Yo, I know it's been since Christmas. Just had so much trouble getting this how I wanted and even then I'm still not the most satisfied with some of it. I wanted to put more in but it'd taken this long already I didn't want to leave everyone hanging because of getting blocked.

Anyway, I won't say much other than this chapter kicks everything off for this period. Hope ya like it and I'll stop blabbering now.

On with the Chapter!

The crowd's roaring was audible through even the thick stone walls, something that still brought a bit of a smile to Jiraiya's face even as he set about this new task. He had been enjoying the view from the leader's box, the aftertaste of fine sake reminding him even now of the comforts afforded to the 'higher crust' of society. Not to mention quite a lot of ladies were dressed to the nines and the high view let him get a good peak. Oh such pretty wrappings and all for his experienced eyes to watch without fear of retribution.

All of that he can no longer sample because his student just had to stumble onto things getting kicked off. 'To quote a certain clan motto this is so troublesome,' he mentally grumbled while one eye was kept firmly watching the little red amphibian on his shoulder. 'Still we knew what was coming…the damn snake couldn't pass up a chance to get a little publicity with his payback after all.'

With that reminder to himself the veteran decided now was as good a time as any and raised one hand. Index and middle fingers straightened together while the others curled, one half of the two-handed 'ram' sign. A flare of chakra and in the next moments it was like all the flamboyant colors of the sage were siphoned from his body. Each step caused the large figure to grow increasingly transparent, soon only a mere shimmer of movement left any evidence of his continued existence and even that faded in time. Next to vanish was the clack of his wooden geta against the tiles, a feat most would have considered impossible…unless one was a shinobi of course. "It's time to give a little revenge subterfuge," his voice muttered from nowhere. Jiraiya, the most eye-catching of his team in terms of personality and presentation, had vanished as if he never existed in the first place.

XXXXX

Naruto loved a good fight. A real brawl got his heart pumping like crazy and he spent a lot of time simply fighting with his clones. All the different styles of combat he had seen just in the preliminaries alone had him on the edge just to see what would happen next. He had been torn in that entire showing, half of him wanting to just get on the floor and get a fight going while the other half loved all the fights going on.

So for anyone who knew this it wasn't too surprising that he had a moment being unable to look away from the start of Sasuke's match. The moment Genma let his arm drop and declared the match open Sasuke leaped back and Gaara's sand lifted from the ground. Naruto expected a wave of ground up soil to rush his teammate, but the sand faltered in the air. Blue eyes narrowed when he saw Gaara flinch, one hand rushing to cradle his forehead as if suffering a sudden migraine.

The deep rumble of a hum in the back of his mind told him the Kyubi was paying attention. 'He's close to snapping isn't he?'

'He is. Worse than that, now that I'm paying attention and Shukaku is acting up I can get a feel for how much he's tortured his host. Your little friend down there better be ready to move, and you better focus out again. Your captain is watching you.'

He blinked, shaking his head and looking to the side. Kakashi was, indeed, there and his lone visible eye was staring at him. He felt that rush of annoyance at the look, remembering how the man had simply dropped a tutor on him then ran off to train Sasuke. Neither of them had known about the redhead playing host to a biju at the time, and Neji had shown just how far he was willing to take things too. And he gets the guy Naruto could knock out with his anti-pervert maneuver. He forced such thoughts back, they weren't helping anyone right now and he was worried about something more important anyway. "Sorry sensei, did you say something?"

There was enough of a pause for the white-haired jonin to blink at the question, before the loudest snort any of them had ever heard rang out. As one all eyes turned to the origin, a tall man dressed in a disturbingly tight green jumpsuit and sporting a pair of eyebrows so thick one would be forgiven in suspecting they were truly a pair of furry caterpillars merely hitching a ride on his face. This man, who Naruto recognized as the sensei to Neji, was currently holding a hand to his mouth trying to keep himself from bellowing out in laughter.

"You…hehe…you've really been teaching…hah…your students your ways eh Kakashi?" he managed to get out between snickers. They gave him a little time to get ahold of himself which he eventually managed to do, straightening his posture and gasping somewhat at the loss of air he had been suffering. "You must be spending enough time to pass on such habits."

"Not really," Naruto shrugged and turned to look back at the fight. He did so just in time to see his teammate destroying a sand copy of his opponent with a palm strike, scattering the protective substance for an opening the dark-haired teen intended to take full advantage of by stepping in for a punch. Formless sand rose to block, and likely capture, the offending limb…but then just before his bandage-wrapped knuckles could brush the obstacle he vanished.

Naruto's eyes narrowed as Sasuke reappeared behind Gaara, his stance shifting into what that was incredibly familiar…but not the stance he normally used. Gaara turned, expression of shock visible even from this distance, and Sasuke's punch slammed into his open cheek with enough force to send him flying a few meters. The sand acted immediately, rising up in large tendrils to catch him midflight, lowering him gently to the ground where he crouched, staring at where the genin still stood. He had taken a more taunting stance, his body angled with right shoulder pointed forward, that arm raised palm up almost as if beckoning him to attack with that familiar cocky smirk on his lips.

'That's not his normal stance or style,' Naruto thought, his frown growing deeper as he began to put the small pieces together. 'In fact, those look just like—' he turned to where he now realized Lee was standing, leaning against the crutch he needed to use to walk since his fight with Gaara 'his techniques.'

"Kakashi," all local eyes turned to Lee's sensei, who was now staring intently at the battlefield. "You taught him my style." It was most certainly not a question, but there was a definite desire for an explanation in his tone.

"Only the basics of footwork I've observed during our career together Gai," he replied. "During Lee's fight against him I noticed it seemed an effective tool in bypassing the barrier, so during our training I augmented his traditional interceptor style with the more aggressive nature of your Goken to give him an edge."

"An interesting thought and one that's obviously effective," the taller jonin acknowledged, one hand rising to stroke his chin in thought. The serious expression was odd to see on the face of the normally 'over enthusiastic' man, and the contrast seemed to create an even greater draw in others to pay attention to his words. "But I don't think it will be enough."

"Why's that?" Sakura, who Naruto just realized was sitting nearby, voiced her curiosity. But it wasn't either sensei who answered.

"Stamina," they turned to Naruto, who had yet to look away from where Sasuke was now running circles around Gaara for more than a moment, the later of whom was protected by a hovering ring of sand. "From what I've seen when Lee was fighting Gaara the style is built around constant and overwhelming force. Hit them hard and keep hitting until they're so broken they can't hit back. The drawback is to do it right you need a crapton of stamina to pull it off. Sasuke isn't a drawn-out fighter, in every spar we've had he always fights by making openings and taking advantage of them. Two months isn't enough to change up a style that much without leaving quite a bit of rough spots." Something Naruto would know, given what his own training with Jiraiya had been doing. "Which means unless he can end this quick, Sasuke will burn out."

"Exactly," was Gai's response just as Sasuke appeared from the blur he had been creating to roll beneath the ring and use his momentum to come up with a rising kick into Gaara's chest. Still in the air he flipped to grab the straps of that gourd's harness, pulling the reeling Suna genin in for a follow-up knee to the face. Before the sand could close in, Sasuke put both feet to his target's chest and sprung back, sending the redhead stumbling while he performed a short series of backflips to create space.

A nudge at his shoulder had the blonde looking back and meeting the hidden gaze of Shino. "As interesting as the match may be, I believe we came here for a reason."

The blonde frowned, searching the recent memories before his eyes widened in realization. With a curse he turned back to his team's captain. "Kakashi-sensei, we think there's a problem." When the scarecrow turned to him, single visible eye sporting a curious raised eyebrow as invitation to continue, Naruto pointed back toward the doorway the three genin had come from.

He started moving toward it, Shino and Kiba falling in almost instinctively. There was a moment where he thought he may not follow but dared not look back until the trio were inside. The relief he felt when he turned back to find the jonin had followed was shoved aside for now. He was not expecting Sakura to have followed but only gave her a quick nod before glancing over her shoulder. Gai and Lee had followed, the taller of the bush-browed men leaning against the wall, his left side just visible in the doorway as he kept watch on both the crowd and fight below. Glad to know he was being taken seriously he patted Kiba on the back as indication to explain. And once again the story of his being knocked unconscious was told.

"And then after I told these two what happened Naruto summoned this little red frog—ugh" a smack to Kiba's head broke his train of thought as he glanced back to find the blonde glaring at him.

"They're toads Kiba. You better be happy I don't have one here with me or they'd go tell Gamabunta about that and then I'd have to deal with demands to teach that upstart what the difference between frog and toad is, and I wouldn't get an ounce of peace." He glanced at Kakashi but didn't seem to have any sort of reaction. He arched an eyebrow at that but let his sensei absorb the information.

That single eye narrowed, searching his student's face for any other details but shook his head. "Well, if your little messenger made it to the man I suspect you've been learning under in Ebisu's place then I believe he will have the situation at hand. Still, I suggest you two—" he pointed to the two members of Team Eight "—go tell your sensei what is going on. If the person who knocked Kiba out is an infiltrator it would be good to have others prepared."

"That won't be necessary." There was a brief moment where all spun toward the voice, hands going instinctively to weapon pouches, save for Sakura who had arrived in the garment of a civilian given she was not expecting any sort of action she would be participating in. They all stared at the figure in a white robe, the hood drawn up so that only the mask they sported was visible. The pure white of the material used to create it was marked with red paint, designed to create the image of a boar. "Peace," he spoke while holding his hands up to show no weapons. "I have been ordered by Hokage-sama to retrieve Naruto Uzumaki for an important matter."

Kakashi had yet to relax himself, instead raising a hand to perform a series of signs. One hand rose to make three quick signs, to which the man nodded. "Alright then Naruto, you'd best answer the summons. We will keep on watch for the one who incapacitated Kiba."

Naruto turned to his comrades, the two male genin sharing a nod with him, and then stepped up to the Anbu. As he placed a hand on the teen's shoulder he turned to Sakura, the pinkette's light green eyes staring after him in worry. Summoning a courage he didn't quite truly feel he gave a smile and thumb's up in the stereotypical nice-guy pose. "Cheer Sasuke on for me," he told her. "And if he wins before I get back tell him he better be ready for me to knock him off that Uchiha pedestal he's on."

She nodded, some of the tension easing from her, and then he felt the rush of energy as his body moved. A sense of intense vertigo, like reliving when Jiraiya knocked him off the cliff all over again but condensed into a single moment. Smoke erupted into his vision and it ended as immediately as it began, the hand dropping from his shoulder just as his legs buckled underneath him.

"Easy," the Anbu braced him up. "Traveling by Shunshin can be a bit of a scramble on your body the first few times. Take slow, steady breaths and stand back up once you've gotten it under control." He nodded, forcing himself to inhale and exhale on counts of five, concentrating only on the count until he finally felt the world stop spinning from underneath him. When he felt he could move again he nodded to his escort and began lifting himself up. This was when he took notice of just who all was in the room with him…and boy did he feel like an idiot not realizing.

The room was not incredibly large, but enough to fit what looked to be a couch and cushions to sit now stacked against the floor. And it was filled with Anbu, all dressed in combat gear minus the cloaks like the one that had retrieved him. These weren't dressed to put others at ease by hiding weapons, they were ready to fight and didn't care who saw it. Standing at the head of this large group was Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, but he was not dressed in the normal regalia of a Hokage.

The older man was dressed in a slightly formfitting black jumpsuit with mesh sections over the cuffs of his shirt and pants. His right arm sported a protective metal bracer while a protective helmet of green metal segments attached to a black bandana protected his head. "Genin Uzumaki," the strictly business-like way in which he addressed his surrogate grandson made it clear this was a time for serious behavior. "I was informed by Jiraiya you have obtained an ability to switch objects within a certain space."

Almost on instinct Naruto snapped to attention, arms locked at his side and facing the old man with his own serious expression. "Yes Hokage-sama," he answered.

"What's your limit on distance?"

"The most I've been able to manage is a fifty-meter switch."

"Is it chakra intensive?"

"Yes, during our training it draws on stamina and chakra combined. I've been able to draw from one or the other but it's less of a strain if I use both."

Hiruzen frowned in thought, considering the words before he turned to nod at something past Naruto. At the sound of movement, the padding of feet against the tiled floor, the blonde looked over his shoulder to see a large man approaching. "Uzumaki-san," sporting the mask design of a bear's face. He held up a small plastic case, the length of a finger and slightly wider than a grown man's thumb. This little thing was split into three sections, each holding what appeared to be a different colored food pill, similar to the ones he saw Kiba and Akamaru using during their fight in the preliminaries.

"These are pills made and distributed among members of the Akimichi Clan," Kuma explained as he opened the first section, pulling out a green pill. "They are a special recipe designed to convert fat cells and carbohydrates into excess chakra, multiplying the effects of a food pill substantially."

"Okaaay?"

"Take it Naruto," Hiruzen ordered. "It will have some side effects but just using the first pill won't harm you, merely exhaust once the effect wears off. Use the excess chakra to fuel a wider range, we'll need your technique to turn an attack against us on its head should it happen."

Naruto nodded, taking the green pill and rolling it between thumb and finger. "So it's happening?"

"The tip you sent Jiraiya makes me believe so," he replied. "He's moved to investigate while my clone keeps the daimyo and others occupied. Don't eat it yet, you need the immediate boost. Just wait for orders."

He nodded, keeping it ready while looking around. "Where are we anyway?"

"The resting suite for Hokage and guests during intermissions," the Sandaime replied. "We're a little below the box where my clone is sitting with my guests." He pointed to another member of the group waiting instructions, a woman judging by the slight curving of her armor. Unlike most of the group gathered in the room, she was not wearing a mask either, letting Naruto see the pale blue eyes and light blonde hair that reminded Naruto strongly of Ino.

"This is Suzume of the Yamanaka—" oh so that's why "—I have a member of the clan watching the stadium whilst remaining hidden. They will make contact with her using their specialized techniques in the unfortunate case of us being attacked. After a brief observation period he will make contact with her. Once she does they will share an image with us both. Once I give the order you will take the pill and as soon as you feel the effect you will activate your technique and switch out those I order. Understood?" Naruto nodded. "Good, then just try to relax until then. Sasuke's match is still going on from what has been reported."

"Wait," a thought had occurred to Naruto as he studied the pill, a question he needed answered. "If you want me to just use a crapload of chakra to do this…couldn't I just…" a hand gripped the shirt over his belly, letting all there know exactly what he was asking.

"Flooding an area with the chakra of a biju can cause issues Naruto. Many shinobi with the sensory ability would be overloaded with the sheer pressure of it if you draw on too much. Not to mention most here have felt the fox's chakra before…and the memories tied with it could cause someone to get a little to reactive thinking you've lost control. I think this method is best alternative."

Thinking over the explanation Naruto gave a nod and moved to the couch, collapsing into it and leaning back as far as it would allow. He was shaking, he noted, lifting his hand to look at the slight tremors moving through it. The hand dropped and he closed his eyes with a sigh. 'What do you think about all this partner?'

"Your leader seems to have a decent strategy in mind. Though I don't see why it would be so bad for me to give you chakra. It has been years since it was last felt by these paranoid little monkeys."

'Doesn't matter, people are stupid in the worst ways, they see red chakra they'll think it's your second coming. Besides, I can't just rely on your chakra. What if someone does that seal like that snake bastard used in the forest?'

"…I will concede that is a concern. Very well, but I insist we find a way to at least face Shukaku's host. That upstart tanuki needs a good thumping to remind him who the real alpha is every now and then.'

'I'll do my best.' He moved the little case between thumb and finger, the dark green reminding him of spinach leaves for some reason. 'Still if this thing does like they said I'm glad I ate that little meal before all this crap. Extra fuel right?'

'Yes, though given I am reliant on you maintaining good health in order to facilitate both of our continued existences I will still reinforce your body when you take the pill. Make sure any detriment caused by side effects are minimal.'

'That's all I was planning to ask for anyway so I'll gladly take it. Thanks Aka.'

'For the last time that is NOT my name you insufferable human brat!'

"Pre-mission shakes?" his eyes snapped up to find Suzume standing over him, a kind smile on her face. "A lot of people get them. Is it fear?"

Putting aside teasing his tenant for the time being he looked down at his still shaking hands. "I…I don't think so? I mean I was scared on our C-Rank when we fought a few rogue-nin but it went away pretty quickly."

"Then it might not be fear after all," she said. "Do you know of adrenalin?"

"A chemical produced by a gland in the brain," Naruto's face scrunched, the young blonde trying to pull the information from the book he'd read back to the fore. "It helps give the body a boost as part of some reaction to…damn."

"The fight or flight response," the Yamanaka filled in. "I work as a field medic primarily, so I have some knowledge on the subject. Basically it gives the boost so your body can either fight or flee better depending on the stimuli and your reaction to it. Basically, your mind is telling your body something is about to happen. Your body responds by gearing up, hence the shakes."

"So this is just my body getting ready then?" oddly enough as he asked this, the shakes subsided somewhat. It was almost as if he was putting them to the back of his mind now he realized it wasn't a bad thing. He breathed a sigh, letting some of the building tension finally leave his body as he gave a nod to the woman. "Thanks for that."

"That's the job of us veterans," she chirped with a smirk before she twisted her features, trying to look older, hunching her shoulders and speaking like some withered older woman. "We need to make sure we pass on wisdom to you whipper snappers and make sure you don't do stupid stuff because you're too headstrong to think for yourselves."

They both collapsed into laughter at that, seemingly unaware of the slight chuckles or sighs from the masked forces around them. Still, they knew what she was doing and approved, the conversation they had been privy to as Hiruzen explained the plan let them all know that the genin's ability was a linchpin to turning any surprise attack on its head. A subtle evacuation had been performed in the village already, anyone not attending the exams were quickly hustled to shelters using various subtle techniques in order to avoid arousing suspicion, a few of the more powerful members were already stationed not only amongst the crowd above under disguise but several high-ranking jonin were in the village at strategic points to intercept would-be invaders. None of this was something the boy needed to be aware of, but knowing he was feeling better up to the task would be better for all of them as well.

Naruto was about to make another comment when Suzume suddenly sat straight, eyes unfocused as if staring into space. She gave a sharp nod and turned to place a hand on the teen's shoulder. "Hokage-sama! I've been given the confirmation, it's started."

Hiruzen appeared suddenly before the unmasked two, though whether it was a smokeless Shunshin or pure speed Naruto had no way of guessing and no time to even ponder because the old man was already talking. "Details."

"A series of feathers have begun to fall, some sort of genjutsu meant to distract the mind while a secondary effect puts those with dropped guards asleep. The majority of the crowd has begun to succumb to the technique."

"Connect us."

Suzume nodded and stood, the hand on Naruto's shoulder moving to his forehead while her other touched the Hokage's. In an instant Naruto felt his vision change, instead of looking at a slender palm he now was looking down on the stadium itself. As described people all over were falling asleep, while Shinobi who managed to break through stood up looking around in confusion or suspicion. Then something happened that threw Naruto off, because suddenly those dressed like shinobi from Suna, Konoha's ally, began to attack the Konoha shinobi.

"It seems Orochimaru used his silver tongue to turn an ally into an enemy," he heard Hiruzen say. "Turn to the VIP booth. I need to see what is going on there." The gaze shifted as ordered, and Naruto gasped. Standing on the roof of the box was his grandfather figure, his clone most likely considering who was giving orders in this vision after all, with a kunai to his neck. This blade was held by an arm curling around his right arm from behind, it belonged to a man dressed in the robes of the Kazekage who was just now…PULLING HIS FACE OFF!?

"Calm yourself Naruto!" he felt a hand clench his shoulder, Hiruzen trying to stop his panic. "You'll disrupt the image and I need details!" He clenched his teeth, forcing his breathing to level out before tapping the hand to show he was better. It squeezed that shoulder, a last reassurance before dropping away.

Naruto turned his attention back to the vision to find the man was done with the face lift, revealing a new one underneath. A face bearing skin almost as white as bone, a curtain of hair the color of ebony falling from its bind as the man tossed the Kazekage's hat away. He saw the lips moving, man and copy making conversation, but he had never learned to read lips. Then he noticed movement further along the roof.

Four strangers, each dressed in some kind of cream-colored tunic with thick ropes of purple wrapped around their waists, were locked in combat with Konoha shinobi. The Yamanka was focusing on Hiruzen and his attacker though so he couldn't get too much detail, other than the fact the four were keeping the two isolated. Suddenly, Naruto blinked and found himself back within his own body. Suzume had released her hold on his forehead, keeping Hiruzen in the vision as he began to speak.

"Identify thirty civilians including the daimyo and his wife," he ordered through the connection. "When Suzume reconnects Naruto identify them, they will be a target of his second switch." Suzume pulled her hand away, blinking as she came back to herself while the Hokage turned to face the room. "Everyone, this is what we've been preparing for. The snake has come to our forest, it's time we cut the head off and show we are not to trifled with. Kuma, Hyo, Hebi and Yume to my side now."

Four moved at his command, joining him to stand next to Naruto, animal masks expressionless and any physical features hidden by their uniforms. Though Naruto did note that one of them was not animal themed, this mask was instead designed with a mixture of faint lines in ripples over its pale surface. It was like a shimmer in water when the light played over it, giving it a slight shimmer like a heat mirage.

"Naruto," Hiruzen's voice pulled him from the mask and back to the matter at hand. "Your first switch will be myself and these four. You will be switching me with my clone and these four with others attacking those defending Orochimaru. They will be best equipped to keep them occupied while I deal with the main issue. My clone will have further instructions. Understood?"

"Yes sir."

"Then we need to hurry. Are you ready?"

Naruto glanced to Suzume, who gave an encouraging smile, before tightening his grip on the case holding the food pill. "My body is ready Hokage-sama," he said.

"Good, then you best fire up that power of yours."

The blonde nodded and with a thought called up the bubble of translucent air to hover above his palm. "Room!" that cry was accompanied by a flick of the wrist and the bubble expanded, phasing through the ceiling and floor as if they weren't even there. Immediately his senses were flooded with new information, every person within his range now burned in his mind as if he could see them. Reaching out to his personal world he pointed a hand at the five shinobi and turned it as if twisting something. "Tenso!"

There was a blur of movement and suddenly the Hiruzen in battle garb was replaced by one in the robes of a Hokage. In place of the four Anbu now stood four others, all stumbling at the sudden change in location and scenery. They were on guard immediately, blades at the ready to attack only for the other Hiruzen to bark out for them to stop. "This was part of the plan," he explained. No sooner had he said that before a loud crash from above shook the area they were standing. "It seems I've already begun the fight." He turned to Naruto. "I would suggest eating the pill Naruto. Suzume, please prepare the connection."

The genin nodded, pulling the pill out of its case. He gave a smile at the rush of warmth flowing out from his belly into the rest of his body and sent a sense of gratitude to the back of his mind before popping it into his mouth. It tasted awful, a horrible sensation washing over his tongue but having tasted a devil fruit he found it manageable and swallowed it despite the insistence of a gag reflex to do the opposite.

Upon a few seconds after ingesting the green ball he felt a rush of heat, similar to the quick burst from the fox, but far more intense. His eyes were closed so he wasn't the first to notice the outward change it wrought on his person, but all the Anbu and Hiruzen could see it clearly.

It was no secret that when it came to chakra Naruto was a powerhouse. Those who had trained in sensing others were left appalled, some even terrified, at how large his reserves had grown. They had compared him to the Sandaime, finding he was just shy of their arguably most powerful person in the village. Now, as the pill worked its effect into Naruto's body, a veritable storm of chakra erupted. Blue light began to shine around him, clothes ruffling in a wind only he seemed to experience. When those eyes opened again, those blue pools were glowing as well.

At Hiruzen's nod Naruto reached his hand out again and the Room, which had one side of its range still visible, suddenly expanded. No one in the room could see the limit now, but through the eyes of her partner Suzume saw a massive translucent bubble stretch out to encapsulate the entire stadium, even beyond the far wall where he stood was within this new limit. For Naruto himself it was a rather intense experience, for while he had trained using clones to get a feel for the information provided there was by far more activity in the stadium and this radius was not something he had reached in their training. He felt every person in the stands slumped over in a forced unconsciousness, he felt every shinobi clashing, and he felt the massive box of energy that seemed to have jumped into existence, pushing away his own field, creating a massive blind spot in what was an otherwise perfect vision.

He was given no time to contemplate the change, as Suzume placed her palm to his forehead and he was immediately assaulted with the change in vision again. This sight and his feedback from the Ope no Mi's ability overlapped, changing to let him not only feel, but to see what was happening. In his mind's eye thirty-two of these people suddenly gained a faint yellow glow, civilians marked to be switched out with the men and women around him.

"Time to begin the counterattack," was the simple words of Hiruzen's clone.

The order given, Naruto raised his hands and intoned his command. "Tenso." In the blink of an eye, where once was a group of battle-ready shinobi, Suzume found herself surrounded by unconscious civilians, among whom was the sleeping daimyo himself. Her part in the counterattack taken care of, the Yamanaka set about her next duty, checking over each of her new patients to ensure there were no injuries and then wait for the medic-nin to arrive according to the plan.

When Hiruzen's clone and his reinforcements emerged in the open that clone wasted no time in barking orders. "Incapacitate who you can, kill those you must." He threw off the hat and coat of his creator's station, leaving himself in the normal daily garb. He then reached out a hand into which a pouch of kunai was slapped, and he promptly flipped strapped it to his bicep as his legs were in wide hakama and would be an issue in strapping something onto it. Drawing one of the blades he held it in reverse grip as the rest of his forces moved to do his bidding. He then turned to Naruto who seemed to still be fine despite the limits he was pushing at the moment.

"Drop the boundary Naruto," he ordered. "Find you team and Kakashi will direct you where you're needed." His stern expression softened a moment and he let his free hand grip the boy's shoulder. "You've made me proud today boy. Now go out there and show these idiots why you don't fuck with Konoha!"

"Right!" Naruto stepped to the box's edge, taking a brief moment to find the iconic white hair of his sensei. He was currently locked in battle with some guy dressed in gray and black, a gray and white scarf wrapped around his neck to obscure his face. Naruto saw another aiming for Kakashi's back and knew a great way to make an entrance. "Got one coming in for you gramps," he called his shoulder before enacting the switching ability. He immediately vanished, the man that had been feet away from making his move suddenly in his place. He had just enough to stumble forward before a kunai sunk into his eye and further to pierce his brain.

The blade was withdrawn in a spurt of blood, staining the clone's form as he chuckled at the boy's antics. "Even in war you still can't help but give a little attitude. I swear that boy gets more like Kushina every day." He shook off the nostalgic moment and returned to business.

"Now then, let's see what I can do to help the original." With that the clone began to fade, much like Jiraiya when he had begun his own part of the plan. He truly loved his student's first original technique…so much potential. As one person faded from sight, battle raged on in the colosseum and village beyond. The invasion had begun, but they were not prepared for what was to come. The battle for the strongest was on, and Konohagakure intended to win.

XXXXX—And Cut—XXXXX

Kuma – Bear

Hyo – Leopard

Hebi – Snake

Yume – Dream

Tenso – Transfer

I picked names for the squad members based on abilities. I'm making a few personal changes to how Anbu is. I'll explain them in story at a later time but essentially if I use a name that translates to something like Dream, they are most likely a support type.

I only have Google Translate as a tool right now for translating, if someone out there has a better tool for turning words into different language I'd appreciate a little info.

I know there is already a Suzume in the canon, this is obviously not her, but I thought the name fit plus she's a minor OC who won't play a huge role. May have her show up now and then in the hospital when Naruto goes there but other than that not much.

Well folks what'd you think? Hope a put an original spin on the Konoha Crush's start and I intend to continue the trend in our next chapter (which hopefully won't take as long to get out I mean seriously I am really sorry for how long the dry spell has been).

Next chapter will have Naruto joining with Kakashi, the pursuit of Gaara, whereabouts of Jiraiya and some of the battle with Orochimaru. That's a bunch of stuff and I hope I do it justice.

Finally, a note to all who gave votes or opinions on the poll for who to take Santoryu, the female cousin to Suigetsu is the winner. Keep an eye out for Gisen everybody, she'll be showing up in the near future!

Anyway that's the majority of what I wanted to say. If you're still reading I hope you enjoyed the new chap and I hope you stick around to see what comes next. Till then, Yurei King is signing out.