Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto.

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“Ah, my parents will want to have a party, how troublesome. I shouldn’t even tell them,” Shikamaru sighed. All he wanted to do was to go home and relax. However, he knew that, if his parents are to find out about his promotion, they’d make a huge deal out of it, and that’s not what Shikamaru wanted.

“I already told your family, as well as yours, Shino, and Naruto, I told Sasuke, Kakashi, and Sakura. Kakashi was proud, and Sakura was excited. They’ll be meeting you at Yaniku Q directly after this,” Sandaime explained.

“Wha…what about Sasuke?” Naruto asked. He hoped that Sasuke was happy for him too.

“You three are dismissed now. I would like you to prepare yourselves. Your missions will be a lot more difficult now,” Sandaime warned them. He was so proud of all of them, especially Naruto. The blond had progressed so much for such a young age. He didn’t exactly have it easy growing up, either.

The small group left after Sandaime had dismissed them. He was worried about Naruto. He would never forget the angry look upon Sasuke’s face when he had told team seven that Naruto was promoted to a Chuunin. Sandaime couldn’t even attempt to explain how angry Sasuke looked. However, Sandaime knew Naruto would be okay. He was always okay. He was strong, tough, and for that, Sandaime was extremely grateful.

---

“Naruto, over here!” Sakura called out. She stood up and waved her hand a few times, beckoning Naruto over to sit with her, Kakashi-sensei, and Sasuke. Around the table, there was food that they had been placed on the table a few moments earlier (So everything would be ready for Naruto when he showed up) as well as two presents. One from Sakura and one from Kakashi. There was nothing from Sasuke, but Naruto wasn’t surprised.

“Hi Kakashi-sensei, Sakura-chan, Sasuke-san,” He replied cheerfully as he took a seat next to Sasuke, eyeing the delicious food.

“Oh Naruto-chan! I’m so happy for you!” She said, hugging him tightly. Kakashi pat him on the head gently, a form of congratulations, while Sasuke simply glared at him.

---

Shino, Kiba, and Kurenai stood around the bed that their teammate was currently laying in. They were all trying to be strong for her, but it was difficult. Her fight with Sasuke had damaged many of her internal organs. It also blocked off many of her chakra paths. However, the worst of it was the fact that the chidori to her spine, because it left her paralyzed from the waist down. She wouldn’t be able to be a ninja anymore. Of course, there was always a chance for her to regain the feeling in her legs, but it was very slim.

No one had told her yet, however, because everyone was too crushed to do it. Her father wasn’t disappointed, however. Her younger sister, Hanabi was already stronger than she was, so now she would be the heir of the family. In fact, it was almost as if this was what he wanted. Everyone thought it would be best if he were to be the one to break the news to her.

“Hinata, there is something I need to speak to you about,” Her father began, and everyone took that as a cue to leave. They wanted to give her and her father some time alone, so he could explain everything to her. That and they didn’t want to see the look on her face when he told her she wasn’t going to be a ninja anymore, or the heir to the Hyuuga clan.

---

“Sasuke-san! Stop!” Naruto yelled, shielding himself from Sasuke’s brutal attacks. The raven had literally dragged him inside the house by the hair. Once inside, with the door closed, he kicked Naruto to the floor.

“What did I do now?! I passed the exams! I’m a chuunin now, isn’t that what you wanted?! Didn’t you tell me that I better pass, huh?!” He asked. He heaved loudly as Sasuke aimed a harsh kick to his stomach.

“You…you ungrateful brat!” He yelled, picking Naruto up by the hair and shoving him up against the wall.

“Sasuke-san, stop! Let me go, bastard!” Naruto struggled. Nothing made sense now. Sasuke wanted him to pass the exams, and now that he did, Sasuke was angry. It didn’t make sense at all! And what exactly made him ungrateful?!

“I can’t believe you! I’ll make you pay, Naruto, I’ll make you pay!” Sasuke growled as he shoved Naruto to the floor, and walked away, leaving Naruto panting and coughing up blood on the floor.

“I don’t…understand...”

---

“Okay, everything is complete; you three are now officially Konoha shinobi. Here are your forehead protectors,” Sandaime said, handing Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro their new Konoha forehead protectors. They took them slowly, almost hesitantly. Temari and Kankuro felt a small wave of sadness consume them. Baki was angry when they said they weren’t returning, and he knew it had to have been one of the siblings that warned the Hokage of Suna’s plan to attack.

“Thank you Hokage-sama,” Temari replied for herself and her brothers.

The news quickly spread, that the three Suna-nin were now a part of Konoha. Of course, in the very beginning, the villagers didn’t trust them, but after some time, they accepted them, and even became friends. Sakura, of course, was already Temari’s friend, so they hung out and trained together quite often. Gaara attempted to spend time with Naruto, but Sasuke always seemed to get in the way. Kankuro had a bit of a crush on one of the Konoha-nins, but didn’t say anything, believing it was too soon.

Hinata took the news a lot better than anyone would have imagined. She still believed her legs would heal, and kept on believing she would one day be a ninja again.

Sasuke and Naruto were the same. Or rather, Sasuke was the same. Naruto was slowly changing, and trained with Jiraiya every now and then, while Sasuke trained with Kakashi. Sasuke began noticing a small change in Naruto.

All the while, there were a pair of eyes watching Sasuke. They watched as he trained, watched as he hurt Naruto, watched as he traveled with Kakashi, and watched as he went on missions.

The eyes lit up as they watched him use his sharingan. If the eyes could not have Itachi.

They would have Sasuke instead.

End Part One

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So that’s it. I know its short, but it just wrapped everything up! The next chapter will have the time jump!

I know there are many unanswered questions, but there were also many unanswered questions in the manga with the time jump. Haha. If you have any questions, ask, and I'll reply to you!

And congrats to honiroze and Shingo the Pest (kinda) who guessed the three chuunin correctly!

I have another poll up! For fun! Go vote.