Hello, this is my new fiction, Daimyo, now here is a quick overview about what this story is about. First of, this takes place in the cannon world of Naruto. As you can see on the timeline, some events have been changed.

I know the Naruto universe has Daimyos, and therefore I wanted to try something out. I change a bit with the characters here and there. First, Kurenai Yuuhi has a different role.

Kurenai Yuuhi: is born in a small royal offspring of the original line. As a 19-year old she was one of the Daimyo's lovers, but soon after, he met Sakura's mother, and Kurenai got mysteriously burned on her arms. He sent her away, no longer finding her desirable…she became a teacher at a monastery.

51 years ago. The Rokudaime Daimyo was born.

39 years ago. Sakura's mother was born.

31 years ago. The Rokudaime Daimyo marries his first wife. Yuuhi Kurenai is born.

30 years ago. The Rokudaime Daimyo becomes Daimyo.

29 years ago. Mizuki is born by the Daimyo's first wife.

23 years ago. Mizuki is moved to Konoha to start his training as ninja, in order to gain some experience as ninja.

19 years ago. Kabuto is born by the Daimyo's first wife.

18 years ago. The first Daimyo's wife and company get attacked during the Shinobi War. She is killed. Kabuto disappears, and ends up at a medic in Konoha – however, nobody suspects him being the Daimyo's second son.

17 years ago. Sakura's mother marries Sakura's father.

16 years ago. Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke were born. Naruto becomes the Kyuubi container.

12 years ago. Sakura's parents divorce and Sakura's mother moves to the palace as a servant. Kurenai Yuuhi gets thrown out and teaches at a Monastery.

11 years ago. Sakura's mother becomes one of the Daimyo's lovers and the Daimyo adopt Sakura as his own daughter.

10 years ago. Uchiha Massacre.

4 years ago. Mizuki is kicked out of Konoha for revealing the secret to Naruto.

3 years ago. Sasuke leaves Konoha.

Present.

-

The house of the Daimyo.

In the fire-country there are many lords. Those lords belong to one royal family of the fire and the leader of those is called the Daimyo. However, our story does not start in the house of the Daimyo – it belongs in the house of the Daimyo though.

Sixteen years ago, the 28th of March, in the Village of the Leaf, better known as Konoha, a tiny girl was born into what seemed like a loving family. The mother was a chef for a local restaurant and the father a travelling businessman. Both loved their firstborn more than anything in the world. Some historians even claim that they loved her more than they loved each other, but none except them could tell.

A poet from the lightning country once said. "Love does not prevail". Those words matched the girl's parents rather well. On her fourth year of life they divorced and departed ways. The mother, broken with grief, decided to leave the village of Konoha and found herself work in the kitchen of the Daimyo. At this time, the Daimyo was married to one of the most stunning of women in the whole fire-country. She had given birth to two sons already, Mizuki and Kabuto.

Mizuki, the oldest of the Daimyo's many children, was known to be soft and foolish. Therefore the Daimyo had decided to send him to Konoha, in order to gain battle experience and grow to be a leader suitable for Fire Country. Mizuki went on to become a chuunin ninja and bringing his parents great happiness.

Kabuto created only misfortune. After his birth the Great Shinobi War started. Not long after he reached the age of four he disappeared on a trip to the summer palace. His mother, the Empress, was found dead along with her samurai guards. The Daimyo grieved over his loss of second son and first wife to war. It was then the Daimyo gained many other wives and lovers, few of whom he took seriously. In the world of the Daimyo, there will always be a first wife. However, the Daimyo can take upon at most five wives and as many lovers as he so wishes.

The woman from Konoha, with a girl named after a flower, became one of those. The Daimyo was fascinated when seeing this strange woman, who had never been educated in how to behave around a Daimyo. Her personality was more interesting than anything he had seen for years – and for the first time, he fell truly and madly in love. The woman of Konoha became one of his wives, but she was surely the one he favoured the most.

Her daughter, whom she had brought with her, was adopted as one of the Daimyo's own children, a great honour for one of no royal blood. From that point on, she was raised as a true princess in the royal monastery, under strict guidance of sensei Kurenai Yuuhi. Years passed and the Daimyo became fascinated with how easy the girl took upon the rules and how gracefully she became a princess of heart. It was as if the legendary will of fire was still in her and her intelligence outmatched those of his natural heirs.

When she had reached the age of 12, Mizuki returned in disgrace. Konoha, saying he had broken one of their most sacred commandments, told the Daimyo that Mizuki was to be sentenced to death. But since he was the heir to the Daimyo, the sentence was lowered to having his ninja status rescinded. Mizuki once again became the leading prince of the court. He seemed to be the only one fit for the throne. As a prince, someone has to marry him before he becomes too old. His position gave him many girlfriends and lovers, but none matched the skills needed for a first wife.

This was until the Kurenai Yuuhi came back to the palace, with her only student. Her student, was the Daimyo's lover's only child, named after the sacred flower that blooms in spring. Her skills as a regal outmatched many of his natural daughters and sons. Her beauty so captivating that the Daimyo had no doubts in choosing her as his son's first wife.

Now, Crown prince Mizuki and future Crown princess Sakura had become engaged, and travelled together to the yearly chunnin exam to make their engagement public…

…this was not the beginning of a traditional story, because from this century – Uzumaki Naruto is the legend with the most tales, and his most gallant tale is this one. "Uzumaki Naruto and the Cherry Empress"

-

Our story begins, hundreds of years ago, on a river leading to the magnificent city of the Mist, where the bi-yearly chunnin exam was held…

The river was coloured strangely green when the boat moved along the quiet waters. Fallen leaves and broken branches floated with the stream the boat created. A lone servant couldn't help but glance around the magnificent buildings that rose above them. They were not as grand as the ones in Lightning or the Rock, but to the servant, it was a once in a lifetime experience.

In front of the servant sat three people. Farthest to the right and closest to the railing of the boat, sat Yuuhi Kurenai. Only thirty-one years of age, she had managed to become one of the most influential women in the Fire-country. Her dark black hair was a contrast to her bleached white kimono decorated with the famous waterfall from Valley of the End. Kurenai was the attendant of a young woman sitting beside her.

That young woman was the future crown princess of the Fire-country. Her features were not the most striking, but she was pretty without a doubt. Looking at her from even a distance she seemed regal and goddess-like in her posture. Bubble gum pink hair was pulled into the traditional royal hairstyle, with ornaments and jewels covering the tight bun in the back. Her kimono was a dark green, displaying the early summer. The servant did not once doubt that she would be perfectly fit into the royal courthouse. Or be the perfect wife for the future Daimyo.

Speaking of whom, he was sitting right beside his fiancé. The servant blushed slightly in his presence. His own kimono was dark red, the colours of the fire, and his light blue hair hanging loose. He was a kind-hearted man, but so obsessed with gaining power that it somehow scared the servant.

He was the crown prince yet even though he was reaching the age of thirty, was still incapable of taking the job seriously. Also, even with a beautiful woman beside him, he was more focussed on the female servants keeping him fed.

Yuuhi Kurenai leaned forward and placed a hand on the princess. "Sakura-hime, are you prepared?"

The pink haired woman turned her gaze to her teacher. "Yuuhi-san, I can not prepare myself more than necessary, or else I might be too prepared and I could mess up the event"

Mizuki smiled at that. "You should not worry my princess; these royals will be too busy envying your beauty than envying your way of speech." Sakura didn't smile, and pursed her coloured lips.

"Mizuki-sama, this is a very important matter for me – I wish that intelligence for once mattered more than beauty." She brought forward her fan and started to flap it in an aggressive manner. Kurenai started to adjust the hair in her back, frowning disapprovingly.

Mizuki gave her a heartfelt laugh and grabbed his glass of wine. "Now, Sakura-hime, if that was the case then there would be no such thing as enjoyment in this world. Loosen up and start being less serious – I will grow insane if you stay like this."

Sakura closed the fan with a snap and leaned back against the pillows, and gazed at the waters. "I was merely stating that my years of training would go to waste."

"Everything perishes Sakura-hime. Now, enjoy the chunnin exams, they're quite interesting." He leered at the dark eyed servant who bowed embarrassed. Sakura leaned over slightly to peer at the boat's side. It was painted light blue with many beautiful decorations of tales told through generations. Noticing the golden colourings of the tale of the Shidaime Hokage – she frowned.

"I have never been fond of ninja activities dear brother." Technically he was her stepbrother; her mother was married into the royal family – which meant they were family, in some twisted way. "I had hoped that our engagement would be public in a more peaceful environment. Ninjas are …aggressive."

Mizuki seemed slightly offended by her words. Kurenai leaned forward, whispering into Sakura's ear. "Sakura-hime, Mizuki-sama was once a ninja himself." It caused the princess to draw her lips into a tight line and quickly respond.

"But of course, those ninjas are not of royal blood as you – they tend to violence in a dangerous manner. You do it in a more grand and gallant way." Mizuki glanced at her when she said those words, still looking slightly angry. Sakura struggled to not bite her lip, which she did every time she was nervous.

Kurenai finally came to her rescue.

"Mizuki-sama, do not blame Sakura-hime. She had a very frightening incident with a ninja as a young child. It is very normal for even a princess to have fear of dangerous men." Her voice was smooth, and placating. Mizuki was busier leering at her mature chest than listening to her words as Kurenai talked.

"Well, Sakura-hime, perhaps it would be better if you looked to your side and confront your fears." The pink-haired woman looked confused, and turned her gaze to the riverbank. True to his words, there were ninjas – not just a few ninjas, but hundreds of ninjas waving at them. Mizuki raised his hand. "This is where you wave my dear sister. Be kind-hearted, they are just a human as our samurais."

Kurenai poked her side and forcefully whispered, "Do as he says, you have to look professional Sakura-hime." It didn't take her very long before Sakura raised her hand, and waved at the many ninjas who were gawking at the sailing royalties. She forced a smile upon her red coloured lips.

Mizuki smiled. "Maybe this will come easier to you than I had thought Sakura-hime. I hope you'll do a grand performance at the banquet tonight."

Sakura glanced at him side-ways. "Oh, I will certainly do my best; I have a lot to live up to."

He didn't look at her, focussing merely on the ninjas with an almost longing look. "Well, the Daimyo's position in this world is almost like the emperor in the summer-country. Your position will be like an empress." He turned to look at her with a haughty expression. "That's a lot of responsibility, and you're so young, my princess."

Sakura smiled at him with forced kindness. "But dear brother, my 17th birthday is merely a month away. One more year and I will be of legal age. Will you call me young then?"

Mizuki chuckled at that. "You are young compared to me. My birthday may be months away, but I will turn thirty."

Sakura brought forward her fan and swung it a few times. "Oh, that is no age Mizuki-sama."

It seemed as if he had once again become distracted with the servants and was busy flirting with the extremely embarrassed girl in front of him. The princess pouted and looked slightly angry with her situation. Kurenai leaned forward once again and whispered. "Watch your temper, he may be your fiancé, but he can surely get rid of you if you bother him. Short tempers don't work in the royal court, so get a hold of yourself!"

The young girl abruptly snapped the fan together. Taking this as a sign of compliance, Kurenai waved forward a servant and spoke in a formal manner again. "You need to eat. There are many hours between now and the banquet." Sakura eyed the plate of fruits and stuffed small piece of apple into her mouth. Kurenai did not miss her charge chewing angrily.

-

Ino sat at the riverbank with her team mates, working on a piece of bread and cheese. She wasn't really there to participate in the exams, but to support her friends and younger ninjas. To be more direct, she had gone to see the capital of the Mist – it was a nice vacation.

Nara Shikamaru yawned and stretched his arms above his head as she saw him appear from a distance. Beside him, Uzumaki Naruto and Akamichi Chouji appeared. Strangely enough, Naruto didn't seem very excited. He was afterall one of the Konoha ninjas to participate in the exam.

"Hey! Shikamaru! Chouji! Naruto! You're here just in time!" she yelled from shade of the tree she leaned against. Chouji waved.

"Hey Ino! I brought food!"

Ino pouted her lips and waved her hands as a signal for them to sit down. Naruto decided to sit in the sun, while Shikamaru and Chouji joined Ino in the shade. Chouji brought forward his basket of food and kindly reached out so everyone could grab a bite.

Ino spoke first. "So, Naruto, are you excited about this exam? Maybe you can finally become chunnin like the rest of us!" she grinned conceitedly and threw the apple into the river, while gratefully taking the sandwich out of Chouji's hand. More humbly, "You're probably going to beat those damn genin kids. Hey, you have even beaten Akatsuki members!"

Shikamaru leaned back on the tree, getting a good view of the sky. More to himself then others, "A mystery how they haven't promoted you yet." The large, muscular Chouji did hear the comment but only nodded. This had troubled him too.

Naruto stood up. "Hey, guys, you know, I better go practice for the real exam tomorrow." Chouji looked at him confused, still holding the piece of sandwich he would've given him. It didn't take Naruto long before he was gone from their sights, and Shikamaru sighed.

Ino turned to him. "What was that about? Naruto always wants to eat lunch with us." the shadow user had his eyes closed but spoke none the less. With a sigh, "What, Konoha's #1 gossip didn't hear?" The heat from Ino's glare quickly made Shikamaru continue, "Hyuuga Hinata broke up with him right before the trip here."

Ino stopped eating and looked at him with surprised look. The leaves fell from the tree as the wind blew across the fields. "Hinata broke up?" she shrieked loudly as if she didn't believe a word of what Shikamaru said.

Chouji then suddenly spoke, his tone sombre. "It was something with Hinata being given the option of dishonouring the family or stay with Naruto…You know those Hyuugas." Ino seemed to disagree.

"That doesn't sound like Hinata at all!" Before going on a tirade defending her fellow kunoichi, the blonde girl had an unusual (for her) moment of contemplation, looking at the direction Uzumaki went. "But maybe we underestimated her… As far as I know her life has been about not disappointing her clan. But willingly to give up Naruto?" Ino leaned back and sighed. "Who knows, she's a smart girl, Hinata'll probably figure something out that can make both of them be together. Right?"

Shikamaru grabbed another sandwich, which he consumed rather quickly. "Well, it seems to be affecting him rather much." He chew on the meat thoughtfully. "Let's hope that the chunnin exam goes well, and cheers up. An unhappy Uzumaki is more troublesome than the normal one"

Chouji then stood up. "He needs a treat to the barbeque here in the Mist! I bet on that!" Both of his friends groaned and did not bother to stand up. The brown-haired chubby ninja grinned. "Come on! Let's go and find him!"

Ino pointed a finger at him. "He's broken hearted Chouji – you know Naruto and Hinata has been team mates ever since…you know." she then looked back at the river. "It wasn't easy when Sasuke-kun left either. Maybe it'll be better if he dealt with this on his own"

Shikamaru glanced at the pathway Naruto had left by, and then back to his sandwich. Ino frowned and gazed at the water, while Chouji stared at both of his team mates…

-

The great Hokage of Konoha, Tsunade looked up with barely controlled excitement. She had been invited by the Mizukage to join him at the chunnin exam this year. Despite everything, she could not refuse to a potential ally. She found herself sitting at a very glorious terrace, watching over wonderful city of the mist. The many canals was like a floating market, full of all sorts of boats, stuffed with the most exotic fruits, meat and various other things.

Tsunade, also known in the land as 'the Great Sucker,' would bet that the watermelon boat would sell faster than the orange boat. "1000 ryo" she said and leaned over the railing just a bit more. Shizune, the Hokage's apprentice and assistant, looked at her startled. "Tsunade-sama! You had promised not to gamble while we are away!"

The blond-haired woman just waved her arm, and brought forward a telescope she once stole from Jiraiya. Shizune frowned deeper. "Tsunaaade-saaama!" She quickly brought her hand forward and snatched it out of the Hokage's hand. After securely tucking it into her own belt, she met Tsunade's angry glare with an indignant one. All the while TonTon, their pet pig, squeaked in displeasure.

The doors to the terrace opened, Naruto and a chunnin appeared. The chunnin bowed slightly. "Hokage-sama, I am here to tell you that the royal house of Konoha has arrived." Tsunade looked at him with irritation, having just had her fun taken away. "So the Daimyo is here? He is rather late, the exams are due to start in an hour or so."

Shizune rolled her eyes. Even Tsunade hadn't bothered making herself ready, with such little time to the beginning of the fighting. The chunnin bowed again. "Hokage-sama, it is the crown prince and…well, maybe it is better to see it for yourself. Also, the Mizukage wants me to tell you that he expects you at the banquet tonight. He insists there will be delicious food and sake for your enjoyment" Word of sake made the Hokage grin. Yes Konoha's leader loved her vices, and that damn Shizune can't stop her from drinking.

"You can leave now."

The chunnin bowed and disappeared into a puff of smoke, leaving Naruto behind who had leaned against the wall. Tsunade turned to him. "Stop sulking, brat! You need to be in the exam stage in an hour." Shizune looked at Naruto, as if she didn't like the harsh tone Tsunade was using. Naruto, though, only shrugged quietly in response.

Tsunade then crossed her arms. "Is there anything you want?" He stared at her and then rubbed his neck, strangely quiet.

"Is it possible for me to go and see her?" both women stared at him, and then at each other, before the Hokage spoke.

"As long as you're not late for the exam"

He disappeared before any of them could say anything else…

-

Kurenai readjusted Sakura's kimono slightly as they walked down the hallway to the seats. Mizuki was ahead of them, followed by his own advisor. The squirrelly man was looking from side to side, as if figuring who would be the best to talk to of all the major people seated.

When the royals noticed that the Crown-prince entered, they rose and bowed. Of course, the Daimyo of the mist only gave a small cursory bow. The Mist, with its broken economy and constant flooding, yielded a weakened Daimyo. He had to recognize Mizuki as being more powerful than he. It was when Sakura entered, with her beautifully set hair, full of beautiful ornaments and tropical flowers native to the Mist, that they were truely curious. Many rose from their seats, and moved towards Mizuki.

Even the Kages, had dared to move from their reserved seats and towards the crown prince. Mizuki was smiling proudly, as if this was truly a great thing of his doing. Sakura just smiled kindly and maintained her poise. She was already known for being the first child who was adopted into the royal family and taken upon as a daughter of the Daimyo…People didn't look well upon this. So Sakura had to look good, and not be bothered by their constant muttering or remarks about her origin. Mizuki spoke addressing the banquet hall.

"Everyone, I will hereby announce my engagement to this beautiful young lady. Princess Sakura of the Hirika monastery" He turned and winked to the girl "And an extremely clever girl I must say."

Sakura bowed deeply, showing a bit of her pale chest, enough to show them she was attractive, but not too much for them to think of her as cheap – it was one of those small details. The other princesses looked very much surprised and disappointed. Angry even.

A younger and less refined princess began to mutter to her attendant in the back. Sakura could barely make out the words. She knew she was envious and surprised of Mizuki's choice of fiancé. He brought his hand to her shoulder. It was all an act, both the crown princess and Sakura knew. There would probably never be love involved, but in a royal court, appearance is everything. One single scandal and you would be dishonoured from the family – it had happened to Yuuhi Kurenai. The Mizukage and Hokage appeared in front of them, and the blond Hokage smirked.

"So, you have finally decided upon a cute girl Mizuki? Eh?" she didn't even look at Sakura, and she talked to Mizuki as if he was her inferior. Though not happy at the indignant tone, he bowed and replied calmly. "Well, it is time for me to have children, and my father may step down from the throne in a matter of years." Tsunade then looked at her.

"Aaah – you look very much like your mother Sakura-hime. Those startling green eyes and pink hair" Tsunade knew she was acting, but Sakura none the less bowed and smiled too, while muttering words of thanks. It didn't seem to leave a good impression on Tsunade, who kept on talking to Mizuki, ignoring her presence.

Kurenai wasn't pleased at Tsunade's reaction and stepped forward. "Hokage-sama, did you know that the princess has remarkable skills in gambling. She defiantly doesn't play on luck." This seemed to make Tsunade focus on the princess again – the words pleased the Hokage, but defiantly threw back the rest of the royalties. A woman…gambling? This was certainly the first scandal. So soon? Sakura held back a frown at Kurenai-sensei's rash move.

The Hokage grinned. "Well, what do you play? Poker, black jack?" Sakura smiled kindly, and looked embarrassed. "Any card game I have been taught. I prefer roulette, it gives one such a nice thrill of adrenaline, because here it is purely luck and not skills you play with." Tsunade's grin widened. "Well, Sakura-hime, why don't you sit with me?"

Mizuki barely hid his pleased look when Sakura made a move away from him.

The princess smiled. "I would be honoured to sit by you Hokage-sama."

"Call me Tsunade, that word makes me sound so old." There was no scold, just a teasing grin as she led Sakura with her to the kage tribune, talking only about gambling and how she gambled all the time. Sakura felt a severe chill wash down her back when looking at Tsunade's dark haired assistant. Something seemed terribly familiar with that woman. Kurenai stayed behind her, glaring daggers at the snickering princesses.

-

Naruto sat in the preparing room, full of smelly closets that had stench of strong chilli and sweet orange mixed with a horrible smell of sweat. It didn't bother him that much and he leaned back against the wall. The bench underneath him was old and the paint was already starting to crack. His thoughts though were on only on one thing, and it wasn't the exam which would take place in a few minutes. One person.

Hinata…

The other genin seemed nervous and jumped at every noise. Naruto was of the few who seemed calm. In reality he was drowning in misery. Ever since that incident, Hinata had been with him on his team – it hadn't taken them long to develop a deep friendship and then onto a relationship.

Now there was nothing.

She had just stepped up to him before his trip to mist, looking forlorn. Broken hearted. He understood. Hinata told him everything. How she wanted so badly to honour her family, make them proud of her. They didn't like Naruto, always telling her that he would bring the Hyuugas to their end. That Uzumaki, or the Kyuubi brat would dirty their bloodline with youki taint.The night before Konoha officials were to start for the Mist, her father Hyuuga Hiashi had sternly given her an ultimatum. Either it was the Hyuugas or Naruto – what meant more, her family or the most hated in the village? Naruto always knew how much Hinata wanted to make her father proud. How ironic was it that only once did Hinata and Naruto develop their bonds that she stop being a constant disappointment in Hiashi's eyes? Despite his hopes, it did not surprise Naruto very much when she actually did break up with him.

But that did not make it hurt any less.

He closed his eyes. It hurt badly. Worse than getting lightning pushed through your chest, and Uzumaki Naruto would know. He grabbed the trench knives his sensei gave me determinedly. Maybe, if he really did succeed in becoming chunnin, then the Hyuugas will look upon him with respect in their pale pompous eyes. And Hinata-chan and he would be able to be together again.

Tsunade had of course been the one to put that idea into his head. She really had the ability to seem convincing (she was afterall the one fooling Orochimaru back then!), so now here he was. Although it did help that Naruto was easily manipulated. Especially by giving him goals, the Hokage knew the hard headed boy would stop at nothing. Maybe it would take his mind off things?

The genin started moving, and he heard the doors to the arena being opened. Loud applause from the audience could be heard miles away. Naruto took his weapons and stepped into the arena with heavy steps. The sunlight blinded him for a second, before he finally saw the huge arena. The large arena was shielded from the outside world by an enormous waterfall that went from one end to the other. Only a few places did the water not reach, the locker room and the tribunes, which were placed high above the arena. Despite looking everywhere, Naruto couldn't see any of his friends.

The chunnin who was supervising the exam, talked and talked, but Naruto did not listen. The longer he stood there, the more he sensed the audience watching him with excited eyes. So, even here, the words had reached about Uzumaki Naruto killing Akatsuki members on his own. How many genins can do that? (hah!) The frown began to turn into a grin, which stretched and stretched, until it was all white teeth.

The bell struck, it was time for individual battles. Naruto looked at the piece of paper, he was in the first battle, which was against a poor little mist boy. He shook his head to squash overconfidence from clouding his mind. The Mist ninja couldn't be poor if he had managed to get this far, but Naruto defiantly was going to beat the crap out of him.

"Hey! Kiddo!"

-

Sakura worked hard to resist frowning. She absolutely hated ninjas more than everything in this world. Kurenai noticed it, and several times had to pinch Sakura's arm, in order to not let her mouth drop. What was she staring at now? Some blond-haired boy screaming at that mist genin in front of him. Tsunade seemed rather excited though.

"That boy, he'll be the next Hokage of Konoha" The Hokage whispered to Sakura, now she didn't know what to say at all. She readjusted the sleeve on her Kimono and leaned over further, to get a glance at him. He wasn't even handsome and had a horrendous sense of fashion. Who ever heard of a ninja wearing a day bright orange jumpsuit?

"How can you be so sure about that Tsunade-sama?" she made it sound like she actually did believe her, but still wanted to dig further into the story. The Hokage laughed and leaned over, pointing at him. "Because I say so."

Kurenai readjusted in her seat, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the situation. Tsunade looked at her, and they made eye contact, which caused the Hokage to smirk. "So, you are Kurenai Yuuhi right? Those eyes can't lie. So, you have the royal bloodline too?" Sakura turned and looked at her, which caused her teacher to sigh in frustration.

"Yes, Hokage-sama. It has become rather rare these years though. The bloodline has only been passed over to a few people. Nothing escapes your watch; these red eyes are the clearest evidence of royal blood."

Kurenai could tell Sakura's question in her eyes, even though she didn't say anything. "Crown Prince Mizuki does not have the red eyes, but I do – it is pure coincidence I'm sure. He assuredly has the gene in his blood."

Tsunade watched Kurenai a moment, before turning her head back to the arena. The fight still had not started.

-

Naruto brought forward the kunai and swung it around like child's play, while saying in a very bored voice. "Listen, I can beat you in five minutes. So why don't you just give up already?" The grin widened, and the poor genin shook with fear. How did he even get this far?

Getting tired of waiting, Naruto grabbed the kunai hard and jumped forward so fast that the audience let out a huge gasp in surprise. He, in turn, was surprised when his kunai was blocked with the kid's sword.

"Don't underestimate me!" the genin screamed and pushed him backwards with extreme force. Naruto laughed. This was going to be fun.

He clapped his hands together and did the seal. "Kage bunshin no jutsu!" beside him appeared more than twenty clones, who all had their kunais ready to strike. Naruto hid behind them, and when they all charged, he followed.

The genin barely managed to defend himself before Naruto jumped forward and pushed him into the waterfall to the back. Surprisingly enough, the genin disappeared. Naruto's eyes widened. "A water clone?"

All of a sudden the genin's head appeared in the waterfall, blue as the rest of the water. Naruto looked at him confused and readied his kunai again. The genin smiled. "Surprised? I can change the form of my body into water. Now you die."

He disappeared, and appeared a few meters down the waterfall again, and stepped out of the waterfall with immense confidence. "You have to use your surroundings right? How will you defeat me now? I have plenty of water."

Naruto didn't stop grinning though. "Don't underestimate me either – silly tricks won't stop me!" he extended his hand, and felt the waves of chakra stream to his palm, until he had a small ball of concentrated chakra there. "Remember the name of this. Rasengan!" with a speed even faster than before, he smashed it into the water body of his opponent.

The liquid being sprayed to right and left, and then landed in a small pool in front of Naruto. The chunnin instructor looked at Naruto startled, and was about to yell that Naruto was the winner, when a hand appeared to reach out of the water. It grabbed the dusty surface of the arena, and dragged itself up.

He could hear the gasps of the audience when the person that appeared no longer look like a little boy at thirteen. Instead a full grown teenager of his age, with shark like teeth and murderous glare. The first word that escaped Naruto's mouth was, "Akatsuki?"

The teenager, now completely naked, stood up and stretched his limbs. "You know, that kindda hurt – I am gonna get you back for that one."

"Get some freaking clothes on!" was Naruto's blunt response.

He did not manage to say anything else, when a hand thrusted into his stomach hard. While gasping for breath, another fist punched him in his face, then to shoulder, his nose, his stomach again. All in rapid succession, the arms of the boy grew to freakishly big proportions as he struck. Seeing Naruto winded, the blue-haired person grabbed his sword on the ground to ready a final finishing blow.

Only Naruto was not winded.

An extreme heat and a hand grabbing his wrist hard made the boy pause and turn back. His eyes widened when he saw Naruto's normally blue eyes having turned red.

"Oh shit…"

The unexpected turns did not stop, as a new voice rang through the arena from the floor. "This battle is over!"

Every turned to the locker room to see a white haired person stand there. His trademark glasses were pushed up his nose as he grinned and waved his hands.

"Suigetsu, the battle is over, go get dressed." the water ninja grinned and forced his hand out of the stunned Naruto's grip. Lazily, Suigetsu wandered over to the locker rooms as if his life was never in mortal danger.

The Village of the Sound's second in command, Kabuto stepped into the center of the arena. Naruto, and every other ninja within jumping distance of the arena floor held back from attacking him out of sheer confusion. Kabuto was not known to be a fool and everyone expected some manner of trap. Even then, the fight proctor stepped before Naruto in case he did something rash. All eyes of the ninja world were now on the man in the middle of the arena.

Kabuto looked through the glasses at the Tribune, his smile never leaving. "Crown prince Mizuki! My dear brother! I have come home!"

Everyone stood up in their seats, including Mizuki who looked barely from falling off the railing. Kabuto continued to speak, his voice amplified through jutsu.

"If you do not believe me! I can prove it! Remember, your tiny baby-brother was abducted several years ago and you didn't even search for him! He had those magically royal red eyes didn't he?"

Kabuto removed his glasses, and people watched the big screen monitors throughout the stadium, now zoomed into the center of attention. All could see the distinct red eyes – royal blood. Mizuki grabbed the railing in anger. "Well, welcome home dear brother! Why do you not join me on the Tribune? We have a lot to catch up with!"

Kabuto shook his head. "No! I am here to call it a GAME!"

The whole of Fire Country gasped.

-

Read and review if you feel like it.

Ask Question if you are having a wtf moment by reading things.

Oh please - like the story!!