After they're done doing that: "So I have something to tell you guys. The training ground works, or that old shrine?"

"...Is it sensitive information?"

"Wouldn't want non-Konoha people overhearing - which yeah I think means shrine..."

"Yes. Visitors will be monitored but it is wiser to deny the opportunity altogether."

"The shrine sounds good to me, too."

" - Okay." He takes a deep breath, and leads the way back. The shrine's in better repair than it was last time - Naruto mumbles something about using his mission pay to get better materials for working on it.

When they're settled inside, he sits cross legged, rocks back and forth a bit, then blurts out, "Uh, how much do you guys know about the Kyuubi attack?"

"Approximately twelve years ago, the seals on the previous jinchuuriki failed, and the Kyuubi was released. Its rampage was largely contained by the village's jounin forces until the Fourth Hokage managed to re-seal it, at the cost of his own life."

" - I hadn't known about the previous jinchuuriki." Deep breath, and: "I'm the current one. The old man didn't tell me why I was picked, but... It's why people don't like me."

Sugira does some quick math - "They sealed a demon in a baby?" Also, because he doesn't know how to feelings but this is important: "Also you're still Naruto, but seriously who blames a kid for that - "

"That... explains the size of your chakra reserves."

He smiles at Sasuke, then turns to Chihiro and shrugs. "I guess probably; I haven't actually gotten a good explanation of what being a jinchuuriki really means."

"A jinchuuriki is able to access the power of the Tailed Beast contained within them. The exact form this access takes is unknown, likely it is variable and depends on the sealing technique used. It is known that a jinchuuriki will almost certainly have larger-than-average chakra stores and may additionally be able to assume a simulacrum of the Tailed Beast's form, as a sort of chakra cloak, and thereby use the abilities of the Tailed Beast itself."

"Huuuuh. Sounds probably risky? Maybe something to poke sensei about once I figure out everything else I'm learning..."

"I do not have enough specific information to say."

"That's fine, sensei probably knows some, or now I know what directions to bug the old man in." A pause, and, "Thanks, guys, for being - good about this."

"A jinchuuriki is a valuable asset to the village. And- you are not a bad person."

"You guys are good friends." He's not gonna hug her because she doesn't like touch but he does give the still fuming Sasuke a quick hug. "Come on, let's go practice for the exams."

"Yes."

The next afternoon, they're supposed to attend a preliminary meeting in the Academy, on the third floor.

Sugira and Naruto are at their agreed upon meeting place a bit early. He's prepared a scattering of mostly utility spells, and has a few others written down on individual sheets of paper - the first level spells take up an entire page, the second level two - so he can access them quickly if he needs to re-memorize something.

They enter the Academy without trouble, but when they get to the - floor there is a crowd outside the door. Two older-looking genin are blocking the way, mocking the others for not being good enough to even attempt the exams.

He squints at the sign, mentally retraces how many floors they went up, cross references that with his mental map of the Academy - 

The only way up to the third floor from that particular entrance involves crossing this hallway and going through an auditorium. None of the stairs cross multiple floors.

He uses the message cantrip to whisper to Naruto, 'Ignore them,' and starts going around the edge - they need to either go through this hallway or back out and use another entrance, so.

...Chihiro does not like genjutsu. But if the rest of her team is going around rather than forcing a fight, she will too.

He'd like caution, yeah.

He pretty much ignores the crowd and the false door as they continue on.

The real room, when they get there, is one of the larger classrooms, capable of holding about two hundred. It's about half-full right now.

He nods towards some free seats near the windows - with the closest genin a few other Konoha nin.