The Third Uzukage by Dark-Nate18

Chapter 28: The Written Exam

As the door was thrown open, the room grew silent. It was filled with people of different ages, some had scars, and others looked battle worn. Everyone took one look at team seven and just ignored them and returned to talking, a few looked at Sasuke with a critical eye, the way he unabashedly wore the Uchiha symbol and his looks, they each wanted to test themselves against the last Uchiha. The few educated ones and many shinobi from Kirigakure spotted Naruto and his red hair, whispers of his defeating of Zabuza Momochi had spread far. They were possibly more eager than Sasuke's opponents. Naruto simply walked through the doorway with a calm look upon his face, Sasuke was glaring at each person who would dare look at him; Sakura was just sighing lightly every time Sasuke did so.

"God Naruto, you and your team late enough?" asked a tired voice, Naruto turned and looked at Shikamaru and his team walking towards them.

"Possibly, we could have been later, but I saved Sasuke the embarrassment of actually losing to a boy with no chakra" said Naruto calmly, Shikamaru raised an eyebrow.

"Really, the Uchiha prodigy losing his touch" questioned Shikamaru, Naruto smirked slightly.

"No, overconfident maybe" said Naruto calmly, Shikamaru nodded and took in Naruto's changes, Naruto's face was stony, but calm. His hair was as red as ever, and his clothes hadn't changed. Naruto sighed and Shikamaru felt a killing intent slightly, it was directed at Naruto. He turned to see another red head glaring at Naruto.

"Gah, red heads, so angry" sighed Shikamaru, Naruto snorted.

"Too true" said Naruto simply, Shikamaru smiled at Naruto. They both turned to see Sakura fighting off Ino; Sasuke was stood glaring in between them.

"Sorry about that" said Shikamaru, Naruto shrugged.

"I am not their warden" said Naruto simply, Shikamaru chuckled.

"IT IS YOU GUYS, LOOKS LIKE THE ROOKIES ARE TOGETHER AGAIN" Said Kiba's voice boisterously; Naruto turned his head quickly and spotted Hinata smiling at him slightly. Naruto gracefully moved around Shikamaru and walked to Hinata, Sasuke and Sakura both noticed Naruto's stony face soften, it was still calm, but it wasn't as intimidating.

"Hey Hinata-chan" said Naruto softly, Hinata smiled at him.

"Hi Naruto-kun" said Hinata, her face flushed, everyone noted how her face didn't get as red as usual, and she answered Naruto without stuttering.

"How are things, I haven't seen you in a couple of days?" questioned Naruto softly, Hinata flushed brighter slightly.

"I...I have been busy training, sorry Naruto-kun" said Hinata, Naruto smiled slightly, but the small smile lit his stony face. The rest of the rookies promptly looked away, each feeling as if they were unwanted in the conversation.

"God Naruto's changed" murmured Kiba, Sasuke snorted.

"You have no idea dog" said Sasuke, Kiba growled under his breath.

"Don't start Uchiha, I could run rings around you" growled Kiba, Sasuke noted how Kiba's growl was different from Naruto's rumble.

"Yeah, because you are chasing your own damn tail moron" smirked Sasuke. Kiba yelled and went to lunge forward when Shino put a restraining hand on his shoulder.

"Kiba, relax" said Shino bluntly, Kiba turned to look at Naruto and Hinata talking, Naruto's face was blank except for the small smile tugging at his lips and the glittering in his eyes. Hinata was a lot less red faced and was smiling also.

"When did they get so close" said Kiba, he heard Sasuke snort once more and felt his eyes shrink into a scowl, he turned back to glare at Sasuke.

"Don't look at me like that, they are always together" said Sasuke, he scowled as Ino and Sakura fought behind him. Shikamaru and Choji were just silent.