The Swift Prodigy

Chapter 20: Inner Spirits

Chapter 20: Inner Spirits

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Chapter 20

Inner Spirits

"Congratulations are in order, Team 7 your performance in Kumogakure was admirable, a week ago, Konoha took home the Chunin Exam championship. You've all done the village proud", Minato smirked as Team 7 stood in front of him in the council chambers. Both Itachi and Naruto were covered in bandages.

Since the end of the Chunin Exams a few days ago most of the bruising and small cuts had vanished thanks to Tsunade and a lot of motherly love from Kushina as well as Mikoto.

They stayed in Kumo for a couple of days to make sure that the trio was ready to travel, once they were all confident they made the trek back to Konoha.

His siblings had all been ecstatic about his return, especially Kari who missed tea-parties and cuddles from Naruto. Karin had even started to be a little more open with him, telling him that she had a crush on a boy a school. Naruto had assured her that this was 'great', having little more to offer her as he himself had not given any of that kind stuff much thought. So he really couldn't give any advice to her but he was grateful that she shared something that she considered intimate to herself.

Around the chamber myriad members of the Konoha shinobi stood, in their seats the council sat watching, many of them beaming at the potential in front of them. The three members of team 7 were smiling as well, albeit Itachi only lightly. On the other hand behind them Rin had the largest and proudest smile on her face. She had helped create three splendid ninja.

"Itachi, you displayed excellent control over your Sharingan, your tactical awareness was sound and your Ninjustu arsenal is vast, to top it off you've got on hell of a right hook, judging from the colour of Naruto's face", joked Minato making many people in the room laugh.

Itachi smiled a little.

Naruto grumbled and flushed red.

Rin up her gloved hand on his head and ruffled his hair.

"So....with all that being said, you have been recommended to become a Chunin", Minato unsealed one flak jacket from the scroll on his desk and Itachi stepped forward to handle it.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama", he bowed taking his step back in line.

"Now my son, Naruto", Naruto piped up after hearing his name.

"Up until these exams your Swift Release was a mystery to you, but you've worked hard to gain control, although you still have a long way to go but if it were easy every Namikaze who ever had it would have been masters", he winked at him making him smile. "During the Exam you displayed leadership qualities, you looked after your teammates. You also showed great prophecy in Ninjustu, Taijutsu, Kenjutsu and Fuinjutsu. For these reasons I promote you to Chunin", Naruto walked up his father as he unsealed another jacket taking it from him.

"Thanks old man!" he said loudly.

"YOU CAN'T ADDRESS THE HOKAGE LIKE THAT!" many people yelled from within the room.

"It's quite alright", Minato chuckled.

"Now last but certainly not least, Yugao. Your training to adapt a weapon into your fighting style in only six months is nothing short of remarkable. Your Suiton affinity is as high as any have ever seen, not since Nidaime-sama, something you should take great pride in. You also have been training in medical Ninjustu, you have a very diverse range of skills and you are very adaptable in any situation, for these reasons, I promote you to Chunin", he said as Yugao finally stepped forward and received her jacket.