Hard

A/N Yeah Hinata Stans can skip this part. I'm still sad about the way things developed, ngnl Hinata haunted me in my dreams and as a NaruHina shipper I can't bear to do it, although I'll make a new one after this book that'll finally include Hinata without any hesitation.

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"Hinata, do you really like Jin-kun or Naruto?" Ino asked Hinata who was facing her.

"I-i!" Hinata was flustered by the question

"I don't doubt that you like them both, but I just wanted to know what you meant that day, when you said that you finally found what you wanted". Ino looked worriedly.

"Ino I! I meant that I found my Ninja Way! I don't want anyone to get hurt and just like Naruto-kun I don't want to give up!" Hinata said once more with eyes full of determination.

"So Naruto or Jin-kun?" Ino still wanted to know.

"A-ano, Ryu-kun has only been my friend for the past few years and I did liked him when we were kids but Naruto I don't know about Naruto" Hinata remembered the red scarf she has back at home and the moment where Naruto defended her from the bullies.

Ino not missing anything, sighed and hugged Hinata knowing her answer already.

"I'll help you with Goldie-kun, it wasn't really that obvious Hinata but I guess your mission with Naruto really did make you decide huh?"

Hinata turned red immediately when she was reminded about her mission with Naruto earlier, she still wanted to talk to Ryu about the moon though.

"Ino-chan, its not like I'm taking Ryu-kun from you, I wanted to talk to him about why I saw something when I looked at the moon" Hinata shyly told Ino

"Mm, I'll go get him then he's been sleeping ever since he came back."

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"So what did you want to talk to me about Hinata?" Ryu looked at Hinata curiously

"Ryu-kun its related to the moon, part of the reason why I don't like going out that much is because of it" Hinata said calmly

'Is Toneri projecting everything to her this early? Either I kill and take the Tenseigan for myself, I guess that would be best' Ryu thought.

"What about it Hinata-chan? You can talk to me you know we're practically like siblings the way you always visit me and Naruto over the years."

Hinata turned red when she heard the last part but she quickly collected herself.

"I don't know Ryu, ever since I looked at the moon, I've been having visions of you and Naruto either both of you are bleeding or worse" Hinata had tears in her eyes as she recently remembered her latest nightmare.

Ryu immediately went closer to Hinata and and hugged her to calm her, he activated his [Ketsuryūgan] to check her state.

'So she really was under a genjutsu?'

Ryu soon dispelled the Genjutsu on her which made her immediately faint.

'Even then, looks like I have to go to the Moon soon, I'm sure I can kill Toneri and take the Tenseigan'

"Jin-kun!" Ino came in and saw a fainted Hinata.

"It's fine Ino, Hinata had been under a genjutsu all this time that made her give nightmares, a quite powerful one at that"

Ryu and Ino then carried Hinata to Guren's bedroom to make her rest, The four people who left earlier soon came back and asked what happened and Ryu relayed what he had learnt.

Naruto was angered and unconsciously activated his 4 tailed beast transformation but soon calmed down.

"Who Ryu?"

"I don't know, all I know it was a powerful caster, but If I do know, I'll let you know first"

Naruto calmed down quickly knowing he can't do anything yet and that's why he has to train harder.

"Okay, Ryu, Spar with me I wanna see how much I improved"

"No, you'll have plenty of chances in this Year's chunin exams, I suggest you just stay here and watch over Hinata until she wakes up" Naruto nodded, not knowing why he immediately went inside to look at Hinata.

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"You know Hinata did like you Ryu" Yoru told Ryu as Guren and Anko were preparing dinner

"I know"

"Then why don't you apply for the Clan Something act?"

"I used to want it but now, I'm satisfied with Ino" He smiled at Yoru

"You beta" needless to say Ryu twitched his mouth when he heard that.

"Did I just hear someone call my name?" Ino came in shortly after their exchange.

"No-nothing Ino-chan!" Yoru immediately denied anything as she knew that Ino was probably going to be the Second coming of Akemi in the house.

"Eh? Okay, by the way I'm sleeping here tonight with Guren! Since we're training tomorrow" Ino then sat beside Ryu and she also laid her head on his laps.

Ryu soon placed his hands on her head and started to play with her hair, he took it the band that was making it into a ponytail and soon Ino's hair flowed down.

"Why don't you let your hair down? I kinda like it" Ryu whispered to Ino

Ino held Ryu's face positioned it so their eyes could meet and said

"Hmm, really? then I'll only let it down for you when we're alone or together I don't want you to get jealous because a lot of people will stare at me if I do" Ino pulled Ryu closed but before she could do anything

"Bah! If both of you are gonna flirt do it somewhere else and not with me!" Yoru grumbled as she missed the days when She could tease them.

"Aw is Yoru that mad? You know since you can no longer tease us why not Naruto and Hinata?" Ino tried to tease Yoru.

Yoru looked like she had understood a hard Ninjutsu

"You're right! I'm gonna have fun in this!"

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"So you mean this Years chunin exams isn't happening in Konoha?!" A man shouted as he slammed his table feeling that his plans had been ruined.

"We can always attack the envoy once every one is tired Lord Orochimaru and with Edo Tensei it is guaranteed."

"That makes sense fine this changes everything the village will be spared, the attack on the Kazakage will be harder!"

"Then why don't we do it earlier? I assume the Kazekage wouldn't be aware, we also ask Iwa to allow us to ambush and I'm sure they would gladly allow us to dispose of the Hokage" Kabuto analyzed the situation and gave his opinion

"But the problem now lies on the aftermath" Orochimaru said as he held his chain.

"I think-"

"Stop, Its feasible we'll have Konoha and Suna at the same time if we pull this off" Orochimaru soon grinned

"Kabuto, prepare everything! we're going to Suna to meet with our friends"

"Yes Lord Orochimaru" Kabuto bowed and soon left

'I Wonder who will be coming along with Hiruzen? Damn it ever since Danzo died its been harder to get information about their movement' Orochimaru thought silently.

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2 Months later, the Time for Chunin exams has arrived

"I Assume everyone is here?" Hiruzen was at the Hokage tower debriefing the plan

"It seems so Old-man" Akemi sounded.

"Good, I'm giving Akemi the power to control the village while we are at Tetsu no Kuni I hope you all listen to her orders?"

"Yes Lord Third!" The Remaining ANBU and Jonins all bowed.

"Itachi, Shisui, Izumi, take your covers and always stay at the back guard our rear, Jiraiya, Tsunade, We'll be at the front, meanwhile Kakashi and Yamato will stay at the sides along with the rest of the Jonins."

"Understood!"

"Before I forget Fugaku, do you want to come?" Hiruzen asked the Uchiha clan head and invited him.

"If I may, Lord third"

"Good, take some of the Uchiha police force and stay with the Genins the Police force will be responsible for protecting the Genins in case the Jonins are occupied."

"Now Dismissed!" Hiruzen said as he went to the gate and everyone assumed their positions.

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At the Konoha gate genins were gathering saying good bye to their loved ones while waiting for the rest of the jonins and the Hokage.

"So The Chunin exams huh? It's only been one year and I'm close to my goal of being Hokage!" Naruto yelled as he held his fist in the air.

"Dream on Naruto, watch me become Hokage first and I'll make Konoha even better than you ever could" Sasuke said in his usual voice.

"Since when did you decide to be Hokage Sasuke?" Naruto asked and the rest of their friends were eager as this was a new development for them.

"Naturally when I heard what Itachi's dream is, I want to help him this way" Sasuke said proudly as he remembered that Itachi wanted to be Hokage and a world full of peace.

Ryu heard the exchange and chimed in

"Oh Naruto, you've got another competitor!"

"I'll beat both of you watch me become the Hokage first before you two believe it!"

A blonde woman soon came in after hearing the three boys.

"Well, My bet is on Ryu" She ruffled Ryu's hair as soon as she said that.

"T-tsunade-sama!" Sakura, Ino,Tenten and Hinata bowed at the Legendary Sannin's presence

"Hey don't play favorites Granny! just because Ryu is your favorite nephew!" When Tsunade heard Naruto she immediately smacked him to which Naruto dodged.

"You've been getting better Naruto" Tsunade was slightly surprised at his speed.

"Of course! If i want to be Hokage I have to be strong!"

While all of this was happening.

'Wait why am I a future Hokage candidate!? I only wanted to be strong did Tsunade misinterpret me back then!?'

"*Cough* Well don't worry Naruto because my bet will be on you!" A man with a long white spiky hair came in"

"Naruto don't-!" Ryu didn't want to hear Jiraiya introduce himself

"Who are you?" Naruto was confused.

Jiraiya not wanting to miss the chance readied and did his pose

"I am Jiraiya the great toad sage of Mount Myoboku!"

Ryu and Tsunade both face-palmed when they saw his antics.

"Aren't you the guy that was Kicked out of a hot spring because of peeping?" Naruto asked

"No I wasn't peeping I was doing Research!" Jiraiya soon literally dragged Ryu into the conversation and placed his hands on his shoulder.

"See Ryu here also accompanies me as his father did back in the day! that's why you'll be researching with me Naruto!" Jiraiya grinned as he knew this was the only way for him to connect with Naruto and do his duty as his Godfather

"Oi Pervy-sage Why'd you drag me into this I'm di-" before he Ryu could finish he saw a Yamanaka Girl that had her hair flowing straight up looking at him

"Research? Tell me more Jin-kun" Ryu sweat bullets when he heard Ino while Jiraiya was more worried about his old teammate looking at him the same way Ino did to Ryu.

"So not only Eito but Ryu as well huh? looks like you finally need a lesson!" Tsunade soon walked slowly but before she could land a hit

"RUN!" Jiraiya said and Ryu soon followed not wanting to deal with either women.

"You owe me Pervy-sage!" Ryu yelled at Jiraiya who was farther away, shortly after their stunt everyone finally arrived.

"Where's Jiraiya and Ryu?" Hiruzen asked

"Don't bother Old-man they went ahead first" Hiruzen clearly confused on their actions looked at the surrounding genin but all he saw was them shaking their heads motioning to not ask her why.

"Women are really troublesome" The Nara father and son duo said.

Hiruzen soon clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention.

"I'm sure you're all excited and I am too, today we will be going to Tetsu no Kuni to say to the world that the Will of Fire is still alive in us!" After Hiruzen spoke those words He immediately motioned for the group to journey on.

"So this is it huh?" Ryu said as he was currently hiding with Jiraiya.

"Well to think you already taught him the Rasengan you really are your fathers son." Jiraiya said while he was writing his book.

"Why not teach him about the toads? or sage mode? you are his Godfather afterall" When Ryu spoke those words Jiraiya looked at him at shock making him wanting to ask, but before he could Ryu showed him his sage mode.

"When did you?"

"It's been about 5 years now, I have a contract with foxes" As soon as Ryu spoke he deactivated his sage mode and Yasaka and Yua soon came in and nestled into his neck and head respectively.

'*Sigh*, looks like the new generation will soon surpass us' Jiraiya thought as he finally decided to teach Naruto sage mode as early as possible.

"Last one to Tetsu no Kuni doesn't get the chance to do research on their favorite blondes!" Ryu shouted and left Jiraiya.

"This Kid! So you really were researching as well haha, but sorry Kid I don't count it since the Yamanaka is still young but you're quite lucky I'm sure she'll be a killer when she grows" Jiraiya laughed when he learned Ryu also did his research and soon overpowered Ryu in speed as the two raced to Tetsu no Kuni.

As soon as he was finished talking he saw Ryu activate Eito's famed armor as he didn't expect he also learned it.

"Oi Ryu! No Bloodline limits!" Jiraiya laughed as he saw Ryu grin and saw determination in his eyes to do his research.

'I do wish Eito and Minato could see their childs like this.'