Well, Well, Well... It seems things are in my favor upon presenting chapter 3. As planned, the first few chapters have served as introduction. This chapter will be the last chapter of the introduction. In short, things will get more interesting after this chapter.

Also, I am trying to make each new chapter a bit longer than the last. I will admit I am giving a good effort, but I could do more... Oh well, I am only human after all

And now, chapter 3 shall commence!!!

Naruto: Ascendancy of a Legend- Chapter 3: Genin teams and the Birth of the New Rookie Twelve

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Upon returning into the classroom. Iruka presents all of the students who passed the exam their Leaf Hitai-ates. Of the many that accomplished this feat this year, only 12 would be destined to be official Genin, but that was a surprise that Iruka would allow to be reveal by the Jounin instructors upon the following day, when teams have been determined.

Although nearly everyone received a headband that was similar in color of silk as Iruka's, Three students had received black silk Hitai-ates as a personal acknowledge from the Sandaime Hokage himself of the candidates for top rookie, the students being Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Anri Ryou. All of the students would go home and celebrate with their parents with the exception of Sasuke.

Naruto, Anri, and Sasuke decided to go train together. As the trio got out of range, Iruka muttered to himself "I am sorry Anri, but it seems Lord Hokage may have already objected to your request..."

Hokage Tower

"Anri-kun... I sense something troubles your mind, as if having attention of accomplishments is a danger... what happened to you before you were discovered by the ANBU..." The Hokage said with a hint of sadness, he was alone in his office watching all of this from his crystal ball. "No matter what your past was, you are a blessing to this village...and to Naruto as well..."

Uchiha Compound

Sasuke personally invited Naruto and Anri to his home, for the compound held a training ground in the backyard. As they decide on a training routine, the boys would chat.

"Welcome to my sanctuary..." Sasuke said, "Since the fall of my clan I have had this all to myself..." he turns to Anri "I see it in your eyes Anri, your clan fell too..." Anri replied with a nod then held his head gently.

"...Hurts to remember..." Anri spoke calmly as the pain of the headache subsided. "...Memories have surfaced within my dreams... I'll manage, worry not of me... Uchiha-san, would you like to learn Shunshin no Jutsu?

"That is a chuunin level jutsu, how do you know it?" Sasuke asked before giving his answer

"Kakashi-tousan taught us it last year." Naruto said calmly, "Trust us, we aren't trying to trick you..."

"Thanks, I'd like that, seems unfair that you are willing to teach me this for no cost..." Sasuke said calmly

Anri nods noticing the fuuma shuriken laying in a pile by the porch. "Never wielded that kind of a shuriken before..."

"Well, it is a harder type of shuriken to master, but I'll gladly teach you both on how to use it in exchange for teaching me Shunshin no Jutsu."

And so the plan was made for this afternoon's training.

Around 5 P.M, Uchiha Compound

Naruto, Sasuke, and Anri were exhausted from about 4 hours of nonstop training, but the results were well worth it. Sasuke now could do Shunshin no Jutsu; whereas Naruto and Anri now know the art of the fuuma shuriken as best as Sasuke to teach. He even gave each Naruto and Anri a windmill shuriken to keep.

"Thanks for the shuriken Sasuke" Naruto said happily, although panting. Of the three, he was only short of breath, his stamina still going strong

"...Anytime, thanks for the jutsu...and for helping me awaken my Sharingan..." Sasuke replies

Anri was the reason why Sasuke's Sharigan activated. After hearing Sasuke speak of how he could attain his bloodline, Anri used enough kenjutsu to have Sasuke feel endangered greatly to benefit from all of it.

"Sorry if my actions startled you Uchiha-san" Anri said calmly

"Don't worry about it, and just call me Sasuke, you need not be formal with me, your friend." Sasuke said feeling uneasy for being referred to on a formal scale amongst friends.

Anri nods calmly, and also received a playful punch on the shoulder by Naruto.

"We'll catch you tomorrow Sasuke, later!" Naruto spoke cheerfully as he and Anri had to go home about this time.

"Hn" Sasuke nods with a slight smile "Catch you tomorrow then, Naruto, Anri" After Naruto and Anri leave, Sasuke goes back into his home. My goal is to kill Itachi for what he did to our clan... but I am not strong enough yet... I am sure Anri and Naruto's help by training with me will get me stronger... when the time comes, I will resolve all of this... More than likely by killing Itachi... Before getting completely lost in thought, Sasuke noticed a note addressed to him

Uchiha-san

You have been personally invited to a party honoring the graduating Genin. Commencement starts at 7:00 P.M at the Hatake Residence. Please come

Lord Hokage

Sasuke smirked, Change of plans Naruto and Anri, I'll most likely be seeing you during this party.

Hatake Residence 5:30 P.M

Naruto and Anri enter the house by use of Naruto's key. No one was home for the time being so they would go to their room to study some scrolls. Little do they know that the top genin are receiving a party of honoring their feat at this very residence in about ninety minutes. Passing the time the boys would chat

"So Anri, have any admirers?" Naruto asked

"None that I am aware of, why do you ask?" Anri questioned

"Well, I found out recently that fangirls made a fan club for each of us." Naruto smirked. "Kinda funny ne?"

"Don't these girls know that emotions are futile during a mission, they lack the control over them..." Anri declared calmly

"What do you mean Aniki?" Naruto now confused by what Anri was saying

"It's rather simple, shinobi and kunoichi are paired up into three person teams under a jounin sensei. Although missions start small, they gradually get to a state of difficulty involving the lives of the team. More than likely a fangirl will just bring the team to its doom." Anri thought for a moment before continuing, "Now, I think there are some kunoichi in our graduating class that may not be of worry. For starters, I noticed that Kin Tsuchi and Tayuya did not act like the fangirls did. So I am thinking they make talk some sense to the other kunoichi of our class."

"I think I get it now, thanks Aniki!" With that, Naruto and Anri went back to silence to their studies, right now they were studying the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu's multiple uses.

6:59 P.M, Hatake Residence

Kakashi and Rin, along with several other guests, ready the finishing touches for the party to be thrown for the top genin. After the finishing touches, they turn out the lights to surprise the honories of the party.

"Naruto-kun, Anri-kun, could you come to the living room?" Rin called to the boys, she and the others had sensed their chakra presence in the boys' room, so the preparations were made quietly.

"Ok Kaa-san!" Naruto called back, since he was the active one of the two boys voice wise. Anri nods as both boys put up the scrolls and head to the living room.

With Sasuke

Coincidentally, Sasuke was at the front door. It would also be ironic that all three boys would enter the dark living room at the same time from different entry points. All three would feel the same shock as the lights flash on...

"SURPRISE!!"

Normal POV, living room, Hatake Residence

Anri, Naruto, and Sasuke would be startled by this shout of 'surprise' hence getting them instinctively to take their fighting stances. After seeing all who was there, all three made a mental sigh of relief and went into the living room amongst the others, some they never saw before.

Sandaime Hokage was one of the familiar faces to all three boys, wearing his hokage robes as if on business, all involving this gathering unknown to the boys

Kakashi was the next of recognizable people that the boys knew. However, Sasuke would meet the woman that happened to be the wife of Kakashi for the first time in his life. Said woman of course Naruto and Anri's adoptive kaasan, Rin Hatake

The last of the recognizable people all three boys knew were Iruka-sensei, Ayame Ichiraku, and Teuchi Ichiraku. Each boy guessing mentally that the Ichirakus helped with the food, and Iruka-sensei being there to further congratulate his top students.

The rest of the group were all Jounin, none that the boys recognized. First of them was the most noticeable one, Maito Gai. That green outfit easily depicted who he was, even with the jounin vest present. With him was his identical twin appearing much younger, Rock Lee. Other than being the exception of being amongst the group of Jounin, Lee had no parents, so Gai to him was like a father to him. Such could be told since both wore the same outfit with weights; Gai's being 2000lbs altogether, whereas Lee was maxing 800lbs currently. Both wore Hitai-ate around their waists made of a silk faded red. The thick eyebrows were also a similarity.

Next to be noticed would be a man smoking a cigerette; Asuma Sarutobi, the son of the Sandaime Hokage. He had hair of a color similar to that of Sasuke,, but shorter and more tame unlike Sasuke's hair that seemed to defy all laws of gravity. Under his jounin vest he wore a matching navy blue shirt and pants, his attire as a shinobi. He also had a beard similar to that of his father in style.

Another unrecognizable face for that of one of two female jounin; Kurenai Yuuhi, the proclaimed 'Ice Queen and Genjutsu mistress of Konoha' Her jounin vest lie hidden under her coat, which appeared to be similar to that of a kimono of the colors red, tan, and black within respective designs on the clothing. She wore with it a white skirt. Her Kunai holsters were filled, each strapped along her thigh, a warning to perverts to not to mess with her. She would be easy to find with her ruby red eyes and long charcoal black hair.

Anko Mitarashi was the other female amongst the group of jounin. She had faded purple hair about short to medium length, faded olive eyes, and wore the most strangest attire out of the females. Her attire consisted of a fishnet shirt, fishnet skirt, and a tan jacket the length of a trenchcoat.

Lastly was a man wearing a cap with medium length dark brown hair; Hayate Gekkou. Overall his attire resembled that of Asuma. However, Hayate's coughing periodically may have been connected to a life of smoking, who knows. Despite such, within his dark blue eyes he was a warrior through and through. He is one of Konoha's greatest swordsman. He is going to be a major surprise to Naruto and Anri, whom requested Kakashi to look for a swordsman to train them on their kinjutsu and swordsmanship.

"Wow..." Naruto said in awe

"This is all for you three, the top genin of the class" Iruka would say happily, his statement of course making Anri tense up

"Don't worry Anri-kun, even though I considered your request that you gave to Iruka, I had to decline..." Sarutobi spoke in a calm voice with a soft smile. "All 3 of you are candidates for Rookie of the Year." Anri would relax a bit.

"Oh, Naruto, Anri, your new teacher on swordsmanship will be Hayate Gekkou" Kakashi spoke, Hayate would step forward as his name is called.

"Kakashi has told me much of you two... You seem to be promising students, so I gladly accepted Kakashi's request." Naruto and Anri were speechless.

An so, as the hours pass, the celebration of Sasuke, Naruto, and Anri lasted for two hours filled with food, gifts of jutsu scrolls, and Naruto receiving his own sword. Naruto, Anri, and Sasuke enjoyed themselves this night. As the party concluded and everyone departed, a tired Naruto and Anri head to sleep after thanking their adoptive parents with a hug.

Ninja Academy, Classroom 101, the next morning

"Alright class, I will now announce your teams" Iruka would start with team 1 and up.

"Team 7 members consist of... Sasuke Uchiha.." Sasuke looked up upon the calling of his name, "Sakura Haruno..." Sakura squealed with delight, Sasuke slams his head on his desk, Just my luck to be stuck with one annoying fangirl of mine... She will have to learn harsh reality real soon..., "and... Tayuya..." Tayuya would just nod. Looks like I have a damn Uchiha fangirl to deal with... well, no matter, I will make sure I have a little 'talk' with her about that... I refuse to work with a weakling... "...Your sensei will be Kakashi Hatake" Iruka would finish the announcement of team 7 with that.

"Team 8 is Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuuga, and Shino Aburame under sensei Kurenai Yuuhi." All three students nod to Iruka's announcement as he continues to announce teams.

"Team 10 is Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka" Shikamaru seemed to mutter how troublesome to be paired up with Ino, whom just nods to Iruka's announcement. Choji steadily munches on chips. "Your sensei is Asuma Sarutobi." Iruka skipped team 9 since it already exists with last year's genin of Rock Lee, TenTen, and Neji Hyuuga; Rookie of last year, under sensei Maito Gai. Iruka then announces the last team.

"Team 11 is Kin Tsuchi" said girl looked up in anticipation to who she is paired with, "Naruto Uzumaki," said student just nodded with a trademark fox grin, something he does on rare occasion, "and Anri Ryou..." Anri nods silently, knowing the team appeared balanced with Naruto appearing as the strongest, and Kin the lowest ranked of the three, which didn't really matter to her. "Your sensei will be Hayate Gekkou." Naruto and Anri would be in shock now, being trained swordsmanship and taking missions with the same person Kakashi requested for their kinjutsu and swordsmanship training.

After the teams were announced, the students would wait for their instructors after Iruka gave a farewell to them, saying he was going to miss them, (most of them, heh heh)

Everyone would be with their sensei within the hour, except for team 7. With the silence, Tayuya decided that now would be the most important chance to have her 'talk' with Sakura.

"Ok pinky, I know you have a crush on Sasuke, and I don't care about that since I am not interested in him anyway. However, your attitude will endanger this team. So I suggest you get out of dreamland of your self proclaimed 'Sasuke-kun' and act like a kunoichi, you are one of the smartest here, so I am sure you could easily understand what I am telling you."

Sakura was speechless within a mass of emotions consisting of confusion and anger, but Tayuya's words were true. Her fangirl attitude toward Sasuke could be a danger to the team. She nods in agreement to Tayuya and to Sasuke's surprises, apologizes and askes him to forgive her of how she acted.

"Glad you understand what we are trying to tell you, Sakura... You earned my forgiveness the moment you accepted Tayuya's talk." Sasuke said calmly to her with a soft smile, making Sakura blush some.

"Thank you Sasuke, Tayuya. I will focus on my duties as a kunoichi." Sakura said softly as a promise. Little did she know this was the first step to being acknowledged by Sasuke as a future girlfriend.

To the three students surprise, Kakashi appeared in front of the classroom door, he had cloaked himself in hiding to eavesdrop on their conversation. Surprisingly, It showed teamwork by Tayuya acknowledging Sakura's weakness, Sakura realizing that weakness, and her promise to Sasuke and Tayuya to overcome that weakness and change.

"I would like you introduce yourselves, tell me your likes, dislikes, hobbies, and dreams. To be fair out of compensation for being late, I'll start," Kakashi said casually, unknown to the team he had given them their test. "I am Kakashi Hatake, I like my wife and many other things... My dislikes are arrogant brats that lack the sense of teamwork, My hobbies... well... training and other things that I will not say... My dreams is to continue to provide a happy marriage to my loving wife." Kakashi smiled under his mask and pointed to Sakura motioning her to start.

"Um... I'm Sakura Haruno, and my likes are studying and making new friends, I dislike Ino-pig at times, my hobbies... learning mostly and talking to people... My dream is to become a worthy kunoichi to Konoha." Unknown to Sakura, she had taken the first step to that dream, but said dream was to prove herself worthy of Sasuke. Kakashi nods as he motions Sasuke next.

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha, I have few likes and many dislikes, my hobbies consist of training and sparring with Anri and Naruto, My dream, no, goal is to avenge my clans massacre and begin a renewal." Sasuke had been influenced by Anri that his life as an avenger had nothing for him after his goal was complete, so the slight change occurred.

"Tayuya's the name, remember it! My likes are none of your business, my dislikes are kunoichi that are fangirls and blinded by that attitude." Tayuya nods to Sakura in approval of her recent change and continued. "My hobbies include praticing my flute, training, and hanging out with my friend Kin, My dream is to lead a great life as a kunoichi as well as have a family someday... maybe..." Tayuya knew she had tough standards for a guy, but relatively fair. All in all, perverts are something she hates with a passion. Hence the glare she gave Kakashi when he arrived with his Icha Icha Paradise book in hand reading.

"My impression of you guys is... you pass..." Kakashi said smiling under his mask "I was going to make you guys take the bell test to see if you work well as a team, but from what I listened to from your conversation earlier, you proved to me that you will aid eachother to overcome weaknesses that are revealed by the person. See you tomorrow at training ground 7 at 8 A.M. Later" with that, Kakashi shunshined out of the classroom to the hokage tower to announce passing his team.

"He will show at 9 since he is always late. We'll go at 8:30 A.M" Sasuke spoke, "He goes to honor a relative of mine that was his teammae... This ritual is rumored to be why he has such clarity at mind with decisions." Both girls nodded as each went their seperate ways for today.

With team 11

Kin and Naruto had already sparred with Hayate for the test he gave them. Now they were watching Anri and Hayate spar.

"Whoa, I knew Aniki was good at swordsmanship, but he's proving a match to Hayate-sensei for now, too bad Hayate sensei was using a fraction of his ability against each of us" Naruto spoke calmly, his revelation shocking Kin.

"Well, I guess with my genjutsu skills, your ninjutsu and taijutsu skills, and Anri's kenjutsu skills have us a balanced team with our own strengths balancing eachother well..." Kin spoke after getting over her shock, she smiled sweetly at Naruto, making him blush

"She likes you Kit"

"I am only disappointed that I owe Anri money now... He was supposed to have a crush first!"

"Your's revealed herself in front of you and in Anri's presence, Anri's admirers have only showed their affect from afar." Kyuubi chuckles in Narutos mind even as their communication mental link fades for now. Naruto mentally sighs.

Naruto would have been mentally talking with Kyuubi as to not notice the speed Hayate and Anri were using, "Aniki must have released the weights."

Thirty more minutes pass as Hayate finishes the match by overwhelming Anri with half his ability of the Dance of the Crescent Moon. Anri smiled and sheathed his seven sword and bowed to Hayate

"Nice spar, Hayate-sensei, I learned a lot..." Anri said while slightly out of breath.

"Well, you all pass, all of you gave eachother advice in between spars to help your teammates. You understood the truth behind my test." Hayate smiled, coughing some, the coughing his team was used to after awhile.

"Of course, defeating you wasn't the objective because of your skill and rank" Kin pointed out, "Even with the tips we gave eachother, we used much chakra.Naruto nods. Their attention was quickly averted when they saw a flash of dark blue light emit from Anri as he collapsed holding his head, the pain knocking him unconscious. "Aniki!"

Hayate examines Anri, noticing the pain was some type of mental pain. "I will take him to the hospital. He will be fine, that I promise. See you tomorrow a 10 A.M" Hayate shunshined after putting Anri over his shoulder to the hosipital.

"Kin-chan, I'll see you later, I got to go tell Kakashi-tousan and Rin-kaasan about my aniki." Naruto said calmly with slight firmness in his words. However, he didn't notice adding the 'chan' suffix to Kin's name.

"Ok Naruto-kun, I hope he gets well... see you later." Kin smiled sweetly as a means to try to cheer Naruto's worry, which did work a bit.

"Thanks Kin-chan" Naruto waves goodbye and runs home to tell his kaasan and tousan. He didn't bother to notice getting into the habit of calling Kin, Kin-chan, nor did he notice her calling him Naruto-kun. Both go their seperate way for the day.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

That concludes chapter 3 and the final part of the introduction phase of the fic. Chapter 4 will focus on Anri and his past so he can be related to easier for my loyal readers.

Also, I'd like to announce that I will be working on a re-write of this, the exception being at an M rating. Just giving the heads up.

No reviews still, I can say it to be a good or bad thing since I do happen to have a batch of readers taking the time to read this fic. With that I give thanks once more.

Until next time, Later.