Eien woke up from his nap. Looking up he looked he saw Gaara looking down at him. The other boy's eyes showing something he never seen before. Feeling his heart rate pick up Eien shot up, "Sorry Gaara! I didn't mean to fall asleep on you!"

Shira started giggling not to far off, "Yeah, didn't mean to at all huh Eien!" Feeling his face warm up Eien glared at the taijutsu user, "Shut up Shira!"

"I think we got done too early." Eien said to change the subject. They had been here a day and a half now, "I feel like we have been here forever and I'm bored! Plus, I have an idea for a new seal."

"I agree. This is boring." Gaara said in his usual monotone voice. Baki looked at his team and smirked. His genin were to use to having difficult missions. This kind of long-term mission was going to be tough for the three of them. Gaara had been adjusting to not going into a killer rage. Shira trained from sunup to sundown. Then Eien spent most of his time with puppets or training. They didn't like being stationary for to long. It's why they made such a great team.

Nothing seemed to weird happened until Team 7 from Konokagure arrived. Eien felt his chest clench. They had been through the ringer. Naruto's gaze met his and the blond smiled, "Hey I'll be back."

"Who cares! You're nothing to write home about Naruto." There was a sadness underneath Naruto's smile. Eien didn't say anything about it when he stood in front of him.

Eien got up and looked him over, "I know we just met, but what happened Naruto-kun." Naruto looked into his eyes before looking at his team. Both Shira and Gaara were watching to. He wasn't sure what the boy was looking for, but he must have found it.

"We got attacked by some weird snake person." Naruto shivered, "They were different, and something was put onto Sasuke-teme."

"Are you okay?" Naruto nodded, "Yeah." Pausing he looked down at his feet, "I'll see you in there."

Eien watched his kin walk off. Naruto seemed like a good person. He didn't deserve the way his village treated him. It was just like Gaara. If only they could take him with them. That way he and his mom could keep him safe. Maybe even train him in how to use his Tailed Beast to.

Everyone was gathered into the main hall of the tower. It looked to be some kind of arena. The Hokage stood in front of them with his council, "You have all performed admirably. However, to many of you passed the second trail. So, there will be a prelim tournament. Hayate Gecko will be your proctor."

Hayate walked forward coughing lightly, "Listen up. It is single elimination. Killing is allowed but if we feel it can be avoided, we will step in. If I call the match, then you will stop immediately. Any questions?" That guy Kabuto backed out saying he was out of chakra. Eien could sense it though. He was lying.

Hayate continued, "Good, now everyone but Sasuke Uchiha and Yoroi Akado please leave the arena."

Everyone watched as the boy faced off against the much larger man. Once the fight started Eien could see something was off. Sasuke couldn't use his chakra. It was interesting but there was something else coming from the boy. He couldn't figure it out though. As the round progressed a strange mark temporarily spread across Sasuke's neck and that's when Eien realized there was a strange seal put on him.

Sasuke managed to get the upper hand in the end. Impressively it was without chakra at all. Dropping down Sasuke kicked up launching the man into the sky, "Sasuke Barrage!" The force of the attack sent Yoroi into the ground causing it to crack under the pressure.

Shira whistled, "That was an awesome move." There wasn't any disputing that. The attack was powerful. Even without chakra. The Uchiha was going to be someone to watch for. Especially with the way he and the pink girl treated his newfound cousin.

"Winner Sasuke Uchiha!" Everyone cheered but Eien saw Naruto's face, "Zaku Abumi versus Shino Aburame."

The two shinobi followed orders appearing in the arena. Shino looked at the other boy, "If you fight me, you won't be able to recover. Forfeit and withdraw."

The fight didn't last to long. Zaku charged against Shino. Throwing a punch that was easily blocked. Zaku used different sound wave explosions. At first it looked as if the bug boy from Konoha was going to lose. Until he looked straight at the Sound ninja. In seconds Zaku's arm exploded as he tried firing off another shot. Eien held his breathe in shock.

"What was that?" Eien asked looking up at his sensei, "The Aburame clan. A powerful clan. They use insects to track and kill their enemies. If you ever fight one remember that they steal chakra. Use clever tactics and instant takedowns."

Eien smiled as his match was up, "Wish me luck!" He said with smile Gaara reached out and grabbed his hand making Eien quite breathing, "Good luck Eien."

"Oh, come on Gaara." His face felt hot, "You know this guy won't be anything."

Eien hopped down. Looking at the man as he walked out. Mizumi had a look of confidence. Smirking Eien waited for the match to begin. As soon as it did, he drew his tanto and appeared behind him. Just as fast though Mizumi dodged. Drawing a kunai they began trading blows.

Eien was faster though. Moving between each strike Eien kept up and was having fun. Training with Baki-sensei and Shira had improved his skill incredibly. He was faster. Stronger. No longer a weak combatant without his puppets.

As he was about to strike the man's heart a flash went off temporary blinding him. As his vision came back, he felt something wrap around him. Starting on his right arm and movign around his neck and chest, "EIEN-KUN!" Naruto's voice rang out to him.

"Surrender brat. It's over." Eien started laughing, "I should be asking you that?" Eien could see the confusion even behind his mask and sunglasses. Without being seen, the blade in his arm shot out. Slicing into the man's flesh. Smirking Eien lifted up slicing sending Mizumi's arm back to him as he screamed in pain.

Dropping a scroll Futsuumeichi appeared, "So you surrender yet?"

"Water Release: Water-" "I guess not." Eien flicked his wrist sending the puppet into motion. Before Mizumi finished his jutsu the puppet had slashed his neck. Blood poured from his neck and mouth. Looking away Eien called back his puppet. Making it crawl up on his shoulder, "Winner Eien Uzumaki."

Naruto was shocked. His new cousin was terrifying. The boy had absolutely destroyed that guy from Kabuto's team. He was fast and really good with that tanto. That puppet was different though. Eien had been really good at fighting, but when he pulled that puppet out. Naruto hadn't even seen the final attack.

Kakashi saw the stare Naruto was giving the red headed boy. He hadn't been much help for his sensei's son. Except he had failed him over and over. Their team was barely holding together. Sasuke and Sakura hated him. In fact, Kakashi was now wondering if it was better for him to just train one of the boys separately.

"He's a Suna Puppet Expert. A good one from what I hear." Kakashi states getting the attention of his students, "Suna though one of the Five Great Nations is quite weak in comparison. So, they focus on eliminating the number advantages."

"You heard about him?" Naruto asked confused, "He and his team are one of the best teams in Suna. I'm sure you've heard a bit about them. However, even us Jonin watch them. They are dangerous as a team. Each one is at least Chunin level."

Shira smiled at Eien, "That was great! You have gotten way faster. I think the extra physical training has increased your speed with your puppets to."

"Yeah! It's actually crazy!" Eien's smile made Gaara freeze, "Can you imagine how fast my Shinigami is now! I bet it's blinding fast." Baki just rolled his eyes at his Genin.

When the girl from Naruto's team got called up. He was interested to see if she was skilled or powerful. The way she treated him made him wonder if maybe she was a decent ninja. That was not the case though.

Sakura was a terrible kunoichi. Eien would love to watch her fight his mother's genin Temari. She'd absolutely destroy this excuse of a kunoichi. How dare she treat Naruto like a monster. He was just a boy. Just a someone who wants to make his village safe.

Suddenly feeling a hand on his shoulder. Looking over he saw Gaara looking at him. The boy's face was unreadable, but he saw his chakra chains were out, "Sorry Gaara. Just lost in thought."

Once the match was over. Ending in a draw Shira was called. Jumping down he looked at the girl standing confidently across from him, "Let's have a good battle." He bowed to her.

Tenten though just chuckled, "Yeah whatever."

Shira dropped into a fighting stance. As soon as the matched was called Shira disappeared. Tenten jumped away as his foot hit the ground where she had stood creating a crater. Throwing kunai Shira quickly deflected each attack before landing a powerful punch which send the girl flying backwards.

"Sensei!" Lee yelled out making Guy freeze, "He's fast Guy sensei!"

Baki smirked, "Shira has no talent in Genjutsu or Ninjutsu. He is only skilled in Taijutsu." Lee looked down at the boy that was just like him. He was no different than he was.

Shira dodged the attacks sent his way with ease. Tenten using the distance created by her assault though pulled out two massive scrolls, "Double Rising Dragon!" The Konoha nin threw dozens of weapons at incredible speed at Shira.

Using his advanced speed, he dodged and deflected most of the weapons. Though Eien could see the cuts forming on the boys's body. Shira looked around at the carnage with sied eyes, "That was incredible. Though when someone has enhanced speed and strength you should focus on close weaponized combat. Or ninjutsu and Genjutsu."

"What?" She asked making the slightly older boy freeze, "You think we're done?" Pulling on wire, Tenten sent the weapons back at Shira. Eien saw now, he was struggling. As fast and strong as he was, he couldn't close the distance anymore. Tenten had him.

Gaara surprised him though, "Sensei. I think it's time he shows his new technigue." Baki stepped forward, "Shira!" He called, "Enough wasting time."

"Hai sensei." He stated before dropping into a different stance, "Seventh Heavenly Breath Level One!"

Eien hadn't seen Shira's Heaven Breathe Technique. A yellow aura formed around his body as his eyes went went. The ground around him started cracking from the power. To say Eien was shocked and impressed was an understatement.

Might Gai have looked at the Suna Jonin, "This technique is similar to a Forbidden Jutsu from the Leaf." Baki shook his head, "This is a technique Shira invented on his own. He is the culmination of all Suna's Taijutsu prowess tied up into one boy."

Tenten couldn't react as the boy bypassed her defenses and began brutally beating her. Each hit was like getting hit by flying stones. She could feel her bones cracking under each attack. Falling to her knees she watched as Shira's foot stopped right in front of her face, "You have lost Konochi."

"I forfeit." her words were breathy and hard to hear, "You are a strong konouchi. I look forward to seeing you improve." That was the last thing she heard before passing out.

Going back up to his team, Shira was caught off guard as Eien began fussing over him, "You have so many cuts! Let me wrap them. Damn it Shira holds still!" Gaara watched as their puppet boy went mom on the Taijutsu user. Baki couldn't help but rub his forehead in annoyance.

Watching his cousin Eien realized something. Nobody has really given him any true training. Naruto apparently had a strange ability to create solid clones. Something he hadn't really seen without a conduit or adding an elemental release. Like his puppet clones that he really hadn't used much.

Outside of that though he was quite…...unskilled. His potential was high. Higher than most of the Konoha genin he'd seen here. His chakra reserves were crazy high and that's without the Demon inside of him. Maybe he'd give him some pointers. Or maybe a clan jutsu before he goes. If it sticks than he knows for sure that he is truly an Uzumaki.

In the end Naruto ended up winning. They traded blows. While Kiba showed some powerful Taijutsu techniques Naruto had pulled out some unique tactics. Except he ended up winning in a gross way. Letting out a fart that messed with Kiba's heightened sense of smell. Using the opening he defeated the doge boy. Eien couldn't help but shake his head at the conclusion.

The next fight involved two people of the same clan. A boy named Neji, and a girl named Neji. It was a brutal fight. Their style was known as Gentle Fist. Much like the nearly extinct Uchiha, they were trained to never fight a Hyuga in single combat in Taijutsu combat.

To most it looked as if the match was even. Eien could see it through. Looking at Shira, he could see that he did to. Neji was systematically destroying Hinata. It was brutal to watch. By the end of the match Hinata was clearly defeated. As Neji went to give the killing blow Proctor Hayate and three Jonin appeared holding down the young shinobi.

"Whats wrong with you?!" Looking over he saw Naruto standing on the railing looking down at the boy, "You'd try and kill your own family?!"

Finally, it was the final match for the Suna Genin. Gaara used his sand to suddenly appear in the arena. While a boy in a green body suit and bowl hair cut named Lee jumped to face him. As the matched began Gaara stood there as Lee began his assault. Only every hit was inevitably blocked by sand.

Jumping back the boy dodged each counter by Gaara, "Lee!" Might Gai his sensei got everyone's attention, "Take them off!"

"Hai Guy Sensei!" Pulling off his leg weights Eien was confused. How could weights really help that much. Then he dropped them. The craters from the crash made him worry for Gaara.

Lee suddenly disappeared. His attack getting close to Gaara. Each kick and punch being almost impossible for him to see. Gaara though held strong. Constantly pushing his sand out in an otb around him. Needles of sand shoot out at the Taijutsu user.

"Seeing his teammate. It's no wonder he is able to withstand this assault." Kakashi stated. Everyone watched in shock. Sakura though brought up the uncomfortable question, "Lee isn't using any chakra?"

Might Gai shook his head, "No! Lee cannot use any chakra. Taijutsu is all he is able to use."

Soon the fight intensified. This wasn't a fight with Genin this was a fight with two insanely powerful shinobi. Lee slide to a stop, "Eight Gates! Gate of Opening!" Gaara wasn't able to react this time. Lee's foot hit him in the chest. Sending him crashing into the wall at the other end.

Eien gripped the railing. Worry radiated from him over the jinchurki. As the smoke clear they saw Gaara walk out. Sand was floating around him. That wasn't the shocking thing though. What did was a thin layer of sand with blue seal looking lines covering his body. His hands having black claws at their ends.

Two Weeks Ago

Eien was sparing with Gaara. Using his Bakku to push the boy back. Gaara was good and had gotten faster with his sand from Shira. Though he still relied on his sand too much. So today they were using taijutsu and sand to combine his attacks. Gaara's Taijutsu was weak. Much weaker than Eien's and he wasn't a specialist by any means.

"Let's take a break." Eien said as he tackled the other boy with his feline puppet, "I'm not getting this."

Eien thought about how to improve his Taijutsu. Then the lightbulb went off, "I have an idea!" Gaara didn't speak just tilted his head at Eien, "You and the One-tail have a nearly perfect connection. You two may not be a perfect Jinchuriki but you're pretty close. The seal we placed on you guys helps share chakra with each other. I think you should be able to take some of it and create like a chakra cloak."

Shikaku who was listening and enjoying his vessel getting whooped by the boy smirked. This kid was clever. He really wished that he was his vessel instead. But he'd make do with his maybe future mate, "Let's see if he's right."

Eien froze as demon chakra formed around Gaara but only for a second. The chakra infused into sand creating another layer of armor. Gaara normally had a passive defense made of sand. It created a shell around him. This was different though.

Blue lines went up his arms and legs. As well as his chest, going to his neck and up his face. His eyes turned black while his pupils were red. The sand came down his arms and hands until claws formed at the tips. There was one thing Eien noticed, Gaara's chakra level was insane right now.

Present Time

Gaara moved so fast Lee barely blocked the attack. Normally it wouldn't have been that strong. This time though the sheer force broke Lee's forearm. Lee attempted to kick his opponent. Though Gaara's sand grabbed him. Twisting his clawed hand slashed across Lee's body before getting thrown into the ground.

Standing over a beaten Lee Gaara looked up at Shira, "You are similar to my teammate. Continue to train." The sand receded before going back into his gourd, "You have much potential. Don't waste it. Others won't be so forgiving."

Appearing back up with his team Gaara looked at Eien. His savior and friend. He'd have sparred the spandex boy to. Maybe he was proud of him? Eien looked back at him before smiling. Gaara's heart rate picked up and a funny feeling spread through his stomach.

For the final match of the day, Choji Akimichi fought a boy Dosu Kinuta. Choji used a body expansion jutsu. It was powerful but it only helded the shound shinobi. Sending sound waves into the bigger boy until he broke down his defense. It wasn't a long fight before the Konoha ninja was out.

"You all performed admirably." The Hokage spoke as he looked down at them, "You have one month till the final tournament. Suna nin. You have all made it to the finale. So, you will be put up in lodging here. Feel free to use our training grounds."

After being dismissed Eien ran over to Naruto. Team looked at him with suspicion. Naruto though smiled, "Naruto! I want you to come find me! I am going to teach you a family kinjutsu!"

"What really?!" Naruto was beaming. Sakura rolled her eyes, "Traitor in the making." Eien turned to the other memebers of Naruto's team, "You should shut your mouth. You're a pathetic excuse of a kunoichi. If it were up to me Naruto would live in Suna with us seeing how he is our kin. He is twice the shinobi then both of you."

Sasuke stepped forward, "You dare talk to me that way! I'm an Uchiha Elite!" Eien rolled his eyes, "Our clan helped negotiate the peace between the Uchiha and the Senju. I am not afraid of a baby Uchiha."

Quickly shifting as the smiley bubbly boy, he usually was, "So do you want to learn?! It will be great!" Naruto stared at his team for a moment before shaking his head, "Hell yea! I am so ready to learn a cool jutsu!"

Hey everyone! So, in cannon all the jinchuriki have the same chakra cloaks in the war arch. I don't know if anyone remembers how different Gaara's first forms were originally. So unlike in cannon I am having each one having their own type of transformations. For Gaara he has level one cloak, it covers his body in an advanced sand armor with claws and enhanced strength and speed. His second form has a tail and covers his face in a monster type mask. Third form he becomes the monster we remember. Super strong but very slow. Then his final form is Shukaku. When they become a perfect jinchurki he is able to combine with Gaara. It won't be like Naruto and Kurama's cloak but similar.

In this fic Naruto never really earned the respect of Sasuke and Sakura. So, they still treat him horribly. Naruot hasnt' truly formed many meaningful connections. Just Iruka and Teuchi from Ichikaru Ramen. Thanks for reading!