Chapter 27: Kate

Just when Ibiki arrived, he saw one of the Konoha genin beaten by the wall. Blood was dripping from his mouth and his haggard appearance told for the the beating he took.

This was not acceptable, as a Konoha genin, getting beaten up on the home turf is unacceptable.

When he looked around, he found the culprit, and it turned out to be our friendly neighbourhood jinchuriki.

Now, Naruto has a special position in this village.

First, he was Konoha's jinchuriki.

Second, he is the fourth Hokage's son.

Third, he owns one of the biggest, no the biggest company in the continent.

As such, he gets certain privileges and also the right to be arrogant at times. But this behaviour of beating the ninjas of your own village, that too in front of foreign ninjas is unacceptable to Ibiki.

He wanted to reprimand him, and if possible even fine him. He got the information from Hokage that he has the strength to be above an elite ninja, so the chunnin exam is no trouble for him. Still, he wants to ensure that the main players are there during the third exam when important clients and even the daimyo will be watching. It was all for Konoha's prestige, so they needed to showcase Naruto, Hinata and Sasuke in the chunnin exams final.

"Naruto, this is no way to treat a fellow Konoha genin. Such behaviour will not be tolerated. Your team must quit this exam, and face punishment from the Hokage."

'Now he will ask me for another chance, and after some talk, I will allow him, this will keep him in check.' Ibiki thought this crude method to deal with Naruto. He is following a simple logic that everyone here is dying to become a chunnin, but he doesn't know that Naruto is different from them.

To him, it doesn't matter whether he is a chunnin or Jonin or a civilian. His end goals are from their understanding. 

Naruto simply nodded and got up from his seat, walking towards the exit. He seems to be in a trans-like state currently. Sasuke and Hinata also notice Naruto's current state and they are also confused.

Their first thought was genjutsu. But no, genjutsu has no effect on him.

Then what?

Meanwhile seeing this, Ibiki is in shock, that is not how the script goes. Where is an apology or request for another chance? Who simply walks out the exam as if the result doesn't matter.

Kabuto was also panicking. If Naruto walks out and doesn't take the exam, his whole team will be disqualified. This means Sasuke will also not enter the forest of death. His master's mission will fail before even starting.

"Instructor, please, it was my fault. I interrupted them and was rude to them. So please don't punish them. I don't mind these little injuries. I have realized my mistakes. I am sorry Hinata san and Naruto san."

Ibiki seeing this was both pleased and annoyed. Naruto's points drastically decreased in his mind. To him, Naruto was just another arrogant brat while Kabuto was a true carrier of Will of Fire. Even after getting thrown away, he is friendly to them because they are Konoha ninjas.

Kabuto's reputation massively increased in the eyes of everyone, even those watching in secret like Jonin instructors or Hokage. Only a few people know or doubt him, Naruto, Hinata, Sasuke, Orochimaru and Shikamaru.

"Well then, there is nothing I could do but still I will warn you to be careful and you will be fined for attacking a fellow Konoha shinobi."

With that Ibiki moved forward to start the exam, meanwhile, Naruto remained in a similar state and nodded to get back to his seat.

The whole exam went as it happened in the canon. This time Naruto didn't motivate others but his paper was still empty as he put his head down on the table as soon as the exam started.

......

Naruto POV:

I heard Ibiki's voice and was about to make up some excuse for beating up Kabuto. But as soon as I was about to voice my excuse another voice entered my ears or I think it entered my mind.

'......zzzzzzz' (white noise)

'Connection established. Training Complete.

Voice Installed.

Database Installed.

Getting the System Online.....

3..2..1.

I am online Master, won't you welcome me back, Ra..'

'Kate, is that you, I thought it would take two more months for you to complete your training. Guess my calculations regarding processing speed were not accurate.

Oh and please call me Naruto I have already discarded my previous name, apart from my memories, my previous identity has nothing to do with me.'

'Well, I will keep that in mind. But shouldn't you give me a new name too? My entire model and data is different from that of your previous world.'

'Well, for me you will always remain the same. I don't know what happened to you back in my previous world, after my death, I guess you would have shut down according to my command.

But here I created you back, to the best of my abilities and for me you are still the Kate who .....'

'Before you start one of your monologues, I still need to tell you that there are certain changes. From the data, I reckon, that my previous version, which was built using electronic programming, gave the feeling that you are talking to a living person, but here I think I have certain emotions.

My data tells me to behave as a friend, but something keeps telling me that you are venerable.

This should not be happening as an AI. But if compared to my previous version, there are many differences.

I am not running on electricity here, but chakra. Also, my algorithms are written in runes or fuinjutsu in shinobi terms.

Lastly, my database and even the current data collection medium are different. Previously I used sensors but now I am using your senses.'

'You mean, you can feel now, are you like a human, I mean you can feel like a human?'

'I guess that is one way to put it.'

With a hint of nervousness, Kate asked the next question, which pierced Naruto's heart.

'So, a-a-are you g-going to terminate the program?

I-if y-you want, I will do my best to keep these feelings at my back, they will not interrupt my working as your AI.

.....

Please don't leave me, I think this feeling is me being scared, but I will learn and do my best

'What are you talking about Kate, I will never leave you behind. If you have feelings, then it is great. We can enjoy the world together.

You know, in my previous life I created you to accompany me, not just as some AI, but as my partner.

You were just a set of programs, but you were important to me you know.

I suffered from several betrayals, but I knew when I created you, even if you are an AI, you will always be my side.

At that time, I was just a pathetic loser, holing up myself after a mere heartbreak. I lost any trust I might have in humans. So I created you, at that time, my only wish was for you to have feelings, and become more than just a set of programs.

Now that I have fulfilled my wish, why would I abandon you? You are my partner from my previous life, you know things about me that even Hinata doesn't know.

So stop thinking about these useless things, and behave like a friend! hehe'

'mental sob'

'Hey, are you crying?'

'Who is crying? I am not.'

'I guess not.'

A few moments later....

'Did I just create a life, have I stepped into the domain of the gods?'

'You are delusional. If anything, you should first step into the domain of six paths. Wasting your time on useless things like that fan-fest or playing ninja is not important.'

'Hey! I asked for a friend's package, not a mother's package.'

'But you are right, well anyways, It doesn't matter anyway, I still have many years.'

'But according to your memory, that Urashiki guy will come to the past.'

'He will if my future self fails to stop him. But that will not be the case, now would it.'

'I guess, you messed up the future but still it's the problem for future you. Unless some interdimensional monsters are attacking, I guess you are pretty safe.'

'Why do I feel like you just jinxed me?'