Bonds Of Family: Strangers in a Foreign Land

Kakashi stood patiently as he and about a dozen other Jonin instructors waited for the Third Hokage to call them forward. Next to him stood Asuma Sarutobi, and Kurenai Yuhi. The jonin who taught the other rookie genin squads, Team 8 and Team 10.

“I believe that’s everyone who’s coming Lord Hokage.” Genma announced to the older man sitting behind his desk.

“Very well let us begin.” The Hokage said, loudly so the room could hear him. “As you all know, the Chunin Exams held within Konoha will be starting within a few days. Already several teams of genin from other villages have arrived in the village. So far we’ve received three teams from Suna, two from Kumo, five from Ame, four from Kusa, one team from the newly founded Oto,” Kakashi noticed the Hokage smile, “and one team from Uzushio.”

“But Uzushio was destroyed during the Second Shinobi War.” One of the jonin within the room stated. “The Uzumaki clan scattered throughout the world.”

“Yes they were.” The Hokage agreed, “But the Uzumaki are if nothing else resilient. And in their resilience have regathered their scattered clan and founded their village anew. I have spoken with the head of their village, Senkai Uzumaki, and I believe we have rekindled our old alliance with them. She says that she wishes to reintroduce her village to the world through these exams.”

Kakashi nodded at the news. ‘It’s good that Uzushio has come back into the fold. They were our staunchest and strongest allies’ Kakashi recalled that it had taken the combined forces of Iwa, Kiri and Kumo to bring down Uzushio, and even then it had been a near thing. ‘I wonder how Naruto will take the news.’

“Now then, as for our own genin. Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma please step forward.” The Hokage’s command roused Kakashi from his thoughts and he and his fellows stepped forward in unison. “As the Jonin instructors for this year’s rookie teams, do you think they are ready for Chunin Exams?”

‘For the past two weeks I’ve been prepping them for something just like this. Naruto while having no talent in casting a genjutsu has proven quite adept at breaking them, Sakura’s taijutsu skills have also improved, and Sasuke is as ever a prodigy.’ Kakashi thought as the Hokage went over the requirements for taking the exams. When he finished he turned to Kakashi.

The silver haired jonin stepped forward. “I Kakashi Hatake, leader of Team 7, recommend Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, and Naruto Uzumaki for the chunin exams.”

--

Sasuke leaned against the railing of the bridge patiently as his two teammates paced back and forth, each of them muttering their own curses as Kakashi was late, again, just like literally every single time they’ve had to meet with him. ‘Honestly you’d think they would’ve caught on to the routine by now.’ Sasuke thought just as Kakashi appeared on the bridge.

“Hey guys, sorry I’m late but I got lost on the road of life.” Was his newest excuse as he walked up to them and held out three sheets of paper. “So to make it up to all of you, I took the liberty of signing you guys up for the Chunin Exams.”

Sasuke widened his eyes in surprise just as both Naruto and Sakura had their own, personalized rants cut short. For a moment the only sound anyone could hear was the rush of the wind and the stirring of the water under the bridge. Naruto, as usual, was the first to break the silence.

“Thank you so much!” he shouted, rushing up to hug the silver haired jonin. “You’re the best Kakashi-Sensei!” Kakashi chuckled as Naruto snatched one of the sheets of paper out of his hand and immediately started reading it over, all the while practically singing to himself how he was going to dominate the exams and secure his path to the title of Hokage.

Sasuke found himself smiling as well as he took his own sheet from Kakashi. ‘Chunin Exams huh. Should provide me with some challenging fights.’ Only Sakura seemed to be looking doubtful about their participation.

“Uh sensei?” she started, “Are you sure we’re ready for this?”

Kakashi put a hand on her shoulder. “Sakura, if I wasn’t sure of all of your guys’ ability to succeed I wouldn’t of recommended you. Trust me, you guys are ready.” Sasuke noted that even with Kakashi’s assurance, Sakura didn’t seem entirely convinced. “However if you don’t feel that you’re up to it, there’s no shame in waiting until you think you’re ready. I won’t lie to you, these exams are dangerous.”

“Don’t worry Sakura, as long as we all stick together there’s no way we can possibly fail.” Naruto added his own confidence to the mix, “I mean we saved an entire country for crying out loud.”

Sakura gave a small nod in agreement, Sasuke was sure he still saw doubt in her eyes, but also a spark of determination.

“The Exams will begin five days from now.” Kakashi explained, “If you wish to participate, bring your signed application forms to room 301 of the academy at 3:00 PM. It would be wise if you guys used that time to brush up on wherever you find your skills to be lacking.”

“Won’t you be helping us train for the exams Kakashi?” Sasuke asked.

“Sorry but rules forbid Jonin instructors from assisting their genin once the recommendation is made.” Kakashi answered, “As such it will be up to you to make sure you’re ready for whatever these exams throw at you from here on out.” With that Kakashi disappeared from their sight. The three genin all looked at each other for a silent moment.

“We should meet up tomorrow and start training for these exams.” Sasuke said, “Get plenty of rest tonight. We’re going to need it.”

“Well in that case I’m going to Ichiraku’s for some ramen with Ayame.” Naruto replied, “Anyone want to come with?”

“No thanks.” Sakura said while Sasuke responded, “I’m good.”

Naruto shoulders dropped. “I swear trying to get you guys to go to Ichiraku’s with me is like trying to pull a giant boulder up a mountain with your teeth.” He muttered as he skulked away.  

--

Ayame and Naruto happily slurped at their ramen as their mountain of used bowls just grew larger and larger. Behind the counter Teuchi and his daughter smiled approvingly at the two as they prepared their next bowl.

“So I hear Kakashi signed you guys up for the Chunin Exams.” Ayame said as she pushed away her finished bowl and waited for the next one.

“Yep.” Naruto answered, doing the same. “And just you watch I’m gonna win the whole thing and become a chunin.” Ayame smiled at the blonde’s declaration as their next bowls of ramen were set before them. “Hey Ayame, what were the Chunin Exams like when you guys took them?”

“We actually took them in Kiri, so I imagine it was a bit different than how it is here.” Ayame started, “Hokori and I didn’t advance that time, we received field promotions not too long afterwards actually, but Arashi shined like a fucking star in those exams. I remember during the final rounds for the exams his opponent flooded the arena they used, and Arashi, I shit you not, laughed as he did this one jutsu that turned the entire thing into a whirlpool. With the entire arena now a swirling vortex, Arashi would dive under the water, let the current take him and pop out of the water in random places to surprise his foe. Poor bastard never knew what hit her.” Ayame paused a moment to eat some of her noodles, “That was actually where he got his nickname, The Maelstrom of Konoha.”

“How come I don’t remember this?” Naruto asked, raking through his brain for the foggiest recollection of these events.

“You were like two years old Naruto.” Ayame told him. “Arashi had to leave you with the Hokage whenever he had to leave the village for a mission.”

The two were silent for a moment as they both started on their fresh bowls. “So is there anything you can tell me about the Exams to give me an edge?”

Ayame smiled, “Oh yeah I could tell you loads of things about the Exams that would make the first two stages child’s play for you.” She said nothing else as she slurped up more noodles. Naruto waited patiently for about thirty seconds or so for her to continue.

“Well?” he prodded.

Ayame looked at him confused, “Well what?”

“Aren’t you gonna tell me about the exams?”

“Oh… Nope.”

“But you just said you would.” Naruto pointed an accusing finger at her.
“No I said I could tell you all about the exams.” Ayame said, stressing the word could. “I never once said that I would.” Naruto glared at Ayame as the one eyed woman casually finished the bowl in front of her. When she noticed the glare she laughed, “What’s with the look? You’d best go and prepare yourself for the exams. Trust me, those five days will sneak past you before you know it and you’ll find yourself before the very gates of Hell.” Naruto’s lips pouted as he reached for his wallet, “Oh don’t worry about it. I’ll cover you this time.”

Naruto’s face softened as he nodded his thanks. As the young blonde departed, Ayame reached for her own wallet and pulled out enough money for the rather large bill the two of them accrued and a generous tip.

--

Karin Uzumaki’s mouth hung wide open as she wandered the streets of Konoha with her teammates, Kado and Torren following closely behind her. Kado wore a dark green shirt and light blue pants. His long scarlet hair was pulled into a ponytail and wore his Uzushio headband tied around his right arm. Torren wore a long sleeved grey shirt with their clan symbol printed on both shoulders and black pants, his own red hair was kept short and trimmed and he wore his Uzushio band proudly on his brow. Karin wore a tan vest over a light purple shirt and black shorts, her light red hair hung freely to her shoulders and like Torren she wore her Uzushio headband on her brow.

“Have you ever seen a place this big?” Karin asked her teammates.

“Not really.” Torren admitted, “But this is the first time any of us have been to one of the big five villages. Presumably Suna, Iwa, Kiri, and Kumo are just as big.”

“My father said Kiri was the largest village he’d ever seen.” Kado supplied. “Don’t know if he’d ever been here at Konoha but from what he says he got around a lot as a kid.”

“She didn’t ask if your father had seen any place bigger, she asked you ya moron.” Torren scolded.

“It’s kind of a stupid question.” Kado said. “We’ve only left Uzushio together and have therefore all seen the same places. Karin should know better.”

“I was being rhetorical you idiots.” Karin told the two boys, pushing her glasses back up.

“I wonder what Lord Arashikage would think of this place.” Torren said trying to ease some tension.

Kado chuckled, “You know he hates it when you call him that.”

“He hates it when anyone calls him that.” Karin corrected, “Which is of course why we all do it.”
The three Uzumaki genin all laughed as they imagined the man in question’s sour face at being called his unwanted nickname. Although he wasn’t the true leader of the Uzumaki Clan or their recently founded village, Lady Senkai had made it clear multiple times that she had wanted the man to be the leader of both. As such she, and the rest of the village, had taken to calling him Lord Arashikage, The Storm Shadow, and he hated it.

“Anyway, I think I heard Kurma-Sensei say that Lord Arashikage, was actually from Konoha.” Kado interjected between laughs.

“If so then that would make a trip here a sort of homecoming for him wouldn’t it?” Torren put in.

“Would certainly explain why he was so disappointed Lady Senkai wouldn’t allow him to come.” Karin responded, her smile turning thoughtful. ‘If this is his home village then could that mean there are more Uzumaki here too? What if we found them and brought them back to Uzushio with us?' These thoughts distracted Karin enough where she didn’t hear Kado warn her as she bumped into someone. “Oh my, I’m so sorry.” She blurted out, her cheeks becoming as red as her hair.

When she looked up to see who she had bumped into, she found herself looking at a tall boy in a full black body suit, with purple markings on his face, and a strange black hat that had the Suna Gourd forehead protector sewn onto it. On his back was something wrapped in so many bandages, Karin thought it might be a mummy. Next to him was a blonde girl in a light purple dress, with her hair pulled into four ponytails, her Suna headband tied around her neck, and a gigantic fan strapped to her back.

“Hey Temari would you get a look at this.” The boy said, glaring at the three Uzumaki genin, “A trio of brats who need to be taught some manners.”

--

Sakura had been standing completely still for about fifteen minutes before she had finally worked up her courage. Swallowing her apprehension, the pink haired girl reached forward and knocked on the door in front of her. Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited for the door to open up.

“Huh Sakura? What is it?” Sasuke asked once he opened the door.

“Hey Sasuke. Can I talk to you for a bit?” Sakura asked.

“Uh sure. Come inside.” Sasuke stepped aside to allow her into his home. Sakura reddened at Sasuke’s offer but steeled herself and stepped inside the Uchiha’s home.

‘Huh, if Ino were seeing this she’d have a heart attack.’ Sakura thought with a small smile. She was surprised to see how spartan Sasuke’s home was. He had very few amenities, just a single picture of his mother and father sat on a coffee table.

“Go ahead and take the seat.” Sasuke said gesturing to the single chair in the room, “I’ll be right back.” Sakura say down on the chair as Sasuke left the room, only to return a few moments later with another chair in one hand, and two glasses of water in the other. He set the chair down across from her and sat on it as he offered her one of the glasses. “So what did you want to talk about?”

Sakura’s heart thundered as she tried to clear her throat. She downed the water Sasuke had provided before speaking. “Sasuke,” she started, “Do you think I’m ready for the Chunin Exams?”

Sasuke blinked once in surprise. “Why are you asking me?”

“Because I know Naruto would just say that I am, and he’d believe it to, but he always believes that we can do anything, so it’s not exactly the most honest of opinions. And I know Kakashi said that he wouldn’t recommend us if he didn’t think…”

“Sorry,” Sasuke interrupted, “I didn’t mean why you aren’t asking the others. I meant, why you are asking anyone at all?” Sakura gave the Uchiha a confused look. “Sakura, nobody knows what you are capable of more than yourself. You shouldn’t be asking other people if they think you’re ready, you should be asking yourself.”

Sakura was silent for a moment as she considered what Sasuke said. “I’m not sure if I’m ready for these exams.” She finally admitted.

Sasuke nodded before taking a sip of his water. “Well the exams don’t start for another five days. We’ll spend the time training and if by the end of the fourth day you’re still not sure of yourself, don’t take the exams.”

Sakura nodded as she stood from her chair. Sasuke stood with her and guided her to the door. Once she was outside Sakura turned around as was closing the door. “Sasuke?”

Sasuke paused, “Yeah?”

“You never answered my question.” She said, “Do you think I’m ready for the exams?”

Sasuke smiled, “Yes, yes I do.” And with that he closed the door.    

--

Naruto strolled down the streets of Konoha, happily patting his full belly. As he walked a loud crash met his ears. Shortly afterwards a young man, about his age with red hair, slammed through a wooden fence and into the wall in front of him.

“Are you alright?” Naruto asked as he rushed over to help the boy up. He wore a dark green shirt and light blue pants and had his long red hair tied in a ponytail. Naruto didn’t recognized the symbol on his headband tied around his arm but thought that it was similar to his clan’s symbol. The redhead was up on his feet in an instant and looked about ready to charge back where he just came from. The boy spared a glance at Naruto and upon seeing his Konoha headband, smirked.

“Oh great, reinforcements have arrived.” He said.

“Huh?” Naruto was about to ask what he meant but the redhead grabbed him by his wrist and pulled him with him.

“Come on.” The red haired boy said, “These two are tougher than we thought.”

“What are you talking about?” Naruto asked just as a small battle came into view. Two more redheaded genin, one boy and one girl, were facing off between a blonde girl with a giant fan and another boy in black with a large wooden puppet. “Oh.” Acting on instinct, Naruto leapt forward and kicked the strange puppet as it lunged for the red haired girl. The wooden combatant flew backwards before being pulled back to its owner on invisible strings. The small skirmish stopped immediately as all the combatants looked to Naruto as he created two shadow clones.

“What are you doing getting in the way?” the boy with the puppet growled.

“What the hell is going on here?” Naruto asked in response, as his clones readied themselves for a fight.

“Just trying to teach these three brats some manners.”

“Brats?” the red haired girl questioned. “I apologized for bumping into you, you pajama wearing, jackass!”

“What’d you just call me?” the black garbed boy growled as his blonde companion brought her fan into a ready stance.

“Kankuro, Temari, that’s enough.” A new voice called. The entire group turned to see another red haired boy with dark rings under his eyes and a large gourd strapped to his back, standing upside down on a tree branch.

“Ga-Gaara?” the boy, Kankuro stuttered, “I-I was just…”

Temari picked up for Kankuro, “These three attacked us and then the fourth showed up and…”

“Shut up or else I’ll kill you both myself.” Gaara cut them both off coldly, before disappearing from his branch and reappearing in the midst of the group. The Suna redhead stared at Naruto and the others for a moment before speaking again. “I apologize for my brother and Sister’s actions. Please excuse us.”

Naruto just stared at the Suna genin utterly flabbergasted as his clones dispersed. ‘First he threatens to kill his own brother and sister over a petty squabble, then he politely apologizes to total strangers. What’s up with this guy?’ Naruto watched as Gaara walked right past him followed by his, now cowed, brother and sister. He turned to follow them and watched as the three red haired genin he’d assisted gave the three Suna genin a wide berth.

“Hey.” Naruto called out causing the Suna genin to pause. “Just who are you?”

“I’m Gaara of the Desert.” He introduced himself as he turned around. “I admit, I’m curious to know who you are as well.”

“I’m Naruto Uzumaki.” Naruto reciprocated, “You’re here for the chunin exams right?” Gaara nodded in response. “In that case I hope I get to face off against you at some point.” In that moment nothing else existed, not the three red haired genin nor Gaara’s siblings. In that moment there was only Naruto and Gaara, and while Gaara didn’t respond, at least not verbally, Naruto felt a crushing pressure wash over him. Naruto immediately recognized it as an untamable bloodlust, but with something else mixed in. Excitement perhaps. Despite the bloodlust, Naruto found himself smiling in response.

“I look forward to testing my existence against yours.” Gaara said before he and his siblings departed.

--

“Did, did you say your name was Uzumaki?” Karin asked once the Suna genin had left. Naruto turned to look at her and her team with a large smile on his face.

“That’s right.” He confirmed holding out his hand. “I’m Naruto Uzumaki, future Hokage of Konoha.”
Karin smiled wide as she turned to her teammates. “Torren, Kado, did you hear that. He’s an Uzumaki like us.”

“Like us?” Naruto questioned, “Then you mean?”

“I’m Karin, and this is Torren and Kado of the Uzumaki Clan of Uzushio.” Karin happily introduced herself and her teammates.

“Uzumaki Clan? Uzushio?” Naruto repeated slowly as realization dawned on him.

“Yeah. There’s a whole village of…” Torren started before he was interrupted by Naruto suddenly breaking into a sob. “Uh… Are you ok?”

“All this time I thought I was alone.” Naruto sobbed, “That I was the only one left.”

Karin exchanged a look between her two teammates before all three of them pulled their sobbing clan mate into hug. “It’s ok Naruto, you’ll never be alone again.” She promised him.