Chapter 4:
The newly minted Team 7 was annoyed. It had been two hours since been assigned, and all the other sensei's had collected there students. For Naruko, this was especially annoying, for she wasn't one to sit around and wait, unless there where missions that demanded it.
To help pass the time, Hinata had chosen to read a book she had brought about Herbs, and how they could be used to make healing balms or poisons, Sasuke had closed his eyes, apparently asleep, but in reality focusing on his other senses, to see if he could guess correctly what went on around him.
Naruko however, wasn't patient by nature. Sure, she had learnt patience, due to incidents in the past, however this was ridiculous. She could only read so much before she would have to get up and move around or do something.
Before she could get up and punch something in frustration, the door opened.
The man who walked in had grey, gravity defying hair, and wore the standard Jonnin uniform.
"Sorry for keeping you, but I was delayed by the Hokage. Meet on the roof in five." With that, he used Shunshin, and was gone.
Naruko looked at her friends, and raised an eyebrow. Sasuke just shook his head, and started to walk to the roof. Shrugging, Naruko glanced at Hinata, then shifted her eye to the door and back, which Hinata gave a small smile, and followed Sasuke, with Naruko trailing behind.
It took them ten minutes to reach the roof, and when they did they saw a raised eyebrow from there Sensei.
"What kept you?" He signed, much to there surprise.
"You know sign?" Naruko asked.
"Yes I do. I'm not very proficient at it, however I can understand it very well."
Naruko smiled at that, as one of her fears was getting a Sensei who couldn't understand her, or take the time to try. she was very happy she didn't have to worry. Though it begged a question, one Sasuke asked.
"That must mean you where one of her ANBU guards after her attack."
"Yes I was. I have been her guard for a while now. Sadly I was on a mission when the attack happened, and I am so very sorry Naruko."
Naruko smiled a bit sadly, as she could now recognise one of her former guards, the only one aside from the Weasel masked member, who actually cared. So she went up and hugged him.
Everyone was shocked, that Naruko would hug him, however they understood the gesture, as she was showing that she accepted his apology, and let him know that she didn't hate him for doing his job.
"Thank you Naruko. Now that that's out of the way why don't we introduce ourselves? I'll go first. My name is Kakashi Hatake, I have some likes and dislikes, many hobbies, and no real dreams."
The Gennin sweat dropped.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. My likes are the few friends I have, dislikes are traitors. My hobbies are training and reading, and my dream is to clear the Uchiha name from the history of the village traitors."
'He still seems like an avenger, but willing to wait till he is strong enough to fight Itachi, and happy to have help. so far so good."
"My name is Hinata Hyuga. My likes are flower pressing and my friends, and dislikes are those who oppress others, and rapists. My hobbies are training and flower pressing. My dream is to dissolve the caged bird seal in my clan."
Kakashi didn't miss the little sideways glance Hinata sent to Naruko when she mentioned likes. He just shrugged internally and decided it wasn't his business. He decided she was a relaxed person who wasn't afraid to stand up for herself or others, with a worthy dream, a dream he hoped would succeed in the future.
"My name is Naruko Uzumaki. My likes are training and nature. My dislikes are Perverts and rapists. My hobbies are training, and hanging with friends. My dream is to become the strongest Kunoichi in the world."
Again, Kakashi noticed the little sideways glance sent the other way on likes. He just smiled. He also noticed that she didn't hate the village, and wouldn't run rogue, however even he could see that was only because of her friends and the Hokage. He decided to also become a reason she stayed, if she let him.
"Alright then. Now normally I would set a test for the next day designed around teamwork, with the intention to try break you all apart. though I guess that none of you will abandon each other, no matter what?"
He got three emphatic nods with steeled eyes, proving his point.
"Very well. Meet at training ground seven at oh-eight-hundred tomorrow. See ya."
Kakashi then disappeared in a swirl of leaves. The others just got up and walked away, heading instinctively to Naruko's apartment to relax, and enjoy what could possibly be there last chance to relax.
When they arrived, they could here voices and the T.V, and knew that the others where there. They looked at each other, And Sasuke and Naruko smirked, while Hinata just sighed and shook her head, however she was smiling.
"Attention all bitches, off the couch and line up in order, we got a class assignment for all of y'all!" Sasuke yelled, while throwing smoke pellets in the window.
After ten seconds the smoke cleared, one could see all nine of the rookies with no less than two Kunai's on there throats while holding there own two to others.
"Fucking really dude?" Typical Kiba.
"Well this is Naruko's apartment." Was Sasuke's reply.
Everyone then smiled and withdrew there Kunai, and started to relax again. It was unspoken that everyone would be crashing there that night, to enjoy each others company and relax, before there official duties took over.
Soon enough night fell, and everyone had changed into there sleepwear. Suddenly a shushing sound could be heard.
Those who where still awake, looked over at Kiba, who had made the sound, who then pointed.
When everyone looked, they all smiled. Laying at a forty-five degree angle on the couch, was Naruko who had her arms wrapped lightly around Hinata, who in turn was laying on her side facing Naruko half draped across her, with her arms around her. everyone smiled, thinking they looked cute together.
Suddenly Ino leant back and put her head in Kiba's lap, then raised an eyebrow, challenging him to say anything. he just shrugged and leant back himself.
Soon enough everyone was asleep, accept Sasuke. He looked out the window, at the moon and just thought. Soon enough he to fell asleep.
The next morning, there was laughs and teasing galore amongst them all. However, the time quickly came for them all to split up and go about there days as Ninja. There was an unspoken promise however, that they would all gather whenever the opportunity arose.
Team seven had gotten to there training grounds on time, and noticed that there sensei wasn't there. While they waited, they decided to warm up and possibly get some training in.
It wasn't till Ten O'clock that Kakashi arrived, and what he saw made him proud. His three students where engaging in a three way spar, and from what he could see they where all holding back and using only Taijutsu, with a constantly random change of targets. first they would all try and strike both others at the same time, then it would be a two on one situation which would suddenly change to a different person. Deciding to test them, he sent a low powered water Jutsu at them.
'Water style: Water Bullet'
Hinata saw it coming first, thanks to her Byakugan and reacted quickly.
"Water style: Water Wall"
When the water had gone down, they saw there Sensei standing there in a loose stance, and they quickly got the idea that he wanted to test there skills. They obliged.
'Wind style: Great Breakthrough'
"Fire style: Grand Fireball"
Naruko and Sasuke had combined there attacks, making the fireball into a small inferno heading to Kakashi, who responded quickly.
'Earth Style: Mud Wall'
After executing his defence, he seemingly threw shuriken in a random aerial direction, while turning to engage Hinata in Taijutsu, who had used the cover of Naruko's and Sasuke's attack to try and strike from behind. Naruko suddenly appeared in the air above them both, with a Kunai in hand and deflected the previously thrown Shuriken, while Sasuke tried to attack from behind, However Kakashi just jumped away.
So far he was impressed. They all knew elemental techniques, which showed they had higher than normal chakra, and always covered each other, as proven. He decided to up the ante a little.
'Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Barrage'
Instead of the usual ten small fireballs, there where at least fifty. Instantly all three Gennin dodged, while going through there own hand signs. However, they where interrupted by Kakashi and two of his clones quickly closing in and engaging in Taijutsu. They quickly realised that they where been tested on how they worked not only together but alone. They decided to go all out.
Sasuke activated his Sharingan, Surprising Kakashi that it was fully matured, while also impressing him, as Sasuke only activated it because he had no choice as he saw it, and was treating the spar seriously, in that it was imitating a battle where he couldn't afford to hold back. Sasuke immediately switched from the academy style to the Interceptor fist, and met Kakashi head on.
Hinata, while having activated her Byakugan, was unique. While she could see in a 360 degree view, she could actually control what she saw, so if she didn't want to see through something for privacy reasons, she could block it out, or selectively see what she wanted.
For example, while she could see someone's Chakra network and chakra points, the side affect was basically seeing her opponent naked. she had such control that she could still see the chakra pathways, but nothing else unless she choose to. Normally in spars, while she had her eyes active, it was only to see around her and not the pathways. Now she decided it was time to go all out. When she saw Kakashi's pathways however, she was shocked. Near his right eye it was different, same as Naruko, and she understood why he had his moniker now.
After all, one didn't copy a thousand Jutsu without a Sharingan.
Naruko however was conflicted. While she wanted to show how strong she really was, she didn't want to reveal her eye. However a subtle nod from Kakashi made up her mind. Clearly he had been briefed.
Lifting her headband, she revealed her own Sharingan eye, courtesy of Danzo. She and Sasuke still couldn't believe he had so many Sharingan in his arm.
After revealing her eye, she to changed from the academy style to the interceptor fist, and attacked.
This continued for about an hour, with constant changes in attacks, and also sometimes forcing themselves into a situation to work together, before they where inevitably defeated. While he may have a Sharingan himself, Kakashi was ANBU level before he received it.
"Well that was fun, wouldn't you three say?" Kakashi asked cheerfully. The Gennin just smiled and nodded, from there places on the ground.
"Ok then. All three of you are stronger than a normal Gennin, I would put your individual level at high Gennin to low Chunnin. As a team, I would say possibly Mid Chunnin. There where several mistakes I saw and openings left, so first we will work on fixing those before I teach you more. Naruko and Sasuke, good work on not relying on your eyes as well, its good to see. To many Uchiha fell, due to believing there eyes would grant them victory, instead of been a tool to be used wisely. Also Hinata, I noticed you seem to have excellent control of your Byakugan, in while using it, not relying on it. But enough of that, lets get to work."
And so the rest of the day passed, With them working on correcting mistakes, and closing openings that they had left. By the time the sun was setting, all three Gennin where exhausted. When they were dismissed, they all headed to Naruko's apartment, quickly showered and ate, then fell asleep. Kakashi, who had followed them discreetly, smiled. While Hinata And Naruko had first been apart, they ended up in each others arms, while using Sasuke as a pillow. It showed just how much they trusted each other, especially Naruko, if she was willing to get so close to Sasuke. Many would think that the girls both fancied Sasuke, however he knew it wasn't true, by what he was seeing, as they thought of him as the big brother, and him thinking them his little sisters.
After leaving them, Kakashi made his way to the Hokages tower. When he arrived, he also saw Asuma and Kurenai there, seemingly waiting for him.
"About time Kakashi."
"Maa I was busy watching over my students."
Both Asuma and Kurenai where shocked. Kakashi Hatake finally accepted a team? However, after thinking on it, it shouldn't be a surprise, after what they had seen with there own students.
"Very well then. Well aside from informing me that your teams pass, what brings you all here?"
Kakashi spoke first.
"Lord Hokage, with respect, I would like to take my team on a C-Ranked mission by the weeks end, by which time I would have had time to help them perfect there current skills and drill in some more formations."
While a little surprised, in honesty he wasn't to surprised, as he had an idea of there skills. Looking to the other Sensei's, he saw the same look as Kakashi.
"I take it both of you feel the same way?"
Receiving nods, he sat back and thought. This years class had more passing teams then previous years, despite predictions that only the clan children would pass the final test. He finally decided.
"I will grant it. There first one will be with all three teams together. If they prove themselves capable, then it will continue. if not then they stay on D-ranks until I say otherwise. Understood?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. Dismissed."
Timeskip: One Week.
Team seven where just finishing there warm up when Kakashi appeared, earlier than normal.
"Ok guys, lets go get a mission shall we?"
The three of them nodded, and followed there Sensei to the mission office. When the got there, they saw there friends there as well, and decided to have a little catch up with them, while there Sensei's went and got them a mission. They all knew about the ranking system, and where not looking forward to doing D-ranks, however they knew that they had no choice in the matter.
Nearly twenty minutes had passed, before all there sensei's returned.
"Alright guys, listen up. We have negotiated with the Hokage, and managed to get you guys a C-rank of the bat. However, this first one will be a joint mission between all three teams, and depending on your performance, depends if you get more or not, or go back to D-ranks. Are we clear?"
All the Gennin nodded. They knew what would most likely happen. Normally, when a Gennin team where eligible for a C-rank, it would be one where they would be guaranteed to get there first kill. For them to receive on and jump the queue, so to speak, showed the trust there Sensei's had, not only in them but there skills.
"Alright then. This mission is a hunt and kill mission. There have been reports of a group of bandits massing near here, and are praying on trading caravans coming in or leaving the village. Our mission is to track them down, and eliminate them. Any questions?"
Shikimaru was the one who asked.
"Do we have a timeline, and possible location?"
"Yes, we know roughly where they are, so we will scout around there first. And our deadline is nine days. Any more questions?"
Seeing none, they dismissed the Gennin to go and pack for the mission.
An hour later, all three teams where gathered at the gate, and ready to go. Kurenai spoke before they left.
"While we are your Sensei's, we will leave the mission to you. That means you guys are in control of everything, from when we move, to when we rest, to when we fight. We will only step in if decisions are made that could cost someone there lives, or if it is not taken seriously. We want you to prove to the Hokage that you are in fact capable of these level missions. Understood?"
"Yes Sensei."
Without even speaking, the Gennin turned to Shikimaru, Sasuke and Shino, showing that they had trust in those three to lead, one from each team.
Sasuke started.
"I say team seven take the front, With us been the main combat squad and therefore in the perfect position to respond to threats."
Shikamaru spoke next.
"I agree, while my team take the centre, as we are more of a capture/support team. in the event of an ambush, we can back you up, as well as cover your backs."
Finally Shino.
"We will bring up the rear. I will spread my bugs around us as well, to give us at least some warning."
Seeing that they had made an effective and simple strategy, despite choosing three people to be in charge, they showed that they where indeed capable with an effective command structure. Without further ado, they set off.