Chapter 54 – Uzumaki!

Ibiki looked at Naruto, rolling his eyes inside his mind. “If you fail, you are not going to become a Genin for the rest of your life.”

“So what? I’ll believe that I will become Hokage.” Naruto crossed his arms.

“Don’t speak anymore.” Raito glanced at everyone around. Some were getting infected, a small smile forming on their face.

“Well, you Genins have time, ten minutes to be exact. After ten minutes is up and if you still decide to submit the answer sheet, place your answer sheet right here.” Ibiki pointed at the table.

After that Ibiki stayed silent letting time fly by.

“Number 4, you are out. Number 31 and number 60. That means you both are out too.”

The Genin stood up and tore the paper before walking out. His two teammates smiled and followed behind him.

“Saved himself, huh?” one of the Chūnin used chakra to collect all the paper pieces and stick it back together. Leaning to the side, he said to a lady Chūnin, “Definitely a failing material.”

After looking at the paper the lady Chūnin also laughed but soon looked back at her targets.

While many were panicking, Raito only closed his eyes, trying to feel everyone out.

In ten minutes, two teams gave up and one more team was kicked out for trying to change their answer.

Ibiki walked up at the end of the ten minutes and with a smile nodded at the Chūnin supervisors.

“This will be your last chance if you want to quit.” Ibiki looked at the Genins and said again.

“Hmph!” Almost all of the Genins present in the room were toughened from Ibiki’s slow but constant pressure.

“Heh~ it looks like you all have grown some tough bone in your body.” Ibiki waited for a moment before giving orders. “Submit your paper to the nearest Chūnin.”

After all the answer sheets were collected, Ibiki smiled a little looking at the Genins, some who were still tense.

“All of you did great. Get ready for the second round, tomorrow.”

“Huh!?”

“Wait!” Temari stood up hurriedly and asked, “We passed?”

Ibiki looked at Temari and nodded with a smile, “You passed.”

“What do you mean by that? You haven’t even checked the papers.” She frowned.

“I don’t need to. I determined that you all passed, so you passed.” Ibiki had an amused smile on replying to Temari.

“Does that mean that those ten questions didn’t matter at all? Those questions were a waste of time? Is that what you are saying?” Temari shouted.

Raito narrowed his eyes looking at Temari, feeling that she didn’t have to question about it. Looking at Gaara, he didn’t have any expression. Gaara looked in front with a blank expression. Then Kankurō had the same cheeky smile, he had from which he wore the whole time.

“Those ten questions… had an important purpose. To test your ability to secretively gather strategic information under the most adverse circumstances.” Ibiki answered after laughing a bit.

“Why do you have to answer her, Ibiki-oni?” Raito grumbled inside Ibiki’s head.

“What about failing? Permanent barring from taking Chūnin exams?” Temari continued.

“Of course, to pressurize you.” Ibiki answered in short and continued, “Forty forth training ground, tomorrow morning, 10 am sharp.”

Ibiki left after giving a glance to Temari and sand siblings. The Chūnins also left followed by the Genins.

“Shika, come here. Let’s talk.” Raito smiled and waved to him.

Shikamaru walked with his hand on the back of his neck while Ino ran to Hinata with a big smile. Chōji was the fastest, appearing in front of Raito with his hand in front.

Raito smile helplessly then gave Chōji an extra huge packet of chips.

“What do you want?” Shika sat on the seat and asked with clear signs of going to sleep, hand supporting his head.

“Those three from Sunagakure.” Raito then informed him about the previous encounter he had with them.

Shikamaru looked at Raito and stood up. “Going against Konoha like this must be because of the missions that Konoha has been getting from the Wind country.”

“Wind Country is giving the missions to Konoha instead of their own hidden village? But why?” Raito tried thinking about it but couldn’t get to a conclusion.

“The Chūnin exams.” Shikamaru answered then explained, “Konoha has been winning consecutively for the past two years in the Chūnin exams. Also-”

Chōji who was snaking suddenly said out loud, “Naruto’s there too.”

“What?” Raito looked at Chōji who was looking down from the windows.

“They are down there,” Chōji said then looked back to Raito.

Shikamaru walked to the window and looked down, “Looks like a fight is going to start.”

Raito nodded then grabbed Shikamaru and Chōji then disappeared.

On the ground floor, Naruto was in front while Hinata and Ino were behind Naruto. Opposite to them stood three members from Kusagakure. Two boys and a girl, and while the two boys were normal-looking the girl didn’t. The girl had red hair with red eyes and was wearing glasses.

“Hey, why are you blocking the way?” the Genin from Kusa pointed at Naruto and shouted.

“…” Naruto stayed silent and looked at the girl from Kusagakure.

“Naruto-kun.”

“Oi, Naruto. Why are you standing like a piece of wood?” Ino snapped after being annoyed with the shouting Kusa-Genin.

Step. Step.

“Hey Naruto, What are you doing?” Raito voice appeared on the ground.

The Genin stepped in between the Kusa girl and Raito then glared with annoyance looking at Raito.

“What’s happening, Naruto?” Raito asked with a voice transmission.

“You are Uzumaki, right?” Naruto asked which shocked Ino and Hinata, who seemed to have some knowledge about it.

“No, she is not. She is from Kusa. Now back, off.” The other Kusa-Genin boy stood defensively in between and took out his sword ready to fight.

Raito had finished reading all that ‘Observe’ had to provide. After looking at the girl, Raito took in a deep breath and shouted, “Konohagakure and Uzushiogakure are eternally bonded. Our first Hokage, Hashirama Senju married the Uzumaki princess of that time, Mito Uzumaki, creating a life-long treaty.”

“Anyone from Uzushiogakure is welcomed by Konohagakure and protected at all costs. That is why we wear the symbol of Uzushiogakure in our village jacket.” Raito ended and looked at the red haired girl.

The girl took a deep breath and shouted as her two teammates had turned away from her. “My name is Karin Uzumaki. Help me.” With that Karin plopped down to her knees.

“You…” The sword holding Kusa-Genin turned and glared at Karin.

“No, you don’t.” Naruto jumped with his hand reaching for the Kusa-Genin.

“Shadow Binding complete.” Shikamaru bound the two Kusa-nin and paralyzed them.

Along with two Kusa-nin, Naruto was also frozen, unable to move, except he was stuck in the air.

“What’s going on?” one ninja wearing Kusa forehead Hitai walked in and looked at his Genins with Karin and Naruto. It looked like he was the Jōnin instructor of this Kusa team.

“What are you three doing? Get back to the hotel, right now.” He ordered in harsh tone.

“H-Hai.” The two were frightened and immediately replied.

“Hai, hai. Let’s end it.” Kakashi along with Asuma and Kurenai walked in the scene.

“Konoha’s Kakashi, what’s with your Genins? They are surrounding my village’s Genin?” The Kusa Jōnin turned and pointed at Kakashi.

Kakashi ignored the Kusa-Jōnin and looked at his Genins waiting for them to speak up.

Raito coughed and stepped, “Our friend Uzumaki asked us ninja from Konohagakure for help.”

“Uzumaki?” Kakashi looked at Karin and walked towards her.

“Kakashi.” Kusa Jōnin walked forward with a frown but was stopped by two ANBU-nin, who appeared out of nowhere and grabbed him.

Kakashi walked towards her and extended his hand with an eye-smile. “You are safe in Konohagakure.”

A while passed as Karin finally extended her hand and grabbed Kakashi’s.

Looking back at Kusa-Jōnin, Kakashi smiled and said, “Let’s meet our Hokage. We will have a lot to talk about.”

Unbeknownst to many, they were under a complex Genjutsu, few being exception like Hinata, Neji, and Raito. Also there were a few who were too advanced for this Genjutsu but nobody intervened. They all knew too well, what would happen if they did.

As Naruto shouted and stopped the Kusa-Genin and Karin, the Genjutsu had activated and many saw the things getting resolved before both parties walking back to the tower.

Naruto stood with the gang outside Hokage office as Kakashi talked with Raito.

“How did you know she was an Uzumaki?” questioned Kakashi.

“She had red hair,” Raito answered. It would have been far easier if Asuma and Kurenai were not looking at him.

“Just that?” eyebrow raised, Kakashi asked again.

“Her chakra, I guess.” Raito answered in short.

“Chakra, huh? I heard that some sensor-nin describe chakra. They say that each individual has different kind of feeling.” Kakashi rubbed his chin and explained.

“I can’t do that but Naruto and Karin’s chakra feels the same, like… a bit heavy or something like that.” Raito lied.

“You created a ruckus just based on that?” Kakashi looked at Raito for any changes.

“It was a gut feeling, you know. What more do you want? And it all started because of Naruto, not me.” Raito turned around and pointed to Naruto.

“Raito, Hokage-sama is calling for you.” Mariko opened the door and looked at Raito. She gave a glance at Naruto then said after some thinking, “Naruto, you should come, too.”

“Hai.” Naruto and Raito walked in, leaving everyone behind.

“That girl… she is an Uzumaki?” Ino asked to no one.

Kakashi nodded and said, “Her chakra stores are definitely larger than normal but not an Uzumaki level.”

“Only Hokage-sama knows how to authenticate if she is an Uzumaki or not.”

“Clan of seal master, a clan of brave warrior. Immense chakra level and powerful jutsu…” Asuma sighed.

Inside the Hokage office, Hiruzen opened a small fridge and gave Naruto a juice bottle.

“So, Naruto, what happened back there?” Hiruzen asked sitting in his Hokage seat.

“I don’t know. I just felt that… that she was family, like Raito but it… ugh it’s hard to explain.” Naruto tried to explain.

“Well, no worries. Today I want you to meet someone.” Hiruzen turned knocked on the window glass.

While things were happening in the Hokage office, Raito sat inside a small room with Karin. It started with sealing Karin’s chakra and a long process of interrogation.

“So you were forced to work as a healer?” Raito raised his eyes and looked at Karin then at her arm which was covered by long sleeves.

She was quiet and answered only talked when she was asked. To Raito’s question, she just nodded and made a small sound.

Raito closed the folder and faced her, “Do you remember your birthday?”

“Huh? Ah, June 20.” Karin felt confused. She looked at Raito feeling confused about why he was asking about it.

Raito smiled and turned the folder opening it and pointing at her personal data area showing her birth date, June 20 and horoscope, Gemini.

Karin looked at the folder and looked at Raito in slight awe and fear. The folder not only contained her birthday and horoscope, which she just revealed but it also contained all the things she told him and all the things she hadn’t told him. She only felt relief that it didn’t contain everything.

Raito brought out two bottles and passed one to Karin. “Drink up.”

She grabbed the bottle and opened it but before drinking, she asked, “What color of underwear am I wearing?”

Raito who was sipping was immediately choked. Not only he reacted but the ANBU who was hiding in the corner of the room also made a sound.

“What the hell was that?” Raito glared at Karin and asked.

“You already know so much about me. I guessed you could-”

Bang! “Why don’t I bring a Byakugan user for you to show off?” Raito’s smile had evil intent all over it.

A muscular ANBU wearing a horse pattern mask came out of shadow and glared at Raito. Looking at the folder then at Karin, he said. “If you want to add something then add now.”

Karin nodded and added a few more things before giving it to the horse masked ANBU.

Without even looking, he closed the folder and walked out of the small room. Before walking out, he looked at Karin and added, “We will get back your mother’s urn and make a few heads roll… if you want.”

While glaring at Karin, Raito brought out a few food items and gave her disposable chopsticks. “You look like you need some food.”

As Raito opened the cover, mouthwatering smell exploded stimulating Karin as she hurriedly grabbed the chopsticks and wolfed down everything.

After she had finished eating, Raito looked at Karin and guessed. “That’s how bad it was, huh?”

Karin immediately looked at Raito and paused. The fear in her heart which has just extinguished grew even more strongly as she placed chopsticks on top of a bowl.

“If you wanna ask me anything then ask.” Raito frowned and waved his hands. He didn’t like the look Karin was giving him.

Karin took in a few breaths and asked, “…Are you a human?”

“Huh?” Raito looked at Karin and found that she was somewhat serious.

“What do you mean? Of course, I am human.” Raito pulled out a kunai and nicked his finger from where blood escaped.

“Chakra!” Only after sensing chakra leaking from blood and wound Karim patted her chest and heaved a sigh of relief.

“Now, explain!” Raito demanded. Even he, himself felt a bad premonition as he heard her questioning his race. Because he had gamer powers and others didn’t, Raito felt that he was something else not a human or like.

“Ah… you see… I am a sensor. I can feel chakra.” Karin waited for any kind of surprise outburst but failed as Raito just yawned and took out a book.

“I can also feel chakra… I say I can ‘see’ with chakra.” Raito boasted.

“You?” Karin looked closely at Raito but found nothing.

“Yeah, it’s somewhat a family jutsu.” Raito smiled seeing Karin sigh. He looked through the wall and found Hiruzen and Jiraiya talking with Naruto.

Focusing on Karin again he added, “With that same technique I created this layer of protection.”

‘Stealth – Release’

He activated the skill inside his mind and for the first time in the past three months exposed his chakra. “I am letting you have a peak.” Raito smiled like a devil and extended his hand.

Karin stared in a daze then extended her hand and grabbed Raito’s.

Raito’s chakra felt like a thread from far. However, the next moment she saw the thread growing bigger and bigger. In the end, when Karin was standing in front of it, she couldn’t even see the end of that previously tiny thread.

Peering inside she could blobs of golden yellow floating on the river of silver while.

‘Just what is this?’ After Karin retracted her hand, she looked Raito in a daze.

“So, what did my chakra feel like?” Raito asked.

“I-I don’t know. It was like… golden eggs floating on pure water.” Karin didn’t know how to explain this type of situation. She had assessed hundreds of ninjas in her time of stay in Kusagakure but she had never seen anything like this.

“It isn’t supposed to be like this. Like that old man outside with that hat-”

“That’s our Hokage, ya know?” Raito immediately stopped her.

“…Sure, his chakra feels like a heavy like something pressurizing you but warm. And the long white hair man, his feels like burning fire which makes your heart beat faster.”

“Then there is… that Naruto. His chakra feels like… warm and fuzzy.” Just as she was about to face Raito she was drawn back to Naruto. Her eyes constricted as she gulped with difficulty. “There- there’s another chakra inside him dark, so dark. It feels evil.”

“Sleep” Chakra activated seeping into Karin’s body, directly traveling to her brain system.

“If it wasn’t for your chakra being sealed, I couldn’t have done it.” Raito looked at her with a frown.

“Such…” Her eyes felt heavy and her body gave up. Karin couldn’t even think as she felt her conscious fading.

Raito looked at Karin for a long time before walking in the Hokage office.

“Raito-kun.”

“Raito!”

Jiraya looked at Raito for a while before his gaze returned to Hiruzen and Naruto.

Raito looked at the three with a weird expression on his face and quickly reached the door. “I’ll go and prepare for tomorrow. Bye bye.”

With that, he quickly left the Hokage room and walked out to see Hinata, Shikamaru, Ino and Chōji waiting for him.

“What are you guys doing here?” After walking out, Raito saw everyone waiting.

“Waiting.” Chōji ate his chips and answer in short.

“You’re late.” Shikamaru woke up from his nap and yawned.

“So, so.” Ino jumped in front of Raito and with a small smile asked, “So, who is that girl? Is she an Uzumaki? How’s she-”

Raito immediately pushed his palm forward to stop Ino.

“A-Rank secret. So unless you are a Jōnin, I can’t tell.” Raito lied.

“How about I treat you to BBQ?” Ino winked.

“I’ll go.” Chōji raised his hands and shouted instantly.

“I am going shopping.” Raito dragged Chōji and walked out.

“Ah! Don’t run away, Raito.” Ino ran following Raito.

Shikamaru stood up and stretched. He looked back at Hinata and asked, “I guess I will be following them. Are you going to wait?”

“Um… that…” Hinata hesitated.

“Wait a while more and bring Naruto with you to BBQ.” Shikamaru waved his hand.