New chapter enjoy
I do not own Naruto
Itachi entered the room, not surprised to find it filled to the brim with an exceptionally grim aura. The Hokage and Danzo were there, along with Jiryia. The three of them were looked like they were all sitting on a rather choicely placed nail and hiding it very well.
"This is about my clan and the rebellion brewing within its ranks then." It was not a question. Itachi never liked wasting time beating around the bush. Two years had passed since he had taken Naruto and his brother under his wing. Two years of brittle peace and dark glowers.
All three nodded in an answer to his question. "It's still in its fairly early stages though your father is at the very center of it, along with nearly all of the present clan council."
Itachi nodded. "I'd say around forty to sixty percent of the clan has at least some knowledge of what is being planned. My mother has been kept completely in the dark of course. My father isn't foolish enough to test his marriage against the village, especially after everything that's happened with Sasuke."
Danzo rubbed his eyes tiredly. "While I wish we could find a different solution, we have to do something about them. Allowing them to proceed would decimate far too much of Konoha."
Itachi rubbed his eyes tiredly before thinking of something he honestly wished he hadn't. "I know someone who will have an answer but none of you will like it."
Danzo was the quickest of them. "The fox?"
Itachi shrugged. "I'm certain Naruto will have her own opinion to give."
Hiruzen's expression was dark but he didn't immediately shut the idea down. "You want to bring an academy student, your brother's best friend, and your lover's adopted daughter into this mess Itachi?"
The young genius shrugged. "I want the perspective from a source that doesn't have the same emotional ties to the problem and Naruto's concept of strategy is. . . efficient if nothing else."
The hokage was not happy to hear his student chuckle. "He's not wrong sensei, the girl doesn't think out side the box, she turns the damn thing into a play pen."
The old ninja sighed before nodding. "Send for her."
Itachi summoned a crow instead of ordering another. He would take as much of this sin on his shoulders as he could. He already knew what little sleep he'd get to night would be spent miserable on the couch as it was.
The blond appeared in minutes, a fox's smirk on her face. "Kaachan is going to rip you a knew one for this Itachi."
The dark haired boy nodded. "And you'll be there to get all the details, but the village comes first." He quickly filled her in on the details.
"Why don't you kill everyone involved and then tell the truth?" Naruto asked. "It would tell everyone that not only are we strong enough to decimate the bloodline, we are also willing to do it." The brutality of the statement was chilling coming from an eleven year old but once it was said out loud it also made a horrifying amount of sense.
Danzo shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe I'm saying this but I actually agree. Decimating the clan is unavoidable but those uninvolved hardly deserve it and with proper handling it will be the perfect lesson to keep them in line in the future."
"Or make them more prone to rebelling." Sarutobi stated worriedly.
Itachi shook his head. "I don't think so Hokage sama. Not if handled correctly at least. My clan has isolated its self for far too long much like a festered wound bandaged to tightly to allow the pus to drain. Until we get it out we won't be able to begin treat the wound any way."
Despite his reservations of the plan's source the Hokage couldn't deny its efficiency or that it was the correct move to make. "Have the top ninja of the village gather here with in the next thirty minutes. This will be finished tonight." He commanded grimly.
Fugaku glanced up from his book at the sound of a soft them and he watched as Itachi slid the door open. Behind him the body of the sentry lay in a growing pool of blood. "What are you doing Itachi?" He asked coldly.
His son displayed no expression as he cleaned his sword. "I think it would be obvious that it was the decimation of the Uchiha Clan before it could commence it's foolish rebellion that would leave Konoha nothing but a smoldering ruin and easy prey for her enemies"
Fugaku glared and started to rise to his feet. A sharp pain in his spine however caused him to fall mere inches away from Itachi who gazed down on him impassively.
He knew he was a dead man but he still struggled to look behind him to watch as Naruto stepped from the shadows, licking the kunai that had crippled him from the shadows. She spat the blood in his face. "You taste horrible old man, the fact that you're so closely related to both Itachi and Sasuke has to be the worst joke of the universe."
"One that ends tonight." Itachi stated solemnly. "Finish your prey Naruto, I expect you not to playing with it in the future."
Naruto smirked. "This was special brother."
The last thing Fugaku heard was his son agreeing with his father's killer.
Itachi watched as Naruto simply dropped the blade she'd used to kill the man like it was diseased before looking at him. "Everyone else is dead big brother. The others are already heading for the perimeter."
Itachi nodded. "Very well then." The two of them entered the hallway and made for the main gate in no particular rush. "Do you want credit for killing him Naruto?" Itachi asked softly. He was going to receive hell for allowing her to participate but he didn't care. Naruto was no more a child then he was.
The blond nodded. "I have no interest in hiding."
"It will bring hunters." Itachi replied evenly.
"It will bring practice." She replied in the same tone though Itachi didn't think he missed the slightly different note in it as well.
A deep chuckle fell in behind them along with Ibiki. "Your little monster truly is a ray of sunshine Itachi."
A deep growl echoed from the girl. She looked at them despite not having eyes like Yugao had taught her. "Don't look at me, that was the fox, he doesn't appreciate being called a monster since he's a devil, they really don't mix very well."
Ibiki chuckled again. "I said nothing about that fox kid, I was talking about you brat."
"Speak for yourself Ibiki," Anko chided as she dropped through a sky light and gave Naruto a hug from behind. The two of them giggled and roughhoused with each other.
"I rest my case." Ibiki stated solemnly as they stepped out into the main square. Itachi snickered softly. Both Anko and Ibiki face vaulted and several thumps could be heard on the roof before the Kakashi's white hair could be seen falling past the window into a large rose bush. Naruto vanished only to reappear beside the legendary jonin stick in hand as she pocked his whimpering form.
Itachi looked just looked at his colleagues. "What?" the word came out with complete innocence.
"You two are horrible." Yugao's bright voice had Naruto running.
"Hey Kaasan, I got Fugaku." She yelled happily as she hugged her mother figure like the child she was supposed to be.
"Shit monster with a split personality." Ibiki muttered.
"What did you say about my daughter Ibiki?" Yugao asked, a small smile on her face.
Ibiki was a veteran of two shinobi wars and the head of torture and interrogation. He'd seen much and done terrible things to people all while being rewarded many times for his sacrifice and bravery. His response was also immediate. "Nothing, nothing at all."
Only minutes later they were all in the Hokage's office giving their verbal report of the mission. Only Itachi seemed unaffected by the immense killing intent that the man was giving off as he gave his reason for allowing Naruto to participate.
The old man finally shook his head with a sigh as he dismissed them with a wave of his hand. He was a ninja and Hokage before he was a father and a grandfather.
Itachi still knew he had lost much of the trust the old man placed in him but it didn't matter. Hiruzen would soon be the past after all.
"We look to the past for many things, heritage numbering amongst the greatest." The hokage spoke eloquently. "As a founding clan of this village, the Uchiha have always been one of her pillars, something they were unsatisfied with." His speech darkened as he gazed about him. "From heritage comes pride that once sours becomes a bitter arrogance that blinds one to the future."
Sasuke stayed close to his mother as the village leader continued. "Which is what has led to one of Konoha's greatest tragedies since the kitsune's rampage and one I personally feel even greater sorrow for." He gestured to the dead waiting to be buried. "Each body we buried to day was a shinobi of Konoha, one of her branches, one of her children."
He gazed at them in silence for a time. "But like poison must be drawn from a wound, so must betrayal and my regret is tempered by joy that not a single loyal shinobi of Konohagakure perished in their efforts to protect their village from one of its greatest threats since its founding." His expression turned empty. "I have been as merciful as I can in my judgement of those who remain, but your time in solitude is over, your walls will be torn down and much of compound will be divided up and used for the benefit of the village. Your clan's matriarch will remain in her position, I will not take that from you."
The Hokage departed with those final words.
Sasuke watched as his father was placed in the earth. The fact that the man was being buried amongst his ancestors at all he considered a mercy. His body could have been dropped in a ditch along the road with its eyes scooped out for all he cared.
A familiar presence had him look towards the woods to spot a familiar blond lounging in a tree. The remaining elders had forbidden her from coming obviously. Neither Sasuke nor Itachi had been inclined to warn them that doing so guaranteed her presence.
His mother noticed the direction of his gaze and her hand fell on his shoulder and squeezed gently. "Are the two of you going to be ok Sasuke?" She knew how strong their bond was.
He looked up at her in confusion. "Why wouldn't we?"
A very different sadness filled her eyes, though with no small amount of understanding. "I see, I hadn't realized just how well Itachi had trained you already, I'm sorry."
Sasuke hugged her. "Never apologize for worrying about me mom."
Her hand moved to his hair which she ruffled fondly. "Trained you very well indeed."
Sasuke kissed her cheek and made his way towards the tree his friend rested in. At first glance anyone would assume she was a simple tomboy enjoying her freedom away from her disapproving parents.
Sasuke could see the unique ripple of muscle under her skin that betrayed the distinctive training require for all kunoichi. Or the fact that her long blond hair was tied back with ninja wire which just happened to have a set of rings on it the perfect size to slip ones fingers in.
He didn't bother to speak as he sat down and started to meditate. She'd talk when she was ready and pushing her would only make it take longer.
"Scale of one to ten how pissed are you?"
"Good question, I'm not really certain since I can't say I miss any of the bastards. Not really happy you took part in it but Itachi has never been afraid to shove you in the deep end."
"So its your brother your mad at?" She asked.
"Not certain, but I do know I'm mad and I know it's well beyond your ten." He answered.
"Yourself then?" She asked.
"Probably, I've always been pretty thick at times. I take after my father to much I guess." He answered.
"At least you can admit it." She commented.
"Never saying it again that's for damn sure." He growled.
"Doesn't bother me." She stated complacently.
Their usual silence fell between them broken only by the wind and the rustle of paper. Sasuke wasn't certain what he was looking for as he stared out across the grave yard but he knew there was something for him to learn here. The clan wide delusion that the sharingan was all powerful had long since been beaten out of him. His love for his father had been crushed by the man himself, the fire it burned in only toughening his loyalty to his brother and friend.
He noticed as Naruto slid from the branch she was on. He noticed when she approached him. He most certainly noticed when she hugged him tightly and buried her face in his chest as she cried the tears he couldn't believe were there despite the fact they were soaking his shirt. The typical male side of him was bewildered. The shinobi side feared his brother had gone to far. The side that finally won out was the one who had endured countless hours of relentless training by his sister's side. The shared suffering and blood coaxed him to hold her tightly and simply wait until she was finished.
His thoughts slowly unraveled as the most dangerous kunoichi he knew cried against his chest. Even without his sharingan the sight of over a hundred of his family's fresh graves as he held his father's killer in his arms would never leave him. It was the sight of his brother though that slipped the last of them into place.
His brother asked a single question. "You two ready?"
Neither questioned as they stood on their feet and followed the most powerful Uchiha since its founder. Their trust was rewarded when they found themselves outside of The Forge once again.
With only slightly more contained excitement than toddlers in a candy store, the two shoved open the doors open and vanished
Itachi simply leaned against the counter studying the sleeping shop keeper. Naruto's chakra exploded conveying no small amount of rage making Karite jump up and look about warily. Naruto stormed from around the corner. "Why the fuck is there a sold tag on those blades freak."
The man's face was still hidden in his hair but it was pretty obvious he didn't consider Naruto a threat as he snorted and lit up a smoke. "What did I tell you brat. I get offers for those things on a weekly basis."
Naruto seemed to think about it for a moment. "Who are they?"
Karite smirked. "I like you're thinking brat, I'll tell you after I finish the deal ok?"
Naruto nodded. "Ok, later freak." She went off to collect the things she no doubt dropped.
"Fuck off brat."
Itachi and Sasuke only watched as the girl sloppily wrote down what she was taking and balled it up without even letting the ink dry before tossing over her shoulder and walked out. The two followed only to see she'd already vanished. Sasuke looked up at him. "Is she planning to do what I think she is?"
Itachi rolled his eyes. "Honestly brother, you still so naïve." He sighed. "I wonder what kind of damage control we'll have to run for this mess?" He asked out loud to himself.
"That is a very good question and one I will no doubt find amusing." Karite's boisterous voice made both the Uchiha's jump in surprise considering how the man certainly hadn't been standing next to them in the first place. His arms were crossed though that did little to hide his lithe frame and pale skin. His boxers today were a vibrant yellow with pink stars on them clashing horribly with his sharingan slippers.
He calmly looked at Itachi. "I'm glad things worked out this way with your clan. If things had gone different you might have killed them all, become a missing nin and left your little brother to the wolves and a dream of vengeance. I can only imagine the shit storm that would have been." He laughed as he strolled away. "I'm off to collect, hope you enjoy the rest of the day."
Sasuke shuddered at the strange and rather disturbing comment. His brother would never do that. Not in a million years.
Iruka was giving another lecture, the first one in a long time that didn't not stress loyalty. This time however plans had been made without his awareness.
An audible thump made him turn around to see that Sasuke appeared to have collapsed on to his desk. Beside him both his annoying stalkers started to shake him with cries of worry. Iruka's gaze shifted towards Naruto who was blatantly doing hand signs. He didn't know what she was doing but he certainly knew when it took effect. He almost panicked when his ears kept ringing far longer than he expected after both Ino and Sakura screeched as what appeared to be some form of grey fluid poured from Sasuke ears and into their laps.
The two girls fainted and Sasuke raised his head and shoved the pink haired girl from her seat, sending her sprawling in to the isle. Naruto sat down beside him and gave Iruka a look that asked 'why'd you stop talking.'
Iruka eyed the girls briefly before going right back to his lecture. Fangirls didn't get respect by rule of thumb in the ninja world and those two were especially devoted to their calling. Besides Naruto had expressed her dissatisfaction in her ability to use genjutsu's so who was he to stunt her training in such an area?
"Now that we've all blown of some steam why don't we get to the heart of the matter?" He spoke up. "Sasuke, why do you think the necessity of continuing to keep a large and well-trained force of shinobi on hand is so important despite the fact that we have had peace for the last seventeen years?"
"Because despite the treaties all of the hidden villages refuse to trust each other or are too wrapped up in their hatred from the last war to simply accept peace."
"Very good, Naruto what are your thoughts on how we could resolve this situation before tensions rise even further between the village?"
He turned to look at the blond who seemed to actually be considering the question. "I can think of two possible ways it could be achieved. The first is that a common enemy appears and forces us to work together in a fashion that those who survive will have built a comradery strong enough to look past old grudges."
Iruka nodded. "That is a possibility but finding such an enemy would be nearly impossible though wouldn't it?"
Naruto nodded. "Pretty much, the only other possibility would be to prove that peace is truly the more beneficial option for all sides. Shinobi are people of action and violence but also pragmatism. One way or another we all enjoy causing some form of trouble and have no interest in giving up those hobbies. Unfortunately, the only real challenge's available are each other but simple rivalry can escalate all to easily. Once someone gets killed even my accident hatred sets in and it will eventually cause war."
Iruka nodded, completely fascinated by how clearly the young girl understood how the world of shinobi functioned. "That is unfortunately correct. How could this be avoided then."
"By turning the rivalry away from each other and focus on the corrupt and foolish nobles of the different countries. While their samurai might be able to take us in a direct fight they are no match for our cunning in the shadows. We could easily manipulate them against each other and make even more profit then we do by fighting each other."
Iruka didn't think the rest of the class understood the level of treason the girl had just spoken or just how much sense it made to him. With every bit of discipline he had as a teacher and as a shinobi he simply nodded his head in interest. "That is certainly a viable option if we were willing to forgo centuries of loyalty to our daimyo."
Naruto merely shrugged. "I never said they were conventional options but they are option in the end."
Iruka nodded slowly before deciding it would be best to change the topic. The day went back to what was mostly considered normal for a typical day at the academy. As it grew closer to the time that they did practical exercises Iruka felt the irregular heart palpitations start up again as he filed the children out into the practice field.
"Sparring today, pick your partners."
As suspected Sasuke deftly maneuvered his way from the waiting claws of his fan girl and all but hid behind Naruto who had a senbon between her lips while giving the girl's a come at me look. Despite popular use of the term rabid when the discussion includes fangirls, the strange species did possess a sense of self-preservation in the face of horrifying public embarrassment.
Basically, Naruto had paralyzed them stripped them naked and left them in a public park in exceptionally intimate positions. Picture evidence also existed along with threats to their chastity. The parents had attempted to have her thrown out of the academy or worse. Naruto had personally convinced them of the error in this belief.
Iruka simply sighed and gestured towards the ring. "Whoever wants to go first get up there, no broken bones today if at all possible, the exam is coming up as you all know."
Sasuke and Naruto were in the ring in the blink of an eye already going at it. It was only a handful of blows into the fight that Iruka noticed a change in the Uchiha. His moves were exceptionally sluggish compared to normal and an exceptional amount of sweat dripped from his brow.
Moments later he was pinned under his blond friend, who was wearing a rather feral grin. "I win again."
Shrieks of disdain filled the air as many protested that Naruto had cheated once again. For once Iruka had a feeling they might actually be right though through no actual perception of their own. "Naruto, did you do something to Sasuke?"
Naruto gave him a wide smile and a senbon appeared between her fingers. "Itachi asked be to poke him with this when the opportunity arouse. He's been building up Sasuke's immune system for a while now."
Iruka nodded slowly. "And the reason this isn't being done in a more controlled manner is because?"
"Sasuke's a little dense when it comes to details some times. Have to keep him on his toes or he'll slack off."
Iruka considered the rathe brutal treatment of the young shinobi. "Does he treat you the same way."
The girl smirked. "I'm not effected by poisons thanks to papa." Her comment sent jeers from many of the girls about her being an orphan. Silence ensued the moment the girls blood lust rolled over the crowd. "I've been needing a brush up on my assassination skills, thanks for volunteering."
Iruka sighed before looking at the crowd. "Consider it an addendum to your homework." The girl wouldn't kill them and they'd learn a valuable lesson. No one lost as far as he was concerned but more importantly he wouldn't have Konoha's whiskered devil on his tail. It went back to shinobi pragmatism.
Sasuke groaned and started to move as his chakra started to burn of the last of the poison. He groaned louder when Naruto hauled him to his feet and half carried him from the sparring circle. Iruka made a point of not looking at the two for the rest of the day. If felt like he was betraying them but the laws dictated that he report the girl's solution to the hokage.
A meeting he was not looking forward to in the slightest.
Or go the way he expected in even the slightest.
Danzo was on the floor rolling with laughter despite his injured arm throbbing. The anbu in the rafters were doing much the same. The hokage would have been doing the same if his chair wasn't propping him up. Iruka stood in the middle to stunned by their reaction to his report to do anything else.
"The fucking brat is a bloody genius." Danzo panted as he pulled himself to his feet. "The idea is completely ludicrous which only makes it even more perfect."
The Hokage sat up and nodded to Iruka. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention you may go."
Danzo watched the man leave clearly confused which only made him snicker. He was a good lad but a little short sighted. He took the chair he had previously been occupying and shook his head. "It's really not all that bad an idea. The commoners look to ninja for just about everything while the Nobles merely use us for assassinations or espionage. They really have no clue about the people they rule and I can certainly see how it would increase the villages revenue."
His old friend nodded. "Increase it, done right and we'd all be wealthier than the emperor. We'd have a better idea of what to do with it as well." He glanced towards the ceiling. "Someone go and find Itachi, I'd like his opinion on this as well."
Danzo settled in a chair and massaged his crippled arm. "It's a long term project for certain and the first decade will be the most dangerous as we get our people into place."
"We won't be going against those who are all that skilled in preventing such incursions and if anything is suspected we'll be the one they call on to root them out." Hiruzen answered calmly.
Itachi appeared via shunsin. "You called form Hokage sama?"
The two elder quickly filled him in on Naruto's idea. While he didn't laugh like the rest of them he couldn't keep his smile from showing or the pride he was clearly feeling. "I do believe we have a lot of work to do."
Kiba was posturing again. Sasuke smirked when Naruto rolled her eyes and mouthed the word 'mutt' to him. He merely shrugged as if to ask 'what can you do?' he wasn't certain though if Naruto knew he was manipulating her and just going with it or if he actually could predict the most unpredictable ninja yet in some small measure.
Either way she smirked. Then things went straight to hell as was inevitable just not as planned. Someone had knocked over a glass of soda on the desk Kiba had been standing on without the boy noticing. He'd stepped in it and slipped nocking into Shino who in turn nocked into Naruto. The domino effect continued as the girl was pushed into Sasuke.
Their lips met as they landed heavily on the floor. They broke the force kiss quickly but both Ino and Sakura managed to see it and screeched loud enough that the windows glass tremored.
Both their jaws clicked shut and their bodies were frozen. Neither of them noticed that their shadows were connected Shikamaru, his faces still on the table and his hands underneath his desk.
Naruto and Sasuke were on their feet in an instant. Sasuke had Kiba hanging from the roof via ninja wire with one of the canine user's filthy socks stuffed in his mouth while Naruto help Shino to his feet. The glasses wearing bug user had a faint blush on his cheeks having had his head land on Naruto's already shapely ass.
The blond gave him a smirk before moving towards Kiba. She looked at him in a disgusted fashion before crouching in front of Akamaru. "Your stupid pet fucked up big time Akamaru. I thought we talked about this."
The dog scratched its ears nonchalantly before yipping back. Sasuke had no clue what the creature said but Naruto clearly did. Or made an incredible show of faking.
"I know Inuzuka boys are hit by puberty harder than most but the rest of us have been quite tolerant already. It's time to get him house broken," her gaze flickered towards the helpless boy dangerously, "Or neutered." Akamaru barked back.
Kiba cried out around the sock as best he could but the dog ignored him completely.
Naruto nodded. "I agree, we should have a talk with his mom. Kiba has a lot of potential but his second brain is doing far too much of his thinking right now."
Akamaru seemed to think about what the blond was saying before yipping back. While no one but Kiba and possibly Naruto could understand him it wasn't hard to imagine a sense of confirmation from the young dog's cry.
Naruto rubbed her hands together while smiling in a way that revealed far too many sharpened teeth to the suspended canine lover. "We'll you heard him Kiba, I'll becoming over with you today to discuss a few things with your mother and sister. I'm certain Sasuke will be happy to come along as well. Once we've had a little chat how about a little sparing."
Kiba was clearly panicking at this point considering how Naruto wasn't allowed to spar in the academy unless it was against an instructor or Sasuke. He very much doubted that his mother and sister would be quite so generous.
Iruka entered the room at that moment. He took a moment to examine Kiba's predicament before he looked at Sasuke. "He can hear properly correct?" Sasuke nodded while Naruto chuckled. Iruka only shrugged. "Might learn better with a little more blood flow in the correct direction."
The laughter was muffled and cruelly unsympathetic. "Today is the day of your genin test. Those of you who are prepared for it will go the rest will remain here with me, either way life is probably going to suck for you so I don't want to hear any complaints from anyone. Shall we get started."
Four hours later Kiba was walking home, Naruto all but hanging off of him in a fashion he had only dreamed of before but now was making him sweat like he was in the middle of a fire jutsu and unable to burn. Sasuke was on the other side of him with a blank face.
Akamaru had rushed ahead after Naruto asked him to tell Kiba's mother and sister that she needed to speak with both of them for a short time. Kiba hadn't known his partner was capable of moving so quickly.
The normally irritatingly long walk from the academy to his clan compound seemed over in an instant as its walls came in to view. His mother in sister were already at the front gates, their faces a mixture of amusement and anger.
His mother barely glanced at him before she looked at Naruto. "My son's partner has informed me of what happened, is there anything you would like to add trainee?"
Naruto nodded. "I would prefer to discuss it with just you two if you don't mind."
Kiba shuddered as his mother and sister shared a look before nodding. They disappeared into the main house with Naruto and Kiba immediately started to look for a way to escape. At least until he felt something thin and cold wrap around his neck.
He glanced slowly at Sasuke who appeared to be examining his nails but the metal ring around his finger wasn't hard to spot. Sasuke looked at him apathetically. "Dogs are supposed to wait until their own lets them roam." He stated blandly.
Kiba scowled. "You sure as hell aren't the alpha in that relationship."
Sasuke shrugged. "I prefer to think of it as more of leader and subordinate instead of man and woman. Something I would highly recommend to you because she's going right to the top." Kiba scowled but didn't say anything.
Twenty minutes later when Naruto appeared with his mother and sister. His mother immediately moved to stand in front of him. He was certain she saw the ninja wire wrapped around his neck but she said nothing. "Your class mate has expressed a concern in your clear lack of proper training if you can't even manage to keep you balance on a slippery surface." She said far too sweetly. "Being the kind girl, she is, she's offered to give you a few pointers this afternoon which I find remarkably generous."
His sister appeared at his side without warning, one arm around his shoulder while her free hand played with the wire around his neck. "I also believe this would be in your best interest little brother, especially if you ever want any slack in the leash you're on."
Kiba swallowed despite the fact that his mouth and throat were drier than Suna at that moment and simply nodded. His sister's smile frightened him almost as much as Naruto's."
"Young Uchiha," His mother spoke suddenly. "Uzumaki says you are better than she is at establishing training patterns than she is and under present circumstances I'm inclined to agree. Any recommendations on how to best begin my son's new training regimen."
Sasuke didn't even hesitate. "Do you have a training grounds with a lot of trees in it?"
Two hours later, Kiba lay on the ground whimpering in pain as his sister howled in laughter and his mother smirked widely. Vaguely he heard his mother thank Naruto for helping her son. He vaguely heard the girl reply with, "Anything for a fellow Shinobi" as the blond walked off with her black-haired counterpart beside her. Despite the thrashing he'd just received Kiba couldn't help but admire her ass as it swayed. His definition of impossible had shifted to blond, empty white eyes and whiskers.
His face hurt from his wide smile. Watching someone else get thrown against trees by Naruto was always satisfying and the person being Kiba only made it worth even more.
At the moment the two of them were in Karite's shop. Naruto being true to herself, gave him a puppy dog look and begged him to buy her a fresh spool of wire. Normally he'd try and resist, a futile but amusing effort, but he was honestly feeling generous.
A snort of disgust had him looking towards the front as Naruto brought up a blank forehead protector, its bands almost four feet long. "Karite, why the hell are you sell something this ridiculous?"
The green haired man smiled at her. "You'll have to put it on to find out." It was a dare hands down, one Sasuke prayed his best friend would take.
The girl glared at the shop keep before tying it on. "What now?"
Karite seemed to scrutinize her for a time. "Do a spin."
The blond obeyed. Fast as a snake Karate's hand moved out to catch the over length ties. He jerked sharply before punch Naruto in the head. He imitated a paddle board with the blonde's head three more times before releasing the ties and roared with laughter. Sasuke was already on the ground holding his stomach.
Naruto was dazed long enough for them to force it down. Karite braced himself on the counter with his elbows and grinned at the girl who had picked herself up but not before throwing the head band away from her. "I have them so I can teach fashion oriented ninja a highly valuable lesson leaves the question how were you stupid enough to not put it together from the beginning."
Naruto didn't answer, only glared at the dark-haired boy who couldn't keep the smile from his face. Payback would be a bitch but the day honestly couldn't get better as far as he was concerned.
The meeting to decide what teams each genin would be on was well under way but very little had actually been decided. The latest group was made up of remarkably talented but unfortunately incredibly different individuals in both skills and personality. At the very least it was exceptionally clear who was even going to pass the exam out side of a dark horse.
Iruka turned the page. "The next one is Uzumaki Naruto." He looked up to realize the only one still present in the room was Danzo and the Hokage, both of which had wide smiles on their faces.
"Cowards," Danzo chuckled as he looked at his old friend.
"Spineless the lot of them." The hokage said in agreement clearly no less amused.
"Hokage sama?" Iruka asked out of curiosity. He knew the blond was a handful but these were elite Jonin they were talking about.
The man merely smiled at him. "It is the shinobi way to endure the hardships others cannot Iruka," He said sagely, "But sometimes it is better to get out of the way instead." The young teacher wasn't certain if he was still mocking his subordinates or sympathizing with them instead.
Itachi stepped into the room. "I thought I would be late with how long that mission dragged on?"
Danzo shrugged, "You were, we just got to Naruto when everyone else was suddenly overcome with the urge to use the restroom all of a sudden, really quite unseemly."
Iruka wasn't certain if Itachi believed the ludicrous answer or not. The flat inflection of Danzo's tone made him almost willing to believe it himself.
A bright laughter filled the room as the person of debate appeared by the Hokage's side and gave him a hug before doing the same to Danzo. "I didn't realize I was thought so highly of old man." She pipped happily.
Danzo chuckled as he ruffled the girl's hair. "We wouldn't have you any other way knucklehead. This village would be a dead bore that I'd be forced to betray it just for something to do if you didn't keep things interesting." A very strange look came over his face. "Say Naruto, you know your classmates better than the rest of us do, what sort of teams do you think they should be on?"
Iruka sputtered while the hokage chuckled thoughtfully and Itachi actually smiled. Naruto seemed to think about the question for a time. "Kiba, Sakura, and Shino should be trained by Asuma, while Sasuke, Hinata, and Choji should be trained by Kakashi. I want Shikamaru and Ino on my team and have us based as general specialists who train and work under whoever is available at the time."
Itachi snickered. "You mean by whatever anbu or Jonin you can con, blackmail, or bribe, don't you?"
Naruto gave an innocent a look possible for an adorable girl with dead looking eyes could give. "You know me to well big brother."
Danzo seemed to consider the ideas for a time before he looked at Sarutobi. "She's not wrong actually though I get the feeling your throwing this Shino boy and yourself under the wagon so to speak."
Naruto shrugged, "Won't say it's perfect but with proper training I'm certain it will balance out. I can accommodate for Ino's weakness and Shikamaru's laziness while Shino should be able to manage the banshee and the dog."
The Hokage who had been silent after hearing Naruto's idea merely nodded. "I approve."
Sasuke rolled his eyes as Ino and Sakura once again tried to struggle over the seat beside him despite the fact that it was the last day. He eyed them with a mild form of amusement as both collapsed, senbon in the necks. Nothing to serious most likely beyond a mild paralysis poison.
Naruto appeared by his side with a smile on her face. She kicked both girls over revealing their still moving eyes. They were completely clear so whatever Naruto had used on them was good enough to keep them aware.
He grinned when he realized she was planning on torturing them further. He lost the grin when Naruto sat on the table and leveled a very different look on him then he was even remotely comfortable with.
Itachi's warning from years ago played over and over in his mind as she looked him over. He found it very hard to ignore her crop top and miles of toned tan leg on either side of him. Her white eyes shaded by her unruly bangs a haunting reminder of many of his dreams.
She clearly enjoyed his wary glance as she brushed a finger across his cheek. "I was wondering if this kiss yesterday made you curios Sasuke?" Her thumb brushed against his throat gently.
She smiled as he felt a strange pressure within his eyes. Smirking she jumped down from the table. "Congratulation on activating your sharingan."
Realizing that had been her entire goal Sasuke blinked at her. "T-thank you Naruto." He managed to choke out through his teeth. He glanced down at Ino and Sakura who were both all but foaming at the mouth, muscles spasming as whatever poison wore off.
She smiled and waved it off like it was nothing. "Anything for a fellow shinobi." Was her reply as she moved down the aisle.
The second they were dismissed after hearing who was on their teams Sasuke ran towards the hokages office dodging around the hastily moving people only thanks to his eyes. He stopped only when he reached the door to the office. "Is my brother on duty now?" The woman nodded slowly. "I need to see him, its kind of important."
She rose and made for the door. "Sir, Uchiha Sasuke is asking to speak with his brother."
"Let him in." Was the reply.
The woman opened the door and Sasuke barely managed to keep himself from running. Itachi stood in the middle of the floor with a look curiosity on his face. "This must be important if you came here."
Sasuke activated his eyes. Itachi smiled. "Congratulations but couldn't it have waited."
Sasuke shook his head. "No, its because Naruto made them activate."
"How?" The Hokage asked.
Sasuke told them. For the first time since he was born, Itachi laughed tell he couldn't breathe.
Ino fumed as she trudged beside her even more reluctant teammate as they attempted to navigate the bizarre tangle of forest that made up training ground twelve. "What were they thinking using this swamp as a training ground," She bitched loudly as she dodged around another mud pit.
Shikamaru didn't answer as he put in the least amount of effort he could to avoid the same pit. Both of their efforts were proved completely pointless when they were both shoved into it by Naruto as she appeared from one of the bushes.
Ino sputtered and yelled while Shikamaru merely turned himself over so he wasn't breathing mud. Naruto laughed at both of them and was joined by Anko and Yugao who were laughing almost as hard.
Ino was on her feet in instant, trying to screech and spit the mud from her mouth at the same time, only to go completely still as Naruto grappled her so Ino's back was pressed against her chest with one hand on throat and another on her lower stomach.
It was the feel of her sharp teeth that scrapped softly against her ear that stilled Ino though. "Now Ino," Naruto whispered, "I let you get away with being a fan girl in the academy because you weren't a full ninja yet. Now that you are that games over and I've started a new one." She whispered into her fellow blonde's ears almost sensually as her hands moved suggestively across Ino's body. "This one is called 'turn Ino in to a useful underling or break her before she has a chance to get me killed' and I plan on enjoying it until which ever outcome happens.
Ino whimpered as the hand Naruto had on her throat moved lower to firmly caress her breasts while the other moved between her legs. "Wha- what are you doing?" She cried out softly.
Naruto kissed her neck gently. "I never mentioned this before but I have no interest in men. Those I have even the remotest respect for are too much like family to consider dating and those I don't I couldn't even imagine allowing to touch me." She whispered softly and held Ino tighter. "While I honestly don't have much interest in you either I will use whatever means at my disposal."
"Are you insane?" Ino cried as she tried to struggle.
"I am a shinobi Ino and so are you, I will make you acknowledge the truth of the world you were born in to whether you like it or not."
Not as long as I would have liked but at least we're getting somewhere right.