"Now I feel my heart beating,
I feel my heart underneath my skin,
And I feel my heart beating
Oh, you make me feel
Like I'm alive again."
Adventure of a Lifetime – Coldplay
Naruto will always have a special place in my heart. This is my tribute to him.
I do not own Naruto or Shingeki no Kyojin. Please leave reviews!
Trigger warnings: abuse, smut, profanity
Prologue
Naruto awakens from his nap at his desk, his office covered in papers, books and empty Instant Ramen cups. His office was huge, with clear windows, which allowed the sunlight to enter and illuminate the room. Naruto squinted as he tried to remove the paper stuck to his sleepy face and, suddenly a pile of books (covered with more papers) was slammed on his desk by his assistant, short but feisty, Petra Ral, who was in a very cheerful mood despite catching her boss sleeping at work. Naruto rubs his head while stretching, with a displeased look on his face.
"Good grief, more work", Naruto says after yawning, while grabbing a stack of papers to start his work. "Can a guy just get a decent nap around here?"
"You're not just a regular "guy" anymore, Lord Hokage", Petra retorted in a nagging tone. She began to try to clean some of the office while Naruto was busy reading some of the papers that were on his desk.
"And please don't forget that today is when you have to help Shikamaru pick the new Konoha teams", Petra reminded her forgetful boss while tidying the office.
Naruto sulked as his assistant nagged him about things he should remember. "Yeah, yeah, I won't forget. Thank you Petra."
She smiled and bowed before him, quickly finishing her duties and walking out of the room. Naruto read through the papers, scratching his head and continuing to sulk.
Starting to get serious about accomplishing everything on his to-do list, Naruto was deep into his paperwork, signing treaties and laws to be put into action. Then, he hears a soft knock at his door.
"I hope you aren't too busy for me, Lord Hokage", Shikamaru says while walking into Naruto's office.
"Shikamaru! How are you these days? How's Temari?", Naruto exclaims, pushing his remaining paperwork aside, finally glad he can take a break from diplomatic affairs.
Shikamaru bows before Naruto, answering his question after, "Yeah, she's good. She's a drag, as usual. You know how women can be."
Naruto lets out a chuckle while Shikamaru takes a seat on the opposite side of Naruto's desk. After getting comfortable, Shikamaru pulls out a cigarette and lights it, taking a small puff before pulling it out of his mouth to finish speaking.
"Well, how's the Academy? Anything major?", Naruto sighs while pulling out the book contained with all of the information of each shinobi, new and old, in the Konoha village.
"Well, Lord Hokage, we have a lot of fresh faces this year. We even have some top students that are members of our four clans. I think these teams will be effective." Shikamaru explained as the cigarette continued to burn in his hand. Naruto, excited, nodded and flipped through the book with the list of recent students at the Academy.
"Also, not to be rude, but I have already strategically arranged each team," Shikamaru stated, proceeding to put the cigarette back into his mouth, while pulling out a piece of paper from his pants' pocket. "I went ahead and did this because I'm in the classroom with these students every day and I believe that after careful consideration, each of these teams will be a success."
"Just like you, Shikamaru", Naruto stated, nodding with approval, "Always ten thousand steps ahead."
Shikamaru smiled and unfolded the paper he pulled out, switching the position of the cigarette in his mouth with his tongue, so he can talk while smoking.
"So how about we start with the teachers, then the students paired with them?", Shikamaru asked as Naruto continued flipping through the book. Naruto nodded his head in agreement as he finally got to the new students' section.
"Okay so, the new teachers that we have for Konoha are, Rivalle Ackerman, or Levi, for short, Erwin Smith, and Hanji Zoe. All of them are exceptional Jounin and I believe that they are fit for this role." Shikamaru stated, before puffing on the cigarette once again.
"That Levi character, he reminds me of Kakashi in so many ways", Naruto says, looking at Levi's shinobi statistics after having a flashback of when he was a Genin. "I think he would definitely be a great teacher, he's already a great Shinobi for sure."
"I agree, and Erwin Smith is very exceptional in strategic capabilities as well." Shikamaru stated, laying the paper on the edge of Naruto's desk, where he was sitting. "Hanji Zoe is a remarkable Medical Ninja, and their general knowledge of all types of jutsu and how to utilize them is stellar."
"And since Hanji is a Medical Ninja, that increases the chance that a student on their team will pick up the practice as well", Naruto nodded, while reading Erwin's and Hanji's statistics.
"Now, the moment we all waited for", Naruto stated, flipping through more stats. "Okay, Shikamaru, tell me your plans."
"Well, for Team Ackerman, I have Mikasa Ackerman, Eren Jaeger and Armin Arlert-Nara", Shikamaru stated as he discussed his plan with his boss. "I paired these three together because they already work so well as a team, all being without parents and exceptionally strong. Eren yells a lot, but he's a very passionate kid. He reminds me a bit of a young knucklehead I knew back when we were Genin." Shikamaru smiled as he was referencing Naruto.
Naruto smiled and folded his hands into one another after reading the students' statistics. "I like that you decided to keep them together, that works out. The only problem is…what about Eren's condition?"
Shikamaru paused and placed his hand on his chin, as he knew of the condition Naruto was discussing.
"I think he'll be fine, as long as he doesn't rush head first into anything out of his reach", Shikamaru calmly responded, giving Naruto a little reassurance. "Let's move on to Team Smith."
Naruto flipped through the book, going back to Erwin Smith's statistics. He looked up at Shikamaru, waiting for him to give out his idea about Erwin's team.
"So for Team Smith, I have paired Jean Kirstein, Connie Springer and Sasha Braus." Shikamaru stated. "I chose them because each of them have specific abilities that work well together if executed right. Erwin will definitely be a good fit for this trio."
"Jean resembles someone that I used to know as well", Naruto sighed as he read Jean's statistics and had another flashback of life as a Genin.
Shikamaru nodded in agreement, "As a plus, Connie's sleep paralysis Genjutsu is a work in progress, but it's good that he can even summon it at such a young age."
Naruto nodded and flipped back to Hanji's statistics. "Okay, now for Team Zoe."
Shikamaru put out the remainder of his cigarette in the trashcan, before preparing to talk about the last Shinobi team. "For Team Zoe, I paired Marco, a new student from the Aburame clan, Nanaba Lee, and Thomas Wagner." Naruto looked through each of the stats, skimming through them as Shikamaru continued.
"Nanaba's Taijutsu is almost as good as Lee's, and she's only a young child," Shikamaru stated, amazed by the young Kunoichi's remarkable skill.
"Well, when you're related to Bushy Brows…" Naruto said, chuckling softly. He began to have memories of when he and Rock Lee used to have missions together before interrupted by Shikamaru clearing his throat.
"Well, Shikamaru, I think your ideas are definitely great!", Naruto shouted, gleaming with approval and excitement. "You should prepare for presenting the teams to the students tomorrow morning."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage", Shikamaru smirked while bowing before Naruto, "And you will talk to the teachers, correct?"
"Sure thing, Shikamaru", Naruto mumbled, knowing it would be hard to talk to them with his tight schedule. "I'll have Petra summon for them first thing in the morning."
"Good luck, Lord Hokage", Shikamaru stated while getting up from the chair, walking toward the door with his hands behind his head. He waved as he opened the door and closed it behind himself.
Early the next morning, Naruto rushed to his office, wiping the remainder of his breakfast off of his face. Petra, early as always, was there to greet him, her eyebrows furrowed because her boss was later, yet again.
The three Shinobi walked into Naruto's office, bowing before him after Petra closes the door. Naruto nods his head, smiling as they bow before him. Levi, Erwin and Hanji patiently await the news from the Hokage, with Hanji barely able to contain their excitement. They squirm around while standing and start to blush.
"So, I figure you all know why I had Petra summon for you to meet me here," Naruto began as he folded his hands into each other, elbows on his desk.
"YES WE DO, LORD HOKAGE!", Hanji yelled in excitement, "WE HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO BE GENIN TEACHERS!"
Naruto was surprised that Hanji was so excited about being a teacher, but their enthusiasm made him feel good about this group.
"Yes, you all have the superb leadership skills to lead our next generation of shinobi, and I couldn't be more proud of each and every one of you." Naruto finished, while tears began to form in his eyes.
"Tch," Levi mumbled under his breath, "Lord Hokage, don't cry again." Levi mumble, rolling his eyes and furrowing his eyebrows.
"So," Naruto said, wiping his face to dry his tears, "With that being said, we have already assigned to you the students that you will be leading, all thanks to Shikamaru's clear cut thinking."
Levi, Erwin and Hanji all stare at Naruto while he pulls out the book of Shinobi, flipping to each of their stats. Hanji almost faints because of their excitement, but Erwin pulls them together quickly. Levi rolls his eyes, embarrassed of his comrade's display in front of the Hokage.
The morning light entered Eren's room, he was wide awake due to not being able to sleep the previous night. He could not contain his excitement as he jumped out of his bed, quickly making it. He rushes to make his breakfast, which is his favorite, white rice with raw eggs and natto. After spending about thirty minutes eating, Eren hears a knock on the door. He runs quickly, wiping the evidence of a good breakfast from his face. Opening the door, he sees his best friend, Armin, the little blonde boy who lives a couple doors down from him.
"EREN!", Armin shouts, barely containing his excitement, "WE ARE BECOMING GENIN TODAY!"
Eren smiles and opens the door, welcoming his friend inside. "Someone is excited, that's what I like to see!", he replies with a smirk to his friend.
"I could barely sleep from my excitement, I'm going to need a nap after school today", Armin says in a silly tone, embarrassed from being excited.
Eren offers his blonde comrade some breakfast, and Armin happily obliges. Eren continues eating, while Armin pokes around in the bowl for a minute. Eren quickly notices the demeanor change in his friend and sighs.
"Are you worried that you won't be paired with me, Armin?", Eren asks, getting straight to the point.
Armin nods his head, with tears forming in his eyes. "I just…I feel that with everything we've been through…they would consider pairing us together..that's all.", Armin wiped his tears from his face, staring down at his untouched breakfast that his fellow comrade gave him.
Eren sat there, watching Armin cry softly. He was thinking of way to comfort Armin but there was another knock on the door. Armin quickly wiped his face again and took a big bite of the food as Eren walked to the door to answer it, once again.
Mikasa, a mutual friend of both Eren and Armin, was at the door. Eren rolled his eyes and greeted her, "Hi, Mikasa."
"MIKASA, HI!", Armin yelled from the table, with a face covered in food. Eren rolled his eyes again and furrowed his eyebrows as he sat back at his spot at the table and Mikasa sat next to Armin, giving him a gentle hug.
"Hi Armin, how are you? Are you ready for today?", Mikasa asked Armin, with her attention focused on Eren. She watched him finish eating from the corner of her eye.
"Of course!", Armin exclaimed, getting excited again. Even though he knew Armin was lying, Eren let his comrade continue to eat but gave Mikasa a malicious stare the entire time.
"What about you, Eren?", Mikasa asked, wondering if he thought about who'd they have paired him with.
"I don't need to tell you anything, Mikasa", Eren retorts to his black haired comrade.
Mikasa squinted at Eren and retorted, "You're right, you don't have to tell me anything."
Eren got up, rolling his eyes again, picking up Armin's and his own bowls. He began to walk to the kitchen to clean them when Mikasa suddenly got up from the table and followed him into the kitchen area.
"What's your issue, Eren?", Mikasa mumbled under her breath, keeping it at a low tone so Armin couldn't hear them talking.
"My issue is you, quite frankly", Eren points out, piling the dishes in the sink.
"Me? What the hell have I ever done to you?", Mikasa mumbles, shocked that Eren would ever say anything like that to her.
"It's simple, throughout our entire friendship, you've nagged me and pretended to be the mom of the group. I am not a little kid anymore, starting today I will be a Genin, and you will not hold me back with your nagging anymore, Mikasa Ackerman." Eren says, with a smirk on his face, washing his hands.
Mikasa stares at Eren, filled with shock and rage. She storms out of the room, heading for the door. Eren continues to smirk, knowing he triggered her, following behind her to close the door. Before she heads out, she takes a pause.
"If that's how you feel, Eren", she mumbled loud enough for Eren to hear only at first, "THEN I HOPE YOU GET PAIRED WITH ME SO I CAN MAKE YOUR LIFE A LIVING HELL, EREN RODENT-FACE JAEGER!"
Armin's face is in complete shock as Mikasa storms out of the room after yelling. Eren is still smirking and comes back into the room, sitting across from his blond comrade.
Eren chuckles to himself, thinking:
She won't be paired with me, believe it.