Kusari no Naruto

Seventeeth Link

Naruto was in an unusually good mood as he strode through the corridors of the Hokage tower; that at least would explain the grin pulling at his lips that exposed his lengthened canines. For the various office-workers and Chuunin that were scurrying about though, all they saw was a silent predator moving through their ranks, a vicious gleam in his eye. Naruto didn't even seem to notice the not-so-subtle tension in the air, ignoring the rather wide berth he was being given as people literally crossed the room to get out of his way.

Even the secretary, casually filing away documents at her desk, flinched when she looked up to see that predatory smile. With a quick motion she quickly waved the blond through; she didn't want to deal with him any longer than she had to. The Hokage's smile, as he stepped into the man's office, was a tad more congenial. It made a stark contrast to the various Chuunin in the room that awkwardly shifted their gaze away from the infamous Jounin. They just continued about their job of sorting through mission scrolls and pretended that the village's pariah wasn't a few feet away.

"Ah Naruto; it's good to see you bright and early as always," Hiruzen greeted, his hands continuing to swiftly sort documents even as his attention was apparently on the blond. "I hope everything is going well for you and Konoha's latest guest?" He added without missing a beat, not really waiting for an answer before continuing; he knew Naruto wasn't the talkative type anyway. "I assume you're here for a mission? This will be your first for a few weeks now, correct?" Naruto nodded at that; giving Haku the day off also allowed him to get out of the village for a while.

He could almost feel his good mood evaporating as the Hokage coughed into his hand.

"About that," the older man started, causing the stone in Naruto's stomach to sink deeper and his eyes to narrow. "You've been specifically requested for a certain assignment and I have no real reason to deny the request. You'll be acting as a proctor for the second stage of the upcoming chuunin exams."

It actually took a few moments for Naruto to process that statement before his eyebrows nearly vanished into his hairline.

"What?" Was about all he could manage, at least until his brain clicked into gear and his usual scowl summarily planted itself back on his face. "Hokage-sama, don't you think that's a bit of a waste of my time?" He ground out tersely, making a few of the Chuunin duck their heads as they swore they heard the rattling of chains. The Hokage remained composed though, his friendly smile never wavering.

"On the contrary, I consider the advancement of the next generation, what would have been your generation in fact, to be one of Konoha's highest priorities." He briefly looked down at his work and thumbed a few pages, apparently glancing them over in a few seconds. "In any case, considering the type of missions you usually request, I believe this will go a long way in offering some… diversity."

Naruto raised his hand to argue only to find the Hokage had raised a single eyebrow; it was a look every Konoha shinobi received at one point. It essentially meant 'Are you really going to question me on this?'

"Right," Naruto finally acquiesced after a few tense seconds of silence. His tone still managed to convey his distain. Having to babysit a bunch of Genin through a test he probably could have done when he was nine years old, did not strike him as the most exciting of opportunities, career-wise. It was the Hokage's next words that really drove the final nail in the coffin.

"Oh, and before I forget, you won't be the only proctor for that stage."

Almost as soon as he said it Naruto felt his stomach sink to new, unknown depths at the exact moment a pair of shapely and recognisable arms draped themselves over his shoulders.

"Yeah, isn't that great Gaki?" Anko's sang in a deceptively melodic tone, the sadistic grin damn-near audible, and the smell of dango heavy about her person. It took a great deal of Naruto's self-control to stop himself spearing her through right there and then in front of the Hokage. He didn't though, also managing to stay silent despite Anko's best attempts to press her equally shapely assets into his back in an obviously taunting manner.