura, who stood just behind him, clearly confused by the blockade. With a confident smirk, Sasuke crossed his arms and spoke loudly, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
"You're all being fooled," Sasuke declared, his tone calm but laced with authority. "The real exam is on the third floor. They're just trying to test us by making us think this is the entrance."
Gasps and murmurs spread through the crowd as the gathered Genin realized they'd been duped. Several students glared at the two older boys blocking the door, clearly irritated.
The two gatekeepers exchanged looks of frustration, knowing they'd been found out. "Tch, whatever. We've wasted enough time here," one of them muttered as they stepped aside, allowing the crowd to pass.
Sasuke smirked, his hands tucked casually into his pockets as he walked forward. Karin and Sakura followed closely behind, their eyes wide with a mix of relief and admiration.
As Naruto, Tayuya, and Fu moved along behind Sasuke's group, they caught up to them in the hallway leading to the third floor. Naruto had been keeping quiet, but as they rounded a corner, they were suddenly interrupted by a loud, determined voice.
"You there! The one with the black hair!"
The group turned to see a figure rushing toward them—a boy with thick, bushy eyebrows and a bowl-cut haircut, dressed in green spandex with bandages wrapped around his arms. He skidded to a stop in front of Sasuke, blocking his path with an intense expression.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, looking the boy up and down. "What do you want?"
The boy straightened up, striking a dramatic pose as he pointed directly at Sasuke. "I am Rock Lee, the strongest Taijutsu user in the Hidden Leaf Village! And I challenge you to a fight!"
Sasuke blinked, clearly taken aback by the sudden challenge. "A fight?" he repeated, his tone filled with skepticism. "We're in the middle of the exam. Why would I waste my time with you?"
Rock Lee's eyes sparkled with determination. "Because I want to test my strength against the Uchiha prodigy! You're said to be the best in our class, and I wish to see if I can defeat you!"
Naruto, Tayuya, and Fu exchanged amused glances. Naruto leaned closer to Tayuya, muttering, "This guy's serious? Right now?"
Tayuya snickered. "Looks like it. What's with those eyebrows, though? Did he glue two caterpillars to his face?"
Fu giggled behind her hand, trying to contain her laughter.
Sasuke, however, wasn't amused. He sighed, his arms still crossed. "I don't have time for this."
Lee's expression didn't falter. "You may not have time, but I will not let this chance slip by! Let's fight, Uchiha!"
Just then, Naruto took a step forward, grinning. "Hey, Bushy Brows, if you're looking for a challenge, why not take me on instead? I'm in the mood for a good warm-up."
Lee's gaze shifted to Naruto, and for a brief moment, his eyes sparkled with even more excitement. "Ah! You must be Naruto Uzumaki, the one they call the Demon of Konoha. I have no interest in fighting monsters." His tone was laced with a mix of awe and disdain, making the word "monster" sting like venom.
Naruto's cheerful expression faded instantly, his fists clenching at his sides as a low growl rumbled in his chest. "What did you just call me?" he snarled, his eyes narrowing dangerously. The atmosphere around him shifted, tension crackling in the air.
Before Naruto could lunge at Lee, both Tayuya and Fu quickly stepped in front of him. Tayuya, with a fierce glare, jabbed a finger at Lee. "Watch your mouth, Bushy Brows, unless you want a real fight on your hands!"
Fu's usually gentle eyes darkened as she stepped closer to Lee. "He's not a monster. He's our friend, and if you can't respect that, you'll have to answer to us."
Lee blinked, momentarily startled by the two girls' fierce defense of Naruto. But before anyone could react further, his gaze shifted again, this time landing on Sakura. His eyes widened, and suddenly, his entire demeanor shifted from combative to lovestruck. His expression softened as he clasped his hands together dramatically.
"Sakura-chan! Your beauty radiates like the morning sun!" Lee exclaimed, blowing exaggerated kisses toward her. "I would fight a thousand battles just for the chance to gaze upon your lovely face!"
Sakura, her face twisting in confusion and annoyance, dodged his imaginary kisses, comically moving to the side as she muttered, "What the hell…?"
Sasuke grumbled under his breath, rolling his eyes. "Are you going to take this seriously or keep making a fool of yourself?"
Snapped out of his romantic trance, Lee shook his head, regaining his serious composure. "You are right, Uchiha! I must focus!" He shifted his stance, his eyes narrowing once more, his intense focus returning. "Prepare yourself!"
Without another word, Lee vanished in a blur of speed, closing the gap between himself and Sasuke in an instant. His kicks and punches came fast, each strike powered by his immense physical strength. Sasuke, using his Sharingan, was able to anticipate some of the movements, dodging and countering with a few well-placed strikes of his own. However, Lee's relentless onslaught of Taijutsu began to overwhelm him, and several of Lee's kicks connected, sending Sasuke staggering back.
Lee, not giving him a moment to recover, dashed forward once more, this time moving with such speed that he seemed to disappear from sight. Sasuke barely had time to react before Lee's foot slammed into his side, launching him into the air. Lee followed up quickly, leaping into the air above Sasuke with an impressive display of agility. He spun around, his bandages unraveling as he prepared to execute the Front Lotus technique.
But just as he grabbed Sasuke and spun downward, the body in his grasp suddenly crackled with electricity. Realization hit Lee too late—the Sasuke he was holding wasn't real.
"A Lightning Clone?" Lee gasped, his body jerking in pain as the electric shock coursed through him. He crashed into the ground, his muscles twitching from the electricity, his movements slowed as he tried to recover.
The real Sasuke landed gracefully a few feet away, his Sharingan glowing red. He smirked as he pulled out a kunai and dashed toward Lee. In one swift motion, he pressed the blade against Lee's neck, pinning him to the ground with ease.
"How did you like my genjutsu?" Sasuke sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance as his smirk widened. "Seems like you're the one who bit off more than you could chew."
Karin and Sakura both cheered from the sidelines, their voices filled with praise for Sasuke's victory. "You were amazing, Sasuke-kun!" Karin called out, her face beaming with admiration. Sakura nodded, echoing her cheers. "That was incredible, Sasuke!"
Sasuke basked in the praise, pulling the kunai away from Lee's throat. "Next time, don't challenge someone who's clearly stronger than you," he said smugly, standing tall over his defeated opponent.
But before Sasuke could continue bragging, Naruto burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. His laughter echoed in the hallway, drawing everyone's attention.
"You really think you're all that, don't you?" Naruto said between fits of laughter, wiping a tear from his eye. "If that's what you're going to rely on in the exam, you're in for a rude awakening."
Karin and Sakura both shot Naruto irritated glares, but he didn't seem to care. "Sasuke, if you were going to fight someone like Lee for real, don't underestimate him. And you better tell him to take off those training weights first, or you'll be in trouble."
Sasuke turned to Naruto, confused. "Training weights?"
Lee, who was slowly getting back on his feet, smiled through his exhaustion. "Maybe you're not as bad as the rumors say, Naruto Uzumaki."
With a slight chuckle, Naruto leaned against the wall, crossing his arms as he gave Lee a look of respect. "You know what they say, Bushy Brows—there's always more to someone than what meets the eye. Next time, you should show Sasuke what you can really do."
Lee, still feeling the effects of Sasuke's lightning, nodded. "I'll save my full strength for the exams. But Sasuke, next time we face off, I'll be sure to show you the true power of my Taijutsu."
Sasuke, still pondering the mention of Lee's weights and what it meant for his earlier victory, narrowed his eyes but kept his thoughts to himself. Clearly, that battle wasn't over yet. Naruto, meanwhile, casually explained, "Yeah, those weights Lee wears—they restrict his movements. He's probably nowhere near his max speed. But hey, doesn't matter now. We've got an exam to pass."
With that, Naruto motioned for the group to follow him, taking the lead as Fu, Tayuya, Karin, and the others trailed behind. Sasuke hesitated for a second, his gaze lingering on Lee, before nodding silently to himself and moving after Naruto.
Karin and Sakura exchanged a glance, their irritation at Naruto still simmering beneath the surface. As far as they were concerned, Sasuke had proven his strength, and Naruto's constant interruptions were just spoiling the moment. Despite their feelings, they followed along, with Karin trying to figure out why Naruto seemed so casual in the face of everything.
When they arrived at the exam room, Naruto pushed open the doors, revealing a vast hall filled with Genin from different villages. The air buzzed with tension as groups from the Sand, Mist, and other nations clustered in corners, eyeing one another with a mix of wariness and determination.
Fu scanned the room, her eyes landing on a few familiar faces from her days back at the Academy. With a soft smile, she excused herself from the group and made her way over to Ino and the others. They were chatting with Shikamaru and Choji, but Fu's presence was quickly noticed.
"Ino! Long time no see!" Fu called out with her usual cheerfulness.
Ino's eyes widened as she turned to greet Fu. "Oh, Fu! I didn't expect you to be here. You're entering the exams too, huh?"
They began chatting, catching up on old times as Shikamaru lazily waved in greeting, barely mustering the energy to be enthusiastic. Choji was too busy munching on snacks to join the conversation, though he did give a friendly nod.
Meanwhile, Tayuya grabbed Naruto by the arm and, with a firm yank, pulled him into a quieter corner of the room, away from the other Genin. Her eyes scanned the crowd, her voice dropping to a whisper as she leaned in close.
"I'm seeing some familiar faces," she muttered, her tone grim. "There are people here who used to work for Orochimaru. Some of them... they're dangerous. Real dangerous."
Naruto's fox-like ears perked up at the mention of Orochimaru. His expression darkened slightly, but he remained calm, considering their options. "What should we do about it?" he asked, his voice measured.
Tayuya looked around nervously, her usual tough demeanor slipping for just a moment. "If I go to the Leaf ninja running the exam and say something, I'm putting myself at risk. They might decide to interrogate me or worse—mark me as an enemy of the village. I used to work for that snake bastard, after all. They won't just take my word without questioning my past."
Naruto folded his arms, thinking it through. He could sense the anxiety rolling off of her, but Tayuya wasn't the type to show her fear so easily. If she was this worried, it meant these people were a serious threat. But exposing her past connections to Orochimaru could put her in danger, and Naruto wasn't about to let that happen.
After a moment of silence, Naruto finally spoke, his tone calm but decisive. "We're not going to blow your cover. You stay quiet, pretend like you've never met them before. Don't give them any reason to think you're a threat, and don't give the Leaf ninja anything to work with."
Tayuya nodded slowly, biting her lip. "And what if they come after us?"
Naruto smirked, his eyes flashing with a hint of mischief. "Then they'll regret it. We'll deal with them when the time comes."
Tayuya exhaled, feeling slightly reassured by his confidence. Still, she couldn't shake the unease lingering in the back of her mind. "You're sure about this? I don't want to put you guys in danger just because of my past."
Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently. "We've got your back, Tayuya. If anything happens, we'll handle it together. No one's gonna mess with us."
Tayuya gave a small, appreciative smile. "Thanks, you dumb fox."
They stood there for a moment, the tension between them easing slightly. Naruto glanced around the room, taking stock of the various Genin groups. His mind raced with the possibilities of who they might be facing in the exams, and the thought of a battle with Orochimaru's remnants was enough to keep him on edge. But he couldn't show fear—not now, not when they were about to be tested like never before.
"Alright," Naruto said, "let's focus on getting through this exam. We'll figure out the rest as we go."
Tayuya nodded, her usual smirk returning to her face. "You bet your ass we will."
As they rejoined the rest of the group, Naruto couldn't help but cast one more glance around the room, his eyes narrowing as he scanned for any familiar faces tied to Orochimaru. He didn't know exactly who these people were yet, but one thing was for sure—they'd be ready for whatever came their way.
Naruto made his way back to Fu, who was happily chatting with her former classmates. As soon as they noticed Naruto's approach, their expressions shifted to ones of disdain. Whispers spread among the group, and some of them shot glares at him.
Before Naruto could react, Fu wrapped her arm around his, pulling him close. With a wide grin, she planted a quick kiss on his cheek. "Don't bully my little fox!" she said, laughing, her voice playful and carefree.
Naruto's face instantly turned red, both from the sudden affection and the wave of embarrassment. He could feel all eyes on him, and it wasn't just Fu's classmates anymore. His heart raced as the sound of Hinata fainting in the background reached his ears.
The awkward tension that followed was interrupted when Kabuto made his appearance, his usual smile plastered across his face. "Well, well, well, looks like things are heating up already," he said, adjusting his glasses. "Before anyone gets too comfortable, how about we go over some... information? You know, just so you know what you're getting into."
He pulled out a deck of info cards, shuffling through them expertly. "I know some of you are new to this, and others think they're tough... but you might want to be careful. There are some real threats here."
Naruto leaned against the wall, his arm still held tightly by Fu, and chuckled. "These weaklings?" he said, his voice filled with bravado. "They don't stand a chance."
A ripple of unease spread through the room as Naruto's eyes briefly flashed a deep red, his chakra flaring slightly. The oppressive pressure from the Nine-Tails made many of the nearby Genin step back instinctively, their bravery crushed under the sudden weight of his presence.
Kabuto, unfazed by the display, began flipping through his cards. "Let's see here... Ah, Rock Lee, a Taijutsu specialist. Then we have Neji Hyuga, with his Byakugan and deadly precision. And, of course, Gaara of the Sand. Her abilities are... well, dangerous to say the least. Then we have..." Kabuto paused for dramatic effect, flipping to the next card. "Naruto Uzumaki, also known as the Demon of Konoha."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.
Kabuto smirked. "Most of Naruto's abilities are still largely unknown. His missions so far haven't been anything groundbreaking—except for the Land of Waves. But the real interesting part are the rumors surrounding him." Kabuto's eyes gleamed mischievously as he scanned the crowd. "Especially towards female ninja."
Naruto's face drained of color. "Wait, what?" he muttered, feeling a cold sweat forming.
"According to some sources," Kabuto continued, his voice playful, "Naruto has been... uh... quite active when it comes to the ladies. Rumor has it, he's carried maidens by the dozens at a time, groping and grabbing like he's some kind of... I don't know, fox with a particular set of interests?"
Naruto's eyes widened. "What the hell are you talking about?!" He shouted, but it was too late. The damage was done. The room was filled with muttered gossip, suspicious looks, and incredulous glances aimed at Naruto. He could feel the judgment in the air, and his mind raced with ways to fix this mess.
Right on cue, Tayuya, who had been waiting for her moment, stepped forward with a smug grin on her face. She pulled out her flute, tapping it lightly before beginning a new, slightly embarrassing tune.
She sang loudly and boldly, each verse a jab at Naruto's "perverted" reputation. The song echoed throughout the room:
"Oh, the Demon Fox Boy, wild and free,
Grabbing maidens by the dozens, just wait and see!
With his sneaky hands, he'll grab a behind,
Oh, those poor girls, aged like wine!"
The room erupted in giggles, Naruto's face turning bright red as Tayuya continued with her teasing melody:
"He says, 'It's all in good fun, don't take offense!'
But to the girls, oh boy, it's so intense!
He'll sneak up quick with those fox-like grins,
Before you know it, he's sinnin' with wins!"
Naruto groaned, burying his face in his hands as the laughter grew louder. "Tayuya... not now!" he begged, but she was just getting started.
"Grabbing this one, grabbing that,
He doesn't care if they're skinny or fat!
Young or old, they're all fair game,
To the perverted fox, it's all the same!"
By now, Fu was giggling beside him, enjoying the show, and even Anko, who usually reveled in teasing Naruto, was trying to stifle a laugh. But Tayuya wasn't done yet:
"A butt here, a squeeze there,
The Demon Fox doesn't play fair!
Oh, the girls all swoon, some even cry,
But he winks and says, 'Come give me a try!'"
The chorus of laughter from the rest of the room was deafening. Even some of the ninjas who had been intimidated by Naruto moments ago were now clutching their stomachs, barely able to contain their amusement. Tayuya added one final verse, practically shouting it over the laughter:
"So beware, beware, the perverted fox,
He's sneaky, sly, and full of talks!
No girl is safe, no behind untouched,
For Naruto Uzumaki, the demon too much!"
Naruto stood there, utterly mortified, his face glowing red. Tayuya put away her flute with a smug grin, bowing to the applause she received. "Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all day," she said sarcastically, winking at Naruto.
Naruto groaned, rubbing his temples as Fu hugged him tighter, whispering with a giggle, "Looks like the rumors have spread."
"Thanks, Tayuya. Really, I needed that," Naruto muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"No problem, Fox Boy," Tayuya smirked, giving him a playful nudge. "Gotta keep you humble somehow."
Kabuto, still holding his info cards, chuckled. "Well, at least now everyone knows the real threat of the exams."
Naruto shot him a glare, but Kabuto just smiled and adjusted his glasses, clearly pleased with how things had unfolded.
The three Sound ninja, Zaku, Dosu, and Kin, stood together in the crowded exam hall, their eyes fixed on Tayuya as she played her music. Rage and betrayal filled their hearts. They knew she was the one who had defected from Orochimaru, abandoning their cause and their master. The betrayal cut deep, and it was something they couldn't forgive.
Zaku clenched his fists, the holes in his hands twitching with anticipation. "That traitor... She thinks she can just waltz into this exam like nothing happened?" he hissed, his voice low but venomous. "We were Orochimaru's chosen, and she turned her back on us."
Dosu nodded, his one visible eye narrowing beneath the bandages that covered his face. "It's an insult. She'll pay for it."
Kin, the quietest of the three, stared at Tayuya with cold determination. "She's a disgrace. Orochimaru-sama's wrath will fall on us if we don't handle this. We can't let her get away with it."
Zaku grinned darkly, his bloodlust evident. "Let's make her scream."
Without another word, they moved in unison, darting through the crowd like shadows. They moved fast, leaping between the other ninjas with deadly precision. Their intent was clear, and their eyes were locked onto Tayuya, kunai drawn and ready for a quick and brutal attack.
As the kunai flew through the air, Tayuya barely had time to react. But before the blades could reach her, there was a blur of movement. Naruto, quicker than a flash, stood between them and Tayuya. His paper wakizashi materialized in his hand, and in one swift motion, he decapitated Dosu, the ninja with the bandaged face, in a gruesome display of speed and power. The head rolled onto the floor, lifeless eyes staring upward.
The other two Sound ninjas barely had time to process what had happened before Naruto turned his attention to Zaku. With another swift motion, Naruto sliced off Zaku's arms, the blood spraying out as Zaku screamed in agony. His scream was short-lived, though, as Naruto's free hand plunged into Zaku's chest, ripping out his heart with a sickening squelch. The organ still pulsed in Naruto's grip for a moment before he tossed it aside like garbage.
The room fell silent. Nobody had anticipated the sheer brutality of Naruto's retaliation. His glowing red eyes locked onto Kin, the last remaining Sound ninja. She had frozen, terrified. She didn't stand a chance against him. Before she could even react, Naruto had her by the throat, lifting her off the ground with ease.
With a sharp slam, he threw her headfirst into the ground, creating a small crater where she landed. Her body trembled, but she didn't try to fight back. Blood dripped from her mouth as she groaned in pain.
Naruto's face was inches from hers as his voice, now low and threatening, cut through the heavy silence. "You're either stupid, or you don't value your life. What made you think attacking someone I love was a good idea?"
Kin, shaking and bloodied, could barely form words. "W-We... we just wanted... revenge," she stammered. "I-I'm sorry. Please... we weren't... we weren't thinking straight..."
Naruto's grip tightened on her, his eyes burning with fury. The weight of his anger was suffocating, and the rest of the room looked on in stunned horror. Even Sasuke, who had grown accustomed to his brother's strength, was taken aback by how easily Naruto had slaughtered them like they were nothing but obstacles in his way. There was no hesitation, no mercy.
Tayuya, shaken but unharmed, watched in awe and fear. She had seen Naruto fight before, but never like this. The protective rage he displayed was terrifying and comforting at the same time. She felt a lump form in her throat as she realized the lengths Naruto would go to for her.
The blood-soaked scene was quickly interrupted by the sound of several examiners appearing in the room. One of the proctors, a tall, stern-faced man, stepped forward, his eyes scanning the scene of carnage. He locked eyes with Naruto, who still held Kin by the throat.
"Enough," the proctor said, his voice authoritative but not panicked. "This is an exam, not a battlefield."
Naruto, still in his rage-fueled haze, glanced at the proctor, his grip on Kin loosening just slightly. "They attacked first. I was defending her," he growled, motioning towards Tayuya.
The proctor's gaze shifted to the lifeless bodies of Dosu and Zaku. "Be that as it may, you've gone too far. Killing your opponents here is not the point of this exam."
Naruto, with one last glare at Kin, dropped her to the ground. She gasped for air, too weak to even stand. He wiped the blood from his wakizashi before letting it dissolve back into paper. His red eyes slowly faded, the rage subsiding as he stepped back to Tayuya's side.
The room remained tense, with everyone in shock over how quickly Naruto had dispatched the Sound ninja. Sasuke, Karin, and even Sakura exchanged worried glances, realizing just how deadly Naruto could be when provoked.
Kin, still lying on the ground, muttered one last apology before losing consciousness.
Naruto turned to Tayuya, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're safe now," he whispered, his voice surprisingly soft compared to the brutality he had just shown.
Tayuya, still shaken, gave a small nod, leaning into him for support. She didn't need to say anything; Naruto had already said enough through his actions.
The examiners exchanged tense looks, but none of them dared to chastise Naruto any further. They knew what they were dealing with now: a ninja who would stop at nothing to protect the people he cared about.
And as they prepared for the next phase of the exam, it was clear to everyone in that room—Naruto Uzumaki was not someone to be trifled with.
Author's Note:
Thank you, guys, for your continued support! I'm really sorry this chapter is a day late. Something unexpected came up that I had to take care of, but I managed to finish the chapter today. Also, I've decided to skip the written exam part since it's been done so many times before, and honestly, I don't think we need to go through it again.
That's all for now! Thanks again for all your reviews and support—on to the good stuff!