Game of Shadows by Adrian King1

Chapter 83

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor The Gamer. I own nothing, really.

Cover Art: Kissuli.

Chapter 83

There was much to be nervous about, but at that moment Eiji was only excited. The looks on his friends' faces were enough to bring his mood up on their own. He was especially happy because he knew this would be an important day for Naruto too.

"Shikamaru Nara, Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, Eiji Satou," Hiruzen started, pride shining in his eyes. "It's a pleasure to tell you that you've all been promoted. Shikamaru, Sasuke, Naruto, you are, from this moment on, considered Chuunin of Konoha."

With those words, the old man handed all three of them the standard green Chuunin vest with the red twirl on the back. Each boy took it with a straight back and held their head up. Even the usually slumped Nara looked proud at that very second, a smirk tugging at his lips.

The blonde was now basically vibrating in place, almost unable to contain a cheer that Eiji knew was there, screaming to be let out. It was a small victory for him, really, that his brother was able to keep a semblance of calm for such a momentous occasion. It might have been a clearly forced and barely kept one, but it was calm nonetheless.

"Eiji," Hiruzen continued, clearly amused by Naruto's struggle against his boisterous nature. "I'm even more pleased to tell you that you'll be considered a Jounin of Konoha upon the completion of your recently assigned mission."

'Recently assigned, yeah, right,' Eiji thought, suppressing a snort.

"Eiji! You'll be Jounin!" Naruto exclaimed , evidently having lost his frail composure at the unexpected news. Well, unexpected for him. While Eiji hadn't known about that little tidbit, it was not quite a surprise either. After all, he was being sent to a mission that was clearly out of Chuunin rank. It was actually out of Jounin rank, but he supposed it was all to keep the secret of what his mission actually was.

"Ne, I'm leaving you behind, Naruto," Eiji commented with a slight smirk as he was shaken back and forth by the blonde. "At this rate, I'll reach my goal before you, self-proclaimed future Hokage."

"Self-procla- I'll so get you for that, Eiji," The blonde growled, still holding by the shoulders. "We are both getting closer though," He added, a soft smile spreading over his face. A rare sight, that one, significantly different from his usual wide grin. "We can do it."

"Of course we can," Eiji nodded, pulling Naruto into a quick, tight hug. "For now though," He continued, pushing the blonde away. This time he was the one doing the holding. "I think the old man has some stuff to talk with you."

"He does," Naruto mumbled, becoming distinctly nervous. It would be alright though, Eiji knew. Even if it wasn't the case, he'd be there for him and so would the group. For the moment though...

"We'll wait outside for you, yeah?" He told his brother, giving his shoulder a comforting squeeze before letting go.

"Ok," Naruto nodded as he took a deep breath in.

Thus, Eiji, Shikamaru and Sasuke stepped out. The second looked as disinterested as ever, even if Satou could see a curious glint in his eye as he looked at their blond friend. The latter, for his part, was staring at the Chuunin vest he'd been given by the Hokage as if it was telling him something.

Whatever that was, it was something good, if the slowly spreading smile Eiji saw was any indication.

[}-o-{]

"So, what's this mission about?" Naruto asked and Eiji withheld a wince.

Apparently, the information Hiruzen had shared with the blonde hadn't been enough for him to forget the little tidbit the old man had revealed during the promotion. The boy had been considerably affected by his parents' identities, but he'd recovered remarkably fast. Or maybe he was just focusing on other stuff for the moment.