Opening his arm, he looks at the new attachments. First in the wrist Eien added a chakra amplifier that could create a shield of chakra. Further up in the forearm he put in a blade. The hand would drop allowing the chakra metal blade to drop into place. It was something that was small but could give him an advantage in combat.

Eien had decided against the addition of the thread mechanism. Instead going for a more practical approach that didn't make him solely rely on his puppets. He learned the hard way that his puppets were going to be able to answer everything. It was a mistake he couldn't make again. That battle had been too close.

So, he had spent the last few weeks with his team training. His team had been recommended to go to Konogakure. They had called for a joint exam this year. Which was weird seeing how Suna was going to be doing their own anyway. Gaara's siblings were going to be going to the local event. Which Eien didn't agree to. They were the two best teams; they should be headed there together.

Gathering his tools and puppets Eien headed to the training to his team's training ground. Approaching he could see both Gaara and Shira. Shira was talking about his newest technique and how he couldn't wait to show them. Eien couldn't help but smile at his excitement.

Gaara though looked over at him. There was a look of reverence in his gaze that sent chills down Eien's skin. The sand user had been that way since they fixed his seal. The way he looked at Eien and his mother was different than it had been before. The gratitude is something Eien isn't even sure the boy knows how to express.

"Hey guys!" Eien took a seat next to Gaara. His puppet arm gently grazing the Jinchuriki, "So how's training been lately."

Shira's smile was soft and bright, "Great! I am finally getting my Silent Fist style down. Plus, I can activate up to level three of my Seven Heavenly Breathing Method!"

"That's amazing!" Eien couldn't believe how much progress the other boy had made. He was so strong, and it was so cool. Eien wondered if there were any other taijutsu specialists like that out there.

Looking at Gaara, Eien couldn't help but smile. Gaara's face flushed before looking away, "I have been talking with the One-Tail. He still isn't fond of me. Just talks about you all the time."

"What?!" Eien felt his heart rate kick up. Why did the Tailed Beast like talking about him? Did he want to kill him, "It makes sense. You are amazing." Gaara's words made him freeze for a moment. Before actually causing him to malfunction. He was sure there was smoke coming out of his ears at this point.

Before he could recover though Baki showed up, "Genin. We have been tasked with a different mission than normal." All three genin sobered up quick from their conversation.

"As you know we are to participate in the chunin exams. However, things will be a little different. You must as a team make it to the finale. At least one of you." All three looked at him in confusion.

Letting out a sigh, "We were initially going to be infiltrating to open up the Leaf for attack. That is no longer the case." Baki paused as he took in his genin. They were strong and they were ready, "Instead we will be aiding the Konokagure."

Shira raised his hand shyly, "Um sensei. Why the change in plans? I thought we were going to just hit and run."

"Last night there was an attempt on the Kazekage's life." Both boys looked at Gaara as the boy stilled. Even with the hatred of his father Eien could see that he almost couldn't process Baki's words. "Rasa-sama is in critical care and is being treated by Chiyo-san for the toxin that he was subjected to. If Eien's mother hadn't been there he would of fell to the Snake."

"Won't he think we are going to help them though?" The puppet user asked confused. If he were Orochimaru that's what he would think.

Baki could see where the boy was coming from though. It was sound logic, "He had planned on both the Hidden Stone and Hidden Waterfall to aid in the invasion to destroy the Leaf."

"We will leave in two days. Have all of your gear in order. When we arrive, we will head straight to the Hokage's Office." All three nodded in confirmation. Baki smiled at his team. Looking over them he felt a sense of pride in his kids. He hadn't expected them to be so ready for a mission after the disaster that was their last mission.

Eien got home to see his mom sitting there. Wrappings around her shoulder and upper left thy, "Mom! What happened?"

"Come sit sweetie." Walking over he took his seat next to her, "The Kazekage is dying. It was a trap, Orochimaru tried to kill the Kazekage. Between the two of us we fended him off, but it was close."

Eien's face scrunched, "What happened to Rasa-sama?" He could see the frustration over her face, "He got sliced with Orochimaru's sword. There was a poison, and it is spreading fast."

"I wonder how Gaara feels?" Eien said to himself, "Make sure you're ready. If the forces joining the fight against Konoha are big enough than us helping may not be enough."

Over the next two days the genin prepared for their trip to the Land of Fire. Eien made the final touches to his puppets. Making sure they were ready for use. Being that they were going to a forested area he wanted to make sure they could handle the different climate. He also worked on his arm a bit more. Adding dart guns to the fingertips. Something he thought was cool, though Shira said it was just creepy.

Before long they were traveling towards the Village Hidden in the Leaves. It had taken a full day just to get to the Land of Fire. Eien was just taken aback by the beauty of the fertile country. He could tell Gaara was uncomfortable. He could understand though. His greatest strength is the way he fights with Sand. Being so far away from the desert must feel disorienting.

Finally arriving at Konokagure, they were stopped by some weak looking chunin. Eien didn't think much of them. He was more interested in the lack of guards. There was almost no security. Were they really that comfortable that they would allow so much through traffic with no foresight? Seemed suicidal.

"Looks like your here for the Chunin Exams." The man looked over them again, "There is a note to have the Sand Shinobi meet with the Hokage. Watch yourselves in the village."

Walking through the village, Eien saw it was similar to their own village. These civilians were very similar to the ones back home. They were almost expecting things to go wrong. As they got further, he saw it. The massive tower in the center of the village. That was where they'd meet the Hokage.

Before he knew it, Eien was standing in front the Hokage. He may seem like an old man but just from his aura they could tell he was powerful, "Welcome friends from Sunakagure. I am sorry to hear about Rasa."

Baki bowed followed by his genin, "Thank you Hokage-sama. We are glad to be here. These are much better circumstances than I thought we'd be in."

"Yes. So Orochimaru is after us yet again." Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh, "We will be ready. I am excited to have a Suna team here for our exams. I have heard much of this Genin team. If the rumors are true they fended off a Jinchuriki."

"We lost to a Jinchuriki Hokage-sama." Eien felt his heart rate quicken as he realized he spoke out of turn. The Hokoage though smiled, "I like this one. What's your name?"

Eien looked at his sensei who only nodded, "I am Eien Uzumaki." The Hokage froze for a moment before collecting himself, "You said Uzumaki? What's your parents names?"

"My father is Sasori of the Red Sand. Mother is Kyatsu Uzumaki." Hiruzen sighed, "Cat-san." An anbu landed between them, "I want you to go and get Naruto. Bring him here at once."

Baki looked at the hokage with just as much confusion as his genin, "Hokage-sama?" He lit his pipe before looking down at the puppet user, "Seems a bright future between our villages is destined Baki-san."

Everyone waited patiently until finally the door burst open to a loud blonde in an orange jumpsuit, "Jiji! Why are you calling for me? I was training you know!"

"Naruto. I have some people to introduce you to." The boy looked over at them curiously. That was until he saw their head bands, "You're all ninja? Where from?"

Hiruzen rolled his eyes but with a fond smile. "They are a team here for the Chunin Exams. Their Jonin sensei Baki-san. Then you have Shira-chan, Gaara-san, and lastly Eien Uzumaki."

Naruto's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the red-haired boy, "Eien-chan. This is Naruto Uzumaki." Suddenly it made sense. They were both now just staring at each other.

Baki took both Gaara and Shira to their hotel. Leaving the two Uzumaki to get to know each other. Eien could sense someone close by but didn't pay them two much attention with the fact he was standing with an actual clansman.

Kakashi followed closely behind Naruto. His normally loud Genin being oddly quiet. He wondered if they had talked at all yet. This couldn't be easy for the Jinchuriki. Naruto grew up without anyone. To suddenly have a clansman in the village must not have been a whole world changing concept.

Eien followed Naruto to a bridge called Sarutobi bridge. The blond jumped up onto the railing before sitting. Eien saw the way his feet hung there. The boy looked lost, if was different to see. He was so loud when he first arrived at the Hokage's office.
Moving in next to him Eien crossed his arms and leaned against the railing. He was pretty short so he couldn't do it fully, "So your last name is Uzumaki?" Naruto asked making the red head smirk.

"Yeah. Ir wasn't always. My dad had given me a last name but he…..he's gone," Eien said frustratingly, "What about you? My mom said the clan was wiped out."

Naruto's face hardened for a split second before going to a bright smile, "Yeah, I'm an orphan. I don't know who my parents were. They died when I was born."

"So, you've been alone this whole time?" Eien felt his heart break at that. Gaara's face appearing in his mind, "My friend with me. The one with the gourd. He has siblings but the village hates him."

Eien could feel the shock on the blonde, "He is….different, but underneath he is brave. I think he actually cares a lot about others. Even when he acts like he doesn't."

"He sounds pretty great."Eien blushed, "He is. So, I take it you don't know our family jutsu then?" Naruto yelled making Eien smirk, "Family Jutsu?! We have those?"

"Take that as a no." Eien looked over his shoulder and could see the masked ninja watching them, "Maybe when you become a chunin you can convince your sensei to come visit us. I'm sure Mom will love teaching a fellow clansman about our heritage."

"That be so cool." Naruto then noticed Kakashi, "I better take you to the hotel." He reached out to Eien who took his hand, "Hope you're ready to lose cousin." Both boys chuckled before leaving. Later Eien couldn't stop thinking about Naruto and the strange chakra that was inside the other boy. It was so similar to Gaara's.

Thoughts started running like crazy as he walked into his room. Both Gaara and Shira were sitting up waiting for him. Gaara stood up when he saw Eien's face. Worry was vivid in his eyes, "He's jinchuriki. My cousin. Naruto is a Jinchuriki."

"Are you sure?" Shira asked looking at Gaara, "Naruto is so nice and no offense to you Gaara. But other Jinchuriki are so mean."

Gaara crossed his arms and huffed, "He is so alone here." Both boys looked back at Eien. I wish he could just come home with us."

Eien didn't talk much the rest of the night. Instead, just basking in the closeness of his team. Thinking about how they started to how they have now made him happy. They were strong and he loved being a part of this team. Eien wouldn't ask for anything different. Even with how much of a loss they had.

Before they knew it. Eien and his team were going headed to the exam site. Walking in they ran into a group two chunins, "Look at what we got here. Three little sand shinobi. You should turn around you know." The second one chuckled, "Seems pretty weak to me."

"Please you two know this isn't the right floor." Eien said with a chipper smile, "Plus you'll make my friend mad." Gaara who was bored let some sand pour out and surround them.

"Sorry! Just g-go!" Shira giggled as the sand fell back into the gourd. Eien bumped his shoulder against Gaara, "Don't look so bored. You seemed so bored."

Gaara just looked up with a small smile, "I don't enjoy threatening like I used to." Eien's eyebrow quirked up, "Oh?"

"I like being around you though." Shira rolled his eyes at his friends as Eien's face began to match his hair. Walking in they saw there were already a number of teams in waiting for them. Making their way into the center of them they sat down just observing everyone.

As they patiently waited as the other teams began pouring in. Eien watched as different rookie genin walked in until finally he saw his cousin. His bright smile and blue eyes making it seem like he didn't see the disdain in the other Konoha Genin. They listened at the loud rookies until it got to some weird boy named Kabuto.

He had long white hair and glasses. He had an odd ability that he called Data cards. He listed different things about the teams here. Even threatening the new Sound Village. Finally, he was asked by Naruto about himself, "Eien Uzumaki."

Gaara was about to act but Eien held up his hand and stopped him, "He's a puppet user. What a record. Twelve C-rank missions, Eight B-Ranked, four A-ranked, and impressively a S-ranked mission. Apparently, he is a puppet user of great promise. Son of Sasori the Red Sand. What how's that…...he and the Genin Gaara fought and survived against a Jinchuriki of Iwa."

Suddenly Naruto's eyes were meeting his. There was shock and a small amount of fear. Before anyone could say anything else though the sound genin moved. Kabuto was quick to react, but the attack still somehow landed. Before they could think about the move, they were interrupted a imposing man walked in.

"No fighting allowed here!" The sound ninja just shrugged, "Sorry san. Nervous energy."

"Now everyone takes your seats." Eien sat down. An older ninja was sitting next to him almost glaring at the puppet boy.

He didn't let it get to him though. Instead listening to the rules. They had a written test. Nine questions initially with one question that is held off for the end. Checking over the questions Eien saw how hard these questions actually were. Smiling to himself he pulled out a small insect like puppet.

Forming a hand sign it activated a seal that had been placed on the back of the puppet. Letting it crawl around the room he found a few people that were actually answering the question. A grin formed on his face as he began writing down the answers he was seeing.

After finishing the test he waited till the man, Baki announced the end of the test. Everyone waited for him to ask the final question, "Now for your final question you have one chance. If you miss this question not only, will you be disqualified from this exam. You'll never be able to take the exam again. This is your only chance to back out. Also, if you do, then your entire team is disqualified."

Soon dozens of teams were dropping from the exam. Eien watched as ninja after ninja jumped out of the race. Soon enough nobody was standing up, until Naruto did. Eien felt his chest clench for his newly acquainted cousin.

"Come on! Nobody else is dropping out! We are ready for the next test believe it!" Suddenly everyone felt invigorated. Eien's fear turned to pride. Until the window shattered open. A girl with purple hair, extremely revealing clothing, and a trench coat appeared, "Hello I'm Anko Mitarashi and I'm your next proctor."

Looking around her face crunched, "Baki! You let so many pass this year. You're getting soft." Baki huffed in annoyance, "Or this year's crop is just better than usual."

"We will see about that!" Everyone followed her down to a giant gate. Turning around she started telling them the start of the next test, "You'll be given scrolls! Your job is to survive and get the opposite scroll."

Pausing for a moment she threw a kunai cutting Naruto's cheek. Appearing behind his she licked up his the line of blood, "What am I not fun enough for you?" Naruot was shivering in his skin. Only not because of her. A strange girl from Grass was holding the kunai, "You dropped this."

"Gaara, Shira. Did you guys sense her at all?" Gaara shook his head not removing his gaze from her. Shira stepped back behind them, "What is she?" Eien couldn't answer. Her chakra was on a whole different level of power.

"Now. Get in there and don't die!" Everyone ran into the Forest of Death. Eien sensed out trying to find anything that could be a threat to his team. Stopping at extremely massive tree the three boys stopped and took in their options.

"I think we need to push through this as fast as possible." Shira said. Eien had to agree the less time they wasted the better. Not that they didn't have the fire power to push through this easily.

Eien summoned Byakku and Fuutsumeichi. Sending them out he began searching for their scroll. After hours of searching, they found it. A team from the Hidden Waterfall. Moving they each took on a single genin.

Shira landed taking on the first boy. His punches hitting so fast the boy couldn't block or counter. With a quick kick he knocked him out. Byakku landed on top of another one. It's sharp teeth biting into the boy's shoulder. Filled with a toxin, Eien let him go after putting just enough to take him out of commission. The final one was caught in Gaara's sand.

"Be happy. If I were still the old me. You'd be dead." Taking the scroll from them he dropped the boy before turning away. The kid in an attempt to kill Gaara pulled out a tanto and tried to kill him.

Eien was faster though. Appearing between them his arm blade shot out deflecting the enemy ninja, as it retracted, he landed a powerful punch to his face sending him crashing into a tree and knocking him out cold. Gaara smiled but didn't look back at his friend. While Konoha's Team 10 stayed hidden. Shikamaru knew they stood no chance against these shinobi.

Eien sighed in relief the next day when they arrived to the tower. They only had a few skirmishes after getting their scroll. Walking in the activated the scrolls making Baki appear. He smiled at his team, "Good job team. Now we wait patiently for everyone else to get here."