Chapter 12: Four Genin Teams?

Tenzō watched his new team from the trees. He was surprised to find out that the Hokage wanted him to lead a Genin team this year. However, considering one of the member was once apart of Root before Danzō disbanded it after the Uchiha Massacre, Tenzō can see why the Hokage wanted him to keep an eye on him. This has been the only member of Root (outside of himself) that has been deemed 'ready' for the common ninja forces. Most just got put into ANBU, even though Tenzō and Kakashi both questioned if that was wise.

The boy goes by Sai. He has invented his own branch of ninjutsu based off painting. At first, Tenzō wondered if it was Fūinjutsu. However besides the chakra infused ink, the two had nothing in common. The meeting yesterday revealed that Sai has no other hobbies besides painting and training. While Tenzō wasn't willing to ask Danzō more about the boy, he did ask the Hokage why he was willing to put the boy on a Genin team when his skills was more of a Chunin. That was been he found out Danzō wanted Sai to be on a team with Sakura.

Haruno Sakura was a civilian born from a father who was part of the Genin corps until she was born. Her Taijutsu was in the top five in her class, which is impressive considering her graduating class was mostly from clans. Sakura's Genjutsu was third in the class, and Ninjutsu five. However since she was ten, Sakura has been interning at the hospital under a Genin named Yakushi Kabuto. Tenzō was unable to find Kabuto, but after talking the some of the staff he found out Sakura was almost a prodigy when it comes to iryojutsu. Her chakra control alone was better than the average medic nin, but that combine with her near photographic memory, some were saying that Sakura might be the next Tsunade.

The last member of the team was Mitarashi Ami. Mitarashi was a minor clan that didn't have family Jutsu or bloodline. The only famous, or infamous, person from that clan was the Tokubetsu Jōnin Anko. Anko was also Ami older sister, but apparently the two haven't talked in years. Beside that, Ami got average in tai, Gen, and ninjutsu. Tenzō didn't think she will ever become a Jōnin, especially since her only goal in life is apparently to marry the Uchiha.

"Well, obviously Sasuke-kun is just not into you because you are too ugly!" Ami yelled at Sakura who was looking just as flustered.

"And you think you have a chance? Sasuke-kun only cares about strong Kunoichi." Sakura told the other girl with a smug look on her face.

"Maybe this 'Sasuke' isn't interested because you are both are ugly." Sai said, speaking up for the first time since he arrived.

The two girls turned to him with fire in their eyes.

Tenzō looked to see there was still ten minutes left before their meetup time just as the girls jumped Sai.

I hope your team is doing better Kakashi-senpai.


Inomi took a shower as soon as she got home. There was leaves in her hair and her muscles were starting to feel sore. A hot shower was the best way to deal with both.

Afterward, Inomi went to the flowershop Yuuka works at to tell her the good news.

"You passed? I knew you would." She said before giving Inomi a huge hug.

"Is Ino-nee back yet?"

"Not yet, though their test was later then yours. What did your Sensei have you do?"

Inomi made a face that had Yuuka laughing at.

"That bad?"

"No, Kakashi-sensei was late. I figured he would be, but my teammates are so impatient and immature! The whole time they were bating each other, and then once we started they didn't take Kakashi-sensei seriously until he threatened us." Inomi started to rant before her mom interrupted between breaths.

"How is the boy... Uzumaki?"

"Naruto's not that bad, but he has a rivalry with Sasuke that almost got in the way. I thought with how serious Sasuke is with training he would do something, but all he did was encourage it!"

"Rivalries are very common for ninja, Ino told me you have one yourself."

"What? Who?"

Just then the bell on the door rang and Inomi turned around to see Ino covered in mud with Chōji looking about the same and Shikamaru completely spotless.

"Hehe, what... heh... what happened?" Inomi trying her best not to laugh.

Too loudly.

"It would be better to ask what didn't happen! Our sensei is crazy and Shikamaru isn't much better!" Ino said before stomping off.

Inomi looked to Shikamaru who shrugged.

"Asuma-sensei had us perform a mock capture mission. We passed."

"Will you be going to the party tonight then?"

"He will. His parents are coming." Chōji answered for the lazy boy, grabbing the towel Yuuka gave him.

"Cool. I wonder how Sakura's team test went, we invited her but I don't think there will be much time now for her to tell us if she passed before the party." Inomi wondered out loud.

Sakura has the making of a really good ninja, but it wasn't looking good with how her team didn't have any major clanmates. Not to mention only 1/3 teams pass each year, that wasn't something Kakashi made up the other day. Two of the ten teams have already passed, and Inomi was worried for her friend.

"You will just have to wait. It's troublesome to worry so much about it." Shikamaru said and Inomi turned to him.

"I suppose. Does your family need any help Chōji?"

"Nah, ka-chan doesn't want any of us there until dinner is ready."

"Well, then you don't you help out the store?" Yuuka asked and Shikamaru was gone.

"That boy, he is even worst then his father." Yuuka said with the shake of her head while Inomi and Chōji chuckled.

Later that night, Inomi was forced into a Yukata since Ino wanted to wear the ones they got on their 12 birthday and didn't want to be the only one. They both had the same pattern, but where Ino's was a light purple, Inomi's was light blue.

"Wouldn't want people forgetting we are twins." Inomi mumbled, dodging the brush Ino threw at her.

"I don't! It is bad enough that your hair is always a mess, but even when you pull it back you put the ponytail down! Not up!"

"Hair falls out of the tie whenever I put it up!" Inomi started to explained until Ka-chan called for them.

"Girls! Come down, we're leaving soon."

"Coming!" They both called back, before finishing up and heading down.

The restaurant they were all heading to was the first one the Akimichi Clan set up in Konoha, which was why it was just called 'Restaurant' with the clan symbol in front of it. Nowadays the restaurant was only used for special occasions, which can be anything from birthdays to weddings. It was also traditional for Ino-Shika-Cho genin teams to celebrate there, but other genin teams with those members or their friends who also passed their team test were invited.

It was more of an excuse for all three clans to get together.

"Ino-chan! Inomi-chan! I heard you two passed your team test!" Ayako said, gathering them both in a hug.

"Yes. Thank you for the energy bars this morning." Inomi said struggling to breath for a moment before they were released from the bone crushing hug.

"Don't mention it! I can't believe you sensei wanted to to skip a meal!"

"Um, ya. I think he had a reason for it?"

Like setting us up to fail.

"Will your teammates be coming?" Ayako asked, and with that Ino turned to Inomi.

"Is Sasuke-kun coming? Please tell me you invited him!"

"I invited them all, but Kakashi-sensei left without saying anything and Sasuke told me he would think about it. Naruto's coming." Inomi explained with a shrug.

"You need to be more forceful Nomi-chan." Ino pouted, but Inomi just rolled her eyes at her sister.

They got pushed to one of the big round tables that could seat tweety people. Shikamaru was already sitting down next to Chōji, with his parents on the other side talking to Choza.

Yoshino must have been really on top of the Nara boys to get them here before we did.

Inomi sat on the other side of Shikamaru with Ino as their parents talked to the adults on the other side of the table.

"Have you seen Naruto yet?" Inomi asked, looking to the front to see if the boy was there.

"No, but Ka-chan is by the door to make sure everyone gets in." Chōji explained.

"Look. Sensei is here, with a girl." Ino said with a grin.

Inomi looked over to see Asuma and Kurenai of all people.

"Are they dating?" Inomi asked her sister who looked very intensely at the pair.

"Not officially. Though they must be very close if Sensei felt comfortable inviting her here. And it looks like she didn't bother to include her team." Ino said and Inomi was willing to bet Ino will know exactly where their relationship is by the end of the week.

"I think they look cute together." Chōji added and Inomi agreed.

"I'm not late am I!"

"Oh, it's Sakura." Ino asked getting up to go meet her best friend.

Inomi followed with her eyes as she Sakura talking with Ayako along with her teammate Sai. Seems like either Sakura didn't tell Ami about the dinner or she refused.

Could have gone either way honestly.

"Do you know who the boy is?" Shikamaru asked.

Inomi frowned to herself slightly. She was hoping to asks Shikamaru if he as heard about Sai before today.

"No, I figure he must have graduated early. Sai-san looks to be around our age. Maybe a year older." Inomi said quickly before the three children arrived.

"Hey everyone, this is my teammate Sai-kun." Sakura said looking to the boy who had a very weird smile.

After a jap from Sakura the boy bowed.

"Nice to meet you all."

"Um, likewise. I am Ino's younger sister Inomi."

"I'm Akimichi Chōji."

"Shikamaru." The boy said giving Sai a piercing look.

It seems Inomi wasn't the only one getting 'off messages' from the boy.

"Take a seat you two. Now Sai-kun - it's okay if I call you that right? - what academy teacher did you have?" Ino said with a glint in her eye.

Trust Ino-nee to be the first one to figure out Sai-san's story.

"I did not have an academy teacher. I was taught privately." Sai said with some might call a smile.

"Whoa really? You don't hear that happen very often anymore. Were you taught by your sensei?"

"...Yes." Sai said, hesitated just a second.

It was long enough for Inomi to think it might have been a lie. But there was nothing else suggesting that. Sai was looking Ino right in the eye, his hands un-moving.

Though now that I look at him, he isn't moving at all. Inomi realised.

It was almost like Sai was wearing a mask, and Inomi looked around to the adult to see if they noticed. If that was something Inomi needs to worry about or not.

"INOMI-CHAN!"

"Naruto's here." Shikamaru said from his head on the table, which didn't stay there for long since his mom wacked him lightly on the back.

"And Sasuke-kun!" Ino added ignoring Sai completely.

Inomi lifted up her hand to wave, but Ayako was already leading the boys over. There was a few glares from the other parties, but all went back to their dinnered once it became clear Naruto was part of their group.

"Hey Naruto. You didn't have any trouble getting here did you?" Inomi asked since it was a good 15 minutes after the time she told him.

"Nope. Your directions were really good! But then I ran into This Bas- I mean Sasuke...Huh? Who's that?" Naruto asked squinting at Sai.

"That's my teammate Naruto!" Sakura said only slightly annoyed.

"I'm Sai. It is nice to meet you Uzumaki Naruto." Sai said with that smile of his that never quite reached his eyes.

"Ya, same to you!" Naruto said before taking a seat.

Sasuke just slightly tilted his head in a half nod before also taking a seat. Honestly Inomi was surprised the boy even came, expectantly when it is clear this was making him uncomfortable. At least Ino and Sakura were a few seats away and Sasuke didn't have to deal with that. Inomi would rather not spend the evening playing moderator between her friends.

And Sasuke. Inomi thought angrily before pushing those thoughts away.

"You had to do the bell test as well?!" Naruto yelled, interrupting Sakura.

"Yes! I just told you we had to get a bell each even though there was only two. I remembered what we talked about before and I figured that the real test was teamwork." Sakura explain in an exhausted tone to Naruto.

"How did that go over with the stereotypical female bully?" Ino asked not bother to hide her disgust at Ami.

"She thought I was trying to trick her at first. But then once Sai agreed that my idea made sense, she was all of a suden fine with helping out. Not that she even did much." Sakura mumbled that last part and Inomi had a bad feeling the reason Ami wasn't with them was because Sakura didn't invite her.

That's not going to turn out well.

"Too bad you weren't on our team. Inomi had to save Sasuke butt; I bet if it was you we would have won in five minutes!" Naruto said only for both Sakura and Sasuke to glare at him.

"You wouldn't by chance hid a camera that caught that moment did you?" Shikamaru asked in a hushed tone as Sakura ranted to Naruto about the importance of assigned teams and Sasuke.

Mostly Sasuke.

"No?"

"Shame." Shikamaru said while Chōji nodded solemnly.

Inomi just gave the two boys a confused look.

Not soon after the first round of food arrived and everyone was busy eating. Well the adults talked while they eat, but all the genins were starving. Even though their tests were done before noon, it was more strenuous than anything they had to do in the academy.

Probably what started this tradition. Inomi theorized around the time she was finished eating.

Naruto and Chōji were the only kids still eating, and the stack of bowls the two have accumulated was impressive. Inomi was use to the Akimichi eating so much; they had to. But Naruto only ate like this at Ichiraku's from what Inomi has noticed over the years.

Still, it was a fun night for everyone. Even if not all members of the three genin team were there.


Sorry this chapter took so long. Not like a lot even happened in this chapter, but I didn't want to just move on from the test to doing d-ranks. And speaking of D-ranks, feel free to leave suggestions of what you want to see. I might even do some shapshots of what the otehr teams D-rank missions look like, but I don't know if that would be in the next chapter.

Thank you giant salamander, lifeisbooks342, DarkDust27 and Innieminnie (if you are still reading) for leaving a review. And all the people who favorite/followed this story! Like it is so weird getting an email that someone is following this story when I haven't undated in weeks.