38 Chunin Exams Begin

Team 7 was going to stay in the Land of Snow for another day; their boat would be ready to carry them back to Konoha when the princess had finished settling into her new role. Kibo smiled, as they walked away he told Sasuke he had something to talk to him about in private.

Sasuke stayed back as Kibo handed him the egg. He also pinched off a piece of the Phoenix tear, while handing it to him together with the Star Chamber Relic. When they reached his hands, Kibo forced Sasuke to crush it while saying "I always thought birds suited you better than snakes." before he knew what happened the seals on the egg came undone and it vanished, creating a Star Chamber inside of him.

Sasuke was about to ask what just happened, when the Phoenix tear began nurturing the egg, a crack formed on the surface of the shell. A loud 'Chirp' rumbled trough out Sasuke's body as the realm filled up with powerful gales, and high stone cliffs and trees, between the massive canyons ran rivers that stretched out into infinity, tornadoes, squalls, and powerful blades of wind appeared as they grew stronger the higher one went in altitude. When suddenly a ten foot Golden Roc spread its wings experiencing the joys of finally being born, he was flying wildly in his new territory and letting out elated cries.

Sasuke was breathless as he felt a powerful surge of Golden Chakra enter his lower Dantian and begin changing his physique slightly, he noticed that his Sharingan didn't have the usual red tint to his vision, instead it was now gold. Kibo looked into his eyes as he saw the crimson color fade, and be replaced by a metallic golden shine, the tomoe, and the ring connecting them remained black, but the rest of his iris was pure flawless gold. Kibo wondered what changes would be made to the Sharingan, but he could only wait for Sasuke to find out himself.

Sasuke was busy watching the Roc soar in this world that had opened up inside of his consciousness, when the giant bird flew down in his direction; Sasuke was about to get into a defensive position when the Roc landed in front of him bowing and shouting. "Master!"

Sasuke looked puzzled as he moved closer to the Roc and not only saw, but felt the immense Chakra rolling off of it. If Kibo was invited in, he would have mentioned that it was just slightly weaker than the Shukaku, as it should be after all it was just a baby, but it had tremendous growth potential. Sasuke placed his hand on the bird's warm soft feathers, when the Roc looked to him and said, "I need a name master." Sasuke thought of one and said, "Garuda! Your name is Garuda." The Roc chirped happily as it flew around in the great storms like it was nothing.

Kibo tapped on the top of Sasuke's head bringing him back to reality, ". . . asuke did you hear me? I said well how do you like your new partner?" Sasuke shook his head as he realized his Sharingan was gold now, "What did you do to me?" Sasuke asked while holding his head, Kibo smiled and replied "I gave you an Ancient Chakra Beast that can grow along side you in power, the place that appeared inside your mindscape is a separate plane of existence, when the Golden Roc grows strong enough he will unlock his ancestors memories. When that happens feel free to ask him all you want to, but until then you have to keep helping him grow stronger."

Sasuke scratched his head, "Why me?" Kibo laughed and replied "Because Naruto and I already have partners, and the Golden Roc suited you more, I just didn't want this to go to waste." Sasuke looked surprised, "You guy have something like this too?" Kibo nodded his head and said, "I'll let you meet them some time."

Sasuke knew he was stronger now, and that this symbiotic partnership would bring endless benefits, but he couldn't help but wonder what Kibo's aim was, "What are you up to Kibo?" Kibo thought for a second and then decided to clue him in, "Along, looong time ago, people trained in a similar fashion, these people called themselves Cultivators, they trained not to become Ninjas, but what they call, Immortals. I want to bring back the Immortal clans of earth, without us this planet is defenseless against invading beings." Kibo sighed and continued "What happened to the Immortals was devastating, they lost the war against the invading race, and almost all knowledge of their practices was lost in the ensuing chaos.

Kibo scratched his head and continued after seeing the amazed look on Sasuke's face, "I want the future Immortal Uchiha Clan, Uzumaki Clan, and who ever I deem worthy to join us in defending the planet." Kibo left out the next step which is to achieve godhood, but he thought he had said enough for now, he was imagining the look on the army of Ōtsutsuki Clan members return, he could see them now as they learn that not only has Kaguya failed her mission, but also that the Immortals they took so long to wipe out have returned.

Kibo laughed as he walked away, when Sasuke asked, "Wait! How do I help it grow stronger?" Kibo turned his head and looked over his shoulder before saying, "Get stronger yourself, it's a two way street now." Sasuke stood back trying to take this all in.

Kibo had returned to the rest of the group when Sasuke finally started to follow, along the way Kibo had noticed they way Sasuke looked himself and Naruto had changed greatly; there was a look of respect witha bit of competitiveness. They spent the night inside the castle and were met by Koyuki at the dock the next morning, she informed them that the generator was a prototype, and that the snow would come back eventually, but if they worked on it a bit; the Land of Snow might be renamed as the Land of Spring in the near future. Sakura looked down as she said, "It's a shame; I was looking forward to more of your movies." Koyuki laughed and replied while holding on to a script, "Just because I'm the Daimyo now doesn't mean I've given up acting."

Kakashi and Karin were pointing at Koyuki and the script in disbelief as they both said, "That script?! She's perfect for the role!" Kakashi surprised by Karin's outburst asked "You're a fan?" Karin gave a thumb up and said, "It was my dads, I just picked up the habit." Kibo thought it all made sense now, Jiraiya's to blame!

The script she was holding was none other than Kakashi and apparently Karin's favorite novel, Icha Icha Paradise.

The group came back to Konoha and the first thing they decided to do was take a break, Kibo desperately wanted to put down his forge, but he was settled on using the Land of Sky as his new village, with some modification it could surely become a true Village Hidden Among the Stars. It would also be the location of the 1st Immortal Village since the Pre-Shinobi era, Kibo wondered what the world would be like after he builds his village, he didn't expect Naruto to remain as the Hokage forever, even if Sasuke took the title it wouldn't last, he wanted them all to join his village as part of the Immortal Clans, because eventually they would eventually reach the peak of the mortal realm, and be in need of a greater place to train to reach the Immortal level.

Kibo dropped his pen on the thick stack of paper that had hundreds of drawn blueprints, he was working on what looked like a new Chakra armor design, he rubbed his temple and walked over to his window while sighing he said "It should be starting soon." He looked towards the Kage's office as the group of Jonin appeared next to Sarutobi, "Seeing whom I invited here, you may be able to guess what we're here to discuss." Sarutobi blew out a puff of grey smoke, and looked to the gathered Jonins in front of him, when Kakashi said, "Is it that time already?"

Standing next to Kakashi was a handsome ninja know as Genma, he had brown, shoulder length hair which hangs down the sides of his face, a well defined facial structure, and deep brown eyes. He wore the same standard Jonin flak jacket and uniform as the rest, but wore his forehead protector like a bandanna; a single senbon needle was hanging from his mouth. As he chewed on the senbon he said, "Have you informed the lords of the other villages yet? Because I've already seen some of their Genin's running around."

"One week from today!" The Hokage answered, when another Jonin asked "Isn't this rather sudden?" The Hokage exhaled another breath of smoke as he said, "To make it official, I hereby announce that 7 days from now, on July 1st we shall begin the Chunin Exams." Every Jonin saluted and shouted "Yes Hokage Sama!"

"Now then I'd like to hear from those who have overseen the training for our youngest recruits, Kakashi, Asuma, Itachi come forth." Sarutobi said as the Jonin's followed, when they were 5 feet away he asked, "Well are there any Genin amongst your squad that you'd recommend for this year's Chunin exams?"

Iruka who was standing with the rest of the Jonin, thought that it was too soon for those kids to take the exam when Kakashi stood forward and said, "Cell number 7 consist of Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Kibo Hoshi, Karin Uzumaki, and Hinata Hyuga. I vow upon the honor my clan, the Hatake that all 6 of them are ready for the exams. Itachi and Asuma said the same things as Iruka suddenly shouted, "Please forgive me Hokage, but these kids were part of my class, I think it's too soon for them."

Kakashi turned to Iruka and said, "I was 6 years younger than Naruto when I first became a Chunin." Iruka then shouted that, "Naruto's not you." Then Kakashi smiled as he said, "I know he's better. Naruto has completed 20 C Ranked missions, 15 B Rank missions, 1 A Rank mission, 1 S Rank mission, and hundreds of F, and D, rank missions." Iruka paused, and most of the people in the room gasped, "Everyone else on my team has performed similarly as well, have some trust in him, Naruto's ready." With this said Iruka started to calm down.

Meanwhile Naruto was playing Ninja with Konohamaru and his little group, when the kid ran into a sand ninja dressed in all black; On his back was a human sized wrapped up object, the top of it seemed to have hair coming out of it, the teen boy was wearing a Bunraku puppeteer's costume, which consisted of a black and baggy full body suit with a red and yellow half circle on the front outlined in a white ring. He also wore a black hood which covered his head completely, and had cat-like ears pointing from the top; his forehead protector was part of the hood as it sat at the center on his forehead., on his face was thick coat of face paint that had a Kubuki style design, his eyes were pitch black and glowed with an annoyed light.

He looked down at Konohamaru, and picked him up by the collar of his shirt, before saying, "That hurt you little snot." Naruto looked at with a dark look when he said, "Put him down." The man in black looked over and said, "Make me." as he tried to lift the kid up and wave him in front of Naruto, he realized that Konohamaru had vanished from his grasp; he then looked over to see Naruto standing with the kid in his arms, "When did you?"

"Who are you? What's a Sand Village member doing here? You're one of Konoha's allies but according to our treaty Sunagakure Shinobi aren't allowed to pass the boarder without permission. State your business, if I don't like what I hear, well let's just say; I can't very well let you act like you own the place." Naruto put Konohamaru down and faced Kankuro.

"Kankuro knock it off, and we have permission to be here!" The girl standing next to Kankuro started to talk, she had teal colored eyes and blonde hair that match the color of pristine sand, her long hair was gathered into four consecutive pigtails facing the four corners of her had. Her outfit consists of a single light purple colored, off-the-shoulders button up garment that extended to halfway down her thighs, and single scarlet sash was tied around her thin waist. In addition to incorporating fishnet chain mail, that was worn over her shoulders and legs, right calf and left thigh, she also wore her black Sunagakure forehead protector around her neck.

The young lady looked at Naruto and said "My name is Temari and this is Kankuro my brother, were here because we'll be taking part in this year's Chunin exams." She smiled with an expression of superiority, as she held out a leather case with clear plastic cover that showed her travel papers inside.

While Naruto looked over it as Sakura and Sasuke could be seen walking up behind him, "Yo! Naruto." Sasuke said with a wave, "Need a hand?" Naruto looked back at the Sunagakure Genin, when a gust of sand appeared in front of the two, "Kankuro you're a disgrace, it annoys me that you'd lose control over a quarrel with children." A fair skinned boy appeared from out the sand, he had green pupil-less eyes that had tanuki-like black rings around them, he had no eye brows and the kanji for 'Love' on the left side of his fore head, his hair was a short spiky auburn red color, and his bangs barely hung over his hairline.

He wore a black body suit with an open neck, with t-shirt like sleeves, and almost full-length leggings. A single lose white cloth draped over his right shoulder and the left side of his hips. He had his Sunagakure forehead protector wrapped around a wide leather band, that stretched from his left shoulder to his right hip, attached to it was a body sized sand gourd that hanged from his back.

"But Gaara they started it, it was the kid who bumped into me!" Kankuro tried to defend himself when Gaara sent his killing intent to the max, "Silence, or I'll kill you!" Suddenly Kurama stirred and said, "Naruto I smell Shukaku coming from that boy!" Naruto gasped, "The Ichibi?" He looked to Gaara and saw something he recognized in his eyes, when Gaara said "I'm sorry for my siblings, we arrived a bit early, but we didn't come to play around." Gaara looked over Naruto and said, "You name is?"

"Naruto Uzumaki. Yours?" Gaara looked to him and said in a plane manner, "Gaara of the Sand."