Author's Note: So I've had this story in mind for two maybe three years now, and I wanted to have it all typed up before I put it out, but that's not really working. It's difficult to sit down and work on something without pressure to get it done. So the idea now is to put something out there and hopefully some of you will like it and give me a reason to finish it. So if any of you are enjoying this story please tell me in the review so I have more incentive to get to work.
Act I
Chapter 1: Childhood's End
Naruto sat against a fence in the alley still in black. He stared at his new headband that once belonged to Iruka. He was a ninja now the first step to his goal but Iruka was gone, KIA. He sat there looking at his reflection, distorted slightly from the small crack in the metal and his shaking hand. "Yo!" Naruto looked up to see Sasuke, who was also still in black, standing over him.
"Hi," Naruto looking back down at his new headband.
"You alright?" Sasuke asked sitting next to him. Naruto picked his head up and made eye contact for a few seconds before letting it drop once more. "Guess that's a no." He said putting his hands behind his head and kicking his feet to a more comfortable position. For Sasuke, Naruto was normally an easy read; if he wasn't voicing his opinion then his face would say it all but not today. Today Naruto's face was a blank mask. In his relaxed positions, Sasuke tapped his finger nervously behind his head. He didn't like this, not knowing. Sasuke was expecting his best friend to be loud when he heard Iruka died. He was expecting weeping or an angry fit but not this. This was a side of Naruto he had never seen: quiet and cold.
A silence passed before Sasuke spoke again."You… you want to kill him, don't you? Make him pay for what he did; for what he took from you?"
"Yeah," Naruto whispered not looking away from the headband. Sasuke noticed his knuckles seemed to whiten, and his hand shook more violently.
Sasuke smiled, he was no longer in the dark. This was something he understood. Sasuke stood up and brushed himself off. "If you want revenge you can't just sit here." Sasuke offered his hand. "Come on, I'll buy you some ramen," Naruto looked up and took his hand, "but only two bowls! I've only got so much saved up." That made the smaller boy crack a little smile, as the two walked to Ichiraku.
0o0o0o0
One week later
"Today's the day!" Naruto yelled excitedly taking his seat near his friends. The six would always sit together on the windowed side of the classroom. Naruto being front and center, it was a strategic move to get attention, with Sasuke on his right and Choji on his left. Hinata would usually sit directly behind him with Kiba being to the right of her and Shikamaru on the left next to the window, for gazing purposes.
"Yeah," Hinata said a shy smile gracing her face, "Y-you think maybe we might be on the same team?"
Naruto leaned back in his chair and put his arms behind his head. "Yeah, that'd be great." His head drifted up behind him at Sakura, "I just really want to be on a team with Sakura, ya know?"
"Use your head dope. She'd be a liability in a combat zone," Sasuke stated.
Kiba gave a sly smile, "Well that shouldn't be a problem for the rookie of the year. You could be her hero Sasuke. Think about it. Every mission when things get tough: 'Oh Sasuke please help me!'" He said this in a falsetto voice. "You'd have a damsel to save on every mission! Heck, if you get Ino you'll get that in stereo."
"Please don't even joke about that," Sasuke said massaging his forehead, "I'd never get anything done."
While Kiba was snickering as Shikamaru said, "I wouldn't worry about Ino. She's going to probably be with me and Choji, unfortunately."
Choji nodded and after swallowing his chips said, "It's kind of our families' tradition." Turning to Shikamaru he said, "But come on Shikamaru We've known Ino forever. She's not that bad."
"Yeah, we've known her forever. That's how I know what I'm talking about."
"Well, that's one less thing to worry about," Sasuke said feeling somewhat relieved.
"Alright everyone!" Yelled a teacher clapping his hands together, "you will be called up by your new jounin sensei so everyone pay attention."
The first jounin came up and said, "Okay team 1 you're with me. That would be…" and so it went. Each jonin would come up and call off their new students, but when team 7 was to be called no one came up. A few sighs came from some of the jounin.
"Sorry about this," One of the jounin said stepping forward, "Team 7, I would get used to your sensei's umm... habits anyway Team 7 is Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno please wait in this room until your sensei arrives." A small uproar came up from most of the girls.
"Yes!" Naruto said to himself as hiding a fist pump, while Sasuke's desk made a quiet thud as his head slammed into it.
"Quiet!" the woman who just announced Team 7 continued, "I'm the sensei for Team 8 which is Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga, and Shino Aburame. Please meet me at training ground 8 after lunch."
Kiba looked at Hinata who was moping to herself. He put his arm around her brought her close and gave her a noogie. "Hey what's with long face?" he asked, "We're on the same team aren't we?"
Hinata gently pushed Kiba away and in a small giggling fit said, "Yeah, I suppose you're right." Akamaru gave a few encouraging yips. "Thanks guys," she said giving them a great full smile.
"Team 10 will be with me. That would be Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka," A piercing scream could be heard in the back of the room.
"Why is she acting so surprised?" Shikamaru muttered with gritted teeth, wondering where he could get a pair of ear plugs.
The last few teams were called and everyone was dismissed for lunch. "We could eat here and wait for your sensei with you," Choji offered.
"Thanks," Naruto said as they all unpacked their lunches.
"Hey Sasuke," Sakura said walking up to the group, "since we're going to be on the same team why don't I eat with you?"
"I can think of a fe-" Sasuke started but was cut off by Naruto.
"Of course you can join us!" he yelled.
Ino, not one to be beaten went up to Shikamaru and said, "Hey Shikamaru, since we're going to be on the same team why don't I eat with you and your friends?"
"Because you're-" Shikamaru started but was cut off by Choji.
"The more the merrier," he said.
"Thank you Choji," Ino said has Shikamaru glared at his friend. "So Sasuke, you know just because me and you aren't on the same team doesn't mean we can't see each other."
"I wish it did," both Sasuke and Sakura said under their breaths.
Hinata looked around expecting Shino to ask her and Kiba to join, but was surprised to find he was not in the room. She shrugged it off, figuring she'd get time to know the mysterious boy later, but still a little disappointed that she would have to wait to meet a new possible friend.
Most of their meal consisted of Ino and Sakura trying to get Sasuke's attention to his great annoyance and Naruto trying and failing to get Sakura's attention. The rest of the group were quite content to watch the scene unfold. When the bell finally rang, Team 7's leader was nowhere to be found.
"Well that's our cue," Kiba said getting up to leave, "hope your sensei get's here soon." He walked out with Hinata close in toe after she said her goodbyes.
"Meeting at the usual spot tomorrow night right?" Shikamaru asked making sure to avoid saying where it was less Ino crash their event.
"See you then," Naruto said waving goodbye.
"Wait where are you guys meeting," Ino asked.
"Tell you later," Shikamaru lied as team 10 left.
"So when do you guys think he'll show up?" Naruto asked getting in a relaxed position ready for a long wait.
"I don't know. This is pretty unprofessional," Sasuke answered.
"Well, how late can he be?" Sakura asked.
An hour later Kakashi came in saying sweetly, "So, this is my new team, eh, by the look of you three, I have a feeling you'll all be dead on your first real mission."
"What took you so long!?" Naruto asked pointing an accusing finger at Kakashi.
"Patience is a skill every ninja needs to learn," Kakashi answered.
"So was that our first lesson or have you not learn the lesson of punctuality?" Sasuke asked calmly but not hiding his irritation. Kakashi didn't answer instead he ordered his new team to the roof where they would have the mandatory greetings and Kakashi would explain what the real graduation test would be.
0o0o0o0
"So, how's your new team?" Asuma asked Kurenai. The two were eating dinner at Kurenai's house after meeting their new teams.
"Well," Kurenai started putting her thumb and forefinger to her bottom lip, "I've got Shibi's son Shino, Tsume's son Kiba and Hiashi's daughter Hinata. Each of their respective clan's abilities makes them a perfect tracking squad. Shino's very reserved, he said almost nothing during the introductions, but that's expected of an Aburame. Hinata's behind with her peers and graduated with one of the lowest overall scores in her year. That shouldn't be an issue, though if they pass she could catch up easily. Lastly, there's Kiba who's exactly what I'd expect son of Tsume to be." She gave a cocky smile, "Overall I think I can turn them into one of the best teams in the village. That is so long as they pass my test. How's your team?"
Asuma smiled and said, "I've got the physical incarnations of sloth, gluttony, and wrath."
0o0o0o0
After saying goodbye to his new team Naruto left for the long walk home. The sun was setting in the distance and the streets were alive. People were talking and drink with old friends, some working, others bonding with their family. A silence followed the boy as he walked passed people. People would stop their conversation to glare at him. Some whispered insults and wishes of bad fortune.
Naruto could feel every eye on him, they wrapped him in an aura of shame and humiliation for just being alive. Alone on the streets Naruto felt exposed. Most days he would just put up a brave smile and ignore it but things had changed. Naruto knew now why they hated him; why he was treated the way he was. He's old sensei Mizuki told him.
"You are the Nine-Tailed Fox!" His words rang in Naruto's head. Mizuki was always so encouraging to him. They weren't close like him and Iruka but Mizuki was nice to him and there were very few adults that were, but it was all an act. Mizuki used Naruto and killed Iruka when he tried to protect him. Iruka's last act was to give Naruto a field promotion.
This was the first time Naruto had ever felt betrayal. He never knew his feelings for someone could change so dramatically in such a short time. Naruto used to try and impress Mizuki, believing he could find another friend in him, but now violent fantasies danced in his head. Not long ago these thoughts would have repulsed Naruto, but now he wanted to make them reality.
Naruto's reflection on this when he heard an uncharacteristically quiet, "Naruto?" Naruto blinked as he saw Hanabi was walking with him. "You okay?" She asked.
"Huh, oh, yeah I'm fine, ya know," Naruto said quickly putting on a big smile after he regained composer.
"Are you sure? You had this scary look on your face." Hanabi asked her eyes looking at Naruto's face but did not quite meeting his eyes.
Naruto rustled her hair. "Come on, you know nothing gets to an ace ninja like me." She pushed Naruto's hand away and gave him an indignant look she thought was intimidating but Naruto saw as adorable. He laughed and went on his way with a dismissive wave and a, "see ya kid."
When he felt he was a safe enough distance away Naruto let his smile drop. He continued reflecting on The Fox the whole way home. He wondered what his friends would think if they ever found out. He thought they might understand but the thought of 'what if they don't' stuck in his mind. They could abandon him and leave him alone again. That is what Naruto feared most of all. He could count the number of friends his own age he had on his left hand and the number of years they were his friend with his right.
It wasn't till he heard a, "Hey Naruto you feeling alright," that he was taken out of his dark thoughts. It was his next door neighbor, Mr. Kita. Mr. Kita was one of the few adults who Naruto could say was nice. He was a brown-haired man in his mid-twenties who introduced Naruto to the hobby of gardening.
Naruto forced his mouth up in a smile again, "Nah, everything's fine. You know me."
Mr. Kita laughed, "Yeah you're right nothing ever gets you down. Well if you don't need anything then I've got some plants that need watering."
Naruto said a cheery goodbye before he went into his apartment where he allowed his smile to fall again. The old place had a living/bedroom, a kitchen, and bathroom. Naruto didn't keep his place tidy. He didn't see any reason to do so. He didn't mind the mess so long as he could find what he was looking for and it was a rarity for him to have visitors. On the window sill was a small garden though the plants were put around higglety-pigglety without any semblance of order or design. By his bed was desk covered in framed photos.
He walked over to the desk and looked at some of the photos. There was one of Choji sitting on a very disgruntled Sasuke. That photo always made Naruto laugh it was the only time Choji beat Sasuke in a sparring match. There was the one of Naruto at Ichiraku with Iruka and his tutor celebrating his first A+. There was the one of him and Iruka with a piece torn off where a smiling Mizuki use to be.
Then there was the one of Naruto's parents. He picked it up. His father was wearing his Hokage hat next to his mother who was pregnant at the time. Both were smiling; a happy family that would soon have their first child. Normally this picture would bring Naruto a feeling of bliss or longing but not this time, not recently. Naruto's free hand went to his gut and in an inaudible whisper he asked, "What did you do to me dad?"
"Naruto."
The growl came from seemingly nowhere. It was deep and seemed to shake the whole room or at least Naruto thought it did. "Who's there?" Naruto asked pulling out a kunai. He shot his eyes all around the room but saw nothing. "Show yourself!" There was no answer but it still left a presence; an enigmatic aura. He slept very little that night.
0o0o0o0
The next morning all the teams met at their respective training grounds. Sakura was greeted with a loud yawn from Naruto. "Please don't tell me you stayed up all night celebrating or something. Honestly, Naruto if you can't get your act together you're going to bring us all down with you."
Naruto gave a cheeky smile and rubbed the back of his head, "Sorry, I was really excited last night and I had trouble sleeping."
"You're not a ninja yet dope," Sasuke said.
"Yeah, but I will be right as soon as we pass Kakashi-sensei's test. Where is he by the way? I skipped breakfast so I wouldn't be late."
"Wait you did what!?" Sakura yelled, "so you're sleep deprived and hungry?"
"Don't worry about me," Naruto said waving a nonchalant hand, "I can go for days without food or sleep."
"Naruto if you hold me back I'm going to-" Sasuke stated but was cut off by Naruto.
"Come on Sasuke it's me we're talking about."
"That does not give me confidence," Sasuke said half to himself.
Kakashi appeared two hours later. "You're late!" Naruto yelled when he finally arrived.
"Sorry, I had to help my grandmother with some chores this morning you know how it is," Kakashi said, "Anyway we're going to be doing what is called the bell test."
0o0o0o0
"Okay," Asuma said to his new studies, "here's going to be your real test. You three are going to have to work together and beat me in a game of shogi."
"Really that's all?" Ino asked, "we just have to win at some dumb game? There has to be a catch."
"No catch," Asuma said smiling, "shogi involves a lot of strategy and creative thinking that can be applied to battle."
"Ha, we lucked out! You got this one Shikamaru!" Choji cheered.
"Are you sure you want Shikamaru calling all the shots? You two would be putting your careers in Shikamaru's hands," Asuma asked.
"Defiantly," Choji said not missing a heartbeat.
Ino, on the other hand, looked less confident, "maybe we should discuss a plan before we give Shikamaru control."
"Don't worry Ino, Shikamaru is one of the best shogi players I've ever seen," Choji said all smiles
"and how many shogi plays have you seen?" Ino quickly retorted.
"Don't worry Ino, I'll try to win," Shikamaru said in a manner that suggested he was half asleep, "If we go back to the academy my mother would never shut up about it."
"Nor will I!" Ino yelled.
"Even more reason for me to win," Shikamaru stated.
"Fine," Ino said giving up at the realization that she didn't even know how to play anyway.
0o0o0o0
"New trick?" Sasuke asked after seeing Naruto's new Shadow Clone Jutsu. The two were standing in front of Kakashi while Sakura was hiding in the forest watching the scene unfold.
"Yeah," Naruto said proudly, "it's my new favorite jutsu."
"It will be useful that's for sure," Sasuke said not taking his eyes off Kakashi who was just standing there lazily. "Alright dope listen, if me and you hit him at once we might be able to get those bells and pass this test."
"But what about Sakura?" Naruto asked.
"Look only two of us can pass and besides she'd be dead weight anyway. Our team would be stronger if it was just me and you."
"But Sasuke," Naruto said sheepishly, "I've spent years trying to get close to Sakura and now we have a chance to be on a team together."
"What!?" Sasuke said final taking his eyes off Kakashi to look at Naruto, "are you telling me you'd prefer her on your team?"
"Sorry Sasuke."
"Naruto she doesn't even like you."
"Well maybe if she got to know me."
"Got to know you? You've got to be-"
"Are you two really arguing about this?" Kakashi asked. Normally he would let discourse play out but he felt the need to make an exception in this particular case.
0o0o0o0
"Here's your test," Kurenai said, "I'm going to be hidden within the training field and you three have to find me."
"So our test is a game of hide and seek?" Kiba asked perplexed.
"Actually yes," Kurenai answered, "If you three pass you will become a tracking team. So I thought this to be the best way to test you three."
"Do you want us to close our eyes and count to a hundred or something?" Kiba asked.
"No need," said cheerfully as she made a seal and vanished.
"Hinata can you see her with your Byakugan? I lost her scene," Kiba asked.
She tried but shook her head and said, "I think we've been talking to an illusion this whole time she could be anywhere now."
"Hinata can you see through genjutsu?" Shino asked all business.
"Y-yes I should be able to see her if she's close enough."
"Good, tell Kiba when she's near. Kiba as soon as Hinata gives you the word go after her. I'll draw her closer to our position," Shino said and then lifted his arms and released a swarm of bugs.
0o0o0o0
Ring ring ring... "Well time's up," Kakashi said calmly, "You three failed."
"What!" Naruto yelled, "You can't be serious!"
"Oh I'm quite serious," Kakashi said still calmly as ever, "ta ta now better luck next year."
"Please Kakashi-sensei give us another chance," Sakura pleaded.
Kakashi face, or what could be seen of it, suddenly became hard, "Another chance!? You three are lucky your being allowed back into the academy!"
Naruto and Sakura winced at the sudden hostility but Sasuke lashed out, "and why is that?! because we couldn't grab you dumb bells."
"No! It's because out of all the times I've done this test no team has done as spectacularly bad as you three! The point of this exercise was teamwork. To see how you three would fare in a situation where one of you couldn't survive. To see if you three could work together despite being pinned against each other. That was what this test simulated and you three completely failed. Sakura, you were so busy admiring and worrying about Sasuke that you completely ignored Naruto when he needed help. Naruto, I don't know where to begin. I honestly had the most faith that you would salvage this and get the group to work together seeing as you cared for the both of them but instead you chose to blow off your best friend for a girl who has never shown the slightest interest in you. Finally Sasuke, the way you treated Sakura is inexcusable! To leave a teammate behind because you believe him or her to be a burden! I shouldn't have to explain why that makes you not just a terrible teammate but a terrible person in general."
No one meat Kakashi's eye. A silence fell before Kakashi continued, anger lessened but still there, "Know what fine I'll give you three another chance," at that the three snapped their heads up mouths open.
"R-really?" Naruto asked.
"Yes but if you fail this test I'm not letting you three back into the academy! Is that understood!?" They all nodded. "Good now it's about lunchtime. You three rest and I'll be back within the hour and you three better not disappoint me," again all three nodded, "here," Kakashi said handing lunch boxes to both Sasuke and Sakura, "You two can have these. Naruto you don't get lunch."
"Huh why?" he asked.
"Consider it a lesson in unpreparedness. You came into the test without eating and barely sleeping because of that you aren't just setting yourself up for failure but your teammates who rely on you as well. You two can feed him but if I catch you doing it you fail the test. Think of this as game. Will you go on with an underperforming teammate, who's at fault for underperforming I might add or possibly fail the test." Kakashi disappeared in a puff of smoke.
About five minutes went by with Naruto staring and drooling as Sasuke and Sakura ate. "We have to give him something," Sasuke stated.
"What but we'll fail," Sakura replied.
"Look he's not here and if Naruto's not at his top game we'll fail anyway," Sasuke said.
Sakura sighed and gave Naruto the rest of her meal, "Here considerate it an apology for leaving you behind back there."
Naruto teared up, "thank you so much Sakura," he said more than a little choked up.
"Okay okay I'm just letting you finish my lunch don't make it weird," Naruto took the meal and ate a piece.
"Okay you three can be genin," Kakashi said in an almost bored tone of voice. He was sitting there with the three acting as if he never left.
"Wait what?" Naruto asked.
"You three are officially genin starting now, congratulations," He said still bored.
"Not to sound ungrateful but didn't you say we'd fail?" Sakura asked.
"You did fail the test, the test to see if you're terrible people. You're not terrible people so you failed and I'm not letting you back in the academy because I'm promoting you all to genin."
"What?" Naruto asked confused.
"We're ninja now, dope," Sasuke clarified.
"Wait! how!?" Naruto asked still not following but very excited.
Kakashi answered, "You took a risk to help your, comrade and friend. On a mission, you are putting your lives in each other's hands and I need to see that you wouldn't abandon each other at the first sight of trouble. Your friend needed help and you gave him help even though it meant putting yourselves at risk. You are worse than scum if you leave behind a friend when you could do something to save them. So yes you all are ninja now." The new genin could tell Kakashi was giving them a genuine smile behind his mask.
Naruto jumped in the air yelling, "I'm a ninja! we did it! Wahoo!" and things of that nature.
"Tomorrow you'll be given a day to celebrate and the next day we will meet here at seven. Until then have a good time you three earned it!" Kakashi said and disappeared once again in a puff of smoke.
"Say Sakura want to go for some ramen to celebrate," Naruto asked.
"We may be on the same team but that doesn't mean I'm going to go on a date with you. Especially not to a ramen bar, "was Sakura's somewhat cold answer. Naruto was a little deflated at that.
"Come on dope, we're late as it is," Sasuke said.
"Wait, Sasuke you're going?" Sakura asked.
"Yea we all planned to meet up after the tests," Naruto answered.
"Wait who do you mean by 'all,'" Sakura asked.
0o0o0o0
"Congratulations!" Kurenai said with a broad smile, "You three have passed with flying colors!"
"Yahoo!" Kiba yelled jumping in the air, not unlike Naruto.
"Tomorrow you three can celebrate the next day we meet here at seven. Unless you have any questions I'll be off," When Kurenai didn't receive an answer she left.
"Come on Hinata!" Kiba cheered, "let's go celebrate!"
"Would you like to come with us Shino?" Hinata asked, "we're meeting our friends at Ichiraku."
"I'd prefer to celebrate in solitude," was Shino's answer.
"Oh umm... okay if that's what you want."
"It is."
"Well I guess we'll see you then."
0o0o0o0
Asuma blinked, "I'm impressed."
"What happened? I can't follow this game," Ino asked.
"Shikamaru won… much more easily than I expected actually," Asuma said.
"So that means we all pass?" Ino asked.
"Yes congratulations you're all genin."
"Umm... Asuma-sensei I'm kind of afraid to ask this but how did me and Ino pass too if we didn't really do anything?" Choji asked and then was hit by Ino.
"Actually it's because you did nothing you passed," was Asuma's cryptic answer.
"What do you mean?" Ino asked.
"I mean you knew this was Shikamaru's strong suit and let him take control. While this test tests strategic skills it also tests teamwork, trust, humility, and confidence. You both identified who was best suited for this job and trusted that person to take the reins. If you both insisted that Shikamaru do this or that, or tried to take control, like other teams I've had, it would have thrown him off and you all would have failed. There's also the fact Shikamaru knew he could do this. I've occasionally had teams with a master player but he or she wasn't confident enough and let less competent people play and loose."
"So what I'm hearing," Shikamaru said, "is that to pass everyone had to do nothing except me, how ironic."
0o0o0o0
"H-hey they finally made it!" Choji called out jovially as he saw team 7 who were the last to make it to the ramen bar. All of the passing genin were there with the exceptions of Ino and Shino.
"What took you guys so long and did you pass?" Shikamaru asked as the new arrivals as they sat down.
"Of course we did!" said/yelled Naruto.
"The reason we took so long is because of our new sensei seems to have a problem with punctuality," Sasuke answered, "So how about you guys? I'm guessing you all passed too, judging by your moods. Even Hinata looks less sad than usual... come-on Hinata I'm just joking besides you making that face just proves my point."
"Of course we passed," Kiba said, "If the test were easy enough for you would there be any doubt my team would pass."
"Yes," Sasuke deadpanned before sitting down and ordering his meal.
"So I see you brought your new girlfriend, Sasuke," Kiba said trying to one up him still.
"Naruto invited her," Sasuke replied coolly not letting Kiba get to him, as was the norm.
"Of course he did," Shikamaru sighed. He didn't like girls who fell under the classification of naggy or screechy. From personal experience, Shikamaru could say Sakura was both.
"So Sakura, since you're on Naruto and Sasuke's team; will we be seeing you around more often?" Choji asked trying to be friendly.
"Umm... maybe," Sakura said noncommittally. She could sense some hostility from most of them and besides these weren't the people she'd normal hang out with. In her opinion, they were all kind of the weird. She wondered why someone as cool as Sasuke hung out with them so often, to her it was like seeing a swan in a flock of ducks.
"Well everyone we did it!" Naruto yelled seeming to realize that he'd been there for almost three minutes with talking, "today we are official ninja and one step closer to our goals!"
Some in the group gave a "here-here."
"It feels kind of weird," Hinata said, "to think we're ninja now."
"I know what you mean," Choji added, "yesterday we were kids going to school and now, well... we're not. It's kind of scary."
"Come-on guys," Naruto said, "we passed the tests, ya know. That means we're ready."
"Don't be too cocky Naruto," Teuchi said, handing him his second bowl, "you never know what you'll have to face or have to do for that matter."
"You sound like you're talking from personal experience," Sasuke noted.
"Boy, believe me when I say I've been around the block and we'll leave it at that," Teuchi said, though everyone was curious, including Ayame, no one asked.
"Don't worry old man, I'll just be stronger than anything I have to face," Naruto said proudly.
"A very Naruto response," Shikamaru said with a smirk.