Naruto's POV (Leaf Camp - Land of Iron)
Naruto stared at the bound Tayuya as she was carried off by the Leaf Anbu, likely to be questioned or interrogated based on her behavior. The woman had claimed to be on their side, having intended to flee her master. He knew nothing of her or why she had chosen to surrender to him. Or he hadn't before the woman had mouthed to him as she was taken away by "Cousin." Naruto was aware most Uzumaki were redheads but was unsure if he should trust her word. It would explain why she placed her faith in him, the Leaf by proxy, of course. His mother had explained after the Uzumaki's homeland and main force was destroyed during the Third Great Shinobi War, they had spread throughout the elemental nations. Hiding from those who sought to kill them and seeking new homes. So he supposed it could be accurate, but how would he know? He would have to ask his mother once he arrived back in the Leaf.
For now, he watched as Kakashi and Gai drunkenly climbed down the roof. Both apparently forgot they could walk down sheer surfaces using chakra control. It was amusing in a pathetic way. Before suddenly, Kakashi seemed to gain control of his body again. Easily sliding down the wall. Gai, enraged by his apparent "coolness," attempted the same. Unfortunately, he had not yet suddenly gained sobriety like his rival. Instead, he fell face first with a crash. Kakashi and Naruto flinched at the impact.
"Is he gonna be alright?" Naruto asked with pity. "It's supposed to be bad for you to land on your head like that, ya know?"
"He's the most thick-headed man I've ever met. I'm confident he's fine." Kakashi replied, still slightly slurring.
"Ha, my rivaw Iva surpassed you at last!" Gai brokenly said.
"Just fine, see?" Kakashi said merrily as he led the blonde away from the broken man. "Now, you should get some rest. I don't need you getting into any more trouble. Ne? Also, be ready by eight in the morning to head back to the Leaf."
"Huh, why?" Naruto asked, confused.
"I have special training for the three of you this month. It needs to be done there." Kakashi replied vaguely.
"Ok…" Naruto replied, slightly annoyed but knowing better than to push the odd man once he had made up his mind. "Goodnight then?"
"Unless you need me to tuck you in." Kakashi taunted.
Naruto merely glared at him as he stomped back to the shared cabin for all of the Leaf Genin males. Most of whom were asleep. The large room was fitted with a roaring fireplace that seemed to have no fuel except a seal that appeared to smoke beneath it. And a litany of bunk beds on both sides. Naruto silently crept through the large room full of some of his only friends. Not wanting to disturb their rest. Painfully, his bunk was at the end of the room. As such, he had to slowly tip-toe over. He silently climbed into his bunk. Noticing he happened to be bunked next to Shikamaru, he slipped into the bed under the cover. He sighed in relief as he relaxed fully into the bed. It wasn't incredible, but it was undeniably comfortable after a hard day. His eyelids closed off the moonlight, welcoming the warmth provided by his bed. It would be a comfortable sleep for the days to come as he yawned for a final time, his eyelids closing. He felt the need to open his eyes, but as he opened them, he saw a face upside down looking at him. It was only the practice of not disturbing his mother's sleep that stopped him from screaming in terror.
"You're rather loud even when trying to be stealthy. A trait of a poor ninja. Dickless." Sai said sweetly to the blonde.
Naruto blinked once, twice, three times to ensure he was seeing this correctly. Checked his ears to make sure he heard correctly. Lastly, he looked around the room. Ensuring he might not have been talking to anyone else. Once this was all decided, he sighed a sigh of a weary elder before attempting to launch himself at the strange man Shikamaru had told him of. He had warned him he was odd and often unintentionally rude, but he was downright trying to make him pissed!
"I'll kill you, creepy bastard!" Naruto screamed whispered. "Why the hell can't I move?"
"Shadow Possession -successful. Sorry, I was keeping an eye on him. He tends to make a poor first impression, and with you, I figured it might lead to a brawl."
Naruto glared at both. "You're lucky I'm tired. In the exams, I'll kick both your asses."
"Till then." Shikamaru sighed as he released his jutsu. "Sai, please be silent. I want to discuss something with Naruto without him trying to kill you."
"Sure thing, Pineapple."
"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered with a frown. "Naruto… after what happened… I'm sorry it… must be a lot."
"Ya… I knew there was always a chance people would find out. I was kinda hoping by the time it did, I'd be such a great shinobi they wouldn't even mind. Guess people will like me less." Naruto replied with a slight frown.
"Naruto… I hate to say this, but I've been asking Sai and Tenten a bit about jinchuriki."
"We're quite knowledgeable Dickless." Sai added with a friendly smile.
"Can't decide if you creep me out or piss me off. Maybe both?" Naruto growled.
"Both of you shut up," Shikamaru replied with a frown. "Well, from what we heard, jinchuriki has a terrible rep. Often treated like something less than human. And the Leaf well… the Kyuubi attack wasn't that long ago. I'm fearful there may be significant pushback."
"So what?" Naruto replied with a roll of his eyes. "I've never been a popular guy anyway."
"This is different, they're going to be incredibly upset," Shikamaru explained.
"If they feel so upset, they can take it up with me," Naruto said with a full-on scowl.
"Despite your dumb pride, I want you to know you can count on me, and by extension, my annoying teammates." Shikamaru paused as Sai waved as if just being introduced. "Show him it, Sai." Sai quickly dropped from the bed head first, landing on his hands with incredible grace and skill. He pushed up from this impressively and landed on his feet.
"This," Sai started as he pulled a seal from a nearby pouch of his. "Is a basic chakra flare seal. Commonly used for long-distance subtle communication. If you flare this at any time, our own corresponding seals will flare as well."
"Using this, you can summon us for help if you need it." Shikamaru finished. "It may seem ridiculous bu-"
"Fine, fine, fine," Naruto said, confused. "Why would I need it though? Sure, the beast might be inside me, but it isn't me. Why would people blame me?"
"Just take it, being your friend can be such a drag," Shikamaru said. At this quiet declaration, he rolled over to sleep. It was made clear he was done discussing it. Sai quickly leaped back into his bed; somehow, he barely made a sound even when landing.
Naruto stared at the roof of his bottom bunk in silent consideration. While he felt Shikamaru was overreacting, he had always trusted the slothful genius and figured it didn't hurt to be prepared. Though he must admit his words made him feel nervous to go home, Surely his people could see the true him?