Chapter 13

"Evening everyone. Sorry for the late hour once again," said Sarutobi as he took his seat in the council chamber.

The general din quieted and a few murmurs of greeting went around for the hokage.

"You've had a week to investigate Orochimaru's appearance in the village. Do we have any answers?" The atmosphere of the room seemed to darken. The hokage was completely pleasant in his questioning but everyone knew that just below the surface was a roiling inferno of anger, rage, and disappointment.

"We assume that he had inside help but we have not been able to pinpoint the exact method he used to penetrate the detection barrier. Given this is Orochimaru, we believe he may have left himself a number of back doors into the village prior to his exile. There is also the recent betrayal by Yakushi Kabuto who we now believe even more strongly was a subordinate of Orochimaru. We unfortunately have more questions at this point than answers. We know he had several hidden bunkers scattered throughout the village that he could be hiding in any one of them. If he got in the village he could easily sneak in others and with the chuunin exam finals in a month, our barrier is over worked as it is with all the incoming traffic. We're also hearing whispers about this Otogakure being on the move." Shikaku sighed as he finished his report.

"Where is this Otogakure?" asked Hiashi. He'd only returned from the capital a few days prior and seemed to be in even more of a foul mood than normal.

"We don't know," said Shikaku. "As best we can tell our intelligence at this point suggests it's a series of small hidden enclaves spread out in Cha no Kuni."

"How was this not brought to my attention sooner?" demanded Sarutobi, his voice cold as ice. "Did no one think to inform me that a hidden village had appeared using the exact formula for the creation of a new hidden village using a plan Orochimaru created years ago? A plan that this very council had destroyed to ensure it never left these walls? A plan that only Orochimaru would know how to implement?"

The room was dead silent as many present began to fear for their lives.

"The intelligence reports never made it this far," explained Shikaku. "The plan was destroyed and as such when the initial reports came in they were deemed low priority because no one knew about the report in the intelligence department. We haven't had any patrols go missing in that area or anything else that would draw suspicion which is suspicious in itself."

Sarutobi frowned but nodded his understanding.

"In light of all that has happened, it may be prudent to cancel the exams at this point," suggested Koharu reluctantly given Sarutobi's foul mood.

"I do not belied that is necessary yet," said Sarutobi. "However, I do want an immediate suspension of all missions below S-rank effective immediately. Begin a recall of all available assets. I want increased patrols of the village. ANBU agents are to be posted in all major gathering points. Full inspections of every single person entering and exiting the village gates. I want the armory fully staffed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and notice sent to all active shinobi to ensure they are fully geared and equipped. All suspicious activity is to be immediately reported."

"What about the delegation from Sunagakure?" asked Homura slightly worried about the international relations nightmare this may cause.

"No exceptions," ordered Sarutobi. "If they cannot submit to our rules then they don't need to enter the village at all. I want additional searches performed at the stadium on the day of the finals."

"Are we assuming invasion?" asked Inoichi.

"Too many coincidences lately," said Shikaku rubbing his face tiredly. "Too many security breeches, too much unusual activity. Sunagakure's decision to send in their jinchuuriki to compete in an ally's chuunin exam is also suspicious."

"We sent in our own jinchuuriki did we not?" asked Homura. "Are we not just as guilty? I've been hearing whispers already about what he did to the Inuzuka boy."

Tsume snarled at that. "The difference you moron is in the control. I've heard exactly what happened already. Uzumaki was in complete control. He also taught my boy a lesson that he needed to learn quite badly if his sensei's report is to be believed, which I do. I've also heard about just how unstable the Sunagakure jinchuuriki is. He is the definition of a weapon except this weapon is always armed and on a hair trigger."

"I also witnessed the fights," said Sarutobi coldly. "Genin Uzumaki was completely stable. He did toy with the Inuzuka but he was also making a point to the shinobi present that was justified and approved of prior to the exam. This also gave him the opportunity to show me how much control over the kyuubi he has been able to gain without exposing him to the ridicule and fear of the civilian population. Now going into the finals he can hold back using the kyuubi unless it is absolutely necessary."

"And we can trust him to keep that control?" asked Homura not wanting to let this issue go.

"Enough!" ordered Sarutobi loudly and very annoyed. "I will not be questioned on this matter further. I am more than confident in his control and his ability to use it as needed. I have numerous classified reports from SIPA in regards to his progress testifying to this fact."

Shikaku looked to the hokage waiting for him to give the signal to continue his evaluation.

"Carry on Shikaku," said Sarutobi lighting his pipe.

"The presence of the Sunagakure's jinchuuriki is suspicious. Add in the fact that the kazekage will also be in attendance. Add in the fact that we have recent intelligence reports that Sunagakure is currently conducting large scale combat exercises close to the border. Add to that a few long range chakra sensors have seen increased activity approaching the village. Add to that the number of chakra signatures that have shown up in the village. I believe invasion is imminent. I believe it is most likely to occur during the finals."

"Do you have any additional recommendations to the preparation I've already initiated?" asked Sarutobi.

"Several but they all carry risk. For starters, you and the kazekage should not be seated together but in separate private booths. I would put security seals on the kazekage's booth that would trap him in the event he does betray us. The risk here is that it would more than likely tip off the kazekage that something is wrong or that his plans have been discovered. The other option is to place a decoy next to him. It would place the shinobi taking his place in a great deal of danger and risk but it could give us the upper hand.

"Second, we may want to assemble a platoon of twenty to thirty shinobi and send them out of the village over the next few weeks. Set them up to attack the invasion from behind. If we make it look like they are being dispatched on missions in various direction with a rally point at one or two of the closer outposts.

"Third, if we believe the invasion will occur during the finals as it likely will then we need to have a large number of sleepers in the crowd because I have no doubt the invaders will also. I'd rather not have much ANBU presence as they would be better placed throughout the village."

Sarutobi remained silent for a few minutes contemplating the suggestions.

"If the kazekage is in on this invasion as we are almost certain of at this point, do we have anyone that would survive long enough for back up to arrive?"

Shikaku closed his eyes to think for a minute. "Maybe..." Shikaku then looked pointedly at another of the council.

Sarutobi followed his sight line and groaned to himself.

BREAK

"Ah, nothing beats a good ramen feast," said Karin patting her distended stomach.

"I know, right?" agreed Naruto patting his own distended stomach contentedly.

"Is the ramen addiction genetic?" asked Sakura mostly to herself as she walked along side them.

"I don't know," answered Karin thoughtfully. "All I know is that it is the best food ever."

"Food of the kami," said Naruto agreeing again.

Sakura shook her head and laughed to herself. "Anyway, this is where we split up. Good luck with training if I don't see you before the finals Naruto."

"Later Sakura-chan," said Naruto with a grin.

"Remember to come by tomorrow," said Karin. "I have shopping to do."

Naruto shivered. "Thanks again for doing that in my place."

"Bye-bye," said Sakura with a wave and running off.

"Home we go," said Naruto with a grin.

Karin happily linked arms with Naruto and walked along chatting.

When they finally reached Naruto's apartment building he had to look around to make sure he was in the right place.

"What the hell happened to my building?" Naruto shouted in disbelief.

"Kakashi-sensei said that someone named Tazuna was hired to remodel the building as a clan house," explained Karin, surprised that Naruto didn't already know.

"Tazuna-ousan?" asked Naruto surprised yet again.

"Naruto-kun, is that you?" asked a voice coming out the front doors.

"Tazuna-ousan?" asked Naruto again now seeing the newcomer.

"I was expecting you earlier today," said Tazuna. "So what do you think of my handiwork?"

Naruto looked at his building. It was surrounded by scaffolding from about the third floor down. The fourth and fifth floors exterior was completely refinished, painted in a crimson red color and didn't match the dirty gray of the lower floors. Painted on the wall of the fourth floor was a large white Uzumaki family crest.

"It looks okay so far. How long have you been working on this?" asked Naruto.

"Been at this for about a week. Only got the top two floors finished so far," explained Tazuna. "Seven apartments done in total including the clan head suite. The stairway up is still a bit shaky so be careful going up."

"So what happened to all of my stuff?" asked Naruto with a frown.

"It was all moved into the clan head suite like your hokage told me to do. It's a four bedroom, two and half bath apartment with a connected office for any clan business. The other six apartments on the fourth floor are all two bedroom, one bathroom. Floors two and three will have more apartments but we're just starting on those. The first floor will have some commercial shops and a clan hall. The basement will be all your storage and building utilities."

"Wow," said Naruto. "That's a lot of work. How am I paying for all of this?"

"My company is doing all the work for free and your village is providing all the materials for free. Or at least that's what your hokage told me," said Tazuna pulling out a large ring of keys and two small rings of keys. He handed one of the small rings to Karin. "You get apartment 4-A." He then handed the other two key rings to Naruto. "The large ring has the keys for all the apartments. I'll get you the rest of the keys as we finish the apartments. The other is for your new office and your suite."

"Thank Tazuna-ousan," said Naruto happily taking the keys, "How long until you're finished?"

"We were told we had to have what we've done so far finished by today which was a bit rushed if you ask me. We planned at this point to just have the rest done by the time that tournament is supposed to happen."

"Cool, you'll get to see me fight then," said Naruto excitedly.

"Tsunami and Inari will be coming up a few days before the tournament. Inari was begging to come with to see you so we ended up compromising," explained Tazuna. "Anyway, now that you're here I've got a jug of sake with my name on it."

"Later ousan," said Naruto with a wave.

Karin and Naruto both turned to look up at their newer home.

"This is so weird," said Naruto. "What the hell am I going to do with four rooms and an office?"

Karin shrugged. "What am I going to do with two rooms? I'm used to a studio apartment with a small fridge and a single burner plate."

Naruto clicked his tongue as a thought occurred to him. "They probably destroyed my rooftop garden too."

"I didn't know you garden," said Karin.

"Just some small plants and trees. Nothing big," said Naruto with a shy shrug.

"Well, no sense procrastinating," said Karin. "Let's go check out our new digs."

"May as well," said Naruto starting his march forward.

"Hey Naruto-kun," said Karin shyly.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you," said Karin. "Thank you for finding me. For taking me in. Kusagakure took me in but it was never home. I know it's only been a few days but I feel like I'm home after such a long time."

Naruto smiled slightly. "I'm glad I found you too. I'm glad you were so willing to stay here too. I know we're still basically strangers but that will change over time right?"

Karin nodded and smiled happily.

BREAK

Naruto trudged through the village early the next morning. It ended up being a late night as he explored his new place and unpacked some of his few belongings. He and Karin also spent some time getting to know each other which was really nice.

Now however, he had an appointment at SIPA for more chakra work. More specifically, more kyuubi chakra work.

"Yo," said Naruto as he entered Atsui's office. He was surprised he couldn't find Shiho.

Atsui barely glanced up from a report he was reading.

"Where's Shiho-chan?" asked Naruto.

"She has an interview today," said Atsui in a clipped tone, his impatience and displeasure evident.

"Interview for what?" asked Naruto surprised.

"Cryptanalysis," said Atsui.

"She got an interview?" asked Naruto in surprise. "I thought she said she wasn't ready yet?"

"She was ready," said Atsui. "She should be done soon but I've tasked her another errand after she's done. She'll join us when she finishes."

"Oh," said Naruto dumbly. "So what is the plan today?"

"I received a note from your sensei about your Hyuuga opponent. So we'll work first on improving the speed in which you draw the kyuubi's chakra and the speed in which you suppress the kyuubi's chakra. By the way, Hokage-sama was very impressed with your control during the preliminaries."

"Really?" asked Naruto feeling very pleased with himself.

"Have I ever lied to you?" asked Atsui not really wanting an answer. "Let's head down. We'll start with you talking to the kyuubi again. I know he's rude but you said you feel like you're making some headway with it."

"Lead the way," said Naruto opening the office door for the man and his bodyguard.

Not much later Naruto was walking the familiar halls of his mind. It had changed some since the last time he was here. There were now hardly any cracks in the tiles and he had yet to see even one burst of steam from the pipes overhead and along the walls.

"Yo, what's up fox?" greeted Naruto as he approached the cage.

"Go away human," returned the fox.

This had become their standard greeting to each other over the last month and change.

"Aka-Orenji?"

"Not even close," replied the fox.

"I will guess your name sooner or later," said Naruto adamantly. "Unless you changed your mind and want to tell me."

"Not a chance," said the kyuubi flatly.

"And here I thought Uchiha-teme was stubborn," said Naruto unprepared for the fox's response.

The kyuubi's eyes widened and he suddenly slammed bodily against the cage. "How dare you compare me to one of those cursed bastards! I'd gut you right now if only I could you foul miscreant! Come in here and face me you coward! I'll kill you and all of your kin! Set me free you horrid little human scum!"

Naruto after getting over his initial shock and even a little fear couldn't hide the smirk on his face. "Oh, so you don't like the Uchiha huh? Why is that?"

"Begone from my presence you foul child," replied the kyuubi pacing in front of his cage seething with hatred and rage.

"Come on, you can talk to me. We're stuck together anyway. Would it really hurt to tell me about yourself even a little bit?"

Kyuubi growled once more before glaring at Naruto.

Naruto could clearly see the kyuubi was thinking over his options. "Tell me about the Uchiha."

Kyuubi growled again but laid down in front of the cage anyway. "I've known many Uchiha in my life. Their cursed eyes have always had the power to control my kin and use us as they saw fit. Only a few have ever reached that level of power but it was enough for me to know to hate them all. If I were free, I would hunt down and kill them all. I would eradicate that bloodline once and for all. It was because of them I have spent the last 100 years sealed away from the world. Unable to hunt, to chase, to feel the wind, to languish in the sun or dance under the moon."

"What did they do?"

"Uchiha Madara," said the kyuubi with a growl. "He was the first to completely control me since... He forced me to fight Senju Hashirama and his cursed mokuton techniques. When that Senju stopped me and held me down I thought 'good, he'll break me free' but he did not. Instead that Uzumaki woman, she sealed me inside herself. Forced into an eternal darkness and chained down. She stole chakra from me, made me suffer if I resisted. Eighty-two years I was bound in that darkness. I was alone with only my hatred for all humans."

"That sucks," said Naruto looking down and reflecting on his own life.

"When at last I sensed the end of her life, I felt hope of being free. It was not to be. I was transferred into a little girl. At least there was light now but I was still bound and chained down. She too stole my chakra and made me suffer if I resisted. She would speak to me on occasion but it was not... pleasant."

"Do you remember their names?"

"What do I care for the names of two human women who could not be bothered to learn my name? What do I care for two women who stole from me? Nothing, that's what I care."

"I want to learn your name," said Naruto in his own defense.

"The second Uchiha to ever completely control me was on the night I was sealed into you. I was torn from my container when her seal weakened. I was free." The kyuubi almost sounded wistful when he said that. "And then once again I was controlled only this time I did not mind so much because he tasked me to destroy your pathetic village. I would have my revenge for being imprisoned for so long at last. One hundred years in the making and my vengeance was there for the taking."

"What happened next?"

"I was upon that village ready to destroy it and everyone in it. And then suddenly I was no longer being controlled. I could fully enjoy my revenge however I saw fit. But no, before I could strike them all down I was transported to the distant outskirts of your village. I was no longer controlled at that point and could go back for my revenge. Unfortunately for me, my previous container, a woman who should have died as soon as I was ripped free of her bound me with her damnable Uzumaki chakra chains. It was only minutes later I was sealed in you and once again I was a prisoner."

Naruto sat in silence for a while just watching the kyuubi before coming to a decision. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto. I like ramen, training, playing pranks on the assholes in the village and spending time with my precious people. I don't like the three minutes it takes to cook ramen, traitors, or killing. My hobbies are gardening and training, I guess. My dream for the future is to becoming hokage and to always protect my precious people."

The kyuubi startled slightly in surprise at Naruto's introduction. He snarled once before calming. "I'm Rikudo Kurama. I like hunting, the wind in my fur, and playing tricks on my siblings. I don't like my youngest brother Shukaku, being sealed or being controlled. My hobby is playing tricks on my siblings and killing anyone who pisses me off. My dream for the future is to be free."

Naruto smiled super brightly. "I'm really happy to meet you, Kurama."

"Now go away," said Kurama standing and moving into the darkness of his prison. What Naruto didn't see was the slight smirk at the corners of Kurama's mouth.

Naruto was jostled awake and couldn't keep the smile off his face. "Success!" he shouted jutting his arms up over his head.

"What's that gaki?" asked a giant of a man with long spiky white hair and two red triangle shaped tattoos on his face just under his eyes.

"Who are you?" asked Naruto of the newcomer. Then he saw Shiho standing just behind him talking to Atsui. "Shiho-chan, you're here?" Naruto jumped to his feet and rushed to ask her about her interview completely ignoring the newcomer.

"Hello Naruto-kun," said Shiho smiling happily.

"You get the transfer?"

"It will be official after the chuunin exams end. I'm still in shock," said Shiho happily.

"Congratulations," said Naruto happy for his friend.

"Oi, gaki, I wasn't done talking to you," said the man.

"I'll get to you in a minute. This is important," said Naruto frowning at the man for interrupting.

"Naruto-kun, you should be more polite to Jiraiya-sama," said Shiho properly chiding him.

"Jiraiya, where do I know that name from?" asked Naruto to himself.

"He was the sandaime's student," answered Shiho.

Naruto snapped his fingers. "That's right, you're the pervert who writes those books Kakashi-sensei reads all the time."

"Oh ho, so you know of my literary prowess," said Jiraiya with a leer. "You're handsome enough I'm sure you've got the girls crawling all over you huh?"

Naruto blushed furiously. Unnoticed to him so did Shiho.

"Shut up you stupid pervert," said Naruto unable to come up with anything more original.

Jiraiya laughed before adopting a very serious look on his face. "I am not a pervert... I am a super pervert."

Naruto blinked and then blinked again before looking at a bright red Shiho. "Did he really just admit to that?"

Shiho barely nodded, too afraid to move more for embarrassment.

"Don't let that perverted act fool you," said Atsui interrupting the discussion. "He's an S-rank shinobi. He'll be training you in preparation for the finals. We'll be doing any kyuubi work in here. Anything else he'll take you to one of the training fields to train you while he conducts his own 'research' so to speak."

"He's a scientist too?" asked Naruto.

"Not exactly," said Jiraiya. "My research has more to do with aesthetics."

"What the hell does that mean?" asked Naruto getting the feeling it had to be something perverted.

"He likes to peep on women," said Atsui blandly.

Naruto's eyebrow twitched. "And he's supposed to train me?"

"Correct," said Atsui. Before Naruto to protest any further he spoke again. "Now, before all of this discussion began you shouted something along the lines of 'success', correct?"

"Yeah," said Naruto remembering what had him so enthused previously. "I got him to tell me his name."

Atsui and Shiho eyes widened in shock.

"Are you certain?" asked Atsui nearly excited. "I didn't expect that so soon. How did you manage it?"

"Wait, whose name did you learn?" asked Jiraiya.

"Kyuubi," said Atsui. "Naruto learned his name."

"Kyuubi has a name?" asked Jiraiya in surprise before looking hard at Naruto. "Okay, so I've clearly not been fully briefed on the gaki's progress in regards to the kyuubi so please. Fill me in. Now!"

What followed was an explanation of Naruto's progress into using the kyuubi's chakra and the various dialogues they've had with each other over the last month and change.

"You're a hell of lot farther along that I thought you would be at this point. The report I got on you when you graduated was not promising. Clearly SIPA has had tremendous impact on your training, all positive."

"So anyway," said Naruto. He was not happy with the man's comments about his academy days. "His name is Rikudo Kurama."

"Six paths," said Jiraiya with a slight gasp. "So it's true."

"What's true?" asked Naruto.

"Nothing, forget about it for now," said Jiraiya with a cheeky grin.

"How did you get him to tell you?" asked Atsui turning on a recorder.

Naruto then broke down the conversation and how mentioning Uchiha got him to speak some and tell him some of his past. He then told them how he made the decision that he would become Kurama's friend or die trying which led into the introduction he gave to the fox and how the fox reciprocated.

"Very interesting," said Atsui followed by him tapping a finger to his chin in thought. "This is exceptional news. Well done Uzumaki-san."

"Thanks," said Naruto slightly bashful. "So where do we go from here?"

"For now lets focus on your original training plan for today. In about a week we will look to have you talk to Rikudo-san again. I have some theories but I will have to speak with Jiraiya-sama more to find out if it's possible," explained Atsui.

"I've got to go see the old man," said Jiraiya. "He's going to need to know about this."

Naruto nodded retaking his place in the center of the seal matrix while Atsui and Shiho both went up into the booth to observe the monitors on his chakra system.

BREAK

"Thank you again for the assistance Yuuhi-sensei and Hyuuga-san," said Atsui. "Hopefully this will be mutually beneficial."

"Yeah, thanks Kurenai-sensei and Hinata-chan," said Naruto. It had been a few days since Kakashi had arranged the meeting for all of the genin for Naruto to explain about the kyuubi and all that entailed. It went surprisingly well in his opinion. None of them really freaked out but there were plenty of questions, some of them really awkward and even uncomfortable. Especially the questions about his parents for which he had no answers to give.

"As soon as Maito-san gets here we'll get started," said Atsui checking the time on the clock.

"I saw him earlier walking around the village on his hands," said Kurenai with a sigh.

"So Gai-sensei is going to help Hinata-chan with her taijutsu form. In return she's going to close my tenketsu and give me practice using the kyuubi's chakra to reopen them as well as letting me practice taijutsu against a jyuuken user. Did I miss anything here?" Naruto didn't particularly care for not being able to use kyuubi's name as it was deemed very highly classified. He personally felt it was insulting to Kurama to not acknowledge him by name. It felt like all those times people just call him brat or demon behind his back.

"Precisely," said Atsui checking the clock again. "Hmm, Maito-san is now two minutes late. He will be docked pay accordingly."

"I'm sure he'll be here soon," said Kurenai not quite believing how strict Atsui was.

"Yosha!" the man in question shouted as he walked into the room on his hands. "I will have to continue my personal challenge once I leave this place."

"You're late and will be docked accordingly," said Atsui. "Now if you've delayed our schedule enough let us begin work. I will try to adjust our schedule to make up the difference."

"Atsui, stop being such a stick in the mud," said Naruto with huff. "It's not like 5 minutes is going to completely screw us over."

"First, Uzumaki-san go converse. Second, Hyuuga-san show Maito-san what you've done so far. Third, Maito-san after you finish observing what Hyuuga-san has come up with show her what you have come up with. Fourth, once Maito-san and Hyuuga-san have had a chance to combine their efforts and Naruto has returned we can start with the planned training. You have three hours so please begin," instructed Atsui ticking the starter on a stopwatch.

Naruto went to the center of the seal matrix as ordered and sat down.

Hinata meanwhile nervously approached Gai. "Thank you for helping me Gai-sensei," she stuttered nervously.

"It is my pleasure," shouted Gai with a brilliant smile. "It is a most youthful endeavor you are undertaking. I could not claim to be a master of taijutsu if I could not help stoke the flames of youth of such a wonderful young flower of youthful passions."

Hinata blushed furiously at some of the man's poorly chosen words.

"Gai, please tone it down on the youth talk. You sound like a pedophile," said Kurenai.

Gai naturally looked aghast at the suggestion. "So unyouthful!"

"Gai," said Kurenai sternly motioning for him to get on with it.

"First, let us review those stances and transitions you created or modified," said Gai. "From what I saw you're trying to use a more circular movement as opposed to the jyuuken's standard direct movements."

Hinata nodded nervously. "In traditional jyuuken we use a lot of dodging movements but the steps and stance transitions are all very direct. We use blocks to close tenketsu or push attacks directly out of our path to create openings to strike."

"From what I have seen of your cousin Neji-kun that is exactly correct," said Gai. "It is a very hard style of martial arts. It is also not very gentle if you ask me."

Hinata let a small scared giggle escape. She then proceeded to show him her progress thus far.

Gai smiled. "So, how do we change this? First, I believe you have the right idea in using more circular movements. Second, I believe you will need to shift your mindset of fighting. Currently you have been trained in the hard style which encourages direct conflict. But for a soft style to succeed you need to adapt more of a flow to your style, more block and counter, less attack and counter defense. Third, you need to be much lighter on your feet. Standing in a single stance and waiting for an attack is counterproductive. You should never stop moving and you should also never move in to attack your opponent. Circle them lightly and when they attack you dodge or block in a circular manner then counter from a position of leverage."

Hinata found herself nodding unconsciously as she agreed with everything he said. She could picture it in her head now.

"So let us begin with just getting you to move around me," said Gai with a smile as he stepped back and down into the traditional jyuuken stance.

Hinata gasped when she saw it.

"Don't tell anyone," said Gai softly with a wink and grin for the girl.

Hinata nodded once and smiled slightly. Her life had changed so much since SIPA. She was feeling more and more confident as each day passed. She had been trained in things that fit her. And now she was creating a jyuuken style just for her.

She circled him as instructed with him turning to follow her occasionally shifting towards her to force her to adjust.

"Lighter on your feet," said Gai. "Try not to completely square your shoulders to me. You want to create few openings if any at all. We're not working on baiting at this time but eventually we will. For now, just focus on moving quickly on the balls of your feet. Push off with your back leg and steady yourself with your front leg."

Hinata made the subtle shifts in her feet and legs as instructed while working to adjust her upper body to create a smaller target.

"Good," said Gai with a firm nod. "Now, I'm going to shift towards you more often in an attempt to get into striking distance. You need to find a way to shift around me and my strike."

Hinata nodded suddenly feeling more nervous.

Gai attacked as promised but always pulled his punches and kicks. He was successful more often than not as Hinata was still trying to figure out how to best dodge the attack or shift around it.

"Do not try to block for now. I want you to use your feet to avoid me," said Gai. "Don't be afraid to try something new. I promise I will not insult or belittle your attempts."

Hinata nodded trying not to tear up. It was so different from training in the Hyuuga dojo.

Gai's next attack came in only moments later. Hinata had been circling him to the right so when the attack was going towards where she would be if she continued right, she spun left rather suddenly and ended up behind him with his back fully exposed.

"Very good," said Gai jubilantly as he turned around.

Hinata's legs wobbled slightly forcing her to sit. "Changing direction like that suddenly was difficult."

"It is," said Gai. "But now that you have an idea you can continue to work on it. We have only just begun my youthful flower. There is still much to build upon and develop. Remember always, hard work will beat genius every time."

"Yes Gai-sensei," said Hinata standing up and giving the man a formal bow of appreciation.

Gai grinned and gave her a thumbs up. "Now, we shall continue working on this for rest of this first hour. Then we will start working on counter-balance blocks and maybe some holds and throws."

"He may be weird," commented Kurenai off to the side with Atsui. "But he's an amazing teacher."

"My psychologist has been bugging me about getting time with him in a padded room," said Atsui causing Kurenai to chuckle. "Sadly the hokage has declined saying the risk was too great that he'd actually end up committed."

Those hours passed quickly for Hinata. She had learned so much and adapted so much to her new soft style jyuuken.

Naruto came out of his conversation with Kurama after about two hours. He spent his last hour just practicing drawing Kurama's chakra quick and then suppressing it just as quickly while doing some basic taijutsu warm-ups.

"Hyuuga-san, Uzumaki-san, please grab a snack and a drink. We'll start your sparring in 10 minutes," said Atsui.