Return to The Past : Naruto Fic

6

Chapter 5 – The Test

All the Ninja, who did not have any major prior assignments, were trickling into the Konoha Chunin Exams Stadium, many prominent Daimyō of the neighboring countries were here as well, sitting with their most trusted advisers and bodyguards, the Fire Daimyō being most prominent with his elaborate headdress with the red fire patterns and pristine white robes. The Wind Daimyō sitting near the Fire Daimyō with in his violet robes and headdress, around the Stadium, many ninja from small foreign countries that was either allied or neutral with Konoha were sitting with Teams of ANBU keeping an eye on them. Around them, the seats were filled with civilians.

The Hokage was sitting at the Kage Box with two other people. He was wearing the traditional Kage Robe with the diamond shaped hat. Beside him was another man wearing similar robes with the kanji for wind on his green diamond shaped hat, his face hidden by veil. The final occupant was a large man with dark skin and pale blonde hair. He was also wearing the traditional Kage Robes with a yellow hat carrying the kanji for lightning. These three were Sandaime Hokage, Yondaime Kazekage, and the Yondaime Raikage, their names, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Kazekage Rasa, and Ē, three of the most powerful men in the world.

"May I ask why you invited here Hokage-dono?" Ē asked with confusion as Rasa nodded in agreement.

"Yes, why have you invited up to attend a testing of one of you Shinobi? If I am not mistaken, a Genin as well. Why would a Genin require a team of Jonin and ANBU to test him?' Rasa asked with thinly veiled irritation.

"That is because he isn't an ordinary Genin. He embodies what it truly means to be a Shinobi. Even I did not have an inkling to the depth of his abilities until he defeated a Chunin traitor with his friend. From what I have gathered by interviewing them, both of them have been hiding their skill. I thought you two would be interested in him due to his heritage and status. So I decided to invite you." Hiruzen said though he knew that both his fellow Kage did not really believe him, not that he would believe himself. The excuse was a bit weak.

"What heritage would that be Hokage-dono?" Ē asked with curiosity.

"I believe that you would easily be able to connect the dots when he arrives in Arena. He does look like a carbon copy of his father with his mother's mannerism." Hiruzen said with a secretive smile that aroused Ē's curiosity even more.

"And his status, does it pertain to his heritage?" Rasa asked, equally intrigued. Hiruzen shook his head.

"Not really, though it is an indirect result to his heritage." Seeing the questioning looks of his fellow Kage, Hiruzen decided to throw them a bone. "He is the Kyūbi Jinchūriki. Somehow, he was able to become a perfect Jinchūriki and befriend the beast within him."

With wide eyes Ē asked, "How is that possible? How old is he?"

"The better question is how did he do it without rampaging or alerting the whole of Konoha?" Rasa asked looking shaken by the revelation. Here, his son has failed even with help and someone else did what he wanted his son to achieve without help. That seemed preposterous, but he doubted that the Hokage was pulling his leg.

"He and his friend used to sneak in and out of Konoha without the ANBU catching them. I am not surprised. Naruto-kun is known to be able sneak into ANBU HQ, prank the whole corps, and get out unharmed. His stealth is phenomenal. That should have been the first signs but he acted like an idiot. That mask has kept unwanted attention away from him until he was ready to reveal himself."

"He seems to be a fine shinobi. A true demon of the shadows, something all of us have forgotten how to be." Rasa said with a stoic face, inwardly he was cringing. He was afraid that the Wind Daimyō would now redirect more missions to Konoha and the Otokage's offer seemed like a suicide now. That is if the child was as powerful as he suspected. Rasa realized that this was a power play. Hiruzen was making a statement and was using them and the Daimyō to attest his claims.