Chapter 9

Anko looked at the Hokage with surprised eyes. That quickly changed into worry, which was caught by the Hokage and his advisors.

"Is something wrong Anko?" Hiruzen asked.

"I don't have an issue with the mission but I was hoping for something that could be done within a day or two. The mission that you're sending me on will take at least a week." Anko said.

"You never complained before about time. Is there something more important than this?" asked Koharu. Anko bit back a remark to the elder woman. She was pretty sure that she knew about how close she was to Naruto. It wasn't that much of a secret anymore that the two were seen having lunch sometimes. Many, who have crossed the blond, had to deal with her. It was something that both of the elders did not like. They especially knew that graduation was in one week.

She always kept tabs on Naruto progress while he was in the academy. Iruka was very forthcoming in answering her questions despite the fact that he seemed nervous around her. She was happy to know that he was no longer the dead-last. In fact, she learned that there would probably be no dead-last this year. She was happy and glad that Naruto had a strong chance of passing this year. She wanted to be there to congratulate him and probably scare a couple of people in the area.

Hiruzen caught Anko's attention.

"I know that you will want to be there for Naruto's graduation but this takes priority." He told her. Anko sighed and realized that he was right.

"Very well sirs, I accept this mission." Anko said with a sad tone.

"You have an hour to meet your team at the gates." Hiruzen told her. That perked her up. She bowed and quickly left the office to find Naruto.

X-X-X

Anko found Naruto easily as he was at his favorite place, Ichirakus ramen. She entered the stand and greeted the two chefs. Naruto was happy to see her and offered her some ramen.

"Sorry kiddo, I have a mission in the next twenty minutes." Anko said.

"Man, I can't wait to do some cool missions. There's no way that I'll fail this time. You'll be watching right?" Naruto asked.

"Thanks what I came here for." Anko said with a sigh. "The mission I'm going on will take me a week to complete. I won't be here for your graduation."

"WHAT? But you have to be there! You're the reason that I'm so good!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Naruto, what is it that I told you during our three months? It was something very important that I told you to remember." Anko said.

"Aiming below the belt isn't really cheating."

"No."

"Old enough to kill, old enough to drink."

"No." Naruto was furiously thinking about what she was talking about when it hit him.

"A ninja must put the village's safety before our personal issues and wants." Naruto said.

"Bingo. This mission is very important to the village and I must do it. I would like nothing more than to be there so we can rub it in the populace faces but this must be done." Anko explained.

"Well that sucks." Naruto said with a pout.

"I know but I have something for you." She pulled out a necklace. Naruto looked at it and saw that it looked just like her own pendent. Anko placed it over Naruto's head and it hung around his neck. "I was going to give this to you went you graduated but why wait when I know that you'll pass with flying colors. You were taught by me." Anko boasted. She noticed that Naruto was quiet and looking at the pendent she gave him. Suddenly, Naruto was out of his stool and hugging her. She was so surprised by the action.

"Thank you onee-san." Naruto said with happiness. The two who ran the stand smiled at the display.

"Hey, I told you not to call me that! Now get off me! People are staring!" Anko exclaimed. When Naruto refused to let go, she struck him. After dusting herself off, she took off to reach the gate. As she made her way there, a smile appeared on her face. She enjoyed the hug and the joy in Naruto's face.

X-X-X

A week had passed and Naruto woke up early. He was pretty nervous about today as it was the day of the genin exam. Despite his nervousness, he was confident that he would pass easily. Anko had prepared him and he was not about to disappoint her. Thinking of the woman he dubbed his sister, he was a little sad that she wasn't going to be there in person to see him come out with his hitai-ate (Forehead Protector) but he knew that she was going to be with him in spirit.

He took a quick bath, got dressed and had a quick breakfast. As he was leaving, he almost forgot something. He re-entered his apartment and placed Anko's gift around his neck. He looked at himself and was happy. He left his apartment and made his way to the academy. Along the way, he saw Hinata and Kurenai. Kurenai was dressed differently but that would be because she was no longer a chūnin.

"Ohayo, Hinata-chan, Kurenai-sensei!" Naruto called out. The two women turned to see the blond run up to them. Kurenai smiled at the blond who was a very positive influence on her young charge. She saw that she would still blush around the boy but she wouldn't stutter as much. He greeted his best friend and then faced Kurenai. "Hey, congratulations on becoming a jōnin."

"Thank you Naruto, would you like to walk with us to the academy?" she asked. Naruto nodded and the three were continuing on their way. Naruto was excited and was trying to get Hinata excited as well. Kurenai just smiled at the two and hoped that Naruto passed. If anyone deserved it after the work they put in, it was Naruto.

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