Prologue
It had been ten years since Sasuke had killed his brother and returned to Konoha. Upon arrival, he had been detained and sentenced to execution. Luckily for him, the Akatsuki had other plans for him. They had struck within the week, laying waste to the proud village just to recruit Sasuke as a replacement for Itachi. The village was in chaos and the Uchiha managed to escape and fought along side his old team mates. The Akatsuki was defeated and fled, with only Pein, Konan, Kisame and Tobi being the survivors. Sasuke, having finally shown his loyalty to the village by defending it and killing at least one Akatsuki (Itachi), was pardoned and accepted back into the ranks of Konoha.
Now, ten years onward, Konohagakure had finally reverted to its normal state and had grown even more powerful than before. The Konoha Twelve, with the exception of Team Gai, were all 24 years old and powerful jonins.
Team 7 were referred to as the next generation of the Legendary Sannin, with Naruto being piped as the next Hokage, Sakura now as the Head of Medicine and Konoha Hospitals and Sasuke as Head of the Police Force. Team 8, team 10 and team Gai had broken up with everyone going their own way. Shikamaru had achieved jonin status and was now head of the strategist team of Konoha while happily married to Temari. Ino had taken over her father's florist business and Chouji was also jonin. Hinata was heiress and leader of the Hyuuga clan, Shino was an Anbu and Kiba was a jonin who occasionally taught at the academy. Neji, as everyone except for Naruto had predicted, was Anbu captain and Ten Ten took up a teaching position at the academy. Lee, now known as the Green Beast of Konoha, became a solo mission specialist and was known throughout the shinobi world for his incredible speed and amazing taijutsu skills.
With the past as history, most people had already moved on and the next generation of talent was ready to emerge.
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"Come on Ryu! Hurry up or we'll be late!"
Ryu looked at his younger brother and gave a small smile.
"What's the hurry Hitori? School doesn't start for another 20 minutes." He said as he strapped on his weapons holster around his left thigh.
A young, pretty pink haired woman walked over and gave both of them a hug before saying in an amused tone, "Maybe that would be because he wants to get there early. Or have you forgotten that you will be assigned teams today?"
Ryu gave a start as his eyes widened in realization. "Oh right!" he exclaimed. "I totally forgot Mom." He slipped on his black sandals and turned towards his younger brother. "Come on! What are you waiting for? Let's go!" And with that, he took off towards the Konoha Shinobi Academy with Hitori hot on his heels.
Sakura shook her head and chuckled as she got ready to go to work.
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The brothers managed to get to the academy 5 minutes before classes were due to start and went to join their friends.
"Hey guys, you're pretty early today," said a boy with white, spiky hair. "I would have thought that you wouldn't remember what day it is today."
Ryu laughed as Hitori aimed to punch him on the arm.
"Ah… I guess I was right then," the boy grinned and turned towards the front of the classroom as Iruka walked in.
"I take it that everyone is here already, so let's get started." The chunnin waved the team papers in front of the class teasingly before he started reading the teams out "Team 1: Akira Yura, Itoku Chote, Wakobi Raito. Team 2…" Ryu held his breath as he waited to hear his and his friend's names.
"Team 7: Kitaro Hatake, Ryu Tazumi, Shikato Nara. Team 8: Hitori Tazumi, Koteshi Sarutobi, Fuji Wakumi"
Ryu knew that Hitori was disappointed that they weren't in the same team but he turned and gave him an encouraging smile, knowing fully well that he was quite happy to be with his friends. Hearing Iruka speaking again, he turned his attention back to the chunnin.
"You will meet you senseis at the training grounds tomorrow at 8 pm. Don't be late! Class dismissed."
Ryu turned to face the boy sitting behind him.
"Looks like we'll se stuck with each other then Kitaro." His eyes sparkled with amusement as they turned to look at Shikato. "Just make sure you're not late Shikato, you lazy bum!"
Kitaro smiled as Shikato muttered under his breath, "How troublesome
Team 7
The three genin arrived at training ground 7 on time and they waited with anticipation for their sensei.
After half an hour, the three of them started to grow impatient, even the usually lazy Shikato.
"Where is he? Or is he either one of your dads?" Ryu growled.
"No, my dad said that he wasn't allowed to teach our team because that's the system apparently."
The three of them gave a start as a low chuckle emitted behind them. There heads whipped around but they couldn't see anyone. Kitaro's hand went to his shuriken holster instinctively and his hand curled around a kunai. He looked at the others and saw that they were just looking around dumbly.
His eyes widened as a barrage of kunais were flung straight at them. He threw himself sideways and retaliated by flinging one towards the shady figure leaning against the tree. Kitaro couldn't see who it was because of the shadows but he didn't care. He slid over to where the other two were standing and the three of them took up a defensive stance.
Shikato did some hand seals and clasped his hands together. Immediately, his shadow stretched forward at an alarming speed towards the shadows of the tree where the assailant was hiding. Their attacker leapt straight upwards and did a double flip. The three genin were momentarily blinded as the figure was in the line of the sun. As the man dropped back onto the ground, his katana stabbed straight into the earth and they could see that it was charged with electricity. Suddenly, the ground erupted as electricity shot up from the ground.
Ryu, Shikato and Kitaro dropped to the ground as their legs grew numb and they were paralysed. However, as Kitaro hit the ground, he was replaced by a log. The mystery shinobi smirked and leapt gracefully onto one of the three wooden poles. He pulled out more chakra and transferred it to the katana. Soon, the whole training ground was electrocuted and the ground exploded, sending the underground genin flying through the air before skidding till he was next to his teammates.
Ryu got to his feet shakily as he slipped his right hand into his weapon holster. Feeling the familiar feeling of cool metal of the brass knuckles on each of his fingers, he channelled all of his chakra into his right fist. With a roar, he charged straight at his enemy. His opponent did not react or turn to face him even though his back was towards Ryu. At the last second, Ryu leapt up into the air before slamming his fist onto the shinobi's back. Shockwave ripples ran through the jonin's body before it disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Shikato appeared beside him. "Kage bunshin," he said and looked frantically for both his sensei and his opponent. "Where is our sensei?" The three genin were starting to panic. There was no way they could be a chunnin, least of all a jonin! Besides, they were already running low on chakra and were out of breath.
The ninja appeared in front of them and sheathed his katana.
"A good shinobi is always alert, no matter what the circumstances are. I'm sure they taught you that in the academy."
Looking up, the genin could see that this was none other than the infamous Sasuke Uchiha.
He continued, "I have been waiting in the shadows since the three of you arrived but none of you sensed me. I'm afraid you're not fit to be genin, you have failed my test and will be sent back to the academy."
"You're our sensei?"
The stoic Uchiha turned to look at the boy who had just questioned him. The boy had spiky, jet black hair that looked like a flame and which seemed to defy gravity. His left eye was milky white with a tinge of grey but his other eye was black. He was wearing a red T-shirt with the Anbu sign on it and his forehead protector was tied around his right arm. He had a wrist band with the Konoha symbol engraved on the metal on it on each hand and was wearing a pair of blackish-blue pants. He had a weapons holster strapped around his left thigh, bandages just above his ankle and had on a pair of black sandals.
"So this is Sakura's kid," thought Sasuke. "Yes I am, Tazumi," he replied.
"I know you. You're my mom's ex teammate, aren't you?" Ryu said. "And you're Kitaro's dad's student and Shikato's dad's comrade. You're one of the Legendary Sannin!"
The Uchiha heir ignored him as he turned towards the remaining members of the team. Looking at Kitaro, he grunted mentally as he noticed the resemblance between him and Kakashi. He turned his gaze on Shikato, who was still eyeing him cautiously, and spoke in a clipped tone. "You're Shikamaru and Temari's son, aren't you?" Without waiting for an answer, he turned back to Ryu. His expression was hard to read but Ryu swore that he could see confusion flash through his eyes before they were suppressed.
"You are dismissed. Do not bother coming here anymore. You should go back to the academy now." And with that, the Head of the Konoha Police Force started to walk away.
Team 8
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"No!!"
Sasuke visibly stiffened at the noise. He raised a hand and brushed it through his raven bangs.
"I'm not going back to that place. My objective is to become a genin today and I'm prepared to fight for it!"
Sasuke recognized that as the outspoken voice of Ryu Tazumi. He lowered his head and made no attempt to show that he had heard.
Ryu's grip on his brass knuckles tightened and a blue aura surrounded his right fist as the chakra channelled through it.
"Hey! I'm talking to you! Turn and face me like a man! I don't care whether you are one of the Sannin! I'm taking you on!"
Kitaro pulled out his kunai while Shikato did the same.
"You know what? I think Ryu's right," Kitaro said.
The three of them shot forward at an alarming pace. Ryu punched the ground, using the Sakura's signature movement to trip up his sensei just as Kitaro aimed a swipe at the Uchiha's legs. However Sasuke used his right hand to press onto the ground as he pivoted around and kneed Kitaro in the gut, causing him to double over. Shikato saw the opening and performed the hand seals.
"Shadow Possession Jutsu, Ten Fold!" Shikato cried as he slapped his palms onto the ground. His shadow moved over to his fingers and split into ten, one under each of his fingers. The shadows moved forward, stretching themselves as thin as possible in order to reach their target.
With a grunt, Sasuke flipped backwards and skidded across the dirt with one hand on the hilt of his katana and the other on the ground, steadying himself. He turned as Ryu appeared as a red blur behind him. With a cry, Ryu buried his chakra infused fist and brass knuckles into the Uchiha's face.
The elder shinobi skidded across the ground on his side before hitting the wooden poles. He picked himself up and dusted his clothes. The three genin could see that their sensei was very tense by the way he was clenching and unclenching his fists and the way his eyebrows furrowed gently, allowing the Uchiha to plaster a scowl on his face.
After what seemed like an eternity, the Uchiha smirked.
"Hn. Not bad genin. You pass."
The three students looked at their sensei blankly. "What?" They cried out in unison.
Sasuke rubbed his temples. "I said you pass." He strolled towards his students and stopped in front of them. "A shinobi's ultimate purpose is to complete the mission no matter what the cost. Your missions were to pass the test and become genin and that was exactly what you did." He offered them a wry smile. "I never expected you to sense me. After all, I'm an elite jonin. That was all just an act to test whether you have the guts to challenge me and fight for your goals." He turned around again before continuing. "Same time, same place tomorrow. You're dismissed."
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"Welcome to Team Naruto then!" The hyperactive blond grinned as he gave his team the thumbs up.
"I knew that we would pass!" Fuji said as she high-fived her teammates.
Naruto folded his arms. "Why don't you three introduce yourselves over some ramen? My treat!"
The three of them grinned. "Why not?"
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Team Naruto trooped into Ichiraku's Ramen Stand and sat down.
"Four extra large miso pork ramen, old man!"
The students stared at Naruto, who seemed oblivious to them. Naruto turned and laughed.
"I hope you're hungry, because I am! So, why don't you start with the introductions?" He said as he pointed at Koteshi.
Koteshi adjusted his forehead protector and cleared his throat.
"I'm Koteshi Sarutobi, son of Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi. My grandfather was the Third Hokage. One day, I hope to be able to become an outstanding jonin and defend this village!"
Hitori grinned impishly at his sensei before starting.
"My name is Hitori Tazumi. My mother is Sakura Haruno and I have an older brother, Ryu Tazumi. I hope to be able to surpass him in the ninja arts and become and elite!"
Naruto turned to the remaining member.
"Ah… I'm Fuji Wakumi. I'm from the Wakumi clan. I hope to be able to be stronger and defeat many enemies. Yeah…that's about it."
The four of them started to eat as the bowls of delicious, steaming ramen were placed in front of them. The rest of the meal was eaten in silence.