Prelude to the Chunin Exams 2!

[A/N: A bit of Sakura bashing ahead… Is that the right word? Idk, I didn't like Genin Sakura. Though, I will do her character development tho, so chill Sakurafans.]

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Chapter 87: Prelude to the Chunin Exams 2!

Jutsu of the day:

Courtesy of Murphy, the legendary Sage.

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[Previously on NaRUS?]

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"Ne, ne, are you alright? Hope my girlfriend didn't hit you too hard, She is usually very gentle." I smirked at the horrified face of Kankuro who couldn't even speak.

While Temari found that her battle fan in her hand was missing.

Gaara growled and asked, "Who are you? Why is mother so afraid of you?" but he didn't attack. Well it was probably Shukaku who was feeling my Wood Element Chakra that I was releasing.

It can suppress tailed beasts, after all.

"Oh where are my manners? I am Kaneko Mitsu, remember the name." I said with a bright smile that most probably unnerved Kankuro and Temari.

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Continued from chapter 86

[Mitsu]

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"Oh where are my manners? I am Kaneko Mitsu." I said with a bright smile.

Which managed to unnerve both Temari and Kankuro. As I saw Temari looking horrified as she asked,

"You are the Golden Prince?" There was disbelief in her tone.

I didn't know why she was so surprised though… I mean… Didn't they have my photos in their database?Not to brag or anything, but I was a bit of a VVVIP in the elemental nations.

"Is that so hard to believe?" I asked with a raised brow.

Temari seemed embarrassed at her own behavior as she straightened up and bowed a bit,

"No Kaneko-Ouji, we just thought your title was due to you having blonde hair…

It was an honest mistake. And do forgive my brother's action… We didn't know we were mishandling the Sandaime Hokage's grandson."

I was surprised at her change in attitude, but remembering that she was practically a royalty herself, I understood what she was trying to do. So, I smiled at her, accepting her 'humility'.

"It's quite alright Temari-san, but do be careful, you are currently in Konoha and not in Suna. You never know how your actions might be perceived.

And I wish you the best of luck for the up coming Chunin exams."

To that, she bowed again and stealthily released a sigh of relief. She very much understood my underlying threat.

I then looked at Gaara, who was looking at me in a mix of confusion, fear and anger.

"As for you, my good redheaded raccoon, we should be able to help you with your possum problem in a few days. The pervy sage should be in the village by then.

But in the meantime, enjoy your stay here."

Saying so, I turned, ignoring the sand siblings completely. I then smiled at my Hina-bunny, which she returned sweetly.

I then told Naruto to take Konohamaru to Oldie Moldy and explain to him what happened.

While Sasuke reading the mood decided to excuse himself, leaving just me and my lovely girlfriend alone.

Taking her hand in mine, I suggested, "Wanna grab some lunch?"

She smiled sweetly and nodded. There was little chance for Hinata to miss a clear invitation to a short lunch date.

…

After my lunch date with Hinata, I started thinking about the prospect of Hakune-Neechan.

Yes, I was going to give her the Senju Bloodline. But no, I wasn't going to let her newly 'unlocked' bloodline get known just yet.

Because, if she was taken in as a Senju right now, then the thing I was afraid of for Hinata will befall her instead.

While they can do nothing to force her, as she is still a princess and MY sister. It still won't be a pleasant experience for her.

Hakune-Neechan wanted to be free from the expectations that befall on all noble daughters…

She doesn't want to be sold like a commodity to build alliances. Instead, she wanted to marry someone she actually loved. As most sheltered noble young ladies dreamt of these days.

And I am going to help my beloved sister achieve that. I only have one sister after all. And honestly, my only sibling that I like.

But for everything to go smoothly… The country, the law, and even the people needs to change… It will be a lot of work, of course. It was never an easy option.

But.

I am the harbinger of change!

I will help Neechan become the Senju head when I take over, as the leader of the Ultimate Congress between all agreeable nations. I can then start changing the old customs without causing too many riots.

I mean, I can also just slap my way through and get what I want. But do I want to be a heartless dictator?

The answer is no. This isn't a game after all… Becoming a dictator might help one live their darkest fantasy for a few minutes… But after that, there is only emptiness.

After all, these are real people; they are my people. And I shall lead them to prosperity.

It took me much time to understand that… But I did grow up eventually. Though I am technically not a teen.

…

Six days passed in the blink of an eye.

And like I suspected, all 5 major villages had sent their teams to compete this year. Including the 8 minor villages that have alliances with Konoha.

Funnily enough, my actions and presence have changed a whole lot.

Including the previous fate of Konoha during this infamous Chunin exams.

Because…

Land of Rice field has sent no Genin team. Meaning Orochimaru's Otogakure, didn't send any Genin teams this year.

Which was very suspicious in my account, and I had Tobi investigate the change.

And guess what I had found out?

Little Akatsuki, including Snake Bastard, has decided to capture the other Jinchurikis while the Kages of the other villages will attend the finals.

That was huge news.

Because this opened up 2 paths for me.

One, I can let Akatsuki carry out their plan, which will lead to having all the major villages united, which will instigate the fourth war sooner than expected, because that would be the best way for Obito to grab the remaining Jinchurikis.

And that will also help me unite the nations under one banner. Easily accomplishing my goals!

Two, thwart the Akatsukis plans, perhaps killing most of them…

But if Blackie and Obito escape, then a lot of people will die.

Because the two of them will simply wait for a different opportunity.

Which will actually give me more time to grow. But then the uniting the villages against one common enemy will fall behind.

Meaning the same inevitable will still happen… But this time it will happen at an unknown period and with an unknown scenario… But the end result, which is the fourth great war, will still happen.

That's just how prophesies and fate work... A load of Gyuki-crap I tell you.

So, my choice between the two… was simple… Too simple to be honest. It didn't even take me a second to decide.

Being a modern man, knowing many different philosophies. I do take a few to heart. One of them being...

"With great power comes great responsibility…" I muttered.

Having strength and foresight is my great power… And it is my responsibility to use it to the fullest!

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Date: 30th June, Year 78.

Location: Training ground 11.

[Naruto]

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Today was the day before the Chunin exams.

And Boss and the senseis told us to simply relax.

But after having such intense training for the past 2 months… it was indeed hard to relax.

So here I was in the training ground to get some practice in. To keep my body warm and all.

I thought I would be alone, so seeing everyone already there and warming up made me genuinely surprised.

Well, not everyone was there.

Haku-chan and Hinata-chan were nowhere to be seen.

'Well, they are probably with the boss.' I thought as I grinned and waved at my friends.

"You are late dobe." And of course, Sasuke 'tsundere' Uchiha had to jab at me.

"Like you are one to talk duckbutt. You just got here yourself." Snarled Kiba. He didn't do it to come to my defense, mind you. He simply liked to get on Sasuke's nerve.

And the two started fighting...

"What a drag…" Shikamaru only sighed, as he didn't bother with the duo and went back to stretching.

The others were doing warm ups as well, except… one girl…

I did my best not to scowl at her…

Her name was Haruno Sakura. She was our classmate, and is part of Kiba's team, and a MASSIVE fan girl of Sasuke.

But her worst feature was…

"KYAAAA SASUKE KUN!"

She was LOUD… Extremely loud.

I had to block my sensitive ears to resist her screaming… while the others only glared at her.

But Sakura didn't seem to notice… Too engrossed on her precious Sasuke-kun.

Even Choji didn't like the girl… And he liked everyone…

And because of her, Ino sadly had even apologized to us, as she was kind of friends with the girl. But we didn't blame Ino. It wasn't her fault.

I sighed… As I couldn't really do anything about it… Not even Boss was able to change her habits…

"Now I see why Mitsu always keeps her under a Muffling seal…" Shikamaru approached me with Ino and Choji as he rubbed his ears…

"Sigh… At first I thought the boss was being mean… But I guess he was right…" I answered sheepishly.

"I have a feeling, Mitsu-kun doesn't really like Sakura…" Ino interjected a bit sad.

"I can't blame him Ino… I mean, he has been going out of his way to help all of us… Even her who isn't part of our close circle… And she simply snubbed him. I am still surprised that Hinata-chan didn't murder her yet…" I sweat dropped at the thought while the others laughed softly.

"I swear! That girl has dual personalities!" Ino huffed good naturedly. Which we all agreed to.

"Yeah. But I feel bad for Shino and Kiba, ya know… I know I shouldn't talk bad about my class mates… But they are stuck with a dead weight…" I actually felt bad saying that. As I was once considered the deal last, dead weight. Though my friends never thought like that.

But it was the truth.

After the boss started training us, all of us have gotten exponentially stronger.

Each and every one of us have learned a signature Jutsu of our primary nature, and a mixed Taijutsu style that matches our body stature.

Each of us have also learned a new weapon to assist us during combat.

I myself learned how to use the Bo-staff from Gramps. And I had to say, it's fun as hell!

Hinata-chan learned to use Senbons from Haku-chan. And her accuracy is simply deadly…

Honestly… Among the 9 of us, Hinata-chan was probably the strongest when she got serious. She even gets extra training with Boss… well those are more like dates than training… But still they sparr all the time.

Sasuke got to learn Kenjutsu from his brother and Kakashi Sensei. The sword or tanto didn't suit me, so I didn't complain.

Shino learned how to use Ninja wires effectively.

Kiba learned how to brawl with Katars. Those things looked like claws… And Boss made him say a catchphrase before starting a fight…

'I am the best there is at what I do…Now die!'

It was sooo embarrassing! But Kiba seemed to like it… Sigh… Such a kid…

Ino learned how to use poisons. Yes, it's not technically a weapon, but she coats everything with her self-made poisons. She makes them from the flowers she grows in her greenhouse. She learned most from her parents, and the weird snake lady.

Shikamaru was too lazy to learn about some new weapon, so he simply asked Asuma-sensei to teach him how to use trench knives, because they were similar to knives and kunais.

Choji also learned how to use the Bo-staff. But his staff has a chain linked at the end with a morning star attached. It was a peculiar weapon, to say the least. But he was getting very good with it.

Even our Senseis had admitted that we were all pure Chunin level at the very least, and should have no issues during this exam.

Well… Except for Sakura that is…

She refused to take advice and change her diet… She refused to learn a new weapon and said her Kunais were good enough. And she only managed to learn 2 D-rank Genjutsus after 2 months… At least she finished the chakra control training.

Kurenai-sensei was very worried about her. But even with her girl to girl talks, Sakura simply didn't understand her situation.

And Boss simply gave up on her after trying for 20 minutes.

I sighed, thinking back to all that.

Ino seemed a bit sad, as even she couldn't make her friend see reason.

Even after she had beaten her every time they sparred, Sakura was still headstrong about her outlook.

Even the senseis seemed to have given up on her. Which increased the pressure on Kiba and Shino.

"Don't worry. Remember all the hints Mitsu gave us? Those two will be fine." Shikamaru said nonchalantly.

"Yeah, I agree." Ino smiled.

I smiled at them in return.

And surely… Boss had already given us 'many secrets that he didn't know' about the exams.

But he vehemently denied that he had anything to do with the exam planning. Like we would believe him.

"But seriously… What did Mitsu-kun mean by saving a red headed damsel in distress in the forest when we come across her?" Ino asked, tilting her head.

"What a drag… We just have to keep an eye out for her I guess… And I am afraid the forest… could be the forest of death, that he referenced so many times… Sigh." Shikamaru said while Choji and I nodded.

"He doesn't say such things without reasons behind it after all." Ino also agreed.

"I just hope it won't end in something bad." I spoke my mind, and all three of them turned to me with a weird look.

"What?" I asked raising a brow.

"You do remember what Mitsu says, right?" Shika asked while rubbing his eyes.

"Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." Choji helpfully supplied.

And I went pale…

Boss usually says weird stuff like that all the time… But even Kakashi sensei said they have wisdom and truth behind them…

"You just cursed yourself, Naruto." Ino gave me a toothy grin, making me even more pale.

"NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" I cried to the sky.

Rikudo Senin, pervy sage, Jashin, whoever hears me, PLEASE HELP!

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[A/N: Hey there, beautiful people!

Tomorrow starts the Chunin exams. And there will be different peoples PoVs.

If you want to join the discord! The link is on the synopsis!]