Chapter Text
It had been almost a week since Team Seven had returned from the Land of Waves.
Naruto had gotten most of his red hair cut off, leaving it a similar length to his original style, and blond roots could be seen peeking back in- if you cared enough to look.
He slouched a touch more. His movements were a bit more animalistic- if you cared enough to pay attention.
His forehead protector was a bit askew. Not enough that you’d notice, unless you spent a lot of time looking at Naruto.
Not again, Sakura sighed, as Naruto and Sasuke sized each other up as they met for the day, not saying anything. Every day- Every day, these two just wake up and decide to act weird about each other! I just hope Master Kakashi arrives soon.
Sasuke’s eyes were black. The same deep black as always. Naruto couldn’t see a hint of his supposed sharingan .
His movements had changed, however. He stood up taller, moved faster. Not enough that most people would notice, though.
His headband looked tight- tigher than normal.
It took three hours for Kakashi to arrive. Nobody had really talked the whole time.
“Good morning, everyone. I’m afraid I got lost on the way here…”
“For three hours? ”
“I’ve been here for two weeks ! How do I always get here before you?”
“If you were doing something actually important, you could just say that.”
“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, mission time.”
“Do we have anything exciting this time? We've all gotten way stronger- we can do more than the easy stuff!” Naruto asked. “Action! Challenge! A test of our skills!”
“We'll see. For now, nothing too out there.”
“Aww…”
After their mission had concluded, Sasuke had vanished- something about independent training.
As Naruto wandered Konoha, thinking of nothing in particular, he heard a voice cry out.
“Hey! Lemme go!”
Running over, he saw two people he'd never seen before- a boy in black pajamas and face paint, and a girl with four ponytails.
Both of them had protectors, but they didn't have the sign of Konoha- or Jiraiya’s ‘oil’, or even the Mist Ninjas’ symbol. Instead, an hourglass marked their forehead protectors.
The painted boy was grabbing a kid Naruto had seen running around occasionally by the neck. “That hurt , you little snot!”
“Put him down!” Naruto yelled.
Looking over, Mr. PJ saw first Naruto’s hair, then his headband.
“I was just playing with him… while we wait for the nuisance to get here.”
“Ow…” the kid moaned as the ninja tightened his grip.
“I said put him down! ” As Naruto rushed at the foreign ninja, they moved their free hand- and Naruto tripped, falling over.
Despite not knowing why he tripped, Naruto quickly picked himself up and continued running forward.
“I don't know what you did, but you're dead! ”
“I'm not getting involved in this,” Temari said.
“Who asked you to? I can take care of shrimp like these by myself.” However, as Kankuro went to punch the kid he was holding, a small rock flashed by and hit him square in the face, just before Naruto did the same.
“Now, then. We'll first hear from the overseers of our newest genin . Masters Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma. Have you among your charges any who you would recommend for this year’s chûnin exams? Please remember that they must have completed a minimum of eight missions.”
It's too soon for him to be asking this, Iruka thought. To even stand a chance, they should have at least double that amount.
“Cell number seven, led by Kakashi, consists of Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno. I vow upon the honor of my clan, the Hatake, that all three of them are ready for the selection exam.”
“Huh?”
“Cell eight, led by Kurenai, consists of Hinata Hyuga, Shinobi Aburame, and Kiba Inuzuka. I swear upon my clan, the Yuhi, that I am just as certain as my esteemed colleague that they are ready for the exam.”
“Cell ten, led by Asuma, consists of Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi. Like my colleagues, I swear upon my clan the Sarutobi that all three are ready the the exam.”
“How unusual. Not even a moment's hesitation?”
“J-just a moment!” Iruka said.
“Yes, Iruka?”
“Please, allow me a moment to speak my mind. Most of the nine students just mentioned were under my instruction at the Academy. Certainly, they are all gifted and committed, but it’s too soon for them to be stepping up to Journeyman level,” he said. “Only with time will they gain the experience and maturity these exams require- and I don’t understand how their instructors can fail to realize that.”
“I was six years younger than them when I attained the rank of Chunin,” Kakashi said.
“But they’re not like you! Do you want to destroy those children?”
“They badger me for harder missions every chance they get. Let’s face it, it’d be fun to show them a taste of real pain.”
“Are you out of your mind ?”
“Joke. Joke. I understand your position, and I apologize if my recommendation upsets you, but I will stand by it.”
“B-but-”
“Can we finish this?” Kurenai asked impatiently.
“Regardless, your opinion no longer matters. Those children are not your students. They are soldiers under our command.”
“...”
“A second little brat, eh?” The pajamaed one said, getting up and realigning his jaw as he looked at Sasuke in the branches of a nearby tree.
The kid had run behind Naruto, who was angrily glaring at the foreign ninja.
“Mind coming on down so we can get to know each other better?”
As the ninja grabbed the large bandaged thing on his back, the girl protested. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to pull out the crow against these kids-”
“They want a fight, I’m just giving it to them. Aren’t we supposed to be appeasing of our host’s wishes?”
“Kankuro, don’t.”
The voice came from Sasuke’s tree- but from behind Sasuke.
As everyone snapped over, different things ran through everyone’s heads.
I didn’t have a clue he was back there- when did he sneak up behind me?
Ah, shit.
Now Kankuro’s done it!
His chakra…
The boy was hanging from the tree by his feet, a large gourd strapped to his back.
He had large rings around his eyes, no eyebrows, and-
His hair’s the same color as Naruto’s…
“G-gaara…”
“To lose yourself in a quarrel with children? Have you forgotten why we came here?”
“But, Gaara… they started it. The little one slammed into me!”
“Shut.”
The slapping of feet came down the road.
“Up.”
Kankuro shivered.
“Y-you’re right. I was out of line.”
“We’re sorry, Gaara,” the girl said. “Really, really sorry!”
“Huff… huff.. What have you two gotten yourself into now?”
Sakura had heard Naruto’s yells and made her way to the sound, finding herself in the midst of something she most certainly wished she had avoided.
So, he’s the one in charge, eh? He glares like a basilisk.
Naruto was still staring, transfixed, at the one called Gaara.
In clouds of dust, Gaara appeared between Kankuro and the girl. “I know we’re early, but we’re not here to play around.”
“W-won’t happen again.”
“Then let’s go.”
“Wait!”
Gaara turned around to face Sakura. “Yes?”
“According to your headbands, you three are from the village of Sand. Your country may be one of Konoha’s allies, but our treaties forbid ninja crossing the border without authorization. State your purpose!”
Despite her fear, Sakura always had her scripts to rely on in situations like this.
“Weren’t you informed?” The girl said. “Behold- my travel papers.”
Scanning for any information she could at such a distance, all Sakura could pick out was a name- Temari.
“As you guessed, we’re junior ninja from the hidden sand village. We’re here to take the Chunin Exams.”
The exams?
Naruto was silent, still staring at Gaara.
“You there- what’s your name?” Sasuke said, flickering down next to Naruto.
“Who, me?”
“No. The one next to you.”
“Gaara of the desert. You are?”
“Uchiha Sasuke.”
There was silence for a moment, before Naruto spoke. “Your- your chakra… are you like me?”
For a moment, Gaara’s eyes flashed, then it was gone. “No.”
And with that, the Sand ninja were off.
“This is going to get interesting,” Sasuke said.
“Naruto- did you know that guy? What were you saying about his chakra?”
“Red…”
“Huh?”
“His chakra was red. The same red as mine.”
Up in the tree, three figures watched Team Seven.
“So, what do you think?”
“None of them are important, save for the brunette and the Sand spook. Keep an eye on them.”