Return to The Past : Naruto Fic

28

Chapter 27 – Chunin Exams Final Day II

"Welcome Yonkage-sama!" The Manager of the Golden Leaf Hotel said as the four Kage entered Konoha's best establishment. "Shall I direct you to your usual room, Hokage-sama?"

"No, direct us to Naruto-kun's reserved room, Toshio-kun. He will be joining us soon."

Toshio nodded with a bow and bidding the four Kage to follow, walked up the flight of stairs to his right for three floors before coming to a stop in front of a pair of large ornate doors made of red lacquered wood engraved with gold. Pressing his palm on the engraved gold spiral, Toshio focused a bit of his meagre chakra into it, causing all the gold engravings to glow before a click was heard as the doors swung open on their own accord. Turning to the Yonkage, Toshio smiled and said, "Naruto-sama has had all the security seals updated so that only authorised personell would be able to activate the which includes Naruto-sama and his present heir."

"Naruto-sama doesn't do things by half, does he?" Mei asked with a smile.

"That he doesn't Mizukage-sama. Please enter and take any seat. A waiter will be with you shortly and while you wait for Naruto-sama, may I suggest sampling the legendary Myobokuzan Sake? Naruto-sama has been able to set up a small deal between us and Myobokuzan. I am told it is to die for!"

"And the strongest sake in existence. You should be careful, if you plan to partake in it, Mizukage-sama!" Sakura commented as she walked up with Naruto, Otohime, Shion and Hinata. All four were wearing simple casual kimono but the silky texture and the vibrancy of the embroidery revealed that the kimono were in fact extremely expensive. Sakura was wearing a simple pair of jeweled earrings made of gold and glowing pink crystal. Otohime and Shion had pulled up their long hair into intricate knots held in place by a bejeweled Jade comb and Jade chopsticks respectively. Hinata had pulled up her hair in a ponytail held together by a ribbon of pink perls — a gift for Otohime of doing so well against Neji.

"So the rumors are true then. Only the most hardcore of drinkers and Jinchūriki could even hope to consume more than a single saucer of Myobokuzan sake?" Ōnoki asked with interest.

Naruto nodded in agreement as he and his group greeted the four Kage before commenting, "It seems that Kurotsuchi didn't come. I was hoping to hold a conversation with her about her match."

"I am afraid not Uzumaki-dono. I would wage a guess that she feels embarrassed at her — on her mind — less than stellar performance. She was always such a hardheaded child."

"Aren't we all?" Naruto said with a grin as everyone situated themselves around the large table. The four Kage on one side with Naruto and the girls on the other.

"Toshio-san, I would like to sample some of the Myobokuzan sake, if you wouldn't mind."

"Immediately Mizukage-sama!" Toshio said as he left in a hurry. A few minutes later, a woman dressed in an expensive kimono commonly seen to be won by Royal servants walked in with a tray filled with sakazuki saucers and a bottle of Myobokuzan sake. Pouring some sake into all of the saucers, she placed them in front of the seated party before bowing and moving aside to wait for the distinguished group to order.

Taking a sip from his saucer, Hiruzen asked, "Karin-chan didn't come with you?"

"Unfortunately no. She decided to train some more with her Kongōfūsa and her ability to apply seals through them. She was a bit annoyed that Shino realized her plan and gave up. Zabuza and Tsunade-bāchan seems to have rubbed off on her. She is becoming a perfectionist with her techniques." Naruto commented only for Sakura to snicker.