(While Heading Back to Konoha)
Naruto and the rest of the gang were making their way back to Konohagakure. It was now clear sailing with the mission completed and the crime organization responsible for Nami no Kuni's problems dealt with.
"Too bad Haku and Zabuza couldn't come back with us. It was pretty neat that he wanted me to succeed him as one of the Seven Swordsmen! I can picture it now: the legendary Uzumaki Naruto, the famed clan leader of the Uzumaki, renowned seal master, and successor of one of the Seven Swordsmen turned Hokage! Behold how my greatness surpasses the previous four Hokage!"
"Knock it off, Naruto. We don't need you shouting your fantasies to all of us," Sasuke said with an annoyed tone.
"My dreams will become a reality, and the events that occurred into Nami no Kuni testify to that!" Naruto replied.
"Pft. Whatever," Sasuke said. The group soon stopped when Kakashi saw a figure approaching them from the shadows.
"Who's that?" Sakura asked. The figure soon became visible to the Konoha group. To their surprise, it was Zabuza.
"Zabuza! What are you doing here? Did you change your mind about not joining us?" Naruto asked hopefully.
"No kid. Haku simply asked me to do deliver this message to you. She wanted you to know that we're making our way to Kusagakure,. We're considering taking up the work as bounty hunters there. She said that next to me, you're one of her most precious people, and if you ever need help of any sort, you know where to find us," Zabuza explained.
"Sweet! That cute hottie regards me as someone most precious to her! Can you feel the love?" Naruto blushed and squealed with a toothy grin. Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura sweat dropped as they looked at Naruto. Honoka chuckled and shook her head.
"Whatever. Anyway, I have something to I want to give you, kid," Zabuza said.
"Really? And what would that be?" Naruto asked curiously.
"My blessing to be a swordsman, which I will now bestow upon you," Zabuza replied as Naruto waited for Zabuza to give him something. Zabuza suddenly burst into water on Naruto, effectively soaking him. Sakura burst out laughing at the now soaked Naruto, while Sasuke himself allowed a small chuckle to escape his mouth. Kakashi also laughed at Naruto, and soon even Honoka joined in laughing at what happened. Naruto spat out some of the water that went into his mouth.
"I guess hidden deep underneath that dark and hardened exterior, even Zabuza has a sense of humor," Naruto smiled before laughing at himself.
(Six Days Later)
Naruto and Honoka were walking ahead of the group, conversing together. Honoka had her left arm wrapped around Naruto's shoulders as they talked and walked along. During their voyage back to the village, Naruto also worked on his new story, The Moon's Eye Above the Fireworks: A Lone Ninja's Tale. Sasuke didn't give consideration to Naruto's ambitions as a writer. Instead, he took into consideration what took place in Nami no Kuni. Many questions about Naruto surfaced and the Uchiha had been wondering how Naruto could have done all of those things when he failed miserably at the academy as the dead last.
Things aren't adding up about him, Sasuke thought as he scrutinized the blond with his gaze, He graduated as the dead last, yet he managed to learn a number of jutsu that I haven't learned, one of them being based on one of my brother's jutsu. Zabuza looked at Naruto as someone worthy of being his successor, his replacement as one of the Seven Swordsmen of Kirigakure. We were never trained in kenjutsu at the academy, so how could Naruto have learned and trained in kenjutsu? And how did he acquire expertise in wind manipulation? My only conclusion is that somebody was secretly training Naruto instead of me over the years.
If I could find out who was secretly training Naruto, I could definitely use that to my advantage to become stronger and surpass the dobe. I know it wasn't Kakashi, as he admitted that Naruto's skills went far beyond anything he ever thought them to be. I have to work and train harder if I'm to become stronger than Naruto! I must, in order to kill my brother!
"Sasuke-kun?"
Sasuke turned to the pinked-haired Genin who called out his name.
"What is it?" Sasuke asked flatly.
"You haven't said a word for a long while, and I saw that you were thinking hard about something," Sakura said.
"I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me," Sasuke replied plainly. Sakura felt good that she was given a response from Sasuke, though nothing romantic was implied.
Soon, the group reached the main entrance of Konoha with two Chuunin, Izumo and Kotetsu, standing guard inside the security booth by the towering doors. Both Chuunin were talking to each other when they caught sight of Kakashi's team. They took notice of the beautiful red haired woman walking alongside Naruto.
"Who's that hot dame?" Izumo asked with a blush on his cheeks.
"I don't know! But I wonder how the hell the Kyuubi-gaki managed to get with her!" Kotetsu replied as the group approached them.
"Good day. We're returning from our completed mission in Nami no Kuni. We're also on our way to see the Hokage with a very special friend Naruto found there," Kakashi explained. The two Chuunin did their best to stay professional while admiring the red-haired beauty. They did find it odd that she was walking barefooted instead of wearing sandals like everyone else. Whatever the reason, they decided not to pry into it.
"Greetings! This is my first time in Konohagakure no Sato. Naruto-otōto told me much about this village and his life here. I didn't like most of what I learned, but I hope things will improve now that I'm here," Honoka said with a smile, though her tone carried a weight of seriousness.
Izumo and Kotetsu looked at Honoka questionably. Izumo said, "The gaki has quite an unfavorable reputation here I'm sorry to say. But he's also known for his pranks and getting into a whole world of trouble. Did he mention that to you?"
"Why of course. He had no reason to hide such things from his neechan. By the way, I'm Uzumaki Honoka," Honoka revealed. The two Chuunin looked at the young adult female as if time just stopped. They were trying to process what they just heard.
"Excuse us?" Kotetsu rebutted.
Honoka replied, "Didn't you hear right? I said my name is Uzumaki Honoka. Naruto-kun and I are Uzumaki by birth. Though we're distant cousins, you and everyone in Konoha will look at me as his new big sister from now on."
"As much as we like to stay and explain how a female Uzumaki was found, we still have to see the Hokage about our mission and Honoka's appearance. Now, if you two will excuse us," Kakashi said before anything further could happen. The group continued on their way to the Hokage Tower, leaving the two speechless Chuunin at the main entrance.
"That hot babe is Naruto's cousin?" Izumo remarked while trying to believe what he and his friend just learned.
"I didn't think the kyuubi-gaki had any existing relatives, let alone outside of Konoha! Heads will roll when this news gets out!" Kotetsu added.
Honoka looked around the village as she took in everything her eyes saw. The trees, shops, houses, restaurants, gardens, the famous Hokage Monument, the populous, her eyes captured it all. And speaking of the populous, she noticed how some of them were looking at her as she walked next to Naruto with her arm still around his shoulders. Some men turned their heads to look at her also, only to be smacked across the back of their heads by their wives or girlfriends, if they weren't single.
"You're becoming quite a celebrity Honoka-nee. I hope those women don't try anything spiteful out of jealousy," Naruto teased.
"They would do well to keep their men on a leash rather than to misdirect their senseless jealousy on an innocent newcomer," Honoka said.
"In any case, there are a number of people I'm dying to introduce you to after we stop by to see Jii-sa-"
"Naruto-kun!" a sweet feminine voice called out.
Naruto and the others turned to see Hinata, Kiba, and Shino approaching them. Upon seeing the older female with Naruto, Hinata looked at the scene questionably, but she decided not to jump to any conclusion without knowing anything first. Kiba smiled and blushed as he checked out the older female, and Akamaru barked and leaped out of his master's coat to run over to Honoka. Shino looked at the young woman with curiosity, feeling a strange sensation from his bugs asking permission to go over to Honoka, wanting to sample her sweet chakra.
"Hinata-chan!" Naruto exclaimed happily as he ran over and embraced the surprised Hyuuga heiress tightly before kissing her deeply and shamelessly in front of everyone. Whatever embarrassment Hinata felt from Naruto's stunt just now was canceled out from the feeling of his embrace and his tongue in her mouth, as she returned the kiss and hugged him back.
Sasuke groaned lowly and turned and looked away, not wanting to watch, while Sakura wished that was her and Sasuke doing that. Honoka giggled at the scene while kneeling down and petting Akamaru, as the small dog panted and wagged his tail enthusiastically. Kakashi looked on in boredom.
"What's that boy doing with that girl mommy?" an innocent five-year-old girl asked.
"Just ignore them," the mother answered as she continued on her way with her daughter, though the young girl kept looking at them curiously.
"But sometimes I see you and Daddy do that together too. Is it fun doing that? Can I do it too?" the girl asked.
The embarrassed mother blushed and replied, "I'll tell you when you're old enough to understand."
While Hinata and Naruto were in their own world, Kiba and Shino turned their attention to the female companion that was accompanying Naruto earlier and still petting Akamaru.
"Whoever that woman is, Akamaru already took a serious liking to her," Kiba observed.
"My bugs have taken a keen interest in the newcomer before us as well. Even now, I'm fascinated at the excited frenzy my bugs are having from her presence. It's taking all of my willpower not to succumb to their desire to head over to her and allow them to taste her chakra. They insist it must be the sweetest they will ever taste," Shino commented.
Reluctantly, Naruto pulled away from Hinata, who was looking back at him with a lively smile of her own.
"Damn! I wanted to do that for days! It was hard being without the ability to satisfy that need," Naruto said with a grin.
Hinata licked her lips as though she was savoring the taste his lips and said, "I missed you too, Naruto-kun. But who's your new friend?"
The young Hyuuga pointed over to Honoka.
"She's someone I want you guys and everyone else to meet!" Naruto said excitedly as he led Hinata and her team to Honoka. The older woman stood back up to look at the Genin team coming over to her.
Honoka smiled and greeted, "So you must be the lovely Hyuuga heiress that Naruto-kun told me so much about. Hinata, yes?"
Hinata blushed and replied, "Yes. I'm Hyuuga Hinata and Naruto-kun's girlfriend. And who might you be?"
"I'm Uzumaki Honoka," Honoka replied. Hinata, Kiba and Shino blinked as if their minds were just fried. The older female looked at their comical expressions and added, "I'm Naruto-kun's distant cousin, and new big sister. We found each other during his first mission outside Konoha a few weeks ago."
"It's true. She and Naruto are of the same Uzumaki bloodline descent," Kakashi said after a long period of silence.
After what was said was fully processed, Hinata congratulated and cheered happily, "Naruto-kun, this is so wonderful! You found a part of your family! I'm so happy for you!"
"YOU'RE UZUMAKI HONOKA? YOU'RE NARUTO'S DISTANT RELATIVE?" Kiba shouted in disbelief, now getting all of the attention of the villagers nearby that heard that name. They came by to look at the woman and Naruto.
Some of the villagers sneered at the two, and one of them jeered, "Don't believe that garbage for even a second! I'm sure it's another one of that stupid brat's pranks he's playing on us! Just ignore him!"
Honoka gave the crowd a cold stare and performed a set of hand seals. Suddenly chakra chains appeared out of the ground and bound the instigator and several other villagers who sneered at them.
"Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Honoka said as she produced over a hundred solid clones that surrounded the crowd and onlookers. The clones themselves looked ready for anything.
"This is no prank. I'm the real deal," Honoka stated.
Naruto grinned toothily and asked, "How do you all of you like my neechan so far? As you can see for yourselves, my Uzumaki sister is no pushover. Take my word for it, her temper can prove fatal to anyone who crosses her the wrong way."
"Nice first impression. Gives the people something to talk about," Kakashi remarked.
"I'm going to be spoken about regardless, but no one will belittle my dear brother in front of me. I don't care who they are," Honoka stated firmly before she dismissed her clones and released the citizens from her chains. Hinata smiled at seeing Honoka's protective spirit for Naruto and putting the villagers in their place.
"She has the ability to produce an army of clones like Naruto!" Sakura cried out in amazement.
"Hn," Sasuke grunted.
"As much as we'd like to stay and discuss this, we really have to continue on our way to see the Hokage now," Kakashi said as he gathered his group and went on their way.
"I'll catch up with you later, Hinata-chan!" Naruto assured before giving another a quick peck on her lips and following after the group.
Villagers were already talking about what just happened, and that a female Uzumaki was in Konoha now. Oh yeah, the news was going to spread like wildfire.
"Damn, she's badass and hot too! I like her!" Kiba grinned toothily.
"Another Uzumaki here in Konoha? I never knew there was someone out there with remote familial ties to Naruto. It leaves me to wonder what happened to his entire family," Shino said.
"I'm so happy that Naruto-kun found a member of his family after being alone all his life. I c-can only image the joy he felt when they found each other," Hinata said.
"She said that they found each other during his first mission outside of Konoha. I'd like to hear how that happened, and why my bugs are so taken by her," Shino spoke.
"Akamaru likes her a lot too. There must to be more to the lady than she lets on," Kiba added.
"W-Whatever the case, we'll just have to wait a-and see what she reveals about herself," Hinata suggested.
(Later, at the Hokage Tower)
Hiruzen was reading the official documents from one of the shinobi villages whose Genin teams were participating in the Chuunin Exams. So far, a few Jounin sensei from Konoha announced that their teams would be participating. The aged Hokage was done with the last of his paperwork.
"Finally…now for a well-deserved break," Hiruzen said to himself as he was about to open his drawer and pull out his latest volume of Icha-Icha Paradise. Just as he was about to reach out for it, the door to his office opened, revealing Kakashi and his team, along with a red haired young woman Hiruzen had never seen before. He sighed inwardly as he closed the drawer and looked at the ninja that entered his office.
"Kakashi, you've returned. Was your mission a success?" Hiruzen said.
Kakashi answered, "Yes, but a lot has happened during our time in Nami no Kuni."
"What is your report?" Hiruzen inquired. Kakashi went into details explaining everything that happened during their journey to Nami no Kuni, what took place during and after their stay over there, and the commotion that happened not too long ago after many learned of another Uzumaki's existence. Hiruzen maintained a calm demeanor throughout the briefing but the look in his eyes said that a lot was going through his mind. He knew that the Shinobi Council would soon hear that a female Uzumaki survivor was discovered by Naruto, and like her Uzumaki brethren, she had a talent for seals and an ability that was similar to that of the late Uzumaki Kushina.
An Uzumaki survivor; I would have never thought I'd see another one besides Naruto, and if anything, word about Honoka's presence here in Konoha will spread fast. The paperwork and headache I'll get from this will be enormous, Hiruzen contemplated. Everyone looked at the aged Hokage, as he was clearly deep in thought about something.
Another factor that troubled Hiruzen was Kakashi's explanation as to how Naruto singlehandedly wiped out Gatō's entire army of mercenaries in seconds before dealing with Gatō himself, shortly after defeating a Hyoton-wielding kunoichi. Added to this was that Zabuza said he wanted Naruto to succeed him as one of the Seven Swordsmen. Those elements raised a lot questions about Naruto's true abilities and personality, and the façade he uses to make people think of him as a failure.
Clearing his mind, Hiruzen returned his attention back to the group in front of him and said, "I'm pleased that your mission was a success. Though we now have a new major topic to handle: a newcomer who belongs to the Uzumaki clan like Naruto."
"Is it possible to claim clan status now that I'm here with Naruto-kun?" Honoka requested.
Hiruzen sighed and said, "It won't be that easy to grant. Some might find you to be an imposter, especially with no documented proof that verifies your claim as an Uzumaki."
"She is an Uzumaki and I have no doubt about that! I was able to sense her while we were in Nami no Kuni. When I finally found and confronted her after searching long and hard for her, we experienced a link of some kind, something I've never experienced with anyone but Honoka-nee," Naruto argued
"I know you're very passionate about this, Naruto, but that alone won't be enough to convince the council," Hiruzen said.
"Really? I think Naruto-kun and I can provide the needed proof of my Uzumaki heritage," Honoka said as she produced the scroll possessing the Uzumaki Album that was sealed into it. After unsealing the book, she handed the book over to Hiruzen.
"You'll be the second person I've shown that precious book to with Naruto-kun being the first. This book contains invaluable history about my homeland and the history Konoha has with Uzushiogakure," Honoka said as the Hokage examined the book's design before he opened it.
Page by page, he carefully examined the contents within the book, finding every picture authentic and accurate. He was surprised to see that there were also pictures of him and his late wife Biwako in it, along with pictures of Kushina and Minato while they were Genin, the Sannin when they were younger, and pictures of Uzumaki Mito, and the Shodai and Nidaime. Those historical pictures in no way could have been faked especially since Hiruzen recalled him and his wife being in some of those shots taken. He also saw pictures of Honoka when she was a baby and a couple more as she grew older.
When he was done, he stood up and walked from his desk over to Honoka and Naruto with the book in hand. Hiruzen said, "This is more than enough proof of your Uzumaki heritage. I'll prepare your citizenship and residential papers. You'll also be acknowledged as a full fledged Konoha ninja."
Hiruzen handed Honoka the album back.
"I have a question for you Sandaime-sama: Where will Naruto-kun and I be staying? From what he told me, there isn't enough room in his current apartment to accommodate two people and I very much would like to stay as close to Naruto-kun as possible, considering that I don't know the village very well," Honoka explained.
Hiruzen acknowledged where Honoka was coming from and said, "I'll work on that to the best of my ability."
"I have a few more questions, but I'd rather ask you them privately with Naruto-kun," Honoka requested.
Hiruzen turned to Kakashi and asked, "Is there anything further you need to discuss with me?"
"Actually, there is a matter that I wish to address with you. But I would rather do it later after you've taken care of your affairs with Naruto and his cousin," Kakashi said.
"In that case, you and the rest of your team may leave," Hiruzen replied. Sasuke said nothing as he turned and exited the office with Sakura following behind him. Kakashi pulled out his orange book and opened it, resuming his reading as he left the office and closed the door behind him. Having total privacy, Honoka and Naruto turned their attention back to Hiruzen.
"What's your question?" Hiruzen inquired.
"Why wasn't Konoha there when Uzu no Kuni was in its greatest time of need? And why is it that no one in Konoha knows the history about this village's ties with Uzu no Kuni and the Uzumaki clan?" Honoka asked with a displeased tone.
Hiruzen saw the look in Naruto's face showing that he also wanted an explanation. The aged man looked away as he walked over and stood in front of the window.
Hiruzen explained, "Konoha was battling Kumogakure, Sunagakure and Amegakure during the Second Shinobi World War. We had already lost many ninja and a great number of members from the Senju clan, your cousin clan, and many other ninja from other clans, mine being among them as well. I won't lie to either of you; we did receive word that Uzu no Kuni was being attacked by shinobi nations that joined forces against them. But we were still at war against two major ninja nations and a minor nation, and a third major nation, this being Iwa, formed tensions between us for territory, which later triggered the Third Shinobi World War. We were short on both manpower and supplies.
"Still, I tried to send what little help I could provide, but it didn't reach Uzu no Kuni in time. My band of ninja returned telling me that Uzu no Kuni was completely destroyed and that they had no idea what became of the rest of the people there. It was assumed that all the Uzumaki but Kushina were wiped out and Kushina herself was devastated when she learned what became of her homeland, family and people. It was Konoha's greatest disgrace that we were incapable of saving the country and clan that Shodai loved and held in very high regard.
"So bad was the disgrace that after Minato and Kushina's demise when I had to come out of retirement, the hierarchy of the Shinobi Council sought to cover it up by burying the truth about the ties Konoha had with Uzu no Kuni and the Uzumaki clan. They did this by changing what was taught at the ninja academy about Konoha's past and erasing any history of the existence of the Uzumaki clan. I did what I could to stop them, but they overruled me. They couldn't do this while the Yondaime and Kushina were still alive because they knew Kushina would have given them grief through both her husband and her own actions.
"Next to being unable to help Uzu no Kuni, by erasing our history with the Uzumaki clan, Konoha as a whole has committed a most despicable betrayal and dishonor against both the Uzumaki and Shodai's memories. In effect, this also undermined you as Minato and Kushina's heir especially for the burden you were forced to carry in protecting this village every day. I can only say that I'm truly sorry for what happened, but I know that it still doesn't pardon the vile scandal of the hierarchy."
The two Uzumaki saw that Hiruzen wasn't trying to make any excuses for what happened. As angry as both Naruto and Honoka were, they both knew that throwing a temper tantrum would do nothing to change what happened.
"By burden," Honoka interpreted, "you mean Naruto-kun being a Jinchuuriki of Kyuubi. Yes Hokage-sama, I know the story behind what happened with regards to Uzumaki Mito, Kushina, and Naruto-kun, and why only those of the Uzumaki bloodline can hold Kyuubi. I'm sure that if anything were to happen to my dear brother, I'd have no choice but to become the next Jinchuuriki of Kyuubi No Yoko for the good of the village because of my Uzumaki bloodline, correct?"
Hiruzen said nothing since he saw what she was implicating about Konoha.
"Three of my brethren were sacrificed for the good of this village! And two of them were married to two of this village's Hokage with Naruto-kun being the son of both the late Yondaime and the second Jinchuuriki! Their memories and sacrifices were spat on and shamed by your people's actions against my family and country!" Honoka said with cold indignation.
"Jiisan, the turbulent periods of war hindered whatever effort was attempted to help my brethren Uzumaki. I can accept that, though I can't personally speak for my neechan. But the thing that I will never forgive is how this village's hierarchy sabotaged the education system in wiping out as many traces of my clan's history as they could!
"The people of Konoha need to be appropriately reminded and taught about the Uzumaki's contributions to the creation of this village and know the significance of my clan's insignia which they wear on their shinobi uniforms! It's time to remind them of the past and how ungrateful they have been to my family and I in the present! It's high time that affirmative action be taken to correct this village's sins against the Uzumaki clan and Uzu no Kuni!" Naruto stated passionately.
There was a short silence in the office. The silence was broken after another minute.
"In my next council meeting with the Clan Heads and advisors I'll make that known as I'll properly introduce Uzumaki Honoka to the council, though you can expect resistance on the matter when it is brought before them," said Hiruzen with Naruto raising an eyebrow at him.
"And you?" asked Naruto with Hiruzen looking surprised by the question.
"What of me?" Hiruzen implored.
"Will you support my neechan and me regarding the matter when it comes to reinstating the history of our clan and making it public?" asked Naruto with the Hokage sighing and lowering his head.
"Such changes won't come that easily, as so many have already been conditioned to believe what they have been taught. I can push for the motion to reinstate your clan back into Konoha's history books, but I can't vote on the matter unless it comes down to a tie. Unless you and Honoka can get some of the council members to side with the motion to reverse the decision to the point of a tie…," Sandaime enlightened before let his answer hang in the air.
"You can't vote and my family gets screwed," Naruto finished with Hiruzen nodding his head. Naruto smirked, "That's fine by me. Honoka-nee and I have already set in motion how we'll force the council's hand to put our clan's legacy back in Konoha's history books. The very fact that Honoka-nee is here in the flesh with everyone soon to see her is a catalyst for the motion to be passed, especially since she was born in Uzu no Kuni."
"I see your plan in getting the support of the villagers by inquiring how Honoka is tied to you as a distant cousin and if there are others like her out there. Through something like that, the council will have no choice but to heed to your request if they get enough pressure from the villagers wanting an explanation of the existence of another Uzumaki besides you Naruto," Hiruzen acknowledged.
"Exactly," Naruto said.
"Thank you for telling us the truth of what happened, Sandaime-sama. While we're saddened about what took place, that doesn't mean that in due time corrective changes can't and won't take place," Honoka said. Hiruzen gave a small nod to them before he made his way back his desk and sat back down.
"I'll work on getting your paperwork as a Konoha ninja and citizen together and a new place to accommodate you both. Until then, why don't you show Honoka around Konoha and help her get familiar with the village, Naruto? I'm sure there are some places and people you want her to meet, yes? Considering this plan you both are enacting," Hiruzen suggested. Naruto nodded and took Honoka's hand as he led her out of the office and ultimately, out of the building. Hiruzen, leaned back in his chair and sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. A moment later, a knock came at his front door.
"Enter," Hiruzen said granting access to Kakashi as he came back into the office. The Jounin placed his book away and faced the Hokage.
"You came back sooner than I expected. I'm assuming the matter you wish to discuss with me involves Naruto mostly if not entirely," Hiruzen deduced.
"It does. One of the things I left out in my report was when Naruto confronted me about my past with his father and why I wasn't there for him with he needed me. Despite my sincere apology, he didn't readily forgive me with open arms any more than he did with you. But you had already warned me in advance to expect that though I couldn't hide my guilt from him.
"Still, facets about his true character are alarming. So much so that Sakura and even Sasuke are wary of him, especially after Sakura saw that red chakra that poured out of the seal containing Kyuubi. They questioned me about it but I explained that under an S-ranked law I couldn't revealed that secret behind that chakra and that only you and Naruto can reveal that," Kakashi explained.
"No doubt they did ask him and he told them nothing," Hiruzen figured.
"Precisely. Also, he refuses to provide his teammates and me with explanations about his new skills and jutsu he somehow acquired neither through the training provided at the ninja academy nor through me. He somehow learned and trained in wind manipulation and created jutsu based on his elemental affinity and combined that with kenjutsu, another skill which he never learned at the ninja academy based on his records there. Seeing Zabuza marveling at Naruto's skills with the sword surprised me entirely.
"The question that's been on everyone's mind Sandaime-sama is: Who is Uzumaki Naruto?" Kakashi said.
Sandaime sat up straight and looked directly at Kakashi and spoke, "You're just as bothered with Naruto's records at the academy and his performances as a Genin under your charge. They don't add up. If you want the truth Kakashi, I've been suspicious and cautious of Naruto ever since the Academy Field Day four years ago after he "killed" me and all of the male ninja present, including the male student body," Hiruzen stated straightforwardly.
"During my test after their graduation almost three months ago, Naruto demonstrated that he could have killed me at any time while playing the role of the fool most convincingly. I've tried keeping an eye on him ever since but he clearly found ways of evading my watch on him," Kakashi said.
The Sandaime took out his pipe and placed some tobacco into it and then lit it. He took a puff and exhaled as he recalled a few past events. Looking back at the Jounin, Hiruzen enlightened, "What more did you expect from an escape artist who's able to prank and elude even my best group of ANBU? He vandalized an entire monument underneath everyone's nose in broad daylight and escaped the two Jounin who were in pursuit of him before he willfully allowed himself to get caught by Iruka. Later he infiltrated this building, stole the Forbidden Scroll, and hid from all of my ninja for three hours while still being within the village. From all this, should you really be surprised that he could come up with ways to elude even you?"
"I see your point quite clearly. And from my understanding with everything I've learned about the kid up to this point, my only conclusion is that Naruto chose to become his class's dead last so as to not drawn too much attention to himself as the actual Rookie of the Year while allowing Sasuke to occupy that spot for him. Truly an ingenious deception against everyone. Regardless, I won't expose that truth to anyone, as that would be a blow Naruto's cover, though I still wonder how Naruto reached a level that's clearly elite Jounin on his own," Kakashi commented.
"Don't underestimate the boy Kakashi. After all, you became a Jounin at thirteen and Itachi became an ANBU captain at thirteen. But did anyone question yours and Itachi's abilities?"
Kakashi saw Hiruzen's logic once again and simply accepted it. The Jounin commented, "Naruto shows tremendous promise and despite the petty arguments that occur between him and his teammates, they still work well together when the situation calls for it."
Hiruzen nodded in approval.
(Meanwhile)
Naruto and Honoka were walking through the village as he gave her the tour around Konoha. By this time people were already talking about her and her ties with Naruto; some of them were in curiosity, several were skeptic while others were in denial. Regardless, the two Uzumaki continued on their way around the village as Naruto decided to introduce her to Teuchi and his daughter Ayame. As the pair continued walking, they soon heard the sound of small footsteps and the scraping of cardboard behind them meaning. The pair stopped walking as they turned to the box behind them.
"Come out Konohamaru. I know you're in that box," Naruto stated as he placed his hands in his pants pocket waiting for the younger boy to come out of hiding. A second later, the square rock with eyeholes in it exploded, sending smoke everywhere. The sounds of multiple coughs were heard, causing the Naruto and Honoka to realize that Konohamaru wasn't the only one in the square box.
"I think we used too much gunpowder," said a young male voice from within the box that Naruto identified as not being Konohamaru. Naruto waited tolerantly for Konohamaru while Honoka stood next to the blond curiously, wondering what was going on next.
"Your ability of seeing through our disguise is incredible. I really admire and respect you, my rival," said Konohamaru as he leaped from the box. The smoke cleared to reveal goggle-wearing kids, two boys and one girl. They looked up at Naruto before going into a weird pose.
"I'm Moegi, the sassiest kunoichi in school!"
"I enjoy doing Algebra! My name is Udon!"
"And I'm the toughest shinobi in the village! My name is Konohamaru!"
"And we are…The Konohamaru Ninja Corps!" The three eight-year-olds chorused.
"Hey Konohamaru, it's been a while since I last saw you," said Naruto while smiling at the kids in front of him.
"Yeah boss it has. Where have you been? You promised you would play ninja with us when you had the opportunity to, remember?" said Konohamaru pointing to his friends and then Naruto.
"What kind of ninja 'plays' ninja?" asked a less than impressed Sakura as she made her presence known to them as she entered the scene.
Naruto ignored her snide question. Konohamaru looked at the red haired woman with Naruto and asked with a particular grin on his face, "Hey boss who is she?"
Gesturing to Honoka, Naruto answered, "She's a very special woman Konohamaru. She's Uzumaki Honoka and-"
"Wow boss! You're so cool!" Konohamaru interposed with amazement. Naruto and Honoka looked at him with confused expressions.
"What are you talking about?" Naruto asked.
"How did you manage to get that gorgeous woman to fall in love and marry you?" Konohamaru asked. Naruto and Honoka's eyes widened as their mouths dropped while wondering how Konohamaru assumed that was the case.
"Baka! How did you even come to that conclusion?" Sakura screeched.
"Boss told me that he's the only person in Konoha with the name Uzumaki. Plus I heard how women often take on the last name of their husbands once they get married," Konohamaru said in innocence.
After a few seconds of awkwardness, Naruto burst out laughing in good humor while Honoka shook her head at Konohamaru's ignorance, though she saw where he was coming from.
"No Konohamaru, I'm not Naruto-kun's wife. I'm his long lost cousin he found a few weeks ago in Nami no Kuni. I'll be living here in Konoha with him now. It's a pleasure to meet you Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon," Honoka greeted politely to Konohamaru and his two friends.
"It's nice to meet you to Honoka-san. Though you're a foreigner I hope you'll come to like it here in Konoha," Moegi greeted.
"Likewise. I hope we can make a good impression on you," Udon added.
"By the way boss, who's this other girl with the large forehead?" Konohamaru asked, realizing he'd seen her before. Sakura's eye twitched upon hearing how her head was described.
"This is my teammate Sakura, who dreams of becoming the love of Sasuke's life," Naruto replied.
"I thought she looked familiar. She's that girl that almost went into the men's bathhouse by mistake while trying to follow that black-haired guy about a month ago," Konohamaru recalled. Naruto broke into a fit of laughter while Sakura gave a look of shock and embarrassment after being reminded of that incident.
"I almost took her for a very feminine man, given the angle I was seeing her from," Konohamaru remarked. The next thing Naruto and the others saw was Konohamaru's face in the ground with a throbbing lump on his head as Sakura stomped away from them. Naruto and the others helped Konohamaru up off ground when he decided to add his extra two cents, "Bimbo! Is this girl even a girl?"
Sakura, who was still in hearing range, stopped upon hearing that. Konohamaru and his friends felt bloodlust coming from the kunoichi he insulted. The three kids ran from the raging Sakura. Not taking any chances with Sakura, Naruto went after them, with Honoka following from behind. From what Naruto could tell, Konohamaru was in the lead, with Moegi and Udon following close by. Konohamaru turned the corner and bumped into someone who was now lifting him up into the air.
"You little brat," yelled the older boy, lifting Konohamaru off the ground. Konohamaru opened his eyes to find he was being held up by the collar of his shirt by a person he didn't recognize. The figure was dressed in what looked like a black cat suit with purple paint on his face and a large...thing...being carried on his back.
"Put me down! Let me go!" Konohamaru commanded.
The boy struggled in order to get free from his captor.
"You brat! You're the one who bumped into me! I ought to make you pay for that!" said the older figure as he readied to hit the kid.
"Let the kid go, right now!" Naruto commanded as he entered the scene with Honoka following close by.
"Who are you?" the older figure asked.
"The name is Uzumaki Naruto, and the boy you're holding against his will is the grandson of the Sandaime Hokage. I advise you to release the boy from your grasp or face his angry grandfather," Naruto warned. Reluctantly, the older boy lowered the child before releasing the boy. Konohamaru ran over to Naruto and hid behind him.
"Your forehead protectors! You're from Sunagakure no Sato, right?" asked Sakura as she recognized the symbols on their shinobi headbands from what Iruka taught them during their time in the Academy.
"They do, and we're here for the Chuunin Exams. What's it matter to you?" questioned the older blonde girl of the group who was carrying a large fan on her back.
"Who are you?" Naruto asked.
The older girl stepped forward and replied with a touch of haughtiness in her voice, "I'm Sabaku no Temari."
"I'm her brother, Sabaku no Kankuro," replied the older boy.
Naruto went over to Temari and stood in front of her. He smiled as he started moving around her as though he was studying her from head to toe.
"What's your deal?" Temari asked with a perplexed look.
Naruto remarked excitedly, "I can't believe what I'm seeing with my undeserving eyes! This is the first time I've seen such a rare genuine specimen of an oasis that's so well hidden among the sands! I've only heard and read about such gems in my studies and research, but man I never thought I would actually see one! Especially with those beautifully-structured athletic legs!"
In terms of studies, Naruto meant Icha-Icha Paradise and his research was in the women's bathhouses, and what he overheard while relaxing in the men's bathhouse.
Is this goofy looking shrimp actually hitting on and complimenting Temari? Is he for real? Kankuro wondered in utter disbelief with a stupefied facial expression. Kankuro noticed the obvious blush that appeared on Temari's face. But he saw how his older sister kept herself from falling for Naruto's charms.
Temari shot back smugly, "Gaki, guys don't talk that way about me if they know what's good for them, and flattery won't get you anywhere with me either."
Rather than feeling insulted, Naruto, using a more subtle and charismatic tone continued, "How true; it won't indeed. Though I'm a young man who appreciates foreign beauties and exclusive gems when they appear before me, I learned to accept this irrefutable truth: I am far from worthy of possessing let alone touching such exceptionally polished gemstones such as the one standing before me. Yet, just to be able to look, even from afar with my unworthy eyes, gives me reasons to appreciate strong women who refine themselves into kunoichi that are more than meets the eyes."
Again, Temari blushed from Naruto's poetic words, this time her face was redder than before as she reached and covered her mouth with her right hand. What Naruto didn't know was that NO boy has ever flirted or poetically complimented her about…anything, let alone approach her, because of their fear of being brutally killed by her youngest brother, Gaara. Temari, without even being aware of it, softened her conceited and hardened expression into a more feminine one as a small smile formed on her lips.
I can't believe he can charm girls like this and get them to drop their guard entirely without being a total pervert, Honoka observed as she and the others watched Naruto's playboy behavior. Honoka recalled Naruto telling her how he uses sexual incentives against unsuspecting ninja of both sexes and manages to get them to drop their guard and make themselves susceptible to his traps or attacks. She was seeing his skills firsthand.
"Naruto has no shame! He acts lovey-dovey with Hinata, yet he hits on every pretty face he sees! That perverted cheater!" inner Sakura screamed.
This is great blackmail material! If only I had my camera! Kankuro snickered mischievously.
"You're a real piece of work, Naruto," Sasuke mocked as he looked down at everyone from the tree branch he was standing on. Temari snapped out of her trance and remembered where she was.
"You can learn a thing or two from me, teme," Naruto said.
"You have nothing I want to learn from you, though I would like to know how Hinata would feel if she were to find out about you hitting on this Sabaku no Temari right now?" Sasuke commented.
"Hinata? Who's Hinata?" Temari asked quizzically.
"Hinata is my prized girlfriend, who possesses radiant moonlit pearls for eyes," Naruto answered.
"Girlfriend? You have a girlfriend?!" Temari replied indignantly. Kankuro was a bit surprised by his sister's sudden outburst.
"I do. Her full name is Hyuuga Hinata, heiress of the prestigious Hyuuga clan. The pink thing to my left is Sakura and that idiot jerk up in that tree is Sasuke," Naruto explained.
Normally Sakura would yell and try to hit Naruto for insulting her and Sasuke, but recalling what Naruto ruthlessly did to those bandits and Gatō made her hesitate. Sasuke was about to give a retort to Naruto when…
"Pathetic," a cold voice suddenly cut in. Everyone looked up to see another figure standing under the branch of another tree next to them. It was a red-haired boy Naruto's age with a large gourd on his back and a red kanji for "Love" tattooed on his forehead.
"G-Gaara," Kankuro said a bit fearfully.
"Kankuro, Temari," Gaara replied dryly, "You're both disgraces to our village."
Kankuro replied, "What? But-"
"Shut up or I'll kill you," Gaara said coldly while looking at Kankuro who cringed on hearing that. Temari was just as fearful as she hoped that Gaara wouldn't hold true to his words and turn on her as well. The red-haired boy then looked at Naruto and said, "I'm Sabaku No Gaara. I too am here for the Chuunin Exams."
Naruto felt a weird vibe circulate through his being upon seeing Gaara. He was sensing a form of chakra that was anything but human.
That chakra, something about it bothers me. I don't know what but I can't help feel that I know something about it, Naruto thought quietly.
"Looks like we're going to be having an influx of foreigners, neechan," Naruto said. Kankuro turned to look at who Naruto was talking to. Seeing Honoka, Kankuro admitted that she was a rather attractive woman but he wondered what relation she had with Naruto.
"What are you to this flirty little shrimp?" Kankuro asked with little to no manners.
"His older sister, Uzumaki Honoka," Honoka answered. Kankuro's eyes widened, wondering how such an eye-catching woman could be related to that wacky dressed Genin. Sasuke leaped down from the tree and onto the ground where the rest of his team were. Gaara performed a sand shunshin and went over to Temari and Kankuro.
"We've wasted enough time already. Let's go," Gaara said with no room for arguing. Kankuro followed after Gaara with Temari close by. Temari though stopped momentarily and turned to give Naruto one last look as her eyes narrowed at him. She turned and continued on her way.
"I don't think she's all that happy with you, boss," Konohamaru teased.
"And what would you know?" Naruto remarked.
"She looked pretty mad when she learned you have a girlfriend," Moegi added.
"Odd, considering her age," Udon commented while adjusted his glasses.
"Don't you know you shouldn't play with a girl's heart, Naruto?" Sakura asked with a scolding tone.
"I was simply stating what a beautiful kunoichi she is, which is more than I can say for some other kunoichi I know," Naruto replied as he looked directly at Sakura. Sakura immediately saw the implications as bloodlust leaked out of her.
"Why you-"
Sakura was stopped when Kakashi suddenly made an appearance and stood in front of her.
"Now, now, Sakura. There'll be plenty of combat for you and your teammates to involve yourselves in; just not out here in the open," Kakashi said calmly as if nothing happened.
"What are you talking about?" Sasuke asked.
"Why, the Chuunin Exams, of course! I have applications for the three of you to fill out so I can hand them to the Hokage," Kakashi elaborated as he took out and gave each of the Genin an application.
"Sweet! If I pass this, I'll be another step closer to fulfilling my dreams!" Naruto cheered.
"Whatever helps me get stronger. After my encounter with Haku, I see that I need more experience to surpass my limits," Sasuke said.
"Now that's constructive talking I like to hear," Kakashi said.
"Do you believe we're ready to take part in the Chuunin Exams, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked as she held her application.
"We recently took on a C-rank turned A-rank mission and succeeded both in the mission and in all of us coming back alive. But in truth, as much as we want to believe ourselves to be ready for anything, that won't always be the case. In life, sometimes the most unexpected events take place, and we have to take on such challenges whether we're ready or not," Kakashi explained.
The three Genin, along with the Konohamaru corps found a heavy truth in Kakashi's words. Clearly he was speaking out of personal experience as a veteran ninja, and Honoka was able relate to Kakashi's words.
"I'm in," Sasuke replied.
"You already know my answer," Naruto said.
"I'll participate too," Sakura decided as she and her teammates filled out the application. After a few minutes, they gave Kakashi their completed forms.
"The exam will commence in three days. That should give you three time to rest up after our long mission. Enjoy yourselves till then," Kakashi said before he body flickered away.
"Well Honoka-nee, how about we continue where we left off?" Naruto suggested.
Honoka agreed, "I'd like that."
"Hey boss, why is she walking around barefoot? Can't she afford a decent part of sandals?" Konohamaru asked.
"It's her choice. I'll explain later," Naruto said. Sakura looked to ask Sasuke if he'd like to hang out with her, but she found that he was already gone from the group.
"Damn it, I missed! I'll have to try to get him faster next time!" inner Sakura yelled.
Sakura sighed and said, "You guys can do whatever you want. I'm gonna-"
"Yo Forehead!"
Sakura growled at the nickname, knowing all too well who called her that. The pink haired Genin turned to see Ino and her two teammates walking over to them. Chouji was eating a bag of potato chips while Shikamaru was pacing along with his hands in his pockets.
"What do you want?" Sakura asked.
"I heard rumors in town that there's some hot fire Uzumaki woman here in Konoha declaring that she's Naruto's big sister. I came to see if that was true," Ino explained.
"Word is getting around the village fast, neechan," Naruto commented. Honoka nodded and went over to Ino.
"You three must be Ino, Shikamaru, and Chouji. Naruto-kun told me about you guys," Honoka greeted with a sweet smile.
"Wow Naruto! I never knew you had any relatives!" Chouji acknowledged.
"Like I did? We found each other during the first A-rank mission my team and I just came back from," Naruto said.
"An A-rank mission?! You guys were given an A-rank mission?! How can that be possible?! We're only Genin!" Ino screeched in disbelief.
Sakura puffed her chest out and remarked, "That's right, pig. Our first C-rank mission turned A-rank. A whole lot happened during that mission, too."
"Well don't hold back the details! Tell us what happened and how Naruto and…I'm sorry, I didn't get your name," Ino inquired earnestly, wanting to hear the latest news and gossip.
"That's quite alright. I'm Uzumaki Honoka. And believe it or not, Naruto-kun and I are of the Uzumaki clan from Uzu no Kuni," Honoka said.
"What? We were never told of an Uzumaki clan or of a country called Uzu no Kuni," Chouji said in disbelief.
"There's a whole lot you guys weren't taught at the academy regarding relations my clan had with Konoha. It's an ugly cover up that many aren't aware of," Naruto added.
"Troublesome. There's going to be a huge mess when this revelation gets out; a clan and country that was never taught about in class or talked about," Shikamaru stated.
"Your village and its hierarchy only have themselves to blame," Honoka remarked.
"How could there be an Uzumaki clan? No one ever mentioned that such a clan existed," Ino replied.
"Existed? Excuse me, but Naruto-kun and I are standing in front of you, and there are probably plenty more of us scattered around the world," Honoka corrected.
"Why?" Shikamaru inquired.
"You'll learn that after the ruling party of this village gets rid of the cover up and the correct information is placed back in the history books," Honoka said. Naruto saw that Shikamaru and his team, along with the Konohamaru corps wanted to learn more about this Uzumaki clan. The fact that Sakura didn't try to refute Naruto and Honoka only served to confirm that what was being said was true.
Ino stepped over and took a close look at Honoka and commented, "You have beautiful red hair and your skin looks so creamy and smooth. You also have a unique sense of fashion though I wonder why you don't wear sandals. Regardless of that, I can tell that you really take care of hair and your body. What's your secret? Can you share them with me?"
"Ino, she's not your beautician, and we have other places to go and other people to see." Naruto said.
"In any case, welcome to Konoha, Uzumaki Honoka. We wish your stay in Konoha to be a pleasant one, though we heard that you caused quite a ruckus earlier in town with that stunt you pulled, so it's clear that both you and Naruto are related, distant or not," Shikamaru stated.
"Well, the villagers were giving Naruto-kun some problems, so I had to set them all straight," Honoka replied.
"Things are certainly going to get interesting with two Uzumaki now in Konoha," Shikamaru realized.
(Later; in Another Part of Konoha)
Hinata was making her way back to the Hyuuga compound alone. She was thinking about Naruto's cousin and how they found each other. She was so happy that Naruto wasn't the only one of his clan anymore. She really wanted to know the details behind their encounter and how they came across each other. She just couldn't wait to hear the story.
The Hyuuga heiress reached the front of her clan's compound's gate when…
"Hinata?"
Hinata stopped and turned to see Sasuke approaching her.
"Sasuke-san, what brings you here?" Hinata asked.
"There have been some things that I wanted to talk with you about, and I don't want to wait any longer," Sasuke answered.
"And what would those things be?" Hinata asked, having an idea what they were.
"Hinata, I know you really like Naruto and you even chose become his girlfriend. But what I can't understand is why do you like a shameless pervert who peeks in women's bathhouses, flirts and hits on girls and women wherever he goes, and reads erotic books openly in public. Even while we were in Nami no Kuni, he flirted with every girl that threw themselves at him and he did nothing to tell them off, despite knowing he's going out with you. I don't see what you could possibly see in a guy that acts this way while in a relationship. Aren't you the least bit offended and hurt by his blatant disrespect for you, and what he's supposed to have going on with you?" Sasuke inquired.
Hinata sighed to herself, knowing this was going to happen sooner or later. Calmly, she answered, "I'm...the only one who truly knows Naruto-kun. E-Everyone else knows what he-e wants them to know about him."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sasuke asked quizzically.
"What I mean is that you don't know Naruto-kun as well as you think. I learned to go beyond what my Byakugan can see, and I found something deep and endearing about Naruto-kun that no one else saw in him. True, Naruto-kun isn't perfect. He has his faults and bad habits, but I have them too, and I'm far from perfect. But like Naruto-kun, I was an outcast and treated like I was the disgrace of my clan. I was looked down upon by others and regarded as an unchangeable failure. And like Naruto-kun, I was even looked upon with hate and derision.
"Naruto-kun fully understood my pain, my suffering, and my loneliness, though his experience was far worse than my own. He changed and saved me from that life and helped me become smarter, stronger, and faster than others believed I could become. He has done nothing for me to begin doubting him and he has always been there for me."
There was a brief moment of silence between the Hyuuga and Uchiha. Sasuke took a moment to soak in everything he heard Hinata tell him, and he couldn't find a trace of deception or uncertainty in her words.
"I could have done that for you too, Hinata. If you had given me the chance I could have helped you become strong, perhaps even stronger. Even when we were younger at the ninja academy, I saw something different deep within you that made you stand out from all the other girls. And it wasn't just that you were the heiress of your clan.
"True, you had your handicaps and you struggled, but you took becoming a ninja more seriously and you strove to become smarter, stronger, and faster with the objective to overcome your difficulties. You're not shallow, nor do you believe that looking hot is all there is in order to become a true kunoichi.
"You're the kind of girlfriend I always want at my side. I always liked you, Hinata, even though you're seeing Naruto," Sasuke said.
Hinata saw where this was going and had to put a stop to it.
"Sasuke I-"
"If you were to become my girlfriend, unlike Naruto, I wouldn't even look at another girl, let alone flirt with them, as I would give attention like that only to you. I would leave no question of my feelings toward you and-"
"Sasuke, please stop this!" Hinata interjected, having heard enough. "I appreciate you being honest with me about your feelings for me, but please understand that I don't feel that way towards you. I'm happy being with Naruto-kun, and if you really like me this much, I ask you to please let me be happy with Naruto-kun, not try to seduce me into breaking up with him to date you instead. I love Naruto-kun and he loves me, that's all there is to it."
Sasuke didn't know what else he could say to the Hyuuga heiress after hearing how much she loved Naruto. Hearing those words and Hinata stating that only she truly knows Naruto left him much to think about, especially considering what occurred in Nami no Kuni. Sasuke found it hard to believe that Hinata was that loyal and faithful to Naruto in spite of his perverted character. He wasn't happy about this but he knew that getting angry in front of Hinata would do nothing to help him win Hinata over to him.
She doesn't see Naruto the way I see him. I don't know what more I can say to change her mind about him, Sasuke thought. With nothing more to say, Sasuke turned and walked off, leaving Hinata alone.
Hinata sighed and relaxed, feeling like a weight was lifted off her. She turned and continued on her way into the compound. Behind one of the large trees, a figure was hiding in the shadows, listening to the conversation that took place between Sasuke and Hinata.
"That fool had it coming to him. It's about time Neesan shut him down," Hanabi said lowly to no one in particular. Again, Hanabi found answers to her questions about Naruto and why Hinata has such strong feelings for him. Hearing Hinata's explanations about how her and Naruto's life were similar made Hanabi all the more curious about the Jinchuuriki, especially when she heard Hinata declare that Naruto hides things from everybody but her, and that nobody really knows him.
"That leads me to wonder just how strong Neesan is, and if she's been holding back her real strength for some time now. If Naruto-kun indeed helped Neesan, then she's not as weak as everyone believes her to be. But why this deception if she wants to be acknowledged as a strong heiress and ninja?
"Neesan said she learned to go beyond the ability of the Byakugan, and found something 'deeply endearing' about Naruto-kun. I wonder how she did that, and if I can do the same thing. Hm, well, if she was able to do it, then I shouldn't have a problem," Hanabi said to herself.
"What was that you were saying?" Naruto asked as he popped out of nowhere behind Hanabi. The young female Hyuuga jumped after being caught off guard by Naruto again.
"Damn it, Naruto-kun! I hate when you do that!" Hanabi snorted.
"A true ninja never reveals when he'll arrive. You of all people should know that about me by now, my Little Nighttime Firecracker," Naruto grinned.
Hanabi blushed and replied, "You're such a pain!" Hanabi then noticed the woman with Naruto. "Who's she?"
"Someone I'd like for you and the rest of the Hyuuga clan to meet. She's Uzumaki Honoka-nee," Naruto said.
"Excuse me? But you were said to be an orphan with no existing relatives. How could this stranger suddenly appear and claim to have ties of any sort with you, Naruto-kun," Hanabi said, looking at Honoka suspiciously.
Honoka giggled at the young Hyuuga and replied, "I can see that you hold Naruto-kun in high regards, and from the way you're looking at me, it's clear that you're protective of him too. I like that about you. I already met your sister and her team earlier today."
"You met Neesan already?" Hanabi asked.
"Hanabi! Naruto-kun! Honoka-san!" Hinata called out as she came out from the gate and hurried over to them.
"Hinata-chan, I brought Honoka-nee here for the rest of your folks to meet, if they're not busy," Naruto said.
"No, we're not busy at all! Please come inside and join us," Hinata offered politely and happily as she led them to into the manor. As the group walked through the compound, Honoka took in the beauty and sculptural designs used to decorate the Hyuuga compound. It's clear that the marble and other resources used in building this estate was carefully chosen and put together.
"You have a lovely abode here. I can see that some of the architecture here resembles that of Uzu no Kuni. It gives me that nostalgic feeling of home," Honoka commented. Naruto then recalled some of the pictures Honoka showed him and said, "Now that I think about it, some of the things here do remind me of Uzu no Kuni too, though I never actually been there myself but still…"
"I'm happy that our estate makes you both feel right at home, though Naruto-kun is already used to feeling right at home here. Our ancestors did hire prominent architects to design and built our home, but I never thought that some of those architects were Uzumaki. I'll definitely have to look into this," Hinata conversed. Hanabi though had a confused look on her face.
"Naruto-kun's ancestors helped design and build our home, Neesan?" Hanabi asked in wonder.
"It would appear to be so," Hinata said.
"You know, from what Naruto-kun told me, you girls do have some traits of an Uzumaki," Honoka said, catching both Hinata and Hanabi's attention.
"Neesan and I are of Hyuuga descent. How could we have Uzumaki heritage?" Hanabi inquired.
"You have traits of an Uzumaki not by heritage, but by characteristics. Back in Nami no Kuni, Naruto-kun said how both you and Hinata act very much like me. It was clear to me that Naruto-kun like girls who reminds him of his big sister," Honoka teased.
"Honoka-nee!" Naruto grunted.
"What? It's true that you said that," Honoka replied with a grin.
"You didn't have to let them know that!" Naruto said.
"It's all right Naruto-kun. I find it endearing," Hinata said.
"I find it weird," Hanabi said.
"Does the idea of being admired by Naruto-kun because of our similarities in characteristics displease you, Hanabi?" Honoka inquired.
Hanabi blushed, then replied with a slight stutter, "No! I mean…I d-didn't mean it that way! It's just that I've known Naruto-kun for a couple of years, longer than you, no offense. And the idea of being compared to someone who's now his new big sister just seems unusual."
"It's understandable that it would feel awkward at first, considering that you haven't gotten to know me yet. Therefore, allow me to briefly state the facts: the three of us care deeply for Naruto-kun as he cares deeply about us, we're all attached to him and he regards us as precious to him, and we're very protective of him as he is of us and we won't tolerate anyone defaming him in front of us, no matter who they are."
Hinata nodded in agreement and Naruto himself felt happy about how cherished he was. Hanabi too recalled how angry she got several days ago when Neji started badmouthing Naruto to her face before she sternly silenced and dismissed him from her sight.
"I admit I'm left with no room to argue, though Naruto-kun can be such a pain at some times," Hanabi remarked.
"I love you too Hanabi," Naruto snorted. Hinata giggled at the both of them as Honoka simply smiled, happy that she was able to melt whatever ice was there between herself and Hanabi.
(That Evening; Elsewhere)
The Suna nins were lodging in their rented hotel rooms. They were briefed by their Jounin sensei Baki before being allowed to rest for the rest of the night. Temari was leaning on the window ledge while looking out at the full moon shining brightly in the cloudless night sky. As she was doing so, her mind began to drift off.
"I am far from worthy of possessing let alone touching such exceptionally polished gemstones such as the one standing before me. Yet, just to be able to look, even from afar with my unworthy eyes, gives me reasons to appreciate women who refine themselves into kunoichi that are more than meets the eyes."
Why am I thinking of his words all of a sudden? Temari thought, Strong women who refine themselves into kunoichi that are more than meets the eyes.
No one ever said things like that about me before…Ugghhh! What am I doing? Why am I letting what he said get to me? Temari mentally sighed before she recalled his latter words.
"Hinata is my prized girlfriend, who possesses radiant moonlit pearls for eyes."
Looking at the moonlight while remembering Naruto's words about Hinata made Temari feel an emotion that felt foreign to her; a particular emotion that troubled her and it was aimed at Hinata, who she had never seen or met yet.
"Thinking about a certain blond, are we? I never knew you had a soft spot for younger men," Kankuro taunted as he entered the room. Temari turned and shot him a hardened glare that promised immense pain if he said another word on the subject. Kankuro shrugged and walked off out of the room as he said, "Gaara's on the roof; just thought you should know."
Kankuro closed the door behind him, leaving Temari alone with her thoughts. Looking back out the window, Temari thought about the reasons they were in Konoha. She and her people knew what their main objectives were, and as a loyal Suna kunoichi, she had her duty to carry out. Regardless of her priorities though, Temari felt the need to take care of some things, starting with an inner conflict that started up since her meeting with Naruto.
His prized girlfriend…why does that bothers me so much? Temari wondered with a strained sigh…
The Chuunin Exams are underway, with local and foreign ninja entering Konoha to participate in the exams. While this is taking place, Naruto and Honoka are making moves to make the conspiracy to erase their clan from history known to the populous.
Will they succeed in their objectives, and with what results?
Sasuke took it upon himself to confess his feelings for Hinata in hopes of making her think he'd be a better boyfriend than Naruto. But after she turned him down, will Sasuke finally let his feelings for her go and allow her to be happy with Naruto?
Hanabi continues to spy and eavesdrop on Hinata in hopes of learning as much about Naruto as possible. After hearing Hinata stating to Sasuke that she went beyond what her Byakugan can see and saw something endearing about the blond, Hanabi believes she can do the same. What can be expected from this?
And why is Temari bothered by Hinata being Naruto's girlfriend?
Find out next time!