'I hope I'm not making a mistake' thought Tsunade as she handed the book to the super pervert.

The Toad Sannin began reading…

Chapter 6 Chūnin Exam (3)

The five days passed without any trouble.

Now the surviving teams stood before the Hokage and several jonins. His eyes narrowed when he saw the Kumogakure jonin.

"Whose eyes?"

"Naruto!"

"Keep up Obito!"

A bull...

"Ok Naruto spill, how do you know who a vessel is!?" questioned Jiraiya.

"Nope, we can't spoil things of that nature", said Naruto with practiced calm.

"Really?" asked Rin looking at Ice for confirmation.

"Yeah, if it was that easy then what would be the purpose of doing this in the first place?" answered Ice with a question of his own.

Naruto's eyes narrowed even further when he saw Jiraiya standing at the back.

Naruto checked the teams.

Konohagakure:

Team Seven

Team Eight

Team Ten

Team Gai (Kakashi told him to call them that.)

"Well it is cooler than team eleven." offered Sakura

Team Kabuto

Naruto snarls a bit.

Sunagakure:

Team Ichibi

Kumogakure:

Team Nibi

Kirigakure:

Team Rokubi

Takigakure:

Team Nanabi

Otogakure:

Team... Oto?

Ten teams.

Thirty genins.

"Wow that exam sounds huge" commented Rin

"Oh it was" agreed Sasuke.

The last stage of chūnin exam is usually a tournament.

There are too many.

"I would like to congratulate you for passing the second test," Itachi stated. When he spoke, Naruto could see how he became a Hokage. He was completely different from how he usually spoke with team seven.

Itachi chuckles a bit. "Haahaha thanks Naruto-kun but to be honest I usually reserve my Hokage voice for the council otherwise they would covet even more political power."

"However, before we move on, I would like to inform all of you the purpose of this exam."

"This exam is the answer to the attempted peace of shinobi lands. This exam's purpose is to replace war."

Itachi scanned the genins. "Tell me, how do the clients know which village is the best?"

"Whoever has the strongest Bjuu?" questioned Young-Kakashi.

"Whoever produces the most A-rank shinobi?" Offered Haku

"Whose Kage is the strongest?" added Zabuza with a clenched fist

"Who has the most manpower?" asked Tayuya

"You're all wrong. Its who ever has his Magnificence, the great Uchiha-sama on their side." Declared Sasuke while standing dramatically.

"Thanks for the compliment Sasuke but I don't consider myself as the strongest Kage" amended Itachi, much to the blushing Uchiha's chagrin.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Naruto couldn't help but add insult to injury.

"We've already been over this calling yourself that is the not only insane behavior but its also false, we told you hanging out with Kakashi was a bad idea."

Sakura and Kakashi-Sensei nod their head.

Jiraiya seeing everyone calm down continued reading…

The genins did not answer. "The answer is through a display of strength. This exam is one of them. A stage to display the strength of next generation members of each village."

"Those of you who stood here before me possess potential. To help your villages grow.

By showing your skills to the leaders, to the people, the fame of your village will grow and therefore, the wealth will also grow. This is the battle for your village. And therefore, your lives will be at stake. In this exam, while killing is not encouraged, killing is allowed."

The genins looked at each other.

Naruto thought about the words.

Basically, instead of proving their superiority in wars, the villages prove their superiority through contests. This contest is one of them.

That explained why the old chūnin test was replaced by this.

Long ago the last test was to bring the four leaf red clover from Akagahara. But now, it was changed into tournament.

A tournament of death.

"That sounds violent" said Young-Kakashi with a sarcastic drawl.

" Which part, the tournament or the death part?" responded Tsunade.

"I thought killing wasn't encouraged?", asked Rin

"Its not, Naruto was just being dramatic right…right?" ,said Obito nervously

"Whatever helps you sleep at night", Naruto teased

"...and now, I would like to inform you that you may not rest just yet."

The genins snapped to attention hearing that. Some of them looked outraged.

"There are too many of you. We will cut down the numbers by entering preliminary stage. The jonin Gekkō Hayate will explain."

A pale sickly man moved to the front.

"Thank you Hokage-sama... Now before we begin, is there any of you who want to quit?" Hayate asked.

Two members of Taki team and Kiri team raised their hands.

The vessels' teams...

Interesting.

"I never quite understood that, why did they quit brat?" asked Zabuza

"Because the vessels on their teams were guaranteed to go to the next round in their minds. Basically, to make the competition as easy for them as possible." Responded Naruto

Twenty six left.

Hearing no more answer, Hayate nodded. "Very well then..." he coughed. "The preliminary stage is a one on one battle. If you would like to surrender, you may. We would like to avoid needless death."

The board behind him began to move. "That board will decide the first two fighters."

All the genins looked at the board.

Immediately the current batch of Konoha genins gasped.

Uzumaki Naruto Vs Inuzuka Kiba

"Hey isn't that the kid you destroyed in the early chapters?" questioned Orchimaru, causing several people to jump at the sound of his voice.

Naruto nodded.

"I wouldn't say destroyed but... yeah that's him" The Uzumaki amended.

Kushina looks at her son, wondering just how he handled his former 'bully'.

Naruto stood at the ring calmly, waiting for the Inuzuka.

The Inuzuka in question is currently talking with his sensei.

"Kiba-kun, it might be better for you to forfeit..." Kurenai advised her student. She knew what happened in the Academy. She is worried that Kiba might not be able to handle the emotional strain of facing the Uzumaki again.

"Sensei! I can do this!" Kiba shouted. Since he saw Naruto again, still with the same blank face he had in the academy, his desire to get even increased.

A few eyebrows rose.

Especially when he remembered his friends who can no longer become a ninja thanks to the blond haired bastard.

Naruto watched as Kiba jumped to the arena, Akamaru besides him.

"This time I'll beat you!" Kiba declared.

A few more eyebrows met the others.

Naruto stared at the boy blankly for a while. He thought up a plan for the Inuzuka.

He need a way to win quickly and he have to win without revealing his fighting style.

He found what he need.

He smiled.

Several eyes widen in the room.

When Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi saw the smile they muttered a quick prayer for the Inuzuka.

Kakashi also thanked whoever watching over him for the easy money he is about to get.

"Bastard-Sensei" his team groaned.

"Don't be like that" complained Kakashi-Sensei

"Well at least you got your share right?" Asked Kushina

The three nodded.

"...Kiba might need some help after this," Sakura commented.

"What do you mean Sakura?" Ino asked her.

"Uzumaki never fight directly. He prefer to play mind games in a fight. When we fought an enemy shinobi once, he spent the entire battle mocking him and after some time, cast several genjutsu and beat the shinobi, Sasuke stated.

"Wait, you actually do that" questioned Tsunade, looking at her future student.

Naruto only chuckles and then responds, "Wasting justu and revealing my powers is foolish with the competition being so tough that year.

"Isn't that his fighting style?" Shikamaru asked.

"No," this time, it was Kakashi who answered, "Naruto always fight with genjutsu and mind games. He admitted that his genjutsu is weak compared to his ninjutsu and taijutsu."

"He could be lying about that," Chōji pointed out.

"Maybe."

"There was no reason to lie about that to his sensei chubby."

"Don't be like that Yuya." Naruto chastised.

"C'mon he's not even here to defend himself" complained Tayuya.

"Small miracles indeed." Chipped in Kakashi-Sensei.

"Start!"

"Kiba-kun, do you actually believe you can defeat me?" Naruto asked mockingly.

Kiba was stunned. He did not expect Naruto to mock him, he thought the boy would simply stare at him and fight.

"Really? You did? That's foolish, idiotic. How about I turn you into a cripple this time Kiba-kun? Just like your friends... what were their names again? I can't seem to remember, I don't make it a habit to remember trashes' names."

"Ohh, that's harsh" said Jiraiya with a laugh.

"Its true though" responded Naruto and Orchimaru

'Why is he so cool' thought Rin, Obito, and Young-Kakashi.

While I understand the reason, why did it have to be against a Konoha ninja.' Thought Kushina.

Kiba saw red. How dare this bastard mock his friends!

"Ha! He was still friends with them!"

"We get it they suck, now stop interrupting!"

"Fine…"

"Akamaru!" the dog jumped.

"Gijū Ninpō: Shikyaku no Jutsu!" (Imitation Beast Ninja Art: Four Legs Technique) Kiba's look turned feral, he growled.

"Gijū Ninpō: Jūjin Bunshin!" (Imitation Beast Ninja Art: Beast Human Clone) Akamaru transformed int Kiba and followed it's master's lead.

Naruto watched them, his visage turned back to his usual blank look.

'If my guess is correct then the next would be...'

"Gatsūga!" (Fang Passing Fang) Kiba and Akamaru leaped they spun and created drills resembling tornadoes which moved in high speed towards Naruto.

Naruto heard Sakura call his name in worry. He felt a bit insulted that she believed he would be harmed by the predictable technique.

Naruto just gave Sakura a very unimpressed look. She could only shrug.

He moved just as the drill crushed the place where he stood. He took out a kunai.

Just as two shadows rose from behind the smoke, he dashed and struck one of them with the blunt end of his kunai. Then he retreated just as the other Inuzuka tried to attack him.

That was the real one," he stated.

And indeed it was, the Inuzuka who tried to attack him transformed back into Akamaru and moved besides it's master protectively.

"Winner, Uzumaki Naruto!" Hayate declared.

"That was fast Naruto," Kakashi commented as Naruto stood besides his team.

"Very fast brat, indeed, but not worth it, at all." Complained Zabuza with crossed arms.

"Its ok Zabuza-sama this is just round 1 next round, it should kick up pretty soon." Haku boosted up her adoptive father.

"It better" moped Zabuza.

"Inuzuka Kiba was predictable. Gatsūga and most other Inuzuka's techniques required a preparation to avoid being unbalanced after the attack. In his rage, he has forgotten that. He attacked blindly and lost his balance. Akamaru who is a dog, managed to regain it's balance but Kiba did not," Naruto watched as Kiba was taken by his sensei to the spectators' area.

"Such a small but important detail, that he discerned instantly, you were taught well Naruto" praised Tsunade.

Naruto smiled, then full on blushed when his mom glomped his, nuzzling her face with his.

"That is how you know which one to attack and then end the match instantly," Sasuke concluded.

"Indeed."

"You didn't hurt him too bad, did you?" Sakura asked him.

"No, there was no need. While I will not apologize for crippling his friends, I have no interest in old grudges. He harmed what is mine, I harmed what is his. That is it," Naruto closed his eyes.

"That's so simple" said Sasuke looking at his shrugging teammate.

"So cool" said a star-eyed Obito

" So awesome" said Rin

"So like you Naruto" said Young-Kakashi carelessly.

The Toad Sannin looked at the next line and promptly fell over laughing.

Team-Kakashi shared knowing smirks as they looked at the younger Kakashi.

Everyone looked at each other before Young-Kakashi got elected to read next.

"...That's so like you Naruto," Kakashi cheerfully commented.

" No.. NO! NOO!" yelled Young-Kakashi.

"Yahh! You are finally coming around younger me!" said an ecstatic Kakashi who immediately glomped his younger self. Much to his protest.

"Poor chibi Kakashi, unfortunately for him he can expect a lot more of that" said a grinning Ice.

Naruto said nothing.

"There's the next match," Sasuke stated as he saw the board stopped shuffling.

Aburame Shino Vs Nara Shikamaru

The two Konoha genins took their position.

"Start!"

The match began and Shikamaru threw several kunais which were deflected by the Aburame.

They stopped and looked at each other.

After a tense silence, Shino raised his hand.

"I forfeit," Shino stated.

Eyes widen instantly.

"Why you ask?

"We kind of didn't though."

"Hush Sasuke-Kun"

Because it is clear that in a battle against Nara within an enclosed space as this arena is a disadvantage. In addition, as Shikamaru-san have finished preparing his trap using the kunais he threw. It is because by using those kunais, he could prepare many shadows within his territory which will end in my defeat."

"At least he explained and thought it through." Complimented Tsunade.

"We thought he was just being lazy or cowardly" said Sakura. With Naruto and Sasuke nodding in agreement.

"...troublesome," was all Shikamaru said.

"Amusing more like" said Naruto with a head shake.

"...amusing," Naruto commented.

"Hey no spoilers, Naruto" said a grinning Orchimaru.

"...rather than amusing, more like boring," Sakura shook her head and sighed.

"I agree" several voices sounded off.

"That is not true. Aburame made a good point. When fighting against a Nara in a room, it is best to win as fast as possible. They are able to control anything within their shadows. And in turn, Nara needs to win before Aburame placed his bugs on him. The strange thing here is that the Aburame did not use his bugs,"

"Why though, if they are his greatest assets?" questioned Obito

"Hold up a second, he'll explain" said Sakura.

Naruto closed his eyes again. 'Probably because of the jinchūriki. The bugs are panicking. Especially because of Nanabi. Quite an unfair situation for the Aburame. However, this is a good lesson. The Aburame clan is not effective against a jinchūriki.'

"Welp, there's that" said an intrigued Tayuya.

Uchiha Sasuke Vs Akimichi Chōji

Everyone looked at the Uchiha in question.

Naruto was glaring at him.

Sakura was shaking her head and Kakashi was snickering behind his Echi Echi book.

Through it all Sasuke blushed and looked at the floor much to the others confusion.

The two fighters moved to their respective spots.

The Akimichi seemed to be determined. 'Probably bribed by foods.'

"That's mean Sochi" said Kushina with a stern look.

Naruto just looked at her blankly.

She caved.

"Yeah you're right he probably was." She amended.

"Start!"

Now, he, Uchiha Sasuke admit that he was not a fan of mind games like his certain teammate.

Naruto grinned.

However, he accepted that sometimes taunting your enemies may help in a battle.

And faced with an enemy with easy berserk button as this, Uchiha Sasuke see this as a great chance to test his teammate's tactic.

His grin faded quickly.

"...shall we begin fat one?" he asked 'ominously'. Mentally he winced, that one sounded bad even in his mind.

"That was terrible" Tsunade, Kakashi-Sensei, Zabuza and Obito.

The rest of the room just facepalmed.

"Sasuke..." Itachi began

Sasuke looked away from his brother.

"Its ok ,not everyone can trash talk" Itachi said while signaling Jiraiya to read.

No matter how bad it sounded, it worked.

"It did it, the hell?" Zabuza and Obito said at the same causing the former to glare at the latter.

"Stay out of my head brat!"

"Remember who he's dealing with. The Akimichi clan are…" began Rin

"Sensitive fat asses?" deadpanned Young-Kakashi.

"Not the wording I would use" said a grinning Haku.

The Akimichi charged at him like a raging bull.

He smirked.

Meanwhile in the spectator area.

"...sensei."

"Yes Naruto?"

"Is my desire to punch Uchiha normal?" he asked expressionlessly.

"Like it is now" said Naruto

"Oh get over it, this was years ago." said Sasuke

"Still" said Naruto with a glare.

"Is it because his bad taunt?"

"Yes."

"Then it's normal."

"Understood."

Sasuke shuddered he felt someone's killing intent.

It is fine. It's not like his teammates are angry at him or something.

"Shows what you know"

Now, the second thing he learned from his blond teammate is to hide his fighting style.

That means no jutsu. He smirked as a plan appeared in his head.

"Baika no Jutsu! Nikudan Sensha!" (Multi-Size Technique; Human Bullet Tank) the Akimichi... grew rounder and rolled at him.

Sasuke wondered what will happen if the Akimichi is stabbed. Will air come out? And an evil idea spawned itself in the Uchiha's brain.

"Oh no. his ideas sometimes are worse then Kakashi's" said Haku.

"True but it obviously works" said Sasuke.

When the Akimichi got close, he jumped.

As expected, the Akimichi crashed into the wall.

The round ninja spun around as if drunk.

Sasuke dashed and kicked the boy up to the ceiling.

He predicted the crash site and placed his hand in a tiger seal.

The room's eyes widen in shock as the realized what was coming next.

He heard Sakura's gasp in surprise.

He heard Kakashi's giggle.

He heard Naruto's growl.

He was sure Kakashi will add that to Team seven's record.

Naruto glared at his Sensei first before going back to killing his teammate with his eyes. Much to Tayuya and his mom's snickers. 'The traitors'

However, he has a mission that he must do.

His eyes glinted.

"Konohagakure Hiden Taijutsu Ōgi: Sennen Goroshi!" (Konohagakure Hiden Secret Taijutsu Technique: One Thousand Years of Death).

He supposed the world stopped.

At least that was what he felt.

The room burst in laughter. Except for one enflamed faced Uzumaki.

Sasuke just grinned and nodded triumphantly. Nothing beats a good poke in the butt.

When the Akimichi went back to the sky with guts of wind, he felt victorious.

Seeing Naruto's twitching face made it sweeter.

"Winner, Uchiha Sasuke..." even the referee was stunned by how he won the battle.

"I'll kill him!" Naruto growled.

"...you know it got serious when Naruto start to speak like that," Sakura shook her head with a smile.

"I know right!" said several occupants.

"Now, now Naruto-kun, you can't blame Sasuke for wanting to be a cool shinobi like your sensei here!" Kakashi said with an eye smile.

Naruto felt a flashback of pain from his genin exam.

He had never been humiliated like that before.

Konohagakure Hiden Taijutsu Ōgi: Sennen Goroshi

Just hearing the 'technique's' name made him sick.

He resolved himself to kill or at least maim the smug Uchiha.

In his rage, Uzumaki Naruto forgot that he is in public.

Eyebrows found themselves rising again.

And so, when the Uchiha came back to the team, he jumped at the boy. Said boy smirked and countered him.

They... brawled.

"Die! Uchiha!"

"You first Uzumaki!"

No techniques or skills just a brawl between two kids.

"I wonder what the spectators thought" said Tsunade.

"Probably that the brawl was better then the other three fights combined" said a deadpanned Jiraiya.

"This reminds me of Kakashi and Obito" said Rin grinning at her teammates"

"Those were fun times" said Kakashi-sensei looking at his old team with a brief hint of longing.

"Hhhaahha, nothing beats a good brawl kid." Said Zabuza with a laugh.

"Of course you would say that" said both Tayuya and Haku with a deadpan.

Orchimaru shared a look with Jiraiya as if to say 'Remember the days'?

"As funny as this is how did you get them to stop?" Questioned Tsunade.

"Naruto, Sasuke we are still in the exam," Sakura told the boys.

They froze.

They stood beside each other trying to look as professional as possible.

Well at least if the brawl is forgotten they would look professional.

"You failed" said Sakura and Kakashi-Sensei

"Big time" added Itachi with a smile.

In his place, Itachi smiled.

Sasuke looked at his brother and it was true even then he was smiling.

He was glad Sasuke found good friends.

It seems his decision to place them together was not a mistake after all.

He saw Kakashi giggling while reading his book.

Then again, with a sensei like that, he doubt it.

"Oi, I'm hurt!" said Kakashi while pretending to wipe tears away.

"Shut up Bastard-sensei!" yelled his students.

"Stupid Future me…" said Young-Kakashi glaring at his future self.

"At least we know who to blame when they do more crazy things." Said Kushina looking at Naruto's team.

Yamanaka Ino Vs Temari

This will be boring. Naruto instantly concluded.

"That's sexist." Rin and Tsunade proclaimed instantly.

"Not if it's true." Kakashi-Sensei, Sasuke, and Sakura respond.

"What did you mean Naruto?" Kushina asked her son.

"Temari uses wind style ninjutsu and Ino only knew her family possession technique. If she can't land that attack on her it's useless." Naruto answered.

"That's not even counting the skill disparity between the two." Itachi added.

Though, the information of the girls' techniques may help him in the final conclusion.

"See, just like I told you"

His eyes met with his godfather's and he nodded.

Naruto made a shadow clone and wordlessly left the place.

"That was a clone?" Sakura asked

Naruto just smiled.

"Why are you here?" Naruto asked Jiraiya. The man had left Konoha to take care of his spy network. Why would he suddenly appear?

"I heard that you're entering the exam. I want to see how strong you have become," Jiraiya answered with a grin.

"...and the main reason?" he doubted the man would leave his spy network just for that. The spy network is essential for the village, he cannot leave them just because of his filial obligations.

"Why don't you try to guess? Think of it as a training."

"Typical Jiraiya "Orchimaru muttered.

Naruto closed his eyes and began to think.

Jiraiya's presence in Konoha meant that there is an important event. Something that will need his presence.

The only event in Konoha now was the exam.

However, Jiraiya has never came to other exams before. He would have at least visited their place if he was at Konoha.

Of course there is a chance that Jiraiya did not visit them and he is always here at the exam but Naruto doubted it.

Is there anything special in this exam?

The answer is clear.

"Jinchūriki."

"I don't get it" Obito immediately said.

Rin then proceeded to smack him on the back of the head.

"Ohh, hey!"

It was obvious.

"Not to Obito apparently" Young-Kakashi added, much to his teammate's chagrin.

Five of them (six if you include his mother), were here at the same time.

The jinchūriki's identities were one of the best kept secret in a village.

For them to be here at the same time is troubling.

Why would the villages send their vessels here?

To increase the village's reputation?

"That would make sense." Said Tsunade rubbing her chin.

"Wait you said botched Chunin exam, right?" Kushina questioned.

The futures just looked sheepishly shrugged.

"Spoilers!" exclaimed Sakura with a grin.

To show Konoha their strength?

"Invasion," Jiraiya stated, his face serious.

The readers made sure to pay attention to this part.

This one statement made Naruto's eyes widen as his mind furiously tried to imagine the destruction caused by five jinchūrikis attacking at the same time.

"Overkill" whispered Jiraiya.

"I agree with the Toad" Orchimaru added.

"We suspected this a month ago. We immediately made an alliance with Kumogakure to prepare for the possible invasion. Hearing your report to Kakashi confirmed it," Jiraiya's eyes met Naruto. "Kumo might be our ally, however, do not let your guard down."

"Understood," Naruto nodded.

Jiraiya stared at Naruto. "There is more isn't it? Is there anything you want to tell me?"

"...will mother join the war?" Naruto asked despite knowing the answer.

"She is a jinchūriki."

Naruto's eyes narrowed.

As they did in the room.

"...train me."

"What?" Jiraiya's serious face fell, revealing his surprise. Naruto had never asked training from him. Not even once. Usually it would be him who is dragging Naruto to train.

"Wait, why would you turn him down?" questioned Zabuza

Naruto paused for a moment then pointed at Kakashi whose nose was currently in another Echi Echi book.

"Who wrote those books and uses the Hot Springs as a means of 'training' ".

"Fair enough" The Former mist ninja nodded wisely.

"Everyone look to the screen please" Ice said while starting up the TV screen.

-On Screen-

"Teach me seals. Teach me techniques. Teach me how to fight a jinchūriki," his eyes glowed with determination.

"You want to defeat them so your mother doesn't need to fight."

Naruto nodded.

"No," Jiraiya's reply was short and clear.

"Why not?" the boy asked, his voice rising.

"If you fight a jinchūriki, you will die," Jiraiya's voice is even. As if he is merely stating a fact.

"Then teach me to survive!" Naruto shouted, his chakra rising. His mind showed the images of his mother's possible deaths, making him even more angry. His chakra slowly begins to leaks out.

"No."

"I am strong enough. I will prove it to you if I have to," Naruto's voice became cold as his chakra rose even further.

Jiraiya sighed.

Just as Naruto did in the audience.

"Kage bunshin," (Shadow clone) Naruto stated. As his hand moved into a cross position, the special clone seal.

Two Naruto clones appeared with an explosion of smokes beside him.

Jiraiya just stood there.

The clones moved to Jiraiya's position and began attacking him with punches and kicks.

Jiraiya avoided them without taking his eyes from the original Naruto.

Naruto did not move an inch and Jiraiya shook his head.

"Kid, are you going to stand there forever?"

The Naruto made several hand signs and then took a deep breath.

"Fūton: Daitoppa." (Wind Release: Great Breakthrough) a gust of wind moved in high speed to the sannin's direction.

Jiraiya jumped up to the tree and evaded the technique. He saw Naruto's two clones following him. He shifted his eyes to the Naruto who just used the wind jutsu. The Naruto exploded into smoke and Jiraiya's eyes widened.

"Rasengan." Naruto suddenly appeared behind Jiraiya and shoved the spiraling ball of chakra to the man's back.

Everyone's eyes widen in shock.

"If I didn't know any better I would say..." Rin started

"He just won" Obito and Young-Kakashi finished for her. Then they glared at each other.

The Jiraiya shocked him also by exploding into smoke.

Naruto stopped in shock. Then he was struck from behind and he knew no more.

"I should have known." Naruto said feeling disappointed in himself.

"Thank you for defending me Sochi, but you shouldn't have to fight on my accord." Kushina tries to reassure him.

Naruto woke up and saw the blue sky.

"...I lost," he whispered.

"That was pathetic," Jiraiya commented, standing neat the boy.

"...yes, it was... I lost control of my emotions and attacked without thinking. I should have noticed that I was fighting a clone."

"No, not only that. I read the report from Kakashi about your progress. You are at most mid chūnin," Jiraiya informed him. "I thought you would be low jōnin by now..."

Naruto averted his eyes in shame.

Kakashi-Sensei chose this moment to interrupt.

"Actually, Naruto my report was false. I intentionally said that, so that you would push yourself to become stronger. You were about high-chunin almost low- jōnin but Hokage-sama and myself agreed to report otherwise to push you.

Naruto eyes widen. What could he say to that.

"I forgot to mention your thoughts are projected as well, can't forget that nice detail. " Ice said with a smile.

He thought he was stronger than that. He grew overconfident. Fighting against Zabuza and Haku and surviving made him believe that he would be able to match a jōnin by now.

He should have known. In that battle, Kakashi was the one who fought Zabuza and Haku was outnumbered by Sasuke and him. Even in that situation, he nearly died. It was thanks to Sasuke's Sharingan they managed to survive.

He was foolish.

Nobody spoke just sneaking at glances at Naruto, who was looking pointedly at the screen.

"I suppose you have learned your lesson. After the preliminary is over, meet me at the training ground near your house," Jiraiya began to walk away.

"Yes, Jiraiya-sama..."

"So you do call me, 'Jiraiya-sama'." Said a happy and gloating Jiraiya much to his former teammates' annoyance.

Naruto laid there. And blankly stared at the sky.

Jiraiya thought he would be stronger than this.

When he joined team seven, how strong was he?

High genin? low chūnin?

How he barely grew stronger in that time.

Strange. He trained as usual.

Why is he not growing stronger?

He acknowledged that his body have grown. So did his repertoire of jutsu.

So why?

In contrast to him, Sasuke and Sakura grew fast.

Sasuke, who he was able to defeat with minimal effort now matched him.

Sasuke just looked to his blonde teammate and grinned condescendingly, before Haku smacked him in the back of the head.

"Oww.."

Sakura, who was barely a genin

"Heyy, the fuck Naruto?" Sakura said with a glare

"I'm sorry my past and future is being broadcasted to x-amount of people without my consent." Naruto said with a grumble.

"Hahaaaa" the entire room couldn't help but laugh at her expense.

"Barely a genin, I've never heard of that" Obito teased.

"You shouldn't talk Obito, you were the dead-last who almost failed at least she managed more than that" Rin defended.

He instantly slumped back in his seat.

The screen restarted.

Sakura, who was barely a genin managed to reach high genin level.

Sakura grits her teeth much team's amusement.

"Why?"

Uzumaki Naruto laid there and thought things over.

When Naruto returned to the preliminary area, he stared at the board.

Rock Lee Vs Shi

He saw the boy he met before jumping to the arena.

So his name is Rock Lee...

"So that's when you stopped calling him 'strange creature' ?" asked Sakura receiving a nod from Naruto.

He watched the opponent. A shinobi from Kumogakure. just by his mannerism, he knew it.

Strong.

Rock Lee will lose this match.

That was the conclusion Uzumaki Naruto reached.

He began to examine the memory his clone left him.

-On screen Naruto's Clone's memories began to play for the audience.-

Temari, the Suna kunoichi won the battle, she is a wind user. As expected from Sunagakure. Her wind would be dangerous. It would be better to fight her in close range.

Temari bested Ino with a swift gust of wind.

Gaara, the Ichibi jinchūriki won against Kabuto. Though he doubted the snake showed his real power. Used sand. Gaara Kabuto around before he surrendered the match. He would need to learn water jutsu to fight the boy.

Naruto in the room grits his teeth at the mere sight of the snake. He did smirk at Gaara throwing the glasses wearing ninja around.

Yugito, the Nibi jinchūriki, won against Tsurugi. A member of Kabuto's team. She used fire jutsu but he doubted that is the extent of her power. An unknown.

Darui, from Kumogakure won against Tenten, a kunoichi from Konoha. He used lightning jutsu. He seemed to be as strong as his teammates. Winning against them is impossible as he is now.

Everyone in the room paid rapt attention as Naruto gave a brief overview of the heavy hitters in the tournament.

Yoroi, from team snake won against Dosu from Oto. He used chakra absorption technique. Not a problem for an Uzumaki.

Kushina and Naruto shared a proud grin.

Hyūga Neji, the fabled strongest genin of Konoha, genius of Hyūga clan won against Kankuro of Ichibi's team. As expected from Hyūga, he used Jūken. Ranged battle would be the best.

Utakata, Rokubi jinchūriki won against Zaku from Oto. He used... bubbles?

"Uhh what?" the ninja from the past said together.

"He's right It was defiantly bubbles. Of course there was more to it then that but you will see later." Itachi said

- Another unknown.

Fū, Nanabi jinchūriki won against Kin from Oto. She used techniques to blind everyone in the area and defeated her with unknown method. Yet another unknown. Note: need sunglasses against her.

"That sounds very ridiculous hearing it out loud" said Naruto getting a few laughs from the others.

Now, the only people left are Sakura and Hyūga Hinata.

Future Team Kakashi just shared meaningful looks. This exchanged was not missed by other seasoned veterans in the room.

Might as well watch this match. Might be useful.

When Naruto saw the match he sighed.

Rock Lee was battered while Shi seemed to be just fine with no damage at all.

"Give up, kid. You need more experience before taking me on," the blond kumogakure shinobi advised. Naruto agreed, this Shi is one of the planted shinobi form Kumogakure, no doubt for the invasion. It is impossible for genin to fight him.

"I won't give up! I'll prove to the world that I can be strong! Even without ninjutsu or genjutsu!"

"...without ninjutsu or genjutsu?" Naruto muttered in shock.

"What!" said several shinobi who didn't know.

"Is that possible" asked Rin looking at the others.

"Well he did graduate and got admitted into the exams so…" said Jiraiya looking thoughtful.

"I've never seen that before, I wonder if it was some type of birth defect…" trailed off Tsunade.

"Indeed youthful Naruto-kun!" a loud voice shouted beside him. Naruto turned and went into defensive position. he saw the man he met with Lee. "I am Maito Gai, The Sublime Green Beast and Lee's sensei!"

"I heard the youth stuff but completely wrote it off, this way worse. Maito Gai has a clone!" exclaimed Young-Kakashi much to everyone's humor.

"I can see why you thought he was attacking you, he has that affect on people when they are not expecting him." Said Itachi with a nod.

Naruto relaxed, it seemed that this man did not mean any harm. He decided to ask his question.

"What does Lee mean? Without ninjutsu or genjutsu?" Naruto asked. It sounded illogical in his head. They are shinobi, they have to use all tools at their disposal. Why would someone want to handicap themselves?

Everyone in the room looked on as Gai explained Lee's circumstance.

"You see Naruto-kun," Gai grew serious. "Lee was born with a severe disadvantage. He has no talent in ninjutsu or genjutsu. Because of that, he was ridiculed and mocked by his peers."

Obito eyes streamed as he anime-cried for his fellow deadlast. "That's horrible, never give up Lee,!" he exclaimed with a fist pump.

"It would seem Obito found a new favorite character throughout the story." Said Tayuya much to the amusement of the others.

Not surprising, deadlasts got to stick together I suppose" Young-Kakashi said without any real heat.

"Oww. That hurt!"

Despite that he received a slap upside by Rin for his troubles. this was shifted to Lee.

Then his eyes burned, "HOWEVER! Lee never give up! He swore to become stronger and prove to the world that he could become excellent shinobi by hard work and taijutsu alone!" Then he gave a thumbs up and grinned, showing his white teeth which shone brightly.

"Oh my god, he's even more flamboyant in the future!" Young-Kakashi complained

Naruto stared at the man in surprise.

Several in the room mirrored his surprise.

He was unable to use ninjutsu and genjutsu?

Become an excellent shinobi through hard work and taijutsu alone? It sounded impossible.

The past shinobi nodded the heads in agreeance.

However, this man and the boy seemed to be good people even with their eccentrics. He would not insult their impossible dream.

Kushina and Tayuya smiles at Naruto's politeness.

"You are doubting Lee, Naruto-kun?" Gai asked with a small frown.

"...my apologies Maito-san. However, I could not imagine fighting without any ninjutsu or genjutsu. It sounded impossible to me... I meant no offence to you or Rock-san," Naruto answered.

"It is fine Naruto-kun! You just spoke what you believed in! You should not apologize for that.

Several in the room nodded at this.

"I'm still in shock that there's two taijutsu only users in the village, though Gai could use ninjutsu he just doesn't want to." Said Itachi much the others surprise.

Watch, Lee will win this battle, and then you will see how hard work can surpass even those known as geniuses."

Naruto said nothing and he just watched the battle.

Lee was getting beaten by Shi. He had to admit that Lee was fast, even faster than him but Shi is clearly not a genin.

"Lee!" Gai shouted.

Lee turned his face to his sensei while panting. Naruto doubted he could stand anymore.

"Take them off! Show the world the result of your hard work!" Gai gave what Naruto would know as 'Nice Guy Pose'. Grinning, showing his teeth and giving a thumbs up.

Lee grinned, the same grin Gai have. And gave Gai the same thumbs up.

"Yes! Gai-sensei!"

Lee took off the something from his ankles.

"...weight?"

"Weights?" asked Team-Minato

"Very old school, but it does work for perfecting taijutsu." Tsunade complimented.

"I used them when back when I was transitioning into ANBU" said Itachi causing more intrigue.

"Why?" asked Sasuke.

"Speed, my captain said I was lacking and needed to increase my natural speed before I could get the needed experience." The elder Uchiha explained.

Naruto asked Gai. He is familiar with that method of training. He trained the same way, but what would it do? He do not believe that removing some weights would help.

"Watch Naruto-kun, Lee's hard work."

Naruto returned his eyes to the match.

The ground shook.

"...what?" Naruto stared blankly at the places where Lee dropped his weights.

There were craters.

The ones who were there gasped despite being in attendance.

The newcomers could only gasp with widen eyes.

"NO WAY!" Rin, Obito and Young-Kakashi yelled.

"...impossible..."

'I won't feel that way later after what happens soon.' Thought Naruto

Naruto doubted he would be able to move even tenth of Lee's speed wearing those kind of weights. It showed him the clear difference between the boy and himself.

Kushina briefly glanced at her son.

After that, Lee... disappeared.

At least that is what Naruto saw.

He could not see the boy's movement. He just saw Shi being beaten without being able to fight back. Naruto could see blur of green striking Shi and then the blur disappeared.

"What" Rin began.

"In "Obito added.

"The" Young-Kakashi added

"Hell!" They finished together.

"Hey brats! What technique was that?" questioned Zabuza Team-Kakashi asked the calmly watching Team-Kakashi.

"Zabuza-sama I don't think it was a technique, that was actually pure speed." Haku said calmly

"But that speed is slightly over Jonin level, the fuck!" Zabuza argued.

"He has a point ya know" said Kakashi and Young-Kakashi drawing a few snickers from his team.

"I knew he was slowly corrupting you" said Obito with triumphant grin much to the Younger Kakashi's disgust.

By the time Lee stopped, Shi fell and Lee was declared victorious.

"Unbelievable..." Naruto muttered.

"Did you see Naruto-kun? That is the result of all his pain. The result of all his hard work."

Naruto nodded. His face still reflected his surprise.

The boy is strong.

Everyone was in agreement on that.

Not only because of his strength now.

But also because he was able to do all this without ninjutsu or genjutsu.

He saw Jiraiya waving at him. He met the man's eyes and the Sannin grinned.

And then Naruto understood. The reason of his slow growth. The reason of his weakness.

He forgot his goal. To surpass his father.

"With so much going on I kind of forgot that was his goal." Said a sheepish Kushina looking at her son.

"Same here" agreed the Sannin.

"I'm excited for the next big reveal." said Rin with a smile.

He trained simply because he did. He had no motivation.

He had no drive. But now... surpassing his father does not interest him.

"Really?"

"We were literally just talking about that."

"What is it?"

He met friends, friends who saw him as Uzumaki Naruto instead of Namikaze Minato's son.

Naruto looked at his genin team they grinned, smiled or waved at him.

He smiled back.

So, why did he train? Why should he keep fighting?

What is his purpose?

"Much to think over" said Obito while creasing his eyebrows and adopting a 'Nara' hand signal.

Naturally he gets a few laughs.

Haruno Sakura Vs Hyūga Hinata

Sakura instantly flinch with several veterans in the room caught.

Naruto watched.

Her Savior is watching her.

Wait Ice, you didn't say we would be seeing things from her point of view" said Sasuke looking a bit upset.

I didn't? Oh I could have sworn I said this book includes more then just Naruto's POV. Meh, the chapter is almost over just watch." Said a Ice while waving off the Uchiha's concerns.

Are we really ignoring the fact that she called hoim her Savior here? Questioned Kushina with concern.

We heard it, we were just pretending that we didn't" said Naruto

She saw the girl who dared to be placed in the same team as Him.

Obito and Rin shared disbelieving looks.

She restrained her anger.

She would show her.

She would break her.

Young-Kakashi just stared with his mouth forming a gasp that wouldn't come out.

This just went from a seven to an eleven, real quick." Said Zabuza with wide eyes.

Tsunade looks at Sakura and ask something that has been bugging her for a while. " Is the part you was eluding to early with the Uchiha?

With wide eyes Sakura could nod, not able to say anything.

When the referee gave the signal to start, Hyūga Hinata smiled.

Of course she didn't have to…

Everyone in the area stared in shock. Well, almost everyone... Gaara's face showed nothing.

Sasuke snorted at this.

Most of the foreign ninjas did not expect this level of brutality from Konoha.

The Konoha ninjas did not expect the sight before them.

Sakura closes her eyes, not wanting to see her brutal beatdown.

Naruto just covered his face with both hands, while Tayuya and Kushina rubbed his back not knowing what caused him to do so.

'Tendo, this is your fault, completely' Naruto thought

'sorry master, I got caught up in the moment' Tendo responds.

'No shit' Naruto thought angrily.

-On screen Hinata instantly began her attack. -

The quiet Hyūga heiress beat her opponent with precision and swiftness that would made any chūnin green in envy.

First when Haruno Sakura tried to greet her, she smiled and greeted back.

Then she moved closer saying that she did not want to battle another Konoha ninja.

When the girl let her guard down, she struck.

"Foolish girl, never let your guard down!" Orchimaru instantly berated her.

"Trust me Orchi she knows that now" said Naruto with a grimace.

'Very ironic coming from him' said a voice within Naruto's mindscape.

Sakura just nods her head, not turning away from the screen.

Yūhi Kurenai knew that Hinata had been different since Kumogakure tried to kidnap her but she was not expecting this.

"Don't they ever learn? I would've thought they was over those piss poor tactics" berated Kushina.

Haruno Sakura was currently being attacked without stopping.

And all people could do is watch in shock.

Same as those in the room.

"To think a fellow Konoha ninja could be this ruthless, that's fucked up" said a surprised Zabuza.

Getting nods around.

Hinata felt her face transforming into a grin.

Just a little more. She could see the girl body becoming weaker and weaker.

'This is so sick, listening to that deranged girl's thoughts." Said Obito getting nods from everyone else.

"Honestly I didn't even want to admit her into the shinobi core due to her mindset, but not allowing an heiress to a prestigious clan like the Hyuga is political suicide for any kage." Said Itachi.

"Right not to mention Konoha has admitted those who failed their psychiatric test.", said Jiraiya.

Just one more strike from her and the girl would die.

This draws several looks to Sakura even though she was sitting in the room with them, obviously healthy.

And then He would praise her.

Unfortunately this gives Naruto looks as well, much to his annoyance.

She moved.

Haruno Sakura learnt what it meant to be a kunoichi when she was in Nami.

Sakura nodded at this truth.

She saw how Naruto killed and how he shaken he was.

The room looked at Naruto immediately putting him on the spot.

"I wasn't shaken at all, du..., uhh I mean I just came to the decision that it was pointless action on the whole" Naruto defended with a slight blush.

"Me thinks he doeth protest too much" Sasuke whispers loudly to Haku which cause the room to laugh a bit.

"Die Uchiha! Naruto yelled.

"You first!" Sasuke indulged.

"Boys!"

"Sorry Sensei!/Sorry Brother!" The two said at the same time.

She knew that one day she would have to do the same thing.

However, she did not expect her former classmate's betrayal.

"Neither did we" said the room as a whole.

She tried to win the battle without harming the girl. Thinking that she could speak with her.

But now, she cannot feel her chakra, her legs shaking to withstand her weight.

She cannot move her hands.

She moved her eyes to her opponent.

She saw Hinata grinning.

She closed her eyes and prepared to face her death.

It happened in an instant.

When everyone snapped out of their shock, they saw an amazing sight.

Sakura eyes widen.

Obito was drooling at the sight.

Young-Kakashi and Rin had stars in their eyes.

Tsunade was looking at them in wonder.

Orchimaru and Zabuza grinned.

Jiraiya and Kushina wiped their eyes thinking about Minato in the moment.

Sasuke and Naruto shared a look and grinned.

Tsunade and Tayuya smiled.

Haku rubbed Sakura's back in comfort while smiling at her.

Uchiha Sasuke was carrying his female teammate in the famed 'princess carry'.

And Uzumaki Naruto stopping the Jūken strike of Hyūga Hinata using his hand.

"Good job kids" said Jiraiya and Kakashi-sensei.

"That was really cool" gushed Rin.

Naruto and Sasuke seemed to glow under the praise.

"...this battle is over," Naruto stated. "You have won. There is no reason to prolong this."

The Hyūga relaxed, as if she was in bliss.

Her Savior declared her as the winner.

Kushina frowned deeply before turning to Naruto.

"You never told us what happened exactly." She said getting the room's attention.

"Uh, umm… spoilers?" he attempted to reply.

She just sighed.

She could feel her body heating up.

Eyebrows rose.

"I don't know what's going on with her mind, but that sounded dirty even for me." Said Tsunade getting a nod from Orchimaru in confirmation.

Tayuya frowned a bit before setting her jaw. Tendo decided to give his opinion to the Uzumaki in question.

'Good thing she already knows about her obsession otherwise you two would be having some awkward conversations huh, master?'

'Most definitely' Naruto agreed.

Naruto watched the Hyūga as Sasuke gave Sakura to the medical team.

This Hyūga is dangerous.

If he and Sasuke were late even for a second, Sakura would have died.

Several people nodded in agreeance.

When Sakura nearly died, his body moved to stop it.

This was similar to what happened in Nami.

The room's occupants briefly spared looks to Team-Kakashi before looking back at the screen.

Then his mind flashed to what Sasuke muttered on their return trip from Nami.

When a person... has something important they want to protect... that's when they can become truly strong.

Naruto looked at him in confusion when he heard that.

But now...

Naruto saw the medic moving in hurry to save his teammate.

Naruto saw how Sasuke shook in rage as he stared at the Hyūga.

When a person... has something important they want to protect... that's when they can become truly strong.

Naruto stared at his hands. He realized his hand had been clenching since a while ago.

Uzumaki Naruto stared.

His mind flashed to the time he spent with his teammates, with his sensei.

With his friends.

Uzumaki Naruto's eyes shone with a new determination.

The Sannin nodded their head in agreeance.

It seems that he had a purpose after all.

Uchiha Sasuke did not know what just happened.

"Oh god now its my point of view now" Sasuke complained.

"At least its not the whole book" Naruto sneered back at him.

When he met Haruno Sakura, he believed that she was a fangirl.

"Why does it keep bringing that up?!" she snapped. Much to the room's amusement.

When he met Uzumaki Naruto, he hated him.

But after they spent their time together as team seven, they became close.

They are his friends.

Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura all share grins.

He remembered what Haku told him.

When a person... has something important they want to protect... that's when they can become truly strong.

He believed it.

Because she said it with so much conviction.

And now, he saved his friend from death.

He realized, from his time with team seven.

Surpassing Itachi is not his goal anymore.

His brother spared him a proud look.

He has a new goal now.

When Jiraiya and Itachi saw what team seven did, they smiled in pride.

Same as they were now .

Itachi knew that his brother had become a good man. A shinobi he and his clan could be proud of.

Jiraiya realized that Naruto had learned what is strength, what it means to be strong.

"Hyūga."

Hinata's head turned to her Savior.

"If you try to kill Sakura again, clan heir or not, you will die," Sasuke warned.

"Yeah Cousin, you tell her!" cheered Obito

"Nothing to say to that Kakashi?" asked Rin looking for conflict between the two only to receive nothing.

"Nope the Hyuga girl went too far." Young-Kakashi answered her.

"I will not allow our friends to be harmed by anyone. Neither will Sasuke," Naruto stated. "We will fight to protect our precious people..."

Sasuke smirked when he heard Naruto saying that. He continued Naruto words, "because when we fight for something we want to protect..."

"We will become strong. That is our nindō. Our ninja way," Naruto ended.

Hearing their words, Kakashi smiled behind his mask. One of his few true smile since Minato's death.

Everyone looked at Kakashi-Sensei who was for once not latched unto his younger self but had his face buried behind a book.

Most thought he was reading, but a few noticed his giggles seem a bit forced.

"Obito, Rin, sensei... you would be proud..."

Team Minato just grin widely with the adults smiling all the while.

AN: I have no excuses, partly due to the fact that i graduated college with a Bachelors and Associates, I've been really busy. I made deadlines for my self and did not keep it, please for give me. In other news Im going to start my Code Geass story soon. Tell me how i can improve without flaming and I will consider your ideas.

Dont forget to read, write, and please please review it really does help motivate authors..