Patriot-112: Hey my peeps! What's up!? Sorry for taking so long, with my laptop that so faithfully worked for me for YEARS finally dying on me, getting a new one, other projects, my workaholic grandfather, and...well, ya know, life and all that shit, I'm FINALLY back!
Either way let's get this show on the road!
P.S., to all you cyber bullying trolls out there...go kiss a Louisiana gator.
Chapter 6
Team Test
'By learning, you will teach; By teaching you will understand'
Training Ground 6
Konoha
Team 6 arrived at the training ground, after waking up at 7:00 AM, getting a light breakfast, and doing some light training before arriving before 8:45. The three humans, along with the three wolves were all waiting for their sensei. In the meantime, the twins along with Hinata were all conversing while giving the familiars some attention as well. By the time that nine-thirty came up, Yugao arrived in a shunshin, and the three shinobi to be snapped to attention, along with Naruto's familiars.
Yugao smiled a bit, and nodded her head. "Good you're all alert." she said, before immediately getting down to business. She pulled out a timer, and a duo of bells from her ninja tool pouch, and placed the former on a tree stump.
"I've set the timer to go off at noon. You have till then, to get these...," she said, holding up and jingling the bells, "...off of me. If you don't, you fail, and head straight back to the Academy for another whole year."
That info made the three on edge, none of them want to go back to the Academy. Naruto more than most, since he couldn't stand those fan girls, anymore. Yugao's voice snapped him out of his thoughts as she spoke again.
"Now then...your test begins...," as she said this, her Genin and the wolves all tensed, making her slightly smirk, "...now!
With that the three humans and canines leapt into the trees, disappearing in blurs. Yugao mentally nodded, as she sensed that they're hiding their chakra signatures well.
'Not bad, now to wait for them to make the first move,"
In one part of the trees, Naruto looked down at his one-chan, a plan forming in his head.
'This test is all about teamwork, no question about that,' he thought to himself, as one of the triplets, nuzzled against him, making him pat the wolf's head. 'I gotta find the girls and convince them to work with me. Hinata won't be a problem, and I know Shinri still wants to get back into my good graces,'
He then smirked as he formed the handsigns for the Kage Bunshin, and created two clones, and assigned Koka and Basho with one each to go find the two Kunoichi of Team 6, which the two clones and wolves did without question. That left him with just Koka.
"Now what?" asked Kibo, while Naruto smirked a bit.
'Now, we wait,'
With Hinata
The Hyuuga heiress was crouched behind a bush as she looked at her Team's sensei who was patiently waiting.
'There are only two bells and only three of us, not counting the wolves,' she thought to herself, 'And one of us will go back to the Academy if we don't have one,'
Her thoughts were then interrupted as she felt, what she believed to be a snout and turned and saw Basho along with Naruto. Before she could speak, Naruto held a finger up to his mouth in a 'shush' manner.
"I'm only a shadow clone of the Boss, Hinata-chan," he said, "He sent to tell you that he knows how we can pass this test."
Hinata blinked at that, but listened as the clone laid down the original's plan.
With Shinri
Shinri was listening as her brother's kage bunshin - who showed up a few seconds ago, scaring the bejesus out of her and nearly attempting in breaking his skull in - told her the plan the original told him. All the while, Katatsume sat next to her waiting patiently as the clone laid it all out.
"So, the secret to passing this test is teamwork?" she asked quietly, and the Naruto clone nodded.
"That's right. Konoha has always succeeded in it's mission by having it's shinobi work as a team," he said, "If we work together, we'll be able to pass,"
Shinri smiled at that, "That's sounds reasonable," she said, before looking out at Yugao, "But, how are we able to get the bells from Yugao-sensei. She's a former ANBU right?"
Naruto nodded at that, "Yeah, but even an experienced Kunoichi like Yugao-nee can be easily overwhelmed," he said, and then grinned a bit, "Which is why we're gonna try a little Divide and conquer maneuver."
With Yugao
The former ANBU operative was patiently waiting for her students to make their move. No doubt that hint she gave to Naruto will help them figure it. Her thoughts were then interrupted as the Dire Wolf trio sped out of the bushes heading right for her.
'Here we go!' she thought as she readied herself as the three headed right toward her.
Koka was the first to attack as she leaped at Yugao with her teeth bared. However, the swordswoman countered by ducking, and rolling out of the way. However, Basho then rammed into her, sending her flying, but she managed to land on her feet. Then Katatsume appeared behind hern and clamped down on her leg, eliciting a wince from the former ANBU.
Then all of a sudden she heard the sounds of the clacking of ninja sandals and turned and saw Naruto and the girls charging at her, along with the two other wolves. Thinking fast, she pulled out a smoke bomb and threw it at Katatsume's head, surprising the wolf and causing him to let go. The area was then shrouded in smoke as Yugao used it to her advantage to keep her would-be students on her toes, using Taijutsu, instead of her sword to keep them at bay.
(A/N: if my action scenes suck, I apologize)
"You're going to have to do better than that," she said, "I was an ANBU operative for a reason,"
She continued her spar with the graduates and wolves for a good amount time, which was constantly throwing Naruto into a tree, Shinri with only her head visible due to Yugao using the Headhunter Jutsu, and delivering a few precise hits on Hinata. Of course she had to dodge, kick, or use smoke bombs to keep the wolves away.
Of course, they landed a few hits on her as well, such as when Naruto used his Wakizashi to give her a light cut and almost getting the bells. Hinata delivered a Jyuuken strike to her right arm. Shinri tried to ensnare the purple haired woman with her chakra chains, and almost succeeded.
However, soon enough the clock reached noon and the buzzer screeched out telling the Ninja team that the match was over.
"Alright, that's enough," she said, and looked at the tired pre-teens. "You both did well. But unfortunately you didn't to get a bell, so...,"
She then noticed however, that Naruto was smirking and then held up a pair of silver bells, and she blinked.
"W-What?" she said, and looked back to check if it was a genjutsu, and noticed they were gone, with the only thing remaining was the red string, "H-How-?"
The two younger females smirked at that, as Naruto began to speak.
"The first smoke bomb that you used to hit Katatsume with was also the perfect cover for one of my clones to sneak in and cut the bells off." he explained, "The rest was just to keep you distracted before you noticed,"
Yugao couldn't believe this, but in the end, she could only smile.
"Well done, but who are you going to give the other Bell to, Naruto?" she said, and blinked in surprise when Naruto tossed both of the bells to his sister and Hinata.
"If I go back to the Academy, I can just the time to train more," Naruto said, "And I can also teach the next class a few things most of the other instructors couldn't, or just lazy,"
Yugao was just flabbergasted until suddenly she felt something being placed in her hands and looked at the two bells that were placed in her hands by the girls.
"If Naruto-nii goes back to the Academy, then so do we," said Shinri, while Hinata nodded in agreement as they stepped back with Naruto as the three wolves stood next to them.
Yugao blinked a few more before she smiled ruefully, "Then, as the future sensei of this squad, you...passed!" she said, causing the three to either cheer, smile, or breath a sigh of relief.
"Congratulations you two," Yugao said, "You have the rest of the day off, tomorrow we begin our first official day as Team 6,"
The three preteens nodded and so made their way back to their respective homes, with the wolves following.
Yugao could only smile softly as she watched her now official team leave.
"Well done, Naruto...," she said softly before she shunshined away to report the passing of her team.
Hokage's Office
"It seems we got a little better!" said Minato, as he looked at the gathered group of Jonin-senseis, "So far we have four teams that passed. I guess modifying the curriculum really helped out a lot,"
The other Jonin nodded at that. The ones who passed were the clan heirs, because of their training by their Clans, while a few civilian born ninjas also passed. The only ones not there were Kakashi, and Yugao.
And speak of the devil. Said ANBU appeared in a cloud of smoke.
"Hokage-sama, I'm pleased to report that Team 6 has passed their Graduation test. They all proven they have the mentality to work as a team, and show much promise to be great shinobi," she reported, and Minato couldn't help the relieved sigh that escaped from him, knowing his children passed along with Hinata.
"That's good, Yugao," he said with a grateful smile, "I expect a full later on,"
Yugao nodded in agreement, before Kakashi appeared, his signature book in his hand.
"Yo! Sorry I was late," he said a bit sheepishly, "I got lost on the road of life,"
That caused everyone, including Minato to develop a sweatdrop.
"Really Kakashi?" Asuma said as he shook his head, "That excuse is so old, nobody is using it anymore,"
Kakashi eye smiled nervously as he scratched behind his head.
"So Kakashi, how did they do?" Minato asked, while Kakashi sighed as he gave his report.
"Well, let's just say it was a little...chaotic at first," he said, "Sasuke, in Uchiha fashion, arrogantly tried to do it alone, leaving Sakura and Sai behind in the dust,"
Everyone sighed, knowing that expected of the Uchiha who vowed to avenge his clan. They went back to listen to Kakashi as he continued.
"Sakura...," he groaned a bit, "...don't even get me started,"
The other Jonin all blinked when they thought they heard the word 'Fangirl', being muttered.
"Sai, on the other hand," he said, "He's got some interesting skills with kenjutsu, and that ink ninjutsu of his. He was willing to work with the others as a team, but of course...he has a little trouble trying to socialize with the two,"
Minato raised an eyebrow, but the look in Kakashi's eye told him not to ask.
"I was about to fail them, but I gave them one last chance," he continued, "After I tied Sasuke up, I told Sakura and Sai, not to feed him any food. But then, Sakura, followe closely by Sai, each gave him a piece of their food. Thus they were able to pass,"
The Jonin were surprised that Kakashi actually passed a team, since he failed every other team before him. Minato sighed, knowing it was going to be hectic in the next coming months.
"From what you tell me Kakashi, you got quite a lot of work on your hands," the Yondaime said, as Kakashi sighed.
"No need to remind me," he said, "I can only hope with time, they'll be able to get along,"
Minato then narrowed his, "I hope you take your new job as a sensei seriously, Kakashi," he said with a low but steely tone, "Or do I have to get Kushina and Mikoto to show you what happens when you're late, ALL the time,"
Kakashi felt a shiver go down his spine after that, remembering being exposed to Kushina's wrath more than once. Mikoto was not as hot tempered, but when angry...WATCH. THE. HELL. OUT!
"C-Crystal, Hokage-sensei," he stammered out, leaving a few of the male jonin to pity him, while the females, including Kurenai and Yugao to smirk.
"And I wouldn't mind helping them," said the swordswoman, "Especially if it gives me a chance to destroy those smut books of yours, that you are so fond of,"
Kakashi immediately turned white as a ghost at that, 'Kami-sama, help me!' he mentally screamed, but said deity could laugh at his plight.
"Alright, that's enough," said Minato, "You are all dismissed. Yugao, wait a moment,"
Yugao blinked, but nodded as the other Jonin went away, leaving the two the only ones in the office.
"Yugao, I'm sure you can protect and train both of my children and Hinata with no trouble...," he said, and then sighed, "...But please, be there for Naruto,"
Yugao nodded stiffly, "I've been looking after him since he turned 4 Hokage-sama," she said, as Minato winced at that, "And I will also train Hinata and Shinri, the best I can. I won't favor one over the other, they're my overall responsibility."
Minato nodded at that, "Good, I look forward to that," he said, and dismissed her, Yugao immediately leaving the office, leaving Minato to sigh sadly.
"Man...," he said, "Genjutsu or not, I've really fucked up,"
"You can say that again, kid."
Minato blinked and turned toward the window and saw his teacher, Jiraiya, the Toad Sannin standing there with his arm crossed.
"Sensei, when did you get back?" he said, as Jiraiya walked further into the office.
"Just now," he said, "I got yer message that Naruto has returned, and was accompanied by three wolves of all things,"
Minato nodded at that, "Yeah, and I can tell that they're not normal wolves either," he said, "They were about the size of a regular wolf, but I have a feeling they're still pups,"
Jiraiya only nodded, "If that's true, they'll be mighty big when they get older," he said, and Minato nodded.
"So, what else do you come here to tell me?" he asked the sannin, who sighed as he leaned against the wall.
"I've been hearing some whispers of a group of S-Rank Missing Nin," he said, "However, I don't what their goals are, but they had been taking high rank missions from the highest bidders,"
Minato sighed at that, "Did you get the name of the group?" he asked, but Jiraiya shook his head.
"Nope. But my contacts are keeping a sharp ear for them, if they get any new info, they'll tell me," he said, and Minato nodded.
"Right," Minato said, before he gave Jiraiya a serious look, "Sensei, I want you look into what Danzo's doing as well,"
Jiraiya blinked at that, but then sighed, "What did the mummy do now?" he asked.
"We, and I mean myself, Kushina, and Hiruzen-sama, all suspect of him being responsible for us neglecting Naruto," he said, causing Jiraiya's eyes to widen slightly.
"What makes you think that?" he asked.
"Mizuki, a traitor and a former Chuunin instructor, manipulated Shinri into stealing the Forbidden Scroll for information," he said, making Jiraiya worried, "He hinted that a 'crippled mummy' was the one behind our neglect of him,"
Jiraiya perked up, knowing that pointed towards the old warhawk.
"It's gonna be tough, Minato," Jiraiya warned, "Danzo is the type of guy to hide his tracks well. It'll be difficult to get proof that he was behind it,"
Minato nodding in understanding, "Just do what you can," he said, and the Sannin nodded, "Also, there's something else I need to tell you about Naruto,"
Jiraiya perked listening to him closely.
"I believe that...somehow...," he said, "Naruto has become a True Jinchuriki,"
A/N: And done! Again, sorry it took so long, and that the fighting scenes were not 'overly epic'. I hope you all can forgive me for being so late with this. I won't make any promises to make this updates come faster, but I will update this fic when I can. Also, as another reason, attention will be going to my re-do version of Valkyria Chronicles: Iron Cross Corps (Now called Iron Cross Alliance). Take a look at it if you can. Well, until next time my peeps. Sayonara!
P.S.: For the Reviewers who made good criticism and are not trolls, and to the many people who follow or fav this, I thank you all!