Author's Note: Welcome back, everyone! I decided to put the whole month between the Preliminaries and the Finals into one chapter.

Disclaimer: Naruto and Inuyasha belong to their respective owners.

Dialogue Legend:

"Unforgivable" – Normal dialogue

'Unforgivable' – character's thoughts/speaking to Inner Demon/Inner Spirit

"Unforgivable" – Jutsu name; Inner Demon/Inner Spirit/Supernatural Being speaking to someone on the physical plane.

'Unforgivable' – Inner Demon/Inner Spirit/Supernatural Being speaking to someone on or from within the mental or spiritual plane.

Review Corner:

savitarsurffer: Neji's goose is cooked. Just how badly, I won't spoil here.

Chapter 19 – The Genin's Preparations

'Naruto-kun, we need to talk.' After several hours of silence, Kurama reached out to Naruto as he and Sasuke were leaving the Forest of Death. Hiruzen had assured Naruto that his Anbu would transport Hinata to a hospital once her condition had stabilized enough to safely move her. Anko had volunteered to lead the team herself.

'You've been quiet for a long time, finally get through all my memories?' Naruto's voice was near-mechanical in tone.

'No.' Kurama's voice was equally strained after witnessing the memories of Naruto's first few years of life. 'There is still much for me to see, but what I must say can wait no longer. Kushina's Chakra box told you of my contract with the Uzumaki Clan, but you will not be able to use my power as your predecessors have. My Chakra is toxic to Youkai; the Daiyoukai physiology you have inherited from Sesshomaru-dono grants you resistance, but it will still take an immense period of time for your body to fully adapt to my Chakra's properties.'

'So until I've developed complete immunity to your Chakra, I can only use small amounts of it, and only in short bursts?' Naruto suppressed a sigh.

'That is correct; frequent use of my Chakra will accelerate the process, but you must take great care that you fully recover from each use of my power before utilizing it again. In time, you will be able to use a substantial quantity of my Chakra with minimal risk to yourself.' Kurama paused before continuing. 'Alternatively, my Chakra can be safely converted into Youki to fuel your Daiyoukai powers.'

'WHAT?' Naruto nearly missed the tree branch he had just jumped toward. 'That makes no sense! How can I safely use Youki derived from your Chakra?'

'My existence, and that of my eight brethren, defies what many consider to be the natural order of the world.' Kurama explained. 'Certain aspects of our natures are inherently paradoxical. They must be, given our purpose.'

'Purpose?' Naruto echoed.

'Should your Youki core be depleted, I can replenish it to full capacity.' Kurama ignored Naruto's question. 'However, this cannot be done on the same day that you use my Chakra. We mustn't risk your body's overexposure to my power, converted to Youki or not. When your Daiyoukai powers have matured, I will be able to safely merge a percentage of my Chakra into your Daiyoukai form to increase the power of your Youki techniques.'

'That day may be sooner than you think; I've been using my Daiyoukai powers quite a bit recently.' Naruto's eyes gleamed with determination.

'Perhaps; I must view the remainder of your memories to be certain.' Kurama broke her connection to Naruto and resumed the excruciating task of experiencing Naruto's life.

It was nearly midnight when Naruto returned to the Namikaze estate. 'I didn't want to do this, not for another year – at least – but between Iwa and Orochimaru I have more enemies than I can handle. Kurama's power has too many strings attached at the moment to be feasible in situations like what happened in the Forest of Death. I need something more consistent, even if I'm not ready for it.'

The Namikaze Lord entered his clan's vault and went directly to its deepest chamber. Now, Naruto approached the sword he had ignored on the evening after the Bell Test. The weapon was a double-edged straight sword wider at the tip than at the base. The blade was silver, ending in a golden cross-guard. The hilt was red and ended in a gold pommel that had two red tassels tied to a hole in its center.

'Stop, Naruto-kun; you're not –'

'You are.' Naruto countered Kurama's horrified plea and grabbed the baleful weapon. Killing intent the likes of which he had never experienced gushed from the blade like water from a broken dam. Naruto did his best to resist but was quickly overwhelmed.

'You are stronger than many before that have tried me boy, but not strong enough! Your soul is MINE.' The sword delved deep into Naruto's being, intent on devouring all he found.

'This one's soul is already spoken for, Tokijin!' Kurama yelled from the depths of Naruto's soul. The mightiest Tailed Beast did not need to exert her Chakra to resist Tokijin; her presence alone was enough.

'YOU!' Tokijin howled with rage. 'I may have been broken when my first master fought you, but all Youkai know of you; an abomination wearing the guise of a Kitsune!'

'Flattery will get you nowhere with me.' Kurama retorted. 'Will you cease your intrusion into my host's soul or must I end you?'

'I submit.' Tokijin growled. 'Boy, what is your name?'

'Naruto Namikaze-Uzumaki!' The heir of two clans replied.

'Then know this, Naruto-kun: you may wield me in complete safety, but I shall not acknowledge you as my master until you are capable of besting my will without aid from your Tailed Beast!' Tokijin declared. 'Until that day comes, only ten percent of my power is available to you.'

'I accept.' Naruto replied without hesitation.

'Truly? Just like that?' The blade was stunned. 'Many of your ancestors were offended by similar compromises.'

'Many of my ancestors were complete idiots, then.' Naruto sighed. 'They may have been descended from Lord Sesshomaru, but you have your pride as a Youkai blade that once shattered Tessaiga.' Naruto recalled what he had learned of Tokijin's origin.

'HA! I like this one; he understands, unlike so many of his predecessors!' Tokijin's joy surged through Naruto's mind. A simple black sheath materialized around its blade, which Naruto tied to his armor's sash with some ninja wire. Tenseiga rested on his right flank, while Tokijin adorned his left.

'Kurama-sama, what did Tokijin mean when he called you an abomination?' The Namikaze lord knew his newest weapon was not disgusted by the power Kurama wielded; there must be more to it! Several minutes passed and Naruto received no answer, so he assumed Kurama was either too absorbed in viewing Naruto's memories or simply preferred to avoid the question. With an annoyed sigh, Naruto got ready for bed.

Naruto awoke early the next day and went straight down to his clan vault. After retrieving several books and scrolls pertaining to Fuuton Jutsu, the Namikaze heir went into the dining room and awaited the breakfast that Haku was undoubtedly preparing.

"Good morning, Naruto-sama!" Haku greeted her lord and lover. "Once we have finished eating Jiraiya-sama, Zabuza-sama, and I need to speak with you." Naruto nodded, not wishing to distract Haku from her morning duties. Zabuza and Jiraiya soon joined Naruto in the dining room, and both smiled after seeing Naruto's choice of reading material; great minds truly do think alike.

"Naruto," Jiraiya began after the quartet had finished eating, "you have one month – thirty days – before the final stage of the Chunnin Exams. Zabuza-san, Haku-kun, and I are going to put you through the wringer. Anko-san has also requested to be a part of your training and has taken a week off to put you through her own brand of hell."

"Is your intended curriculum for the next month set in stone?" Naruto inquired.

"It isn't, Naruto-sama." Zabuza answered. "We've come up with some ideas of how your training should proceed, but you know yourself best. Any suggestions of yours will be taken into consideration, as long they're not too outlandish."

"Then, if Anko-chan gets one week with me, I would like one week with both you and Haku-chan simultaneously, one week with Jiraiya alone, and one week with both Jiraiya Kurama." Naruto proposed.

"She's awake?!" After hearing about the Chakra messages left behind by Minato and Kushina, the Toad Sage had no reason to fear a training session with the Tailed Beast. Naruto told his teachers of last night's conversations with Kurama.

"Jiraiya, for my first week with just you, I'd like to learn both the Kuchiyose no Jutsu and some stronger Fuuton Jutsu. Daitoppa isn't cutting it anymore. Zabuza-san and Haku-chan, with the two of you, I'd like to further train in Kenjutsu and begin to master creating Suiton Chakra. As for my week with Kurama and Jir – "

'Naruto-kun, give me control for a moment.' Naruto's eyes turned red as he granted Kurama's request, but his pupils did not transform into slits.

'Forgive the interruption, but the week spent with both Jiraiya-dono and myself would be best-utilized training in the use of my Chakra, a certain Daiyoukai technique, and the Rasengan.'

"That's a lot to cram into one week, even with Naruto using Kage Bushin to accelerate his training." Jiraiya replied. 'The Rasengan alone could take the entire month!"

'The Rasengan is derived from the Tailed Beasts' most destructive technique – the Bijuudama. As such, I am at least as qualified to train Naruto in its use as you are. While Naruto-kun sleeps this month, I shall train him in the first two stages of the Rasengan. Our joint week with Naruto-kun should be at the end of the month to ensure that he has full mastery of them. Then, you can train him in the final stage.' With her argument concluded, Kurama relinquished control of Naruto's body.

"I was planning on teaching you the Kuchiyose no Jutsu anyways, so throwing Fuuton Jutsu and the third stage of the Rasengan into the mix should be doable with lots of Kage Bushin, but we may have to cut the last week short by a day or two to give you time to recover before the day of the Finals." Jiraiya sighed. "Zabuza-san, Haku-chan, any objections on your end?"

"Nope," Zabuza answered for both of them, "Kenjutsu and Suiton were what Haku and I already had in mind. With what you've told me about how Kage Bushin work, we should make quite a bit of progress if that's all we focus on."

"We're agreed, then." Naruto's three teachers nodded. "Alright then, let's get started!"

Week 1

Inuzuka Clan Compound

"YOU IDIOT! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW BADLY THIS COULD HAVE ENDED FOR YOU IF KURENAI-SAN HADN'T WARNED ME AS SOON AS SHE DID?!" Tsume Inuzuka, Head of the Inuzuka Clan, glared at her youngest daughter. "You addressed someone not of the Clan as your Alpha. Has everything you learned of our clan's history gone in one ear and out the other!?"

"That arranged marriage stuff is ancient history!" Kiba yelled back. "We don't do that anymore, so what's wrong with me acknowledging someone with vastly superior combat prowess as an Alpha?"

"Thirty years since the last documented arranged marriage is not 'ancient history', you foolish girl!" Tsume retorted. "If the clan elders caught wind of this before me and brought it up in formal council, tradition would demand that we vote on the issue, and I would be forced to comply with the outcome or be exiled from the clan! Naruto-kun is already engaged to Hinata-hime, and those old dogs would kill for a chance to tie themselves to the Hyuuga Clan!" With a herculean effort, Tsume calmed herself down.

"Since I learned of this before the rest of the elders brought it to my desk, I can deny any attempt to force a vote citing that the Hyuuga are unlikely to agree to an arranged marriage at this time because Naruto must be eighteen years old before he can marry. They won't like it, but unless they intend to challenge me for the title of Clan Head they can't dispute an executive decision I make on my own unless it affects the entire clan. However, Kiba-chan, you're going to need to get friendly with Naruto-kun now. Executive decision or not, the elders are not going to let this go. I've got enough on my plate without them pressuring me to open the matter to a vote every time we have a meeting. If they see that you're close with Naruto – even as just a friend – they'll back off."

"Yes, Okaa-san." Kiba knew better than to argue now that she understood the ramifications. Besides, being friends with Naruto meant more opportunities to spar with him. It's a win-win! "Wait, Naruto-kun's the last Uzumaki, right? Doesn't that make him a Clan Head who can marry as early as fifteen?"

"So you do remember your history lessons." Tsume smiled. "In theory, Naruto is the Acting Head of the Uzumaki Clan and can marry as young as fifteen. In practice, he would need to be acknowledged by either Hokage-sama himself or a two-thirds majority of the Konoha Council for his claim to have any legitimacy. The Hyuuga's acceptance of Naruto's engagement to Hinata-hime implies that the first option has occurred, but no official statement on the matter has been released by Hokage-sama or the Council."

"You're safe for the next month," Tsume continued, "not even the elders can complain if you stay away from Naruto while he's training for the Finals. Even so, the sooner you start a friendship with him, the better. That's all I have for you today; if Kurenai-san has nothing for you, continue your training in the Inuzuka techniques."

Aburame Clan Compound

Shino's body shivered. Not from cold, but from a frequency that could only come from one source. The queen of his hive was calling him. He knew she would demand an audience after his abysmal performance against Yuusen. So many of the hive died due to his hubris; a reckoning was inevitable! With a quick series of hand seals, Shino projected his consciousness into the deepest reaches of his mind. The scene that greeted him was both familiar and foreign; the labyrinthine cave system was once overflowing with thousands of his hive. Now, only a few hundred remained. Shino steeled himself and walked into the queen's chamber. The matriarch of his hive was a gargantuan variant of the beetles he commanded in battle. Beyond her size, the only things that distinguished her from her children were three golden bands around her eyes.

'Shino – Host-Brother – I welcome you into my chamber.' The queen intoned.

'Kyoku – Queen-Sister – I accept your welcome, and offer my humblest apologies.' Shino prostrated himself on the floor of the chamber.

'You apologize without reason, Host-Brother.' Kyoku's antennae waved sternly. 'The loss of my children is always a painful experience, but your actions during the duel with Yuusen deserve only the highest praise.'

'I must disagree!' Shino cried. 'I underestimated my adversary, and thousands of the hive lost their lives as a result!'

'At the dawn of your battle, perhaps,' Kyoku allowed, 'yet you corrected your error with commendable haste and did not repeat it. Even had you demonstrated extreme caution from the first, the devastation of the hive was unavoidable. The Earthshaker's brood is no mean prey.'

'Earthshaker?' Shino echoed.

'Poseidon: Sea-King, Tempest-Bringer, Earthshaker, Horse Lord. The Grecian God of the Oceans has many spheres of influence, and the gifts wielded by his offspring are as varied as they are potent.' Not for the first time, Kyoku was grateful for the ancestral memories shared by all Aburame queens.

'I faced a Demi-god?!' Shino would have fallen to the ground in shock if he had not already prostrated himself.

'And emerged triumphant! Hundreds of generations have passed since this feat was last observed by my kin. I have communed with my Sister-Queens who are bonded to the Aburame Clan elders and we are agreed; you are to be rewarded for your victory.' Kyoku's body began to glow with golden light. 'You have memorized all you have been taught of the Aburame. What has not yet been revealed to you is that my kin are also descended from divinity. We are the scions of Khepri – Egyptian God of Dawn, Creation, and Rebirth. As a solar deity, our progenitor holds dominion over fire. This is the gift we would grant you for your efforts.'

Shino ceased his prostration but remained seated. 'I have an affinity for Katon Chakra. Per clan tradition, I have mastered it but never thought to utilize it for fear of harming the hive. Can this gift be safely wielded in conjunction with the hive?'

'Indeed. From this day forth, the newborn of the hive shall boast great resistance to fire, and your Katon affinity shall be strengthened. Steel yourself, Host-Brother, for this change is neither painless nor swift. You will be recovered fully before the Chuunin Exams continue, but only just.'

'Then proceed, Queen-Sister!' A golden supernova was the last thing Shino saw before awakening in extreme pain.

Konoha Forest – Uzumaki Territory

"Perfect!" Jiraiya closed the scroll containing the Toad Summoning Contract. "Now, weave the hand seals Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, and Ram to perform the Jutsu. Since it's your first time, use a minimal amount of Chakra. We don't want to summon anything too big."

Naruto gave his godfather a shit-eating grin. "Jiraiya, why do you think I insisted on having this training so far outside the village? Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" (Summoning Technique)

Naruto poured a substantial amount of Chakra into the Jutsu and was rewarded by the appearance of a gigantic, rust-red toad wearing a blue vest and carrying a tanto blade scaled to his size.

"This had better be good, Jiraiya-kun! I was in the middle of teaching Gamakichi how to – "

"I didn't summon you this time, Gamabunta. Minato's son, Naruto Namikaze-Uzumaki, called you here." Jiraiya gestured toward Naruto, and the Toad Chieftain greeted his summoner with a stern gaze.

"While it pleases me greatly to see Minato's son alive and well, you'd better not have summoned me just to show off your mastery of the Kuchiyose no Jutsu, Naruto-kun!"

"I'll admit, that was part of it, but the main reason I wanted to start by summoning you was to thank you for helping my dad while Kurama was enslaved." Naruto replied solemnly.

Gamabunta flinched. "That was a very dark day. Kurama has been a friend to the Toads for millennia. To see her like that . . . Thank you, Naruto-kun. Traditionally, our alliance would be cemented by the two of us exchanging sake cups, but as you are too young to drink sake according to the laws of humans – "

"Don't let that stop you, Gamabunta-dono!" Naruto warped to the Namikaze mansion using the Master Key, grabbed a high-end sake bottle and two cups from the kitchen, and teleported back to the Uzumaki training compound.

Gamabunta chuckled as Naruto returned. "Kid, we're gonna get along great!"

Konoha General Hospital

Hiashi Hyuuga stormed into his eldest daughter's room, his Byakugan blazing with rage. The nurse tending to Hinata took one look at the thunder adorning the Hyuuga Lord's face and fled. Before his daughter could say a single word in greeting, Hiashi clawed the blanket and sheet off her bed, tore her hospital gown to shreds, and struck dozens of her Tenketsu with surgical precision, reversing much of the damage Neji had caused. He then unraveled a storage scroll and produced a new hospital gown from it. He turned to face the window and deactivated his Byakugan, allowing Hinata as much modesty as possible as she redressed herself.

"Otou-san. Thank you." Hinata breathed easily for the first time in what felt like an eternity.

"A father's duty to his daughter requires no thanks." Hiashi said affectionately. "You will still need to remain here for the immediate future, but your recovery period can now be counted in weeks instead of months. Two minutes passed, and Hinata – now redressed – stood at her father's side.

"Neji-kun shall be punished severely for his transgressions. To inflict such dire injuries would be unforgivable if done to fellow a Shinobi of Konoha, but to give them to his own blood is tantamount to treason."

"No, Otou-san." Hinata rebuked.

"Do not expect me to forgive this insult!" Hiashi replied in quiet fury. "Prodigy or not, nephew or not, what Neji-kun has done is – "

"You misunderstand, Otou-san." Hinata countered. "There is no punishment you can inflict upon Neji that will have more impact than whatever Naruto has planned for him when they fight in the Finals. Recall my fiancé's vengeance upon the teachers and villagers who wronged him; I have no doubt his retribution for Neji shall be similarly inspired."

Hiashi narrowed his eyes in thought. Such a thing should be impossible according to the rules of the Chuunin Exams, but Naruto has already proven himself capable of achieving what many deemed impossible. "As you wish; for the moment, Neji-kun shall be left free to prepare for Naruto's retribution. At least he did not attempt to kill you. Had he done so, his head would already be adorning my desk."

Hinata barely suppressed a gasp. 'How does he not know? Did the clan elders manage to conceal it from him?' In seconds Hinata reached a decision that would haunt her for months to come. "Indeed, Otou-san, Neji was furious at my 'audacity', but he managed to restrain himself in the end. I am sorry to cut this visit short, but I would like to rest now that I can sleep free of pain."

"Of course, I will be back to check on you in a few days." As Hiashi left the room, Hinata began to silently weep.

'Forgive me, Otou-san. What I have done brings great shame to the Hyuuga, but telling you the truth could reveal Naruto's hand to the other elders in any number of ways. It is unfortunate that a Hyuuga as talented as Neji must fall for the corruption of the Hyuuga to be brought to light, but our once-great clan has stagnated. If we cling to the old ways much longer, we shall implode under our self-inflicted burdens. Naruto will kill Neji, and – if he has read the historical records of Hi no Kuni that I recommended to him before leaving for my ambassadorial duties – he knows the perfect method to get away with a nobleman's murder.'

As Hiashi was entering Hinata's room, another patient several rooms down the hall also received a visitor.

"Wow, Shikamaru-kun really didn't hold back with that punch, did he?" Ino was surprised Sakura was still in the hospital.

"Not one bit." Sakura replied. "Guess he did take me seriously at the end." The pinkette sighed through her pain.

"Sakura-chan, we need to talk about Sasuke." Ino begged any god that was listening that this wouldn't become a shouting match.

"I noticed at the start of the Exams that things weren't looking good between you two." Sakura replied. "I can't say that part of me isn't happy that you're having trouble, but he's no longer a priority of mine. Maybe once I've been a Chuunin for a few years, and my Shinobi career has stabilized, we can go back to being rivals for his love. At the moment, there's too much for me to do."

"I figured you'd say that, and that's all the more reason why we need to talk." Ino told Sakura everything that had led up to her reckless intrusion into Sasuke's mind and what she had seen within its darkest corner.

"Of course the broodiest boy in our class secretly wants a harem, who'd have thought?" Sakura laughed bitterly. "At least he has an excuse; the Uchiha Clan isn't going to revive itself!"

"Sakura-chan, we need – "

"Save it! I'm in, on two conditions!" Sakura was in too much pain to let this conversation devolve into an argument.

"Wha-WHAT?" Ino was so convinced she'd need to pull out all the stops to convince Sakura that Sasuke needed this that the pinkette's response left her dumbstruck.

"We both love him," Sakura began what she hoped was the final piece of this conversation, "I may have placed duty before pleasure but my feelings for Sasuke haven't lessened one bit. So, if he needs both of us for his mental and emotional stability, the revival of his clan, or – Hell – just to achieve his greatest dream, then I. Am . IN. As long as you agree to my conditions."

"What're the conditions?" Ino felt like she was at the edge of a cliff.

"When I'm fully recovered, we have a 'training session' to determine who the head wife will be. Aside from refraining from lethal force, no holds barred. Then, once we have THAT figured out, we sit Sasuke down and tell him in no uncertain terms that if he so much as breathes in another girl's direction without our consent we'll chop his nuts off! Two wives aren't enough to restore a clan, but the next ones either go through us or not at all!"

"Deal!" Ino clasped Sakura's hand in a conspirator's handshake.

Week 2

Nara Clan Compound

"Otou-san, I need a favor." Every fiber of Shikamaru's being rebelled against his current course of action, but he knew things would only be more troublesome in the long run if he didn't stay the course.

"What is it, Shikamaru?" The Jonin Commander of Konoha normally forbade talking while playing Shogi with his son, but something told him he needed to make an exception here.

"When we're done with this game, start putting me through hell." The Nara heir requested.

"Finally reached the end of the Slacker's Dilemma?" Shikaku smiled. The extreme intellect of the Nara Clan bred laziness, and many of the Clan stagnated as a result, but some realized on their own that if they trained like crazy early in life and maintained a reasonable mental and physical exercise routine for the rest of their days, then they could fulfill their clan obligations and any other "troublesome" duties with enough efficiency to allow plenty of downtime.

"Yeah, I guess I did." Shikamaru knew he was in for a world of pain, he could only hope that what he gained would be worth it.

Konoha's most famous Weapon Shop

Tenten was grateful for the massive order Hiruzen had placed; it gave her the perfect outlet for her self-loathing. Guy had reprimanded her harshly for the massive dust explosion she had tried to kill Temari with, and rightly so. A tactic like that was as deadly to her and her teammates as it was to her enemies. Despite her natural affinity for anything and everything that could be considered a "ninja weapon" she still had to resort to an all-or-nothing gamble against another Genin! The work at the forge forced her temper to remain in manageable levels, but the issue remained: how to improve herself?

Kenjutsu and other forms of weapon combat were one thing, but she was terrible at unarmed Taijutsu and lacked the affinity for one of the five basic Nature Transformations that almost everyone possessed! Instead, she had an affinity for Fuinjutsu. Again, great for weapons-based combat, but not a specialty that otherwise lent itself well to direct combat unless it was complemented by something else!

'That's the answer!' Tenten smiled as she finished cooling a set of Kunai fresh from the forge. 'I need more powerful weapons! Ones with crazy Jutsu sealed into them!'

"That's a great start, to be sure, but the brilliance of a weapon will never exceed the skill of its owner." A world-weary voice sounded right behind her Tenten, and she threw the kunai that were on the verge of being ready to sell at its source!

"Marvelous work, especially for weapons meant to be mass-produced." The man made a stopping gesture with his hand, and the projectiles froze in mid-air. "Chakra metal mixed with titanium to increase durability and reduce the risk of rust. Cast, forged, and cooled within thirty minutes. Ratio of metals: 85% Chakra metal, 15% Titanium. Very good, most smiths that discover this combination use at least 20% titanium, which ruins the weapon's capacity to channel Chakra."

"Who are you? That recipe has been passed down in my family for generations! It's our most closely guarded secret!" The man before seemed to be in excellent physical condition, but he was heavily favoring his right leg and parts of his head were badly bruised.

"Of course it is; I told one of my sons of it long ago in the strictest confidence." The man's simple tunic shifted into a smith's apron, and he placed the kunai into one of its many pockets.

Tenten's jaw hit the floor. "Im-impossible, you're Hephaestus-sama?"

"That I am." The Grecian God of Fire and the Forge replied. "You face a common warrior's dilemma, and I have come to ensure that you do not lose yourself while seeking its solution. If wielded by a novice, the finest blade in all the lands can be bested by a master wielding a simple spoon. Your skill as a craftsman is exemplary, but not in a single piece of work do I see a Muse's spark. Find your Muse, young Tenten, and you shall have the ideal answer to your dilemma."

Tenten narrowed her eyes. "And where should I begin looking for this inspiration?"

"In a place often visited, but rarely thought of for such a thing: the Training Grounds. With your permission, I shall tend to your forge and continue your task as you search."

"Granted, but if I don't find what I'm looking for I'm coming back and crippling your good leg!" Tenten snarled. Hephaestus, in an act worthy of a saint, was not offended by his great times way-to-many-to-count granddaughter's reference to his lameness.

Tenten heard the sounds of combat long before she reached the Training Grounds. Typically, this would mean nothing to her, but she heard a very distinctive noise that was nearly unknown in Konoha: the clashing of swords. Running to the source, she saw none other than Naruto sparring with Zabuza and Haku. To Tenten, the young Daiyoukai was poetry in motion. Each parry paired with a riposte, and not a single offensive maneuver made in vain. That was not to say that Naruto's blade work was flawless, far from it, but he compensated for the gaps in his form with an economy of movement the likes of which Tenten had only seen once before: with Neji's Juuken. Tenten suppressed a flinch; she used to have a crush on the Hyuuga prodigy, but her affections were ruthlessly crushed by him after she had confessed to him at the end of their first C-rank mission. Since then, Tenten had maintained a strictly professional relationship with Neji. Even Lee, as cringe-inducing as his antics often were, was more of a comrade to Tenten than Neji.

"Excellent work, Naruto-sama! In just five days, your Kenjutsu prowess has skyrocketed!" Zabuza exclaimed. "If we were in Kiri, your current skill level would allow you to serve beneath one of the Seven Swordsman!"

"Before we proceed to our Suiton training for the day, the audience we have attracted should be addressed." Haku had turned her head toward Tenten while speaking. Taking the hint, the weapon master left the cover of the trees and bowed to Naruto.

"Naruto-kun, please teach me how to move as you do! I know you're training for the finals, but my match with Temari-san showed me how far I need to go!"

Naruto could have said that he had nothing to teach Tenten, that his movements were derived more from instinct than conscious thought, but he recognized the look in her eyes. It was something he had seen more than a few times in Hinata when she was stalking him during their Academy days. The look of a person who knew she was chasing something that would always remain out of reach. It had nearly broken his heart to see it once he had learned why she was always following him. Back then, societal circumstances had prevented him from solving the problem until it was nearly too late. No such circumstances existed now.

Naruto created a hundred Kage Bushin. "Start our Suiton training; I'll be along later." The batch of clones followed Zabuza and Haku to a more secluded section of the Training Grounds. "We'll start with two sparring sessions. The first with just Taijutsu, and the second with you using weapons for melee combat only."

Ten minutes later, Tenten was panting heavily, while Naruto was marveling at the night-and-day difference between Tenten with only hands and feet and Tenten with two kunai.

"You really are a weapon specialist. No, it would be more accurate to call you a weapon savant! It's been several dozen generations since my clan has last done this, but no laws had been implemented since to prevent me from doing so now." Naruto created another Kage Bushin, which promptly ran to the Namikaze estate. "There are more than a few manuals regarding combat forms, ideal ways to train certain muscles, and assassination techniques. At the time they were written, several other clans kept similar archives, so they weren't classified as clan secrets and were occasionally shared with our allies. If you can master those techniques, you'll be much more agile! Combine that with your weapons prowess, and I'll have way more trouble beating you next time."

"Thank you very much, Naruto-kun!" Tenten was on pins and needles while she waited for Naruto's clone to return with the first of the manuals he mentioned. Once the tome was delivered, Tenten hugged it to her chest as she ran back to her forge. What greeted her was a shock to her system. The God of Blacksmiths had completed the entirety of her gargantuan order while she was away!

"You have found your Muse." Hephaestus smiled.

"No," Tenten shook her head, "I found a friend!"

"The two are more closely entwined than most shall ever realize." Hephaestus stepped away from the forge. "Before you start devouring the contents of that manual, create a weapon – any weapon."

Tenten obliged, forging a set of kunai much like the one that her progenitor had analyzed earlier. She was astonished by her speed, having completed the blades in half the time as before, but when checked the kunai for quality, she was dumbstruck. They were perfectly balanced – all of her previous works were just slightly off – and several minuscule imperfections in the blades that she had assumed were unavoidable were nowhere to be found. The five knives gleamed with what seemed to Tenten an unearthly sheen, as if she had transcended the conventional limits of her craft. In a very real sense, she had.

"That is the difference between those endowed with the Muse's Spark and those who are not." Five fireballs, each no larger than a fingertip, flew from Hephaestus' right hand and entered the kunai. "Henceforth, these kunai are impervious to all forms of corrosion, and their sharpness shall never fade. While not indestructible, only a weapon that also bears the Muse's Spark shall be capable of damaging them. Be forewarned, my granddaughter, that Jutsu are weapons in their own right; they are just as capable of bearing the Muse's Spark as any blade."

Tenten never thought she would weep tears of joy. "Thank you so much, grandfather!"

Ichiraku Ramen

Zabuza was just finishing their post-training meal – Naruto had left just moments before to commence his evening training with Kurama, and Haku had left with him to resume her duties in the mansion – when a person the Devil of the Hidden Mist never thought he'd see again sat next to him.

"Mei-chan?" Zabuza nearly fell from his seat.

"Zabuza!" Mei Terumi did fall from her seat. "Why are you here? You're an S-Ranked cri –"

"In Konoha, that's no longer true." Zabuza mentally smirked after seeing his former conspirator in the Mizukage's robes. "I've been granted amnesty in exchange for joining a certain clan. My new Lord has been good to me. Ask Hiruzen-sama if you doubt me."

"I most certainly will! Strictly for legal and professional reasons, you understand." Mei sat back down and beckoned her Kiri Jonin bodyguards to do the same. Once her order had been placed and the restaurant staff was safely out of earshot, the fifth Mizukage addressed her former comrade. "So, Jonin of Konoha now? I can hardly believe it!"

"Same here; you, the Mizukage?" Zabuza chuckled. "Glad as I am that Yagura must now be dead for that to be the case, I hope things aren't too stressful for you."

"It's nothing but stress at home!" Mei vented. "The Chuunin Exams are a vacation in comparison. I barely managed to retrain the Kiri council to a level acceptable enough to justify my absence!"

"Those dickless yes-men are finally good for something, at least!" Zabuza grumbled. "Before you ask, I wouldn't even consider going back to Kiri even if I was pardoned there as well and I didn't have obligations here. This place is so different than Kiri; it's softer, but also stronger at the same time."

"I suppose the Seven Swordsmen will now have to be renamed the Six Swordsmen." Mei sighed. Even if she was willing to kill Zabuza to recover Kubokiribocho, the odds of it choosing a new owner back home were not worth betting on. She had already been supremely lucky that Yama's daughters were all acknowledged as successors. Mei knew when not to press her luck.

"Maybe not; I'll discuss it with my Lord." Zabuza offered. "His clan has its own treasures, and he might be willing to return Kubokiribocho to Kiri after my death."

"That would be extremely generous! Even if your new Lord refuses, thank you so much for even mentioning it!" Mei felt lighter than she had in weeks.

"No problem. Your team's doing great, by the way." Zabuza divulged as Mei ate her meal. "I barely recognized Team Umino from the rebellion days, but Yama-san spent most of last week talking my ear off about them. Tetsuisshi-chan and Arashi-chan have reached the final stage of the Chunnin Exams, and Yuusen-chan put up one hell of a fight before losing. Kiba, Nuibari, and Shibuki will be in excellent hands."

"Thank you for the information, Zabuza." Mei paid for her food and stood up. "I came here to sample Konoha's cuisine before meeting with Hiruzen-dono. I hope he will forgive my tardiness!" The newly-minted Mizukage left the restaurant.

"That went much better than I had feared." Haku dispelled her concealment Jutsu. "Given what you've told me of Mei-san's history with you, I expected a far more emotional reaction."

"So did I." Zabuza confessed. "We shared an attraction back then; unfortunately for both of us, the evening after my failed assassination attempt was the worst possible time for her to try advancing our relationship. Mistakes were made on both ends, and things were said that never should have been said. If she'll have me, I'd gladly welcome her back as a friend now, but never again as a lover."

Tears pooled in Haku's eyes. "Will you ever pursue love again, Zabuza-sama?"

"The million-Ryou question." Zabuza sighed. "If I encounter the right woman, we shall see."

Week 3

Namikaze Training Grounds

"So, what did you want to train me in, Anko-chan?" Naruto asked.

"Poison; specifically of the Daiyoukai variety." Anko answered. "As a snake Youkai, detecting toxins of any kind is as natural as breathing to me now. You're Youki has traces of an extremely powerful poison."

"Not surprising, Lord Sesshomaru was infamous for his poisoned claws." Naruto affirmed.

"'What if I can't turn it off and end up killing someone?' Is likely a question you asked yourself when you first realized you might also be able to use that power. Well, that's why I'm here!" Anko declared. "I have immunity to all toxins without supernatural properties now, and quite a bit of resistance to those that do have them. Now, close your eyes."

Naruto did so.

"Breathe deeply, slowly, as if you were meditating. Feel the Youki within you; its tides, its eddies."

Naruto felt it, a sea of demonic power.

"Look beneath the underneath; past the obvious might, past the complex applications. What you seek is powerful, but subtle; and intricate. A delicate weave of power, easily overlooked within the surge.

Naruto saw it, and it saw him. He tried to grasp it but it fled.

"You tried to hold it, bind it to your will. That won't work." Anko chided. "This power is not something to be leashed or unleashed on command; your connection to it is deeper than that. You must see to the very depths. Now, try again."

Naruto repeated his earlier efforts. When he found what he was looking for a second time he only observed it. He followed it as it pulsed through him; sometimes it would wink out of existence. The first few times this happened, Naruto panicked. Soon, however, he realized patterns where he once thought only random chance existed. He expanded his consciousness, and felt the power of Poison manifest and disappear like stray thoughts that come and go from the mind.

'That's it!' Naruto understood!

"Now, Naruto-kun, open your eyes." When he did so, he was shocked to discover that he was in his Daiyoukai form. He was so focused on cultivating his poison that he didn't even realize that the shift had occurred. As always, his fingernails had transformed into claws, but now his hands were glowing with jade-green Youki.

"By the Log! That looked almost like Sage training!" Jiraiya had been observing from the sidelines and now struggled to pick his jaw off the floor.

"Get it now, Naruto-kun? As a Daiyoukai, you are – or will be, soon enough – a force of nature. A walking natural disaster that can snuff out countless lives as easily as breathing. Your poison – and mine – aren't just applications of our power. We are power while in our Youkai states and our toxins are an extension of our very wills." Anko reverted to her human form. Naruto did the same and quickly lost consciousness.

"Naruto!" Jiraiya yelled.

"He's fine" Anko raised a hand. "Discovering the true nature of an aspect of his power is akin to spiritual enlightenment. Sesshomaru-sama put me through the same thing when I was in the Border of the Afterlife, though he didn't have time to be as gentle as I was just now." Anko scooped Naruto onto her back, and Jiraiya used the key Minato had given him long ago to teleport them all back to the Namikaze estate.

Naruto woke up several hours later on the sofa of his dining room. It took all of his willpower not to jump up in terror when he realized his head was resting on Anko's lap.

"Good morning, sleepyhead!" Anko's watch read 12:02 am. "You don't need to say anything. It was a lot to take in when Sesshomaru-sama shoved it down my throat, and I'm just a Youkai. For a Daiyoukai, it must have been astronomically more intense even with me being as careful as possible with you."

"'Intense.' Understatement of the year right there." Naruto sighed. "I knew most Daiyoukai back in the day were evil, and that Lord Sesshomaru wasn't much different for a huge chunk of his life, but damn. And that's part of me now!"

"Fraid so" Anko looked straight down into Naruto's eyes. "Look at us, two monsters against the world."

Naruto narrowed his azure orbs. "You don't really view yourself as – "

"Of course not!" Anko cried. "But it's not about what's true, now is it?!" Tears began rolling down her face. "Beneath the underneath, the number of my 'comrades' who truly look that far where I'm concerned is about equal to the number of civilians that gave you a fair shake while you were growing up. Also like you, things got better as time went on. But, BUT . . . "

"It still hurts?" Naruto finished.

"Yes!" Anko sobbed. With agonizing slowness, Naruto reached his arms around Anko. She cried into his shoulder for so long that her tears soaked through the fabric of the jumpsuit he wore beneath his armor and bled onto his skin. No more words were spoken; there was nothing more that could be said.

It was nearly 8:00 am when Anko woke up. Now the pair's positions were reversed. "Damn, I really cried myself to sleep in front of you?" Anko barely suppressed the urge to cringe.

"How many times have you had to do this?" Naruto gazed into Anko's light-brown eyes with a thousand-yard stare.

"At least once every two weeks." Anko confessed.

Naruto's stare turned harder than granite. "Wait here." He carefully extricated himself from Anko and went to his clan vault. Another thing he had begun to master in the three months before the start of the Chuunin Exams was the creation of new keys to the Namikaze estate. Two of the three spares Hiruzen had given him the night he first became a Daiyoukai had been given to Sasuke and Hinata. The last spare key was used as a template to create more, but progress was slow.

The keys were masterpieces of Fuinjutsu, and the natural proficiency with said art he should have wielded as an Uzumaki birthright was largely suppressed by his Namikaze lineage. Had he never awakened to his Daiyoukai powers, the Uzumaki bloodline would have held dominance. As things stood now, Fuinjutsu – while far from impossible – did not come easily to him. Even with the Uzumaki archives and Jiraiya's help, Naruto had only succeeded once so far in making a perfect copy of the final spare key.

"Take this; it's a key to the castle." Naruto placed a silver disk into Anko's hand. "From now on, whenever you feel the urge to cry yourself to sleep, you come straight here. We'll practice Jutsu, talk about Konoha gossip, learn more about each other; whatever keeps the pain at bay. And, if nothing works, I'll cry with you. Unless one or both of us are out on missions, you will never experience this hell alone again while I draw breath.

Anko was awestruck; never in a thousand lifetimes would she ever have imagined someone making an offer like this. "C-Can I call you Naruto from now on?"

"Yes, you can, Anko." Naruto smiled.

Konoha Apartment Complex – Kiri Branch

Yama and his three daughters were going through their morning meditations in the large house granted to them for the duration of the Exams. None of them had talked about it, but all four of them could sense it. War was on the horizon. The Suna Genin team – especially Gaara – had murder in their eyes, and many of the civilians had recently begun to radiate auras of killing intent. Yama would have brought his concerns to his new friend, Asuma, but he had observed signs that Konoha's Shinobi were preparing for war as well. The near-constant fires from the forges of many a weapon shop were proof enough.

"Such a shame," Yuusen mused, "that a village as beautiful as this is under the same haze of war we just cleared out of Kiri. Hopefully, this doesn't put a damper on your date, Tetsuisshi-nee-chan!"

"It's not a date!" Tetsuisshi rebuked. "I am simply gaining advice on how to deal with my inability to retain lipids."

"And you're getting your advice from a boy just a few years younger than you." Arashi countered. "The same boy you acknowledged as being a formidable opponent. Grandfather would be proud!" At this, all three Genin lapsed into silence. Yama's father was the former head of the Umino clan and had died in the civil war. His greatest wish in life was for his granddaughters to be happy. The clan's survival meant nothing to him, a sentiment echoed by his son. Yama wished for their clan to prosper once more, but not if it meant his children would suffer because of it.

"A-anyways, good luck!" Yuusen tried her best to get Tetsuisshi back in a happy mood. She failed, but the effort was greatly appreciated.

Choji and Tetsuisshi arrived at the all-you-can-eat buffet nearly at the same time. The Akimichi heir had consulted his father on how to help his new friend. The advice he had been given seemed counterproductive, even by Akimichi Clan standards. Once the couple had filled their plates and started to eat. Choji began grilling Tetsuisshi on the exact methods she had tried to retain fat. The answers he received were disheartening.

"Sounds like you've tried every fat-intensive food readily available that still has at least some nutritional value." Choji sighed. "Well, in that case, there's only one thing left: junk food!"

"Junk food?" The term was new to Tetsuisshi.

"Exactly as it sounds; food that's essentially pure fat or sugar, and not the healthy versions of either one." Choji clarified.

"You mean saturated lipids and refined sugars." Tetsuisshi nearly cringed. "Overconsumption of those 'foods' leads to multiple endocrine diseases!"

"Normally, yes, but in your case it's the only thing that might delay your metabolism long enough to keep you full during missions. You can balance it with healthy foods to offset the nasty side effects." Choji pleaded his case.

"I-I see. So be it, then. Teach me what to eat!" Tetsuisshi's eyes were filled with fire.

"Get ready, your stomach is not going to like this." Choji warned.

After a several-course meal that could be generously described as a nutritionist's worst nightmare, Tetsuisshi left for her apartment complex with the biggest smile she'd had in her entire life. Choji left for the Akimichi Clan compound with a matching grin on his face.

"Looks like we were worried over nothing, eh Asuma-san?" Yama smirked.

"Sure, but what happens now? They may have hit it off really well, but –"

"Let me tell you two things about Umino Clan women." Yama raised one finger. "First, they don't love easily; some of them, like Yuusen, have very flirtatious personalities, but it's all surface-level until they find someone they feel 110% certain that they want to be with." Yama waited a few moments to let that sink in before raising another finger. "Second, once they've found 'the one', they're absolutely ruthless. Choji-kun is doomed; I give it one, maybe two days before Tetsuisshi demands that I recommend the prospect of a formal alliance with Konoha to Mizukage-sama."

"You'd best drop it there, Asuma." Kurenai had been looking for her fiancé and overheard Yama's speech. "Choji-kun's a Clan Heir; he'll have heiresses and noblewomen propositioning him once he becomes of age in six years. Far better that he gets with someone he already counts as a friend. Come on, I'll help you explain it to Choza-dono."

Asuma sighed. "Troublesome!"

Week 4

Konoha Apartment Complex – Suna Branch

"The invasion plan has been finalized." Baki, Jonin of Suna, addressed his three charges after deploying a dozen privacy and anti-intrusion seals. Kankuro and Temari paid rapt attention, while Gaara was in a meditative state that enabled him to rest without sleeping; with the option of true sleep denied to him by Shukaku's madness, this half-measure was the best he could achieve.

"As was originally proposed, Gaara is the plan's primary asset, but Otokagure will be providing an exceptionally powerful summon creature to compensate for the presence of the Mizukage. Even if the rumors that the Raikage will be attending the Chuunin Exams as well turn out to be true, Orochimaru-dono has assured Kazekage-sama that their summon – combined with Gaara – will be more than sufficient to deal with any opposition." Baki gave copies of the finalized plan to Kankuro and Temari. They quickly memorized the contents and threw the scrolls into their apartment's fireplace.

"It was fortunate that that Gaara's match with Sasuke-kun is the last match of the Finals. The ritual needed for this particular summon is much more complex than the norm." Baki continued. "To that end – Temari, Kankuro – you are to draw out your respective matches for as long as possible without giving away the full measure of your capabilities."

"Understood, Baki-sensei!" Temari acknowledged her orders while Kankuro scowled at the Jonin. Before Baki could reprimand the Puppet Master for his insubordination, Gaara awoke from his meditations.

"Yes, Mother, I agree; the blood of Rock Lee was unexpectedly potent, but still too weak for your standards. Worry not, sweet Mother! Sasuke Uchiha's blood will surely be worthy of you, and, through his death, my existence shall be justified to the world!"

Chapter End

So many moving pieces in this chapter, let's address the 800-pound gorilla in the room first: Is it absurdly OOC for Hinata to lie to her father for any reason, especially for something as important as Neji's murder attempt? Yes! Was Hinata so infuriated by Neji's insults at the start of their fight that she's lost all respect and empathy for him? HELL, YES! Everyone has a breaking point, and Neji's speech pushed all of Hinata's buttons and then some. She's put up with that kind of abuse for years, hearing it from Neji - her own cousin - was the straw that broke the camel's back. She knows that manipulating her father is wrong, very wrong, but at this point she considers it a necessary evil to put the Hyuuga elders in their place once and for all.

Since Kurama was willingly sealed into Naruto in this story and had a very good relationship with the Uzumaki Clan beforehand, some sort of consequence for using her Chakra had to be implemented to prevent Naruto from having access to KCM right off the bat. Just in case it wasn't clear before now, I'll say here that Naruto has all of Kurama, not just her Yang half. Minato didn't use the Reaper Death Seal to put Kurama in Naruto, but a weaker - though still very powerful - Uzumaki Seal. So it's a lot easier for Kurama to do things like take over Naruto's body and experience his memories.

Back in Chapter 7, I made a review reply saying that I wouldn't give Naruto a sword whose will he needed to overcome. Giving Naruto Tokijin was planned from the beginning, but I had originally intended for him to start using it much later in the story, likely at or near the start of Part 2/Shippuuden. By that point, he would have been powerful enough to instantly dominate Tokijin. The reason he's getting Tokijin now is related to something that delves into major spoiler territory.

Speaking of Tokijin, it was only snapped in half similar to Tessaiga, not completely destroyed. While Sesshomaru had no interest in repairing it, his descendants could easily have wanted or needed its power at some point and had it reforged. Any of them that had fully awakened to Sesshomaru's power would have been able to produce the fang needed to repair it if Tessaiga is any indication. Naruto will get plenty of mileage out of just 10% of Tokijin. Swords of an Honorable Ruler showed us that Tokijin is at least equal in power to the early versions of Tessaiga (before it got Kongosouha and all the other crazy shit Inuyasha dumped into it, to say nothing of Meido Zangetsuha) and the Kaze no Kizu is a mountain buster. 10% of mountain level + Naruto's Youki + some of Kurama's Chakra equals PAIN! Depending on the circumstance Naruto may not always be able to stack his own Youki and/or Kurama's Chakra on top of Tokijin, but even then, it's a handful.

Something I've struggled with while writing this story is just how much mythology to incorporate into it. I have no intention of making this fanfic a Percy Jackson-esque story where Naruto and Company redo a bunch of mythological adventures. On the other hand, I want mythological aspects to be present and have some impact on the plot. For now, I think I've struck a decent balance with divine ancestors being mainly plot devices and/or world-building tools. With very few exceptions, any mythological character introduced into this story will not be participating in battle until near the end of the fanfic.

The Finals are next! Thank you for reading!