Hiruzen resisted the urge to laugh as he leaned back in his chair. He was in his seat along with many other men and women of the council inside their chamber. This room inside the hokage monument was reserved for when the council met on issues such as the village economy, or relations with the other villages.

Here he was, the 'God of Shinobi' himself, stuck listening to fully grown men and women squabbling like children over the last piece of candy. It was the end of another year and therefore, it meant another batch of fresh genin.

Every time it was the same. The list of graduates was brought up, and the children were divided into teams based on a series of factors. Individual skills, their personalities, whether or not their techniques could mesh together fluidly, and finally what type of team they were. Of course, the jonin that would be teaching them was picked through the same process. It was a well organized system that had been used since the time of the Shodaime.

But it was still pretty boring. The Sandaime was bored as hell during these meetings, no that he would ever admit it, and he longed for some entertainment. Preferably in the form of a certain orange book.

But then again, there was such a thing as too much entertainment.

The reason for everyone's strife was the fact that this was an extremely rare graduating class. To be comprised of so many clan heirs and heiresses only happened every few generations, and an impressive amount of others had graduated as well, being both civilians and members of less prominent clans. Of course, the crown jewel of the group was Sasuke Uchiha, rookie of the year as well as the last surviving member of Konoha's legendary Uchiha clan.

The boy represented everything in a ninja. He was highly skilled in both nin and taijutsu, as well as bukijutsu, although his genjutsu skills were just on level. He had high chakra reserves for his age and above all, he had the actual mindset of a ninja, unlike most of his peers.

The Hokage's sigh went unnoticed among the noise. Yes, that was the problem with the academy he supposed. Konoha's victory in the Third Shinobi War had solidified their place as the strongest ninja village, and unfortunately it had led to many of it's members becoming complacent with their status.

They were by no means weak, but their methods were not as effective as they had been. Now students spent more time learning about history than how to throw a shuriken.

This led to a smaller number of graduates. The last group had only had one team graduating to become genin while the others were returned to the academy, became couriers or some other station in the shinobi force, or were dropped from the program altogether.

It was disheartening, and it worried the aged hokage. Would Konoha fall due to it's own carelessness?

Shaking his head to clear his mind, Hiruzen stood from his chair.

All noise ceased at the moment. Councilors who had been screaming in each other's faces sat down like the adults they were and watched their leader intently.

The Sandaime looked around slowly, noticing slight flinches as his gaze passed over them. "Now that you're acting your age." More flinches, this time in embarrassment instead of fear. "I believe we should be getting back to the topic of team placements like the respectable, mature adults that we are hmm? He asked, lacing his words with a tinge of killing intent.

His only replies were frantic nods. He just kept himself from smirking. 'I've still got it,' he thought before clearing his throat.

The highest ranked jonin in the village, Shikaku Nara, began to speak. "Hokage-sama the teams are all set, but we have an issue." He stated, looking slightly uncomfortable from the slight crease of his eyebrows.

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "What could this problem be?" He inquired. If the team placements were ready, what could possibly be left to do?

"The team consisting of Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno is incomplete, despite the fact that they will be led by Kakashi Hatake. Taking another genin wouldn't fix anything, and there's nobody else competent enough."

Hiruzen sighed. 'Of course,' he mentally groaned. 'A problem that's impossible to fix without messing something else up.' Taking another genin out of their assigned team wouldn't do any good, and allowing a dropout to pass was a recipe for disaster.

An idea struck him. It was extremely risky. In fact, if anyone else were to suggest it, they would certainly be passed of as completely insane and locked up without a second thought, but it was the only thing he could come up with.

"Members of the council. I have a suggestion . . . "

Well I'm back! I'm UBER sorry for being gone for so long, but I was busy having a life and dealing with the shit that comes with it. But I'm here with a new story and completely new ideas.

I'm making this a grittier, more realistic version of the series. This fic is dark, there is no ridiculous immediate friendships or ideas that love can do everything. This is my portrayal of the ninja world, and there will be many new elements.

For anyone who's wondering, bukijutsu is the use of weapons. Review please! WHY DON"T YOU GUY REVIEW?!