Chapter 9: Finally…Training!
Konoha…two weeks before chunin exams
Konohamaru was waiting in a grassy training area for his team. He was tossing around the idea of his son, Katsuro, entering the academy next year. For some reason, he felt like it was too early for him, but Hanabi felt otherwise. She believed Katsuro should have already been in the academy at the age on seven. The Sarutobi's eyes narrowed; his wife was becoming strict like her father was on her and Hinata, and he did not like it one bit.
Just as he was getting fed up with the old Hyūga ways, a familiar lazy-faced genin came into his view.
"Oi, Konohamaru sensei, you're early," Shikamari said with a yawn.
"So are you," Konohamaru chuckled, ruffling the boy's dark blonde hair.
"Pfft…my troublesome mother kicked me out of bed this morning. Ever since I graduated I haven't stopped hearing her complain," the genin sighed and laid on the grass, lacing his fingers behind his head.
"Well, the chunin exams are important, you know," he stopped for a minute and laughed.
"Actually, I think she's so eager because she wants you to win for her."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Your father put up quite a fight when they were in the chunin exams together. Back then your mother was still a Suna ninja. Although Shikamaru withdrew from the match, he was still promoted to chunin rank."
"What? Really? But mother won by default."
The jounin shook his head. "She's strong yes, but brute strength isn't what makes someone a chunin. They have to have a certain level of analytical and logical skill too something only your father had that year."
"Hmph," Shikamari snickered, "Well then, if you treat us to barbeque after our training today, I won't tell my mom you're teasing her."
"H-hey…"
Chojaru and Inoko approached their teammate and sensei waving hello. "Konohamaru senseeiiii…do we really have to train so early before the chunin exams? It's so far away!" Inoko complained.
"Well, it's only two weeks away, but there's a reason why we're starting early. I won't be able to train you for the final stage in the month that they allow you. Unfortunately, I'm proctoring that section, and in that month I have to make a few preparations. Big brother Naruto said all teams could train early in that case, so here we are!" He stood and dusted off his pants. "Now, let's get started! Before we split up to train, we need to test something." The original pulled out four slips of paper and gave three to the genin before him. "Chakra nature."
"Chakra…nature?" The girls asked.
"Everyone has a chakra nature. It's what element our chakra is compatible with," Shikamari informed them.
"And by running our chakra through these slips of paper, we'll be able to tell! If it's Wind, the paper will split in half, Fire: burst in flames, Earth: crumble, Water: get soaked, and Lightning: crumple. Observe…" Konohamaru fueled a tiny bit of chakra into the paper. It first split in half, and then burst into flames.
"Huh? Sensei what's that about?"
"Most jounin have two charka natures," he smiled. "Now, you try."
"Me first, me first!" The excitable Yamanaka focused her charka into the paper. It crumbled. "Aw man, earth?! It must be wrong let me try again!"
Konohamaru shook his head. "No way Inoko. These little slips of paper are expensive. They're grown from special trees that have chakra flowing through their systems. So there's no way they could be wrong, that's what their made for." She pouted as her sensei chuckled. "Alright, who's next?"
"I'll try," Chojaru held her piece of paper and concentrated. It crinkled. "Lightning!" She was shocked. Her large and clumsy attitude seemed far from the great precision and accuracy that lightning would require.
"Guess that leaves me," Shikamari fueled a bit of chakra into his paper and watched it split in half. "Wind…*sighs* like mother."
"Alright guys, now that we've determined you chakra nature, we'll need to focus on those, and not your clan jutsu. I know you three work best as a team, and that's good. However, in the final rounds, you will each be individually pinned against other competitors, and maybe even each other. And in that case, the jutsu of the clans won't work well
separately. That's why we have to train individually."
"But sensei, there's only one of you…" Chojaru observed.
Konohamaru stroked his chin and playfully thought about the dilemma. "Hmm, I think I know how to fix that…heeheeheehee. Shadow clone jutsu!" With a puff of smoke, another Konohamaru appeared.
"Th-the forbidden technique of the sixth Hokage…," Inoko said in surprise. "I thought only him and his twin sons knew that technique?"
"Well, consider me a close friend of the Hokage," he smiled.
"Now, Inoko…I'm not very good with Earth style jutsu, but I know someone who is."
"Who sensei?"
"Me, Elder Yamato. Glad to meet you younglings. Boy, what I would give to be your age again… "
xXxXxXx
The training was rigorous. Each student from Konohamaru's cell was able to learn at least one new jutsu. Inoko even learned two, but they all needed much more practice. The sensei felt a little worried about them, but Yamato had reminded him that not everyone learned as fast as Naruto and himself. Konohamaru reluctantly agreed with him, but he soon forgot about it and moved on to a deeper worry. He was going to be proctoring the final test; the risk of Sasuke returning was terrifying. There were so many questions, so many doubts. And what if there was war?
Could one man start a war?
"Konohamaru," Hanabi walked into their bedroom. "…It will be alright. The protectors of Konoha are strong, the children are dedicated. Please…do not worry."
"…*sighs* Hanabi…" The white-eyed female gave him a questioning look. Konohamaru avoided her gaze and sighed again. "I'm…scared."
Hanabi felt a strange wave of anger, but she quickly softened her look to a slight smile and made her way to the bed next to her husband.
"It's…okay to be scared."
It was right to be scared.
xXxXxXx
I'm going to start posting one character description after each chapter. I draw, so I have a visual for what all my characters look like. Unfortunately, an art site that I won't name gives my computer troubles, so I'll have to describe them best I can. Also, in the relatives' area, if there is a star next to the name it's because they are related to the person due to Sasuke's rape. If it's a double star, then they don't know they're related to them.
First up, Shikamari Nara:
Affiliation: Konoha, Village Hidden in the Leaves
Current Ninja Rank: Genin
Date of Birth: September 9th
Age: 12
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Height: 4.7 ft
Weight: 98 lbs.
Blood Type: AB
Favorite Foods: Meat-filled dumplings
Least Favorite Foods: Anything vinegary
Hobbies: Taking naps, watching clouds and inventing weapons
Missions Completed: D-rank; 25, C-rank; 0, B-rank; 0, A-rank; 0, S-rank; 0
Parents & Relatives: Shikamaru Nara (father), Temari (mother), Sho Uchiha** (step-brother), Amaya Uchiha** (step-sister), Akane Uchiha** (step brother), 2 Unmentioned Uchiha** (step-siblings)
Description: Teal eyes and blonde hair like Temari; bangs like her, pulled into a low spiky pony-tail. Short-sleeved fishnet shirt with black sleeve-less jacket over top, worn open; both with green trim. Dark red pants. Fore-head protector metal part attached to the center of his fishnet on his chest. Hoop ear-rings.
