Arc01: Introductions arc Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. If I did, NaruSaku would be Canon.
Chapter02: Scramble for the Scrolls
That's what went through Naruto Uzumaki's head as he headed towards training ground 8. Today was the day of their Genin test and if they fail, they get sent back to the academy.
Dammit, I'm going to be Hokage some day. I have to pass this test! Or else, I won't even get to be a Shinobi!
Naruto slowly walked as he entered into training Ground 8. Upon enetering, he had already noticed his teammates.
Hinata was the first one to arrive, followed by Ami and then Sakura and Ino. Naruto observed them for sometime. It seemed they were just as nervous as he was. Normally, there wouldn't be a moment when Sakura, Ino and Ami weren't hurling insults at eachother or fighting over who better suited Sasuke yet they were eerily quiet. They looked troubled too.
Hinata was usually nervous but today it seemed she was even more nervous than usually. The girl was breathing hard and sweating and they hadn't even begun the test!
This is bad. If they are so nervous, they might mess up!
While it's true Naruto might not have been a specialist when it came to tests considering his horrendous academic records, but even he knew that being nervous could cost them the opportunity at being Genin.
Gotta LIVEN UP THE MOOD!
Slapping himself on the cheeks in hopes of removing his own nerves, Naruto ran towards the five eagerly waving his hands and with a smile on his face.
"HEY GUYS!" Naruto greeted them overly enthusiastically.
The girls stared at him for a moment but they went about brooding.
Except Hinata, who was a blushing mess.
"H-hi N-Naruto-Kun, " she meekly replied. Naruto grinned broadly.
"HEY HINATA! What's up?!"
N-Naruto-Kun Is t-talking t-to me!
Hinata couldn't believe her luck today. Naruto was talking to her! TO her! This was one of the best days of her lives already.
She wouldn't mind failing the Genin test. Atleast, Naruto noticed her today!
Suddenly, Hinata had a flashback of last night.
Don't tarnish the family name.
Hinata shivered. She remembered her father's eyes as he said those words to her.
Cold. His eyes were cold.
He did not expect anything from Hinata but she knew, she knew very well- if she failed, the repercussions would be severe.
"I-I'm f-fine, " Hinata replied, almost inaudibly.
You don't sound like it. Naruto thought.
Naruto noticed Hinata's discomfort. It seemed she was still very nervous about the test. This was bad.
It wasn't just Hinata, everyone was too nervous. If this goes on, they'll collapse even before the test.
Please Class Clown skills! Don't betray me now!I
"HEY GUYS! No need to be so nervous. We'll pass the test like a breeze. I mean, come on- we are the best Genin team after all!"
BAM!
As soon as Naruto finished, he had been hit on the head by three fists from Ami, Sakura and Ino.
"Would you shut up for a second NARUTO?!" Ino yelled.
"Can't you see we are nervous already? Let us focus for pete's sake?!" Sakura followed.
"GOD! You're so ANNOYING?! Right, Hinata?! He was annoying you right?!" Ami turned to Hinata.
Hinata looked torn on what to do. She wanted to defend her crush but she was very susceptible to peer pressure.
Basically, Hinata was a pushover.
She remained silent.
Naruto took Hinata's silence as a 'YES'. Naruto pouted.
"I just wanted to cheer you guys up. . . " he muttered in a way that the others couldn't hear him.
"You had the worst grade among us four. Shouldn't you be the most worried?" Sakura told down Naruto. Naruto just looked down to his feet.
Man, Sakura sure was mean.
I doubt he would pass anyway. The Academy exam was just a fluke. Ino and Ami thought simultaneously.
N-Naruto-kun. . ."Oho! Fighting before even the test started? Are ya sure ya kids gonna be alright?"
The sudden appearance of the new voice took the group's attention as Anko and Kurenai appeared infront of them in a trail of leaves.
SO COOL!
Naruto really wanted to learn that jutsu. That way he can pull the awesomest of pranks, dattebayo!
"Ah, good morning, sensei!" Sakura, Ami, Ino and Hinata greeted the pair.
Kurenai nodded, anknowledging the greeting.
"So, brats ya ready for the test?!" Anko smirked, almost devilishly.
Gulp.
"Anko don't scare them. " Kurenai chastised Anko. Anko grinned sheepishly.
"Sorry, Nai-chan. " She apologise.
Kurenai's face flashed an embarassed red as she growled at Anko,
"Don't call me that!"
Anko just grinned at her mischievously.
"But you like it don't you, hehe?"
Kurenia huffed and coughed.
"Anyway. . . " she started.
Anko-sensei can really get under a person's skin. The genins thought simultaneously.
"The test for today would be more of a mission. You have to infiltrate a building and steal a set of scrolls from there. Me and Anko would be on guard to prevent you from getting the scroll. "
"The set has four scrolls, with the names of the Four Hokages. Your task is to retrieve the four scrolls from us. Anyone who forgets to retrieve the scroll fails!" Anko smirked at the genins.
"Also. . . " she continued. "All types of Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, Shurikenjutsu are allowed. Come at us with the intent to kill! OR ELSE I'll mutilate you kukuku. "
Oh my god she's going to kill us. That smirk. . . she definitely ones too kill us. The genins shuddered. Anko was an oddball, a very scary,sadistic oddball and the genins understood that very well.
Kurenai glared at Anko. She really liked teasing people too much.
"You have until 12 to retrieve the scrolls. "
"Also also also, the one who fails doesn't just get sent back to the academy but also has to watch me and the other four eat DANGO!" Anko cheerily announced.
Five sets of stomachs growled synonymously.
So that's why she didn't have us eat breakfast.Anko was a sadist. A merciless, cruel sadist.
"When do we start sensei?" Sakura began to ask.
"Now. "
The pair disappeared in a trail of leaves.
So cool.
This scene never gets old.
Naruto turned to his teammates.
"So, what do we do? They never told us were they are going to be? Do we search all around Konoha, " he asked them.
"We?" Ami asked incredulously, as If he were mad.
Naruto seemed confused.
"Umm, yea?" He tilted his head to the right.
Sakura coughed. Ino chuckled slightly.
"Didn't you hear what Sensei said Naruto?" Sakura glared at him.
Naruto was very confused. He didn't get what they were insinuating.
Sensing that Naruto was confused, Ino heaved out an exasperated sigh.
"Look Naruto, no offense, " she started.
"But sensei said, four people would pass. Four people who retrieved four scrolls. Going by skills, I'm pretty sure if anyone doesn't pass it's going to be you Naruto. " Ino finished.
"Yea, look, as much as I hate agreeing with BILLBOARD BROW and PIGGY, if there's anyone who's going to fail it's going to be you. So, why not just stay out of our way from now on, " Ami said in a condescending manner.
Naruto was crestfallen. The test hadn't even started yet and they were already saying he's going to be the one to fail.
"Let's go you three. WE might as well get the scrolls and pass the test. "
Sakura declared.
Ami and Ino nodded. But still glared at Sakura.
"You don't get to be the leader, forehead. " Ino sneered.
"Yea. If anyone's the leader, it should be me. " Ami scowled.
Sakura turned around to glare at them.
"Stop wasting time and let's get going. We can decided the leader later!" Sakura told them.
Ami and Ino glanced at each other and decided that it would be better to just begin now.
The trio of fangirls started leaving the training ground.
Hinata looked between the trio and Naruto. She couldn't decide what to do. She wanted to defend her crush but Hinata was too meek and too susceptible to pressure to do something solely on her free will.
It just wasn't in Hinata's nature.
It's sad that such a kind, girl is such a pushover.
"HINATA COME ON!"
Hinata could hear Ino shouting. With a heavy heart, she left the training ground and followed the trio.
S-sorry N-Naruto-Kun. . .She felt disgusted at herself but. . . but she couldn't do it. She just didn't have the courage.
I-I'm p-pathetic.
Naruto stood in the training ground alone.
Alone.
Just like always.
But this time, Naruto wasn't depressed like usual.
No.
This time he was angry. Really angry.
He could talk the mean insults. He could take the beatings. He could take the mockery.
But he hated it when somebody underestimated him. Like his existence didn't matter. Like he wasn't worth it.
They. . . are just like the others. Those eyes. . . they think that I can't do it.
Naruto scowled.
They'll see. They'll all see.
I'll pass this test alone if I have to , dattebayo!XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Naruto jumped from roof to roof, as the scenes from the training ground played in his head.
He had been genuinely hurt this time.
He didn't get them. Did they have to be so mean with him? He just wanted to help.
Sure, like them, he didn't want to get send to the academy. After all, a future Hokage can't fail the exams right!
But even so, he wanted to help them. Or else, he'd feel bad.
Well they definitely didn't want my help. . .
Naruto pouted to himself.
He knew he was the weakest of the five. He had slacked off in the academy and considering how he got his education sabatoged by those teachers who ignored him, it was natural he was far behind. But it didn't mean his resolve to be a Ninja was any less them then.
In fact, he was sure he wanted to be a Ninja more than anyone.
That was the only way he can prove himself to everyone.
That he wasn't a monster.
That he wasn't the SkyScraper sized fox that attacked their village.
He was just its jailor.
He wanted to prove to them that he wasn't a nobody.
I'll become Hokage if it's the last th- wait I'm getting distracted.Becoming Hokage was all and nice, but he needed to pass this test. He couldn't afford to get distracted.
Naruto sat on the roof top of a building trying to calm his nerves and remove the unnecessary thoughts. Even Naruto understood, there are times you need to keep your emotions in check. He calmly sat down trying to figure out what to do.
Anko and Kurenai didn't tell them where they would be, meaning, they had to find them. He didn't have the Byakugan like Hinata or the Hyuuga. He could ask the villagers, but he doubted they'd know and even if they do.
It's not like he could search every single building.
Wait, maybe I can. . .
Ah, that's right!
" Tajuu Kage Bunshin No Jutsu. "
Naruto made 100 clones of him.
Impressed with his handiwork, Naruto nodded with pride.
"Okay, you guys! Go search for Anko-sensei and Kurenai-sensei and report back to me!"
"YES BOSS!" The clones saluted Naruto diverged to different points in the village.
Naruto grinned to himself.
I'll find them easy this way hehe. . .
Naruto decided to stay on the roof and wait. He'll start moving when he learnt of their location.
This will be easy, dattebayo!XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Shut up, Forehead why should we listen to you?" Ino yelled at Sakura.
Sakura looked at her incredulously as if she were mad.
"well obviously, since I am the Kunoichi of the year?"
"Well, nobody gives a shit about that!" Ami told her. Ino nodded.
Sakura was acting bossy since the get go, it was getting them pissed.
Only they could act bossy.
It had been only ten minutes since they departed from training ground 8. They had decided that Hinata would be the one to walk infront since she had the Byakugan. The incredible range of the Byakugan and it's 360 degree vision.
Granted it couldn't see through solid objects but mirror reflections were an exception.
And so, for 2 hours they had walked with Hinata in front, searching for their two senseis.
They had ended up arriving at a three way alley.
And that's when teamwork went to shit.
"I say we take the right. " Ino suggested.
"Nu uh. We should take the left. " Ami countered.
"We should go through the centre. " Sakura opined.
"And why should we do that, forehead?" Ino seethed.
Sakura just huffed.
"Since you are too much of an idiot, let me explain. The middle alley looks like there hasn't been too many people. I'm pretty sure they would take a route where people wouldn't see them. "
"That's why I'm saying we take the right one. The right route is too crowded, they can easily blend in a cloud and disappear?!" Ino yelled.
Ami glared at the two.
"You two are idiots. We take the left one. Look at it. It's shady af. They probably would want a place where there won't be too many people since the test would cause a commotion, " Ami told them.
"No, we take the CENTRE!" Sakura yelled.
"THE RIGHT! "
"THE LEFT. "
"CENTRE. "
"RIGHT. "
"LEFT. "
Hinata looked torn on what to do. To her, all three of them had some truth to what they were saying.
But, none of them were correct.
She knew.
Why, you ask?
Because there was a grinning Anko holding a Kunai to her throat, grinning madly.
"A-Ano. . . " She tried to grab their attention.
The girls ignored her as they were busy arguing.
"A-Ano. . . " She tried once more.
Ingored.
Anko looked at the trio of arguing Kunoichis with a deadpan expression.
Here, she was holding their teammate as hostage with a Kunai to her throat and there they were arguing like kindergarteners.
Man, this is pathetic.
This kids really sucked. She could feel it during the orientations. But they didn't know it was that bad.
She turned to the Hyuuga who was trying to get their attention.
This girl is too shy for a Kunoichi. Sigh, it's good to have a pure heart but. . .
Hinata wasn't fit for the life of a Ninja.
Sad, considering she probably had the most potential in the team.
Now how to get their attentionA devious idea popped in Anko's head. She turned to Hinata and who in turn, turned towards her.
Hinata noticed Anko's expression.
Gulp.
She was in for trouble.
Munyu.
"EEEEP!"
Hinata let out a loud shriek.
The sudden shriek from Hinata broke the Kunoichi from out of their argument.
They turned towards Hinata only to find Anko with a Kunai pointed towards a dizzy eyed, blushing Hinata.
"Oh ho, you are quite big for a 12 year old. Is this why you wear this overcoat?"
Anko was apparently grabbing Hinata's breast and giving it some squishes.
The other three Kunoichi flushed bright red at their instructor's antics.
"S-sensei. . . t-that's sexual harassment! " Sakura protested.
Ino and Ami nodded.
Anko just hummed while giving another squish which generated another EEP from Hinata.
"I didn't have any choice, ya know. This girl tried calling you guys out so many times. You just didn't respond. So, I thought I'd give her a little help. "
She gave them her most innocent smile.
THAT'S NOT HOW YOU HELP PEOPLE!
The trio simultaneously thought.
"You know. . . " Anko started.
Heavy.
The Kunoichis felt a sudden pressure from Anko. The trio felt to their needs and Hinata who was in Anko's arms was struggling to stay conscious.
W-What's t-this oppressive feeling?! Sakura yelled out in their mind.
W-what?! Ami was just as shocked as Sakura.
It seems seems except Sakura the other three had realized what Anko was doing.
K-killing Intent!
Unlike Sakura, Ami, Ino and Hinata were both from well reputed clans. They had experienced or atleast witnessed the use of KI during training.
But. . . Anko's was oppressive as hell.
Like, she really wanted to kill them?!
"W-what the hell, sensei?!" Ino yelled out. "I thought we were supposed to find you and retrieve the scrolls. You never said you wouldn't say you would attack us?!" Ino complained.
"Yea. True. But I never said we won't attack you. "
Anko smirked.
"Besides, we told you this would be a "Mission" and in a mission, anything could happen. "
Anko then glared at the three.
"You three are pathetic. Here , you three were arguing while your teammate was held hostage. I never knew Kunoichis could be this pathetic. "
It seemed the words of Anko hit them hard.
The three genin looked down In shame.
"And you Hinata, " she turned towards Hinata.
"While it's not bad to have a nice heart and while I appreciate that you are the most hardworking genin in the team, if you don't change your attitude- then I'm sorry to say but the Shinobi way of life isn't for you. " Ank told her, her eyes staring right at Hinata's.
The other three were shocked at how mean there Sensei was being to Hinata.
"H-hey. . . y-you don't have to say it like that, " Ino tried to tell Anko. HInata's just a nice girl, just very shy.
Anko sighed.
"At this rate you'll never be able to find us much less take the scrolls. "
Anko noticed the crowd was gathering. The crowd looked at them and murmured to themselves.
While a genin test was important, she'd rather not get the public riled up.
"I'll tell you the location. You can find us in the house on top of the Dango store near the Market place. Hurry up though. There's only 2 hours left. "
The three genin gulped at their sensei's declaration. While they were happy that Anko told them, the location of the scrolls, the look in her eyes told her- if they failed, they will get no second chance.
"Also. . . " Anko smirked.
"I'm taking Hinata. "
Anko disappeared in a Shunshin.
The three stared as Anko disappeared.
"Umm. . . guys. . . " Ami started. The purple haired girl gulped.
"Let's work together for now, okay? " Man, it really hurt her pride saying that. I mean, the fact that she has to ask for Piggy and Billboard brows help is insulting but she couldn't give up right now.
Ino and Sakura nodded dumbly.
They were stubborn but there weren't so stupid as to realize that this was not a time to be arguing.
Sucking up their pride, the trio walked together towards the designated place- in hopes of getting their scroll and well rescuing Hinata.
It is kinda out fault Hinata got captured . . .XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXIt smells so good.At this moment, infront of the small dango shop near the market place, a Naruto clone had been eating Dango.
It seemed that even Gama-chan got copied when Naruto multiplied so the clone thought he might as well buy some dango to feed himself.
Yum yum.Well, he knew time was running out and he had to find his tow instructors but you can't run on an empty stomach. Might as well have some food. Good thing Gama-chan can copy.
But does the money from Gama-chan go poof if he goes poof?
Clone shrugged. He'll cross that bridge when it comes to it.
As Naruto clone ate the dango, a purple blur sped past him right through the dango store.
Hmmm?
Clone tilted his head. That was weird? Who was that?
Meh? He'd think about it later.
But first, he needed to eat this dango.
Not as good as Ramen though. . . but I can understand why Anko-sensei likes these. They aren't half bad.
Clone continued to munch on his dango.
Clang.
The plate of dango fell from his hand.
ANKO-SENSEI!
He widened his eyes at realization.
Dango place. It's a dango place.
Anko-sensei loves dango.
It isn't unlikelt for Kurenai-sensei and Anko-sensei to be with her.
And the purple blur. . . must be a Shunshin and the only person that has puple hair.
I'm a GENIUS!
Clone praised himself for his wonderful deductive prowess. Who said he was stupid? Huh? He is amazing.
He is going to be a future Hokage, dattebayo!
Now I just need to make sure that this is the place and then report to boss.
Clone stealthily creeped into the interiors of the dango store. Nobody noticed him. That was a given. He was a notorious prankster who had outrun Jonin and ANBU class people. Normal civilians can never notice him. Clone creeped inside the store and was greeted with the sight of a staircase.
Maybe they are on the second floor. . .
Clone walked up the stair. He witness a hall way with 4 or so rooms. It was likely they were in one of them
GulpClone was excited and happy at the same time. This was like one of those exciting James Bond movies he watched in theatres when he got his monthly allowance from Jiji.
Clone opened the first door just a bit-wide enough to take a small peek.
Nobody was there.
He calmly opened the second door.
Nobody.
The third door.
Nobody.
And there he was infront of the final door. It was very likely they were here.
No he as positive that they were here.
He opened the door to take a peek inside.
But Alas, there was no Anko or Kurenai-sensei. Just a tied up Hinata.
Clone sighed and closed the door.
It seemed they weren't here.
Did they find out I was here and leave?But why did was there a tied up Hinata? Was it some sort of hint?
Wait.
A tied up Hinata.
Shit.Clone pushed the door open with full force.
"HINATA!"
"Too loud Gaki!" Anko declared from behind and kicked clone right in the stomach.
GUH!
Clone was sent flying to the other side of the room.
"Well that take cares of that, " Anko grinned as she clasped her hands and did a stretch.
"Anko. " Kurenai called her from behind.
"What?"
"That's a clone. "
Anko's eyes widened as he turned to the 'Naruto' she had kicked only to see it disappear in a puff of smoke.
"Holy Shit! The brat can use Kage Bunshin? Isn't that a B-rank Kinjutsu?" Anko asked, obviously bewildered at the prospect of a Genin, a dead-last genin, using such an advanced jutsu.
"Surprising, indeed. It seems Naruto Uzumaki is quite unpredictable. " Kurenai nodded to herself. She was impressed with the so-called dead-last. Not only was he able to make a B-rank jutsu but he was able to find them as well.
"But. . . " Kurenai started. "This won't be enough to pass the test. After all, they don't seem to have arrived at the answer!"
Anko just smirked.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXThe original Naruto had been dozing off at the roof of the building. He was too nervous so he didn't get a wink of sleep last night coupled with the fact that he was very very hungry made him sleepy. So, he decided that he might as well get some shut-eye as the clones searched for the two sensei.
Suddenly, a torrent of information hit Naruto in his sleep. He saw himself eating dango, climbing up stairs inside the dango store, seeing a tied up Hinata, and Anko kicking him the the solar plexus.
Man, did that hurt!
Wait a minute!
Naruto jumped right up.
What were these? These didn't happen to him?
Like, he never went to a dango store nor did he encounter Anko or Kurenai.
Then. . . are these a Clone's memories?
There couldn't be anyother explanation could there? I mean, sure he might actually be clairvoyant and can see the future and that would be superduper cool, scratch that, ultra-mega-superduper cool but that seemed unlikely.
Naruto pouted.
He really wanted claivoyancy now.
But. . . if these really are the clone's memories. . .
Naruto smirked like the true prankster he was.
CAUGHT YOU SENSEI!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXIno, Ami and Sakura stood infront of the dango store in the Market place.
"So. . . this is the place huh. . . " Ino mutterd.
Ami just nodded dumbly.
Sakura gulped the cough in her throat. Beyond this point. . . they had to go retrieve that scroll from Anko-sensei.
And then there was Kurenai-sensei as well.
Anko's little KI exploit had, in all honesty, left Sakura traumatized. She wanted to quit then and there but it was her pride that kept her going.
However, she couldn't stop that nagging voice insider her head.
There is no way we can pass this test.
Isn't it right though? There were two Jonin's and hellluva strong. And Anko was dangerous as hell.
There was no way she could beat them.
They'll be pulverized. Crushed.
And if Anko was really being serious then. . . maimed.
Gulped.
"Well. . . " Ami started. "Let's head inside. "
And so they did. The trio entered the dango store. They looked around in the bottom floor for any signs of Anko and Kurenai.
As they headed deeper into the shop, the found a stair case. Gulping once more, the three Kunoichi walked up the staircase and entered upon a corrider with four days.
The three looked at eachother, probably guessing what the others were thinking.
They split up, each of the three going for three different doors.
"Okay, so who opens first?" Sakura had suddenly asked. She was nervous as hell and scared. Very very scared.
Ami gulped. "Umm, piggy you go first. "
Ino stared at her if she were crazy. "Nu-uh. No way, I'm going first. You go first Forehead. "
Sakura vehemently shook her heads. "Either you or the whore goes first! You two a-are the ones from a clan. 'Sides I-I'm f-from a c-civilian family. "
"B-but you're the Kunoichi of the year!" Ami countered.
"AND I'M NOT A WHORE!"
Sakura growled.
"YES, YOU ARE!"
"NO, I AM NOT!"
"YES!"
"NO!"
"YES!"
"NO!"
"QUIET!" Ino yelled. She put her hands on her hips and glared at the two.
"Look , let's just get this over with. With how loud you two were, they probably figured out we're here by now. " Ino huffed.
Like you're one to talk. Sakura and Ami thought simultaneously.
"Okay. . . " Sakura started. "Let's open the doors on the count of three. " The others nodded.
"One. . " Ino started.
"Two. . . " Ami followed.
"THREE!" Sakura yelled as the three hurled the door open.
Empty.
All three doors were empty.
"Then. . . " Sakura's words got caught in her throats.
The fourth room at the end of the corrider.
The girls stared at it.
They walked. Slowly towards it.
Gulped.
They held the door knob.
This was it.
Their moment of truth.
Turning the door know slightly, the trio peeked into the room. The room seemed empty except a knocked out Sasuke on one corner.
"SASUKE-KUN! " Sakura and Ami immediately rushed towards the Sasuke in the room. He looked bruised, almost beaten up. He had kunai's stuck to his body and looked like someone had enjoyed skewering him.
"Sasuke-kun. . . who did this to you?!" Sakura asked, her voice equivalent to a yell. On her side, Ami was trying to clear up the wounds.
"I-It w-was A-Anko. . . "Sasuke muttered.
Sakura and Ami had their eyes widened.
But why?!"H-help m-me. . . S-Sakura. . . A-Ami. . . "
"Don't' worry! We'll help you immediately! "
"Dpn't worry Sasuke-Kun we're here to help! " Ami consoled Sasuke.
Ami could see Sasuke's wounds were severe. If they didn't treat them now, he'll bleed to death. Dammit, she didn't bring her medical supplies today.
It looked like Sakura hadn't either.
Wait. . . Ino should have some!
Ofcourse, the Yamanakas were friends with the Naras and as a sign of friendship the Yamanakas always keep some Nara medicine with them.
Ino should have some.
"Hey, Ino do you have some- " Ami's words stopped in her mouths as she turned around.
There was no Ino.
Wha? Wasn't she just behind us?
Ami suddenly felt something was wrong. Very wrong.
She immediately turned to Sakura.
"Sakura! Something is wrong! There's no Ino! " She almost but yelled.
Sakura looked like she was annoyed.
"What are you talking about she was here just a second?" Sakura turned around to see no Ino.
"Wait, where is Ino?" Sakura asked flabbergasted.
Ami just shook her head.
I feel like we are forgetting something. . .
Sakura pondered on everything that happened today.
Then she pondered everything that happened over yesterday.
Today was our Genin test.
We were supposed to retrieve the scroll from Anko and Kurenai sensei here.
Hinata was captured.
We can't seem to find Ino.
Sasuke-kun is injured because of Anko.
Wait.
Won't Sasuke-kun have their Genin exams today? And and, how does he know Anko? Okay, maybe they've met in the past but that doesn't explain why she would beat him up? Wouldn't that be illegal since he is under another sensei's supervision?
And wait.
Deep down, Sakura realized something about Sasuke. Ami did too. They denied it but. . .
Sasuke hated them.
Sasuke-kun would never ask for our help?!The pair immediately turned towards the injured Sasuke only to see a massive demon standing infront of them.
Smirking at them and laughing.
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The duo fainted.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"W-what the?" Naruto observed the dango store from a nearby tree with his trustee binocular. It was his trusted friend when it came to pranks. He'd always be on the look out for ANBU, Jonins or Iruka-sensei using it.
Ahh good old pranking days.
But right now, it wasn't the time to reminiscice the old days. Nope. Because right now he had seen the weirdest thing.
There was Hinata tied to a room where Anko had been drinking dango and Kurenai had been reading a book. Suddenly, the door had opened and Sakura, Ami and Ino had entered.
What followed was a series of bizarre events. Sakura and Ami just rushed pashed kurenai and Anko as if they hadn't even seen her, rushing to Hinata and panicking. He saw Kurenai knock out Ino with a chop to the neck. While Sakura and Ami were panicking, they suddenly screamed as if they had seen some big ol' ghost and fainted.
What if there were ghosts?Naruto gulped. He didn't like the idea of fighting ghosts.
He quickly checked his pocket watch.
It was 11.45.
He had only 15 minutes to get the scroll.
Dammit.
There was no time and there were no openings.
I could always creep up on them. . . . but would that work?Naruto brainstormed in his head. Will it work? Thinking was never his forte. He was more impulsively creative and clever than an analyst or a thinker.
But he was good at making up pranks. So, he decided to dive into the pranking section of his memory archive.
No. . . no. . . not this. . . this neither. . .
None of them worked. The times he had approached Jonin or ANBU on his own accord, he always got caught. Usually, he was the one who was being chased, so he could make a lot of traps and precautions before hand. Plus, a good prank needs decent preparation.
What do I do dammit?!
Suddenly, he found Anko leaving the room.
Hmm, where was she heading off to?
Maybe to search for me. . .
Wait a minute.
Naruto grinned evilly to himself.
How could he forget.
His ultimate weapon.
All he needs is just some twists.
Kukuku.
Naruto cackled to himself evilly in his mind as he moved towards the Dango stores from within the shadows.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXAmi squinted her eyes as she opened them. She tried to move, only to discover she couldn't. Looking down, she saw her body tied up by a rope.
A rope. What happened to me. . . where am I. . .
Immediately a series of flashback hit her- the test, the dango store, sasuke, the monster.
Wait.
Sakura and Ino!
"SAKURA, INO where are you too?! "
"Shut up whore. We're here. "
Ami turned to the source of the voice. It was the the beautiful platinum blonde in her iconic purples dress.
"W-wait Ino y-you're okay? " she fumbled on her words.
Ino just shrugged.
"Yea. Forehead is too. "
Ami turned to her side only to see a depressed Sakura. She also spotted Hinata next to Sakura.
They were all tied up.
"You four. "
She heard Kurenai's voice and turned towards it. There was Kurenai who was frowining at them.
"Honestly, I'm disappointed. She chastised. " She shook her head.
All four of them looked down ashamed.
They were about to be failed.
She was sure of it.
She didn't know what time it was but there couldn't be much time remaining.
Ino decided to speak up on their behalf.
"W-we a-are sorry, Sensei. B-but could you give us one more chance? Pretty please?"
Ino pleaded.
Sakura also nodded.
"Yes. Please give us one more chance. This time we'll pass. "
Ami and Hinata also nodded, eyes brimming with confidence.
Kurenai looked like she was in thought.
"Hmm, but first tell me. Where is Naruto? "
All four girls froze.
Naruto?
Why was she asking about Naruto?
"Umm. . . sensei. . . " Ino started. "We don't know. "
Kurenai raised her eyebrows.
"Why not? "
"Ummm because we parted ways before coming here. " Ami answered.
Ino desperately shook her head.
"You don't have to worry about giving him a chance, sensei. He is a slacker anyway. And not that he could find you anyway. Besides, even if he did I doubt that he'll contribute much. "
Ino told Kurenai.
"Yea sensei! Naruto isn't worth it. He is just a deadlast. He'd hold the team back anyway, " Ami asserted while Sakura just nodded in support.
Hinata kept quiet, biting her lip.
N-Naruto-Kun i-sn't like that. H-He i-is amazing! I-I know it!Too bad she wasn't brave enough to say that.
Kurenai pinched the bridge of her nose.
How stupid were this kids?!"You kids don't get it do you?" Kurenai asked, irritated as ever.
Everyone looked confused.
"What sensei?" Sakura asked tilting her head.
Kurenai sighed. Given, their "introductions" yesterday, she should've expected much.
"The answer to this test. It wasn't just about the scrolls. Remember what they told you on the last day of the academy. The purpose of the five man cell.
And think about this test. What could've happened if you were a five man cell. "
The girls looked at each other. Thinks that they heard on the last day of their academy about Five Man cells?
And how they functioned?
Flashback start " As you all know, we usually have three man Genin cells under a Jonin commander. However, while the goal is to build teamwork we've seen that these Genin cells failed to work as a collaborative unit with other larger number of Shinobi which results in failures in completing the mission. That's why the council and Lord Hokage has decided that this time around we will have Five Man cells under two Jonin instructors. "
The girls' eyes widened.
"Y-you d-don't mean. . . "
Kurenai nodded.
"Yes, the answer to this test is- "
Before she could finish her sentence, the window glass of the room shattered.
HAREM NO JUTSU: IKEMEN!Suddenly Kurenai and the four genin were greeted with the sight of 15 good lookin, blond haired, muscular men-correction-naked men.
Droplets of red were found all over the room.
Kurenai fell on her butt as her nose bleed profusely.
Sakura was unconscious as a trail of blood left her nose.
Ami and Ino were knocked out.
They weren't bleeding from their noses but from their red faces and that erratic breathing you could tell what they were deaming about.
Dirty little girls.
And then there was Hinata. Unexpectedly, she was conscious. Red in the face, breathing erratically and bleeding from her nose. . . her gaze fixated on a certain part.
Sigh. It's the quiet ones. Always the quiet ones.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA! I win sensei! I win sensei! "
The sudden cackling got everyone out of their perverted fantasy as they Naked Adonis crew poofed out of existence only for a blonde haired, whiskere faced, orange wearing, hyperactive knuckle head jumping around with four scrolls in her hand.
Kurenai couldn't believe it.
W-What a jutsu!
For once, she empathized with the Third Hokage.
She will never admit it however.
But she did.
"N-Naruto you. . . how. . . " Kurenai fumbled on her words. How could she not sense him?
"He He He. . . surprised you right sensei? Actually, I knew you guys would catch me if I tried to sneak up on you. Joni's have sharp instincts after all. I can certify this fact from my pranking days. "
Naruto told her.
"That's why didn't decide to sneak in. I just jumped through the window from that tree ! "
Naruto pointed to the tree outside.
Kurenai widened her eyes.
That tree was very far and that height. . . she stared at his legs.
What were those legs made of?!
"Honestly, this was a gamble. I planned to surprise you with my ultimate jutsu. Oirokeno Jutsu might've not work on girls so I decided to change it a bit. But, it wouldn't have worked if sensei liked girls though! "
Kurenai coughed a bit. He had caught her. Sure, she wasn't flirtatious or provocative or sultry like Anko but she as a woman too for crying out loud!
Naruto continued.
"Anko-sensei heading outside was also really helpful. Anko-sensei didn't look like the kind who'd get flustered over stuff so, honestly I was lucky as hell. "
The last part irked her a bit but she had to say she was impressed. It seems the boy had observed her and Anko quite carefully- their personality and traits- astute observation and inference.
His approach was unique. An odd approach but effective nonetheless. Nobody would've expected this thus making it ver very effective. Besides, despite the degenerative nature of the Jutsu, in infiltration missions- this boy would be a wonder.
The other genins were slackjawed at Naruto's explanation.
Who knew Naruto could be so smart?
The trio of Ami, Sakura and Ino were impressed. Naruto might probably be cool even. Then suddenly a cloud of depression waved over them.
A cloud of depression and. . . shame.
They had ignored the deadlast. Bullied him, admonished him for no reason, beat him up, rejected his offer when he tried to help. . . now he was the one who had a scroll while they were sitting ducks- tied up and having perverted nose bleedings.
Suffice to say, Ami, Sakura and Ino were embarrassed.
And disappointed in themselves.
Hinata smiled to herself sadly.
If only I had spoken up. . .
Suddenly, the door to the room was kicked open as a panicking Anko entered.
"Nai-chan what happ. . . holy shit, the kid got the scroll?! "
Anko was slack jawed.
This kid just took the scrolls from Kurenai? Kurenai was one of the strongest Jonins and she was outplayed.
Wow.
This kid really is something. She thought with a smirk.
Kurenai nodded to herself. Naruto Uzumaki was impressive.
But the test wasn't over.
" Very well, Naruto. You win. You have four scrolls. You get to decide who passes and who fails. " Kurenai told him, smirking slightly.
Anko nodded.
"Yes. One of these girls will fail. You'll decide who. So, go. "
Naruto shuddered. He forgot that only four of them could pass. Ultimately, there were four scrolls after all. So, one of them would fail.
Now, he had to be the one to choose.
Choose one who fails.
Effectively ending their career as a ninja.
Naruto breathed in and out deeply.
He looked at Anko and Kurenai resolutely.
"Sensei, I have decided. "
Kurenai raised an eyebrow.
"That was quick. So, who is it gonna be? " She asked the blonde.
Without a hint of hesitation, Naruto replied,
"Me. You can give them the scrolls. I'll stay back. "
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX And cut. That wraps chaper 2 up. Honestly, I was confused about what alternative test I could've given them so I decided to just change the stipulations and just give a similar test with an alternative route. I'd like to thank DeathtoAce. His idea about stealing a book from the Hokage gave me the idea about the Scroll test. About Ami. Some are confused about whether she is a Kurama. Yes, she is apparently- in this fic at least. Now, if you ask me why a Kurama fell for a genjutsu, it's simply because like Sakura and Ino, Ami spent her time chasing Sasuke in the academy and trying to be pretty instead of putting any effort in training in her family arts. Also somewhere talking about me calling Naruto stupid makes him actually stupid. I apologise for that. It's is probably due to my terrible articulation skills but Naruto is stupid yes- but in the ways of society. He pretty much lived his life alone with very little normal humane interactions other than the very meager time he spent with Iruka and the third Hokage. So, he isn't very well versed in the social ettiquttes. I think it's pretty normal considering his behavior. But he isn't stupid in the way of the Shinobi. He is clever, meticulous and extrememly creative- a bit naïve and somewhat cocky but not stupid. So, my bad. Finally, information regarding the harem, I've decided to add Kurenai after reading all the reviews. Seems like everyone is okay with her. I'll add Samui, Karin, Tayuya during the Chunin exams, Yakumo during my own special arc. Some of you wanted- FemSasuke and FemNeji and while I adore both of these I don't think they are the type of characters I'd be able to explore. Apologies. Finally, about Naruto standing up for himself. He will. Slowly. He'll grow out of this optimistic self of his and become a optimistic person not just as toxic. There will come a point where he won't stand for shit any longer. Just later. Another final final note: The reason I made Ino, Ami and Sakura make a fool out of themselves is to give them a reality check and Hinata a teaching which you will see in the next chapter. Thanks for the amazing reviews by the way. Read and review more. Cya~
Mei, Shizune are debatable. I might or might not add them. Kurotsuchi is an interesting prospect.
