The six members of the Yoinokuchi had spent the last two days getting to know each other better while they waited for Jiraiya to show up. And it wasn't until late in the afternoon on the second day of waiting since the return of Akimi and Akaru that Jiraiya finally entered the base.
"Welcome back Jiraiya sensei, I thought you would have gone to one of the other bases, I mean this is a long way to come from the Land of Rice Fields" Naruto greeted Jiraiya as he sat down to relax.
"Why not come here, this is our main hideout after all" Jiraiya said.
"What were you doing that was so important there anyway, the place is just a bunch of rice farmers" Naruto said.
"The sound village, Oto. It's a new village that has sprung up recently" Jiraiya said.
"So what! I mean it's not like it will be a very dangerous village if it is only new" Zabuza said.
"That's the thing, it isn't a real village at all, which makes me wonder why they would declare themselves as one" Jiraiya said.
"Huh what do you mean they're not a real village?" Akaru asked.
"I mean I have been over every part of the country, and there is no hidden village... but there is a hidden base owned by an old friend of mine" Jiraiya said.
"Orochimaru huh, so what is he up to now? Why declare a village that doesn't exist?" Naruto questioned.
"Well I have an idea, but I cant really prove it" Jiraiya replied.
"Well don't just sit there tell us what you think the scaly freak is up too" Zabuza said.
"He needed to be a village so he could do something only a village was allowed to do, something that forced him to make the claim of a village. I think he wants to send people who work for him for what ever reason to either the chunin or jounin exams in Konoha" Jiraiya said.
"What good would that do? New countries can only send a maximum of two teams to the chunin exams, so if he plans to attack Konoha with that few units he may as well just attack from the outside for all the good it would do him. Why not just register the teams as wandering shinobi?" Itachi said.
"I don't know, perhaps he is after something else, or is using this as a chance to get close to Sarutobi sensei, so he can kill him. All I know is I am positive Orochimaru has something planned during the chunin exams and it is never good when Orochimaru has something planned involving Konoha" Jiraiya said.
"So what do you suggest we do? We can't exactly warn the Hokage, if we don't know what that snake has planned" Naruto said.
"In that case we will just have to be on hand to stop him should anything occur" Jiraiya said.
"What you want us to break into Konoha in the middle of the chunin exams?" Naruto asked.
"Not at all, you are going to compete" Jiraiya said.
"I'm what! You're kidding me right? We don't have a village to compete for, and I don't even have a team!" Naruto yelled.
"We will enter you as a team of wandering Ninja, and I think you do have a team. Akimi is your age and has no past ninja alliances with any other village as she was not a ninja when her brother left Kumo. And Haku was never a ninja of Kiri, due to her bloodline limit. That will be your team" Jiraiya said.
This time it was Akimi's turn to blow a fuse "You want me to compete in the chunin exams against a bunch of weaklings! Come on Jiraiya-sama, I mean I am at least low jounin level and Naruto is at the same level as Itachi, I have never seen him loose a fight, this is over kill!" she yelled.
"I think it's a good idea" Akaru said.
"What why!" Akimi replied angrily.
"People from all over the elemental countries will be there, when one of you win the tournament it will gain us all some reputation and people will look to find you for their missions" the angry kunoichi's brother said calmly.
"Hey what about the rest of us? Are we just going to sit on the side lines?" Zabuza asked.
"Actually Zabuza, you will be going to the Land of Water with Itachi. We need to gain the trust of the resistance and you are our key in, they know that you are a wanted man in Kiri for an attempt on Yagura's life in a failed coup de-tat" Jiraiya said.
"Heh that does sound good. Looks like you are going with the kid for awhile Haku" Zabuza said.
"As you wish Zabuza-sama" Haku said slightly upset to have to leave the swordsman.
"Don't worry, it will only be for a few months, until after the chunin exams and the resistance allows more of us to help out in their war" Jiraiya said.
"That is everyone else sorted, but what about me?" Akaru asked.
"I need you to go around the Land of Fire, and Rice Fields and gather what ever information you can on what Orochimaru is planning. People in the Land of Rice Fields will probably be more willing to talk to you than me as you are classified as a missing ninja. So anyone who actually knows anything may be think you are willing to join them" Jiraiya explained.
"And let me guess, you will be doing research" Naruto said.
"Well I haven't done any research in Konoha in five years, and they have always had some of the best specimens" Jiraiya said weakly tapping his index fingers together.
"You know for a leader you certainly don't do much when there are important things to do" Naruto said.
"What does he mean by research?" Haku asked.
"You don't want to know" Itachi said expressionlessly.
"Look we all have our assignments. The chunin exams are not for a month yet, so you three can stay here and relax, or train, I will go talk to sensei about signing you three up. Itachi, Zabuza, you can leave when ever you are ready I have marked the island and location of the Resistance HQ on the map in your room, and Akaru, the sooner you can leave to gather information the better" Jiraiya said.
"So that's it, we just go do the tasks we are given?" Zabuza asked after Jiraiya left the room.
"Yes, that's about right, come let's prepare for the trip, you know the Land of Water better than I do so I need to know what to expect on the different island's" Itachi said and he too left the room.
The following day everyone had left the base leaving the three younger ninja alone to prepare in what ever way they saw fit for the upcoming exams.
(Konoha, Two Days Later)
Night had fallen over the village hidden in the leaves and the Hokage had once again fallen behind on his paper work causing him to stay long into the night. "Will this accursed bane of my existence never end!" Hiruzen yelled in frustration as he began on yet another stack.
"You should really do your work during the day instead of spending so much time smoking then" came the voice of Jiraiya from the windowsill.
"Jiraiya-kun! Come in" Hiruzen said warmly, waving Jiraiya to enter.
Jiraiya complied bur rather than take a seat he simply leaned against a nearby wall.
"So to what do I owe the pleasure of your company? Decided to return to serve the village once more?" Hiruzen asked hopefully.
Not exactly, but I do have some information and some aid that you could use" Jiraiya said.
"And what may that be?" the Hokage questioned.
"Orochimaru... he is the leader of Oto. I also believe he has something planned for the chunin exams, in fact I am almost certain of this" Jiraiya said.
"I see, thank you for this information. And what aid can you offer to handle this threat?" the old Sarutobi asked.
"A three ninja genin team. Consisting of Naruto Uzumaki, Haku Momoichi and Akimi Hayaku" Jiraiya said.
"You plan on bringing Naruto here? He is coming back to the village?" Hiruzen questioned.
"Not for long, just the duration of the chunin exams to make sure nothing happens. But I will warn you, keep Danzo and the elders away from Naruto, if they attempt anything you could be looking at a rather hefty clean up" Jiraiya said.
"I will certainly do my best. Tell me, how strong is Naruto?" Hiruzen asked.
"Well I have been training him for the past five years so he is a damn sight better than any genin that's for sure" Jiraiya said.
"I see, now what about the Rinnegan? Does he truly possess the power of the Rikudou Sennin?" the Hokage asked.
"Well the Rinnegan, yes. As for the power of the sage... Well its a bit soon to tell, he is only thirteen after all, but his chakra supply's are massive, he can do things with chakra I have never seen done before, some of his skills are quite frankly frightening. Add to that he has some monstrous strength, enough to be able to stop one of my kicks with a single arm. Only myself and Itachi can give him a run for his money in a fight, and I have a feeling that he has been holding back lately" Jiraiya said.
"And you want me to put him in the genin exams! Even after hearing that" Hiruzen said almost disbelievingly.
"That's about right, I want them all entered as wandering shinobi. You can use me as the teams official sensei" Jiraiya said.
"I will agree, on one condition" the Hokage said.
"And what's that?" Jiraiya asked cautiously.
"I want them to arrive a week before the exams, I would like to see how Naruto has grown up" Hiruzen said.
"Very well, I can arrange that. May I suggest keeping his arrival a secret? Also he refuses to hide his eyes, damn gaki says they are part of who he is. I took him to Tsunade-Hime for him to learn her unique henge to hide them, but he stopped using it after about six months" Jiraiya said.
"Very well, I look forward to his arrival eagerly" Hiruzen said with a smile.
The pair sat and talked for awhile but eventually Jiraiya left the aged hokage to the eternal hell that is paperwork.
The weeks passed quickly and it was soon the week before the chunin exams. Naruto, Jiraiya and the two kunoichi were slowly approaching the main gate of Konoha.
"So where are we staying while we are in Konoha?" Akimi asked.
"Your guess is as good as mine, I am sure they have some hotels set up for visiting teams" Naruto replied.
"Yeah you guys will be staying at a hotel, don't worry though you are going to be given great rooms, the Hokage made sure of it" Jiraiya assured the there 'genin'.
The four ninja arrived at the gate and were immediately called over to deliver their passports.
"Name and ninja registration papers for any people competing in the chunin exams" the gate guard said not bothering to look up from his desk.
"Naruto Uzumaki" Naruto said proudly and handed over the paper form he had to fill out to compete in the exam.
The two kunoichi in Naruto's team followed Naruto's lead and handed over their papers after giving their names.
"Naruto Uzumaki? You know that names sounds familiar? Oh well it's probably nothing, who is your accompanying sensei?" the gate guard asked still not bothering to look up from his desk.
"That would be Me" Jiraiya said proudly.
The gate guard slowly raised his head but when he saw the man who was the acting sensei his eyes bulged. "Ji-ji-Jiraiya-sama you're back!" the gate guard stammered.
"Heh I guess I am, now would you please allow my team entrance" Jiraiya said.
"Y-y-yes of course" the guard said stamping the pass ports and handing them back to the three waiting ninja.
"Wow can you believe Jiraiya-sama has a team competing in this chunin exams. I bet they are all going to walk it in" the gate guard who stamped the passports said.
"Yeah, say did that kid with the blond hair and purple eyes look familiar to you?" the other guard asked.
"Yeah sorta reminded me of that Kyuubi kid that disappeared all those years ago" the first guard replied.
"Yeah what was that kid's name?" the other guard asked.
"I have no idea, I don't think anyone ever payed any attention to the kid, I remember him yelling his name saying he was going to be Hokage one day, but I cant remember it. When you think about it, it isn't really a surprise that the kid never returned to the village" the first guard said.
Meanwhile back with Naruto. The group of ninja were walking through the main street of Konoha looking around almost unsure of where they were supposed to go.
"Hey sensei, where are you taking us?" Naruto asked.
"To the Hotel you will be staying at, it is the diplomatic hotel beside the Hokage tower, it is usually just reserved for emissaries from other villages and daimyo's and rich businessmen, but the Hokage made three rooms available for you guys" Jiraiya said.
"Well that's nice of him" Akimi said happily.
"Yeah, I owe Jiji big time for this" Naruto said.
"Well he want's to see you after you get settled in, preferably before you go explore the village" Jiraiya informed the blond.
"Well it's not like there is a better place to start, I haven't seen the old man in such a long time, it will be great to catch up with him" Naruto said enthusiastically.
"Naruto just to remind you, we are not here on some holiday, we have a job to do as well!" Jiraiya said.
"Is that so, then why are you carrying a map of Konoha with all the women only bathhouses, marked in little red crosses" Naruto replied.
"This is important research, Orochimaru may be sneaking around anywhere!" Jiraiya yelled back.
"And I am sure he just loves to hide amongst a bunch of women who are bathing" Akimi said bristling slightly in anger.
Jiraiya wisely dropped the subject and picked up the pace of his walking. After all, the sooner he made it to his favorite places in Konoha.
The hotel was more like a mansion and every room they went to was furnished with the finest wood furniture Naruto had ever seen, they even had genin on hand at almost all times to carry bags.
The genin who was currently carrying Akimi and Haku's bags as Naruto and Jiraiya used sealing scrolls. Led them to their rooms, well the rooms of the genin. Jiraiya had told them he had a place to stay while he was in Konoha, so he didn't need a hotel room.
Naruto's room was massive, it looked more like an average sized apartment for one, rather than a hotel room. There was a massive wooden queen sized bed, a complete kitchen and even a walk in wardrobe.
'I definitely owe Jiji a thank you for this' Naruto thought as he looked around before resting on the bed. There was a knock on the door and Akimi and Haku entered.
"Looks like you got an amazing room as well, that old Hokage really knows how to make people feel welcome. This is great, I might never return to the Yoinokuchi and become a full time shinobi of Konoha if I always get treated this well" Akimi said as she looked around the room.
"I doubt they will let you keep the room if you are not a guest, I also doubt Jiji would have given us such great rooms if it wasn't for Jiraiya sensei" Naruto said.
"Yeah, you are just scared that I will leave the group, after all without me, and now Haku the group is all guys" Akimi said.
"Well do what you want. I need to go see Jiji, after all I did say I would go there after I found my room" Naruto said.
"Are you going to wear your Yoinokuchi cloak? isn't that dangerous?" Haku queried.
"Not really, the cloaks are a bit of a new touch, in fact I am still deciding on what color I want them" Naruto said offhandedly as he left the room.
Naruto left the hotel and walked the short distance to the Hokage Tower. Sitting at a desk on the ground level of the tower, was a woman with short brown hair reading a magazine.
"Hello I would like to see the Hokage" Naruto said with a smile.
"He said he is not to be disturbed and anyway, I am not just going to allow entrance to the Hokage to anyone who comes in and just asks for it" the receptionist said.
"He told me to come here, I believe he is expecting me" Naruto said.
"Fine I will ask him, what is your name?" the woman asked.
"Naruto Uzumaki" Naruto replied casually.
"What did you just say!... There is no way you can be him!" the receptionist said.
"Why is that, I am Naruto Uzumaki I don't know exactly how to prove it but I am starting to realize why Jiraiya sensei always enters Jiji's office by the window" Naruto said.
"Very well, I still don't believe you, but follow me and I will go ask Hokage-sama if he is truly expecting you" the woman said and after putting her magazine down she stood and began to lead Naruto up a spiraling staircase.
"Wait here I will go and see Hokage-sama, he will tell me if he is expecting you or not" the receptionist said.
Several seconds later she reappeared and told Naruto to enter.
"How's it going old man!" Naruto said happily as he casually entered the room.
"Naruto-kun! It has been far too long. I hope you are not too busy to visit an old man more often. Look at how you have grown, looks like you are no longer the shortest person in your age group" Hiruzen said.
"Good too see you as well Jiji" Naruto replied.
"Now before we continue I must ask about the Rinnegan. Do you mind if a curious old man takes a closer look at your eyes" Hiruzen asked.
"Sure thing, although they are not much to look at, Itachi senseis Sharingan and Mangekyo Sharingan are much cooler looking" Naruto said.
"Yes, well I have seen plenty of Sharingan in the past, this could be the only chance I will ever get to see the Eyes of the Rikudou Sennin" Hiruzen said as he got out from behind his desk and moved over to Naruto and lowering himself to Naruto's eye level. "Amazing such a small pupil, how is your vision?" Hiruzen asked.
"Oh its perfect, I can even see chakra, but it gets kinda weird if I use shadow clones so I try to avoid that" Naruto admitted.
"Really why's that?" the Hokage queried.
"Well my vision splits into what I see, and what the clone sees, it is a real pain in the ass, but it works great for spying and information gathering" Naruto said.
"Amazing what else can those eyes of yours do?" Hiruzen asked eagerly.
"Come on Jiji. I cant go telling you that, I need to keep some secrets you know. I am a ninja after all" Naruto said.
"Oh very well, that will be all. Anyway tell me about what you have been up too! I wont get a better chance than this to find out how you have grown up" Hiruzen said.
"Hm not much really, for most of the time it was just Myself, Itachi sensei and Jiraiya sensei training so I could look after myself against anyone who recognized my eyes and tried to either take them for themselves or control me. After that we started taking on freelance work to help people in need or capture missing ninja" Naruto explained not wanting to give away to much about the Yoinokuchi.
"Well it sounds like you are doing well for yourself. Life around here has been rather quiet with you gone, we no longer have large groups of genin and chunin chasing a young troublemaker around the village" Hiruzen chuckled.
"If it makes you happy I could always pull a few pranks... I had a great one planned for the final year of the academy to use just before I graduated" Naruto said.
"Hm I think it would be for the best if you didn't, I enjoy the stress free life" the aged Hokage laughed.
(Elsewhere in Konoha)
Team seven were training in their teamwork. Sasuke had recently awoken his Sharingan while training with Kakashi to spot fast moving objects. They were currently working on the groups skills by having Kakashi throw rocks at Hinata while she destroyed them with strikes of her taijutsu style. Sasuke was attempting to intercept the stones to increase his speed and strength. And Sakura was attempting to affect Kakashi's aim with various genjutsu she knew but was having varied success.
"Okay good job guy's, in fact you all worked together so well today that I am going to enter you all into the Chunin exams in a weeks time" Kakashi informed his team.
"Um are you sure we are ready, we have only been out of the academy for six months" Hinata said.
"We're ready, besides even if we don't graduate it will be a good learning experience" Sasuke said.
"Yeah Sasuke-kun is right" Sakura said although she agreed with Hinata.
"Well I will see you all tomorrow with the forms to fill out bye" Kakashi said before disappearing in a large puff of smoke.
Hinata and Sasuke left there separate ways, typically Sakura followed Sasuke like a lost puppy until he told her he didn't want to go on a date with the pink haired kunoichi.
So in the end Sakura walked home slightly depressed that her, 'true love!' was still not interested in her. As she was walking home she passed by the Hokage tower at the very same moment Naruto was leaving to return to his hotel.
'That was the Baka who was with Sasuke-kun's brother! If I can capture him he will have to tell Sasuke-kun everything he knows about his brother. And Sasuke-kun will finally take notice of me!' Sakura thought and quickly made up a plan to follow the blond. 'This will be perfect, I bet this guy is a useless shinobi, that's why he had to hang out with Itachi!' Sakura thought and began to rather inexpertly tail Naruto.
End Chapter!