Return to The Past : Naruto Fic

25

Chapter 24 – Chunin Exams Part II

"I still think you are taking too much of a chance letting him run about like that Naruto-kun." Hiruzen stated as he took a long puff on his pipe.

"Don't worry too much Jiji. I can easily teleport to him when needed. Besides, Anko called dibs on him. Don't you think that Master and Apprentice deserves a long awaited reunion without third party interference?" Naruto stated with a chuckle.

Naruto, Hiruzen and Hideyoshi were sitting in the council chambers with the rest of the Konoha Shinobi Council and Elders. Along with them were the surprising addition of Ryōtenbin no Ōnoki along with Roshi and Han. In the centre of the room was the crystal ball that was the focus of Hiruzen's Tōmegane no Jutsu. Underneath the ball was a sealing array that was generating an illusion in the centre of room. An illusion that displayed the images shown in the crystal ball.

"I agree with the old monkey brat. Orochimaru shouldn't be underestimated!" Ōnoki said as he watched the treacherous Sannin dodge another swipe from the main mud golem only for a smaller wolf to crunch down on his arm.

"Don't worry about it. Besides, one of my clones is keeping a very close eye on the idiot. How about we view someone else. Any preference?"

"Turn to my granddaughter. I want to see what that hot-headed girl is doing. With the amount of deception, you have hidden in how to get the scrolls, I fear that she will bite off more than she can chew."

"As you wish Tsuchikage-dono."

Kurotsuchi, Suzumebachi and Akastuchi were carefully moving about in the trees surrounding the clearing. In the clearing was their objective. Good news, both scrolls were present. Bad news, they were guarded by Uzumaki Naruto himself. Kurotsuchi shivered in fright as she remembered how powerful Naruto truly was, even a single clone was dangerous.

"I think we should retreat and try our luck someplace else Kurotsuchi." Suzumebachi said with a nervous tilt in her voice.

"I agree with Suzumebachi. We shouldn't tangle with him."

"I would agree but with you two, but he already knows that we are here. While he may allow us to retreat, I doubt that it will make a good impression on him, especially with my grandfather trying to arrange a marriage with him. I doubt a coward will be accepted."

"It isn't cowardice to retreat and regroup when you know that you are outmatched." All three stumbled and nearly fell off their perches. As one, the three Iwa Ninja turned and to their horror saw Naruto standing there with a smile on his face.

"Good to see you again Kurotsuchi. I hope you have fun in the exams. I expect great thing from you, just like I expect great things from Konohamaru."

"Uzumaki-sama!" Kurotsuchi stated with a nervous jitter. "Are you sure that you should move away from the scrolls?"

Suzumebachi and Akatsuchi looked alarmed Kurotsuchi's question. They were very afraid that she had offended Naruto and they would now suffer the consequences. To their shock, instead of being offended, Naruto chuckled as he said, "Who says that the scrolls aren't protected? Do you really think that a simple clone would be the only defence?"

"I didn't mean to offend you, but may we leave. We have decided not to try our hands in getting these scrolls."

Naruto quirked an eyebrow in interest as he asked, "Why would I do that? As soon as you passed the perimeter barrier, the challenge had started. Luckily for you, the challenge isn't a physical one."

"What do you mean Uzumaki-sama?" Suzumebachi asked with fear. If the challenge wasn't a fight, then what could it be?

"Simple, there are traps surrounding pedestal. Seal based traps that are out of a common Jōnin's capabilities to undo. I will give you a puzzle. The answer to the puzzle will be the method to deactivate the seals or bypass them. There will be five puzzles of increasing difficulty. Do you understand?"