Sandaime dropped his pipe from his mouth as, like Tsunade, he immediately recognized that aura the stranger was radiating.
Jiraiya was giggling lecherously in the far corner after moving there a few moments ago. He was scribbling away giddily and recording everyone's reactions. He didn't seriously think that the teenage Kage-level shinobi would actually go through with what he wanted him to do. If anything, Jiraiya's respects for the blonde grew to higher levels.
Kakashi looked up from his orange book and recognized the aura the stranger was pouring out. He knew only person who could produce such an aura. Ibiki, Hayate, Asuma and Gai sensed the same aura, and saw that what they were feeling from that aura was a presence they haven't felt since Namikaze Minato.
The boys looked on at the entering figure with curiosity and perplexity. They sensed something recognizable about the older teenager however his appearance radiated a power they haven't felt before and though they didn't admit it, part of them were intimidated by it whereas another part of them desired to challenge that power. Sasuke and Neji especially wanted to challenge that power solely to prove their own superiority. Shikamaru just found the presence of the blonde stranger troublesome.
Sakura, though blushing from the sight of the stranger, was hearing inner-Sakura yelling fits about how Sasuke's body and built would be more sight to see in those tiger-skin loincloths than the wannabe putting on a show in front of everyone.
Tenten had a look of curiosity with a small smile on her face while wondering just how strong the mysterious supposed jungle forest-raised ninja was. She wondered what kind of weapons was he capable of using or if all of his fighting styles are done through his bare hands and close ranges like Gai and Lee.
"…," Gaara just had a look of indifference, not caring either way.
He don't look so tough…he's such a showoff, Kankuro thought to himself. Temari, though reserved and calm, looked at the stranger with interest and a noticeable grin on her face though she had no idea who this guy was however.
He looks strong and capable, Temari acknowledged, And cute too. I wonder if I could get that guy into leaving Konoha for Suna. He'd make quite a shinobi in our ranks. I wonder if his affinity is wind type; that would be extra pluses in my book.
He's noticeably skilled, the female Oto Genin acknowledged while analyzing the figure, I wouldn't mind challenging him to a fight to test out my own abilities against his.
Kabuto looked at the teen in question, Impossible! This can't be the same Genin I saw a few days ago! His power is even stronger and potent than before!
"And just who are you," Sasuke interrogated, "I don't recall seeing you from around here."
With a grin, the stranger replied, "I've only been away for five days and none of you recognize me? I'm hurt."
Though the voice sounded more mature, they immediately recognized who this stranger was. Sasuke's eyes widened on the realization as did everyone else's.
"N…Na…Nar…Naruto-kun…," Hinata stuttered for the first time in a long time. Naruto just grin his trademark smile, "None other."
"This was uncalled for Naruto," Kiba barked indignantly, "You can stop the charade and drop the damn henge already!"
Naruto flashed a grin again, "I'm afraid that's not possible. What everyone here is looking at is the real thing."
Kiba was about say something when…
"Kiba…," Hinata interjected between stutters with her Byakugan activated and a crimson blush on her face, "…Believe or not…that…that is no henge. What we're looking at…is the real Naruto-kun…"
"WHAT?," Kiba yelled in disbelief. Neji, wanting to see for himself, activated his Byakugan and scanned Naruto's body. A few moments later…
"Both Naruto-sama and Hinata-sama are telling the truth," Neji confirmed though finding the truth himself hard to believe, "This is Naruto-sama with no deception to his appearance."
Everyone but Jiraiya looked at this in shock. With the exceptions of the Sandaime, Godaime and Jiraiya, no one had any idea what happened to Naruto in the forest of death that caused such a drastic transformation.
(Meanwhile)
Oh my God, Shizune thought as a realization dawn on her, You mean to say that was Naruto-otouto I was…
Shizune, who was totally shocked by this revelation, turned and ran from the chamber and into a different room from feelings of embarrassment and shame. The boys were looking at Naruto in absolute disbelief.
Anko, after speedily fixing herself during the momentary distraction, was tempted to personally check for herself if what she was looking at was truly Naruto in the flesh. Although she want to do her own physical on him however, her sense of reasoning kicked in and successfully managed to keep her impulses at bay, especially since she didn't want to invoke Tsunade's wrath. What shocked her more was the realization that she was having perverted fantasies of him which were still fresh in her mind. The purple haired Special Jounin was definitely going to get answers out of him, one way or another.
Naruto saw the looked in everyone's faces and needless to say he couldn't help but take amusement at their expressions. The Genins couldn't believe that Naruto had undergone such a huge change in such a relatively short time and that he was now taller than all of them.
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