Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. This privilege goes to Masashi Kishimoto.
This story will stay fairly close to the animie/manga story line.
This is my first fanfic so here are few details:
"Here we go again" – normal speech.
"And I thought it was over" – thoughts, flashbacks.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Missile" – jutsu names.
"Listen here kit" – Kyuubi talking to Naruto in his mind.
- Konoha - –names of the places or time indicators
All names of jutsus/techniques will be given in English as well as all titles or nicknames. That is due to my incredibly weak knowledge of Japanese language. The only thing borrowed from Japanese will be honorifics as I think they provide better insight into relationship between characters then English ones and maybe few other small things like names of the five main villages.
Please excuse my shogi names for pieces and moves; I am still learning how to correctly move shogi pieces. This will be used in a later chapter.
My concept of money value is 100 ryo would be like one dollar. Therefore, 1000 ryo would be ten dollars and so forte.
My version has all the characters to be around 16 years old; I cannot see a twelve-year-old doing a lot of the material seen in animie & manga. My pairs have been roughly decided.
Chapter 9 - Absolute Trust….
"Hey Ino, come join us," Naruto calls out as he sees Ino walking by looking dejected. "She must have been 'blocked out' from sitting next to teme again by Sakura and the others." "Move over and give her some room, Shino." Shino slides away from Choji, giving Naruto a knowing glance. Sitting between Choji and Shino, Ino sits down and looks dejected into her lunch box.
"Would you like some tea?" Choji gently asks.
Looking up into a concerned Choji face, Ino nods her head," yes, some tea would be nice." Already a cup had been handed to Choji, who hands it gently to her. Smiling Ino say," thank you Choji."
"No problems, that what friends are for," replies a smiling Choji.
Everybody is thinking, "Kami, open your eyes Ino, Choji beats Sasuke hands down."
"Naruto, Dragon Horse Bishop C7 - D8," Shikamaru says after taking a sip of tea.
"So you sure I'm going for the Dragon Gambit, ok, then, Silver Lance G8 - E8," Naruto winks at Shikamaru. "Troublesome," mutters Shikamaru as he starts to rethinks his strategy.
"So is everybody ready for this afternoon's kunai test?" Hinata asks as she refills everybody's tea.
"A Kunai skill is the first part of the skills test. It is going to be a breeze compare to that kunai competition, Choji, Naruto and I did two weeks ago," Kiba says as he blows on his tea.
Ino looking at Choji, "when did you all have a kunai competition?"
With a sheepish looking grin on his face, Choji says, "well, it wasn't exactly a competition."
Kiba states, with Akamaru barking in agreement, "hell no, it was a matter of defending our class honor."
Raising one eyebrow behind his sunglasses, Shino asks, "and whom were you all defending our class honor against?"
"Last year graduates, Team 2 tried to insult our class kunai skills; but, we showed them who the best were," Kiba said puffing out his chest.
Looking Choji in the eyes, Ino asks, "So what happened?" Choji looking a little embarrassed into Ino eyes, "well, it started out as a practice session…"
Two weeks earlier at the school kunai training area…
Naruto, Choji and Kiba are practicing throwing their kunai at couple of targets. Naruto is standing behind Choji and Kiba as they are practicing throwing kunai, "Choji, you are stopping your follow through just as you release, that is why you throwing low. Kiba, slow down a little, you are rushing your throws. Remember some time, accuracy is more important then speed." Sensing the approach of Team 2 (a.k.a. The Brat Pack), Naruto tells his classmates quietly that; but, for them to pretend they did not hear them and keep throwing.
"Oh, look the babies are trying to be shinobi," Hazuki Mina smirks.
Turning around in a dramatic fashion and clenching his chest Naruto gasps, "Mina you must quit sneaking up on me like that, my 'poor little heart' can not take such a start."
Looking puzzled, Naruto asks," what brings you into our humble realm? Are you here to brag about Yakumo beating out Akamaru at the show, it was rather unfair? Yakumo could do more 'tricks' then Akamaru; but, then again he is still a puppy and Yakumo is almost full grown."
Snickering Choji and Kiba know that Naruto was talking about the dog show; Kiba had entered Akamaru in the previous weekend. The reference had flown over Team 2's heads.
"You are damn right, Yakumo is the best. No, we are here to see Sensei Mizuki before returning to our 'shinobi business' and saw that you babies can barely hit your targets." smirked Mina.
"Yeah right, you were being used as 'mules' to deliver the latest message to Mizuki from his Sound contact, you are so dumb. I'm definitely going to have to rethink that idea of killing Team 2 via the friendly fire excuse."
"Let me know when you plan to do it, I have several techniques I want to try."
"You and me both, don't worry there will be enough fun for both of us."
"Maybe Team 2 could help us 'poor students', so that one day we can become competent shinobi such as you?" Naruto giving Mina the 'puppy dog' eyes look.
"Like we would waste our valuable time trying to teach you losers," Mina states.
"Well, how about we have a friendly kunai competition and to make things interesting a little wager. Unless you are 'afraid' that you might lose to some students?" taunts Naruto.
Mina chest puffs up, "there no way in hell Team 2 can lose to the likes of you. And yeah, we make a wager, 10,000 ryos says we will mop the floor with you guys."
Choji and Kiba eyes get huge at the amount of the bet. They have confidence in their ability to use a kunai; but they did not have that amount of money between them to bet.
"Well…" pausing Naruto starts to scratch his head.
Mina gloats, "hemp, just what I thought you babies are 'too chicken' to make a 'real man's' bet."
Kiba and Choji were getting pissed at being called chicken and babies, when Naruto suddenly say, "Deal. And I see two people; we can ask to be the official and a judge. I'll be right back." Naruto sprints around the corner.
Mina turns to his teammates, "the loser is probably finding some old blind fool to be the judge, just so that they would have a chance." Mina teammates' eyes are getting huge, as Issel is silently pointing over Mina's shoulder as he making these comments.
"I maybe old; but, I'm not blind. Nobody has called me a fool to my face in a long time," a voice is heard behind Mina.
"Well, I guess somebod-d-d…," Mina starts to stutter as he turns around to come face to face with Sandaime with Iruka and Naruto standing behind him.
"It was lucky that I saw Sensei Iruka and Sandaime walking by. Would you please be the official and judge for our kunai contest? Sensei and Sandaime, as in any competition that money is involved, you will each receive 5% of the wager for compensation for your time," Naruto bows to them.
Iruka is about to say something about it being wrong to bet. However, Sandaime stops him, "It will be our honor to officiate this friendly competition. It will give me a perfect opportunity to observer how well Iruka's students and Team 2 genins are doing."
Both Iruka and Sandaime are thinking, "Naruto, you are about to separate these idiots from their money."
As Iruka, Sandaime and Team 2 head toward the kunai course, Naruto holds Choji and Kiba back to talk quietly to them. "Ok. Remember focus on your techniques, take your time and ignore the 'trash talk'. Because when they start to lose, they will start to get desperate. Trust in your ability, your teammates, and we will be 3,000 ryo richer in a half hour."
"But, Naruto, we don't have 3,000 ryo to lose," Choji pleads.
Looking Choji and Kiba in the eyes, "First and foremost, ditch the 'loser attitude'. If you go into any situation with 'I-can-not-win' attitude, then you have already lost. Do you think I would made this bet, if I did not 'Know' we could whip these guys? Come on guys, you know I do not bet on losers. Now let's go and kick Team 2 asses and take their money!"
"Yeah, come on Choji let kick ass and take names," Kiba says, Akamaru barks in agreement.
"You losers are coming or what," yells Mina.
"Just had to discuss a little strategy and who would throw first," Naruto says as they walk up to the group.
"It doesn't matter, you are just a bunch of losers compared to Team 2," Mina boasts.
Iruka steps up, "ok, this will be test similar to the final graduation test. First test will be the single target with a ten-point scale. Two members will throw three kunai each and the third member will throw four kunai from a range of twenty feet. With the potential for a perfect score of 100.
The Second test will once again be two members throwing three kunai each and third member throwing four kunai; but this time at swinging target set at twenty feet.
A different team member must be chosen to throw the even number kunai at each test.
If there is a tie at the end of two rounds, then each team will pick a challenge and the final score of those two events will decide the winner. If either team fails to accept others challenge, they will automatically lose. Does everybody agree?"
Both groups go, "Hai."
As the teams start to line up to throw, Naruto says, "Wait, before we start. Sandaime here is my team's wager, so that you can hold it in good faith." Reaching in side his trench coat, Naruto pull out a bundle of ryo and hands it to Sandaime. Sandaime turns toward Mina looking for his wager. A panic look is crossing Team 2 faces because they did not have that amount of cash on them.
"So where is proof of your wager?" Sandaime asks politely.
"Well, you see…," Mina starts to sputter.
Grinning Naruto says, "that is ok, Sandaime, I know that Konoha shinobi are trustworthy and would not 'welsh' on a wager."
"No, they won't and I will make sure of that," Sandaime glaring at Team 2.
Choji pulls Naruto over to the side, "where did you get that kind of money?"
"Don't worry about where I got it, just stay focused on the competition. Which one of you wants to throw the even number first? Choji raises his hand, "good, ok Kiba you throw second. And if need be I will throw last on their challenge. Ok, let's kick some ass," Naruto puts his hand out, Choji and Kiba puts theirs on top of Naruto's hand, then they yell 'Victory' and jerk their hands up in the air.
First round each team, throw a perfect score. The second round Kiba rushed a throw and end up with a 98; however, Takaru also missed causing his team to score a 98.
"Tie score, Team 2 you have to pick a challenge," Iruka announces.
Mina smirking," we want the 'Pendulum' challenge."
"What's the 'Pendulum' challenge?" Both Choji and Kiba are looking questionly at Naruto.
Taking them off to the side in a huddle Naruto explains, "The 'Pendulum challenge has a stationary target located twenty feet back; however, you have one swinging log placed ten feet and a second swinging log placed at fifteen feet." The look of panic is forming in Choji and Kiba eyes, Naruto puts his hands on each of their shoulders, "its easier then it looks, take your time and figure out the timing of the logs. Once you see the timing pattern, then remember your technique make your throw. Now is when the 'major trash talk' about to begin, be ready for it and don't let it affect your focus. Mina will be attacking when he thinks can break your concentration. Don't let that happen. Ok. Let's do our best and go home richer. "
Iruka is fuming because he knows that his students have never been exposed to the 'Pendulum' challenge, this was a genin kunai drill.
Sandaime is quietly lighting his pipe, wondering what Naruto is telling Choji and Kiba. He knows that the Inuzuka and Akimichi clans are not very good with kunai. Kiba steps up to make his first throw. Doing as Naruto had explained, Kiba sees that is easier then he thought. After Kiba throw his first kunai perfectly, he was lining up the second throw when Mina yelled out to him, "Kiba, I hear your sister's a real bitch." The other two-team mates start making barking and howling noises.
Naruto see Kiba to starting to tense up, "Kiba, focus on your objective. Picture someone's face or another part of their anatomy instead of the bulls eye mark."
A slow grin appears on his face, ignoring the taunts Kiba let's fly his final two kunai to finish with a perfect score. As Choji walk up to the line, Naruto leans over to whisper, "You saw what they did to Kiba, be ready for it, and remain focused." Choji nods his head and prepares to throw.
"Hey, Fattso," followed by pig grunting sounds come from Team 2 side. Naruto see that has pissed Choji off and he rushed his first throw striking the second log. Kiba about to yell at Team 2 but Naruto stops him. "No harm done Choji, take a breath make the last two count."
Closing his eyes, Choji takes a couple of deep breaths, then concentrates and makes his last two throws.
Naruto sees Choji looking down at the ground, "Choji hold you head high, you did good."
Choji clenching his hands, "damn it, I let them get to me."
Naruto nods at Choji, "learn from this experience and try not repeat your error in the future."
Naruto walks up to the line, and waits for the taunting to begin. "Say Naruto, are your parents coming to your graduation, opps I forgot you don't have any." "Is Uzumaki another name for 'worthless bastard'?"
Sandaime is biting down hard on his pipe, 'Kami, I ought to let Naruto kill these worthless shits. Naruto has done wonders with Choji and Kiba. Their kunai skills are better then their fathers's kunai skills.'
Naruto takes a deep breath, and then systematically throws four perfect throws.
"Your score is 90," declares Iruka, "Team 2, you are up."
Kiba about to start 'trash talking' Team 2 but Naruto stops him.
"They did it to us, why can we do it to them?" Kiba demands, with Akamaru barking in agreement.
Leaning over to Kiba, Naruto whispers, "They are waiting for us to talk 'trash', the longer we are silent the more nervous they will get."
Naruto, Kiba, and Choji move over to where Team 2 was standing when they throw. Takaru steps up to the line to make his throw, Naruto leans over to Kiba and whispers something, a big grin appears on Kiba's face. Just as Takaru start his throw, Kiba calls out, "Good Luck! Takaru." Causing Takaru to lose concentration and barely hit inside of bull's eye ring. The next two throws, Takaru kept glancing over his shoulder before throwing, which causes him to barely make all his final throws.
Issel moved up to the line and seemed to be waiting for Naruto and crew to say something.
Finally, Iruka said, "Issel, if you do not throw in the next thirty seconds you will be disqualified."
Naruto and crew remain silent, Issel barely made a perfect score.
Finally, it was Mina turn, as he walked to the line to make his throw. Naruto could see Mina is waiting for them to start taunting him.
Grinning evilly, Naruto turns to Kiba and Akamaru. As Mina starts to concentrate, Naruto says, "So Kiba how is Akamaru holding up?"
Mina makes his first throw, perfectly; but Naruto sees him listening.
"He doing ok, thank you for asking," both Kiba and Choji are looking puzzled at Naruto.
"Well, I figured he be a little depressed," Naruto comments as Mina makes his second throw. Naruto can see the look of confusion on Mina's face, because he does not know where Naruto's conversation is going.
"Are you sure you ok. Akamaru?" as Naruto leans over to look the puppy in the face. Just as Mina makes his throw with his third kunai.
Just as Mina about to throw his last kunai, Naruto says, " For Yakuna to beat you out of first place at the DOG SHOW. Considering the only real trick Yakuna knows is roll over and play death like she does on all her dates." Mina turns around fuming just as he releases his final kunai, "You take that back."
Iruka calls out, "We have a tie score, Mina your last kunai hit the first log."
Mina whirls around to see his final kunai stuck in the first log.
Naruto says to Choji and Kiba, "here where we take home the money. I have the challenge, just remember your technique, keep your cool and have faith in your teammates." Naruto leans over to Choji, "do you have any ketchup packages with you?"
Choji nods in agreement.
"Give me one, Choji you will throw last and don't tell Kiba that I have this ketchup package."
"Why not?" asks Choji.
"Kiba's natural reaction will sell the illusion that I want Team 2 to see, trust in me," Naruto grins as he tears a corner of the ketchup package and puts it in his right hand.
Choji grins back, he does not know what Naruto is up to; but he knows it will be good.
Iruka turns to Naruto, "what is your group's challenge?"
"Our group's challenge is call 'Absolute Trust,' two members will take turns throwing five kunai each at a stationary target twenty feet away," Naruto states.
"Piff, child's play is that all?" Mina smirks.
Walking up to the target Naruto says, "No it's not, because the third member will have his hand spread over the bull's eye mark while his teammates throw their kunai. If the third member moves his dominate hand off of the target before the last kunai is thrown, then the team loses the challenge."
Iruka, Team 2 and Kiba are staring at Naruto, Issel stutters, "That's crazy."
"No, it's not crazy; a shinobi must have 'Absolute Trust' in his teammates. Having 'Absolute Trust' in your fellow teammates can mean the difference between success or failure of a mission. Since we named the challenge, we shall go first just to prove to you, that I have 'Absolute Trust' in my teammates." As he was saying all this Naruto has secretly placed the ketchup package inside his palm, then he places his right hand on the target, spreading out his fingers.
Iruka looks over at Sandaime, who nods, "what Naruto says is true, in battle/mission if you don't have 'Absolute Trust' in your fellow shinobi, then you have lost. I will allow this challenge to continue, unless Team 2 wishes to forfeit."
Mina says, "We accept this challenge." Both of his teammates are looking at him like he has lost his mind. Mina leans over to them, "don't worry, Naruto will chicken out." Issel and Takaru look down at a grinning Naruto standing by the target.
"I don't think he will chicken out Mina," Takaru says.
Kiba steps up to the line and lets his first kunai fly, it lands slightly above Naruto's second fingertip. Choji steps up and places one between Naruto's thumb and forefinger. Naruto looks at his hand, "good throw Choji, Kiba settle down, I know you can do better."
Mina, Issel, and Takaru can not believe their eyes, Naruto never flinched and he was calling out encouragement to his teammates.
Mina decides he better do something, so he starts with his 'trash talk'. However, he doesn't come up with any thing new and Choji and Kiba ignore him as they make their throws.
Kiba settled down and put three kunai between Naruto's fingers with his last one hitting just to the side of his little finger. Choji places his next three between Naruto's fingers. Just before he threw his last kunai, he sees Naruto slightly nod at him, 'here where he going to make his move,' Choji thinks. Just as the final kunai hits the target a stream of red shots out over the board, Naruto's hand is now covered in red.
Gritting his teeth, Naruto turns to Iruka, "the last kunai has been thrown, and can I move my hand now?"
Iruka numbly shakes his head yes, "your team's score is 98 out of 100."
Naruto reaches inside his trench coat and pulls a handkerchief out and wraps his hand. With his left hand, he removes the ten kunai, then using his bandaged hand, attempts to wipe off the red stain off the target. But, all he does is spread the red over the target. Walking towards his teammates, Naruto is cradling his right hand in his left. Team 2 and Kiba are staring at the red stained handkerchief.
"Your turn Mina," Naruto says through clenched teeth. Team 2 is a in huddle, arguing who would have his hand on the target.
Sandaime taking a puff on his pipe, he had watched Choji make his last throw and knew that he had not hit Naruto's hand. He suspected that the red was probably ketchup; but it had the desired effect that Naruto wanted on Team 2. Naruto was doing a 'A class' non-genjustsu on Team 2 and they were falling for it totally. Sandaime had to smile; Naruto was surpassing all of Sandaime and Kyuubi's expectations on being a world-class shinobi and trickster.
After arguing, Issel walks down and places his left hand on the target.
Seeing this Akamaru growls, Naruto nods his head, "you right Akamaru. Sensei, I call a challenge to Issel placement of his hand."
Iruka looks over at Naruto, "what is your challenge?"
"It has been pointed out to me, Issel is not using his dominate hand like I stated in the original challenge. He should be using his right hand instead," Naruto, points with his left hand as he clenches his red hand to his chest.
Iruka looks at Issel, "Naruto is right, either change to your right hand or forfeit."
With terror in his eyes, Issel moves to the other side of the target and places his hand over the bull's eye.
As Takaru lines up to throw his first kunai, Naruto is telling Kiba, "yeah, it hurts; but, Choji just barely hit the knuckle, I'm lucky it could have been the end of my shinobi career before it even started. But, I was not worried; I know how good, my teammates' kunai abilities are."
Issel nervously hears this and starts to think about Mina and Takaru skills level at kunai. Just as Takaru throws his first kunai, Issel jerks his hand off the target.
"Disqualification, Team 2 loses," Iruka calls out.
"Smart move Issel," Choji calls out as he points to the location of the kunai, which was in the dead center of the bull's eye. Issel's eyes get big, the kunai would have hit the back of his hand, thus probably ending his shinobi career.
"You son of a bitch, you tried to cripple me," Issel screams as he rushes at Takaru.
Takaru holding up his arms, "Honestly, I wasn't aiming there, besides you moved."
Iruka grabs Issel from behind, "settle down, and take a deep breath." After a couple of seconds, Iruka lets Issel go, who is glaring at Takaru.
Sandaime walks up to the two groups, "I declare Naruto's team the winner."
Naruto, Choji, and Kiba turn to Team 2 and bows with Naruto saying, "thank you for honor of being able to test our kunai skill against such a worthy opponent."
Mina sneers at them as they start to walk away, "you all just got lucky."
"Stop!" Sandaime yells at Team 2. "You will show proper respect to your competitor and fellow Konoha citizens or I will have Ibiki give you a 'refresher' course in manners."
Sweat drops from Team 2 as they turn and bow Takaru says, "It has been our honor to test our skills and share our knowledge with you." They then turn and leave grumbling from the schoolyard.
Iruka and Kiba turn to Naruto, "Naruto, we have to get you to the hospital," Iruka urgently.
Looking at the pair, Naruto says, "Why?"
Pointing at his hand, Kiba says, "to get your hand fixed!"
Grinning Choji say, "he doesn't have too, I never hit him."
"You hit him, look at all that blood," Kiba pointing at the red handkerchief.
"It's not blood, its ketchup," Naruto explains as he unwraps the handkerchief to show Iruka and Kiba that his hand is alright and an empty ketchup container is in Naruto's palm.
Glaring at Naruto, Kiba says, "Man, I'm so mad at you right now. You had me all worried about you."
"And for that I'm sorry, I had to put undue stress on you, Kiba. But, I need you to 'sell the injury' to Team 2 and if you knew it was fake you would not have done such a great job," putting his hand on Kiba shoulder so that Naruto could look him in the eyes. "Now just start thinking about how you are going to spend your winnings." Naruto, Choji, and Kiba start grinning at each other.
Sandaime motions Naruto over, while Iruka starts to lecture Choji and Kiba about the evils of gambling.
Wiping the ketchup off his hands, "what can I do for you, jijii."
Sandaime looking Naruto in the eyes, "Naruto that was brilliant I almost believed it myself, here is your money back. I will make sure Team 2 pays up and will get Iruka and my commission out of their wager. But, I was wondering if you could do me a favor this evening."
"You know I do anything for you, so what do need?" Naruto tilting his head to look down into Sandaime's eyes.
"I need you to take my place again at a civilian council meeting tonight. Those idiots decided that they had to debate tonight about 'something-that-is-critical-to-the-well-being-of-Konoha', shaking his head sadly.
'Probably another petition to boot you out of the village again.'
'I wonder if I could kill them, since I will be hedged as jijii. He does have the authority…. Nah, it would look bad on him in the history books. Plus then all my planning for next council meeting will be down the drain.'
"Widow Inoue Orihime cooking you dinner again? No problem jijii, I live to serve you and Kyuubi says, 'you deserve some personal down time. He recommends that you take the red plum wine, he says it goes well with just about everything. We can switch back first thing in the morning, so you can get a 'good night' sleep. By the way, who are your ANBU shadows for tonight?" Naruto quizzes.
Thinking Sandaime says, "Its, Boar and Ferret rotation tonight."
"No problem, we can make the switch at your office both ways. Just like we done it hundred times before; but, let's not get careless, remember Blue Bird almost caught us that one time. Speaking of Blue Bird, how she is doing in ANBU encryption and code breaking?" Naruto asks.
Nodding his head, Sandaime says, "it looks like a perfect fit for her, you were right about suggesting that placement for her after her 'accident'. She has a natural flair for breaking codes."
Looking back at his Iruka and his teammates, Naruto say, "Glad to hear that, I have a scroll that I 'liberated' from a couple of Cloud jonins earlier this week. It's encrypted and has a genjustsu on it, so I think it will give Blue Bird a challenge.
'Considering you already broke it and read it.'
'Like I said it will give Blue Bird a challenge and give her a example of Cloud's newest code and genjustsu.'
I'll leave it in your desk drawer tomorrow. Is there nothing else, then I will see you later tonight and have a good time."
With a big grin on his face, Sandaime says, "oh, I plan to, most definitely."
Bowing to the Sandaime, Naruto heads back to his classmates and sensei.
Present…
"And that is how we beat Team 2," Choji says ending the story.
Ino eyes are huge looking at Naruto, "I cannot believe you would do something like that. You could have ended your career."
Shikamaru, Shino, and Hinata are looking at Naruto in agreement.
"A shinobi must have 'Absolute Trust' in their fellow teammates because it could mean the difference between failure or success of a mission. What I'm talking about is really is the life or death of a teammate. I have 'Absolute Trust' in all of you and your skills. You should also have 'Absolute Trust' in all your classmates," Naruto declares.
Smiling over her tea Hinata, 'I have 'Absolute Trust' in you, Naruto-kun. And I know you have 'Absolute Trust' in me.'
Raising one eyebrow above his sunglasses, Shino asks, "You have 'Absolute Trust' in all your classmates?"
Scratching the back of his head, Naruto and grinning sheepishly, "ok, you got me there. There are a several of our classmates that I would like for them to be in front of me instead of behind me. The 'rookies of the year' jump to the front of that list."
Sounding offended Ino growls, "You do not trust Sasuke?"
The whole group nods their heads in agreement.
A rarely serious Shikamaru says,"Ino, Sasuke has the making of a perfect Konoha shinobi; however, he has that 'avenger' attitude for his brother. Ask yourself this question, in the of a middle of a mission he see his brother running away. Honestly, what do you think Sasuke is going to do? And what would Sakura or you do?"
Thinking for a minute, Ino hangs her head, "he would go chasing after him and we would chase after Sasuke."
Shikamaru continues, "Thus leaving you have left your team several members short and a several positions unguarded. This could cost your teammates their lives. So yes, I don't trust Sasuke, Sakura or you unless you are in front of me like Naruto says."
Naruto sees that thought about Sasuke, Sakura and her reaction in mission was depressing Ino. Getting up and stretching Naruto declares, "well it looks like test time, so let's go make Sensei Iruka proud of us and all 'ace' this test. Remember everybody focus on your technique, follow through on your throws, keep your cool, and have faith in yourself. And tomorrow afternoon, we will all be Konoha genins." As they start to walk towards the kunai train area, Naruto leans over to Ino, "Ino, I know you would not do that during a mission; but, can you honestly say that about Sasuke and Sakura? It will be our jobs as teammates to insure the safety of each other. You will just have to find a way to bring Sasuke around to being a team player."
Ino face brightens up, "yeah, I will help him change his ways." and runs ahead of the group to join Sasuke's fan club around him.
Shino leans over to Naruto, "why did you tell her that, you know her hanging around Sasuke hurts Choji?"
Sighing Naruto said, "I know that; but, if I had not told her about that opportunity then Ino would not concentrate on the test and would fail. Losing to Sakura and not having the possibility to be on Sasuke's team would destroy her. Once she has her headband, then hopefully she will focus on being a true kunoichi. I hope someday Choji will forgive me." As they are walking towards the course, Naruto turns to Akamaru, "I know you will win at next show, you will beat Yakune next time for sure, I'll put money on it." Akamaru barks in agreement from on top of Kiba's head.
Author's note
As you can see I'm leaning for a Choji / Ino pairing. Naruto/Hinata is pretty solid; I will not have Naruto with a harem. The Kitsune are known for being monogamous to one's partner.
(Side note: according to several 'Kitsune experts' Kitsune may or may not be truly monogamous. However, my version the couples will be monogamous.)
