-I don't own Naruto. Naruto was created by Kishimoto, please support the official release.-

Italics are thoughts. -Italics inside hyphens are the setting-

"Italics in quotation marks represent the Mind Body Transmission Jutsu (Telepathy) of the Yamanka Clan"


-October 3rd, One Week Before Naruto's Birthday. Yakiniku Q BBQ Restaurant-

The 'Kunoichi 5,' a group consisting of the 4 female members of the 'Konoha 12' and Karin, sat around a table. It was a girls' night, and they were having a great time out on the town.

There was a slight lull in the conversation as more food was brought to the table. Hinata, ever someone to look out for a certain blond, took advantage of the brief period of quiet.

As she placed a piece of beef over the flame, Naruto's long time admirer asked: "So Ino, it's a week until Naruto-kun's birthday. He threw you a huge party, what are you going to do for him?"

Ino took a brief minute to recall her own birthday party. Naruto really had gone all out. At first she had thought that Sasuke and Sakura had been involved in the planning, since it was at their place, and she had approached them as the party wound down in order to offer to pay for a cleaning service.

She was surprised to learn that Naruto had already taken care of that.

The Uchiha's hadn't spent any money on the food or decorations. They were getting a cleaning service to go over their entire mansion, not just the parts used for the party, an expensive service, and were even getting money in exchange for 'renting' out their house for the party, all paid for from Uzumaki Clan accounts.

Not only that, but Naruto had bought her several lavish gifts. Jewelry, expensive clothing, and etc. The fact that he was willing to spend so much money to give her a memorable birthday was nice. It was one of the first times in public where the affection the Uzumaki couple showed for each other was genuine, not embellished or faked for public perception. It was also one of the first times Ino actually felt like staying at a large social gathering and letting loose in years.

As she took a bite of her meal she blushed deeply, recalling how she and Naruto had been perhaps too brazen in their displays of affection for each other.

Kiba had almost fainted when he walked into the Uchiha kitchen, only to find the Uzumaki couple making out against the refrigerator. Hinata, who had been accompanying Kiba to the kitchen in their search for more snacks, had actually fainted.

It had truly been a night to remember, and knowing that his birthday was coming up she had woken up the next day feeling a great deal of pressure to throw something equally lavish for him.

However, after talking to Naruto, she had decided against it.

She swallowed her food, smiled, and responded to Hinata's question. "Yeah, that was a really great party. I was planning on throwing a huge one for Naruto, but ultimately decided I wasn't going to throw him a party."

Ino was met with shocked expressions and audible gasps. Only Karin didn't seem to have a negative reaction to her declaration.

Hinata verbally lashed out at Ino. "How could you? Naruto-kun went out of his way to make you feel special and loved on your birthday, and you aren't even going to do anything for his?" Her anger was fueled by her own unrequited love for the boy, and her jealousy of Ino's position as his betrothed.

Ino tried to be civil. After all, while things were slightly awkward between her and the Hyuga, Hinata had taken Naruto and Ino's engagement much better than Ino had expected her too. It hadn't ended their friendship, something that Ino was extremely grateful for, especially since Ino didn't think she deserved that given how she had reacted to Saukra's engagement to Sasuke.

"Hinata, calm down. I had every intention of throwing him a party just as big as the one he threw for me, until I found out that he hates his birthday."

"What?" Expressions of shock and anger on the faces of Hinata, Sakura, and Tenten turned to ones of confusion. It was understandable, birthdays were supposed to be happy events.

Karin jumped into the discussion to help out her future clan matriarch. "There is that festival on Naruto-sama's birthday celebrating the Yondaime's defeat of the Kyuubi. The fact that Naruto-sama hosts the Kyuubi was never really a secret, and on the festival day many people go out of their way to make Naruto-sama's life terrible."

Ino nodded, confirming Karin's statement. "Apparently when he was a kid, people would break into his apartment and beat him on his birthday. He told me that the first time he didn't end up in the hospital on his birthday was the year we became genin, and that was because he was out of the village on a mission with Team 7. His apartment was still broken into and trashed."

The other kunoichi at the table looked concerned as Ino continued. "I asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday and he got so scared. He was in tears just remembering that his birthday was coming up. So I'm not throwing him a party. We have a place we can go that no one knows about, so Naruto is spending his birthday there, hiding. I'm going to be keeping him company and try to do little things to to make his birthday special."

"Meanwhile I'll be keeping an eye on the Uzumaki estate. I've spoken to Hokage-sama and she's agreed to mobilize the ANBU to help protect it, along with Naruto-sama's apartment" Karin added, glad to do her part for her Clan Head.

"Hopefully in the future I will be able to throw him a party like he did for me, but for now I'm going to respect his wishes, help him hide, and show him that not everyone is out to get him on his birthday." As Ino finished speaking she noticed tears in the eyes of her friends.

They were obviously uncomfortable with the idea of Naruto of all people being so mistreated by the villagers that his normally ultra-positive, almost naive enthusiasm could so suddenly flip to object terror and pain every October 10th. Then again, wether through sheer instinct or deliberate effort, Naruto had always had a very carefully cultivated public persona. Only Ino, Karin, and Jiraya had ever gained enough of his trust for him to completely drop the mastk around them.

So of course Sakura, Tenten, and Hinata would be bothered. Their version of Naruto, the one he wanted them to see, would never let something like that get to him. It was especially sobering for Sakura and Hinata, who were closer to the jinchuuriki than Tenten was, and it was mostly for their sake that Ino even brought up Naruto's behavior.

Hinata's obsession with him was based largely on the attitude of his public persona, and while his carefully controlled image was based in part on his actual personality, he absolutely could be that exuberant at times, his negative emotions could have just as strong of an influence on his behavior and attitude as his positive ones. He'd also sworn off his dream of being Hokage, though that wasn't public knowledge. Karin didn't even know that yet.

Ino suspected that if Naruto ever dropped his mask around Hinata while in a bad mood she'd quickly lose a lot of her affection for him. Her 'love' of him was based on the 'I'll never give up' and 'I never go back on my word' attitude that quite frankly was only a very small part of his real personality. Ino hoped that by revealing his fear and dread of his birthday, it would put some cracks in the Hyuga's perfect vision of Naruto, thus speeding up the process of her moving on.

Sakura had mistreated Naruto even more than Ino had as a kid, and that was saying something. Ino suspected that Sakura was part of the reason Naruto wore a mask so often, and part of the reason that his negative emotions could have such a drastic impact on him. So she was pleased to see how her pink haired friend was taking the news of her teammate's inner turmoil.

"I couldn't even have told you when his birthday was until just recently. He's like my brother but I never bothered to really learn anything about him." Sakura was especially crushed. "I was always such a jerk to him too, at least until the Chunin Exams..." She was not taking the news well.

Ino reached across the table and put her hand on Sakura's. "I was too, I tried to apologize to him several times, but it wasn't until he realized that I felt guilty, not just about how I treated him, but how the village as a whole treated him, that he actually let me. He just wants to forget about the way people acted towards him in the past and move on."

Sakura nodded, and forced a smile. Mentaly, Ino was giddy, That's right, realize all the things you did to him back then, let the guilt consume you like it did me. It's the only way you'll ever truly be someone Naruto-kun and I can depend on.

"That doesn't make what he went through as a child any less wrong." Tenten stated. "Nor does it excuse the things he still goes through in this village" Hinata said in a dark tone.

If you only you knew just how wrong. Once his father's identity gets out the whole village better be on their knees begging him to forgive them Ino thought. She looked over at Karin, who had a grim expression on her face.

Ino reached out to her future clanswoman with her Yamanaka Clan telepathic abilities. "Don't worry, Karin. Naruto won't like it, but you and I will make sure everyone knows just how badly he was treated. We'll make them all understand."

Hearing Ino's thoughts in her head, Karin gave a very slight nod. The Uzumaki women would protect Naruto, and if necessary, the two of them would make the village pay for what they did to him. In their minds it was the only way they could even come close to repaying all that he had done for them.

-At the Same Time, Foundation Headquarters, Danzo's Office-

Danzo leaned forward in his chair, analyzing the latest reports on a long term project. Years ago he had made a huge effort to bring Naruto into the Foundation, but it had been unsuccessful. Hiruzen had been against it, and even the civilians had turned on him, preferring Naruto to continue to be neglected in an orphanage.

After Naruto had moved into his apartment Danzo had reexamined things, and decided to use his influence to get some of his retired Foundation shinobi on the staff at said orphanage.

Over the years since then, most of the children who had gone through that orphanage had been steered to the Foundation in one way or another.

Some were 'adopted' by Foundation shinobi posing as genuine people looking to adopt a war orphan. These children were taken to Foundation HQ and raised to be emotionless killing machines for Konoha.

But Danzo knew he couldn't just make every child disappear into his organization, eventually someone would get suspicious. That's when he came up with a master stroke idea.

He continued to use his influence until every single staff member at the orphanage was either a Foundation shinobi who was too old to be useful, or was an ally of his. Then, the children that were not adopted were given a mixed education. They would attend the academy, where they would socialize and learn, but after school they would be indoctrinated in the root ideals.

The outcome was that two years after Naruto graduated, while in the middle of his training trip, the first of a new type of Foundation Shinobi graduated from the academy. Unlike the regular Foundation Shinobi, these ninja were perfectly capable of showing emotion and being social. They even had friends!

But they were still totally loyal to Danzo, and the best part was that no one suspected a connection between him and these new forces. This gave Danzo spies and minions within Konoha's main force, people that were generally assumed to be loyal to the Hokage.

The particular report Danzo was reading was from an operative of his from this program, a rookie genin whose team had been ambushed. On their third C rank mission they had a chance encounter with Orochimaru's forces, and only Danzo's genin had survived, and even then just barely.

Still, the fact of the matter was that this one genin needed a team, and there were two other genin Danzo was very interested in that just so happened to need a team as well.

If Daisuke-san is is able to become friends with the Yamanka and the Uzumaki that would be helpful for me.

Danzo hadn't given up on his plans to bring Naruto and Ino's future children into the foundation, and after Karin joined Konoha he had become even more interested in the Uzumaki Clan.

His agents who had monitored foreign shinobi during that fateful chunin exam where Oto and Suna had invaded had taken note of Karin's healing abilities, and Danzo had been able to put together that they were likely the result of being a pureblooded Uzumaki.

His scientists were also confident that they could replicate Orochimaru's experiments in implanting Hasirama Senju's genes into children, but with better results.

Danzo now had an entire orphanage full of children, no kidnapping required. He still had the 1st Hokage's DNA, but now he also wanted to use Karin's, after all her Kekkai Genkai would be useful to him, and given that she seemed to be the last Uzumaki Pure Blood, her abilities would likely die with her.

Yes, putting Daisuke-san on their team will work well for me. Now who should I nominate to be this team's sensei. It can't be a random jonin. The daughter of one clan head and future wife of another is on this team, the Shinobi Clans will require someone prestigious….That gives me an idea.

Danzo sat back and smiled as he motioned for his attendants to summon his genin agent, and pull the files he had on Ino and Karin. This was a plan with almost no risk, and potentially great reward, his favorite kind of plan.

-October 9th, 11:30pm-

Under the cover of a genjutsu two figures, both disguised by a Henge, snuck out of the apartment Naruto and Karin shared. They were met by an ANBU, who acknowledged them and stayed behind to watch said apartment while the other two figures headed towards the Clan Quarter.

The streets were almost entirely deserted, but the figures still kept to the roof tops and maintained a quick pace. They didn't even stop to admire the city center, which had been decked out in preparation for the next day's festival.

They only stopped very briefly outside the Yamanaka Compound, where another figure, also under a Henge, met them before the stealthy trio continued on.

Even at the speed they were moving, Konoha took a while to traverse, and it was after midnight when the trio reached the Uzumaki Estate, on the distant outer edge of the Clan Quarter.

Even more ANBU awaited them, and acknowledged them with a silent greeting. The ANBU continued their vigil over the construction site as the trio of shadowy persons slipped passed them and made a beeline for a remote corner of the estate.

It wasn't until the three were inside the Uzumaki Library that they dropped their Henges. Karin went to place seals on the entrance to the temple, they had been very careful, but just incase someone did find them the seals would keep anyone other than the three of them out.

Ino went over to a corner and began unsealing things from a storage scroll she had. Food (2 days worth just to be safe), some games, and much to Naruto's surprise, a cake, some wrapped gifts, and several envelopes that appeared to contain birthday cards.

Just because Naruto wanted to hide didn't mean that Ino was going to ignore the fact that the boy she loved was now officially 16.

Naruto tried to find something to do, both to be helpful, and to try to ease his ever growing anxiety, but his clanswoman and his betrothed had it covered, and he found there was nothing he could do. His fears and anxiety based on his childhood traumas were slowly taking over, a panic attack or mental breakdown was imminent.

When the girls were finished Karin went off to coordinate the vigil the ANBU were keeping over the Uzumaki Estate and the apartment in one of Konoha's less than reputable neighborhoods.

She was prepared to not sleep for over 24 hours, nothing would threaten her Clan Head on her watch. Naruto had given her a home, a family, and a sense of pride at being an Uzumaki. The least she could do was pull a couple all nighters to make sure no one messed with him or his stuff.

By this point in time Ino had spent so much time learning about her future Clan in this library that she knew just about every nook and cranny of the room, and without looking she flicked a lever on the couch, revealing that it was in fact a hide-a-bed.

She laid down on the mattress that came from within the couch and pulled the blankets she had unsealed from her scroll partially over her, before trying to get Naruto to join her.

His response almost broke her heart. Naruto was so nervous about the fact that it was his birthday that he was stuttering, and his voice was barely above a whisper. His whole posture and body language was that of a terrified animal trying desperately to hide from a predator.

"N-N-n-no t-t-t-thanks, I-Ino-ch-ch-ch-chan. I-I'm n-not go-going to b-be a-a-able to s-sleep." He was stuttering worse than Hinata. Ino didn't even think that was possible.

Ino got up and made her way to the corner Naruto was trying to wedge himself into. His body instinctively flinched away from her for a second, something that was again heartbreaking for the girl, but after a couple seconds he seemed to remember who she was and allowed her to hold him in her arms.

"Naruto-kun," she started, her voice as soft and soothing as she could make it. "Even if someone found out where you were, they'd have to make it past two entire squads of ANBU, seals that not only prevent someone from entering the temple, but also from burning or destroying it, and then get into a room that only blood Uzumaki and people coded into the door can access. Karin checked the door on the way out and the only non-Uzumaki whose chakra has been authorized are your father and I. Now come on, we need to sleep."

She pulled him over to the mattress, but he still seemed hesitant. "If anything just lie there while I fall asleep, please?" she asked. He relented, and joined her under the blankets, though only to hide himself beneath them.

Ino mentally swore an oath that she would never allow Naruto to be like this again. If any villager tried something on his birthday in the future she'd kill that person and deal with the consequences later. It was truly soul crushing to seem him in such a state.

Nothing adult happened that night, as the Uzumaki-Yamanaka contract explicitly forbid such things until the two of them were married, and even if it hadn't, Naruto certainly wasn't in the mood. That being said it was the first time since Naruto was 4 that he actually got some sleep on his birthday.

Ino had wrapped her arms around him as soon as the blankets were over them, and he felt safe and loved, and after some time lying there he forgot his anxiety and fear just long enough for his body to realize how tired it was, so he drifted off shortly before Ino did.

-Uzumaki Library, October 10th, 9am-

The newly 16 year old Naruto Uzumaki awoke to the smell of Ramen, and the glorious sight of a hot bowl of his beloved noodles sitting next to him. He was immediately up and devouring the stuff.

As much as Ino didn't like how much he ate ramen, and was planning on forcing him to cut down on his consumption of it once they were married, she wasn't going to deny it to him on his birthday.

Especially since Karin had personally gone to pick it up from Ichiraku, and had dropped it off and returned to her vigil just moments before Naruto awoke.

Step one of Ino and Karin's plan to get Naruto to not hate his birthday so much: 'Start off his day in a positive way with his favorite food' complete.

For the next several hours the couple busied themselves with training and reading. Uzumaki Taijutsu in one of the temple's large, empty rooms. Working through which ever Uzmaki Fuinjutsu scroll, treatise, or text they were on. More books on the history and culture of the clan and Uzu. Anything they could do to keep Naruto's mind off of his birthday and the festival.

Karin again delivered Ichiraku for lunch, this time with an additional birthday card from Teuchi and Ayame to add to the small pile of cards and gifts Ino had brought with her. Karin also pulled 'Ino-sama' aside and told her that she had confirmed everyone was willing to participate in another part of their plan: Boycott the festival.

They were starting off small, just people who were friends with Naruto. The Ichirakus, the Konoha 12 and their Sensei, Naruto's future in-laws, people like that. Ino wasn't going to tell Naruto of this plan, but she hoped that eventually the boycott would grow so big that all the clans would join in, and perhaps at some point, all the shinobi.

After lunch Ino convinced Naruto to take a nap, and the two of them lay back down on the hide-a-bed for a couple of hours. They were exhausted from training, and again despite the fact that Naruto protested that he didn't sleep on his birthday, he quickly nodded off. Ino wasn't too far behind him.

Ino awoke and looked at the clock to see that it was approaching dinner time. It was now time for the most important phase of the plan to try to make Naruto more receptive to his birthday in the future: The celebration.

She quickly used her clan's techniques to check in with Karin. No movement against any Uzumaki property yet, but according to reports they had read from when Naruto was a kid, the attacks didn't usually happen until night, when the people were more likely to be drunk.

Dispatching the red-head to Ichiraku for the third time that day, it was Naruto's birthday after all, Ino stepped into the bathroom. Several months before Naruto had embarrassed Ino, albeit unintentionally, by walking out of his bedroom in only boxers while she was in the apartment, and her reaction had given him reason to tease her with 'ero-Ino' for some time.

Now it was time for revenge. She was still going to be fully dressed, but the outfit she had planned was going to show a lot of skin, and she knew she'd be able to tease him right back with 'ero-baka,' or something like that.

Naruto was still asleep when she stepped out in a skin tight, low cut top, a very short skirt, and heels. So she set about getting the gifts ready.

-Shortly thereafter-

When Naruto awoke he thought he had to be dreaming. There were several bowls of Ichiraku on the table and Ino was dressed in….well, suffice to say Naruto was unable to take his eyes off of her, or put together a coherent thought or complete sentence for several minutes.

Only Ino warning him that the ramen was getting cold snapped him out of his trance like state, causing him to notice the puddle of drool that had been developing beneath him.

Ino could only laugh as he inhaled his ramen, nose still bleeding from seeing her. She had her revenge. She found it so funny that she even snapped of photo of Naruto stuffing his face while staring at her, a steady stream of blood coming from his nose. One for the photo album.

Ino finished her one bowl when Naruto was about half way through the 20 that Karin had brought for him, and with her fun over, went back to the bathroom and changed into her usual attire.

Naruto genuinely enjoyed his little birthday celebration. Cards and gifts from not only his friends in Konoha, but around the world as well. Inari and the rest of his friends from Wave, Garra and his siblings, the priestess of the Land of Demons, and etc.

Ino however had been pretty upset to see that the Daimyo of the Land of Spring had sent two cards, one for each of them.

The card for Naruto included some pictures of a scantily clad Daimyo, which the Yamanaka had quickly confiscated. Ino's card included a blank check and an offer of a role in every future Princess Gale movie if Ino would allow Naruto to carry on an affair with the famous actress turned ruler. The offer was quite generous, but Ino was not amused.

Naruto had taken a moment to chuckle at his fiance's jealousy, before using his charm, a few soft words, and a deep kiss to dismiss her concerns.

Naruto received some pretty nice gifts, but his unquestioned favorite was a book of "Date night at Ichiraku instead of whatever Ino wants to do" coupons. It wasn't anywhere near as extravagant as what Naruto had gotten Ino, but the thought and emotion that went into it meant more to Naruto than all the fancy gifts in the world.

When the gifts were done he simply cuddled with Ino until he fell asleep for the night, for the first time feeling totally safe on his birthday, knowing in his heart that nothing would happen to him as long as he was in her arms.

About a half hour later Ino passed out as well, with the same feeling of being completely safe as long as she was in his.

That night the festival ended with a surprise appearance from the Hokage herself, leading 20 people in chains up on to a stage. These were people who had been caught trying to damage either Naruto's apartment or the Uzumaki Estate, and ranting about wanting to kill the 'demon fox'.

From the nearby rooftops Karin couldn't help but grin as she took in the horrified expressions on the faces of the civilians enjoying the festival, as Tsunade announced the crimes and then personally executed each of the 20 people on the spot. 18 civilians and two shinobi. The message was quite clear: Now that he was a Clan Head, Konoha would no longer tolerate attempts on the life of their jinchuuriki.

-A Few Days Later, Konoha Council Chambers-

Naruto sat in his seat taking a minute to admire his own attire as yet another civilian spoke at great length about some business that he wasn't particularly interested in, and ranted about the Hokage's actions on the evening of the festival.

The elegant black Kimono that he wore had been another birthday gift from Ino. On the back of the kimono the Uzumaki Crest was proudly displayed in a dark orange. He of course had other kimonos, but they were not anywhere near the quality of this one, this was an outfit truly fit for a clan head.

His debut appearance in the kimono had started off incredibly contentious. The civilian councilors had demanded reprisals against the Hokage for her actions at the festival, arguing that the executions should have been signed off on by the council. However, with the support of the Clan Heads, who viewed Naruto as a person rather than a weapon or demo, and the Elders, who didn't want to risk killing a jinchuuriki and thereby weakening Konoha, Tsunade got away with the public executions.

Naruto couldn't help but be pleased with the show of support for the Hokage, and by extension support for punishing any further mistreatment of him. If only I had been publicly affiliated with the Uzumaki Clan sooner he thought, maybe then I could have actually enjoyed a few other birthdays.

His attention was drawn back to the meeting when the Hokage asked if there was any other business that needed to be attended too. Naruto did have some, though he didn't enjoy the fact that this was technically council business.

Even if Naruto was still upset with Tsunade about withholding his father's identity, he owed her for her actions on the day of the festival, and he thought that the business he had should technically fall under her direct authority, not the council's.

He cleared his throat, drawing eyes to him, and when Tsunade motioned for him to proceed, he spoke. "I'd like to request the formation of an additional genin team. I believe my clanswoman, Karin Uzumaki, is ready to participate in next month's chunin exams, but as she was never assigned a team a special one needs to be created, hence why I bring it up here and not directly with you, Hokage-sama."

Though she usually ran possible teams past the Clan Heads for their opinion, The Hokage could form genin teams without the consent of the council for new academy graduates only. Other than that technically council approval was needed. One of the areas 'delegated' to the council in the aftermath of the 9 Tails attack, when several special teams had to be created due to the casualties.

Naruto couldn't suggest Ino as well, since she wasn't technically part of his clan yet, but luckily he didn't need to.

"I'd like to offer my daughter for this team, since her original teammates have already been promoted. I believe Sarutobi-dono can vouch that she's ready" Inoichi stated, earning a nod of agreement from Asuma. He couldn't technically just come out and say "Ino needs to get promoted so she can get married" but everyone in the room knew that was what he meant.

"You're still one short." a civilian pointed out.

One of the elders, Koharu, spoke next. "I believe we recently had a team where 2 of the genin and the jonin sensei all perished after a run in with Orochimaru's forces. Perhaps the surviving genin could be the third, that is if he is in any shape to participate in the exams."

Tsunadae looked over to Koharu, unsurprised that the woman had this information. "Daisuke-san was released from the hospital last week and should have resumed training by now. With his sensei dead he'd be in limbo until another team was created, or we had an unusual number of academy graduates, so I suppose this could work."

"Karin Uzumaki, Ino Yamanaka, and Daisuke Kazahana, a full team of genin, but who shall lead this unit?" Shibi Aburame spoke. "Given that the daughter of a Clan Head shall be on the team, along with one of the last members of another clan, it is imperative that a good jonin be provided."

It was a well known, if unspoken 'secret' that the children of high ranking members of the clans got the best sensei. One only needed to look at Naruto and Ino's graduating class to see examples of favoritism towards the clans. Of the 8 children of Clan Heads, six were on teams with only the children of other clan heads, Teams 8 and 10. They had received one of the best teachers in Kurenai, and the Hokage's own son, Asuma, as their sensei.

Only Sasuke and Naruto, both also the children of clan heads, had been left out of this, but even then they had been paired with the daughter of one of the civilian councilors. And their sensei had not only been the only person capable of helping Sasuke with the Sharingan, but the student of Naruto's father.

All the civilians except Sakura, and the lesser ranking clan members in their graduating class, had been given far less motivated or talented jonin to lead their teams, perhaps why none of the civilians except Sakura, who was now part of the Uchiha Clan, were still shinobi.

"I believe I have an intriguing thought on this matter." Danzo spoke, earning raised eyebrows from some people at the table, and suspicious looks from Inoichi and Naruto, who didn't like the idea of Danzo taking an interest in Ino's promotion. If only they knew just how much he had been involved.

"I would like to suggest that an experienced jonin-sensei take the lead on training the team, while an up and coming young jonin participate as well in order to learn, then the younger jonin would be the actual team leader for the chunin exams in order to gain experience for when he is given his own true genin team."

"Given your use of 'he' I assume you have people in mind for these roles? Or are you saying that Kunoichi are incapable of being jonin-sensei Shimura-dono?" Naruto asked.

"The first one" Danzo responded, choosing to ignore the veiled accusation of sexism. "I suggest our own Asuma Sarutobi lead the training, with Sasuke Uchiha acting as the actual team leader."

Most of the shinobi at the table looked surprised, as what Danzo suggested was highly unorthodox, but there was a certain logic to it. Asuma had a baby at home, and couldn't really help with the actual exams, but could certainly spare a couple hours a day to help Sasuke put the genin through teamwork exercises.

In her seat as Naruto's assistant for the meeting, Karin's mouth was gaping. The boy she had once been obsessed with was now going to be her sensei? True after she had arrived in Konoha and found out he would be married in a month she had quickly gotten over her crush, but still, of all the jonin...

Sasuke showed no reaction, having already been aware of what Danzo was planning, and having already even met with Daisuke. Being Danzo's chosen successor had its perks.

"I would welcome the chance to supervise this team for the exams, and would appreciate the chance to learn from a proven and experienced jonin sensei such as Sarutobi-dono." He said, saying all the right things in an even tempered, neutral tone.

Asuma was fine with the arrangement as well. "I suppose I could help out, after all Ino was my student to begin with, it would be nice to help her finally join her teammates as chunin."

"Uzumaki-dono, Yamanaka-dono, is this arrangement fine with you?" Koharu again.

Inoichi said nothing, wanting to see Naruto's reaction first. Naruto just stared at Sasuke.

The Uchiha met his gaze, and to everyone else it seemed that the two were having a silent conversation as they stared at each other, but that wasn't actually the case.

Finally, Naruto spoke, "As you know, Uchiha-dono was my own genin teammate. There are very few people in this world that I trust more than him. I have no problem trusting my clanswoman to his guidance, especially with such a well respected sensei as Sarutobi-dono being involved as well."

Seeing Naruto's agreement, and knowing that that meant he approved of Sasuke not just for Karin, but Ino as well, Inoichi also voiced his consent, and Tsume motioned to vote on it. The motion easily passed, and Sasuke Uchiha suddenly found himself a jonin sensei.

After the council meeting ended Sasuke made his way out of the Hokage tower and back towards the Uchiha compound, but before he got very far he heard a familiar voice call out "teme!"

Knowing what was probably about to happen, he stopped and turned around to find Naruto sprinting towards him. A smile broke out on his face as his old friend approached "What do you want, dobe?"

Naruto returned the smile when he got to his teammate "Let's go get lunch, my treat." Within minutes Naruto had dragged Sasuke to Ichiraku, and the two sat down to eat.

No matter how many times Sasuke saw Naruto eat ramen it always left him with a feeling of both disgust and awe. Sometimes he swore that Naruto never actually touched the bowl, and simply breathed in fast enough that he sucked the broth straight to his mouth.

About half way through the meal their light conversation ceased and for a moment Naruto sat still. After the brief pause Sasuke had to strain to be able to hear Naruto, who in an uncharacteristically soft voice said "you take care of my girls, Sasuke." "What?" the Uchiha asked, having not fully heard Naurto.

"You take good care of Ino-chan and Karin-chan, Sasuke. You better not let anything happen to them." Naruto responded, still relatively soft in volume, but loud enough for Sasuke to hear.

"Hn, it's the chunin exams, Naruto. There's always some risk, and you know I can't promise you anything."

Naruto sighed, knowing Sasuke was right. "I love Ino-chan with all my heart, and she keeps me sane sometimes. Karin-chan's been a huge help with getting the clan set up. She's family. If anything happens to them I'd…." His voice trailed off, not wanting to think about what he would actually do if something happened to one or both of them.

Sasuke got the message. "I'll do my best to make sure they come home to you, Naruto."

-The Next Day, Training ground 29-

Sasuke and Asuma stood in front of the newly formed Team Sasuke. The team's namesake spoke first, getting down to business. "All right team, Asuma-sensei is here to help make sure you are a cohesive unit, so when he's here treat him as if he's the team leader. We'll only have him for a couple hours a day, so I want to take advantage of his experience when he's here."

With that Sasuke yielded to Asuma, who immediately set out on a familiar exercise. "Ok, Happy to be here to help, this is especially nostalgic for me since Ino was originally my student. That being said I don't really know the other two of you, so let's all introduce ourselves first. Name, likes, dislikes, and goals. I'll go first. Asuma Sarutobi, head of the Sarutobi Clan. I love my wife and daughter, and my goal is to see my daughter succeed me as Clan Head. I dislike restaurants that forbid smoking."

Sasuke went second. "My name is Sasuke Uchiha, head of the Uchiha Clan. My likes, other than my wife and my other two teammates are irrelevant, as are my dislikes. My goals are to avenge and rebuild my clan."

Ino went third. "Ino Yamanaka, soon to be Ino Uzumaki. My likes are Naruto-kun, My family, flowers, shopping, gossip, and my Team 10 family." She couldn't help but smile at her old sensei at the end of that sentence.

"My dislikes are people who disrespect or try to hurt my fiance, and people who discriminate against the Uzumaki Clan. My goal is to become the Uzumaki Clan Matriarch and help Naruto-kun rebuild." Asuma couldn't help but think back on the little blond fan-girl who had once proclaimed her one like as 'Sasuke-kun' and her dislikes as 'Forehead and Naruto-baka.' Ino's really grown up.

Karin stood to address the group next. "I am Karin Uzumaki. I like my clan, research, and science. I dislike the Grass village and manipulative snakes. My goal is to do my part in rebuilding my clan."

Finally, the rookie genin who was mostly unknown to the others stood up. He had already had a full briefing with Danzo on his objectives, and a long conversation with Sasuke, who only knew some of his objectives. Now this genin had to begin his mission by gaining his two kunoichi teammates' trust.

"Hello everyone, I am Daisuke Kazahana, and it is a pleasure to meet you. Unlike all of you I have no clan, I'm just a war orphan. I enjoy any and all noodle dishes, but especially Yakisoba. I dislike Tofu and bad puns. As for my goals, I guess you could say I'm still figuring that part out."

Not all of what he said was a lie. Like all the kids Danzo had sent through the academy he did have some personality, and his likes and dislikes were 100% true. His only lie came with his goals. Personality of his own or not, as Danzo's tool he had no true goals of his own, he only wished to complete whatever assignments he was given by his master.

As far as Sasuke knew the boy's mission had just two parts. The first was to gain the two girls' trust, and the second was to make sure Ino became a chunin, what happened to Karin and him was irrelevant. Ino needed to get married so that the next generation of Uzumaki could come, making Konoha stronger, but in order for that to happen, she needed the promotion.

Sasuke also knew that, like most of Danzo's academy trained Foundation members, the boy was holding back considerably. The skill level he projected was that of high genin or low chunin, but in actuality he was high chunin.

However, even though Danzo viewed Sasuke as his successor, Danzo had ordered Daisuke to withhold his final mission objective from Sasuke. The Uchiha and the Uzumaki were close, and Danzo couldn't be certain that Sasuke would agree with his third objective, given the implications it held for the Uzumaki Clan, so for now Daisuke kept his final objective a closely guarded secret.

Sasuke still wasn't totally sure what to make of the boy, less than 5 years his junior, but Danzo had put him on this team for a reason, and Sasuke trusted Danzo.

With introductions out of the way, Asuma set the three genin on a training regimen, talking 'Sasuke-sensei,' as only Daisuke called him, through the various team building exercises that needed to happen. There was less than a month until the chunin exams, and both Danzo and Naruto were counting on Sasuke to have this team ready, rookie sensei or not. No pressure.

-End Chapter-


We are past both the 50 Follower and 50 Favorite marks for this story, thank you for your support.

The first part of this chapter was obviously kinda filler-esque, but we'll dive into Ino's (and Karin's) attempt to become a chunin starting next time.

Yes, I'm aware I didn't say what Daisuke's third objective was. You'll find out later.

Thanks for reading,

-Col. Bogey