Ninja's hero

"I still can't believe Izuku chose to go training today," Sakura sighed as she, Naruto and Sasuke walked through Konoha. "I get that his Primal chakra is immense and everything but, surely he could relax for one day,"

"Izuku never relaxes," Sasuke put his hands in his pocket, "If he relaxes he stagnates, if he stagnates he falls, if he falls he loses, and Izuku never loses,"

"So you do the math," Naruto shook his head, "He never loses, so he never stagnates, he never stagnates so he never relaxes, Izubro is a maniac dude, ever since Zabuza, he's been talking to Kakashi about syncing chakra, whatever that means,"

"It means kit," Kurama had pulled him into the mindscape. "That when he uses his chakra for an attack he can combine it with another ninja's to boost the attack," Naruto flashed back to Kakashi's Chidori being taken by his brother's Rasengan. "Yes much like that Izuku would also be able to steal an opponents jutsu and throw it back at them!"

"AWESOME! My brother sure is cool huh Kurama?!"

"He is indeed Kit, very cool," The giant fox relented. The two smiled before Naruto returned to the real world. A trio of small children appeared.

"Naruto! I challenge you to a fight!"

"Konohamaru?" The blond stared at the boy, dressed in a green jacket and brown trousers. A comically over-sized dark blue scarf wrapped around his neck several times before trailing dramatically behind him several metres. "You want to challenge me?"

"Yeah, if I'm going to be Hokage,"

"You'll need to work a lot faster squirt," Sasuke shook his head. "I know Naruto trained you in his free time but you got miles to go yet,"

"W-wha... Who are you?!"

"Uchiha Sasuke, how's your shurikenjutsu? Taijutsu? Or do you focus on just Ninjutsu?"

"Uh, well,"

"Sasuke's right I'm afraid Konohamaru, unless you've been working on your fighting and shurikenjutsu, you won't stand a chance against me," The blond jammed a thumb against his chest. "So you gotta work harder than ever got it?! Because I won't accept anything less from my rival!"

"You got it big bro Naruto!" The children turned around and began running away.

"Who is that Naruto?" Sakura asked him.

"Third's grandson, he wants to be Hokage so people acknowledge him instead of who his grandfather is, asked me to teach him but I called him my rival to get more out of him,"

CRASH

"Ow," The three ran to the corner Konohamaru went around. Naruto flicked his hand and Sasuke's footsteps disappeared.

"Little brat," A voice growled. Naruto saw Konohamaru being picked up by a boy in a black body suit with a hood pulled over his head and two ear like protrusions at the top.

"What are you doing here?" He struck a battle stance "And what are you doing to that child?"

"I was walking and minding my own business when the brat ran into me," The boy shook Konohamaru "So I was going to teach him a lesson,"

"You're Sunagakure Gennin, so you ain't going to do shit here buddy," Naruto growled

"Be careful kit there's a powerful chakra nearby"

"Thanks for the warning Kurama," His vision refocused to the Gennin from Sunagakure. The boy smirked.

"Oh? And what are you going to do about it?" A pebble was kicked to his head.

SHING

It bounced from a kunai and landed in Naruto's hand.

"We aren't going to do anything you're not asking for," Sasuke's voice came from a nearby tree, "Don't think you're stronger than us, don't forget we are hosting the exams," He joined the group on the street. The boy stepped backwards.

"Kankuro!" A voice snapped "What are you doing?"

"Teaching some brats manners," He barked back to a blonde haired girl carrying a large fan on her back. 

"Really Kankuro?"

"Shitheads want to fight already Temari!" The blonde grabbed her fan and it stretched out.

"Oh? Maybe this will suffice," A gust of wind was suddenly sent towards Naruto and the group. They prepared for the shock but it never hit.

"I was hoping I didn't have to get involved just yet," Izuku's voice rang out as he held up a hand. Both Temari and Kankuro stared in shock. "It was simple creating a wind with enough power to render yours null, I'm glad the flare kunai work, nice job Sakura," The pinkette nodded. "I'll explain that in a moment, but before we get to that, care to explain why you two are walking around Konoha unsupervised?"

"We're allowed,"

"No you aren't, Kankuro," Izuku's tone was one of warning, something Naruto had never heard before. "You are visiting from Sunagakure to take part in the Chunin exams, either act accordingly to represent your village or we will kick you out and you will be responsible for your entire class failing this year,"

"Yeah, right, like a Konoha Gennin will make a," Izuku interrupted Kankuro with a heavy sigh.

"Sasuke, Naruto," The two reached into their pockets, while Izuku took something off his upper arm. "I was hoping we wouldn't have to wear these just yet but," All three began putting their headbands on. "We three are actually Chunin, we're taking part in the exam to help our team mate don't worry we'll be wearing weights so your ego isn't too bruised at the end," 

"So you stole some headbands, we ain't going to,"

"TEMARI, KANKURO!" A voice barked out.

'Large chakra incoming' Kurama warned 'Wait, I recognize this chakra, it cannot be, Shukkaku?'

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing Gaara," Kankuro growled.

"Such contempt," Izuku tutted, "And to think, he's the One tail's Jinchurinki," People gasped in shock. "What? We have the nine tails sure but we need to make sure that we know the enemies and allies of the village,"

"You got the nine tails?" Kankuro spat, "I bet they're a murderous rampaging loony that's been locked up in a cell underground," He taunted "After all that Jinchurinki is holding the most insane of all Tailed beasts,"

"That beast's name is Kurama and I am that Jinchuriki," Naruto ground his teeth. "Uzumaki Naruto, chunin of the hidden leaf," The sand siblings all took a step backwards. 

"Uchiha Sasuke, last surviving Uchiha with two tomoe Sharingan, chunin of the hidden leaf," Izuku took a step forwards.

"Uzumaki Izuku, Primal chakra user, Kekki Genkai stealer, chunin of the hidden leaf,"

"Bloodline Limit stealer?!" Temari gasped "Impossible,"

"Well I've only stolen, Yuki clan's ice release and Senju wood release, but mainly it's just the nature transformation bloodline limits," Izuku smirked "I have to be diligent in chakra control otherwise it'd overtake my mind, sound like someone you know Gaara?"

"Impossible?"

"What Shukkaku giving you nightmares? He was the most loud mouthed of the Tailed beasts if the stories are to be believed,"

"You know it's name?"

"No I know his name and I also know that he couldn't do anything he's saying he'll do, especially because if you die, he dies too,"

"WHAT DID THAT BRAT SAY ABOUT ME?!" A high pitched voice screamed in Naruto's mind as he was forcibly dragged into the mindscape. Behind him stood Kurama, which was different but in front of him stood a very fearful Gaara and a giant creature made out of sand.

"SILENCE SHUKKAKU!" Kurama barked, unusual for any fox except this one. "You have been torturing this boy for years! What is the meaning of this?!"

"Kurama? Have you gone docile on me?"

"Shukkaku, you have one chance and one chance alone to explain yourself,"

"I'm tired of being locked up! I wanna let loose for once!"

"AND TORTURING A CHILD WAS YOUR SOLUTION?!" Naruto was once again reminded why he enjoyed having Kurama as an ally. 

"Uzumaki, what is the meaning of this?" Gaara barked.

"I'd love to know too Gaara, I've only ever been in the mindscape with Kurama, probably has something to do with how the chakra of the Tailed Beasts is all linked," The blond shrugged. "What has this guy been doing to you?"

"I can't sleep, he'll overtake my body and kill everyone I've sworn to protect, every time I try to help I just hinder them,"

"Shukkau~~," Kurama growled lowly. The One Tail looked nervous Naruto folded his arms "Don't worry kit, this great lummox won't do anything that he's threatened to do,"

"How do you know that Nine Tails?" Gaara looked up in desperation.

"Two reasons, number one he may deny it but he's grown attached to you, all Tailed Beasts get attached to their Jinchurikis at some point, number two you're going to start conversing with him and working together,"

"KURAMA!"

"Shukkaku," Naruto glared at the tailed beast, "You'll be working, together,"

"YOU BRAT!"

"Test me Shukkaku, I don't need Kurama's help to kick your ass," The fox behind him huffed in amusement. "Hell Sasuke and Izuku could kick your ass with a hand behind their backs,"

"Kit I wouldn't get too arrogant,"

"You're right, sorry Kurama, Sasuke and Izuku would be able to fight him though,"

"True, especially with the Sharigan and the nature transformations,"

"Kurama I sense a powerful chakra nearby, is another beast near?"

"No that is Primal chakra, similar to the chakra of the Ten Tails, do you remember? The green haired kit houses the power,"

"Impossible, a child carrying such power, he seems almost as strong as I am!"

"He's still working on masking his chakra presence, before every sensory ninja was on him when he was alone, apparently they thought he was the jinchuriki just because his chakra dwarfs Kurama's," Naruto smirked "My bro has some serious ass kicking capabilities,"

"No, that can't be true!" Gaara stepped back towards Shukkaku.

"It is, the boy seems to possess chakra stronger than any I've ever seen, he claims his biological mother has incredible power and it was passed on to him, Ninjutsu is the only way he can use it for some reason," Kurama nodded 

"Yeah Izubro is powerful! But I'm going to be stronger than him!"

"How can you be so confident?"

"Because I won't go back on my word, that's my ninja way," He spoke with a smile "So I'll never give up,"

"You and I, we aren't alike, you don't know suffering,"

"You got parents?"

"No, mom died the day I was born, dad doesn't much think of me as a son more of a weapon,"

"Both dead the day I was born, Sasuke has no family since they were killed when we were seven and Izuku ran away from his abusive group," Naruto shook his head. "There's a lot of stories out there, some people suffer more, some suffer less, some don't even suffer at all and some never get a break, but that can't be helped," A gentle shrug, "You can't let what happens to you define you, what defines you is what you decide to do, who you decide to be after the dust has settled, do you wanna hurt them after everything they've put you through?"

"No,"

"Then you're okay," Another shrug, "Your suffering doesn't define you, what you choose to do after that defines who you are," They slipped back into the real world. "If you know you want to protect people even after what you've gone through, you're an Uzumaki through and through!"

"But you are a clan of two?"

"Be that as it may," Izuku took over, "We are also the heads of the clan considering it's just the two of us left and given that I'm adopted, we aren't putting importance of blood or genetic relations, so long as you've got a good heart, a kind mind and the strength to protect those you care about, you're welcome to ask or accept our invitation to be an Uzumaki, so what do you say Gaara?" The greenette offered a hand.

"Care to be an Uzumaki?"

"I can't believe him!" Izuku cried "After everything we do, everything we've done he still screws us over!" Several kunai were embedded into the wall mounted target, Izuku's way of venting. It was littered with dents and scratches as his peripheral aim improved. Sasuke calmly pulled all three out as he stood beside the target.

"Let's face it, we knew he'd pull something like this,"

"Yeah but it wouldn't hurt to be wrong for once," Naruto complained "Sarutobi should just act like a fucking leader again,"

"Language!" Three more kunai in the target.

"Come on dude!" The blond threw his arms forwards as he sat upside down on the sofa. "We're all angry and upset!"

"Yes but you start swearing and you won't stop, Shisui always said swearing is the sign of a limited vocabulary,"

"A poor man's adjectives," Sasuke tacked on. "Sarutobi knew what he was doing, he's been setting us up the entire time, firstly he knew we wouldn't fight if we went to the academy, then he knows the mission is going to be harder than it seems, now Chunin exams are team based and Sakura can't pass if her team doesn't take part,"

"All too convenient," Izuku snarled, Naruto began sensing something rolling off him, by Sasuke's body language, the Uchiha did too.

'His chakra is seeping through, he is losing control of it'

'What does that mean?'

'Put simply he will go into a blind rage, calm him now,' The blond sighed and looked at his brother.

"Yo, we're all mad, it ain't going to help now anyhow, we may as well just take the exam and get it over with, afterwards he'll have no choice but to promote us to Jounin, where we should be," His words lingered for a second.

"I still don't see why Hiruzen did this," Warning lights went wild in Naruto's head. Using Gramp Third's first name was a big sign Izuku was reigning in some serious fury.

"Nor do we," Sasuke shook his head as he returned the kunai, to the greenette, "But we just have to accept it, then we can get it done and put it behind us," A very heavy sign.

"Alright, yeah, okay, that sounds fair after the exam we'll have put it behind us so things will be okay," His tone changed as he took a deep breath in. Naruto and Sasuke relaxed as Izuku calmed down. "I'm still furious though,"

Naruto stared at the sign above the door, squinting ever so slightly. He then turned to look out of the window and gazed at a tree. "I think he's picking up on it," Izuku quipped. Sasuke chuckled.

"Yeah, maybe,"

"Low level, wide effect right," The blond grumbled. "Isn't it?"

"Yeah," The greenette sighed. "Come on, let's bounce,"

"Wait, what? We're just giving up?"

"If they're not letting us in there it's not where we need to be," Naruto shrugged as he grabbed Sakura's wrist. Slowly he led her out of the crowd with Sasuke and Izuku in front of him, scrutinizing the entire hall.

"We're out of ear shot, go for it," Izuku mumbled.

"It was a genjutsu," Naruto whispered to the pinkette. "Izubro,"

"Do not call me that,"

"Izubro and Sasuke can see through it because of their Sharigans, they're training me up to see it, we think Kurama could give me some chakra to snap me out of it but I need to identify it before I can do that," She nodded in understanding. "They can train you too but you'll need a different way to escape it,"

"Outside pain or chakra interference," Izuku dropped into the conversation. "Or just stick with us, I know for a fact Naruto will cover your six,"

"You bet I will, I swore to protect all my team mates!" He boasted proudly. "As well as everyone that I care for,"

"I'll save the rest," Izuku lifted a hand up.

"And I'll bail you two out when shit goes sideways," Sasuke was immediately cuffed around the head. "Yeah, yeah, language,"

"Then I'll heal everyone that's hurt!" Sakura declared. The blond looked to her. "Well," She began explaining, "If you and Izuku are rescuing people while Sasuke fights, then I'll help the ones that are hurt by healing them,"

"Rational," He shrugged at his brother's single word response.

"It makes sense, and then while you're healing people Izubro and I can go help out Sasuke,"

"That name is never going to drop is it?" Izuku groaned.

"Never, ever," Naruto cackled as the greenette sighed in defeat. They made their way to the correct room and sat down. Soon enough other examinees had clued in and moved to the right room. The exam proctor coughed. "Right, wannabes, you got an hour and fifteen to answer the nine questions in front of you, we see you cheating three times you will fail along with your team, your team score will be used to decide if you should pass or fail, if anyone of your team gets a zero you will all fail, question ten will be posed at the end and you will have forty-five minutes to answer it, now begin!" Panic set in. People began scribbling furiously. He looked around to see Sasuke smiling arrogantly, just behind him Izuku was seen almost suffering just behind him. The greenette seemed close to crying as his hands mimicked wringing Sasuke's neck. His brother calmed down before looking to Naruto.

'I... I just, he has not studied a single thing!' Izuku mentally wailed.

'Seriously?' Naurto turned to face forwards 'Well I can not say I am surprised,'

'You feeling good with it?'

'If I need help I will adjust my protector,'

'Got it moving to Sakura now,' He watched the pinkette sit up straighter and looked around. Flashing her a quick thumb up he grinned. Getting one in return he looked back down at the sheet. This was going to be a long hour and fifteen minutes.

"Right, everyone stop writing!" No-one dared disobey, all pens laid down by the paper immediately. "Alright question ten, this is the hardest question of them all, if you don't answer it, or get it wrong, your team fails and you're never able to take the exams again, if you wish to leave now and try again next year, do it now," Naruto smirked as people began standing up and leaving, not willing to risk it. Sakura looked back worried, Naruto just put his hands behind his head and grinned to her reassuringly. "Let me repeat, failing this question will mean that you can never advance beyond Gennin, if you do want to try again, vacate the room, now!" Several more people scrambled out. A chair scraped against the ground slowly. The blond turned around to see, Izuku.

Standing up.

No.

No way. 

Izuku wouldn't.

"You've made your point," His voice cut through the room. "Those fearing the unknown and failure have left already, I'm pretty sure the ones left here and feeling fairly confident in their abilities and the abilities of their team mates," Everyone else gazed at him in shock. "Intimidating us to see how strong our resolve it, threatening certain failure if unknown criteria aren't met, similar to death on a mission is it not?" A confident smirk, "Your attempts to dissuade us has clearly not worked,"

"So you and your team are ready for the tenth question?"

"Yes,"

"Anyone else ready?" They all froze and Naruto watched team mates flick looks to one another before nodding. Along came a unanimous reply.

"Yes," Dead silence. The proctor simply stared.

"Wonderful you all pass," The clipboard was thrown aside and clattered to the ground. Izuku twitched slightly.

"Sorry, we passed?"

"Yes, there is no tenth question, or you could argue if you were ready to take the tenth question is the tenth question, but by staying you show a willingness to fight against unknown odds, so you pass," Naruto watched his brother begin walking away.

"Wonderful, team, my house, twenty minutes," Izuku left the room. The blond counted to ten.

"SAARRUUUTOOOBIIIII!!!" He grabbed Sasuke and Sakura before they flickered into the Hokage's office.

"Lord Third!" Sakura bowed hurriedly before realizing Izuku was shaking the old man. "He got here faster,"

"Izuku's always had an edge with his primal chakra, plus I was carrying you two as well," Naruto chuckled.

"WHAT KINDA HALF ASS, FAKE OUT SHIT WAS THAT?!" 

"Uzumaki, I appreciate your frustration but unhand me," Izuku let the man go and stepped off the desk.

"I had to waste an hour, numbly staring at the ceiling for the last question to be a fake out?!"

"You finished it in fifteen minutes?!"

"It's the test for,"

"It's sum bullshit, is what it is, the written portion is information collection, subtle movements, codes, mirrors, not oh ho, you brave enough to answer random question!"

"There is no need to yell,"

"I appreciate that, and I am sorry, but I'm very mad!" Izuku bowed while still shouting. "You essentially forced us to take the exam because you wouldn't let us train Sakura to be promoted anyway!"

"Your brother was the only one to offer that solution,"

"Because my anger is making me tunnel vision and Sasuke isn't that creative,"

"Hey!" The Uchiha cried in indignation.

"Oh, bite me!" The greenette snapped in return.

"Well the four of you passed, congratulations, the next part is something you're better suited for, something akin to a race,"

"Wonderful, thank you for the information!" Izuku was still yelling, except there was sincerity in his voice. He walked to the door and looked back at Grampa Third. "Have a great day!" The door shut quickly.

"What is his problem?" Naruto murmured.

"I don't know, he's your brother," Sakura giggled.

"Did you just sass me?" He rounded on her, the pinkette smiled.

"We should go get him before he damages something,"

Naruto stared at the sky while the other three talked. The last few days had been wild. Meeting Gaara and the sand siblings in and of itself was stressful, especially with Shukkaku joining the mix. The other tailed beasts he didn't know about. Hopefully they were all treated better than him, hopefully. Then there was the matter of anyone going after the tailed beasts. If Kurama was the strongest that made him a massive target, but hopefully nobody outside the village knew he was a jinchuriki just yet. But that didn't mean the others were weak, Shukaku would be impossible for any one ninja to defeat, even a Kage would have trouble. So the others were also incredible targets, especially the higher tailed beast jinchurikis. Not to mention how they would be treated by the tailed beasts themselves. Kurama had been patient and wise but Shukkaku has shown an inverse style. Naruto pleaded to whatever higher power there was that Shukkaku had been the worst. Kurama being the strongest gave leeway to several other questions as well. If he gave his chakra to Naruto, how strong would he be? Would the chakra kill him? Would his body break after the effects wore off? Worse, would he get addicted to the feeling?

"-Ruto! Naruto!"

"Huh?" The blond dropped back to earth and looked at the three.

"I was wondering if you wanted to get food to celebrate?" Sakura smiled, "We could get ramen, or katsudon?"

"Katusdon?" Both Izuku and Sasuke gasped.

"Naruto?"

"I'd prefer ramen,"

"Kat-su-don, kat-su-don," Oh, so that's how it felt to be on the receiving end of the chants.

"Saku-ra?" His hope fell as the pinkette also grinned with a devilish look in her eye.

'Kat-su-don, kat-su-don,'

'Not you too Kurama, you can't even,'

'I taste and eat what you eat Naruto, you are a jinchuriki, if you ingested poison I would die too, so I am able to taste what you eat in case,'

'That sum bullshit!' He rejoined reality to a chorus of 

"KAT-SU-DON, KAT-SU-DON," From his three team mates.

"Alright! Let's go get katsudon, if it shuts you guys up!"

"YAAYY!" The three cheered. Izuku swung his arms around Sasuke's and Naruto's shoulders, the latter throwing an arm around Sakura. He knew what was coming.

"Hung pictures of hokages up on my wall," The greenette began, in a horrible key and tone.

"To remind me that I am a fool," Sasuke picked up matching the almost painful style.

"Tell me where I came from what I will always be," Naruto continued. Sakura whispered to him.

"What's going on?"

"Just a spoilt little kid who when to ninja school," The blond smiled as they cycled back to Izuku.

"We're singing, you can join in when you know the words," The pinkette nodded before Sasuke filled the silence.

"When I am dead I won't join their ranks," 

"Cuz they are both lethal and free,"

"And I'm in Konoha, demonic and sealed up,"

"And until the end that's how it'll be," All three boys took a deep breath.

"MAKE ME LOVE MY SELF SO THAT I MIGHT LOVE YOU!! DON'T MAKE ME A LIAR CAUSE  I SWEAR TO GOD! WHEN I SAID IT I THOUGHT IT WAS TRUE!"  They laughed in the momentary pause.

"Lord First told me not to worry about you," Sasuke started the verse this time.

"He's got his own kills to deal with,"

"There's really just one thing we three have in common,"

"Not one of us will be missed," Nudging Sakura, Naruto looked up.

"Akamaru sits,"

"AT THE TOP OF THE LOOKOUT, YOU ALWAYS SAID HOW YOU LOVE DOGSS!! I DON'T KNOW IF I COUNT BUT I'M TRYING MY BEST, WHEN I'M HOWLING AND BARKING THESE SOONGSS," The three burst out laughing despite strange faces from onlookers.

"What, what was that?"

"That was a song from where Izuku is from, he learned a bunch and adapted them for us here so they make sense, we've sung them whenever we're on a high, we'll teach you them soon so you can sing along too," Naruto rubbed the back of his head, "If you want to that is,"

"I'd love to," She nodded. Izuku cleared his throat.

"Right, from the top then," The cheery atmosphere was infectious. "Hung pictures of Hokage up on my wall,"

And so off the team went into the night. Singing their hearts out to close up a day well spent.