Chapter 32 : Jonin Test(4)

Naruto was tired.

After their family-like meal together, Yugao had taken Naruto into his room and proceeded to question him on his day's events after leaving with Anko. He had been a little annoyed but complied nonetheless.

His nee-chan was someone important to him, so if he had to deal with her overbearing protection of his 'innocence' – which was the most absurd thing he had ever heard come from her mouth, seeing as it was too late in most meanings of the word – then he would. He was still very much a virgin, but innocent was the last thing he'd call himself.

It had taken him an entire half hour of explaining his slightly awkward conversation with the Snake Mistress, and then another two hours convincing the woman that he had in no way, shape, or form had any kind of intimate relations with her friend.

He honestly began to think that it would be better if he actually did take up some of the women's offers to mess around with them if Yugao wouldn't believe him when he actually did nothing. It wouldn't be as annoying and he would at least get something out of it instead of suffering through the extended interrogations for doing nothing wrong. It wouldn't be wrong in the first place, but that was a moot point apparently.

He had woken up after getting only a few hours of sleep and immediately dressed himself in his new jonin gear. Gone was his ANBU uniform and in its place was a standard Konoha jonin flak-jacket over a long-sleeved black shirt, the right sleeve being completely burnt orange. He wore black shinobi pants and sandals, with a black-clothed Konoha hitai-ate.

He was never able to wear his forehead protector much when he was a member of the zoo – which he had stopped calling the corps years ago – and he was excited to start. Representing his village felt good. He was by no means awake, but at least it wasn't all bad.

He had made it to the Hokage Tower and started to make his way up the stairs to his Jiji's office. He was aware of all the surprised looks he had gotten while he walked from his home to the leaders place of command. Even the people in the Tower looked at him strangely, which was weird for him since they acted like this was the first time he had entered the building, which as Naruto, it was.

He could feel their minds clearly; apparently word of Uzumaki Naruto being Nezumi the Kamikage had spread faster than he thought it would. It just reminded him of how annoyed he was at being betrayed.

Naruto reached for the door but paused before he entered. He could feel the minds of the people inside.

Hiruzen was annoyed, and a little upset.

The majority of the others in the Hokage's office were not happy. Most of them had feelings of disgust. And some were even angry at Hiruzen himself. Naruto didn't like that at all. His Jiji was to be respected at all times, failure to show that respect automatically made the sinner an enemy of the Bringer of Hope.

He steeled himself and opened the door, causing all eyes to gravitate to him. If he was a lesser man he would have been incredibly nervous. He just so happened to be the most powerful shinobi in Konoha though, and right now he had the feeling that he needed to show it. The blond walked right past the irritated crowd and stood to the right of Hiruzen, where he deserved to be.

"Hokage-sama." He greeted formerly, deciding to show the others how one should properly treat the God of Shinobi. He wanted the world to know that his Jiji was still a powerful Kage, and having the famous Bringer of Hope bow to him was a great way to show it. He never really enjoyed using his popularity all that much, but for his Hokage, he would do anything. There was never a task too difficult for him.

When the Lord Third spoke, his words were absolute.

"Naruto-kun." Hiruzen began, making sure to express his thankfulness at the obvious show of loyalty and respect through his feelings. "Just the person we were talking about." It was painfully clear that he was the discussion in the now very cramped room. He just didn't know what it was they were speaking about.

"I see." Naruto replied. "And what would that be about?" He asked. He had a feeling that this might happen, just not so soon. The minds of the ninja present told him all he needed to know.

The Hokage lit his tobacco pipe before he answered. "The accumulated jonin do not believe you to be former ANBU Operative Nezumi, and have expressed their feelings of you being incompetent." Naruto could feel his surrogate grandfather's amusement. Apparently the aged warrior felt it was just as funny as he did.

"Ah, I see." The blond replied. "Why is that?" He directed his question to the shinobi instead of his leader.

A random jonin he knew to be named Kazuo was the first to express his concerns in a completely appropriate and adult-like manner. "Because there's no way a brat like you could be the Bringer of Hope, that's why, Demon Boy!" Like he said, completely professional.

The man was extremely lucky that he was a loyal Konoha-nin, because if he wasn't, he would no longer take breath from this world.

It was strange because most of the shinobi force knew that he was not the Kyuubi and didn't want to purposely treat him like garbage. To be among so many who felt he was nothing but a puppet for a supposed demon was a little disheartening.

"One: I am the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi no Kitsune, which is in my Bingo Book entry." Naruto began. "Two: I match the description of Nezumi perfectly." This really was a waste of his time. "Three: Demon is not a suitable word to describe me, the correct term you're looking for is monster." He disliked ignorant people with all of his being. "Four: Hatake Kakashi, a respected jonin who's about to enter the room can vouch that I am in fact who I say I am."

Everyone decided to turn to the door, and sure enough, the aforementioned, silver-haired man walked through, late as usual, little orange book in hand. As he entered the room, he stopped before he made it to his favored spot to look at everyone staring at him.

"…Yo." he greeted coolly. It irritated most present that he barely lifted his eyes from his smut long enough to say the single-word hello. The man was shameless!

"Hatake!" Kazuo shouted, getting the attention of the famed Sharingan no Kakashi. "Is this Uzumaki Naruto really the Bringer of Hope?" He asked. It was clear that the man was not a fan of the blond's. Kurama most likely killed someone close to him twelve years ago. Still, the man was an idiot for blaming it on him.

Kakashi gave the man an eye smile only he was capable of giving. "Yup. Naruto-kun is Nezumi-kohai. Why'd you even have to ask?" It was kind of pointless after all. The Hokage had said as much; that should have been enough. "Do you doubt the Lord Hokage, Kazuo-san?" He asked in a polite but somehow threatening way. Kakashi was right behind Naruto in being the most loyal shinobi in the village.

"I- no, of course not." He tried to say quickly. "It's just really hard to believe."

"Perhaps a demonstration is required." Hiruzen suggested. Naruto smirked. This sounded like fun.

"What did you have in mind, Hokage-sama?" The Uzumaki asked. He had hoped that his Jiji would give him the chance to prove himself in front of everyone. Without something mind-blowing to showcase his abilities, he would never be accepted as a jonin of Konoha, Kamikage or not. His leader's mind pleased the boy. That would definitely suffice.

"A duel." Hiruzen began. "Five of my most powerful jonin against you." The incredulous looks on their faces was very amusing. Their thoughts were equally as funny. They thought that was unfair.

"Ano, Hokage-sama." A kunoichi named Mitsu asked for permission to speak. Hiruzen gave it to her. "That sounds a little unfair…" Oh, the benefits of being underestimated. At least the woman wasn't some obnoxious ignorant fool with a Kyuubi vendetta.

"I'm glad you brought that up, Mitsu-chan." The Sandaime took another drag from his pipe. "It would indeed be unfair." Here, he gave a smirk that made Naruto proud to be under his command. "So, I have decided that Naruto-kun will take them on all at once," their disbelief was palpable, "blindfolded." What the hell was the Hokage thinking? "And with both hands tied behind his back." He continued. "That should make it a little fairer don't you think, Naruto-kun?"

"As you wish, Hokage-sama." He replied. Without all of the handicaps it would indeed be unfair… for the five jonin.

"You can't be serious, Hokage-sama!" Kazuo yelled, earning a death glare from Naruto.

"I am, and that is the end of it." He announced in his powerful Hokage voice. Naruto was always telling him that he needed to use it more so he could show the people who doubted his ability to lead that he was still the man who had protected Konoha for many, many years. "The duel will begin in an hour at the Stadium." With that said, the Hokage dismissed everyone, including Naruto, to get ready for Uzumaki Naruto's debut into the jonin ranks.

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