TEACHER

Chapter X

"THE CONFRONTATION"

"A genin? How can you be so sure?"

The shadow asked and the man with the round glasses shock his head in the negative, he wasn't sure, he couldn't be sure, but every thing pointed that he could become a danger to there well laid plans.

"I cant, but he was demonstrated skills far beyond a normal genin, he is always holding back always hiding, the perfect little ninja"

The shadow glared at the man, this was the whole point of him being in the village, he was supposed to keep taps on potential dangers to him and to his plans, so how did this get pass him? How could he not know of a genin with the abilities of a jounin?

"Why didn't you take notice of him until now?"

"Nothing in Mizuki is reports said any thing about him, they were all normal or below normal, not indication that he had any skill as a ninja"

"So this little genin fooled every one…interesting"

"What do we do?"

"You take care of him"

The shadow vanished and the teen with the round rimmed glasses smirked, it was clear that he could not kill the little blond, but as far as beating him to near death was another story.

"As you wish lord Orochimaru"

Kabuto smirked and vanished into the night.

Ever since the chunin exams had been announced Iruka couldn't help but feel worried, there was something bothering him, Kakashi is lack of concern for his student is well being was one thing, but the other was Naruto is change, was different some how and he didn't think it was due to Kakashi is training or tutelage, it was something completely different. The girl he was with, Haku had been with him ever since he had returned from that mission, every time Naruto ventured into the village he was with her, always with her, then there was the fact that Naruto was seen less and less around the village, something was wrong with team Kakashi. The couple of times he had seen the copy cat he had been in that accursed bar drinking with the other Jonin telling them of how much Sasuke had progressed in his training.

He had spoken with Kakashi only a hand full of times and the copy cat always eluded his questions, and reassure him that every thing was fine within team seven, that there was no need to worry, but he knew better, he knew that something was really wrong with the team, speaking with Naruto was no different, he just assured him that every thing was all right and to not worry, that he could handle what ever came to him, but Iruka knew better, he had taught Naruto in the academy after all. Having no success with either of Naruto or Kakashi the Chunin decided to drown his sorrows in his usual bar, but when he entered it he saw the copy cat drinking away and chatting happily with the other Jonin, turning round he decided that maybe tonight would not be such a good night to drown his sorrows.

"Hey Iruka!"

It would seem that he had no choice but to join the others now, seeing as how Kakashi waved at him and signaled him to go over to there table, not wanting to be rude Iruka made his way towards the table and promptly sat down, even though he wanted to forget about his troubles and just down his worry in a nice bottle of sake, he couldn't do it when Kakashi was right beside him, complaining about his star pupil.

"You know Kakashi, there is more than one student in your squad"

He didn't mean to sound bitter, but how could he not be bitter when he saw how much Kakashi was focusing on Sasuke, the copy cat merely eye smiled at him and took a sip of his sake. Despite what Iruka thought he had tried to look after his other students but Naruto was a hard subject to approach and Sakura was off doing her own thing, all the girl would say was that it would be a surprise.

"I know, but they have made plans to train on there own"

"Oh?"

This came from Kurenai who was quite intrigued as to what kind of training Sakura and Naruto would be doing on there own, the blond boy had frightened her to no end, hell he had given her the perfect motivation for her to put her students to some extra training.

"Don't ask me, Naruto is on his own little world and Sakura said she wanted it to be a surprised"

"You seem to be taking this to lightly, at first I thought maybe Iruka was exaggerating about your lack of concern, but now, are you hiding something Kakashi?"

Asuma Sarutobi smiled and patted the copy ninja on the back, the Cyclops just smiled and shock his head, he was not hiding any thing, Kurenai was aware of Naruto and was Asuma, to a lesser extent obviously but still he knew that he should be weary of the boy.

"I am not hiding any thing, Naruto will be more than fine on his own, as for sakura, she wouldn't tell me were who she got to train her and I want to respect her whishes"

"I still feel like, you should focus on Naruto that boy…"

Kurenai shivered when she remembered the power he showed, how he calm and collected he was, it was as if he knew that no one could stand in his way, that what ever shinobi stood against him would perish, he was more demonic that human. Iruka frowned, it seem that there were some people who still viewed Naruto as the demon and not the container.

"I am disappointed Kurenai, I thought you knew better"

"Oh don't defend him Iruka, if you had seen what I saw…that kid is not normal"

Asuma saw the interaction between all of them and shock his head, Kakashi was just nodding in understanding and Iruka was clenching a sake bottle so hard it could shattered any second, he wondered how a simple night out could turn into this. It was clear that the tension around them was because of the up coming chnnin exam, Iruka had a right to be worried about his ex-student and Kakashi should show a bit more sympathy to the man, he had taken Iruka is spot as Naruto is instructor so her should at least reassured the Iruka that Naruto would be all right, but he was doing nothing of the sort and now Kurenai was adding to the fire. He had never thought that she would discriminate the boy, none of her behavior showed that she dislike the boy, but now it seem as if she was not only afraid of him, but was as distrusting as the idiot villagers that hated the boy. Looking at them he could see that Kakashi was not that different from Kurenai, he was weary of his own student.

"I think you guys exaggerated too much"

"We do not, that boy is…"

"That Boy Is what?"

A cold chill ran down every one is backs, from the shadows in the deepest parts of the bar an all to familiar voice came out, then it was followed by a couple of foot steps and the darkness receded back revealing an all to familiar figure, long brown trench coat, fist net shirt and a micro mini skirt, sake bottle in hand the woman glared at the ones sitting in the bar stall. They were speaking about the boy as if he was an oddity, like he wasn't even human.

"Anko…we"

Kurenai smiled apologetically to her friend unfortunately Anko was having none of that, the sake was messing with her tonight and while normally she wouldn't give a damn about the kid, tonight reminder her that she was not the only one that was viewed like an oddity, like something that should have never existed.

"I know what you meant, you are all afraid of the big bad fox lying within him, what you don't realize is that that kid has every right to seek his revenge against this village, hell if I had the power I guarantee you that a lot of pricks in this village would be lying six feed under"

"Its not the same Anko"

Kakashi wanted to control the situation, to at least let her know that what they meant didn't applied to her, but before he could continue iruka placed a hand on his shoulder and shock his head.

"Your are all the same"

The purple hair woman walked past them and straight out of the bar, Kurenai rushed after her and Asuma grunted in annoyance, this was great, the whole evening had gone to hell and all because of one little kid who was just sitting home enjoying himself with that pretty girl of his.

Iruka looked at them and frowned they were all fools, they were overconfident and so sure of there skills as teacher, but they were all making a huge mistake, being a teacher meant so much more than just showing off your students, it meant worrying about them and about how well they could handle all situations not just some.

"See what you did"

Kakashi looked at Iruka who was now half way trough the exit of the bar.

"I hope you don't regret your decision, I hope that your students are as prepared as you believed them to be"

Iruka saw what he had seen, they were all competing with each other, the Jonin were competing against one another, they weren't looking for there students is best interest, they just didn't what to be showed up or demonstrate there lack of confidence in the members of there teams, Asuma and Kurenai were pressured by the clans to make there students take the test, even Kakashi knew that he had to submit his squad, how else was the last Uchiha supposed to show his might. This whole things was a huge mistake, the squads had no battle experience, no field experience and still needed time to developed there skills, time there Jonin instructors were not giving them, closing his eyes Maito Gai hoped that no one died out there.

Naruto looked at the building in front of him and smiled, trough those doors was his chance to test his skills against some of the best ninja in the world, a whole bunch of ninjas would be there, who knows what kind of fights would await him once he crossed those doors. Taking a deep breath he composed himself as best he could and smirked when he felt both Sakura and Sasuke is chakra signatures getting close.

"So you waited for us, I thought you would have gone inside already"

"Sorry to disappoint Sasuke, but something tells me this is a team thing also"

Sasuke smirked and nodded, he remembered what Kakashi had said the first time they had battle together, how they had put them in a three person squad for a reason, this test seem to be something similar to what Kakashi had indicated to them back there, which meant they had to be together for this.

"So….were all ok?'

"Like I said before just don't get in my way"

Sasuke grunted and rushed ahead of them, Naruto simply looked at Sakura and nodded, yeah they were all right for now that is, Sasuke kept his distance from him and Sakura outright avoided them, what a good team they made. Walking inside the building he immediately felt a whole bunch of chakra signatures that were pretty strong, what was worrying him how ever was the fast that there was chakra covering the door way to one of the room as well as the wall around it, remembering what Haku told him he smirked when realized a genjutsu had been cast.

"Genjustu…we should"

His warning was cut short when a spandex wearing kid was sent to the ground, apparently some one making sure that there illusion was not discovered, what was weird though was that the green spandex kid didn't emit any chakra signature, it was as if he was completely devoid of it. Looking at Sasuke he was about to tell him to just ignore it and move on but then a girl rushed in to defend the spandex wearing kid, she was a year or two older than him, looking at her he smiled when he saw the fire in her eyes.

"Please let us through!"

The guy guarding the door raised his fist and then slammed it downwards to strike at the girl, she could have moved but didn't and the slap connected sending her to the ground. She had left herself be hit, he smirked when he saw that she and her the other boy had suffer no damage, this was all a rouse he was about to tell Sasuke to just back off but then he noticed the him walking towards the aggressors, the dark haired boy apparently had to show off his skills in front of others, Sakura noticing Naruto shake his head and begin to walk away from the commotion wondered what had gotten the blond so upset.

"Naruto were are you going?"

"The idiot failed to get to point of this whole test"

"Huh?"

She was abut to asked him what he meant when she saw Naruto freeze in his tracks, they didn't see the genjutsu, none of the ones were here were aware that this was a set up, Naruto turned towards the people that were gathered outside of the room and frowned, all of them were being fooled by a simple illusion, turning towards Sasuke he saw him about to open his mouth.

"Let…UMPH!"

In a blink of an eye Naruto was beside him his hand on Sasuke is mouth, his eyes locked with Sasuke and then shock his head.

"We're leaving"

Sasuke granted and struggled with all his might but all he could do was cause a ruckus while Naruto simply dragged him away from the rest. Sakura and the others could only look on as the last of the Uchiha clan was dragged away from them, the blond whom was dragging him away was doing so with little effort. Team ten could only watched as the rocky of the year was quickly held in a head lock by the dead last of the class, and much to there surprised all the mighty Uchiha could do was struggle and flap his arms all around the place trying to pull away from the blond.

"Naruto!"

"Come on Sakura we're leaving!"

His voice had changed, instead of being the normal way it was commanding, as if he had taken the role of the leader instead of the back up guy.

The test had just started and they were all ready fighting Sakura looked at the scene and followed Naruto to were ever he was going, but before she left she saw the green spandex boy and the girl with the small buns in her head getting up and walking away, they had followed the signal of a third boy, who had signaled his friends to following him.

"What's the matter Neji?"

"Nothing we are done here, we have caused enough of a distraction we should go to the third floor"

Lee wanted to object, but he had to follow trough on is plan, there was no way that he was going to spoil every thing they had worked on just to show off in front of the pink hair girl, there would be enough time to do that later. Leaving the area and arriving before he doors that would lead them to the original exam, once there Naruto is hold on the Uchiha loosened and the boy pulled away from him, the blond immediately knew what was coming next. The black hair boy rushed towards him and grabbed him the collar demanded an explanation.

"Relax would you"

"You ever do that again I am"

"You will do nothing! The test began the minute we entered this building, are you stupid as well as arrogant? That illusion was placed there for a reason!"

Sakura looked at the two and wondered when the fist were going to start flying, Naruto was holding Sasuke is wrist and by the way Sasuke was beginning to flinch she knew that the blond was tired of the Uchiha and his attitude, something had snapped in the blond and she knew that unless Sasuke backed off the were going to get into a fight right here and now. The Uchiha flinched when Naruto is hand tightened around his wrist but pride demanded that he be the one who handled the situation, and remind Naruto just who was in charge of this team.

"I don't care about that! you ever place your hands on me again and I will kill you"

Sasuke is second hand rushed towards Naruto is neck but it stopped when Naruto applied more pressure to his wrist, and his other hand rushed towards the Uchiha is neck, Sasuke quickly found himself being lifted off the ground and slamming into one of the side walls, grunting in pain all he do was watch the cold blue eyes of his teammate. Sakura looked worry but before she could intervene or do any thing Kakashi appeared.

"Your attitude hasn't gotten any better has it"

Kakashi appeared beside the two and pulled Naruto is hand away from the Uchiha, Sasuke glared at him and then at Naruto, but the blond had already pulled his hand away from Kakashi, the two were in a glaring match with one another, but then Kakashi is visible eye turned towards him and he frowned, the reprimand was towards him. Sasuke glared at the two and turned his back towards them, he couldn't argue Naruto is point and with Kakashi there he knew he had to hold his tongue back, who knows what the Jonin would do if he saw them bickering like this.

"So what is this all about?"

Sakura glanced from Naruto to Sasuke and saw that neither of them wanted to explain what had happened, taking a deep breath she began to tell him what was going on, Kakashi looked surprised at the blond boy is actions and at Sasuke is lack of self control. Sure he knew Sasuke was a bit arrogant but to go this far? He seriously needed to consider curving that attitude of his.

"You should be more discreet when it comes to this kind situations Sasuke, as for you Naruto I suggest….Naruto?"

He turned towards were the blond was standing a couple of minutes ago only to see him calmly walking towards Gai's genin squad.

"Hey you in the green spandex"

"M-me?"

Lee glanced at his friends who were all looking at the blond with mixed emotions; turning once again to the blond he gave a small wave and smiled awkwardly.

"Yeah, mind if I ask how you're doing it?"

A look of confusion was plastered on the three genin is faces.

"Leave them alone Naruto"

Kakashi spoke and Naruto ignored him, he wanted to see how the green spandex boy was hiding his chakra so well, after all the practice he had done he couldn't never fully hide his chakra from the others.

"The name is Naruto Uzumaki, and I was wondering how you hide your chakra signature so well?"

Neji smirked and Tenten frowned, Lee for the most part just chuckled nervously, Naruto seeing that they were upset about something shoot them his friendliest smiled and scratched the back of his head.

"Ah I didn't mean to pry or any thing, if it's a special jutsu or something"

"N-no, it is quite all right, I don't have a chakra signature because I don't use chakra"

"You don't? wow that is impressive!"

How could it not be impressive, a boy who was participating in the chunin exams with no use of his chakra, that was pretty damn impressive. Lee could see that he was genuinely interested and surprised about his condition and while others tended to mock him or make fun of him this boy was actually impressed with him.

"Impressive?"

Both Neji and Sasuke exclaimed, what Naruto was saying made no sense at all.

"You became a ninja despite not using chakra, and now your participating in the chunin exams, now I am really excited!"

Tenten smiled at the boy and at his genuine interest in Lee, she always saw how others treated lee and how even Neji was always undermining him and belittling him just because he didn't have use of a chakra network, but now this kid had put a new spin on the whole thing and she was glad that Lee was finally beginning to see just how special he truly was.

"Excited?"

Neji glared at Naruto and Naruto smirked, oh this guy had some chakra on him.

"Yeah I might get to fight Lee in this test"

Those were the words that ignited the fire of youth within Lee, the boy immediately rushed towards Naruto and smiled, he was always looking for a strong rival, Kakashi was Naruto is sensei and just as Gai was Kakashi is rival he would become Naruto is rival, it was perfect! Naruto saw the kid is eyes begin to flame up and flames erupted from behind him.

"I ROCK LEE EXTEND AN INVITATION TO YOU!…."

Then just as suddenly as it had come all of it had left, the boy is intensity and flames vanished into nothingness, the boy looked at him and smiled apologetically.

"What is your name?"

"Ah…I am Naruto Uzumaki"

"Rock Lee!"

Naruto smiled and shock his hand, he seem like a good guy, but just as he was about to pull his hand away rock lee is hand tightened on his own and once again fire began to surround his body, as flames erupted from his eyes.

"I ROCK LEE EXTEND AND INVITATION TO YOU NARUTO UZUMAKI!"

Naruto looked at lee is two friends and saw them standing a few feet away from him and lee, it seem that despite being friends with lee they were still not a costumed to his mood swings. Turning towards the others he could see that this was as new to them as it was to him, Kakashi was covering his face with his book, whole Lee is teacher had tears running down his face, what surprised him was that both Sasuke and Sakura were to shocked to move.

"Ok…"

"BECOME MY ETERNAL RIVAL!"

Naruto smiled and raised an eyebrow, Kakashi sweat dropped and shock his head, like teacher like student.

"Sure I guess, what do we have to do?"

"FIGHT ME RIGHT HERE!"

With out a second warning Lee pulled on Naruto is arm and sent him flying straight towards the second floor, Naruto frowned and then twisted in mid air landing on his feet, not soon after Lee follow him by jumping downwards himself. Naruto was surprised when the boy immediately went after him, as soon as Lee is legs had connected with the floor he had sprung towards him faster than he had seen. A right hand punch rushed towards him, ducking underneath the punch he saw a knee heading straight for his face, the punch was a distraction, not bad.

"Got ya!"

"Nope!"

Naruto is hand came straight down on lee is knee holding off the attack, Lee is eyes widen and then smiled, he was good, he had seen his attacks and had countered them, but he still had a longs ways to go, his left hand formed a fist and it came crashing down on Naruto, only for the blond to twist away from it and punch, his whole body twisted and soon lee found himself being attack by an upper kick that was heading straight for his head. Lee jumped upwards and accelerated his speed; it was time to see what Naruto was made of.

"Leaf spinning wind!"

Naruto frowned when his feet connected with the ground, Lee was fast, he had not moved side ways or dodge the kick instead he had jumped upwards and now he was directing a straight down frontal attack, he smiled and raised his hand to block it.

"Impossible"

His kick had been caught, from the third floor of the room Neji is eyes narrowed, there was no way that some one could be as fast as Lee, even he had trouble in his sparring matched, yet this blond boy had caught one of Lee's speed attack with little effort, beside Neji and Tenten was stunned. She had seen how hard Lee and Gai trained and had seen with her own eyes what one of there kicks did, yet the blond kid just caught it with out so much as a broken bone, if he could hold off one of Lee's kicks and move as fast as he then this boy was something else.

"How did he do that?"

"I don't know, but he shouldn't have been able to catch that kick"

"So my eternal rivals has trained his student well"

Neji and Tenten followed the sound of the voice and saw there teacher standing beside Kakashi, Gai looked at Kakashi and narrowed his eyes, his words had bothered the copy cat and by the way he had reacted to how Naruto had been able to catch Lee is kick he had been not been expecting Naruto to be that fast. It seem that Kakashi was as surprised as his student were at Naruto is abilities which meant one thing.

"Or perhaps not?'

Kakashi is eyes hardened, and Gai frowned, this Kakashi wasn't the Kakashi he knew, he was looking at his student as if he was some kind of creature, should he not show pride when it came to his student? He should be proud that the boy was flourishing so well and yet all he could see from the copy nin was concern, Gai turned towards the battle and saw Naruto pushed Lee away from him, Lee doing a back flip landed on his feet and began to untie his bandaged arms.

"Lee!"

When he saw lee unbinding his hands Gai knew what his young pupil had in mind, jumping from the third floor his fist high on the air he rushed towards lee, his fist rushed towards Lee but just as it was about to connect he felt a hand intercept it. Naruto had jumped in front of the two and had managed to catch Gai is fist with is hand, what surprised him the most was the fact that Gai is punch had not hurt Naruto, Gai could see it in Naruto is face, there was no discomfort no pain, nothing, that was impossible, even Lee felt his slightest punches and yet Naruto didn't even registered them.

"WOAH! Why are you attacking us!"

Lee looked at Naruto and the detained fist mere inches from his face, as soon as He had heard Gai is voice he knew he was in trouble, but he had been unable to noticed his teacher is movements or even see were his teacher was, but some how Naruto had been able to see and prevent the disciplinary punch from connecting.

"How did you move so fast!"

"I am this fast"

The simple answer left the green beast of Konoha frozen, there was no deception on his voice no hint at any thing but the truth, the blond boy was that fast and by the way he felt on his hand he was equally strong to match up against himself.

"I see…but you see my most youthful friend I am not attacking you I am simply punishing lee for using a forbidden technique!"

FLASHBACK~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Naruto looked at Goku and frowned, as much as he wanted to understand what the man was doing he was still having a hard time grasping this ability, insight, that is what he was missing, he knew it because every one of his mentors had told him so. He jumped to conclusions way to soon and reacted to situations with no self control, his sort fuse and lack of understanding with his surroundings made him a power house with no control. Goku glanced at Naruto and frowned, the kid had lived a rough life, and it was only going to get harder as he grew up, he could blame the kid for being on his guard most of the time.

"You understand that you have to read an opponent and his intentions right?"

"Yeah, but it's really hard… I try to sense, to discern what your intentions or any one is intentions are but I can't… I am never going to get this am I?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe with time you might just remember that there is no point in over reacting to a situation"

"Yeah I know, I have to read it, studied and then attack accordingly but how do I do that in the middle of a battle?"

"It has to become a second nature to you, but it will be hard"

"I know I…"

END FLASH BACK~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He should of know better, he had sense no ill will coming from Gai closing his eyes he wondered what Goku would think if he had seen him react the way he did. All those training sessions and he was still having trouble figuring out people. He jumped before he thought things trough, he needed to focus on this chunin exam or else some one could get hurt. As for Lee, Naruto raised an eye brown and turned towards him, but all Lee did was smile sheepishly at him and scratched the back of his head.

"You were going to use a forbidden technique on me?"

"My apologies Naruto… I was exited"

The blond raised an eye brow and shock his head, lee was one hell of a character all right, he turned towards Maito Gai and simply allowed him to continue on disciplining his pupil for using that technique, looking upwards he could see Sakura and Sasuke already awaiting him, with a wave he said good bye to Lee and Gai before jumping beside his friends. Once they had entered the examination room Gai and lee followed his exampled and joined both Tenten and Neji, the two quickly shoot there sensei a quizzical look to which he responded with a small nod.

"That boy, he is stronger faster and more able then you my youthful students"

That froze the three, if Gai was telling them what they think he was telling them then Naruto could be a serious problem to them.

"What do we do?"

Gai smiled at Lee and gave him his good guy posse.

"Do your best and do not worry, with him on your side you will come out of this alive!"

Gai smiled and gave his team the thumps up pose, once his team disappeared trough the door the others had gone trough, Gai exchanged a quick glance with Kakashi and smirked.

"You should have more faith in your pupil Kakashi"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~INSIDE THE ROOM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Naruto smiled and looked at the gathering with interest, this test was getting better and better, chakra signatures were all over the place and even though the majority were weak ones, there were few who got his interest, the red head from the san had a very unique chakra signature and it was strong, stronger than any thing he had ever felt before. Looking around he couldn't wait to test out his moves out on some of the gathered ninja, this was the perfect time to show them all what he could really do.

"Wipe that smile of your face loser"

Sasuke smirked and looked at Kiba, the dog boy had not change one bit, Naruto simply glared at him and shock his head dog boy never learned his lesson, his teammates came up from behind him and soon the graduating genin teams were gathered around them.

"Remember what I told your teacher Kiba"

Shino raised and eyebrow and looked at the blond closely, his wore drove was not the only thing that had changed, his allies were screaming at him a warning about the blond, something had changed sure the changes were not visible to the naked eye but he could see that Naruto was not the same as before. Glancing at Sakura and Sasuke he could see little to no change, Sakura was the same and while Sasuke is chakra had increased he was not the one whom his allies were worried about.

"A-akamaru? I-I t-think s-something I-is w-wrong w-with h-him k-kiba"

Kiba looked at Hinata and then turned towards the puppy on his head, naruto raised and eye brow at the whimpering animal.

"I think your dog has worms Kiba"

"SHUT IT!, Akamaru? W-whats wrong boy?"

Kiba frowned at his partner, he was shaking and whimpering while trying to get into his jacket, something had spooked him, looking at his surroundings he could see why the puppy would be scared, but that didn't make sense, he was fine a couple of minutes ago, so why was he so freaked out now?

"You know, you guys shouldn't make such a commotion"

The genin's head turned towards the sound of the voice, a teen with round glasses and silver head smiled at them, what surprised them the most was that he was quite friendly despite them being a competition together, hell he was even sharing information with them, and as the genins welcomed him into there fold Naruto stared hard at the teen, something was not right with him. He had learned his lesson from before and had remembered to focused his senses more sharply, which is why they were screaming at him to watch out for this guy, something about him was not right.

"N-naruto-Kun? A-are y-you o-okay?"

"No, something is up with that guy, I don't know what but…."

His face turned away from Kabuto and Hinata followed the blond is movement, what surprised her was that she had not even sense or felt any kind of movement and yet Naruto had detected the attack before any of the others, as the three shadows rushed towards them she continue to observe Naruto and noticed that he was had his complete attention focused on the attackers and the victim.

"He knows they are coming… what is this"

His whisper made her fidget, this Naruto was not the Naruto she knew, something had happened to him and she didn't know what. But before she could dwell on those thought the three shadows jumped towards the silver haired teen throwing a punch.

"KABUTO!"

Sakura screeched and Naruto frowned, the attack had not connected but something else had happened, he didn't know what or how but that attack was dangerous. Hinata gasped when she saw the Kabuto evade the attack only for him to fall to the ground seconds later, turning towards Naruto she could see that he was not surprised in the least about what had happened.

"N-Naruto?"

"The exam is starting"

"W-what?"

But before she could continue the front of the class room exploded revealing there examiner, she looked at Naruto who just smiled at her and winked.

"Take care out there ok"

"Y-yes…"

1st test was a piece of cake, the old switch the test with the guys sitting beside you trick had worked for him, but now he was worried, that crazy lady was telling them the dangers of the forest and was even given them papers which would make there deaths totally legal, looking at the paper he couldn't help but wonder about the others, were they ready for this? Had they gotten stronger? Glancing around he couldn't help but feel exited about the prospect of fighting some one strong.

"PAY ATTENTION!"

Anko had been explaining the finer details about the second test when she saw him looking around with a stupid grind on his face, was the kid exited to be here? She had just told them that there lives were in danger and he was grinning like an idiot, frowning she threw a kunai towards him but even distracted his skills were sharp as the blond kid managed to catch the kunai and throw it right back at her.

"I am paying attention lady jeez"

Anko smirked and closed her eyes, stupid brat was pretty weird, she liked that. She had seen the blond kid talking to Mini Gai, he was exited and chatting up a storm, what surprised her the most was how relax he seem, it was as if he had no worries what so over.

"Okay then brat, you done with the paper or what?"

"Yeah, here ya go!"

Just as he handed her the paper she saw him drop his guard and decide to make a lasting impression on him, quickly moving behind him she placed a kunai on his throat and scratched his left cheek.

"Got ya"

Naruto smiled but froze something evil was rushing towards them, his body moved faster than the oncoming threat and before Anko knew what had happened the boy spun around and grabbed a hold of a grass genin is tongue, The grass ninja was shocked at the speed that was displayed before him, he had never seen a genin move which such speed, he moved like he was a jonin level and yet he felt no such chakra coming from him. Anko could see the surprised and confusion on the attacking woman is face but what really surprised her was the glare the blond genin was giving the grass nin, something was very wrong here.

"Who are you?"

Naruto spoke and Anko froze, the kid had made a whole 180 on her, instead of the laid back kid who had no worries she was seeing a serious and dangerous kid, his voice had been ice cold and commanding, the glare he was giving the grass woman was as intimidating as it was dangerous, he was no kidding around, something about this woman had set him off.

"Relax there kid, she is probably a show off"

Anko looked at the grass ninja who simply pointed at her tongue, slapping Naruto is hand away from the grass woman is mouth made her shiver, something about that tongue was eerily familiar. Looking at Naruto she could see that he was still glaring daggers at the retreating ninja, something in that grass ninja had really disturbed the blond brat. Naruto looked on at the retreating nin and frowned, there was no mistaking what he felt, even if he was a dope at sensing and feeling his surroundings he could still tell that the woman was not what she appeared to be, there was no telling what the hell she was.

"Naruto stop screwing around and let's go"

Naruto turned towards his team and saw Sakura waving at him, Sasuke for the most part was simply glaring at him, it would seem that the Uchiha had not forgotten how he was dragged away from showing off, looking at Anko he smiled slightly and rush off towards his teammates. Anko looked at the blond boy and frowned, the kid was hiding something, it was as if his whole appearance and attitude were made to fool people, he was just like her.

"All right maggots get your assess in gear, we ain't got all freaking day!"

Naruto looked at his teammates rushing in and frowned, idiots should have waiting but no they had to be the first ones to enter, quickly following them he spread out his senses and located almost all of the participants, some had decent chakra signatures, but there were those who stood out, three levels, two higher than a jonin and 4 of equal strength to that of a jonin, and others were already chunin level; something was not right here. Looking at his teammates he saw them stopping a couple of feet in front of him and raised an eyebrow at the two, it seemed that they were planning out a strategy.

"What?"

"We need to make some kind of strategy"

Naruto nodded, Uchiha was right, they couldn't just go in with nothing planed, idiot should have realized that before they went into the damn forest, deciding to skip the small reprimand he glanced at Sakura.

"Any ideas?"

"I think we should…."

Naruto frowned when something scratched his check, then all hell broke lose, a massive wave of wind laced with chakra rushed towards them but what surprised him the most was the fact that it was focusing on him, he had been stupid he had let his guard down, stupid over confident and that had cost him, he was now air born being pushed away from his team. Whoever had attacked wanted him away from the team, divide and conquer good strategy if it weren't for the fact that he could fly, unleashing his chakra he surrounded his body with it and stops the momentum, but instead of rushing back he heads straight upwards. Closing his eyes he senses his surroundings and frowns at the results, that same signature from before was near Sakura and Sasuke.

He was sure that that signature didn't belong to a genin level, it was far too strong and what was worse was the fact that it felt evil, he hadn't felt any thing like that since he saw the beings that Goku had fought, this guy was a weaker version of those demons and that was saying something, but he couldn't underestimate him that easily, the demons Goku had fought against could hide there true power, so if this guy was the same as those guys then he could be in deep trouble.

"Time to see what you're made off Naruto"

He smiled and rushed towards the area, nearing it he saw the giant snake rushing towards Sasuke and he frowned, the Uchiha was frozen in place, he had given up and he was ready to accept his fate, rushing in faster he pulled back his right hand and slammed his fist right onto the giant snake that was rushing towards the Uchiha, force of the punch sent the snake crashing and slamming onto the forest below them, the figure that was on top of the snake had managed to jumped off and land a few feet away from them.

"Naruto!"

"What's going?

Sakura looked at Naruto and told him what the problem was, the blond frowned, so Sasuke had been measured and had found himself lacking, it was to be expected, but right now he didn't need a frozen Uchiha he needed the arrogant jerk who thought was superior to the every one else.

"Sasuke snap out of it, that guy is not a genin, we are no match for him I will make a distraction and you get us out of here!"

Not a genin, Sasuke looked at Naruto and then towards the grass ninja, they woman or what ever she was had showed strength that rivaled that of Kakashi and the demon of the mist, now he knew why he was unable to keep up, he was not weak he was simply battling the wrong opponent.

"What can you do?"

"Just get ready to get Sakura out of here!"

The Uchiha nodded and jumped towards Sakura, the grass ninja looked at the blond who is gaze still remained locked on his and frowned, this was the boy that Kabuto had told him about, it seem that his spy had something with the blond but right now he needed to focus on the Uchiha, jumping towards Sasuke he smiled when he saw the blond move but the smile quickly faded when the blond blurred from sight and he felt an immense pain on his side.

"NOW SASUKE!"

The forest exploded in a haze of orange and Sasuke smirked when the clones began to change from orange to blue and red, landing next to Sakura he signaled her to follow, she looked back at the Uchiha and frowned, there was no way they were leaving Naruto behind.

"We can't, Naruto"

"He will be all right, we all will be, he set up this mass distracting so we could get away so let's not lose time"

With that multiple pairs of team 7 began to run in all directions, Sakura rushed away from the area along side Sasuke all the while wondering if the blond had managed to make it out of the area just like he did, back in the area Orochimaru cursed when eh was slammed into one of the giant trees, he had been stabbed.

"How did you accelerate your body in might flight?"

Naruto jumped away from Orochimaru with the bloodied kunai in hand, he had managed to stab the monster and he bled just like any other being, but that still left him wondering what this would battle would be like.

"I am not giving up my secret that easy"

"No I suspected as much, but I am impressed as you also managed to created over a thousand clones in quick succession, but I can still sense Sasuke and I will not leave this place with out giving him a little gift"

Naruto frowned, the Uchiha was the target, this guy was no genin he was no chunin or jonin either, his chakra now that he felt it up close was close to that of the Hokage, it was all being bottled up and covered some how, but this guy was powerful.

"Sorry but I wont let that happened, that guy might be a pain but he is still my teammate"

"Such loyalty, it would seem that Konoha has not change at all"

The grass nin smiled as she reached for her face, slowly she began to peel back he flesh and Naruto cursed, if he was doing what he thought he was doing than he was in deep trouble, adversaries who shade there skin were usually the worst, since every time they shade one of there skins there powers would increase, just like all of Goku is adversaries, he smirked oh if only his sensei could see him now.

"So it would seem"

With that said Orochimaru vanished from sight and Naruto is eyes moved, to his left a punch was headed straight for his head, he lifting his arm he immediately slashed at it and woman now turned man jumped back in surprised.

"You didn't block? I am surprised"

In each of the blond is hands two double sided kunais were held, he didn't block his attack he had slashed at the incoming fist in hopes of slashing the arm, Orochimaru smirked, who ever had trained the kid had done an excellent job at it, not only had the blond seen the oncoming attack but he had reacted on time to counter it.

"Your dangerous and hide most of your powers I am not taking any chances"

"Smart move, I would do the same and will no longer underestimate you"

Naruto is eyes widen when the man blurred from vision and appeared behind him, the blond barely managed to dodge the slashed of a kunai and was surprised when the black haired man managed to dodge his upper cut and re-appeared beside him unleashing a kick to his torso, Naruto cursed and increased his speed managing to jump away from the kick and throwing the kunai towards the pale man is face, Orochimaru smiled and dodged but then a huge explosion behind him sent him flying towards the blond.

"Got ya!"

Naruto slashed but when his second kunai connected with the man he cursed when it slashed at nothing but mud.

"Not yet!"

Orochimaru appeared behind Naruto again and slashed with a kunai of his own, but then the blond did something the snake Sannin had never seen before, he had vanished right before his eyes.

"UNGH!"

Orochimaru twisted in mid air and saw the blond behind him with his kunai sticking out of his shoulder.

"BOOM"

Continued…..

Well that is chapter 10 and a special thanks go out to my beta my pal and the one who gave the idea for naruto getting sasuke in a head lock, and about making the confrontation between sasuke and naruto a bit more manly, so huge props and thanks go out to the one and only

DEATHRUNNER

Also

He will devour your souls if you don't review