It was time. Naruto enters the arena where only Hiruzen, the elders, the clan heads, and the ANBU Commander Dragon are in attendance to witness. As he enters, he sees that Kakashi, Maito Gai, and Jiraiya of the Sannin are there waiting for him.
Before the exam begins, Hiruzen makes his way down and explains what will happen. "Welcome, Naruto-kun. I trust you are prepared."
Naruto chuckles. "Of course I am, Gramps." Hiruzen smiles and nods.
Indicating the 3 proctors of the exams, Hiruzen says, "These three will be your opponents as well as your proctors. In order, Maito Gai will be your taijutsu proctor, Kakashi Hatake will be your ninjutsu proctor, and Jiraiya will be assessing your overall skill level in a full on contest. Understood?" Naruto nods. "Good. Let us know when you are ready and we'll begin with your taijutsu exam."
After a couple of minutes, Naruto stands across from Maito Gai. The two powerful shinobi never waver in their gazes, each one sizing up their other and gauging their skills. Gai is the first to speak up. "I wish you a most youthful contest, Naruto-kun. Good luck."
Naruto chuckles at Gai's unique way of speaking. "Likewise, Gai-san."
Yugao is the referee for Naruto's jounin exam. Although... Naruto notices the slight limp she's walking with. He cracks a knowing grin on his face, something Kakashi and Yugao both pick up on. She blushes and clears her throat. "This match with be purely taijutsu. Gai, remember that you are only trying to gauge his skills to fit jounin level. Naruto, remember that you may not use any jutsu. Am I clear?" Both contestants nod. "Begin!"
Although Yugao indicated that the match has started, neither Gai nor Naruto immediately went into action. Both wait for the other to attack first, something the few spectators in the arena approve of. For now, the two engage in a battle of patience.
After a few minutes of neither moving a muscle, Gai grins and nods in approval. Gai then drops into a stance for his Goken style. Naruto responds by dropping down into his Eiken, or Crashing Fist style. The spectators' eyes widen in intrigue, having never seen that stance before.
"Interesting," Hiruzen says, getting the attention of the elders. "Naruto-kun must have created that style himself." They nod, turning their gazes back to the match.
Gai takes off at his weighted speed. Even restricted, he's still moving at high jounin speeds. Naruto is still able to see him though. Gai throughs a punch, which Naruto is there to meet with his own. The two fists clash, and the resounding shockwave echoes throughout the stadium. Both combatants sport genuine grins on their faces. They disappear in a blur of speed.
The two fighters clash in several areas in the arena. The stadium is filled with shockwaves as the warriors clash fist for fist, elbow for elbow, knee for knee, and kick for kick. After a few minutes of nonstop action, Naruto and Gai both appear in the middle of the arena. Both are panting slightly, each bearing marks where their opponent had landed strikes.
The two take off to engage one another again. Naruto manages to duck under a punch from Gai, responding with a punch to his gut. Gai grits his teeth a delivers a left hook to Naruto's jaw. Gai is not using any of his Goken grappling techniques as he is not trying to incapacitate Naruto, he's merely trying to gauge his skills. Naruto is not using any of his Crash element as he is not trying to kill the Green Beast of Konoha.
After a few more minutes of close quarters combat, the two part. Gai says, "Enough. I've seen what I've needed to see. Naruto-kun, I can honestly say your taijutsu is easily at jounin level. I believe we should stop before we get too carried away."
Naruto relaxes and nods. "Thank you. I agree, Gai-sensei." Naruto addresses the man as 'Gai-sensei' out of respect for his skill. Naruto had nearly been going all out without using his chakra. He surmises that Gai is not an opponent he can defeat without lethal force. That taijutsu of his is troublesome.
Yugao indicates the match has ended. The onlookers are impressed at Naruto's ability to keep up with Gai's speed. He was also able to land several strikes on the elite jounin. The clan heads were most impressed with his display of skill.
"I have to say," Inoichi Yamanaka begins. "I wasn't expecting the boy to do so well."
Tsume Inuzuka nods. "The pup managed to give Gai a decent fight. Not a lot of people can keep up with him, even if he still was holding back."
The usually stoic Shibi Aburame adds, "It is clear that his taijutsu is jounin level."
In the kage box, Hiruzen and the elders are speaking. "I was not expecting the boy to be so skilled for his age." Elder Homura says.
"Indeed. He shows such promise for his age, yet he has only just recently graduated from the academy." Elder Koharu adds. Homura and Koharu are long time friends and former teammates of Hiruzen's. Them, along with Danzo Shimura, are rare examples of shinobi who manage to live to old age.
Danzo doesn't say anything. It had been a long time goal of his to sway the kyuubi jinchuuriki to join his cause. He'd known for a long time that Naruto had been training in secrecy, but the ROOT shinobi he'd sent to spy on him or capture him had never returned alive. After a while, he'd stopped sending them, refusing to lose anymore of his forces.
Hiruzen adds his thoughts. "Naruto-kun is proving to be a beacon of Konoha's resurging strength. I have no doubt that once the other villages learn of his power, they'll be hesitant to move against us. Or they'll learn to fear him the hard way." The elders raise an eyebrow at Hiruzen's ominous words. They're intrigued to see what Naruto is capable of to warrant such words from the God of Shinobi himself.
After a few moments of rest, Kakashi heads to the center of the field with Naruto. "Good luck, Naruto." Kakashi says with an eye smile.
Naruto smirks. "Likewise, Kakashi. And don't worry, Yugao-san. I won't hurt your boyfriend too badly." This elicits a blush from both Yugao and Kakashi. It also causes a few of the spectators to chuckle, while the perverted Toad Sage giggles and scribbles in his notebook.
Yugao clears her throat, trying and failing to play off his comment. "This contest will be ninjutsu only. Kakashi, remember that you are only trying to gauge his skill. No lethal attacks, am I clear?" The two nod. Yugao turns to Kakashi, though, and says quietly for only him to hear. "Be careful." Kakashi's gaze softens and he nods at her in assurance. Yugao reciprocates and declares, "Begin!"
Immediately, Kakashi begins flashing through hand seals. "Katon! Grand Fireball!" Kakashi launches a decently sized fireball at Naruto, who doesn't move. Before the fireball hits him, it shatters into small cubes and dissipates into thin air, shocking the audience and causing Kakashi to grit his teeth. 'Dammit. It's going to be just like when Asuma fought him.' He lifts up his hitaiate and reveals his Sharingan.
In the stands, the clan heads witness the event in shock and confusion. "What the hell just happened?!" Tsume shouts.
Hiashi Hyuga offers his insight. He witnessed the exchange with his Byakugan active and sees the cause. "It would seem... there's some sort of chakra field surrounding Naruto." He has difficulty watching Naruto due to the density and intensity of his chakra. Years of training and experience allows him to safely watch the match.
The clan heads turn to him. "What do you mean, Hiashi?" Shikaku Nara asks.
Hiashi explains, "When Kakashi's fireball entered into this field, it began... destroying the chakra contained in the attack. Incredible..."
Their eyes widen. "Destroying the chakra?" Tsume asks.
Hiashi nods. "I don't know how, but the chakra in this field or barrier or whatever that is surrounding Naruto attacked the chakra in Kakashi's jutsu. I've never seen anything like it..."
Back in the arena, Naruto flashes through his own hand seals. "Fuuton! Spiraling Air Bullet!" Naruto launches a rapid, piercing projectile of air at Kakashi, who barely manages to move out of the way.
"Fuuton!" Hiruzen exclaims. The audience is vastly impressed, considering wind users are so rare.
Kakashi flashes through several more hand seals. "Doton! Emerging Ground Spikes!" The ground erupts in dozens of sharp spikes. Naruto stomps his foot and the ground shatters into cubes. Kakashi dodges out the way, afraid he may get destroyed as well.
Naruto shouts, "Fuuton! Wind Javelin Barrage!" Several wind spears appear behind Naruto. Kakashi looks on with widened eyes as they blast towards him. He manages to kawarimi with a magical log before the projectiles land, devastating the ground and completely destroying the log.
Not at all winded, Naruto launches another jutsu to display his arsenal. "Doton! Stone Fissure!" Kakashi is in a precarious position. He manages to kawarimi in time but he's becoming winded. He's never had a massive amount of chakra, and the strain of using a Sharingan along with launching several jutsu is becoming quite taxing.
Naruto had already displayed enough skill but the match had become quite heated. Kakashi's pride takes exception to the idea of being defeated by a fresh academy graduate. Kakashi decides to take a gamble, hoping to catch Naruto off guard. This will be his last stand.
Kakashi flashes through several hand seals. "Katon! Grand Fireball!" He launches a massive fireball at Naruto. The attack require Naruto to actively concentrate in order to shatter it. He destroys the fireball but not before Kakashi appears behind him, catching him by surprise. Naruto widens his eyes as Kakashi places his hand on his shoulder.
"Good fight, Naruto. However, this is game over." Kakashi holds up a single hand seal. "Raiton! Shockwave Submission!" Naruto quickly flares his chakra as Kakashi releases the jutsu to try to incapacitate him. The Crash element collides with Kakashi's lightning, resulting in a chakra backlash, the explosion sending Kakashi flying. Naruto holds his ground but the impact still winds him. He digs his heels into the ground to prevent from flying into a wall, unlike Kakashi.
From the rubble, Kakashi is visibly injured. He pulls himself from the rubble, growling as he eyes Naruto dangerously. He's about to continue the fight, regardless of his low chakra reserves, until Hiruzen decides otherwise. "Jounin Kakashi!"
Naruto, Kakashi, and Yugao turn their attention to the frowning elderly kage. He continues, "This is supposed to be a simple examination, not some battle to settle your petty squabbles and swelling egos. This match is concluded and I deem Naruto's skills worthy of jounin!"
Kakashi looks away in shame, embarrassed that his pride interfered with his appointed duty. He says, "Sorry, Naruto. I should have done my job better instead of letting my ego cloud my judgment."
Naruto shakes his head. "Think nothing of it, Kakashi. That was an interesting tactic. I didn't expect you to use kawarimi like that."
Kakashi chuckles. "Sometimes the basics are all you need. As a jounin, you'll learn to use everything at your disposal." Naruto smiles and nods. Kakashi leaves the field to go get medical attention and Yugao follows, concerned for her boyfriend.
Moments later, the crowd looks on in anticipation as Jiraiya and Naruto stare each other down. Jiraiya is a kage level shinobi so the odds are logically against Naruto in this fight. That doesn't stop Anko from collecting bets on them. "BETS HERE! PLACE YOUR BETS HERE! WHO'S GONNA WIN? THE HANDSOME BLONDE STALLION OR THE PERVERTED TOAD!"
Naruto sweats at his lover while Jiraiya turns red with anger. "OI! I'M THE TOAD SAGE, NOT AN ACTUAL TOAD, DAMMIT!"
Naruto chuckles. Jiraiya turns back to him and smirks. "You know, kid. I suppose now wouldn't be a bad time to tell you I'm your godfather, right?"
Naruto raises an eyebrow and smirks. "Oh? So I guess I can try a little harder to beat your ass for missing out on my childhood, right?"
Jiraiya chuckles uncomfortably. "Guess I put my foot in my mouth, huh?"
Yugao approaches, sweating under the tense atmosphere from the two combatants. She clears her throat. "This next bout will be a full match. Anything goes, barring fatal attacks. You stop when I say stop, understood?" Both men nod. "BEGIN!"
Jiraiya is the first to act. He flashes through a series of seals and shouts, "Doton! Swamp of the underworld!" The ground underneath Naruto's feet turns into a thick mud, trapping Naruto. He counters by channeling his Crash element, destroying the ground and the jutsu that bound him. Jiraiya narrows his eyes.
Naruto channels chakra into his legs and explodes forth in a burst of speed. Jiraiya barely has time to counter. He manages to throw up his guard to protect himself as Naruto slams his fist into his arms. Jiraiya grits his teeth through the pain, feeling his bones creak under the pressure of Naruto's strength. Naruto has a grin on his face. He learned to reinforce his limbs with his unnaturally dense chakra, adding an incredible amount of force behind his already heightened strength.
He rears back his left hand and delivers another punch, this time landing underneath Jiraiya's guard and rattling his innards. Jiraiya's face contorts in pain and he coughs up blood. Naruto's punch launches him into the far wall. The audience is stunned. Less than minute into the fight and Naruto sent one of their strongest shinobi flying across the field.
Jiraiya manages to shake off the cobwebs. He grimaces at Naruto's power. 'Damn. That felt like I took one of Hime's punches. I guess I can't afford to hold back in this one.' Jiraiya bites his thumb and flashes through some seals. He slaps the ground. "Kuchiyose no jutsu!" Two frogs appear on both of his shoulders.
"Jiraiya-boy," one says. "What made you call on us?"
Jiraiya chuckles. "You see that blonde gaki over there?" he says. Pa looks and his eyes widen.
"Jiraiya-boy... is he-?" Jiraiya nods. "I see... his chakra has an unnatural weight to it as well. It doesn't belong to his... prisoner either."
Jiraiya clenches his jaw slightly. "I'm aware. I need to use that in order to match him. He's strong. Very strong. I need to use everything in my arsenal to match him."
Fukasaku and Shima both nod in understanding. Jiraiya enters into a state of concentration as he begins to channel nature chakra. Naruto smirks, giving the Toad Sage a moment to gather his power. Naruto wouldn't normally let this happen and would rather opt to destroy his opponent but he's never had the chance to fight a kage level shinobi. He wants to finally have a fight he may enjoy.
Jiraiya finishes entering his sage mode. He opens his eyes and reveals how they mirror a toad's. He speaks, "You'd better be ready, gaki. Big mistake letting me enter into Sage Mode. Amateur move."
Naruto scoffs. "Get over yourself, old man. If I continued fighting you at your normal power, this fight would have already been over. You're about on the same level as Gramps. I don't usually get to fight someone on that level so I want this to last." Naruto drops down into a fighting stance. "Don't disappoint me, Toad Sage."
Jiraiya grits his teeth. "Arrogant gaki. Know your place!" Jiraiya disappears in a blur of speed, surprising Naruto a bit. He takes off as well, chakra channeled into his legs. He meets Jiraiya in the center of the field, both throwing a punch, knuckle meeting knuckle. The resounding shockwave cracks the ground beneath them.
Naruto grins madly while Jiraiya clenches his teeth. His hand was rattled in the exchange, leaving a throbbing pain in his right hand. The two take off again to continue their exchange, Crashing Fist meeting Toad Style. Jiraiya can't believe that Naruto is able to keep up with him in his Sage Mode. The physical exchanges are earthshaking, leaving cracks and craters throughout the entire field. Fukasaku and Shima both struggle under the pressure of such a brutal fight.
Jiraiya lands a punch to Naruto's gut but is surprised when the boy simply continues as if he doesn't feel it. Naruto retaliates with an elbow to Jiraiya's jaw, loosening his teeth and inducing starry vision. 'Wh... What the hell?!' Jiraiya thinks to himself. 'How does a mere kid... have so much power?!'
The Crash element coursing through Naruto's body strengthens him and gives him incredible endurance. This advantage becomes apparent once Naruto begins overwhelming the Toad Sage, his body no longer able to keep up with Naruto. The two combatants separate and Jiraiya's fatigue is obvious and the battle had begun to wear on him. He's panting heavily, as are the two Toad elders.
Naruto chuckles. "What's wrong, old man? Can't keep up with a youngster like me anymore?"
Jiraiya grits his teeth but is loath to admit that Naruto has a point. While Jiraiya has been put through his paces with this fight, Naruto looks fresh with only a few scathes here and there. Jiraiya isn't so sure that his age is such a big factor as Naruto's unbelievable strength.
Deciding to go for broke, Jiraiya channels chakra into his hand, forming a rotating sphere of energy. The orb grows in size, eclipsing Jiraiya himself in shear mass. Jiraiya charges at Naruto. "Oodama Rasengan!"Naruto smirks. He knows of the Rasengan from studying up on the Yondaime Hokage. Alighting his left hand in Crash chakra he reciprocates the charge.
Jiraiya slams the massive ball of rotating chakra into Naruto who meets it with his bare hand. Naruto's Crash element works it's magic in destabilizing and destroying the chakra forming the Rasengan but Jiraiya continues supercharging it with Nature chakra. Naruto is caught by surprise that the Rasengan holds up as he is starting to get pushed back.
Jiraiya smirks. "Guess your Crash element isn't so almighty after all, huh brat?"
Naruto smirks. "Can it, old man. I'm just getting started." Grabbing his wrist, Naruto begins pouring on his chakra. His body erupts in a ghostly white aura as the ground beneath him shatters into cubes and disintegrates. Jiraiya can no longer maintain the chakra usage, Fukasaku and Shima dispel from exhaustion, and Jiraiya's Rasengan shatters. Naruto capitalized and delivers a punctuating punch to finish the match.
The audience is stunned by the display. Naruto's punch sends Jiraiya flying, crashing into the ground and digging a trench into the field. He's no longer in his legendary Sage Mode and is blissfully unconscious. Naruto simply looks at the motionless form of the Toad Sage. Rather than his patented arrogant swagger, he has a solemn, wistful expression.
He gives a light smirk. "Thanks for the great fight... kyōfu." He turns and walks off the field.
Yugao snaps out of her stupor and shunshins to the field and announces, "W-winner of the match, Naruto Uzumaki!"
The crowd breaks out in amazed murmurs and chatters. Hiruzen sighs. He knows he'll have a hell of a time explaining this to everyone.
•••
In the Hokage's office a few hours after Naruto's exam, Naruto stands before Hiruzen, listening to his evaluation. "...and as such, while I know you lack field experience... I do believe that raw strength and power such as yours more than makes up for that. I'm promoting you to the full rank of jounin. Congratulations, Naruto-kun." Hiruzen hands Naruto one of the standard issue Jounin vests.
Naruto chuckles, "Thanks, old man. I do wonder how the clan heads took it when you broke the news to them."
Hiruzen chuckles, "Well, they of course had many questions but seeing as I'm the Hokage, they didn't challenge my decision. I do want you to know that I am very proud of you, Naruto-kun."
Naruto smiles at the man he considers a grandfather. "Thanks, Ojii-san. You know, you've always looked out for me and made sure I was ok, even when I felt like giving up. I appreciate it more than you know."
The elderly kage looks at his surrogate grandson with warm eyes. "Of course, Naruto-kun. It's the least I could do since I'm partially responsible for your hardships. If I had been the one to seal the fox instead of your father..."
Naruto shakes his head. "What's done is done, Jiji. I'm enjoying my life now, that's the best anyone can do."
Hiruzen smiles. "Indeed, Naruto-kun. Report back to me at the end of the week. I have a mission that requires your talents." Naruto nods and exits the Hokage's office, knowing exactly who he wants to celebrate today's events with.
•••
Heading down Konoha's residential district for shinobi, Naruto ponders his future in his mind. He's slowed his womanizing tendencies quite a bit, finding himself content with Anko and Kurenai. He's racked up quite a bit of money from raiding bandit camps and looting nuke nin corpses from his bounties. And now that he's a jounin, he has the potential to earn a substantial constant income.
Naruto truly is content with his life. He smiles a genuine smile as he nears his destination. Coming up on the apartment, he knocks on the door. After a short moment, the door opens, revealing the beautiful form of a woman he genuinely loves: Anko Mitarashi. The gorgeous T and I operative is clad only in a long short sleeve shirt and what Naruto can only assume is her panties underneath.
Naruto smiles warmly, which she returns, and no words were exchanged as the two lean in and share a loving kiss. "Hello, my love." Naruto says.
Anko chuckles, "Hey Naru." She leads him inside and closes the door, locking it and activating her security seals. She then joins Naruto on the sofa, leaning in close to his left side and laying her head on his chest. "Congratulations on your promotion again, by the way."
Naruto gently runs his hand up and down her back, kissing her forehead. "Thanks, love. It was kind of easy though, unfortunately. I was hoping Jiraiya would present more of a challenge."
Anko chuckles again. "Naru, your kekkei tota makes you one of the strongest shinobi in the world and you're only 14. I doubt many people would be enough of a challenge for you and you're still growing."
Naruto laughs at his girlfriend, as she makes a good argument. "You have a point. Either way, the old man said he'll give me a mission at the end of the week. Till then, I have a short vacation."
Anko smirks. "Hmm... I wonder what we should do until then?" she says suggestively, gazing into his eyes and moving in closer to his lips.
Naruto's grin widens slightly, already feeling the tightening of his pants and the warmth of his lover's breath. "I have a few ideas."
Lemon ahead
Naruto claims Anko's lips with his own, immediately prodding her mouth with his tongue. The two lovers are no strangers to each other's body. They know where to touch, where to pinch, where to squeeze, almost everything there is to know about each other. Naruto pulls Anko into his lap and begins running his hands under her large shirt that she wears for simply lounging around.
The beautiful purple haired snake mistress moans as her lover attacks all of her weak spots, kissing her neck, nibbling her earlobe, pinching her nipples, squeezing her ass. But neither Naruto nor Anko are being overly aggressive or dominant. The kind of sex they have is for lovers, as the two genuinely hold feelings for the other.
Naruto gets to his feet and Anko wraps her legs around her lover's waist. She gazes into his eyes for a moment before kissing him again with even greater passion. She grasps his golden blonde hair and pulls him into the kiss even deeper.
"I... love you... Naru-kun..." Anko whispers between her kisses.
Naruto reaches the bedroom and lays her gently on her mattress, pulling off his shirt and revealing his chiseled torso. He leans down, his face inches away from Anko's. "I love you too, Anko-hime."
Their lips connect again and Naruto begins pulling her shirt off. Looking down, he is slightly surprised to see she is not wearing panties at all. Anko chuckles, "I knew you'd be coming so I didn't want to have to wait."
Naruto grins and leans down, attacking his beloved's sex with his tongue and lips. Anko snaps her head back and elicits a loud moan of pleasure, grabbing the sheets tightly. Naruto pushes her legs further back, digging in deeper and burying his nose against Anko's patch of purple pubic hairs. He inhales deeply, basking in the intoxicating scent of her arousal. Anko's scent and taste is Naruto's favorite.
Anko's legs shake as her second orgasm erupts through her body. She is panting and sweat glistens on her skin. Naruto, however, was not finished. He pushes her legs further back and begins servicing the snake kunoichi's anus, licking, kissing, and sucking on her with delight.
"Ahn! Naru-kun! You don't-Mmph!- need to do that!"
Naruto grins and buries his face even deeper into his lover's ass. He loves everything about this woman. To him, there is nothing he'd ever consider filthy about her.
Having had enough foreplay, Naruto leans up and aligns his length with Anko's entrance. Wasting no time, he plunges into her, making her moan with joy and arousal. Anko wraps her arms around his neck and closes her feet behind his hips as she fully accepts Naruto's girth.
The two lovers stare deeply into each other's eyes and kiss passionately. They exchange no more words as they continue to make love, since no words were needed to know how they felt. This was their ultimate pleasure. This was their highest form of love.
Naruto wasn't trying to dominate Anko as he does with his other lovers. He wanted her to feel just as good as he does. Anko wasn't trying to be in control. She was only hoping to reach her climax with her lover.
Naruto's thrusts quicken, his breath hastens, and the bed's creaking grows more frequent as the two lovers close in on their orgasms. Anko moans into their kiss as her walls tighten around Naruto's cock. His length grows and hardens further as he approaches his release. With a grunt and a deep thrust as far inside Anko as he can reach, smashing against her womb, he releases his semen as if he was trying to impregnate her. Anko releases a cry of pleasure as she reaches her own orgasm, her juices spraying all over Naruto's crotch.
The wave of pleasure subsides and Naruto collapses on top of Anko, burying his face in her neck. Between his panting, Naruto says, "I love you, Anko. I love you so much."
Anko tightens her arms around Naruto, melding there bodies even closer. "I love you too, Naru-kun."
Naruto gives Anko one last kiss before they both drift off to sleep.
Lemon end
•••
The rest of the week passed by quickly for Naruto. Too quickly. He spent each day with either Anko or Kurenai, the latter he spent time with mainly getting to know her better. He truly cares for the two beauties and he only hopes that the mission he will be assigned will not take too long.
In the meantime, he managed to change his outfit too. He now sports a form fitting shirt, dark gray tactical pants, black shinobi standard sandals, and a black cloak giving him the appearance of a drifter. He kept the bandages on both of his hands and he wears the Konoha plate on his waist as a belt.
Arriving at the Hokage's office, he knocks on the door, opening it when he hears the Hokage's voice. Entering into the office, he notices Kakashi is there with his team. They turn and see Naruto enter the room. "Kakashi," Naruto says, giving him a nod.
Kakashi returns the gesture with a wave. "Yo, Naruto." giving the young jounin an eye smile.
Sakura notices their interaction. "Kakashi, how do you know Naruto-baka?" Sasuke also raises an eyebrow in interest.
"Maa maa, Sakura-chan. You shouldn't disrespect a higher ranking nin of your village." Kakashi responds.
Sakura's confusion is obvious. "Huh? But I wasn't rude to you, Kakashi-sensei."
He shakes his head. "I didn't mean me, Sakura. I meant Naruto-kun."
Hers and Sasuke's confusion only grows. Hiruzen chuckles. "He's telling the truth, Sakura-chan. Naruto-kun is an official jounin of the Leaf village."
"WHAT?!" Sakura and Sasuke shout. All the while, Sai shows no reaction, keeping that fake smile he was so infamous for.
Sasuke turns and glares at Naruto, who sports an exasperated expression. He grits his teeth. 'Dammit! Now Naruto has surpassed me too far out of my reach! How the hell am I supposed to get strong enough to face Itachi at this rate!'
Sakura voiced her indignation. "But how did Naruto make jounin already?! He just graduated from the academy with us!"
Hiruzen chuckles. "That is true, but his circumstances would have made it a waste to keep him a genin. The only logical choice was to employ his abilities as a jounin."
Seeing the disheartened expression of Sakura and the anger on Sasuke, Naruto voiced his opinion. "I wouldn't worry about the two of you. You both will likely make jounin by next year, or the year after at the most."
Sakura and Sasuke looks at Naruto in intrigue. He chuckles. "Sakura, you're the smartest in our class if you don't count Shikamaru's family nature. If you take into account where all your abilities can be put to use, I'm sure you'll find your own niche. And Sasuke, you're an Uchiha. For the most part, you all might be arrogant dickheads most of the time, but there's no denying the skill and talent your clan possessed. If you were pushed, you could probably match a chunin right now. So don't worry, you'll be in my shoes in no time."
Those words did the trick. Their expressions instantly relaxed and they felt the confidence in Naruto's tone. Team 7, minus Sai, felt the drive to work harder knowing that Naruto had faith in their abilities. Both Hiruzen and Kakashi smiled at Naruto for giving the two genin that push in the right direction.
Receiving their mission, a chore really, much to their horror, Team 7 exited the Hokage's office with Sakura giving Naruto a 'thank you' and a smile. Even Sasuke nodding with a smile and a promise to match him the next time they meet. Naruto bid Team 7 good luck and turned his attention to the Hokage.
An air of seriousness began to permeate the room. "Naruto-kun," the Hokage began. "This mission is of the utmost importance. For several years now, the Yondaime Mizukage has been slaughtering the bloodline users in Kirigakure senselessly. I would have gladly helped out their country if only I could spare the forces. But I couldn't." He paused to look Naruto in the eye. "Until now."
Naruto nods in understanding. The elderly kage continues. "Jounin Naruto Uzumaki, your mission is to head to Kirigakure and provide support to the rebels. Their leader, a woman named Mei Terumi, will fill in the rest of the details. This is an S-rank mission." He hands Naruto the scroll. "Naruto-kun." Naruto looks his grandfather figure in the eye. "Stop this war. Save those people. And put that madman down."