HypnoticFlames: I've been thinking about that. Like, after I get into the Shippuden years with this story just make an off-shot story of Naruto's time with his first team. Expand on the omakes a bit and add in some of their missions and such then cut it off right before Sasuke and Sakura are assigned to him and Kakashi. If I do that it won't be for a while though as I'm not just working on this story but I've got others and my real life to worry about as well so if it does happen, don't expect it until an earliest of 2012.
Pyr00tje: I actually have used a cliché, only one that I'm aware of but it's also one of the bigger ones out there and that is the whole 'Naruto was beaten by mobs' cliché. In canon all that was confirmed was that he was hated and either ignored or glared at his entire life. Him getting kicked out of stores wouldn't be that big of a stretch or they could have just ignored him and refused to serve him until he left dejected by it. But we never get anything about him getting beaten though; it's a cliché that's popular among fanfic writers because it builds Naruto up as a more 'noble' person from being kind and considerate even after such torture. I used it because it helps set him up in this story, but not all of my stories will or have used that idea.
As for how strong he'd be without the gauntlet, he'd still be pretty strong. He'd only lose his access to Katon jutsu and fire manipulation. Naruto is very skilled for his age in this story.
Tristan76: All of your very well thought out and well argued points for what happens to Haku will be torn down and destroyed this chapter.
Everybody else: You all want to see Hinata already don't you? Don't worry I have plans for her and she will appear soon. Not this chapter, either at the end of next or the chapter after. So just be patient, I promise she'll get her screen time soon.
07 – Past, Present and Future.
"Where's Naruto?" Sasuke asked as he walked down for breakfast. Sitting at the table was his sensei, teammate and Tazuna's family but not Naruto. "Is he guarding Tazuna?" Kakashi shook his head before pausing and shrugging.
"Well a clone is, but the real one is taking care of something."
"What?"
"Remember what he asked on the way here?" Kakashi asked as both Sasuke and Sakura thought back to the trip to Nami.
"Hey sensei; would it be okay if I go visit after the mission but before we come back?" Sakura and Sasuke got confused looks as Kakashi looked up from his book as he thought about it.
"I don't see why not. If there's no danger and we finish ahead of schedule then sure." He then went back to his book as Naruto was now staring ahead with what looked like a blank stare. But even Sakura could tell he was thinking about something.
"Visit where?" She asked. Naruto opened his eyes a bit as he hadn't expected her to care. But then his expression softened a bit and he guessed he might as well answer.
"My ancestral home. Uzushiogakure."
"Oh, the ruins of his clan's old village?" Sakura asked getting the man to nod his head. Sasuke shrugged before getting himself some food. While he was curious as to what was there, he knew from personal experience that this was something Naruto wanted to do, or rather needed to do. He may not have known his family, as they were all dead before he was born, but he wanted to confirm his roots and likely pay his respects to his fallen ancestors. Sasuke was similar after Itachi killed his clan, only he wanted to confirm and forcefully remind himself of his goals. It's why he still lived on the empty compound even though the Hokage had offered him an apartment for free after the incident. It was something he had to do, and this was something he believed that Naruto felt he had to do. He wasn't going to bother him about it or ask any other questions either. With Gato captured and Zabuza dead, there weren't any threats so it wasn't like there'd be trouble for him.
"Anyways, for today I'm going to work on both of your physical conditioning. Sasuke, you need to get strong enough to use the Kubikiri. And Sakura, you need to be faster so that you won't get caught off guard in a fight. Since you're not going to be a frontline fighter, it would be best to work more on your speed than strength so that you can avoid danger and cast your genjutsu to aid your teammates." Both nodded there heads at his assessment, knowing he was right and that it would help them as they ate their meals. Training was something they'd have to do.
"I still don't see why you brought her here kid." Tazuna commented as the Naruto clone watching over him had Haku sitting next to him. The girl had woken up shortly after they brought Gato into town and after finding out Zabuza was dead she was distraught and begging to be killed as well. Naruto had knocked her back out to get her to be quiet while they thought of something to do with her while the villagers were partying at how Gato was defeated. The man had been tied to a post in the center of town with baskets of rotten food placed all around for people to throw at him. Though at one point during the night when nobody was paying attention his throat had been slit and his heart had been carved out of his chest. While a gruesome sight, nobody was angry that it had happened. They seemed angrier they didn't get to watch or that someone had to clean up his bloody mess.
"Until we leave or figure out something to do with her, Sensei said she was my responsibility since I was the one who spared her life." 'Naruto' replied. Haku had her hands bound with ninja wire so that she couldn't make hand-signs as well as having a chakra seal on her since they remember she could use one handed seals. That was something they wanted to ask her about.
"Then why didn't you bring her with the real you instead of leaving her here with your clone? And I still don't see why you wanted to see those ruins. If you're hoping to find something about your old clan, then you're out of luck. That place has been cleared out already." Tazuna replied and asked. 'Naruto' shrugged his shoulders before answering.
"Boss isn't going to the ruins because he wants to find something. Kaa-san came and cleared out all our clan stuff shortly after the news of its destruction was brought to Konoha. My clan stuff is already back home. Boss, he just wants to see his roots. As for why he didn't bring her with, well this was something he wanted to do on his own." Tazuna simply shrugged before getting back to work. Since Gato's defeat, he had no shortage of workers eager to work on the bridge so he wasn't going to ask the clone to make clones for him. He wasn't even sure if the clone could since he didn't know anything about ninja or their techniques. So he was fine with the blond clone watching from the side with the hunter that had tried to kill him sitting next to him.
"I still wish you would kill me Naruto-kun." Haku muttered out, though the clone heard her. 'Naruto' just rolled his eyes and sighed at her constant wishes for death. It was all she ever said now.
"I'm not going to kill you Haku, so quit asking for it. And neither is anybody else so stop begging for death."
"I've lost the only person to ever give me a purpose! To ever care I existed! And now that he's gone I have nothing left! Yet you insist on torturing me by making me live without him!" She shouted. She was frozen by a quick spike of killing intent that came from the clone and looked towards him to see he was staring at her with a blank look.
"Torturing you? To show mercy to an enemy is torture? To save a life is torture?" He asked. She stuttered over her words as she answered.
"Uh… n-no but I… I d-don't have any-anything left and-"
"So you need someone else in order to live? Are you that weak?" He cut her off getting her to freeze. "I thought you were strong. What happened to the kunoichi that held off me and Sasuke? During the fight you seemed like someone with a drive, are you telling me that you're so weak that without one man you can't live? Aren't you alive now?" He shouted causing Haku to flinch. She just looked down as he stared at her. "Listen, I know where you're coming from. Really, I do. I lost my old team, and they were the only people to ever make me happy. To ever make me feel wanted and needed. They saved me from my loneliness and helped me become strong. Yet even when they were killed in front of me, I never broke down asking for death."
"This is different! I loved him like a father!"
"And you think I wasn't close to my old team? I loved one like a brother! And I fell in love with the other!" He shouted. Haku snapped her head up to see he had a pained look on his face as he had his eyes closed in remembrance. "Inuzuka Koji… and Sakuya. Koji became the brother I never had. And Sakuya, she was perfect. I fell for her, but she died before I could tell her. Zabuza knew you cared for him, just as he cared for you. His last words were asking Kakashi-sensei to take care of you. What do you think he would feel to know you've fallen apart without him to the point that you're begging for death?" Haku flinched at how he pointed out that Zabuza wanted her to live.
"But what am I supposed to do?"
"…Find something new to live for or something. I don't know what else to tell you."
"Uzushio… So this is where Kaa-san was born…" Naruto muttered to himself as he walked through the ruined village. Most of the buildings were collapsed or covered in vines and moss. Naruto was walking through the main street of the town towards what would've been the leader's home and office. The blond kept turning his head from side to side as he looked around and could see places that would've been filled with life. An old run down building with a large field containing a few training dummies turned out to be Uzushiogakure's academy. A few smaller buildings with broken or disabled seals lined along the walls was obviously their village archive, likely where his mother Kushina had grabbed most of the scrolls and books he had back home. As Naruto continued through the village ruins he came upon a large building that was mostly still intact. On the front was the Uzumaki swirl that doubled as the village symbol while in front of the building was a large pool with an everlasting whirlpool built into it. "Heh, I can just imagine what this place was like back in the day…" Naruto muttered to himself.
If he was honest with himself, he didn't know what he was really doing there. He had anything of value back home since his mother had brought it all back after her own excursion to the ruins shortly after Konoha received news that the village was destroyed. He didn't have any attachment to the place either, as he was born and raised in Konoha his entire life. In fact, he had never even been to Nami no Kuni. He thought he would feel something coming to his mother's birthplace, but it seemed that without his mother or someone from the village to guide him through the ruins and tell him things about the village, it was nothing more than crumbled old buildings to him. And this was something he thought of as he sat down near the whirlpool and just watched the water swirl. He had no idea how long he was there but by the time he looked up the sun was starting to go down. "I guess I've been here a long time… Kakashi-sensei is probably worried about me."
"Not really. He trusts you Naruto." The blond jerked his head down from the sky to see Sakura walking towards him while looking at the ruins around her. He stood up and walked over as she stopped by the leader's office and stared at the red Uzu swirl. "He said you'd be fine but someone should come and at least let you know to come back soon. I volunteered because I'm a little curious about the ruins." She told him before turning to face him. "And you a bit." Naruto just chuckled.
"Don't you like Sasuke? What do you think he would say if you started chasing after someone else?" He teased getting her to blush and huff as she looked away.
"It's not like that. I'm just curious about my teammate, that's all. I mean, all we know about you is that you're really skilled, in the bingo book, lost your old team, and you had one of the worst childhoods I've ever heard of. Yet you still act with confidence and strength. You don't really smile or appear happy that often but yet you try to make sure others can be happy. And while you don't seem to like me or Sasuke-kun, you still go out of your way to push us to be stronger and protect us. You like some mysterious enigma Naruto, and both Sasuke-kun and I want to figure you out." She explained before facing him again to see that he had a small smile on his face as he looked at his clan symbol on the building.
"Thank you for that. It's not often people take an interest in me outside of my skills. But you should know, I'm not just going to tell you or Sasuke my secrets. The two of you have to earn that right."
"Well then what do we have to do? Just let us know and we'll make sure you know you can trust us Naruto. We're a team now aren't we?" She asked and he let out a slight chuckle as he started walking back towards Tazuna's home. She turned and followed when she heard him speak.
"Just keep getting stronger and bettering yourselves. I promise, if the two of you do that then I'll share some of my secrets with you. Now let's get back so we aren't late for dinner, Sakura." Sakura smiled as she followed the blond, happy to see she seemed to have earned some of his respect.
"Well, we're heading home now." Everyone was gathered on the bridge as it was finally finished, meaning the ninja that had liberated them were going home. Tazuna and his family stood at the front of the crowd from Nami standing across from the three genin, jonin and prisoner. "Thanks for housing us Tazuna-san."
"No, thank you for all that you've done for us. I promise you that as soon as we're back on our feet, we'll contact Konoha and pay what were supposed to and set up some trade agreements too." The bridge builder replied.
"Thank you, I'm sure Hokage-sama will be looking forward to it."
"Do you really have to leave now? Can't you stay for a little longer?" Inari asked as he looked them over. The crowd soon added their own cheers of much of the same talk in wanting them to stay.
"Sorry, but we've gotta get home. We've got things to do. Don't worry though, we'll try to come visit when we get time off." Naruto replied. Inari's eyes watered as Naruto simply gave him a smile. "Make sure you do your best to protect your loved ones, alright?" He told him before walking away. Sasuke smirked before turning to follow. Kakashi and Sakura both gave smiles as they walked off, the older pulling Haku along lightly by the shoulder. As they walked off, Tazuna grunted.
"Hey, you know, the bridge still needs a name." Everyone was quiet before Inari spoke up.
"How about Naruto?" People seemed to start chatting and agreeing as Tazuna smiled.
"Yeah, the Great Naruto Bridge, named after the boy who helped bring this country out of oppression. I like it."
"So what will be done with me when we reach Konoha?" Haku asked as they were walking started on the path back to the village. Kakashi and Naruto shared a look before stopping, getting Sasuke and Sakura to stop as well. Naruto walked over to her and untied her hands, which got her and the two newer ninja to look on in shock.
"That's really your choice Haku. You don't have to come to Konoha with us if you don't want to." Naruto told her. She rubbed her wrists slightly before looking to see the boy had started walking down the path again.
"But, aren't I your prisoner? Wouldn't Konoha want me for my bloodline?" She asked as she knew Konoha loved bloodline clans, unlike her homeland Kiri. Naruto shrugged as he stopped but didn't turn around.
"Kakashi-sensei said since I spared your life, you were my responsibility while we were still in Nami, but we're not in Nami anymore. You're free to go do as you please. You're a good person Haku, I'm sure you can find something to do with your life." Haku looked down as she still didn't know what to do and was fully expecting and prepared to be dragged back to Konoha for the Hokage to decide what was to be done with her. By now Sakura and Sasuke had come to know she wasn't actually bad or mean, she just followed the orders of someone who had far lower morals than most. They couldn't really fault her for that. In fact, Sakura had even spent some time with her and when she learned Haku was good with herbs, Sakura had asked her to teach her a bit. The two had become friends and Sakura was concerned for her new friend.
"Hey, Haku? What exactly was Zabuza's goal anyways? Why did he need the money Gato was offering?" She asked and Haku merely gave a slight smile.
"He wanted to fund a rebellion against the Mizukage." Well there went any thought of Zabuza being a good person. "The Yondaime Mizukage has been ordering the genocide of any families and clans with bloodlines, and even some that were normal but tried to help those with Kekkei Genkai. Kiri has become a bloody mess under his rule and Zabuza-sama wanted to try and build it back up into a respectable and powerful village." Never mind, it appeared that he seemed to have a good heart under his merciless killer persona after all. Hearing what the Mizukage was doing got both Sasuke and Naruto to repress the urge to growl and start cursing him out, though they let their animosity towards such a person show on their faces.
"Well then, why don't you try to do that for him?" Sakura suggested. Haku looked confused but Kakashi spoke up.
"You know, a couple years ago a woman came to Konoha asking for help in overthrowing the Mizukage. She apparently had two bloodlines and was leader of the current rebellion that's fighting off their Yondaime." Kakashi spoke out. He remembered this mainly because A: the woman was easily the most beautiful he had ever seen and B: Naruto and him had been returning from a mission and overheard the end of their conversation about it. "Hokage-sama had to turn her down since we didn't have the resources at the time to help out but they should still be around. I'm sure with your bloodline; they'd be more than willing to accept you into their group to help. Plus when you tell them you were trained by Zabuza Momochi, that may give you some sway in their ranks as well." Haku stared at him for a bit before looking from face to face and nodding her head.
"Thank you for telling me of this, and for giving me the chance to accomplish my master's dream. Should we ever meet again, know that I consider all of you friends and will do whatever I can to help you."
"Don't worry about it, just live your life to the fullest." Naruto replied with a small smile before turning and walking off. Sasuke just gave a curt nod before following as Sakura shook her hand and headed out as well. Kakashi patted her on the shoulder with a smile before handing her a folded piece of paper.
"A map, so that you can find your way around. We hope to see you again sometime Haku." He then started walking after his students as Haku looked at the map and then the Konoha ninja with a smile. 'Thank you, so much.' She thought before heading off in her own direction.
"Reporting back with a successful mission Hokage-sama." Kakashi spoke as he stood in front of the aged man with his genin in front of him. They had made it back to the village later in the day after leaving Haku since they took to the trees to be faster. After checking in at the gate the simply came to the Hokage's office to report on their mission and see if there was anything they needed to be alerted about. Sarutobi Hiruzen gave them a stern look before raising his gaze to Kakashi.
"You took longer than expected. Any reason why?" And with that Kakashi went into a verbal report on the entire mission; from their encounter with the demon brothers all the way to letting Haku go after leaving the bridge. Throughout his talk the Hokage would glance at the genin when they were mentioned. Unsurprisingly, Sasuke had smirked when Kakashi mention the boy awoke his bloodline and Sakura gave a smile when he mentioned how with her perfect control had managed tree-climbing in one go and learned a genjutsu from him easily. Naruto's face merely stayed a cold blank mask though his eye twitched very slightly at the mention of Haku. Had the Hokage not been watching him at the time he likely would've never known it happened. "I see. You will be paid for an A-rank mission for this. I'm also giving you all the week off to recover and rest from such an ordeal. New genin should not be exposed to such situations, even with an S and B rank ninja on your side." They all nodded in agreement before Sarutobi gave a kind smile. "I'm proud of the way you handled yourselves Sasuke, Sakura. You did very well for your first time out in the field." They both gave small smiles (well a smirk in Sasuke's case) as he turned to Kakashi. "Is there anything else?"
"Naruto managed to take Zabuza's blade, Kubikiribocho, from him in the fight and after deciding he didn't need it, offered it to Sasuke and Sakura. Sasuke accepted so he'll be starting some strength training to use it. Other than that, nothing comes to mind."
"Well then, I hope you train hard with your new weapon Sasuke. You three may leave, I need to speak with Kakashi about something." The genin nodded and left leaving their sensei and the Hokage alone. "What of Naruto?"
"While he still has a few problems with them, he is opening up and beginning to trust them. I think this is probably the happiest I've seen him since they died."
"The exams are coming up in a few weeks. Do you think they would be ready in time?" Hiruzen asked. Kakashi was silent as he seemed to be in deep thought before shrugging his shoulders. "You know once the council learns Sasuke not only awakened his eyes but also now has a legendary blade, they'll be pushing to have him in the exams as a show of strength. It would be far less paperwork and headaches if they didn't but you know what'll happen. I can't declare this mission confidential since nothing happened that would require it."
"I'll try to get Sakura and Sasuke up to that level as quickly as I can. But I'm more worried about what Naruto's response will be if I offer them the chance."
"They are in Konoha this time, the risks aren't as great and this honestly would be the best time to do so without waiting for the next time we host them." The Hokage pointed out. Kakashi nodded his head in agreement but still had something to say about it.
"He still may not take it kindly."
Naruto walked into his apartment with a small scowl as he took off his jacket and laid it over his couch before heading into his kitchen area to make something to eat. The place still looked as nice as he left it, all thanks to the security and self-cleaning seals he had placed all over the place. Ever since he received his inheritance he had delved into the obscure art his clan was known for and was now second only to Jiraiya of the Sannin in the art. Break ins were common, even after becoming a ninja. Even after becoming the Kurai Kitsune, people still did so. So he set up seals that would harm anybody that he didn't code as 'safe' which was currently only himself, Kakashi, Hokage-jiji, and Jiraiya. The self-cleaning seals were something his mother apparently invented since she hated to clean but still wanted an immaculate house to live in. The best part about them was that he just had to pump in a lot of chakra once a month to keep them and his security seals working.
As Naruto grabbed the sandwich he made he walked over to a bookshelf he had filled with scrolls and pulled down a red one before sitting on his couch. He unraveled the scroll and pushed a little chakra into the seal matrix inscribed on it making a large white book appear in a puff of smoke. Just as he was about to open it up a knock sounded at his door. With a sigh he set the book down and took a bite of his food as he walked over and opened it up. "Sasuke, what're you doing here?" He asked, partially wondering how the boy even knew where he lived. He hadn't told him or Sakura and as far as he knew Kakashi hadn't either. So how did he know where he lived?
"I wanted to ask you something. I also came here to get my new sword since you still have the scroll you sealed it in." Naruto gave him a sheepish grin before walking inside with Sasuke following him and looking around. One thing he noticed was that most of the walls were filled with pictures. Most were of himself with either Kakashi, a boy with brown hair and red triangles on his cheeks, or a girl with purple hair and dark colored eyes. Some were group photos others were just of the other people without him. He noticed with a smirk Naruto seemed to be dressed in a bright orange jumpsuit in quite a few of them and seemed to be younger, giving Sasuke a clue as to when these were taken. While Naruto looked through his jacket for the proper scroll, Sasuke just looked through the pictures, stopping at one that had the entire group. Kakashi was standing behind the three with one of his 'eye-smiles', the older boy was standing in front of him with a small brown dog on his head as Naruto was to his left grinning with his eyes squinted into slits and the girl had a smile on her face as she stood to the right. When Naruto turned around with the scroll and saw what Sasuke was looking at his face seemed to drop a bit.
"That's my old team." Sasuke turned around to see Naruto holding out the scroll with his face focused on the picture, a longing look on his face. "The Rookie of the Year, Inuzuka Koji and his ninken Kairi. The top Kunoichi, an orphan named Sakuya. And then the early graduate that happened to still be the dobe, me. Back then I was pretty much an idiot that would scream I was going to be Hokage and would charge in without a plan or any skills. It's a miracle I didn't die on my first mission." Sasuke took the scroll as he glanced to the other pictures and then noticed something about a few of the later ones where they all seemed a little older.
"Hey, why does the other guy have your gauntlet?" He asked pointing to one where Koji was holding up his left hand with the gauntlet on as Naruto was grinning beside him holding Kairi in his arms.
"Remember when I said this was a gift? The Kiba no Makai was originally his. He gave it to me for my eleventh birthday since I didn't have any elemental jutsu or distance attacks at the time. All I had back then was my Kage Bunshin and he had his clan techniques plus a few Katon jutsu to use." Naruto explained before shaking his head to clear the memories out and turned to Sasuke. "So, you said you wanted to ask me something?" Sasuke looked at the picture for a moment longer before turning to him.
"Yeah, after you left Sakura and I decided we were going to train a bit during our week off. Sakura was going to go ask Kakashi-sensei for more help with genjutsu and stuff and I figured you could help me with this." He said as he gestured with the scroll holding his new sword. Then after the week was up and we all got back together I'd ask Kakashi for help with my Sharingan and Sakura would likely ask you for something. You've proven you know a lot and you want us to get stronger so we figured you'd be willing to help us." Inwardly Sasuke didn't like that he had to ask for help, wanting to just demand it because of his Uchiha heritage, but he knew Naruto would flat out refuse him if he did so. He also respected Naruto's strength and wanted to reach that level as soon as possible so he'd be closer to his goal of killing Itachi. If that meant swallowing his pride and asking for help then he'd do it.
Naruto just thought about it for a second before shrugging his shoulders. "I guess I've got nothing better to do. I'll meet you at the training grounds tomorrow at ten, ok?" Sasuke smirked and nodded. "Alright then, I'll see you later."
"Yeah, see you later Naruto." As he left and closed the door Naruto remembered a question he had.
"Damn I forgot to ask how he knew where I lived." With a sigh he sat back down at his couch and grabbed the book again. "I'll just ask him tomorrow I guess."
Omake – A Youthful Encounter
D-ranks were easily the most annoying and irritating things in a shinobi's existence. That was the unspoken agreement between all three genin as they walked away from the Hokage Tower after returning the cat they had to catch. Naruto's cheeks looked like tic-tac-toe grids due to the scratches the furry devil had inflicted. Koji was grumbling with Kairi growling lowly on his head; it was a cat and they were from the Inuzuka, what else was expected? Sakuya, while she was angry and annoyed at the D-ranks, was silently laughing at her teammates for their misfortunes. Kakashi on the other hand was leading them to the training grounds they were assigned for some training. Inwardly he was very proud of his team, not that he let them know too much of it.
They had a good grasp on teamwork already, not very surprising with an Inuzuka on the team. Each also had their own skills that they flourished in as well. Koji had his clan techniques to use, Sakuya was also a good close range fighter and seemed to have a knack for being able to tell a persons' general thoughts or feelings just by their expression, and Naruto was very good at making traps and seemed to be inexhaustible. Perhaps he could teach the blonde a couple good ninjutsu to go with that energy, and maybe give Sakuya a few books on muscle reading so she could hone that already impressive level she had on instinct. She's likely make one hell of an interrogator if she ever wanted to get off the frontlines and cultivate that skill of hers. The only reason he still got away with it so easily was because he had his face almost completely covered, otherwise he'd have to start using the 'blank mask' all jonin develop. As for the jutsu he could teach Naruto; it would have to be something that didn't really need control and could also be versatile enough to fix the large gap in his lack of combat skills. 'Hmm… Maybe the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu since both Sakuya and Koji are helping him out with that taijutsu of his. With his reserves it shouldn't be a problem. But that's for later.' He thought as they arrived at the field.
"Alright team, since we've been together for a good two weeks and you already have a solid grasp on teamwork and can cover each others flaws mostly, I think I should start you on the next step in chakra control." Koji nodded as Sakuya just looked expectant. Naruto though tilted his head to the side and asked a question.
"Why is that important?" Koji and Sakuya repressed a sigh at that. Both kept forgetting that even though he graduated early, he had barely done so. As such he knew the bare basics that were required and nothing more. A fun kid and enthusiastic shinobi, but dumber than a sack of bricks.
"Well Naruto, chakra control is important because it helps you cast your jutsu better and more efficiently. It also opens the doors to various other techniques later on in your careers. Plus this exercise becomes a valuable skill that all shinobi can do without thinking. Watch." Kakashi then walked over to a tree and without stopping walked straight up it and then stood upside down on a branch, looking down on them. "I'm currently channeling chakra to my feet to stick to the tree. The feet are the hardest point to channel chakra to in the human body so by learning to do this, in theory you can learn any jutsu with practice. Now I want you three to try. Use a running start since you're still beginners at this." The three genin nodded and started running up nearby trees. Or trying to at least. Koji made it six steps before flipping off as the wood splintered under his feet, Sakuya mad ten before her grip seemed to slip and she fell though she managed to spring off her hands to avoid injury. Naruto though only made it three steps before falling on his head. "Just keep practicing. Too much chakra and you break your hold like Koji did. Too little and you fall off like Naruto and Sakuya." Kakashi pointed out as they got ready to go again.
A couple hours later Kakashi was pleased with his team. Sakuya was now running up and down the tree with ease as she had figured out the proper amount of chakra and was merely building up her reserves and stamina, which while bigger than the average girls, were still the smallest on the team. Koji was getting closer to the top but had yet to actually reach it while Naruto was about halfway there himself. Kairi had even taken a few runs just to see if a dog could do it and surprisingly had gotten it down in three runs. Kakashi joked that apparently the dog was a better ninja than the three of them and after each sent a small glare at said pup (causing her to bark madly at Kakashi for making her a target) they each had gone back to running with renewed vigor. It was getting close to sunset though when something felt wrong with Kakashi's senses. In a second he had recognized what and replaced himself. Good thing he had too.
"DYNAMIC ENTRY!"
Flying into the clearing, destroying the log in his way, was a man with a black bowl cut, green spandex, orange leg warmers and a jonin vest. He landed from his kick and all three children, and one dog, stopped to look at him and they all froze at the sight of his eyebrows, which were easily far thicker than anything they'd ever seen. The man ignored them and looked around for a moment before calling out in a very loud and boisterous voice, "Kakashi! My eternal rival! Where are you?"
"Gai, what are you doing here?" Came the calm reply as Kakashi walked up from the side of his students. The now identified 'Gai' merely threw him a thumbs up and dazzling smile (Was there a ping when that happened?) and continued on without realizing the kids were there.
"Aha! There you are my eternal rival. I have sought you out once more for a challenge to test our flames of youth!" Normally, Kakashi would either make up some excuse or just do it and get it over with, but this time he felt he had a valid reason and could possibly use this to avoid more of Gai's challenges in the future. The eccentric jonin was a good friend, but his constant challenges did get on his nerves after a while.
"Sorry Gai but I'm busy training my genin." He said as he gestured to the three, still shocked, students. Gai turned to them for a moment before his face seemed to light up.
"Ah, my most sincere apologies for not noticing you sooner young ones! My name is Maito Gai, and I am the premier taijutsu expert in the village. It's a pleasure to meet you!" He introduced himself with another thumbs up and smile (Seriously where was that pinging coming from?) as they nodded their understanding.
"Inuzuka Koji, that's Kairi." He introduced himself before pointing at his ninken. "Sakuya," He then gestured to the only human girl on the team. "And Uzumaki Naruto." He finished as he pointed at the youngest on their squad. Gai nodded to the three before turning back to Kakashi.
"I didn't know you had taken on a team my rival, but I'll accept that challenge!"
"Wai-what?" Kakashi sputtered out as he was honestly not expecting that response. Gai however didn't seem to hear him as he was then lost in his own world.
"Yosh! I shall take on a team of my own from the next graduating class and shall train them up to be the best in the village and surpass yours! And if I cannot do that then I shall run around Konoha five hundred times with ten tons on my back! And if I cannot do that-" Gai continued his ranting, never noticing that Kakashi had grabbed his genin and silently led them away. As soon as they were a good distance away Kakashi gave a slight glance back to the training ground they had just left.
"Dear Kami-sama, what have I just unleashed? Uh, listen you three, if you ever meet a team of genin that claim that man as a sensei; I want you to apologize to them for me. I had no idea or intention of releasing Gai on them." Kakashi told the three, who were still stunned into wide eyed looks back at the trees they left behind. They just nodded their agreement as Kakashi walked the three away, claiming their training was done for the day.
And there you have another chapter. And my take on why Gai wanted a team in the first place when he seemed so obsessed with challenging Kakashi all the time. So you see, Naruto's old squad unknowingly helped Kakashi unleash Gai on Neji, Tenten, and Lee. Mentally scarring two and forever warping the mind of the third. May they beg for forgivenss from them. T-T
Next chapter will have a bit of training before starting the Chunin Exams. For those begging for Hinata, she might appear at the end of the next chapter. If not then she'll be in the one after without fail. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Read and review!