Chapter 17

The qualifying matches went almost exactly like in the canon. The only difference was that Hinata had narrowly lost.

"Why didn't you show your full strength? Or do you still blame yourself for what happened? You know what happened to Neji's father wasn't your fault." Naruto whispered to Hinata.

"I know, but after seeing him like this, I'm also afraid that if I beat him, his obsession with fate will grow even more." Hinata said in a sad voice.

"This is your decision, I cannot interfere with you. But if he comes across me in the final stage, I'm going to kick his ass." Naruto said.

"I would like everyone to take a piece of paper out of the box for the final stage." Hokage said.

Then everyone started to take a piece of paper from the box, each of which had different numbers.

After everyone drew, they said the numbers written on the papers.

The Hokage then said who would fight whom.

Naruto Uzumaki vs Neji Hyuuga

Gaara vs Sasuke Uchiha

Kankuro vs Shino Aburame

The winner of Dosu Kinuta vs Shikamaru Nara will face Temari.

The Hokage talked and gave information about the exam for a while.

"That's all for now. See you in the finals in a month." Hokage said.

Slowly as everyone left, Naruto approached the Hokage to speak.

"Hokage-Jiji, I want to talk to you about an important matter." Naruto said with a serious expression.

"Hm? Okay, come to the Hokage Residence, and let's talk there." Hokage said.

Naruto nodded and started to head towards the Hokage Residence. When he got to the office, he knocked on the door and entered.

"What was the important thing you wanted to talk about, Naruto?" The Hokage asked curiously.

"I ran into someone in the forest in the second stage. Her name is Karin Uzumaki. They applied for the chuunin exam from Kusagakure with the Genin team. She's been waiting in Konoha for a while now, and as far as I know, the other two genins on his team were killed in the second stage. She is the only survivor on her team right now."

"Karin is treated pretty badly in her village. She is an Uzumaki, so I can't stand to see someone in my family be treated like that. That's why I want Karin Uzumaki to stay in Konoha as a refugee." Naruto said with a serious expression.

"Naruto, I understand how you feel, but I can't steal a ninja from another village. This causes unrest between the two villages." Hokage said.

Naruto closed his eyes and thought for a while. Then he took a deep breath and began to speak.

"Hokage-sama, you know that I am the only Uzumaki currently in Konoha. A while ago I did quite a bit of research on my clan. The Uzumaki clan is one of the founding clans of Konoha. So right now I'm the last Uzumaki in the village, which automatically makes me the head of the Uzumaki Clan. Won't you help the Uzumaki Clan because of a small village?"

"I don't like that one of my clan is being treated like this, Hokage-sama. I also learned a few more unexpected things while researching. When I looked at the Konoha Monument, I saw Kushina Uzumaki's name there. And after some research, I found out that Kushina is the last Kyuubi container."

"I learned that he died when the Kyuubi attacked Konoha. I also found out that she was pregnant before she died. After some more research, I did not find that another Uzumaki was living in Konoha. That's why I'm her son. Of course, who could be a better container than the child of the previous container to seal the Kyuubi again? On top of that, he's Uzumaki."

"It looks like you did your research pretty well. So how do you intend to make yourself head of the Uzumaki Clan? With no other Uzumaki in the village but you, you're going to call yourself a clan? Frankly, I have no intention of electing you as Uzumaki's president." Hiruzen said.

"I can prove that I am the head of the Uzumaki Clan by going to the Fire Feudal Lord to take what is mine. Then I can tell him that Uzumaki's properties and wealth were secretly stolen by the Konoha Council. Of course, if I get back what's rightfully mine, I need not bother the Feudal Lord. I hope you will fulfill my wishes before long. Also, I would appreciate it if you would not follow me from now on." Naruto said, then turned and walked to the door to leave.

"Are you threatening me, Naruto?" Sandaime said in a slightly irritated voice.

As Naruto was walking towards the door, he stopped and said before walking out the door. "Formerly, Yondaime was guarding Konoha. But this time he is not here. Please don't take my words as a threat. I would also like to say that I still do not forget what I experienced in my childhood. Frankly, if anyone else had been in my place, he would have already released Kyuubi. Karin will now live with me, I hope you will prepare the paperwork as soon as possible."

Naruto left the room and went to meet Karin. After meeting Karin, they went home.

"You should live here for a while. I will help you later if you want to move to another house. I live here with Anko, and before you ask, she was the one who led the second stage. Don't worry, she's pretty friendly. I'll show you to your room in a moment, other than that, is there anything else you want to ask?" Naruto asked while smiling.

"N- No, there isn't. Thank you for helping me so much." Karin said while she shyly looked down at the ground.

"Don't worry, we are a family after all, and no one here can treat you the way they used to. You must be hungry, let's eat. I'll take you to eat Ichiraku's ramen. You're an Uzumaki so I'm sure you'll love ramen." Naruto said before taking Karin's hand and pulling it away.

Karin smiled and let Naruto lead the way.