"Wait, really? But I'm still busy~" I whined as I looked at Jiraiya, who had a stern look on his face from the first time I met him as he shook his head before responding.
"Kid, you've been training non-stop with your clones and the toads day and night for the past three and a half weeks. Resting is just as important as the act of training itself."
"I haven't figured out how I'm going to fight Dozu, let alone the other people I might fight."
"Precisely! Go and rest for the day! Talk to your friends! Hang out with them and for the last two days, think up strategies and tactics on your opponents." He answered and I looked at him before rubbing my face with a groan and nodding.
"You're right. I'm becoming a training maniac."
"Nothing wrong with that as long as you make sure to take a break now and then."
"Heh, who would have thought you would be the wise one between us two?"
"Go to hell, brat." He grumbled, to which I chuckled before turning to the thirty clones busy training taijutsu on the river and on the sides of the trees and dispelling them all with a thought.
Unlike the first time, I just smiled as Kurama went ahead and quickly sorted out the memories while also healing any mental damage, turning to Jiraiya before surprising him as I held a hand out.
"Thanks for the month of training, Pervy Sage, even though you didn't need to." He simply looked at my hand in surprise before letting out a soft chuckle as he grasped it firmly and shook it with a nod.
"No need for the thanks, brat. After all, what kind of master would I be if I didn't help my student to become as strong as he needed to be?"
"Wait, what?" I asked in surprise, to which Jiraiya chuckled and nodded.
"Yep, I've been looking for a new student and you're just the lucky guy to meet me on the first day."
'I knew the guy would take me on as a student, but I didn't think he would do it just like that.'
"…Well, you just went up a few notches in my books, Pervy Sage."
"Not enough to get rid of that nickname?" He asked with a frown, a smile appearing on my face as I shook my head and watched him sigh.
"I suppose that's the best I'm going to get."
"It is. See you after the exams, Pervy Sage!" I greeted with a grin before leaping into the trees behind us, feeling ecstatic at the cool breeze blowing through the air and the peaceful sounds of the leaves in the wind.
'Hah, time to see if anyone's free.'
It was with a soft grunt that I landed in the middle of a street, slightly scaring the civilians and the person I was looking for as she gave me a glare while holding her chest.
"Really? In the middle of the street?" Sakura asked with a frown and I gave an apologetic smile and shrugged.
"Sorry, I was just in a hurry and forgot to slow down a bit. So, you up for some ramen?"
"This a date?" She asked with a frown and I snorted and shook my head.
"Nope, I know how much you hate anyone other than Sasuke using that word. Just two friends going out and eating some ramen."
"Hmm, sure. Why not? You're paying, though."
"I'm always paying even when Sasuke or Sensei can." I answered in response, a giggle escaping her lips as we leapt to the rooftops and began taking our time walking/ jogging towards Ichiraku.
"So, how's training been?" She began and I blinked before giving a shrug as we leapt over a street.
"Pretty good. At first, I was training under this guy called Ebisu, but then he got knocked out by another guy called Jiraiya and that's who has been training me for the past couple of weeks.
"W-Wait, J-Jiraiya? As…as in Jiraiya of the Sannin?" She asked with a surprised look and I grinned and nodded.
"Yep, but I call him Pervy Sage. He's like a far more perverted Kakashi-sensei."
"…Really?" She asked with a disappointed look, shaking her head with a sigh as I nodded.
"I guess every strong person in the village is just perverted, huh?"
"I think being goofy and/ or perverted is a given when you reach that level of power since the only other thing that would be entertaining is finding and fighting other people that are just as strong." I answered before blinking as Sakura narrowed her eyes at me.
"See, that right there. You speak way too fluently for the idiot I knew even if you add in the fact that the encounter with Orochimaru changed us all somewhat permanently."
"Eh, I just figured that growing up a bit shouldn't hurt."
"Growing up a bit means you stop doing so many pranks or stop eating so much ramen, but you changed so much."
"People change. I just decided that I wanted to change a bit too, that's all." I answered with a shrug, to which she stared at me before smiling and nodding as she patted my shoulders just as we leapt off and landed in front of Ichiraku.
"Good! You needed to grow up."
"I know. Now all we need to do is make Sasuke smile once, make Kakashi-sensei stop reading his book every chance he gets and stop you from obsessing so much over Sasuke and Team 7 might be a normal and functionable team."
"…It's taking everything I got to not punch you." She spoke with a glare as we walked into the stall, to which I simply grinned as I plopped down in the middle seat and shrugged.
"Like you said, I'm different now. Old man, give me one extra large pork and miso, please!"
"Coming right up!"
"Today's the day." I muttered with a sigh as I sat on the edge of my bed, softly rubbing the metal plate of my headband, my kunai and shuriken all laid out on the floor along with a few storage scrolls that I had a few things sealed in just in case.
Today's the day of not only the Chunin Exams' Third Exam but also when the attack of the Hidden Sand and Sound is supposed to happen, which means that it is also the day the old man is supposed to die.
I have not even tried to met the man over the past month because Old Man Sarutobi was the one person that would definitely see that I was not Naruto seeing how much time he spent with me and watched over me as I grew up.
"Hey, you either ask him if he wants to be saved or you let him die. There isn't a second option." Kurama spoke up and I sighed as I began picking up my weapons.
'Yeah, let me try that. 'Hey Old man. Sorry to tell you this, but I absorbed the soul of Naruto and I'm here to tell you that you're going to die today'. Let me just get that one-way express to the Leaf's Torture Division.'
"Not that, you damned idiot. I meant as in you make up a hypotethical situation, get his response on that situation and then act accordingly to the answer he gives you."
'That…is probably a good idea, actually. Does that mean you're finally becoming close friends with me, Kurama?' I asked before smirking at the growl I got in response, shaking my head as I picked up the scrolls and slid them all onto the pouch I had on my back.
"I would rather die before that happens. We are simply acquaintances and nothing more."
'Of course, buddy. So, you ready to help me show the power of being the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to the world?'
"Oh, now we're in agreement on something. You win today and I might help you learn to manipulate one tail's worth of energy."
'Wait, you being serious?' I asked with a surprised look before grinning in anticipation as the fox snorted.
"I may be a cunning fox, but I do not lie when it comes to my power. If you impress me and manage to go up in ranks as you like to say, I'll train you on how to control one tail of chakra."
'Ooh~ Well now I just have more incentive to win.'
"Other than the bet you made with Hamura's descendant?" He asked with a grin before cackling as I blushed for a split second and I shook my head, remembering the bet Hinata proposed after she won our third bout and I didn't want to give her my shorts.
I didn't want to test what would happen if I did, so I made the bet and now if one of us becomes a Chunin, they'll do whatever the other wants for an entire day.
I just want to see if I can get her to become more confident in herself and maybe learn a few new things that I don't know.
Hinata on the other hand…
'If her giggles told me anything, it's that I do NOT want to lose this bet.'
"I would agree, but seeing you in distress makes it more fun for me." Kurama answered bluntly and I rolled my eyes before looking around, making sure I had anything as I walked out the door and locked my apartment behind me.
'Okay, Naruto. First, to the old man and then…it's showtime.'
"Naruto! It's a surprising delight to see you!" The old man spoke with a smile from under his Hokage hat as I landed on the railing in front of him, a grin on his face as I nodded & jumped off.
"Glad to see you haven't kicked the bucket."
"Oh, please~ Like these bones are old enough to just keel over & die." He answered and I snickered before scratching the back of my head as I stood besides his chair.
"Something you wish to say?"
"Uh, kind of, but did you know I trained under your student Pervy Sage?"
"Hahaha~! That's a fitting name for the little goofball!" Hiruzen spoke as he laughed, making me chuckle before I nodded as I scratched the back of my head.
"Ah, I needed that. As for your question, yes, he has come and told me about you, especially the fact that you were the one who forced him to come say hello to me." Hiruzen said with a knowing smirk and I simply shrugged before crossing my arms.
"Eh, he wanted to see how far he could push me, so I said if he doesn't go, I'll put itching powder in his underwear and in his hair along with glue-ing his toilet seats shut as I put laxatives in his drinks."
"…That would be enough to convince anyone. So, do you finally have time now to come talk to this old man after your month of training?" He asked and I gave a sheepish smile as I sat down on the arm of his chair.
"Uh, yeah. Sorry for that, by the way, but I wanted to keep a clear mind before I see you."
"To make sure I didn't see how you changed after the fight against Orochimaru."
"…Okay, are you spying on me or something?" I asked with a narrowed frown, remembering that he had that weird clairvoyance crystal ball that he hid in his desk.
"Or something." That was his cryptic answer and I simply rolled my eyes while hopping up from his chair.
"Fine, keep your answers. As for your question, I do have a question and wanted to see your input on it."
"No, I can't tell you how to beat your opponents."
"Nah, not that. I already have a plan for every one of them. I meant more like a personal one."
"Sure, why not? Ask away."
"Well…let's say that you knew someone close to him was going to die and you had a way to save them, but in doing so, you lose sight of what is supposed to be happening. Would you save them or let them die?"
"Depends. Have I made plans that I can put in place in case I save this person to make sure they're not placed in danger?"
"You have." I answered and he hummed as he looked out onto the arena, waiting patiently as the old man stayed silent for a moment amongst the crowd coming in before my eyes widened as he smiled and shook his head.
"If I have made plans to make sure that this person is still saved despite the fact that it will not be me who saved them, then I will leave them and continue to keep sight of what has happened, is happening or will happen. If saving them for example means putting the Leaf in a dangerous position that might snowball massively into its destruction, then saving that person would have not been worth the risk. However, if I can save the Leaf while there is still a large chance that the plans I made will save the person I wished to save, then I can rest easy knowing that I still gave it everything I got to try and save two things at once. Unfortunately, we can't save two things at once so what you can do is just do the best that you can."
"In other words, the plans you made to save him are going to work so stop worrying like a bitch and start acting like my jinchuriki." Kurama simplified the explanation in his own brutal way and I chuckled while nodding as I stretched my arms above my head.
"Okay, I get what you're saying."
"Oh, you did? I didn't even catch most of it and I was the one saying it." Old Man Saru spoke with a chuckle and I rolled my eyes before surprising him as I leaned down and hugged him.
"Make sure you keep an eye on me, okay? I'm going to make you & my parents proud." I could feel his shock from my words as I pulled back, smiling at his wide eyes as I shrugged and pointed at my stomach.
"He told me. I'm pissed at both you and Pervy Sage by the way, but I understand why you did considering how much of a loudmouth I was. Even though we both know that if you told me it was a secret, I would have kept my mouth shut...probably...likely...maybe not?"
"…We'll talk after the Exams." He spoke with a wry smile and I snorted as I nodded while leaping onto the railing.
"We will."
'I'll make sure of it.' I thought with a smile as I leapt towards the centre of the arena with a blast of wind chakra, corkscrewing through the air before making a clone besides me and leaping off of its back as we neared the ground.
"Really? A cool entrance?" Shikamaru asked with a deadpan stare and I grinned and nodded.
"How else is the Number one Unpredictable Shinobi supposed to enter?"
"…Hah, you're such a pain in the head it's not even funny." He grumbled, making Hinata giggle softly while Neji snorted while muttering something about 'deadlast' under his breath.
'I don't know Talk-No-Jutsu, but I do have Therapy-Ass-Beating Jutsu.'I thought with a grin as I turned to Shino, surprising the shinobi with a nod and a smile before going on to look at the other shinobi.
Unsurprisingly, the Sand Trio were standing off to the side by themselves, but what was a surprise was Dosu standing right next to Kankurou, the guy frowning at me before he scoffed and looked back to the front.
'The clone showed that he died against Gaara, didn't he? So how the hell is he still alive? Is he some kind of reanimation? No, he doesn't have the eyes.'
"No, look closer at his chakra." Kurama spoke and I blinked before pinching the bridge of my nose as I let out a soft sigh.
'Kurama, you're speaking to a non-sensor shinobi here.'
"Oh, shut up! Here!" He grumbled and I frowned as I felt his chakra flushing through mine before my eyes widened as I felt sheer hatred radiating from Gaara, Kurama filtering most of it away and letting me breathe for a moment before I felt Dosu's anger as clear as day.
However, unlike Gaara's & Shukaku's most likely, Dosu's anger felt more…forced, as if he was trying to emulate what anger is supposed to feel like.
'Wait, how do I even know that?'
"Because I, a being of hatred & wrath, am allowing you to feel the different types of wrath there is right now through my chakra. Also, your analogy is correct. That is not this Dosu, but instead someone disguised as him."
'But who? I can't think of any-Kabuto. Yep, there's no doubt about it. That is most definitely Kabuto, probably on some errand from Orochimaru to test how powerful the Nine Tails Jinchuriki really is.' That was the only other person I could think of that it could be and even if it wasn't, it was still a dead body being controlled by someone.
"Makes the most sense. Now, you just have to kill him and force him out."
'I was planning on fighting Neji or the universe resetting our battle, but this is a slight change in plans. So, how are we able to do all of this when in the show, Naruto had to beat your ass to get all of the abilities.'
"Because I'm sharing them with you and because your entry into his mind shook the cage and knocked it loose slightly. Not enough to let me rip you to pieces but enough that the cage itself has aged a few years."
'Well, now that's just lovely. So, I have even less time to get strong enough to kick your ass?'
"Don't get your panties in a twist. You still have a few more years until the seal breaks, but just remember when it does, I'm tearing you limb from limb."
'Sure, you would, buddy. So, how do you wanna do this since we can't kill each other now?' I asked as Genma appeared in front of us before hiding my smile as I heard Kurama's happy growl.
"Loud & fast. Let the world know who we are!"
'Oh, we're 'we' now? I knew you liked me, buddy.'
"Forget what I said. I hope you die." He grumbled and cut off the telepathic connection, a soft chuckle escaping my lips and mildly freaking out Shikamarau next to me as Genma turned with his back to us while looking up at the crowd.
"Look alive, kids. It's show time." He muttered just as the crowd cheered out loud, an excited smile appearing on my face as I reached up and ran my hands through my hair.
Yeah, it's show time.
A/N: And we are finally off to the tournament section of the Chunin Exams! Next chapter, battles & strategy.
Also, why is Kabuto as Dosu & what does he have planned~? We'll have to find out!
Like always, you can go to my Pat-reon-.-com-/-KingCrimsonNova to read ahead on this as well as many other stories & even some that haven't been released out to this site yet. If you want to, you are free to, but if you don't want, all's good as I will still be uploading here. This is just me trying to get some extra cash.
As always, read, enjoy, review and until next week...
Ba-Bye~!