Hello, everyone! This story is kind of just here for whenever I run out of ideas for my three main ones. At the time I am writing this, I have hit some writer's block on "The Bartel Chronicles" (formerly Tale of a Delinquent Ninja). Instead, this just came to me one night while lying in bed and I quickly hammered it out. There will be no polls as I have everything planned out. The pairing is unique as well, as evidenced by the story info, but will not become prominent until much later. Other pairings are in the works, but suggestions are welcome. Some are set in stone, though, so I may tell you your pairing will not be showing up.
This is the only A/N that will be appearing throughout the entire story, unlike my usual announcements at the beginning and explanations at the end. With that out of the way...disclaimer!
Disclaimer: If Naruto was mine, I would not waste my time here. Instead, I would be rebooting the series to fix all of Kishimoto's "mistakes," such as the pairings, Naruto's "training" trip, and actually creating a cohesive timeline.
The Return of a Legend
Kotetsu sighed contentedly as he leaned back in his chair, basking in the midmorning sun. His partner merely shook his head in disbelief at Kotetsu's lazy attitude. Ever since sensei had left (the refused to call his replacement that), all their motivation had evaporated. Izumo growled as he remembered his last time seeing an Academy history textbook. Never was his sensei mentioned, despite what he did for Konoha. It was despicable, and he had tried to bring it up with the Hokage, but always was interrupted somehow. The last time was because Kakashi was actually on-time for a meeting. That had thrown him for a loop all by itself, but the timing of it was suspiciously coincidental. He sighed, resigning himself to his fate as an eternal gate guard.
"Thinking about sensei again?" Kotetsu noted with a frown. He glared at the sky as he pondered what he had discovered. The history textbooks had been heavily altered, but no one knew who did it. And the Hokage wasn't even able to be made aware of the situation. Their skills had dulled over time, and their replacement sensei hadn't even made an effort to help them train. Instead, he said that if they needed help, he was available, and left it at that. The spiky-haired chūnin turned his bored gaze to the road. He raised an eyebrow and leaned forward at the sight of a figure slowly approaching. Their broad shoulders signified a male or a very powerful female. Their cloak lay draped over their front, blowing gently in the light breeze. However, as the figure got closer, Kotetsu leaped out of his chair, causing Izumo to fall backward with a yelp.
"What the heck, Tetsu?!" he exclaimed indignantly, rising to his feet to berate his friend. However, his words caught in his throat as his eyes landed on the figure. Or, more importantly, their hair. It was styled up like a burning flame, wavy and tall. It was a vibrant orange color, bordering between amber and copper. Suddenly, the man blurred away, appearing right in front of the gobsmacked guards. He smiled at them softly.
"Tetsu-kun…Zumo-kun…" he greeted fondly, his weather-beaten face crinkling happily. "You both look well." He stared at their flak jackets before his eyes narrowed dangerously. "Why are you wearing chūnin jackets? Surely you have ascended higher in the ranks by now?" Before they could say anything, they heard a gasp. They turned to find their teammate, Kokage, staring at the man in shock. A growl escaped the now enraged man's throat. "Kage-kun…why are none of you at least tokubetsu jōnin?" Kotetsu snapped out of his shock before leaping over the counter and slamming into the figure with his arms, causing them to huff out air in surprise at the unexpected embrace.
"Genkotsu-sensei…you're back," he announced, making the man's fierce eyes soften. He chuckled ruefully before ruffling the man's hair. However, as the grip on his skull became firmer, Kotetsu gulped. However, he merely hung his head. "Kokage has tried several times, but the requirements have changed over the years. There is a rumor that only the privileged and extremely talented chūnin have any chance of getting in. Izumo and I…we lost our drive, sensei. Ever since you left for Kumo, we haven't had the same fervor for the shinobi life." Genkotsu sighed fondly before bringing the younger man out to look at him in the eyes. Kotetsu noticed that there was a single white stripe in the middle of his sensei's orange goatee, signifying his increasing age.
"It seems that I have returned at an ideal time then," quipped the man before looking at his other two students. He pulled out a list from a pant pocket before making a hand seal. Two more pieces now rested in his hand. He gave one to Kotetsu before motioning the other two over, handing them each one as well. "Find every single person on this list and tell them to meet me at the Academy training grounds in one hour. Also, inform Hokage-sama that I have returned. I am going to go see how the Academy is doing." As he vanished from sight, all three chūnin shivered at the inevitable reaction that they knew was coming when he discovered the state of their ninja school.
Genkotsu shook in rage as he continued to watch the third-year class. He had transformed into a parent that was interested in the program but needed more information. Not only had the standard three-year graduation been extended to six, but the curriculum was horribly skewed. Back when he was a teacher, the "Academy Three" were used as theoretical techniques in the first year. From there, they went on to learn more about taijutsu, genjutsu, and bukijutsu. In the third and final year, they would focus on utility ninjutsu and some basic chakra theory. To graduate, you could either take the early test, which merely required a recommendation and the ability to create a single clone. He groaned as he watched the dismal attempts of the children at target practice. He had finally had enough. He leaped from his nearby perch on the rooftop, startling the Anbu guards watching the school building. He snorted as he filed that away as well. He created a shadow clone to go inform his students to bring all available Anbu as well, including the captains and commander.
"All right, gakis! Front and center!" he roared, startling the entire class, teachers included. He whipped around, pointing to a chūnin with shoulder-length white hair. "You! Go and get all the other classes! It is time that I see how far Konoha has fallen in my time gone." Some of the trainees recognized the commanding tones had leaped into action, creating a line right in front of the furious man. Meanwhile, the selected teacher instantly vanished, presumably to gather the rest of the audience. Genkotsu scanned them, taking note that it was all of the clan heirs, plus a short blonde. His heart stopped as he stared at the young man. 'Hiruzen has a LOT of explaining to do.' Pushing that thought aside, the shinobi turned his glare to the remainder of the class. They immediately got the message and followed the example of the first responders. Before he could continue, the remaining scar-faced teacher walked up to him with a frown on his face.
"Excuse me, sir, but who are you and why are you here?" Iruka asked warily. The wild man had snuck past the Anbu, appeared out of nowhere, and commandeered his entire class. He felt a shiver go down his spine at the obvious power this man held. His build denoted his status as an elite shinobi. However, the most disturbing thing was his fiery, calculating eyes. They held a restrained blaze that roved over Iruka's form.
"You seem to be an adequate teacher," he observed before his seemingly perpetual frown deepened. "Bring me your weekly schedule and textbooks." The chūnin reluctantly left to gather his textbooks as the rest of the Academy appeared. Genkotsu's eyes darted over each student and teacher, his frown continuing to deepen. Iruka quickly returned with the materials, which Genkotsu took from him. He set them on the ground, along with his traveling cloak, revealing a tattoo that had the instructors jolt in surprise.
It was completely black, situated on Genkotsu's left bicep. Two tomoes circled each other in a manner akin to the popular yin-yang symbol. Two circles surrounded it, also completely black. It was the mark of the Kohaku Clan, the founders and primary inhabitants of Jōkigakure. They were long-time allies of Konoha to the point of having their shinobi wear the exact same uniform as them. However, what had given them pause was the amber diamond that encased the entire tattoo. That added shape signified a member of the main family. Genkotsu smirked inwardly at their reaction to his revealed heritage.
"Does anyone know who I am? And I don't mean what clan I am from," he questioned, clarifying when all of the teachers and a few of the students raised their hands. Only one hand remained. The owner was a portly man with a pointed goatee and Konoha bandana. Genkotsu smiled as he recognized him. "Ah! It is good to see that you still work here, Dairoku-san! Please, enlighten us as to my identity." The long-time teacher nervously stepped to the forefront. He now understood why he was called out here. He had noticed the standards of the Academy dropping, but his reports had never reached the Hokage or the Headmaster. Now, he realized that this was his chance. This man would not settle for a meeting. He was going to go to war on whoever was diminishing Konoha's military strength.
"You are the former leader of the Angels of Death, apprentice to Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, and the Darkness of the Shinobi, Shimura Danzō," began the man as his bravery slowly grew. "You were on the most infamous shinobi team besides the Sannin…known to the world as the Unstoppable Force." The fifth and sixth-year students gaped at the legend before them. They had heard of this man's team and their near-mythical exploits that trumped even the Sannin's. "You are Kohaku Genkotsu, known as Wrathful Hands Genkotsu for his unmatched hand seal speed, Genkotsu of the Clone Techniques for his innovative usage of said techniques, the Rabbit Sage for his summoning contract…and the Bane of Kirigakure because of his destruction of twenty platoons within a single night…alone." Now, everyone was bug-eyed as they stared at the man before them. Genkotsu snorted before he nodded.
"That is all true, but to me, there is a very important one that Dairoku-san did not mention," he revealed, his amusement at everyone's reactions fading into a blank stare. "I was revered within Konoha as the greatest Academy teacher since Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Sandaime Hokage. And the displays I have seen today…are abysmal." The teachers gulped nervously, most of them having sat under the legendary shinobi. Genkotsu picked up the clipboard that held Iruka's schedule. "History…math…chakra theory…bah! Unpractical! Inexcusable!" He snapped the clipboard in half over his knee, fury evident in his eyes as he seared the teachers with his gaze. "When I taught at this school, none of this was taught except the basics of chakra theory! The other classes were taught at the civilian schools or at home! What madness prompted you to include these things?! A prodigy genin in this current system would be beaten by an average one in the old! You were in the Academy for three years, learned over a dozen ninjutsu, picked out a taijutsu style and weapon to specialize in, and learned the basics of stealth, bukijutsu, genjutsu, and fūinjutsu! Now, in six years, you are taught a bastardized base taijutsu, learn no fūinjutsu or stealth, are not taught to specialize in a weapon, and can only break D-rank genjutsu! Or at least, that's what you are supposed to teach these children according to these!" He pointed over to where six very unhappy shadow clones were holding the textbooks Iruka had given him. "Don't even get me started on the 'Academy Three!' Those are meant for first-year students to learn the basics of chakra but are all they learn ninjutsu-wise! The Clone Technique is completely and utterly useless in the field by itself against an experienced bandit, much less a shinobi! The Transformation Technique is only used for infiltration missions and can be seen through by any self-respecting chūnin! Only the Body Replacement Technique has any merit but has to be mastered to be any use in the field! You are sending these children to their deaths!" He heard several people appear behind him, causing him to whip around, righteous anger lining his face.
The group contained every single shinobi he had ever taught…all with appalled looks on their faces. His gaze hardened even further. His eyes shifted continuously before he growled in obvious anger. "Where. The. Hell. Is. Kakashi?" he ground out, causing all the shinobi before him to cringe at the name. Suddenly, a silver blur flew into the clearing, skipping across the ground. Genkotsu turned to look at his clone that he had sent out to trail Izumo, Kotetsu, and Kokage.
"He was standing in front of the memorial stone…reading smut," snarled the doppelganger before it dispelled into a cloud of smoke. Genkotsu stared at the shivering figure. He stomped up next to him before harrumphing. He hauled him to his feet and jerked his head toward the sparring ring.
"Hatake, get your sorry ass over there!" he barked out before turning to the assembled group. He pointed out several figures. "Namiashi! Uzuki! Sarutobi! Yūhi! Hagane! Yanagikage! Kamizuki! Maito! Shiranui! Mitarashi! Morino! Yamashiro! Ebisu! You all get over there as well!" They quickly complied as he looked back at the Academy teachers and students. "Today, I will be showing you what happens when you allow your skill to dull. I have selected several of my former students, both from genin squads and the Academy. They will be sparring with me in various disciplines that I taught them...and I will destroy each and every one of them." He motioned for the stunned classes to follow before striding over to the ring just as another figure appeared. Genkotsu smiled evilly. "Why, Hiruzen…how good of you to join us. I, an old-timer, am about to destroy the elite shinobi of Konoha. We will also be redoing the entire curriculum together." The aged leader shivered before he sat down under a tree.
"Jiji!" cried the small blonde as he sped towards his grandfather figure, arms open wide. The Hokage brightened up, catching the young boy in a loving hug, chuckling at his enthusiasm. Genkotsu growled, causing the village leader to shiver once more. However, the redhead held his tongue, turning to the crowd and motioning for them to take a seat. However, several more figures blurred into existence.
"Ah, the clan heads as well. Take a seat," he offered before two blurs slammed into his midsection. He grunted, looking down at the sobbing woman in his arms and the panting huskie that had latched onto his leg. He smiled softly, wrapping one arm around the woman and using the other to pet the dog. "Hello, Tsume-chan…Kuro-kun. I missed you just as much, but I have to do this." She nodded in understanding before smiling up at him. Her head darted, pecking him on the cheek before she went to sit next to her gobsmacked son. Two more blurs slammed into the unprepared man, toppling him over.
"Sensei!" cried the two grown women, tears flowing down their cheeks. He smiled, rolling his eyes at their antics. The first was a slim ravenette wearing an apron while the other was a heavy-set brunette with a sleeveless kimono. They eventually relinquished their hold and were about to speak before Genkotsu put a finger on their lips and shooed them away towards their shocked children. The rest of the clan heads had taken their seats, allowing him to continue.
"As I said, these are all former students of mine," he continued. "The three women who just…welcomed me were my former teammate and matriarch of the Inuzuka Clan, Inuzuka Tsume, and the two remaining Angels of Death, Nara Yoshino and Akimichi Chōhane, also matriarchs of their respective clans." He paused to catch his breath before pointing to a tall man wearing a fur-collared coat. "Asuma, you an I will be using taijutsu and bukijutsu only. Augmentation is allowed. Begin whenever you are ready." The jōnin nodded hesitantly before stepping forward, causing Genkotsu to drop into an unusual stance.
"Sensei…I don't want to hurt you," he said hesitantly, getting a scoff in return. The elder shinobi leaned forwards animalistically, his hands loosely held in front of his face. Asuma shrugged before adopting the Saruashi stance, bouncing on the balls of his feet with his hands hanging by his sides. He blurred away, reappearing next to Genkotsu, right arm swinging towards his former sensei's head. To his astonishment, his arm was caught.
"You forget that my teacher was the teammate of the man who made that famous, Asuma-kun," reminded Genkotsu, his iron grip beginning to crush the jōnin's arm. "Use a different opener every now and then." With that final word of advice, Genkotsu's foot planted itself in Asuma's stomach, rocketing him across the field. The Sarutobi landed roughly but managed to quickly regain his footing. He looked up to Genkotsu make a hand seal, causing a red barrier to spring up around them. "This is purely to set the boundaries and keep the onlookers safe. It is perfectly harmless." The man resumed his previous stance, his eyes narrowing at the irritated jōnin. Asuma grinned widely as he whipped out two jagged blades, his fingers placed in the inserts.
"Looks like I am going to have to get serious, sensei," he joked before turning serious as his blades began to glow blue. The bearded man charged, arms crossed in front of him. However, his eyes widened in recognition when he saw his sensei casually slide his hands into a pair of blades with spikes embedded into the handles.
"You forget who taught you," Genkotsu reminded gravely before he disappeared. Asuma skidded to a stop, eyes wide and gasping for breath as he felt cold steel against his bare neck. His sensei's voice whispered into his ear. "You have fallen far. I did not train you to end up like this. Your skills and senses have dulled. Surrender." The defeated jōnin lowered his weapons signifying his defeat, followed by the removal of the knife at his throat. He walked away, hands clenched in anger at his failure. Genkotsu shook his head before turning his gaze to the next victim. "Gai!" The bowl-cut jōnin eagerly hopped through the hole in the barrier, teeth bared in a gleaming smile.
"Greetings, my most youthful sensei! I am so eager to begin our youthful match!" he shouted, giving his opponent a thumbs-up. Most of the Academy students blinked at the strange man's antics. However, two stared at him with stars in their eyes at the display of "youth." Gai adopted his taijutsu stance. "I request that we only engage in taijutsu, Kotsu-sensei!" The man nodded before adopting his stance from before with one difference. He was now bouncing from one foot to the other rapidly, causing a rhythmic tapping to echo throughout the clearing. All those who knew the technique paled except for Gai, who merely grinned in anticipation.
"Don't blink, kids," warned Genkotsu before the two men disappeared from sight. Only the experienced chūnin and jōnin could follow the movement of the two shinobi. They continually clashed, creating reverberating bangs that caused the students to wince in pain. Finally, after a full minute of non-stop blows, Gai reappeared as he flew into the barrier with a cry of pain. Genkotsu smirked, beckoning him to come. However, Gai had a different idea.
"Gate of Opening: Kai!" he announced, his body relaxing. He vanished without a sound, instantly reappearing behind a still-smirking Genkotsu, right leg cocked back. "Leaf Whirlwind!" His limb snapped like a whip towards the nonchalant redhead…only to be caught. Gai's eyes snapped open before focusing on his former sensei's twinkling eyes.
"I taught you that move, kid," reminded the veteran shinobi, flinging him across the way. After cracking his knuckles, he began to brutally beat down the energetic jōnin with ease. The spandex-wearing man finally coughed out a surrender, halting his opponent's endless barrage. Genkotsu tossed his battered form to a pale Kakashi before turning to his students. "Who's next?"
Naruto stared in awe at the powerful man as he beat the masked jōnin. He had defeated fourteen shinobi in under a half-hour. That included several jōnin and even an Anbu. This guy was awesome! What's more, he had done it all by himself and without flashy jutsu. Even when jutsu was allowed, he just made clones and teleported all over the place. The blonde child looked up at the Hokage with shining eyes.
"Jiji? How is that guy so strong? Why isn't he the Hokage?" questioned the curious youth. The aged man sighed as he watched Genkotsu berate Kakashi's dulled skills, just like he had the rest of the shinobi. Some had gotten torn into horribly, such as Kurenai and Ebisu, for their lack of a rounded skillset. He wondered how he could have allowed this mess to have gotten so bad before he looked down to his waiting charge.
"That is because he had taken on a very special assignment given to him by the Yondaime. He has apparently returned…and did not like the state our village is in," he stated dryly, inwardly snorting at how bad the situation truly was. When his friend found out about the Uchiha clan and the civilian council…Hiruzen pushed it aside, reminding himself that he was already in hot water due to the small child he was currently holding. He didn't know why he had never contacted Genkotsu, but it was obvious that Jiraiya had never made contact with him as they had discussed. "He is the strongest shinobi we currently have…even more than me." Naruto gasped at the Hokage's statement before returning his attention to Genkotsu as he cleared his throat and stared out at the children.
"As you have seen, even the students who I trained have neglected their skills and grown weaker because of it," he stated bluntly. "You won't even have the chance to lose skills because you will die in the field at this rate." All of the people present lowered their heads at the harsh fact. "However, the Yondaime granted me permission to take over as head shinobi trainer upon my return if I wished, which I do. This means I will be taking over as Headmaster and trainer of all genin, chūnin, and tokubetsu jōnin, as well as coordinator of the entire shinobi system." An audible crack was heard as every single neck in the clearing snapped up to look at him. "The Academy will be let out until the beginning of the next year, in which we will implement a new system. The one, two, three, and four-year classes will be allowed to continue in the Academy. However, the fifth and sixth-years will be given aptitude tests to gauge their skill level. If they pass, they will be apprenticed for two years under a shinobi of my choosing, depending on their skill sets and interests." He turned his gaze to a wolf-masked Anbu and a scar-faced man with a deer fur jacket. "Shikaku will revamp the training of both normal and tobikiri jōnin, while Wolf will increase the requirements for and training of Anbu agents. I expect full reports of all available shinobi under your command on my desk by next Saturday. Ja ne!" He vanished into thin air, leaving several humiliated shinobi, awestruck children, and a handful of amused clan heads. They all had the same though, however. 'Things are about to get very interesting around here.'