Major Intelligence

"Yes, but it's a little difficult for me to make multiple rapid jumps. I always crash into things," Naruto explained.

Jiraiya stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"How well have you mastered sealing techniques?"

"Level ten sealing master," Naruto said proudly.

"I know your father once trained by placing Flying Thunder God seals in multiple locations, making it a bit like a circuit. He had the same problems as you in the beginning," Jiraiya explained.

"Thanks, I learned something," Naruto said.

"Naruto, by the way, do you have a girlfriend yet? Who is she?" Jiraiya asked.

"Hinata Hyuga," Naruto admitted. Jiraiya couldn't help grinning smugly, and Naruto's eye began to twitch.

"I knew you'd be a heartthrob. You'll make me rich, just like your parents did," Jiraiya said.

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked in confusion.

"I'm the author of those amazing books." Jiraiya pulled a well-known little yellow book from his clothes.

"One of those books was based on your parents." Jiraiya giggled like a fangirl, with a streak of blood hanging from his nose.

"You spied on my parents?"

Jiraiya nodded smugly.

"If you dare do that to Hinata and me, I'll let you taste Lightning Cutter," Naruto said.

Jiraiya shuddered at the thought.

"Calm down, I was just joking... or maybe not." Jiraiya laughed so hard he doubled over.

"Are you really one of the Legendary Three Sannin?" Naruto was growing more and more doubtful of his strength.

"Forget it, let's continue training." Jiraiya paused to think.

"There's something I need to tell you," Jiraiya said seriously.

"What is it?"

"There is an organization of S-rank criminals called Akatsuki. Their target is the tailed beasts," Jiraiya said.

"Why can't my life be simpler?" Naruto said as he sat down on the ground. "My whole life has been an S-rank mission from the moment I was born. Almost everyone hated me, and now Kage-level ninja are coming after me." He sighed.

"You'll face many hardships, but there are people around you who care about you. There's me, the Hokage, your girlfriend, and I'll bet you have even more friends," Jiraiya said. Naruto slowly nodded.

"What's your dream?" Jiraiya asked.

"To become Hokage."

I'll do everything I can to help you, Jiraiya thought. "Don't give up. Fight for what you pursue."

"I never give up, and I never surrender. That's my ninja way!" Naruto declared energetically, leaping to his feet. Jiraiya smiled. Naruto reminded him of Minato and Kushina, and the resemblance was a little frightening. He had Minato's wisdom and Kushina's personality.

"Come on, dinner's on me," Jiraiya said.

"Great! Let's get ramen!"

The Hokage was enjoying his favorite activities: drinking tea, smoking his pipe, and reading Make-Out Paradise.

Suddenly, the door was kicked open.

"Naruto, why did you barge into my office like that?" the Hokage asked.

"The Hidden Sand ninja are planning to invade during the finals," Naruto said quickly.

"What?" the Hokage asked, thinking he had misheard.

"I'm saying that the Hidden Sand ninja are going to invade us during the Chunin Exam finals."

"How do you know?"

"This is Night Maple." Naruto pointed at the fox sitting on his shoulder. "He's a spy fox. During the second round, I summoned him to follow Kabuto Yakushi because he had jonin-level chakra reserves, yet claimed he had failed the exam six times. Night Maple found him talking to Orochimaru, and yesterday, he found him discussing their invasion plans with a Hidden Sand jonin."

"Night Maple, are you certain?" the Hokage asked seriously.

"Yes, Lord Hokage," the fox answered.

The Hokage summoned ANBU before him.

"Summon Shikamaru and Jiraiya," the Hokage ordered.

"Yes!" The ANBU vanished after answering.

"I'm leaving first, old man." Naruto waved as he spoke.

"No, Naruto, you and Hinata stay. We need you," the Hokage said. The two of them nodded.

In less than fifteen minutes, everyone had gathered in the Hokage's office: Jiraiya, Shikamaru, Naruto, and Hinata.

"Welcome, everyone. Sorry for calling you here so urgently," the Hokage began. "Naruto believes Hidden Sand Village will invade during the finals." Everyone widened their eyes and looked at Naruto.

"Naruto, that's a bold claim. Hidden Sand Village is our ally, after all. What evidence do you have?" Shikamaru asked. Naruto explained his suspicions about Kabuto Yakushi, as well as the conversations he had with Orochimaru and the Hidden Sand jonin.

"It's actually possible," Jiraiya began. "According to my spy network, the daimyo of the Land of Wind has begun giving more missions to our country, which will undoubtedly weaken Hidden Sand Village. They may try to invade," Jiraiya concluded.

"Who is Kabuto Yakushi?" Jiraiya asked.

"He is the adopted son of our chief medical ninja. He was found on an empty battlefield several years ago and was later adopted by the chief medical ninja," the Hokage said.

"Should I capture him for interrogation?" Jiraiya asked.

"No. If he suddenly disappears, they may launch the invasion immediately, leaving us no time to prepare," the Hokage explained.

"Does Naruto have anything to say?" the Hokage asked. Naruto nodded and began.

"Do you remember when I brought Aoi Rokusho in?" Naruto asked. The Hokage nodded. "Before I sealed him into a scroll, I interrogated him. He said he belonged to Hidden Sound Village. So Hidden Sound Village and Hidden Sand Village may have formed an alliance to attack us," Naruto stated loudly.

"That's true. I heard a new village was established several months ago, and there are also Hidden Sound genin participating in your exams," Jiraiya explained.

"Also, it's strange that they brought an obviously mentally unstable One-Tail jinchuriki to participate in the Chunin Exams," Naruto said.

"Fine, then we'll prepare a response plan. I'll immediately recall most of the ninja currently out on missions," the Hokage said.

"What about our evacuation routes and shelters?" the Hokage asked.

"They're already prepared, but we'll stockpile some supplies just in case. If we evacuate too early, they may grow suspicious," Shikaku explained. "They will attack the Academy, hospital, information technology department, and ANBU sites first."

"I have a suggestion," Naruto began. "I found some protective seals at home that might be useful. They can form a barrier around buildings."

"Protective seals?" Jiraiya asked.

"Yes, they belonged to the Uzumaki Clan. I've already studied them. A chunin can maintain a barrier for an entire day. The barrier's strength is directly tied to the chakra supplying it, so a chunin can create a barrier capable of resisting techniques below S-rank," Naruto explained. Everyone was stunned. The Uzumaki Clan had been the most famous users of sealing techniques in the world. It had once taken three villages working together to destroy a single clan.

"Good. Jiraiya, over the next few weeks, I want you and Naruto to prepare those seals and place them around our main buildings. Remember to keep a low profile," the Hokage ordered. Both men nodded.

"What about Shukaku?" the Hokage asked.

"I'll deal with it," Naruto said. Everyone turned to look at him.