Pov: Hiruzen

  Deflection should do him well, if he doesn't need traversal that means he is pnning to have it ter, has it now or perhaps is in the process of training it.

  I'm thinking it has something to do with the shapeshifting... but my instincts tell me something else, I have watched him grow over time and everything about him screams mystery.

  And yet I believe I am unravelling it.

  Something to do with lightning.

  Hidden skills learnt.

  And a whole lot of practice.

  I have recently stopped treating him like a child and more like an adult- more like a prodigy with potential like Oorochimaru, Itachi and the likes of them.

  Someone who if tipped the wrong way will be pushed off the edge, someone who will eventually turn away from Konoha with either good or bad intentions.

  I have had two failures in this regard, I will not lose a second time.

  The mid-year chunin exams are coming up fast- way too fast for my own liking.

  Kurenai wanted Hinata on her team and having the team separate into different jobs will do us well.

  They can learn ter- all they need to do now is survive and I can come up with reasons for promotion from there... it may be cruel to his teammates but I cannot have another Oorochimaru or Itachi in this vilge.

  ...

  Katsuko and Kanata... how do I handle them? Katsuko would fit perfectly into the Anbu if she had gotten over her issues and Kanata would be amazing as a standard Chunin if he put more effort into things... which is great to see now but it might be too te.

  I need them as chunin now to avoid the 'bad' ending for Kenzo and I need to keep them safe as the Hokage.

  Crossroads it seems.

  The Hokage title demands I promote them and it demands I keep them safe from harms way... what is the solution to this conundrum?

  From what I know there is three routes I should take- disband the team and have them all separated into different departments... which will spit at Kanata's hard work and might annoy Kenzo, while also shoving away any mental health Katsuko has gathered from the team.

  The second option is to force them into the chunin exams and hope they don't die, all good signs for them... if they don't die with a very high chance for such things in the nd of Lightning.

  The third option is good for everyone but Kenzo... and unfortunately it sounds the best so far... I have the team do something worthy of a field promotion- which means individual accomplishment of a higher station.

  Only one needs to have done this- Kenzo for my pns to work and I can bullshit some words to promote the others alongside him... all Kenzo needs to do is prove himself a chunin in the field.

  Which is... incredibly hard- a mission that would be long, overseen by another unbiased Jonin and have Kenzo dispy three things, wisdom, leadership and strength.

  Kenzo isn't... wise I would say- very smart for his age but doesn't make the best decisions with that knowledge.

  Leadership? Never seen him do it, its always reported as a follower and not a leader for his missions, Kurenai reports him as a standard chunin she would order around.

  Strength? He has that- enough at least to become a chunin.

  So.

  Am I going to send them into a death trap and have Kenzo nudged into doing a high ranking mission alone to accentuate his talent and have a unbiased Jonin recommend him for a higher station?

  ...

  It may be my only option for things to go right this time- a heavy gamble when the stakes mean terrible news for everyone surrounding Kenzo.

  Haaa-

  I watch him stretch as he leaves his meditation and I flick a pencil at him- he instinctively sps it to the floor and turns his head up.

  "So you can hear that... and have proven to have improved your deflection skills, I can finally confirm your story at least" I tell him and jot down a few notes about his newfound power.

  I have seen weirder kekkai genkai throughout the wars I have attended... at least I know this one now.

  "Yes... can I go?" Kenzo asks.

  ...

  He says it with such immaturity... why? He is calm and mature- that's what I have always known him to be, so why is he acting his age so suddenly?

  Is it because he lost the ability to hide his actions? Feels awkward with his new retionship with Konoha... or is it because he is deflecting away from something else?

  If so- what is it?

  "You want to go on a mission that could harm or kill your team?" I ask him.

  "Sorry...? What's the benefits?" He asks.

  There- he gauged there was more to my offer and it wasn't a threat, he is hiding maturity under those hidden eyes of his I know it.

  But he doesn't- whatever it is its instinct over anything else.

  Our st talk when Naruto release the Nine-tails chakra slightly showed his more Oorcohimaru sided calm demeaner... while this side is more like Kakashi as a child- strong but so, so ignorant of things.

  Protectively immature- trying to stay stoic to remain in control, I think I am getting to him... I think his situation is getting to him.

  "Possible promotion and better jobs for your teammates including you- something everyone on your team is desperate for" I tell him.

  Kurenai wants another team to fulfil a promise to the Hyuga heiress.

  Katsuko wants peace of mind away from troublesome stuff like Kenzo.

  Kanata wants money and needs something to tip him into a lifestyle... Kanata needs direction.

  Kenzo needs to be put under a less stressful light.

  "To avoid the Chunin exams right? Why? We just became a team a few months ago... why would we separate so soon?" He asks.

  Because they aren't a team that can stay together without compromising multiple peoples dreams and wants.

  "Because of... many things- more importantly is the understanding that you can get more freedom and less annoyances than now" I tell him hinting at Danzo's mischief and my gaze.

  He understands that every mission they take could be there st due to Kenzo's retionship with Danzo.

  For some reason Danzo wants him dead or worse... and I cant do anything to stop him from meddling with one genin publicly.

  Konoha is spread too thin to devote resources to reducing Danzo's power now... in fact he helps us more than he hinders us at this moment.

  Kenzo looks at me suddenly with intense understanding.

  "I accept" He says.

  "I see... I will need to speak to Kurenai about this, but be aware of the toughness of this mission- it has been on hold for a long time due to certain factors... at the minimum it will be B-rank" I tell him and harden my gaze to accentuate my point.

  "Already taken Lord Hokage, do you mind if I suggest something?" He asks.

  "Go ahead" I tell him.

  "The reason you want me in Konoha is to monitor me right? And the other two have need of a promotion for their own dreams and circumstances... why not promote me silently through sending me into Danzo's mess? Making me a root agent and having someone very interested in me personally have control over my moves?" He asks.

  That would solve many problems...

  "Your sensei wants to have this team promoted as well... leaving the other two alone with her makes it much harder for everyone and it may drag you back into the team even after promotion" I tell him.

  ...

  "Then why don't we try... skipping chunin altogether- straight to special jonin as an investigator, I can assure you I have a set of skills that would compliment that job very well... the other two can be assigned under me in T&I until they get promotions while Kurenai is free... to do what she wants" Kenzo suggests.

  "Nonsense, that would mean that you as a genin would need to complete an A-rank mission alone or participate in an S-rank one and contribute significantly" I tell him.

  "So.. send me on one" Kenzo smiles.

  "I cannot send a Genin alone on an A-rank mission, that would be incredibly irresponsible of a Hokage to do" I respond sternly.

  "And if I... was certain I could complete that kind of mission without witnesses to my hidden power" He admits to me.

  Hidden power? So he is hiding more...

  "No, and that is final" I say.

  "What if you sent me knowing I had the power to complete such a mission?" He says as his throat starts to glow orange... what kind of... is that even ninjutsu?

  "Kenzo- no! I am the Hokage and that means whether you have power or not I cant send a genin to-" I am cut off as a bst of Lightning flies past my ear and he chuckles.

  His bones start to crack and he grows much taller... he shapes into a teenager around 16 - 18 years old.

  "And what if you sent an adult to supervise him? Lord Hokage, this could solve all your problems... send me on a big mission and promote me with undeniable proof that Danzo cant say anything about... and I will complete it- I can assure you I will at least return alive" He tells me and I feel his sincere stare.

  ...

  "Your thinking about it... you are right, I am hiding power from Konoha but only because I cannot trust it- but you have done me no wrong, I can trust you with this knowledge... please just trust me to do this" He speaks as I think to myself.

  "Only if you can prove yourself... to someone who could do those missions at your age. Fight a Jonin of my choosing and I will consider it" I say.

  "I... can take that leap" He mutters.

  ...

  I can take that leap as well.

  I suppose Kakashi will be testing him, if he manages to impress Kakashi enough... I will consider this method.

  Actually... Kakashi might be biased and Kenzo might hold back if he is fighting as 'Kenzo'...

  "The other set of skills... keep this shape and only use the other skills if you can- I will judge you on your secret set and have my Jonin go full force fighting someone older... try making yourself te twenties" I tell him and he shifts older.

  Orange hair and eyes... tanned skin and rougher features to contrast his peaceful ones.

  He looks like a sun loving Uzumaki with barely any Uzumaki in his blood.

  "This will do... sit down and I will come back with the Jonin and a new set of clothes- can you hide your scars?" I ask.

  "I can hide them... but not remove them" He replies.

  Hn. I get up and leave my office.

  ---

  Pov: Kenzo

  I should probably come up with a name for my new self... I am going to be fighting a Jonin under a new Identity and I am almost certain that keeping my identity secret is a secret test from Hiruzen to either rule me out or assess my abilities for this new mission.

  Ryū.

  Means Dragon and I am almost certain that fits my dragon breath at least- I need to stick to my lightning kit so lets stay focused and sharp.

  ...

  I shrink down and remove my stretched clothes... I should have removed them before growing bigger, I then pce them down and grow back to my greater size... I pce my jacket over myself to keep me covered.

  Its around five minutes ter when Hiruzen returns and hands me a scroll before leaving again.

  I open it to find a completely bck outfit, turtle neck long-sleeved shirt and long pants with gloves and shoes that cover my entire body... they stretch very well.

  An orange cloak... goes down to my waist and has a hood alongside an orange smooth mask that covers my face entirely... right, I am blind as well in this form- the eyes are a Kenzo thing.

  The mask seems unfinished... like it was just taken from a production line before a shape was carved into it- and the hood seems store bought.

  Very well done for a five minute shop however.

  ...

  I need to impress Lord Hokage very much in order for this to work out... even if I win- which is unlikely... I need to win in a certain way for him to accept this offer.

  I need to show him how mature and powerful I can be.

  That also means If I lose in a certain way I can still take a great mission.

  Which I will have to do as I cannot win this fight holding back... depending on who he brings I might not be able to even tie- he did mention fighting someone who could do these kinds of things at my age... so someone in war time perhaps when everything was much more chaotic.

  I'm looking to fight someone in the range of 18 - 40 I believe... someone incredible and very talented- a prodigy like no other.

  Oh gods... I am not fighting Lee's sensei am I? I didn't get a single deflect on him in the entirety of the D-rank portion of my training...

  Lets cross our fingers and hope.

  ...

  Time passes and I look to the window after two hours of waiting to find my stalker from before I graduated... Kakashi the copy ninja I believe his bingo book stated he was.

  I'm going to get thrashed and destroyed by this man aren't I?

  The Hokage walks in through the door and gestures us to follow him out the window and across the roofs.

  He flickers out and I watch Kakashi follow.

  I take a deep breath- the tests are starting already, if I cannot prove that I can roof hop then I will be caught almost immediately and disqualified from this mission.

  *Whoo- Whoo- Whoo-*

  Three quick breaths and I get a running start before jumping out the window and propelling towards the open roof... I sm onto it and roll up into another sprint and following them.

  They flicker up a taller building and I burst breathe my way up it like in my skill training.

  I grip the ledge and fling myself up into the next set of buildings- the Hokage watches me closely as Kakashi slows down to my speed.

  Damnit- I need to go faster- better.

  The thing I like most about my simpler skills is that it focuses so much on one thing that the techniques taught allow me to learn many other side effects.

  My staring made me sensitive to others gazes from being afflicted with such monumental and powerful gazes.

  My breathing taught me various parkour and my Genjutsu snap taught me how to detect, inflict and disarm Genjutsu just as easily as It taught me how to snap my fingers.

  Lightning wire taught me how to coat stuff with mana and have it slide or wrap on my wish.

  I pour small bits of Lightning mana into my shoes and have them... slide.

  *Woosh!*

  I pick up speed by sliding my feet across the ground at the exact points I need them to, I rush across the roof and jump to the next before nding upright and sliding forward as if I had wheels on my heels, sparks fly from my feet as if I smoothly glide and run to the next building.

  I start to gather confidence and smoothly roof hop following the two to a private training ground with no one watching us.

  All that time spent fighting those three genin and training this style of fighting is paying off finally.

  I wanted to keep it for an escape... but now I need it in order to stay- I cannot leave without Naruto and I cannot leave Naruto alone.

  Ryū will become a hidden weapon that the Hokage and Kakashi know about... and only the Hokage and who he trusts will have access to the information of Ryū being Kenzo.

  I have to make a leap of faith and trust that man... he hasn't wronged me to the point of such distrust, and if I cannot trust him then I can only beg for Naruto's forgiveness as I run.

  I nd onto the ground and walk across the grass to face opposite of the copy ninja.

  I just need to lose with grace and pass Hiruzens tests- not of strength, but the hidden tests he is pcing about to critique me.

  "Nice to meet you Copy ninja... I am Ryū" I respond in a thicker accent that sounds distinctly different than Konoha Kenzo.

  Makes me sound like a foreigner.

  "A name? I was told you didn't like to share" He replies and yawns.

  "I didn't know I was facing someone so well known tonight" I reply.

  "Fair enough... well, lets get this over with shall we?" He says and zily pulls out some Kunai.

  I only took one ninja tool with me from Kenzo's pack.

  A long length of ninja wire falls to the ground before sparking orange and suddenly whipping around my arm and wrapping tightly to it.

  "Such unique techniques..." the copy ninja stands slightly taller and makes some motions towards the Hokage.

  "When you are ready Ryū. Lets see if you can pass the final test to join Konoha's ranks" He says.

  Konoha's ranks? I see... so I am being 'tested' in order to defect to Konoha, Kakashi is probably thinking I am some ninja from another nation trying to make a life here.

  ...

  Maybe... doesn't sound like something that would happen often or at all in these ninja vilges.

  No- that cant be it, I would have been a rogue ninja if I fled another vilge, this is another yer of test.

  I have to figure out why I am here.

  "Do these tests often?" I ask and stand in a more active and offensive taijutsu pose.

  He waves his hand up and down before flickering to me and honing his dagger down onto my shoulder- he aims to injure and only temporary... so this is a friendly test.

  I slide my wire through to the ground near his feet and then wrap it tightly around his foot before- *Woosh!* both of us dodge, he pulls his foot quickly and I turn my shoulder and push his wrist away.

  He spins in the air and I witness a foot before my face- *Sp!* I get smacked over the mask with his boot and I retaliate by swinging my ninja wire quickly and with as much accuracy as possible.

  *swoosh!*

  He turns into a log and I watch him appear right behind me- I coat my shoes and slide quickly to the left and kick three times in succession to which he blocks all three foot taps.

  *Swipe*

  He grabs my foot on the st kick and pushes it down into the ground and follows up with a kunai thrown to my face.

  I deflect the kunai and slide backwards before having my ninja wire shoot forward with intense speed at his chest.

  My ears twitch as I hear him catch the ninja wire... am I that slow? How can I be too powerful for chunin level and too weak for jonin at the same time? This doesn't make any sense... was all that time wasted in the orange box?

  I let go of the wire and try to reassess the situation- how do I impress the Hokage here?

  Thanks for reading :)