Chapter 04

The stadium was packed and brimming with anticipation. All contestants but one were present but Hiruzen couldn't focus on that. His mind had been elsewhere since he was stripped of his position, even if it hadn't been made official yet. He was ashamed of how far he'd fallen, of the lies he told to others and himself. He had soothed his conscience by assuring himself he'd done what was best for the village but that wasn't the truth. The Daimyo even mentioned how his asymmetrical alliance with Suna was starving the village and how it was making Rasa desperate. The Daimyo took it upon himself to speak to his Wind Country counterpart to make sure Suna got enough funding. Hiruzen was creating an enemy, one with motive to attack them and the exams would have been the perfect time to do so. He'd lost a step both mentally and physically. It was time, he realized. It had long since been time.

He sat awaiting the arrival of Rasa and this new leader from Oto when he watched the two arriving together, chatting as if they were old friends. As the two sat beside him Rasa offered his greeting and Hiruzen returned it, formulaically. But when he heard the leader of Oto speak, his blood ran cold and he was about to summon his ANBU and attack when she stopped him.

"International Law, Sarutobi-sensei. You attack me now and you'll be sanctioned by other villages and nations, kukuku." She was right. And not only that but if he did attack her now there would be untold casualties and he couldn't allow that. He'd have to tolerate his wayward student for the time being.

Hiruzen wasn't the only person hosting a sannin as the Fire Daimyo was sitting beside Tsunade, both wanting to see how Naruto would do as well as be on hand when Hiruzen tells him the truth.

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"Alright you lot, the rules are the same as they were in the preliminary round." Hayate stated to be interrupted.

"What about Sasuke and that Dosu guy?" Shikamaru asked.

"Dosu had to pull out due to injury" he said looking at Naruto, " and if Sasuke doesn't show up for his match he'll likely be disqualified. Now if there are no more questions all exit except Neji Hyuuga and Naruto Uzumaki."

Hayate watched as the other genin left and walked to the center of the stadium battleground along with the first two fighters. He announced the two and then called a start to the fight and watched as neither boy moved. All was quiet as the audience watched the Hyuuga prodigy stare down the bane of Konoha. The redhead had changed his clothes for the finals, ditching his normal blue pants, blue shirt and orange hooded vest for black hakama, tied at the ankle with blood red tape; a black sleeveless shirt with extra material at the neck for a Kakashi-esque face mask and a black kosode, with a chainmail mesh sewn into it. It was finished with an obi, the same color as the ankle tape and kept his sword to his side. He let his spiky hair rest on his shoulders, just past neck length.

"You should give up, Uzumaki. Winners and losers are chosen at birth and you are a loser." Neji started, only to see Naruto have no visible reaction. "You may have graduated early but clearly Hokage-sama saw you as a failure, why else would you have been denied a genin team and chance for promotion for so long?" he hissed; confident this would get a rise out of his opponent. He was surprised when it didn't. He decided if he couldn't get a rise out of the boy he'd initiate the attack and finish things quickly. He pushed off the ground and aimed a palm thrust at Naruto's chest, hitting the redhead flushly. Neji smirked until he saw the Naruto he hit flare briefly and then puff into smoke. He was confused why Naruto would send a clone to fight and then have said clone unable to do anything. He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see another Naruto, maybe the real one approach. He got ready to attack but halted when the boy spoke.

"Neji, look at the hand that struck my clone." he said and Neji did just that, only to see a sealing array on his hand, going up his forearm. "That's a localized explosive array. It'll take your arm off at the elbow and likely end your career. Concede now and I'll remove the array, don't and you lose an arm."

Neji was stuck, unfamiliar with indecision. He'd never heard of a clone that could impart a seal on someone when struck but then again, he wasn't aware of corporeal clones that dissolved into smoke either. His opponent put him in a bad position. He could try to strike Naruto but he was too far away for him to reach the redhead before he could activate the seal. And that assumes the seal does what Naruto claims it does. He could be lying or the seal could be a dud. If that's the case, he'd have given up due to an empty threat and his pride couldn't allow that. He remembers the boy was hesitant to do too much damage to Lee until Lee pushed him too far so him going for such a move as an opening didn't read to Neji.

Of course, Neji wasn't and couldn't have been aware of Naruto's current mental state. He'd felt his heart fill with the time he spent with his mom and Mito, who he called baa-chan much to the lady's delight. But there was a burning angry as well. The Sandaime had denied him much, for what reason Naruto didn't know and wouldn't ascribe a motive to the man because it didn't matter. Outside of his team and those he'd worked with in the past, he didn't care about Konoha ninja. He wasn't one of them and they truly were the "them" now. He saw them as weak minded traitors and cowards, unworthy of his parents' sacrifice and his father's trust. No, he didn't blame Minato for his childhood he blamed Konoha for not trusting their alleged hero even when all evidence stated they should. In the preliminaries, the Fuin Bunshin would have been preloaded with a paralysis tag because he didn't want to hurt a comrade. Now? Neji isn't a comrade, just a potential enemy.

Neji decided to call Naruto's bluff and charged toward the boy, he didn't have to wait long to realize his mistake. A quick flare of chakra is all it took and suddenly the arena was filled with the screams of Neji as he clutched what was once his arm. It was lucky for him that the position of his arm didn't allow bone fragments to fly into his eyes but he did have some burns and cuts along his side and leg. Hayate quickly called an end to the match and called forth the mednin. Naruto silently retreated to the contestant area. Both Shikamaru and Shino gave him a nod of acknowledgement and he formed a small smile.

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"That was quite vicious, Hiruzen-dono, what jutsu was that?" Rasa stated.

"Kukuku, vicious indeed. It appears Konoha can still turn out real shinobi every now and again."

Hiruzen ignored his student as he began to answer Rasa, "Indeed but Naruto gave him a chance to concede. A shinobi shouldn't make empty threats and Neji had no reason to call his bluff if he couldn't recognize the array. Also, I believe Naruto-kun calls that a Fuin Bunshin. He was inspired by the Yondaime's ability to apply seals with just a touch but has taken it to new level."

"Such advanced seal materialization, he certainly has my vote for Chunin" Orochimaru said.

"I must agree, while short he did enough and revealed very little of his abilities." Rasa added. Hiruzen simply nodded.

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The Jounin sensei were quiet at the end of the match. Truthfully, none knew what to expect out of the match; Neji was hailed as a genius whereas rumors circulated that Naruto had killed two A-rank shinobi in a single mission. However, he kept most of his skills hidden though demonstrated an impressive amount of kenjutsu skill against Gai's clone.

"That was most unyouthful!" Lee exclaimed, seeing his rival defeated and maimed by the same boy that so easily defeated him was hard to accept.

"Gai-sensei, we have to get to Neji." Tenten said but saw her sensei shake his head.

"We'd only be in the way, Neji is going to need a lot of help and the mednins need to be focused. As far as it being unyouthful, he was given a chance to submit, just like you were. It is, at times, laudable to not give in but as a Chunin you need to know when to back down for the sake of the mission and your comrades. I don't fault Naruto, he told Neji exactly what would happen if he attacked again."

"You're ok with what he did? That was a comrade he crippled!" Tenten yelled.

"Yes, it was and it was a comrade he tried to spare. Tenten, what would you have him do? Hold back and allow Neji to continue attacking?" Seeing the girl refuse the answer he continued, "Neji put his health on the line in the belief Naruto wouldn't hurt him. Like you, Lee, he was going to take advantage of his mercy. The difference is, this time Naruto didn't give more than one chance. As such, Neji's injury is my fault, I've instructed you poorly if none of you know how to stand down when you're outmatched." Gai finished, sounding more subdued than he ever has. Asuma and Kurenai could see he meant every word and while Kurenai still had some negative feelings toward the senior Jounin she wouldn't wish the belief you failed your students on anyone.

"You think he did enough for a promotion?" Asuma asked.

"I hope so, he's clearly ready. I've let him run some of our C-ranks and he's done well, he's clearly paid attention to what other Chunin did when he was stuck in the reserves." Kurenai answered.

Close by the Jounin sensei sat Anko. She'd never really had an opinion on her fellow pariah, not until she had expressed an interest in him. She was one of the few that saw the footage of their kenjutsu battle before the cameras cut out. He wasn't on her level, nowhere near but he was good, willing to change tactics on the fly to keep a superior opponent guessing. He also didn't hesitate to go for the kill. Normally, that kind of ruthlessness would be something Anko praised. But Orochimaru taints everything and Anko couldn't help but be wary of the container. She didn't know why Orochimaru was interested but it couldn't be for anything good and given the boy's experience in the village he had the signs of a flight risk; one that may run straight to the snake. His willingness to, potentially, end the career of a fellow Konoha ninja demonstrates how little connection he feels for the place. Orochimaru will exploit every weakness to get what she wants and to Anko, Naruto looked like an easy get.

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Hayate was instructed to delay Sasuke's match and to move through the rest of the order. The next in line was Shikamaru and Temari. Shikamaru complained a lot about having to fight a girl, wondering if he should just forfeit. Shino and Naruto pushed him over the railing so he'd have to chance to do so; much to his annoyance and their amusement. It was a good tactical matchup and he'd manage to ensnare Temari but forfeited as he was out of chakra, shocking everyone but his teammates, sensei and fellow clansmen. Shino fought Kankuro and it was a little faster paced than Shikamaru's fight but still relied on inventive tactics. The boys fought to a double knockout as Shino was poisoned and Kankuro was entering chakra exhaustion. Finally, it was time for Gaara to face Sasuke. The match was almost called as the Uchiha and Kakashi arrived at the last possible moment.

It was a good fight, Naruto felt. Sasuke had some decent speed and made good use of it. Naruto thought the lightning jutsu was a mistake when he could have used a genjutsu and that was proven correct when Gaara turned into a miniature sand thing and trounced the Uchiha, who used too much chakra on that move. Luckily he escaped without serious injury as the Kazekage got Gaara under control and it was time for the semifinal round, Naruto vs Temari.

Temari was trying to quickly come up with a strategy. She'd used a lot of chakra in her first fight and hadn't had a chance to recover much. She knew the redhead was dangerous with his sword and she couldn't allow him to get close to her but his speed would be hard to negate. She reasoned if she could unleash a wind jutsu fast enough she could create some space and control the match. He hadn't shown much in the way of ninjutsu and she didn't believe he could match her fuuton mastery.

Naruto wasn't planning out a strategy, he already had one. Thanks to his summons spying on the competition he was aware that Temari was overly reliant on her war fan. If he took that away she'd be in a poor position and possibly give up. He knew just the thing. About six months into his own research, Naruto started building his own jutsu theory. It was slow, it required a lot of reading, testing and revisement but he felt he was truly on to something. While most ninjutsu seemed to be of the elemental variety, it didn't explain the ninpo; the jutsu that were predicated on a specific element. How did chakra become a poison gas, for instance. No one really knew. Naruto posited, what if ninpo are based on the elements but by combining, at least partially, the behaviors of one element with the property of another? Not all could be understood like this and one would have to incorporate Yin and Yang as well but he believed he was on to something. He hadn't managed to create many jutsu out of this insight but it has affected his kenjutsu.

Naruto learned early on he had a wind affinity and wind is said to be the sharpest element, though lightning is great for piercing. Naruto wondered what would happen if one took the sharpening process from wind and incorporated lightning's high frequency? Sound. You got sound and the better he got at grinding wind faster and faster the closer he got to what became his super sonic blade. This type of chakra flow is the sharpest, not even a vacuum blade compares. This was the key to his plan, Temari was about to lose her main weapon.

Hayate called a start to the match and Naruto blurred in front of Temari, not giving her a second to react, she just had time to start to open her fan before she heard a faint ringing in her ears. Next thing she knew her fan was in tatters and she had a sword to her throat.

"Yield." the shorter boy said and she quickly complied. Many in the crowd ad trouble following the action, they saw Naruto blur from view and then a series of flashes before he appeared beside Temari and her fan was cut up. The Chunin and Jounin, however, could follow it and were impressed. Asuma was confused.

"That was wind but it didn't behave like wind" Asuma said.

"What do you mean, Asuma?" Gai asked. Kurenai already knew about his supersonic chakra flow technique but saw no need to expound on it.

"Wind chakra is created by sharpening your chakra to a fine point and unleashing it, that's why it's ideal for cutting. It doesn't, however, emit a sound nor does it become visible. Lightning does that but that wasn't lightning. Kurenai, do you know what that was?"

"Yes and I won't be divulging it. If you want to know, ask Naruto. It was one of his creations."

"So, he really does create his own jutsu?" Asuma asked, surprise in his voice.

"Yes. How many, I'm not sure. He said most were just supplemental things that better versions of already existed but he's got some impressive ones as well. Gai almost got introduced to one."

"Hai, Hokage-sama informed me that in my distracted state I may not have escaped unharmed."

"Whatever that was, I need to learn it. I'll see if I got something to trade." Asuma said, only caring about the wind manipulation. He hadn't seen anything innovative involving wind chakra in years, especially not chakra flow. He need to know how to do that.

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"Kukuku, I think that was just a bad matchup for Temari, Rasa-dono."

"I agree, But she appears too reliant on that fan, definitely Chunin material but I'll have to work with her on that. The Uzumaki's sword skills are impressive and he's fast. He must have been training his speed and sword techniques for several years to be at that level."

"Hai. I believe Naruto-kun picked up kenjutsu his second year at the academy."

"Oh, then you have some really good kenjutsu instructors" Rasa stated which caused Orochimaru to giggle, much to Hiruzen's annoyance.

"No, he self trained until he became a summoner and trained those skills with them."

"Ah. Either way, he is quite skilled. I wonder how he'll fight Gaara."

"Kukuku, I wouldn't be shocked if he forfeited. He's certainly earned a promotion."

"If that's the case, I expect you out of my village within the hour, Orochimaru."

"Why so hostile, Sarutobi-sensei?" she said with a grin on her face, annoying the Sandaime further. "Fine, I'll vacate, no need to cause an international incident."

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Naruto was on the arena floor, debating if he should forfeit this next match. He'd proven all he needs to and if the Old Man doesn't promote him no one can say it is due to a lack of skill or ability. That makes this match completely pointless. Another part of him wants to stay, he wants people to see him, the social pariah and outcast, run through the competition. To easily defeat the prodigy, the strongest kunoichi in the competition and finally, Suna's mad jinchuuriki. He wasn't sure Gaara was one until his match with Sasuke but he has a way to incapacitate the boy. It would put some emphasis on the day and let all know Naruto Uzumaki isn't the one to try. But that's ego and a ninja doesn't need ego. Why reveal anymore than he needs to? It was difficult, his pride was telling him to just win the damn thing outright. But he's accomplished his mission and as a shinobi, that's a sign it's time to come home.

"I forfeit. I believe I've done enough to earn my promotion, I have nothing left to prove." Naruto announced and saw Hayate nod before he exited the arena via shunshin to appear by Kurenai who gave the redhead a hug and congratulated him on performing so well.

Hayate crowned Gaara the winner, though the boy didn't look pleased and called the Chunin Exams to a close. Just as they were starting to depart, an ANBU appeared by the Jounin Sensei to retrieve Naruto, per the Hokage's orders. Naruto couldn't hide his annoyance, he wanted to go check on his teammates, though he suspected Shikamaru was just napping in the medbay.

Naruto arrived with the ANBU to the Hokage Tower and was escorted to the Hokage's office. Naruto really didn't understand why this ANBU was on his ass but he just ignored it, she was only following orders. When got to the office door he saw two samurai standing outside it, which was weird. The ANBU ordered him to stay there until he was called and then she went inside the office.

"Those were some pretty sweet sword skills, kid. Never thought I'd see a Tenken user, especially not a shinobi one."

"You know my style?"

"Yes, it's an old style but most people can't learn it due to the damage done to the leg muscles. How long have you been practicing and how many steps from the shukuchi was that?"

"I started learning when I was seven from a scroll that was gifted to me. And I was three steps shy. While I can move faster, I can only go up to two steps for the Shukuchi until my body matures." Naruto said while rubbing the back of his head. He wasn't used to being praised by strangers nor getting to talk kenjutsu, it was nice.

"Impressive" the same Samurai said. "Oh and just a word of warning, the Daimyo is in there so mind your manners."

"Thanks. Being an orphan, that stuff doesn't come naturally but I'll do my best, Samurai-san."

"It's Sojiro, kid and this is Shishio."

"Naruto Uzumaki, nice to meetya."

"Likewise" Shishio said. The trio continued to chat away until Naruto was summoned into the office. Upon entering, Naruto saw the Old Man, surrounded by his advisors. Jiraiya and Tsunade were both there, he shot her a quick smile but sitting to the side of the office was, he assumed the Daimyo. He bowed, deeply to the man, and shot a quick one to the Old Man. He hated the weak, old bastard but it'd do him no favors to act like a brat now.

"Hokage-sama." he said evenly.

"Naruto-kun, please sit down we have a lot to discuss. First, I want to congratulate you on your promotion to Chunin. It's long overdue." Hiruzen said and saw Naruto's jaw tense for a split second.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama."

"No thanks, necessary. Next, Naruto, I have to tell you some things that will not be pleasant for either you nor I. I just want you to listen completely and then we can discuss where we go from here." He saw the redhead nod and continued. "After the Kyuubi attack, the village was in a vulnerable position and the Hokage position was as well. We needed more funds to keep ourselves functioning but the more wealth civilians wanted power in exchange. I could levy taxes but they could also leave. I couldn't afford to call their bluff or wait them out so in a moment of well intentioned idiocy I pilfered from an account. An Uzumaki account; your inheritance. I won't lie, it was a large sum though I managed to pay it back years later, with interest I didn't watch the account as closely as I should have. Another person also took a generous sum from the accounts. He never repaid what he stole, likely banking on blackmailing me should I call him on it. Trying to fix what I did or allowed to happen has taken a long time and truthfully, you have not been made whole. That is why I have delayed your promotion, when you become a Chunin you are a true adult and in accordance with Daimyo-sama's laws, are granted full access to your clan funds and vaults. You reaching this rank also triggers an automatic audit from an accountant approved of my Daimyo-sama himself." He took a moment to collect himself and then continued.

"This law, designed to protect the last member of loyal Konoha clans would have dictated you be provided a house and a plot of land with the option to expand your property up to ten years after you made Chunin. The issue is, for me to have followed the law for you it would have required my revealing who your parents are as the funds to purchase the land comes from a tax paid by all shinobi clans. Even yours has paid into this account even though there have only ever been three members residing here. Naruto, your parents are the Yondaime Hokage and-"

"Kushina Uzumaki. I know."

"How?"

"That hardly seems relevant, Hokage-sama. Please continue."

"If any of your parent's enemies realized they had a child, one that was unprotected in a village trying to recovery from a massive attack you'd either be kidnapped or dead."

"That's not entirely true, Hiruzen. Tell him the whole truth." The Daimyo ordered.

"I could have sent you to the Capital, Minato and Daimyo-sama were close and the royal family has always had a good relationship with the Uzumaki, which is why much of their wealth wasn't lost during Uzushio's downfall. I didn't send you away because I wanted you to grow to love Konoha and desire to protect it like your parents did."

"How could revealing my status be any safer than revealing my parentage?"

"I believed the people would follow Minato's wish to see you are a hero. I underestimated the hurt they carried and how my law only allowed the ignorance to fester. Because I didn't address the issue diligently, it left an open space for their irrational fears to grow and grow and grow. With you advancing as fast as you did, many were concerned it was the fox; even my shinobi that should have known better."

"Who is the other person that stole from me and why did you let him?"

"His name was Danzo Shimura. He was once a friend and a longtime rival of mine. He used to head a division of ANBU called Root. While militant and misguided, he truly loved Konoha and I used that as a excuse to ignore when he'd overreach. He was executed on Daimyo-sama's orders."

"When did this occur?"

"Two days ago."

"That long? You let him use my family's resources for god knows what and did nothing?"

"I won't lie to you, Naruto, I've held the seat for too long. I've been soft when I should have been firm, too trusting when I should have been suspicious and too passive when action was needed. I've wrong you because of this and you may not believe me or you may not care but I am truly sorry. I know I've driven you away because of these secrets and I won't ask you to understand but I truly was attempting to do what was best for everyone." Naruto didn't bother responding, whether it was true or not was irrelevant. He'd suffered because of this weak, old man and he'd not have any of his excuses.

"So, what happens now?"

"I'll answer that. You will select where you want your compound to be and have my personal architect design the house with you. We'll get started on construction as soon as possible. Hiruzen will be holding a meeting of the clan heads where he will not only inform them of your heritage, your new residence but some other things as well. Naruto, I cannot apologize enough for what you have been deprived. You may not hold much affection for Konoha or even Fire Country but I hope you'll allow me to rectify that. I truly respected Minato and was quite fond of Kushina."

"Thank you, Daimyo-sama."

"Now, I believe Tsunade and Jiraiya wish to discuss some things with you so you three are excused."

All three bow and Hiruzen gives Naruto a ticket to pick up his Chunin vest from the armory. The two leaders spoke a while more until there was a knock at the door.

"Hiruzen, there is one final thing you're going to have to do and this is going to hurt more than anything else." the Daimyo said before giving permission for the individual outside to enter. In walked Orochimaru that instantly put the Hokage on edge, ready for an attack. "Calm down, Hiruzen. She is here at my invitation. Orochimaru has provided me proof that everything she did she was ordered to do by Danzo and seeing as how you did virtually nothing to stop him, she shouldn't be held responsible for the orders of a superior officer. As such, effective immediately, Orochimaru is to be reinstated as an Elite Jounin of Konoha; all crimes pardoned without exception."

"No, this is a bridge too far."

"It isn't a request, Hiruzen. This is an order and this will be one of your last acts. I expect you to announce her return within 48 hours, do I make myself clear?"

"Hai."

"Kukuku, I'm so happy to be back Sarutobi-sensei."