This is my first story in a long while, I hope you all enjoy the read and I hope you share your thoughts!
I Would like to think my friends, Frank and GaiaDragonSlayer. ID.8703057
Also my Beta, who without no one will ever read anything I write! So, thank you
Dr. Snake. ID. 1541602. Moneky3000
Chapter one. Blackmail & Spying
The Summers cool night air did wonders for the Hidden leaf village. Cranky shopkeepers get to close up and relax, Ninja able to go about their duties without the suns punishing rays, and Meetings inside the Hokage's office can be held without the sound of running fans. 'Well, that was the bright side', the old leader told himself as he addressed one of his best, and by far the most stubborn ninja he had under his command.
"Come on old man, we went over this last year, I don't want to do it."
"Yes, I know you don't want to take a team of Genin, as you said we have done this every year for the last five. So, how about we get right to the point, and you can tell me why you do not want to take a team this time?"
"Because?.." Was all the response the blond shinobi replied with.
"Naruto, you know full well that that won't work. Give me a reason or I will make it an order."
Letting out a heavy sigh Naruto leaned back in his seat and looked up at the ceiling. "Because I have to train, because I'm busy with my ANBU duties, and yes I know you can rotate me out of the ANBU at any time. AND because I might kill one of the little shits. So, take your pick."
Hearing the last one the aged Professor had to fight the urge to facepalm, it seemed Anko was spreading her philosophy, but he knew that this time he would win their little duel. "Then I take it that you are still after the big hat?" He asked while pulling out a single sheet of paper from his desk drawer.
"Yeaaaah?" Naruto knew something was wrong, every warning bell is his head was screaming at him to flee while he still could.
"Well, that's settled then." With a look that can only be described as the cat that got the cream, the leader of the village started filling out his paperwork.
"Wait, what are you doing? Stop that!" Naruto stood up from his seat. "Why are you still writing!"
"Oh, just passing a bylaw stating that any candidate for the mantle of Hokage must have a minimum of one successful team of Genin under his or her belt before they can even be considered." Looking up at the look of betrayal on the blond Jounin's face the Hokage pressed his seal to the paper "As of this moment, Naruto Uzumaki, you are no longer on the ANBU active-duty list and here is the data on this year's batch of hopefuls. I expect you to be here in one week for the placements, or I will sign a decree stating that Ramen can only be sold on Tuesday nights."
The Blond man was angry, no, he was pissed! His boss, his friend, his father figure, had just used his oldest and grandest dream as leverage against him. Dropping his arms to his side he bowed down low. "As you say, Lord Third." Grabbing the files, he turned to exit the room, leaving his leader to wonder if he had gone too far. As Naruto reached the door, a Cheshire like grin slowly spread across his features as he slyly glanced back "Before I go, Old Man, do you remember a few years back when Anko and I entered into a prank war? You know, the one where we would prank and then score each other?" Sarutobi looked as if he had just seen death itself. "Well as I see it, you are now giving me three Genin. Three poor souls, I can, and will corrupt and turn into my pranking minions; Just remember you fired the first shot." With those words Naruto walked out, leaving a Hokage that knew he had just made a huge mistake.
XXX
Laughter was heard echoing through the halls of the academy as ninja hopefuls all had their own ideas on who would pass and who would be on whose team. Everyone was so caught up in their own little worlds almost no one noticed the short blond boy that hadn't ever been seen before. The young man took his time in looking around, seeing how much things had changed or the things that never changed at all, he idly wondered if his old pranking gear was still under the set of lockers across from the bathrooms. His train of thought ended once he had found the classroom he was looking for and walked in. With the door open he saw a simple class with a teacher, with a scar on his face and nose, grading some papers. "Excuse me Iruka-Sensei I need your help."
"Of course, what can I do fo... Naruto?"
"Back in fun-size!"
"What are you doing here looking like that and why in the hell are you wearing that godforsaken orange jumpsuit again!" the teacher pointed at the 'student' with a mixture of anger and confusion.
"Well, I came to ask you for a favor, well not ask really, more so in calling in one of the favors you owe me. You see, the old man finally got me to take on a team this year, and I need you to…" Naruto went over what he wanted from his childhood friend over the next few days.
XXX
"Ok class today we have a.." Iruka sighed as he once more wondered what he was thinking to go along with his friend's plan. "A new student, please welcome Naruto Uzumaki.
The class was a cacophony of whispering as the door opened up and in stepped a blond boy. "Hey there." He smiled as he fought back a laugh at the open-mouthed and shocked look on a redheaded girls face.
"Hey what kind of bull is this?! We spent four years learning to be Ninja, sitting through boring history lectures and he just walks on in here and gets to skip all of it?! Where is the justice in that?!"
"Kiba, sit down and I will .."
"Excuse me Iruka-sensei, but if I may?" Naruto asked politely. Once he got a nod from the teacher Naruto continued. "Well, Kiba was it? I have been traveling since I was young and I was lucky enough to find a few Ninja willing to teach me the basics. I have already passed all the written tests to be at this point in the academy, and as my parents finished the registration paperwork to move here I wanted to do my part and help protect my new home."
"Where were you born?"
"How old are you?"
"WHAT THE FUCK!?"
Looking up the rows of seats it was easy for Naruto to see where that yell came from a shocked and confused redhead in the back of the room. Every eye in the room was on her now, not that she cared or noticed.
"Tayuya! What have I told you about your language and disrupting my class!"
"How the fuck is this my fault!?"
"Hallway! Now!" the redhead opened her mouth to protest but Iruka wasn't going to have any of it. "Now or you will not be graduating with the rest of the class!"
The now overly pissed off redhead marched to the classroom doors grabbing two buckets of water before stepping out into the hall and slamming the door shut. Hard.
Whispering started up again as people started talking to their friends, asking if the new guy was related to Tayuya, when a girl with pink hair rose her hand up but still spoke. "You said you were taught the basics by traveling ninja, so you were taught by rogue Ninja?"
Even more, whispers shot through the class, everyone waited for the new boys next words, but he simply smiled and moved to take an empty seat. The class that followed was one of the longest days in Naruto's recent memories, and he vowed to beat his best friends ass and help him come up with a better curriculum.
Lunchtime rolled around and Tayuya was still livid, she was stomping around the academy's grounds looking for Naruto when she found herself in front of a group of students from her class. "Are you finally going to jump me?" She asked is a lazy tone.
"Yeah yeah, you're a badass chick who takes no shit from anyone, all we want is to know about the new guy," Kiba asked stepping out of the group
"Yeah, who is he? Are you two related?" A blond girl spoke up as she pushed passed a kid with a pineapple shaped haircut.
"Yes, we're related, but not by blood, just from the same lost clan. No, I will not tell any of you who trained him and where he's been. Now leave me alone! I have a blond ass to kick." Ino took a step back looking a little fearful, even more so when her so-called friends stepped away from her. "Not you piggy." She said with a wink. She knew how much Ino hated that name and the red now spreading on the pale girl's face told her as much.
"How strong is he?" asked a calm and collected voice, a voice that brought full attention from almost all the girls present."
"Stronger than y… you know what Uchiha, now that I think about it, I'm not sure if he is stronger than you or not, I think it would be a good fight, I wonder who would win an official match." Tayuya commented before running off.
Naruto found himself laying down on the rooftop, he knew the verbal assault was coming, he also knew that his hiding place was not a good one. Looking up with a roll of the eyes, he smiled as a shadow fell over his face. "Hello"
"Ok what the fuck are you even doing here, why are you disguised as a kid, and why in hell are you wearing that ugly ass orange jumpsuit!?"
"How many times do I have to tell you to watch your mouth Tay-chan?"
"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that Naruto! It's been 4 years! I'm not a kid any more shithead!" She crossed her arms and looked at his younger form, she thought he was kinda cute but his real form was plain hot. Not that she would ever be caught saying that out loud. "Look, are you going to tell me why you're here or do I have to start telling everyone you're a Jounin?"
Letting out a deep sigh, Naruto took his time in telling his charge how the Hokage pulled a fast one over him and why he was going to take a team this time around. "So instead of reading the files on the rest of your class. I wanted to make my own observations so my judgments won't be colored by what others have to say."
Tayuya gave him a long hard stare. But try as she might she could not find a flaw in his logic "Fine, but if I end up on the same team as the emo, I will burn down the apartment with us inside." She threatened before sitting down next to him. "So, with you getting off your ass and getting your own team, I guess you'll be around a lot more?"
"It looks like it. Guess you can't keep sneaking my Makeout paradise books anymore now can you?" He winked at the red-faced redhead, that was before she kicked him in the balls and stormed off.
The week moved slowly for the blond Jounin he had watched every last student in the class, and he knew that over half of this class were going to wash out. Ninety percent of the females were worthless, they would only try for the attention of the last Uchiha and even if any of them passed their real tests they would only die on their first real mission, or worse. Only four girls had shown any kind of promise.
The first was Sakura Haruno, by far the smartest student in the class, she knew it and was not afraid to show it. Though her combat skills are some of the worst in the class, coming from a civilian background this girl had the brains to be successful in almost any field. After a little digging, he learned that Sakura's mother was one of the three leaders of the civilian council, the same council that's been trying harder and harder to gain more power over the Ninja and the Hokage.
Next was Ino Yamanaka, for what she was laking in book smarts she more than made up for it with her cleverness. This girl was born to play the game of politics and given her clans talents she had the making of a shinobi, though like Sakura her combat skills were almost nonexistent.
The biggest problem for those two was that they were fangirls. That alone was enough to make them next to worthless in his point of view. But if they could get over Sasuke then maybe they would have a shot at making it.
Hinata Hyuga, the heiress of the Hyuga clan was by far the most balanced of the four girls. With her bloodline, and family training in their own brand of Taijutsu alongside how quick she was at finding a solution to a problem. Hinata would make for one hell of a Ninja if not for her shy and timid nature. If not trained properly and by the right kind of sensei, she would not make it in the program.
The last girl with any real hope was one he knew all too well. Tayuya Uzumaki, the girl he took guardianship of over 4 years ago, he knew she was strong-willed and had the courage of a raging momma bear, she would jump in and fight anyone anywhere. That is her strength and her biggest weakness, Tayuya did not think things through and often got in over her head, in a battle that would get her and her team killed. "So much like me when I was her age." Naruto chuckled to himself.
The boys of the class were a plethora of strengths and weaknesses. Out of all of them, two had the best shots of joining the ranks of ANBU. Kiba and Shino, he knew they would go far if pushed.
Sasuke was a wild card, anyone can see the little emo was unstable, but there was hope for him, he just needs to learn that Itachi was wrong.
He also learned that Tayuya had put the idea in the Uchiha's head to fight him. All week he would demand a fight, from Iruka and himself. Finally, Iruka caved and let the little ball of anger and pride have his way. And so, at the end of the week after the graduation test, Sasuke and Naruto had their one-sided face off. Naruto knocked the brat down more than a few pegs much to the chagrin of his fans. His ears were still ringing loudly after the shrieking from Sakura and Ino.
So after his week of intel gathering, Naruto and the other Jounin were in the office of the Hokage. Kakashi smiled at the younger Jounin and gave him a friendly nod, Kurenai stood up straight, not wanting to look nervous about getting her first team. However, once Naruto caught the eye of his former teammate Naruto frowned as both Jounin glared daggers at one another. "Sarutobi."
"Uzumaki. "
The room grew cold as the two continued to glare at one another leaving the Hokage to look down at his desk with a sad expression. "Now that everyone is here, we can move forward with this year's Genin hopefuls." A man dressed in green spandex and Jounin vest stepped forward with a stern face and eyes of steel. "Yes, Guy, what it is?"
"Lord Third..." Might Guy took a deep breath and shut his eyes tight in hopes that the few tears that had begun forming in his eyes would not escape. "I humbly request that team six be disbanded." The surprise was deafening in the room, Guy had always been so proud of his Genin, he would often boast of their "youthful" talents to anyone that would spare him anytime. So to say they were shocked would be a vast understatement.
"Guy, I don't understand. What brought this on all of the sudden?"
Guy looked his leader in the eye and took a deep breath. "Team two." At his words, everyone's mood turned somber. It was still fresh in their minds when a team of Genin had been out on a simple C-raked mission to clear out a bandit camp that had been harassing travelers. Two Genin were killed and the third was still in a coma, their sensei had turned to alcohol and drugs, he was removed from duty a week ago. "I believe that I am not the right kind of man to be teaching a group of Genin. I am too specialized and I can't teach them the varying skills to help overcome their weaknesses. I would like Neji, and Tenten to be placed on a new team while I take Lee as my apprentice as he can only ever use Taijutsu. I will also tutor any Genin in strength training and Taijutsu that ask for it.
"I approve your request Guy, but I want you to know: Seeing as how you were aware of this problem, pushed your pride aside, and did what is best for your students." The Hokage stood up from his seat and walked over to the green-clad man. "I am proud to have you as a Jounin of this village." The elder of the Sarutobi placed a pin on Guy's vest and took a step back. "You are the embodiment of the will of fire and I hereby award you the Badge of Fire for your outstanding service to your village." With these words, he stepped back, and along with the others present in the room saluted the Jounin."
"Neji, Tenten I'm sorry" He whispered as he moved back to his place in line.
"Now Does anyone have any requests and reasons why that you should have them?"
XXX
And so you have it, the first chapter of my new story! Tell me what you think and if you have any interest in reading Jounin Naruto having a romance with a student or two?
Also, feel free to let me your thoughts on the teams and who should be on who's team?! Vote in my poll or in a review! See you all soon!
Shino Aburame
Tayuya Uzumaki
Sasuke Uchiha
Chōji Akimichi
Ino Yamanaka
Sakura Haruno
Hinata Hyūga
Neji Hyūga
Kiba Inuzuka
Sai
Shikamaru Nara
Tenten