A/N: Hello readers, it is I, Irondragon555, and after a long hiatus of writer's block and various different projects, I have written a piece that might peak your interest. Those who remember my original story will be surprised at my different styling of the chapters and/or the format. I have purposely made it as you see to make it a bit easier to read. However since this is my first piece in a long time, I welcome all types of criticisms. Flames are also welcome; I will just use them to cook my noodles and boil my tea. So please enjoy the following piece.
Chapter 1: Team 11 is born
"Naruto Uzumaki, you are ordered to turn over your research."
"By whose authority? If the Hokage asked for it, he would be here. We have an understanding. Please try to force your way onto my property, I'll be sure to leave your mutilated corpses in front of the gates for ANBU. They love when people mess with me."
The blonde hanyou grinned widely, showing off his sharp fangs. The council member and his cronies took a step back as their nervousness increased. Several ANBU appeared behind the entourage as the Sandaime appeared from a puff of smoke.
Hiruzen rubbed his temples as ANBU took the councilman and his cronies into custody.
"Naruto-kun, why do you always make it so difficult? You should just call ANBU to deal with them. Black ops loves you."
"Black ops loves my inventions. They have a grudging respect for the blonde punk that can outsmart their entire organization."
The Sandaime and Naruto shared a laugh as they recalled the fond memories of Naruto terrorizing the village and frustrating the ANBU who could never catch him.
"On a serious note, you need to take on a team. You rival many legendary ninja in power alone and yet you have no legacy. It's time to take on a team."
"Alright old man but if I agree to do this, it's on my terms. Is this acceptable?"
The two shook on it as they went to the Hokage's office to finalize the paperwork.
Two months later
"Alright listen closely when I call out team rosters. I won't repeat myself."
Iruka began to list off team but most were not listening. They had made it onto a genin team and too busy celebrating with their friends. When their assignments came, most were sobered immediately. They didn't have who they wanted on their team but it was final.
Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno were no different. They were busy hoping to be on their crush's team but we're shocked to find they were paired with Hinata Hyuuga. The room grew silent when Iruka announced their sensei.
Naruto Uzumaki - The Shi no Kage
Their sensei was but a few months their senior but was a prodigy in all fields. He had other nicknames like Fuinjutsu King and Sleeping Dragon but Shi no Kage was the most frightening. They had never seen their sensei before unlike the other jounin who were picking up their teams. They all hoped he didn't live up his moniker.
The room visibility dimmed as liquid darkness poured into the room. Their sensei appeared from the miasma as he gestured for them to follow him. The darkness let up as he vanished into thin air. A note fluttered down slowly.
Team 11, meet me at training ground eleven. I am waiting
Naruto Uzumaki
It was short and sweet and the subtle implication of failure to arrive lingered in the back of their minds. With a bit of hesitation they made their way to their training area.
Training Ground 11
Naruto observed his team from the trees above and sighed when he remained undiscovered. They needed work but he saw untapped potential in each of them. He would cast them in fire and shape them into formidable ninja. For now, he would continue his observation.
"Where do you think Naruto-sensei is? We made it to the training ground he specified."
Ino looked around but nothing was unusual. No sign of her jounin sensei.
"Did he call us here for nothing then?"
Hinata shook her head as she pressed her fingers together nervously.
"Ano, I think he has a reason to bring us here. He is properly observing us from a distance."
A smoke bomb rolled to a stop at the trio's feet. It immediately oozed thick noxious smoke at an alarming rate. The girls tried to make their way out of the cloud. When it finally dissipated, their sensei stood among them shaking his head.
"I'm disappointed in you three for not sensing my presence. Despite your shortcomings, each one of you have great potential. I am not your standard jounin so prepare for hard work. I will see you all here tomorrow at 9 am sharp. Eat a hearty breakfast or you will regret it."
The next morning all three genin showed up at nine am at training ground 11. Each one had eaten and was well rested. After their sensei's appraisal of them yesterday they were eager to earn praise rather than a scolding.
"Good you all looked well rested and full. We will be starting today with light calisthenics. I want twenty push ups, twenty crunches and five laps around the grounds. I will be watching so use proper form if you don't want to be punished."
One hour later, all three of kunoichi were breathing hard and sweating profusely.
"I can't feel my legs."
"Never mind our legs Ino, my ab muscles are stiff."
Naruto sighed as Ino and Sakura made small talk. Hinata produced a small container of a glam which she applied to her sore muscles and tender parts. He could see the redness and swelling already decreasing even though she had just applied the ointment.
"You must make your own muscle ointment because it's nothing like the ones the stores sell."
Hinata blushed as she found the grass suddenly interesting.
"Ano okaa-san taught me how to make it. It's very simple."
Naruto nodded in approval cleared his throat.
"We have had sufficient time to rest so now I will be shifting focus to chakra control. This way you don't burn yourselves out. Watch closely and I'll explain after the demonstration."
Naruto placed a foot on a tree and walked up the trunk as if he was strolling up a street in the village. Gravity seemed to have no effect as he stood perpendicularly to the tree.
"This tree walking exercise will help you strengthen your control and expand your reserves. Those with better control have smaller reserves so you will be performing the task with additional repetitions. Begin."
They all made it quite far up the tree in their first go so Naruto made them do sets to strengthen their chakra control and expand their reserves. He had them do kunai balancing and leaf floating afterwards before calling it for lunch.
"We will pick it up after lunch," he said.
The blonde hanyou took them to a bbq place he frequented and let them pick whatever they wanted. He warned them not to eat too heavily because there would be more physical training after lunch.
Training Ground 11
"Alright now that you are rested and fed, let's work on your taijutsu. I know some of you have family techniques but the odds will likely be against outside of the village or during the chūnin exams. I will be adding and possibly modifying your taijutsu so you can waste less energy and focus the energy you do require more efficiently."
Naruto made three shadow clones and observed each of his students. In twenty minutes, he had planned an overhaul for each student to capitalize on their strengths and improve on their weaknesses.
By far, Sakura Haruno was barely competent and he knew why but with persistence and close instruction she could be a formidable kunoichi.
Ino Yamanaka was just as bad as Sakura in some aspects but she at least had some grounding in her Clark's taijutsu. It was very basic but it showed she had skill. He would find a suitable style for her to complement her clan jutsu.
Hinata Hyūga was the best at taijutsu amongst the three but her movements were practiced and stiff. She held back and the strikes were softer then they should be. She needed a confidence crash course and a taijutsu modification to better suit her needs. She had massive potential.
They would go through hell and back but would return the strongest genin in all of the elemental nations.
ID: So what did you think? Leave your comments, suggestions and critiques in reviews. Look out for the next chapter soon.