Well here is the 18th chapter for The Fox's Shadow! I've finally reached the 500 review mark for my story and I couldn't be happier! Thank you all so much for the support that you all gave me! It's been over a year since I started this story and I can't help but believe I'm only here because of you!

So thank you very much! I just wish that I could always feel motivated to write stories and have the time to do so. There are so many stories out there that I just wish I could write especially when I read a new magna and come to love the characters!

I have been especially busy this past month with school starting again and doing boxing this semester. Really fun sport and I've had one fight so far that resulted in a split decision loss, you should see the other guy though lol. There is also a whole lot of paper work I had to do for CULP and ROTC so don't expect updates to come too quickly, but I will try my best.

Add me on XBOX ICHeartless, I play HALO 4 and Aliens Colonial Marines…fun game by the way.

Also I'm looking for someone to make a cover art for my story...I'd do it myself but frankly I'm an horrible artist! :(

The Evaluation

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"Where is that Brat…he is over an hour late!" growled out Tsunade Senju as she paced back and forth through the training ground. "I swear to god that if he inherited your sense of punctuality Kakashi, I will demote you to a gennin!"

"Hey! I'm here on time aren't I?" asked Kakashi in indignation as Tsunade just sighed.

"I'm going to kill that brat! HA!" she screamed as she smashed a tree to smashes in anger.

"Now don't worry Tsunade…I'm sure Naruto will be here soon. He isn't one to keep people waiting for a fight." Laughed out Hiruzen Sarutobi. He had joined this group to observe the blonde that he saw as his grandson.

"Yo! Sorry I'm late, got lost on the road of life if you know what I mean!" and with that statement Naruto had landed in the clearing with all present parties glaring at him with some form of irritation. "Now how are we going to do this?"

"Hmph…if anything you should be demoted for making me wait. However, I won't be able to see you get smashed by everyone else." Stated Tsunade as Kakashi, Hinata, Shikamaru, and an unknown ANBU all stood up and made their way to Naruto.

"An ANBU? You're serious about this aren't you Tsunade?" asked Naruto jokingly as he looked at the annoyed faces on everyone, but Kakashi. He chuckled in mirth as he began to do some light stretching as Tsunade rambled out the plan.

"The goal of this exercise is to test Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze on his skills that he has acquired over his training trip with the Toad Sage Jiraiya. His goal is to evade all four fighters until the sun goes down or subdue all four fighters in the given amount of time." Tsunade read off a paper as Naruto continued his stretching exercises seemingly oblivious to what Tsunade had just said. "Are you listening to me brat?"

"Of course I am!" came a voice from behind the group surprising all of them as another Naruto was there with a smile on his face. "Since I'm just a shadow I don't really need to limber up like my real body is doing now."

"When did you make the shadow Naruto?" asked Kakashi as he eyed the shadow critically. Those shadows of his were perhaps the largest advantage the kid had in the battle as they acted as virtually indestructible clones of Naruto that were able to utilize any jutsu that the original used. If he had created them earlier there was no telling what awaited them in the coming battle.

Naruto just smiled mischievously at his sensei, causing chills to go up Kakashi's back as if he was about to be attacked. "That would be telling Sensei!" laughed Naruto as the shadow sunk into the ground and flew towards the forest surrounding the clearing.

With that last statement the senses of everyone in clearing had been escalated in an attempt to locate any more of the shadows hiding in the tree's. However, even with Hinata's Byakugan their attempts proved to be ineffective as they were unable to locate anything abnormal.

"How cute…by just not giving an answer I've already delivered my first blow." Laughed Naruto as he had just finished stretching and was now walking out to the center of the clearing. With it being the middle of Autumn the leaves had began to change color and fall from the trees. A wind picked up and swept a group over to circle the blonde in an impressive display of color and beauty. "Just to let you know…I'm not going to go easy on any of you."

"That's fine by us…cause none of us are planning on going easy on you Naruto." Hinata answered back with a smirk as Naruto smiled at the fact that his girlfriend had truly gotten more confident. She stood there tall and proud as she stared down the love of her life and Naruto could never be more proud than he was now.

However, that would all have to wait as he had a mission to do and it was to prove that he was deserving of the respect that he had been receiving. It was time to show his friends that he had done what he had promised them those three years ago when he said he would get strong enough to protect them all.

"So let's get this started! Shadow Clone Jutsu!" yelled Naruto as twenty clones came into existence and charged the ninja gathered against him. The group gathered against him wasted no time in getting to action as the twenty clones were easily taken out by the ANBU, Hinata, and Kakashi as Shikamaru took a sideline role to guide the battle.

They had just finished the clones to discover that Naruto had fled the clearing rather than face them all head on. However, unknown to them Naruto wasn't planning on having them come to him as he was already looking for a way to take Shikamaru out of the battle early.

"Hinata can you find him?" asked Kakashi as the group formed a pyramid around Shikamaru.

"One sec…he's right above us!" yelled Hinata just in time as the group all jumped away from each other just to dodge an exploding air bullet. Immediately all but Shikamaru were attacked by a multitude of clones as they tried to herd the heavy hitters away.

"You know what the funny thing is Shikamaru?" asked Naruto as he jumped down in front of the shadow user. "You have always been acclaimed for your mind, and accosted for your lack of work ethic. However, seeing you now I know that it was all just a ploy...out of everyone in the village you are the one of the few who can perhaps defeat me one on one if given the right information."

Shikamaru said nothing and just slid into a defensive stance as Naruto smirked at the defiance Shikamaru was showing. "This is going to be fun." And with that Naruto launched himself at Shikamaru with his warp blade activated, but the Nara was ready for such a move from Naruto.

Knowing that Naruto's control of the shadows was equal if not greater than his. He ducked under the first swing and with speed, faster than any had seen him use before, he launched a flurry of attacks with a kunai that pushed Naruto back.

Neither tried to block the others attack as they were totally on the offensive and only dodged each other's attacks to the barest minimum. It was dance of attrition as the first to tire would be the loser…unfortunately no matter how much he had trained Shikamaru would never come close enough to surpass Naruto in that regard so he needed to break the deadlock.

Naruto however, made the first move as he fired off a ball of air at Shikamaru that the Nara just rolled out of the way of the attack. Shikamaru had lost sight of Naruto for no more than a split second, but it was more than enough for Naruto to disappear from the battle.

"Where are you Naruto?" questioned Shikamaru as he went through a few handsigns, but nothing happened when he did the last handsign.

Naruto attacked right when he expected him to attack. Naruto blinked right into existence behind Shikamaru with his blade poised to bisect the Leaf's current genius. However to Naruto's surprise the shadow around Shikamaru shot up and pierced the stomach of Naruto, but that Naruto burst into a cloud of smoke.

"Interesting…" stated Naruto as he blinked 15 meters away from Shikamaru as the Nara just smirked. "I wasn't expecting any of you to be able to solidify your attacks in such a way to make an automatic defense."

'It's more than just an automatic defense my friend." Stated Shikamaru as the shadows around him began to come to life and rise from the ground. They took the form of a menacing stick figure with clawed hands and blank face that stared at Naruto with lifeless eyes. "This here is the shadow puppet…able to think independently of me. I got the idea from Gaara and from the need to protect myself from someone who can attack me at any given angle.

"Impressive…" stated Naruto as he crouched down low and darted towards Shikamaru much faster than before. The shadow puppet wasted no time and darted towards Naruto extending it's blade covered appendage at Naruto with Shikamaru following closely behind him.

Naruto slipped under the thrust from the puppet, but was unprepared for another spike to shoot form it's body and cut him across the arm. The wound wasn't deep, but it was enough for him to abandon his straight attack and jump away, but Shikamaru wasn't letting him escape as the puppet shot towards him on the attack.

Naruto rolled away from the puppet's arm as it stabbed them into the ground and charged at Shikamaru again, more wary of the puppet this time as he dodged additional spikes. However, Shikamaru was full of surprises as a second puppet shot up and was able to block his warp blade. Before Naruto could even register that his attack had been blocked he was hit in the gut with a powerful uppercut and sent flying towards the first puppet.

Rather than attempt a dodge this time and risk the puppet doing something entirely new, Naruto blinked away from the Shikamaru and his two puppets that were hunched over him protectively. "That's a very useful jutsu Shikamaru. With it I'm sure the Nara could be renown in direct combat." Stated Naruto with a grin as he close his eyes.

"It seems you are getting serious Naruto." Whispered Shikamaru as he slid into a stance. However, before Naruto could do any more a Naruto shadow was shot out between them and landed with a skid before Naruto.

"Damn…I was hoping to have more time." Thought Naruto as Hinata landed in the clearing looking a little pissed.

"I was under the impression that you wouldn't be holding back on me Naruto." She stated as Naruto began to sweat and shiver at the look she was giving him.

"Um…I uh…"

"I believe he was just trying to get a feel for each of us so that he can handle us properly Hinata." Suggested Shikamaru as Naruto sighed in relief.

"Yeah! That's exactly what I was doing…I think?" he muttered at the end too lightly for Hinata to hear. Luckily for Naruto the answer seemed to calm Hinata down a little as Kakashi and the ANBU had joined the group once more.

"I was honestly expecting more Naruto." Stated Kakashi as Naruto just smirked.

"I haven't even began yet Sensei…get ready to witness strength not seen in over a millennium." Stated Naruto as he crouched down and began to channel energy throughout his body. His eyes began to glow a dark purple as the energy began to circle around his body like a dark black haze.

Then it was suddenly over as Naruto burst apart in a dark mist and before anyone could even react the ANBU had been nailed by an uppercut to the chin that sent him flying back. Then Naruto was gone again in another haze and this time it was Shikamaru who could do nothing as his puppets were unable to locate Naruto who blinked right behind him and nailed him in the back of the neck, knocking him out immediately.

Naruto quickly grabbed Shikamaru and disappeared with the shadow user to take him to safety. Kakashi quickly revealed his Sharingan and went back to back with Hinata as the two looked everywhere for where Naruto would appear again.

"He's fast…maybe even faster than his father." Stated Kakashi. "We have to predict where he will appear again, but it's difficult cause he doesn't have to rely on seals to teleport."

"I have a plan." Stated Hinata as she wheeled about and shot a pressurized column of vacuum out her hand to sky above her. Her gamble paid off as Naruto reappeared right there with a surprised look on his face as he was hit directly by the attack. Their small victory shattered though when he burst in a column of black mist.

Kakashi knowing Naruto for years was already ready for the jinchuriki and launched a lion made of electricity out of his palms that raced around them waiting for Naruto to reappear.

"So what is this plan of yours?" Asked Kakashi as he surveyed the battlefield. "Knowing him he is going to separate us again with a powerful jutsu, but then again he wants to prove his skills."

"We just need to get a hold of him when he attacks us. If we can do that then he won't be able to get away." Stated Hinata as Naruto finally made his move. He blinked between the two and gave both a kick to the backs to separate them slightly, but Hinata was ready.

Hinata bent forwards and twisted her body and attempted to grab Naruto's ankle. Naruto seeing what she was trying to do, put more pressure on Kakashi's back and kicked off it and flipped over Hinata. "Stop running Naruto…this is my chance to show you how far I've gone!" challenged Hinata as she went on the offensive against the blonde, who refrained from blinking away.

Truly a testament of skill and power, Naruto weaved through the ferocious assault by his Hyuga girlfriend and responded only with counterattacks that Hinata was able to dodge herself. Naruto finally capitalized on an over extended palm strike and grabbed Hinata's arm, but was surprised when it promptly turned to water and solidify not into ice, but a heavy water like substance.

"A water clone?" asked Naruto as he tried to get away from the girl. But tried as hard as he might the clone stuck on and was able to grab Naruto's free hand preventing him from using handseals.

"Not exactly Naruto." Stated another Hinata that appeared on a pond not too far away from Naruto and the clone. "I've spent the last three years learning everything there is in medical and water jutsu and this is the culmination of that technique. Now Kakashi!" Kakashi finally reentered the battle, having stayed out to analyze Naruto and began to go through many seals and Hinata did the same.

"Water Stlye: Great Sea Serpent!" called out Hinata as the water from the pond rose up to form a massive serpent that twisted around Hinata making Naruto gulp in fear as it opened its mouth to reveal thousands of sharpened ice teeth. The presence of this serpent was the only thing scaring him though. Kakashi had finished his jutsu and now a blue current of electricity was running through the serpent giving it the appearance of having grown electric fur.

Quickly Naruto turned his attention back to the clone that was holding him. The Hinata gave him a coy smirk and laughed as he struggled harder to get away, but half the clone had sank into the dirt and was rooted in the ground.

"Why can't I do anything!" yelled Naruto as he kept pulling and trying to blink away.

"The original has learned quite a bit about you and you're past missions Naruto. Sorry, but she did promise that she wouldn't hold back." Stated the clone of Hinata with a smirk as Naruto looked at the rushing Serpent and calmly closed them as he got a small smirk on his face.

"I honestly didn't expect to have to bring out the Rinnegan, but that's what I get for underestimating her." Naruto chuckled as his eyes opened the Rinnegan was proudly displayed for the world to see.

The clone that held onto Naruto felt it's chakra get sucked right out of its body enough so that Naruto burst from the clone and faced the collaboration jutsu head on. "Shinra Tensai!"

Just as the dragon was about to smash into Naruto, a great force slammed into the dragon causing it to collapse in on itself as the force expanded outwards. Smirking in triumph Naruto barely noticed the numerous branches that shot from the ground and tried to restrain him.

Acting quickly he blinked away from the battlefield and was surprised to see that Hinata was already attacking him once more. 'She has to have found a way to locate me at all times.' Thought Naruto as he ducked under a palm strike and attempted to kick out her leg from underneath her.

He just hopped over him just as Kakashi appeared with a Chidori in his hands attempting to stab the distracted blonde. "Too slow sensei!" stated Naruto as he lashed his hand out and repelled the attack with his Rinnegan.

However as Kakashi was flying backwards he was able to wrap a chain around Naruto's body causing the blonde to fly with him towards an awaiting ANBU. 'Not the tree guy again!' thought Naruto as three branches shot from the ground and wrapped around his body while simultaneously suppressing his chakra.

"I wonder if this will be enough?" asked Kakashi as he landed by the ANBU, but Naruto just smirked in response.

"It may have been enough…if I was the real me." Stated Naruto as he burst into smoke. Suddenly the ground burst between the two elite ninja as Naruto jumped up and landed two powerful blows to both of their chins sending them flying back.

However Naruto couldn't rest as a shadow shot out of the treeline hurtling towards him faster than he could react. It wrapped around his waste and threw him into the ground just as Hinata started her attack.

Naruto rolled out of the way and back onto his feet as Hinata began to close his chakra points with Shikamaru supporting her the whole time. Naruto summoned three clones that dashed off into the woods to take care of Shikamaru as he dealt with Hinata himself.

"You really have grown Hinata." He stated with a smile as he weaved through her attacks as she did the same to him. "I wouldn't be surprised if you are the strongest Hyuga in the village now."

"Maybe, but I haven't really cared for that really. I got strong for the sole purpose of being able to fight beside you and prove to you that you can depend upon me." Answered Hinata as Naruto chuckled a bit as he slipped under a palm strike to his chin.

"I thought your dream was to unite the Hyuga Clan and abolish the Curse Seal?" questioned Naruto as Hinata just smiled at him. It was then that she struck as Naruto stepped just a little too far forward. Hinata wrapped her leg around his causing him to lose his balance as she slammed her arms into his side and slammed him to the ground.

Not losing her momentum Hinata grabbed Naruto's arm and twisted it around his back and leaned up closely to his ear. "Oh you see it is, and that's why my goal is to be as strong as you. Who would dare oppose me if I can defeat the future Hokage?" she whispered as Naruto laughed a bit in the dirt.

"I guess that makes sense….but you made a huge mistake." Stated Naruto as he burst into the cloud of smoke. "

"He wasn't the real Naruto!" called out Naruto from the treeline as Hinata looked up at him and was surprised to see an unconscious Shikamaru being held up by Naruto. "He is out of chakra…surprised you didn't see him."

"Damn…I was positive that I was fighting the real you." Stated Hinata. "Where is Kakashi and Tenzou?"

"So his name is Tenzou…well I have no idea what happened to the two of them. Maybe I hit them harder than I believed." Suggested Naruto just as two branches shot out of the earth in an attempt to capture him.

"You should know that this won't work! Shinra Tensai!" yelled Naruto as the two branches were completely shattered by the force of Naruto's attack. It was then that Kakashi struck with a large fireball.

Naruto merely blinked away from the fireball to reappear behind an exhausted Tenzou, who had been launching Mokuten attacks like crazy for the past hour. Tenzou turned as quickly as he could, but Naruto was much faster and landed a solid chop to the back of Tenzou's neck, knocking him out for the rest of the battle.

"And then there were two." Stated Naruto as he turned towards Hinata and Kakashi with a gleam in his eyes. He suddenly blinked away to reappear right between the two to engage them in taijutsu. "I'm done pulling my punches."

With that Naruto launched into his assault with renewed vigor as he quickly attacked and blinked away just before being attacked while summoning clones to strike at Kakashi and Hinata's weakpoints.

Hinata and Kakashi were at a lost for what to do as neither of them could follow any of Naruto's movements. The black haze left behind after Naruto blinked left them blind and when they could attack the blonde it turned out to be nothing more than a clone. It wasn't long before they were separated once more and unable to do anything against the monster that was arrayed against them.

Hinata was the first to be taken out as the real Naruto was able to land a solid blow to her stomach as three of his clones were able to come up from behind and pin her to the ground as one of them began to drain her chakra using the Rinnegan.

"Just you and me Sensei!" stated Naruto as he began to run through a jutsu as three clones kept Kakashi from escaping. "Void Prism!" yelled Naruto as he finished the jutsu.

Kakashi could do little as six black pillars shot from the ground around him met just above his head. Kakashi recognizing the peril he was in quickly tried to dash out of the area of the six pillars, but one of the clones had latched onto his legs while another had grabbed at his hand forcing him to be unable to use jutsu.

"Seal!" called out Naruto as the pillars began to expand towards eachother and cut Kakashi off from the world. Naruto simply chuckled as he watched Kakashi try and claw his way out of the prism before it was sealed off completely.

"How did you like that granny?" asked Naruto out loud as he dispelled all the clones that had restrained all the enemies on the battlefield.

"Impressive Naruto…do you think you'd be able to handle me in a fight though?" asked Tsunade as Naruto just smirked in reply. "Easy there brat I was just joking around. Why don't you let Kakashi go and get everyone else back up on their feet."

"Got ya Granny!" said Naruto with a smile as the prism holding Kakashi began to break apart and revealed Kakashi looking a little flustered but apparently fine. He then walked over to an unconscious Hinata and picked her up bridal style. "So what do you think?"

"Hmph…I know I'm going to regret this by the power vested in me I announce you as a Jounin of the Hidden Leaf. Come to the tower tomorrow so I can officially register you Naruto." Tsunade stated as she started to heal the sleeping Hinata.

"So when do you think she will wake up?" asked Naruto as Tsunade just gave a shrug as she went over to the tied up Shikamaru.

"Probably within the next two hours." She stated as she began to heal Shikamaru.

"Good! So what do you think Sensei?" asked Naruto as Kakashi gave him an eye smile and thumbs up.

"Your dad would be proud of you Naruto and I know I am too! You've surpassed my expectations and have become an excellent shinobi. I still remember the day you came to me at Wave and told me that you wanted to get stronger." Stated Kakashi as Naruto blushed and smiled at the praise.

"Do you really think my dad would be proud of me Sensei?" asked Naruto timidly.

"I know so…now why don't you go do something with your girlfriend. I'm sure she will wake up soon enough." Chuckled Kakashi as he shunshined away from the battlefield.

"What about you Old Man?" asked Naruto as he spied the Third Hokage talking to Tsunade.

"I think if I had still been Hokage I'd be begging for you take the hat from me." Stated the Third with a small laugh as Naruto grew a depressed cloud above his head and looked away.

"Damn you old man…if you had just held onto that title for three more years." Muttered Naruto as the third just chuckled in amusement. "Well doesn't matter! I just have to wait for the granny to retire and then that hat will be mine! Seeya!"

And with that Naruto blinked away from the observers and weakened fighters with Hinata in his arms.

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"What do you have to show me Tobi? Unless it is a Sharingan, I could care less about it." Stated Orochimaru as he followed the masked leader of the Akatsuki in one of the many tunnels of their hideout.

"Oh but you will interested in this Orochimaru…someone of your tastes will be quite fascinated by what is contained in this lab." Stated Tobi as he opened a door and turned on the lights to reveal something that Orochimaru had never seen before.

"What…what is this?" asked Orochimaru as he walked up to a giant tube and examined what lay before him.

"It is perfection…if harnessed properly. I will leave you here to conduct your work…you have all the resources that you will require for this project. Don't fail me though Orochimaru." Stated Tobi as he backed out of the room and left Orochimaru to his devices. 'If he succeeds there will be nothing that can stand against me.'

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And the plot thickens! What could Orochimaru possibly have access to that can make Tobi that much more confident in himself? Seriously though I would like to hear what you think it is lol

I'm sorry this chapter took sooooo long for me to get out. I've been so busy lately that I can barely find time to do anything now adays but school and ROTC stuff. Hopefully I can get another chapter out in the next few weeks before I go to Thailand!

So I'm putting up a poll to settle an argument between my one friend and I about what the village truly knew about Naruto after the fox had been sealed into him. He believes that they knew from the beginning that he was the 4th Hokage's Son, due to the resemblance of him and the 4th and his mothers name being Uzumaki. While I believe the village had no clue from the beginning barring a select few who were close to the 4th Hokage. Help me out by answering my poll!