Chapter 18
Time flew by as the time for the chunin exam got closer. It was more than ten days before the start of the chunin exam. Genins and their teachers were coming to Leaf Village for the upcoming chunin exam.
Because of the chunin exam and the presence of a lot of foreign shinobis the security of the Leaf village also got tighter. They also needed places to stay. Keeping an eye on the foreign shinobis and a lot of other things.
Without any doubt, there were now a lot of things that needed to be taken care of. And because of Hiruzen's habit of keeping eyes on most things, he was far more busy than before. So much so going out on a break had become impossible for him, with the amount of paperwork he now had to go through.
"Sigh... There's no end to this." Hiruzen said as he looked at the increasing amount of paperwork. His time at his office was increasing as papers piled up. Nowadays he had to stay the entire day and most of the night in his office.
The door of his office opened and came inside a familiar face, Koharu. She had another stack of papers with herself.
"You wanted these. Just look over these as fast as possible. You also have to call a jonin meeting for the chunin exam. It can't be delayed any longer." She put down the paper making Hiruzen look at the stack of papers. "I still think we should not allow rookie genin teams to enter the chunin exam."
In a way, Koharu was right about that. The rookies were exceptional but in her opinion, a living genius was far more important than showing off.
Most of the rookie genins were also clan heirs and were future pillars of the village.
"You know we can't do that. It's not like I don't want what is best for them. But they are no longer children to coddle. They are now shinobis of Leaf. Besides they are strong enough to go through the chunin exam." Hiruzen tried to explain himself. Though he himself was feeling a little hesitant.
"Yes, like the fact Danzo going around and filling all the fire nobles and Daimyo's ears with the greatness of Uchiha. Like anyone with a little knowledge can't see he is definitely up to something. Admit it, his actions are the reason you are getting forced to send rookies to the chunin exam." Koharu pointed out what was on her mind. "Like anyone would believe he is not up to something... Like praising the Uchiha clan. When I heard it first I thought 'This is definitely not Danzo' don't make a mistake here."
Make no mistake Koharu didn't like the Uchiha clan. They were in her eyes disruptive and uncontrollable factors for the peace of the village. At her age, she also realized she had a bias against them. Even then from what she could see Sasuke Uchiha staying alive would be a far better outcome. Especially they would not have to worry about the unpredictable factor known as Itachi Uchiha.
"Sigh... You are right. I can see he is up to something. But after his house arrest, he is trying to do something to help the village. A lot of people will come just to see the last Uchiha in action. Even Daimyo is interested in it and very likely will increase the budget." Hiruzen said. To that, Koharu remained silent for a few seconds. She decided to say her piece.
"Just keep an eye on him. I have no idea what he is up to." Koharu reminded him before leaving the office.
"It's like I don't know... But we are already tight on manpower. I just have to hope Danzo will not cross the line..." Looking at his pile of papers he threw aside other worries and started to go through them.
Maybe in the future, he would regret not keeping an eye on Danzo. Or he might just blame himself for all the trouble the village would face in the upcoming chunin exam.
*
- Naruto Uzumaki -
Naruto was enjoying his day. Walking around with his girlfriend Hinata with him. Both of them in hand in hand.
"Did your Sensei say anything about the Chunin exam? Our Sensei is pretty lazy and I think he will tell us just before the exam." Naruto asked as he glanced at Hinata.
"Kurenai sensei is very confident in us. She has been preparing us for the exam for some time. Kiba is pretty hyped about the exam, too." Hinata said with a smile." What about your team? Do your teammates even know about the Chunin exam?"
"I don't think so. Sasuke is very focused on training. As for Sakura, she is very focused on Sasuke. They are together most of the time. I don't know who could tell them about the Chunin exam." Naruto said as he thought about what he said. He had a good relationship with his teammates but there was an invisible barrier that made it feel a little awkward. Especially now that both Sasuke and Sakura were together he felt like the third wheel. Not to mention Kakashi was no help either.
"Why don't you tell them? Besides it's only a week later." He was hoping for Kakashi to do his job.
"I am hoping Kakashi Sensei to tell us... I will tell them tomorrow if he doesn't." He focused his chakra on his ears and used his sensory technique. Amusingly enough they were being followed.
"I didn't know Hanabi and the troublemaker knew each other? Though it looks like they are about to fight." Naruto said making Hinata frown a little. Though he didn't say a Hyuga Jonin and Ebisu were also following. But it was evident who they were really following.
As both Naruto and Hinata hid their presence they walked back.
"I said don't follow big brother Naruto and big sister Hinata." Naruto felt amused hearing that. Truth be told it felt like fate as even without trying it he had a good relationship with Konohamaru.
'Though I didn't teach him any jutsu or sexy jutsu like in the canon. Simply giving him food was enough to become his big brother... Then again it's hard to dislike a child when the fault is his grandfather's.'
"And that so-called big brother is with my big sister. I am just looking after my sister. You are the one who is following my big sister." Hanabi's reply made it clear both of them were following them.
Naruto didn't really mind the following. Bit Ebisu and the Hyuga guard, he was not enthusiastic about them following.
"Ehh, Konohamaru we shouldn't get in trouble and go back. Iruka Sensei is already angry at us for running away from class." An unfamiliar voice made Naruto curious.
They soon reached to see what was going on. Hanabi on one side and Konohamaru with his two friends on another side. 'They should be Mogi and Udon? I don't remember it that well.'
"I don't think any of you need to follow us. We were just walking around." Naruto said with a smile enjoying the jump scare that he gave them. All four kids looked at him shocked at their presence.
"Sorry big sis for following you. But I was worried about you." Hanabi said giving Naruto a stink eye. To that, Naruto gave her a friendly smile.
"You don't have to apologize." Hinata went to give Hanabi a hug as Naruto looked at the Konohamaru gang. After a small chuckle.
"Why don't you four come with us? It will be my treat." His plan had to change, now there would be more people. But he didn't mind.
"YAY!"
"YAY!"
"YAY!"
The Konohamaru gang cheered upon hearing that. Especially Konohamaru who jumped in joy.
"Heh, a bunch of snotty brats jumping like fools." At that time another party joined in. An uninvited one at that.
'Not one but two. Does the sound team think that level of stealth is enough for them to hide... But what are the odds for this to happen? Is... Kankuro? Whatever. Is he trying just to pick a fight or gather information?'
Naruto was not like canon Naruto. But he didn't like weakling looking down on him.
"I don't think they are fools when I look at you. Did you by any chance steal your teammate's makeup box?" Naruto said as he glanced at Temari who was looking at him. A small grin on his face. He wanted to say that.
"What did you say!" Just that was enough to anger Kankuro. He was even ready to fight.
Naruto had to revaluate Kankuro. After all who in his right mind would pick a fight against someone on their turf?
'It's leaf village dumbass. And how in the hell does that level of taunting make someone blow their fuse...'
"Calm down clown you are not in your village. And don't pick fight when you don't even know your opponent." Naruto said with a smirk.
While that was happening Konohamaru gang was looking at the confrontation with starry eyes.
"I will show you. Arrogant brats like you are all talk." Kankuro said as he put his hand in his puppet.
'He is calling me a brat... It's no plan he is just that damn arrogant.'
"We will gladly put you in your place if you want to fight." This time it was Hinata. Her eyes changed as she activated her eyes.
It was more than enough to shock Kankuro as he took a step back looking at her. Hinata's glare made him sweat. Then again it was easy to tell Hinata was a Hyuga and pretty much the natural enemy of puppeteers. With her Bayakugan she could easily see the chakra strings and cut them with her gentle fist.
"Kankuro it's enough. Gaara will be with us in no time." For the first time, Temari opened her mouth. She also had one hand in her WarFan ready to fight.
All that only made Naruto feel nostalgic. They were not a threat to him, not even to Hinata. But in a way, it showed how far he had come from his previous self.
At that time another presence entered the alley. His blood lust was annoying. Naruto stepped up protecting Konohamaru and his friends. As for Hanabi, she was with Hinata.
"Stop your blood lust, it's annoying," Naruto said as he released his pressure effortlessly dissipating Gaara's blood lust.
The tension in the air was evident as Gaara looked at Naruto with interest while Naruto smiled at him, looking at him right in his eyes. The truth was Naruto didn't care about Gaara or changing him.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki. Why don't we stop here? If you want a fight we can have the showdown in the chunin exam." Naruto said as the tension vanished. "I also have other far better things to do than start a fight in the middle of the village."
"Sabaku no Gaara. We will meet again, Naruto Uzumaki." As the sand team left the Konohamaru gang let off a collective sigh.
"Big brother was so cool! It looked like you could take them on easily!" Konohamaru gashed like a little fanboy as they all started to walk, their destination a hotpot restaurant for lunch.
"That red hair is problematic. He has chakra like you and his gourd was filled with sand mixed with his chakra." Hinata said to Naruto as she had a frown on her face. She was not sure about her chances against Gaara.
Both of them used simple genjutsu to talk to each other not letting anyone spying to understand.
"Make sure to stay away from him. He does not look mentally stable. Be sure to warn Kiba, he is the only one who could try to foolishly try and challenge him." Naruto advised thinking about Kiba.
"I will just be careful." Both of them were back to normal like nothing happened.
*
- Sound Team -
All three of them stayed quiet until both teams were no longer in their sight.
"They are bad news. Especially the red hair of Suna and that blonde from Konoha. He is a teammate of Uchiha, right?" Zaku said as his teammates agreed with him. "We will have to take him by surprise."
No matter how they look at it the blonde would become a hindrance in their upcoming mission to attack Sasuke Uchiha.
"It will be very easy. He is an arrogant leaf shinobi after all. I will need one chance and it will be enough." Dosu said as he touched his sound-based weapon. "What we have to do is gather more information. We also don't know much about Uchiha's other teammate and his own capabilities. Kin you and I will try to gather as much information as possible on them."
Dosu and Kin were best at sound base jutsu and it's subtle usage, not like Zaku who was only good at one thing.
"It will be all the more satisfying when those smug faces turn into shock. They will not know what hit them." Zaku grinned as he said that.
"Then get to it. Our lord will not tolerate any mistakes." All there of them left the tree after that. All with new tasks in their hands.
But none of them noticed a crow hiding in the same tree that was listening to their entire conversation. The same crow whose eyes were filled with amusement looking at their departing back.
The same crow that turned into smoke soon after.
*
"Kankuro you have to control yourself. And what with getting so agitated at something so small! You were about to reveal your puppet!" Temari said annoyed at Kankuro. Only two of them were in the room, Gaara on the roof in his own world.
'Naruto Uzumaki... He is handsome but he is a problem nonetheless. That overwhelming amount of chakra...' She felt annoyed just thinking about it all. Kankuro had one job and that was to irritate people to gather information, but he himself couldn't control his own temper. Talk about a lack of self-control.
'That Hyuga bitch already has her hook on him... Stop thinking about it you have a far more important job to do.' They were not in Konoha just for the chunin exam. They were also the scouts for the invasion.
"That bastard has the audacity to say I stole your makeup! It's warpaint! Fucking warpaint! If the bastard joins the chunin exam I will show him who is the boss." Kankuro said in anger.
But she knew better, it was all an act to save his pride. Kankuro would not go to pick a fight with someone who could look Gaara eye to eye and smile. Still, she was going to let him this time.
"Make sure to not make trouble... And remember the reason for our stay." She said solemnly making Kankuro serious.
Kankuro took a deep breath to calm himself. " Yes, I will keep myself in check."
"You better." Both sand siblings looked at the door as their Sensei Baki entered the room.
"Konoha is our ally in the paper. They don't trust us, nor do we. So it will not be surprising to see them spying on us. And both of you should keep in mind to not talk about things you shouldn't." Baki gave both of them a stern look. "Where is Gaara?"
"Umm, he is on the rooftop," Temari replied.
"I will tell him to not kill anyone. You two can take a rest. Whatever preparation you want to make you have the time to do so." Baki left saying that. Basically telling them that they had the time to gather information on other chunin examiners.
Next chapter: The start of the chunin exams.
Authors note: Thanks for reading.
It would be great if you help me by donating. But don't worry those chapters will get public release soon.
To read an extra 5 chapters. On that note from chapter 21 I have increased the amounts of words per chapter making it 5000+. So you can read almost 20K words ahead now, though that will read 25K+ soon.
Support me at p@treon.com/NahinS77
Change @ to a
Or go to that website and search NahinS77
Your help means a lot