Uzumaki Reunion Ch3

Two days have passed since the group returned to Konoha.  When they arrived, Hiruzen was waiting outside the gate along with two of his ANBU.  Kakashi had sent a report explaining what had happened back in Nami no Kuni.  Being assured by Kakashi that Haku was not a threat and a little begging from Naruto, Hiruzen allowed Haku to stay in Konoha.

Right now, Mei was waiting at one of the training fields for Naruto, Kakashi, and Haku to arrive.  While she waited, she thought back on the meeting she had with Hiruzen, the reason she had come to Konoha in the first place.

(Flashback)

Hiruzen sat behind his desk while Mei and her bodyguards stood before him.  Haku, who was wondering why he was there, stood off to the side.

"Now, Mei-san, what is your reason for coming to Konohagakure?" questioned the old monkey.

"Officially, we are here on behalf of the Mizukage to form an alliance of sorts and we are to stay as long as it takes to get it," replied the redhead.

"Oh?"

"Unofficially though, I am here to request help from Konoha?"

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow at that. "What sort of help, Mei-san."

"I am sure you know of how for years there have been genocides of those with kekkei genkai within Mizu no Kuni that are still going on today.  I have plans on stopping that."

"Mei-san, if you are asking for Konoha to go to war with Mizu no Kuni, I will have to refuse," said Hiruzen, narrowing his eyes at the Kiri shinobi before him.

"Not at all, Hokage-sama.  What I wanted was if you would allow Konohagakure to become a sanctuary of sorts for those with kekkei genkai.  To protect those within Mizu no Kuni that have a kekkei genkai, I want to secretly send them here for protection, while I try to find a way to get rid of both of the current Mizukage and the current Water Daimyo, both of who support the genocides."

The Hokage tented his fingers and looked at Mei with a thoughtful look. "You do realize that this is a very dangerous risk you are taking, Mei-san.  Are you sure you can take it?"

Mei nodded. "I know, Hokage-sama, but it needs to be done and if you agree, Haku-kun here will be the first refugee and will be able to revive the Yuki Clan later on!"

"Huh?  Wait; is that the reason Ao-san saved me?  So that my kekkei genkai can be preserved?" questioned Haku, starting to feel confused.

"Actually, Haku-kun, that was more of an afterthought.  Ao rescued you because despite his looks and personality, he hates seeing children dying," said Mei with a giggle as Ao sent a glare towards her. "As for wanting you to revive the Yuki Clan, I want to be able to repent for what happened to them all those years ago and this seems to be the only to do so."

"…I see."

"Haku-kun, this is your choice on whether to do this or not.  I would still like it for you to stay Konoha though until I am able to fix Mizu no Kuni so you and others with kekkei genkai may be able to live there without fear," explained Mei. "That is if Hokage-sama agrees to allow this."

"Hmm…very well.  I will allow Konohagakure to be a sanctuary.  We will have to come up with some sort of code though so other refugees will be able to gain entrance without being seen as enemies."

"Agreed," nodded Mei.

"Hokage-sama?"

"What is it, Haku-kun?"

"If I am to stay here in Konoha, would it be possible for me to stay with Naruto-kun?  He is the only one I consider a friend and feel comfortable around."

Hiruzen gave a small smirk.  He was glad that Naruto was gaining new friends. "Of course you can, Haku-kun.  Though I will have to give Naruto a bigger apartment to live in as the one he is currently living in is too small for two people."

"I don't want to cause trouble, Hokage-sama," said Haku as Hiruzen looked through some papers.

"Nonsense!  Besides, I know Naruto will agree to this," said Hiruzen as he looked up with a smile.

"…Should we also tell Naruto-kun about the plan with Mizu no Kuni?" questioned the ice user.

It was silent in the room as they thought over that question.  Mei was the one break the silence and answer Haku. "I think it would be best to leave Naruto-kun out of the loop for now, Haku-kun."

"I agree.  Though Naruto can be trusted, this information could put him in danger, both outside and within the village," stated Hiruzen, getting confused looks from Haku and Chojuro, while Ao and Mei had a feeling about what the Hokage meant by within.

(End Flashback)

Mei was glad that Hiruzen had agreed to help her and that Naruto had a new friend in Haku.  The young blond's face lit up when he heard that Haku would be staying and that he would also be his roommate so-to-speak.  Speaking of which, Mei could hear Naruto and Haku talking to each other as the came towards her.  A few feet behind the two was Kakashi, his nose buried in that orange book of his.

"Oi, Mei-chan!  What are you doing here?" questioned Naruto as he and Haku walked up to the redhead.

"Didn't Kakashi-san tell you?" asked Mei.  When Naruto shook his head no, she gave the scarecrow a deadpan look.  Turning back to Naruto, she answered him. "I am here to both teach you about chakra and to find out your chakra affinity."

"Shouldn't Sakura-chan and Sasuke-teme be here then so they can find out there affinities too?" wondered Naruto.

"Actually Naruto," spoke up Kakashi. "I had them tested yesterday to find out their chakra affinities.  Sakura, it seems, is an earth affinity, while Sasuke is, not surprisingly given his clan, both fire and lightning affinity."

"But Kakashi-sensei!  How come you didn't wait for me?" whined Naruto; saddened that Kakashi would ignore him like that.

"But Naruto, if I tested for your affinity yesterday, then you would not be able to receive the special training that Mei-san will give you," said Kakashi, knowing that will calm the boy.

"Really?" exclaimed Naruto, looking towards Mei and his eyes lighting up with excitement.

"Of course, Naruto-kun!" said Mei with a smile. "Now, before we can start the training, I need to know how much you know about chakra and the different affinities."

"Ano, I know that there are five affinities of chakra.  Fire, water, earth, wind, and lightning," replied Naruto with a fox-like grin.

"Very good, Naruto-kun.  Here, take this."

Mei handed both Naruto and Haku a slip of paper.

"What's this?" asked Naruto.

"That slip of paper, when pumped with chakra, will tell us what elemental affinity you are," explained Mei.

"Why do I have one, Mei-sama?  I already know that my affinity is Ice due to my kekkei genkai."

"You have one as part of the lesson later on, so do not put chakra into it until we get to that point.  Understood?"

"Hai, Mei-sama."

"Good.  Now, put some chakra into the paper, Naruto-kun."

Doing as he was told, the paper in Naruto's hand was sliced in two.  Kakashi and Mei were surprised to see this result.

"Well this is interesting," said Kakashi.

'I was hoping he'd have the fire affinity or the water affinity,' thought Mei, a small frown appearing on her face.

"It split in two.  What's that mean?" asked Naruto, looking up towards the adults.

"It means that you have the wind affinity, Naruto.  That's very rare here in Hi no Kuni," explained Kakashi, giving his infamous eye smile.

"Really?!  Cool!"

"Indeed.  I guess I'll be leaving then."

"Huh?  Where are you going, Kakashi-sensei?"

"Well, as I said, the wind affinity is rare in Hi no Kuni and there is only one other person in Konoha that has that affinity, so I'm going to see if he'd be willing to help with your training."

"Can't you just train me, Kakashi-sensei?"

"Gomen, Naruto, but the wind element is one of the harder elements to learn and only those with the wind affinity have a better chance of teaching it.  Since I have the lighting affinity, I am not suited to teach you at the moment."

With that, Kakashi left the training field to find the person who could train Naruto.

Naruto then turned to Mei. "What about you, Mei-chan?  What's your elemental affinity?"

"I am sorry, Naruto-kun, but my affinity is fire, which is rare in Mizu no Kuni.  We will just have to wait for Kakashi to come back with confirmation on if this person he went to see will train you with your affinity.  Until then, can you tell me about combining elements?"

"You can combine elements?"

"Of course.  Now watch this."

Mei turned towards a nearby boulder and then made a horse sign with her hands.  The next thing everyone knew was that she released a cloud of mist from her mouth that melted the boulder down to nothing.

"Whoa!  That was so cool!" exclaimed Naruto.

"I do not think I have ever seen a technique like that before," stated Haku.

"That was my Futton: Komu no Jutsu.  Futton techniques are created by combining Suiton and Katon techniques," explained Mei. "Now watch this technique."

Mei then turned to different boulder and then performed the hand seals dog, boar, tiger, ox, rat, bird.  Once finished, she opened her mouth and this time she shot lava upwards into the air that came out in a broad, thin sheet that traveled towards the boulder, melting it down like the last one.

"She's a human volcano!"

"Not quite, Naruto-kun," said Haku. "That was a Yoton technique, wasn't it, Mei-sama?"

"Hai.  That technique is known as the Yoton: Yokai no Jutsu.  Yoton techniques are created by combining Katon and Doton techniques."

"Mei-sama, aren't Futton and Yoton considered kekkei genkai?" asked Haku, looking confused.

"Yes and no.  Naruto-kun, what can you tell me about kekkei genkai?"

"…"

Mei looked at Naruto with a deadpan look. "You don't know what a kekkei genkai is?"

"I don't think Iruka-sensei taught that in the academy."

The redhead let out a sigh. "Haku-kun, please explain to Naruto-kun what a kekkei genkai is."

"Of course, Mei-sama.  A kekkei genkai, Naruto-kun, is a technique limited to inheritance by blood.  My Hyoton is an example of a kekkei genkai."

"…So only certain clans have a kekkei genkai?"

"That is correct, Naruto-kun," said Mei, happy that Naruto was learning. "Now kekkei genkai are categorized into three types.  The one we will be talking about today are chakra-based kekkei genkai."

"Okay.  What did you mean that your Futton and Yoton were kekkei genkai, but at the same time they weren't?" asked Naruto.

"It is like this, Naruto-kun.  They are classified as kekkei genkai simply because it takes great skill for a single person to be able to combine two different chakra elements.  Even someone like Kakashi would have trouble without his Sharingan."

"But you're able to use two different element combinations!  How's that possible?" questioned Naruto.

Mei smiled at the young blond. "My clan was known for their skill with chakra."

It wasn't a complete lie.  The Uzumaki Clan did have great chakra reserves and knew how to use it.

"I guess that makes sense," muttered Naruto, crossing his arms.

"Another reason as to why they are not kekkei genkai, especially my Yoton, is that the granddaughter of the current Tsuchikage can also use the Yoton and I know for a fact that I am not related to her in any way," explained Mei, suppressing a shudder at the thought of being related to the Tsuchikage.

"So how can you tell if someone has a real chakra-based kekkei genkai?" asked Naruto.

"Haku-kun, please put some chakra into the paper?" asked Mei, smiling at the boy.

Doing as he was asked, the paper in Haku's hand was soon encased in a thin sheet of ice.

"As you can see, Naruto-kun, Haku-kun's paper, as we already knew it would, was frozen.  Now if Haku was someone who could combine the elements needed to make Hyoton techniques, that paper would have either split in two, became soaked to signified the water affinity, or possibly both.  Having two elemental affinities is rare by the way"

"Stupid Sasuke, getting two elemental affinities," grumbled Naruto with a small pout.  He then turned to Mei. "So Hyoton is a true chakra-based kekkei genkai?"

"Hai.  As stated earlier, a kekkei genkai is a clan technique that is inherited by blood.  The Hyoton is a Yuki Clan exclusive technique," explained Mei.

"Are their any other true chakra-based kekkei genkai?"

"Hai, but only two others are known, Naruto-kun.  The first is the Mokuton, which is exclusive to the Senju Clan of Konohagakure.  It originated with the Shodai Hokage, Senju Hashirama, who used his Mokuton to create the forests that surround this village."

"Cool!"

"What is the other true chakra-based kekkei genkai, Mei-sama?"

Mei's visage became a bit darker. "What I am about to tell you needs to be kept secret.  If necessary, I will tell anyone who needs to know.  Understood?"

"Hai," answered the two boys.

"Good.  The only other true chakra-based kekkei genkai that has been recorded is known as Enton and belongs to the Uchiha Clan."

"Nani?!" cried Naruto, his eyes wide with shock. "How's that possible?!"

"Keep quiet, Naruto-kun.  Any information about Enton has been sealed away due to how dangerous it is and the process to gaining it.  The only reason I know of it is because not only was my clan skilled with chakra, but we had knowledge about different types of elements so we knew how to counteract them."

"So you would know how to counter Enton techniques, Mei-sama?"

Mei let out a sigh of what sounded like defeat. "Unfortunately, no.  The only known user of Enton was Uchiha Madara, who was quoted to be able to use Enton because of something known as the Mangekyo Sharingan."

"…Do you think Sasuke-teme will gain this Enton kekkei genkai?"

"Hopefully not, Naruto-kun.  I have a feeling that both Hokage-sama and Kakashi-san will make sure that Sasuke will never gain the power of Enton."

"Bad enough he thinks he's so great just because of his Sharingan, I can only imagine how he'd act if he were to get a second kekkei genkai," muttered Naruto.

Mei smiled at Naruto.  She now knew that Naruto had to get stronger, just incase he ever had to fight Sasuke in the future.  Ao had sensed something dark within the boy and Kakashi confirmed to her during the trek back to Konoha from Nami no Kuni that Sasuke wanted revenge on his brother for the destruction of his clan.  She put all of those thoughts away when she saw one of Kakashi's ninken running towards them, telling her that Naruto can now start on his wind training.

"Okay you two, we need to go meet with Naruto-kun's next instructor."

Nodding in consent, Naruto and Haku followed Mei as the group was led by the ninken to a different training field.

-:-

At Training Ground Ten, Team Ten were in the middle of training…at least they were supposed to.  Shikamaru was lying on the grass looking up at the clouds while his friend Choji was sitting next to him eating a bag of chips.  The last member, Ino, was starting to get annoyed with both them and their sensei, who was off to the side sitting under a tree and smoking one of his cigarettes.  She was about to start screaming, but Choji spoke up first.

"Oi, Shikamaru, what do you think Asuma-sensei was talking with Kakashi-sensei about?"

"Probably something troublesome if I had to guess," replied the lazy boy.

"What if it had something to do with Sasuke-kun?" questioned Ino. "Why couldn't I have been on his team instead of Billboard Brow?!"

Shikamaru threw a sideway glare towards the blonde. "Because it was obvious that the three of us were going to be a team regardless, Ino.  Now stop being troublesome for once."

Ino felt her eye twitch and was about to hit Shikamaru, but stopped when the sound of voices were coming towards them.  Team Ten looked up to see Naruto coming towards them and two people accompanied him that Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji didn't recognize.

"Who are those people with Naruto?" questioned Ino.

"Whoever they are, one of them looks to be a Kiri shinobi," said Choji as he pointed at Haku's forehead protector.

"I remember my dad saying something about some Kiri shinobi wanting to sign a treaty with Konoha.  Why is Naruto hanging around them though?" wondered Shikamaru. "Troublesome."

Reaching Team Ten, Mei stepped forward and spoke to Asuma. "Are you the one who agreed to train Naruto-kun?"

"Hai.  The name's Sarutobi Asuma," said the smoking monkey with a smirk.  He then turned to Naruto. "You ready for this, Naruto?  I'm sure Kakashi mentioned that wind chakra isn't easy to control."

"If I'm not willing to train my ass off to get stronger, I don't deserve to be a shinobi!" declared Naruto, his eyes shining with such intensity that said he was never going to back down.

"Good.  Then let's begin," said Asuma with a grin.

Team Ten were surprised that their sensei was going to train Naruto and in elemental chakra at that.  Ino was the one to speak up. "Hold on!  What about us, Asuma-sensei?!  Shouldn't you be teaching us?"

"Ino, I'm not going to stop teaching you three, just like Kakashi is not going to stop teaching Naruto."

"You're just teaching Naruto as you are the only one who can help him with his wind affinity," spoke Shikamaru.

"That's right," said Asuma. "During the morning and day hours, I'll be teaching you three, while I'll teach Naruto during the afternoon."

"Still, what about us?!  Shouldn't we know what our elemental affinities are like Naruto does?" demanded Ino with a pout.

"Asuma-san, you didn't have them figure out their elemental affinity yet?" questioned Mei, raising an eyebrow.

"…We've been busy with battle tactics.  I figured I'd save that for later," said Asuma, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.

Letting out a sigh, Mei took out three pieces of the special chakra paper and handed one to each of Team Ten.  She then explained what they had to do to find out their elemental affinity.  Both Choji's and Shikamaru's chakra papers turned to dust, showing that they had the earth affinity.  Ino's on the other hand…

"Eww!  Why'd my turned to mud?!"

Everyone else raised an eyebrow at that.  Naruto was the first question his confusion.

"Mud?  Is that a chakra element you forgot to mention, Mei-chan?"

"No, Naruto-kun," replied Mei with a giggle. "I have a feeling I know what happened.  Yamanaka-san, what did the paper do first?"

"It got soaked and then turned to mud."

"I see.  Congratulations, Yamanaka-san.  You have both the water affinity and the earth affinity."

"I have two affinities?"

"That's a good thing, Ino!  Mei-chan says that having two affinities is rare!" exclaimed Naruto.

"Really?  What does Billboard Brow have for a affinity?!"

"I think Kakashi-sensei said hers was earth while Sasuke-teme had fire and lightning."

Ino let out a squeal. "Not only am I better than Sakura, but I also have two affinities like Sasuke-kun!"

The others sweatdropped at Ino's actions and words.

"Is she always like this, Asuma-san," questioned Mei.

"Unfortunately," grumbled Asuma. "Alright, let's get back on track!  Naruto, ready for your training?"

"You bet!"

"But Asuma-sensei!" whined Ino.

"Ino, stop being so troublesome," said Shikamaru, earning a glare from his blonde teammate.

"Ino…" started Asuma, only for Mei to interrupt.

"Asuma-san, if you wish, I would be willing to teach them their elements."

Asuma raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Hai.  Though my affinity is fire, I am very adept at Doton and Suiton jutsu."

"I'll have to pass.  I'm not suited for elemental jutsu and I just find this troublesome."

"I'll have to pass as well.  My chakra reserves are mainly for my clan's techniques," stated Choji as he took a bite of his chips.

With that, Shikamaru and Choji left the training ground, most likely to find a spot to watch the clouds and eat chips. Mei turned to the remaining member of the Ino-Shika-Cho.

"What about you?  Are you still willing to train?"

"I'm ready when you are!" declared Ino, making Mei smile at her enthusiasm.

Over the next few weeks during the afternoons, Naruto trained with Asuma in chakra control, Fuuton jutsu, and wind manipulation, while Ino trained with Mei in Doton and Suiton jutsu, though it was soon found that Ino was more suited for Suiton.  When it came to Doton, Ino could only perform low-level techniques.

During that time, Naruto and Ino surprisingly became friends, especially when Ino found out Naruto liked to garden.  She even convinced him to share any gardening tips he had in exchange for any she had.

Soon, the Chunin Exams were going to begin and during their training, Naruto was able to learn a few low and mid-level Fuuton jutsu while Ino was able to learn a few low-level Doton jutsu and mid-level Suiton jutsu.  According to Asuma and Mei, they were definitely ready for the exams.

-:-

Naruto was currently walking around Konoha looking for Mei, Kakashi, or Haku, hoping for a bit more training for the Chunin Exams in three days.  He didn't find Kakashi, but he did find Mei and Haku, along with Ao and Chojuro, standing near the gate.  He ran over to see what was going on.

"Ne, Haku, Mei-chan!  What's going on?"

"Mei-sama is waiting for a team from Kirigakure to show up, Naruto-kun.  They will be participating in the Chunin Exams," replied Haku.

"Really?"

"Of course, Naruto-kun," replied Mei, smiling at the blond. "Hopefully, they will be here soon."

"Considering who their Jonin instructor is though and who is on the team, I wouldn't be surprised that they stopped to argue," said Ao, clearly not happy about this.

"Why would they argue?" asked Naruto.

Naruto soon got his answer when the sound of arguing could be heard down the road.  Walking down the road and coming down the road was a small group of four people.  The tallest, who Naruto suspected to be the Jonin instructor, had long green hair with two bangs that fell between his eyes and to the sides of his nose, thick eyebrows, and bandages that were wrapped around his upper body.

The next member was a boy with spiky black hair.  He wore pin-stripped leg and arm guards over a blue long-sleeved shirt and blue pants.  From Naruto could tell, he didn't look very strong, but as Kakashi had taught him, he had to look underneath the underneath.  As far as he knew, this Kiri shinobi could have something hidden.

The third member was a girl with short sea foam green hair and dark green eyes.  She wore an outfit similar to Mei's but it was less revealing and had no fishnets.  Something told Naruto not to mess with her.

The last member, who was arguing with the Jonin instructor, had white hair with a blue tint to it and purple eyes.  He wore a purple sleeveless shirt, grey pants, and a belt around his waist that had water bottles hanging from it.  What really grabbed both Naruto and Haku's attention though was the blade on the boy's back.

The two were about to jump over and attack, but Mei stopped them before they could do anything.

"Do not take any unnecessary action, you two.  Wait until they're here and then ask why he has that blade," stated Mei, also confused on why the boy had the Kubikiribocho.

When the team of Kiri genin reached the gates, the white-haired boy flashed his shark-like teeth with a sneer as he noticed both Naruto and Haku staring at him with narrowed eyes.

"What the hell you looking at?"

"Where'd you get that sword?" demanded Naruto.  Mei, Ao, and Chojuro sweatdropped at Naruto's bluntness and lack of tact.

"What's it to you!"

"That was Zabuza-sama's blade and was acting as his grave marker.  Why did you take it?" demanded Haku, pulling out some senbon.

"Heh, so you're the idiots who just left this blade out in the open, huh?" questioned the boy with a sneer.

"Suigetsu, I don't think we should be fighting.  We might be banned from participating in the Chunin Exams," said the other boy on Suigetsu's team

"Kiri's right, Suigetsu.  Just tell them where you got the stupid sword so we can be on our way," said the Kirigakure kunoichi.

"It's not a stupid blade!" yelled Suigetsu, Haku, and Naruto, glaring at the girl.  Suigetsu looked over at Naruto and Haku, wondering why the blade seemed important to them.

"If you really want to know how I got the Kubikiribocho, I had to get it back from this one guy by the name of Daikoku Tenzen," explained Suigetsu.

"Tenzen?" asked a shocked Haku.

"You know the guy, Haku?" asked Naruto.

"Hai.  He was a crime boss who lost many men to Zabuza-sama during Zabuza-sama's attempted coup of Kirigakure.  My guess is Tenzen took Zabuza-sama's blade as an act of revenge.  Tell me, does Zabuza-sama's resting place at least have another grave marker to replace his blade."

"You think I'm stupid not to leave something?  Zabuza may have been a traitor to our village, but he still deserves respect.  I left my old katana as his grave marker and took his blade so no one else could have.  It's too bad though that Zabuza is dead, since that would mean the entire former generation officially gone from this world," stated Suigetsu, clenching his fists as he thought of his brother. "But I guess with Kubikiribocho in my possession now, I'm officially a member of the new Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, heh, heh."

"…Aren't you a little young to be a member?" questioned Naruto.

"You obviously no nothing, especially since you're wearing bright orange!" yelled Suigetsu, making Naruto's anger rise up a bit at that crack about orange. "I'm Hozuki Suigetsu, a member of the Hozuki Clan!  When it comes to using swords, I'm a natural!"

"That has nothing to do with your clan, gaki!" said the Jonin with a growl.

"Bite me, Raiga!"

"Enough!  Raiga, must you and Suigetsu-kun continuously argue over the littlest things?" questioned Mei, frowning at Raiga.

"Not my fault I got stuck teaching a stuck up brat."

"Watch it, Raiga, or this "stuck up brat" as you call me will beat you and then take your Kiba blades!" growled Suigetsu, glaring at his sensei.

"I said enough!" yelled Mei, now glaring at the Kirigakure shinobi. "As long as you are here in Konoha, you are to act like proper shinobi and not fight amongst each other.  We are guests here and we will not have them think poorly of Kirigakure because of your actions.  Is that understood?"

"…Hai," relented Team Raiga.

"Good," said the redhead as the group started walking towards the Hokage Tower so Team Raiga could sign up for the exams

"Oi, Mei!  You still trying to get the Hokage to sign that treaty?  Yagura's been wondering what is taking so long?" questioned Raiga.

"Hai, but the Hokage is still weary of making the treaty, given Kirigakure's history and all," said Mei, the lie slipping easily off her tongue.

"Figures and who the hell is that little blond gaki following us?" growled Raiga, glancing back at Naruto, who was talking with Kiri, Haku, and Suigetsu.

"Oh, that's right.  Introductions were never made," said Mei.  She then turned to Naruto. "Naruto-kun, did you happen to introduce yourself yet?"

"Huh?"

"Introduce yourself, Naruto-kun.  Especially since there could be a chance Suigetsu and the others could be your opponents during the exams, it would be best to at least know their names and vice-versa."

"Oh right!  My name is Uzumaki Naruto and I'm going to be the future Hokage!" exclaimed Naruto with a fox-like grin.

"Like you have what it takes to be a Kage.  I can already tell you won't even make it as a Chunin after these exams," said the girl of Suigetsu's team.

"Nani?!" cried Naruto, glaring at the girl now.

"Ah shut up, Sashimi.  You don't even know what you're talking about," stated Suigetsu, earning a glare from Sashimi.  The young swordsman turned to Naruto. "Hokage, huh?  Well good luck with that, Naruto.  Personally, there'd be no way I'd be able to be Mizukage back home."

"Why's that?" asked the blond.

"…If you really want to know, my great grandfather happened to be the Nidaime Mizukage."

"Whoa!  You're related to a Kage?!" wondered Naruto, excitement in his eyes.

"That's right and that's one reason I wouldn't want to be a Kage.  I want to make a name for myself instead of walking in Hozuki-oyaji's footsteps.  That's why I plan on gathering all of the swords of the Seven Swordsmen and becoming the strongest swordsman in the world!" exclaimed Suigetsu, having the same type of excitement in his eyes that Naruto had.

"Psh, if you think you can take my Kiba blades from me, gaki, you're sorely mistaken," said Raiga with a smirk.

Suigetsu would have launched himself at his sensei, but was held back by Kiri.

"Don't, Suigetsu.  You know he's just trying to get a rise out of you," said Kiri.

Shrugging off his teammate's hand, Suigetsu relented and decided to ignore Raiga…for now.  Suigetsu was going to get back at him one day.

CHAPTER END