24 Academy students sat on their knees, sashes around their eyes, as they listened to instructions given out by their teachers. This ritual was one of passage and a tradition formed long ago at the beginning of Konoha.
Naruto Uzumaki smiled from under his sash as he listened to his teachers. Today was the day he was assigned a partner. He had worked very hard for this moment and finally the time had come. Shaking his head, as a true ninja must not show emotion, he almost screamed as he was picked up and lead away from where the remaining children sat. Finally being sat back down he ignored what had happened and continued to think on today's events.
The introduction of the partner into Konoha had been very successful as their partner saved many ninja each year. Partners were with you until they either died or you died, at which point they usually gave up on the ninja career. Your partner trained with you, ate with you, even slept in the same room as you, it was uncommon for male and female partners to even get married. Naruto smiled. He would be glad to forge that connection with…anyone.
"Now channel chakra around your self, and go to the chakra that most attracts you, there is no going back from this point, and your partner will be chosen for life."
12 students were chosen to be the 'seekers' and the other twelve the 'found'. The chakra aura that surrounds one is to make sure you and your partner were most compatible. A very good system indeed.
Slowly movement was felt around the room as seekers chose they're found.
Naruto still hadn't been chosen yet.
He sighed.
Perhaps he had an ugly chakra? Shaking his head to clear the thought he focused on resonating it throughout the room.
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Hyuuga Hinata walked slowly through the room; she could feel the chakra of many but none of them felt right. She too had anticipated this day. The day she would make her first true friend. Sure there was Ten-ten and Ino, and that pink haired girl, but they were more acquaintances than anything.
She sighed.
Focusing her chakra she slowly felt warmth coming from somewhere. Blushing she decided to follow it. Puzzled as she opened a door, she continued to follow it.
I thought all the students were in the same room.
She followed many corridors and found her goal as the warmth enveloped her. She smiled as she removed the sash of the person the warmth was coming from.
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When Naruto's sash fell to the ground he smiled and looked up to see two things. The first was a pale-eyed girl whom the name of which evaded him; the second was that he was not in the same room he had begun in. Discarding this fact he greeted the person who had found him.
"HI! I'm Naruto Uzumaki, next hokage!"
Blushing Hinata mumbled her name softly as she shook his hand. At which point the teachers who had placed Naruto in the room cursed under their breath. He wasn't supposed to have a partner, let alone the heir of the Hyuuga clan, this wouldn't end very well.
"Oi, you two. Come here lets go back…"
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After Naruto and Hinata had spoken to each other for a little bit, they were sent to get their belongings as they were to be moved to a new living quarters. At which point the instructors took the opportunity to speak to the hokage.
"Hokage-sama, we have a situation with the new academy students."
Taking a drag out of his pipe, he nodded signaling for Iruka to continue.
"It's Uzumaki Naruto sir, he seems to have…bypassed…our failsafe. A partner has chose him."
Coughing the Hokage spoke.
"I'm not as concerned about that as much as I am that you decided to sabotage the choosing, continue for now a punishment will be decided later."
Gulping, Iruka continued.
"Well, myself and mizuki-san placed Naruto-san in a chakra nullified room, away from the other children as many parents have issued complaints about him possibly being partnered with their child. In any case that Hyuuga girl, found him and apparently choose him. Considering the position the Hyuuga are at in our council I suggest we revoke the partnering."
"No."
Looking up from the ground, Iruka looked surprised at the hokage's words.
"But Hok-"
"I said no, not only is the ritual a right of passage and tradition in konoha's history, but If this Hyuuga girl was able to sense him from a room where his chakra was locked in, I doubt she will find a better partner. Tell Hiashi that if he has any complaints that he will keep them to himself as I am a very busy man. Now leave."
"H-hai Hokage-sama"
As Iruka left, the Hokage smiled to himself.
Those brats shall be capable of great things, and I know just who to train them.
"Secretary."
"Yes?"
"Get me..Mitarishi Anko."
"Yes sir."
Chuckling the man continued his thoughts.
Oh this will be interesting.
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I thought this up in like 10 minutes, I know my other stories need an update but…meh… review.