Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Of course.
Next morning, Aerth is waiting for his team in the dojo. He wears black ninja clothing and his Jounin vest. This place brings back memories. He still can remember his Jounin exam, he can see this cage his future wife was held captive. He smiled at memory of trick he was forced to use in order to free her. He snaps back to reality because of sound of opening door. Hinata and Naruto entered first, holding hands, Sasuke just behind them, smirking. Obviously he enjoy himself by teasing the couple.
"Welcome, team. I hope you slept well, because next two hours you will spend in hell."
Naruto looked at him in unbreakable confidence.
"Bring it on. No matter what you will throw at us, we will pass without problems."
Aerth smiled.
"Good to hear this." He takes a scroll from his pocket. "Your goal is to take this scroll from me and keep it until test time ends. You can use anything you want, the only rule is that you can't leave this training ground. Act like I'm enemy that stole important document from the village and will do anything to deliver it to his client. Just you know, I will judge your performance and if I find that someone isn't fit to be in this team, I will fail him and send back to academy."
"WHAT? This isn't fair." Naruto yelled.
Aerth chuckled.
"I know, but I never said anything about being fair. The test starts now.". He set simply alarm clock and shunshin away before Gennins can reach him. Naruto growled.
"That's not fair. How he can do that to us?"
"Um, m-maybe if we do it as t-team and perform on the same level, he will not fail anyone." Hinata said. She received nod from boys. Sasuke spokes.
"That may works, but we must come with plan."
Thirty minutes later, Aerth was waiting on small clearing. He didn't bother to hide, with Hinata's byakugan they will find him anyway. So it wasn't surprise when twenty Naruto clones leapt from woods and rushed at him. He easily dispatched some clones, but each one lefts a smoke clouds that surrounds the Jounin. Aerth felt familiar chakra signature coming from behind and smirked. Not bad, it is really good tactic. To use smoke left from shadow clones to hide Hinata's movement.
Kaiten
Hyuuga girl's attack hit dome of chakra and she was thrown away. As soon as Aerth stops spinning he was forced to leapt away as large fire ball almost hit him. He shunshin again.
Sasuke joined his teammates and cursed.
"It was close. Timing and tactic was perfect, how he managed to go away?"
Hinata looked at him, surprise clear in her eyes.
"U-Um, he performed my clan ultimate defense technique. I-I didn't know he can do it. I'm sorry, I should know this." Naruto hugged his girlfriend.
"It isn't your fault, Hina-chan. I consider him my niisan and didn't know either. To think about it, this is first time we see him fighting."
Sasuke nodded.
"We still have time, now we must make a new plan, find him again and be more careful. Any idea how he has may hide in sleeves?"
"If he can use Kaiten, he probably knows most of my clan techniques." Hinata answered. After another thirty minutes, they come up with plan and go after him again. They were leaping through trees, Hinata's byakugan active, but no sight of his opponent. She was scanning area two miles ahed from them when small movement catch her attention. Her eyes widened.
"LOOK OUT."
They have enough time to leapt away before three kunai with exploding notes detonate. Explosion separate team members. Sasuke and Naruto recovered quickly and was engaged by two clones. Hinata was on her feet, ready to help them, but one hit to back of her neck sent girl to darkness. Boys defeated clones and find Aerth standing on tree branch, with unconscious Hinata hanging on his shoulder.
"If you want her back then meet with me in dojo. See you later." Boys looked at each other and rushed in direction of building.
They walked inside the dojo and find Hinata tied up and gagged on the floor, Aerth standing above girl with kunai put on her throat. They was ready to throw shuriken at him, but heard chuckle from behind. There was second Aerth.
"I will reconsider this. Whole dojo is trapped and my clone is ready to blow everything up. Throw this shuriken and you are dead. Do one more step and she is dead. Now the deal is simple – I will leave with scroll and you will stay here until time is over. Then my clone will destroy himself and you can free her. If anyone go after me, she dies. The choice is yours."
As boys considered they options, Hinata feels the tears in her eyes. She is weak, her eyes are weak. If only she will be stronger she will spot him before attack. Now they will all fail. The same time Naruto grinned at Jounin.
"I can defeat you without single step. Shadow clone technique". Ten clones appeared. Another hand sign and they all transform into naked woman. Aerth sends the boy annoyed look, Sasuke growled. Hinata was looking at ground so not noticed Naruto's original jutsu. After second clones disappeared, leaving only embarrassed blonde. Sasuke sighs. He can be such a dobe. He hates to admit this, but they can't do anything without killing the girl. He nodded at his comrade. Naruto looked at Jounin.
"We give up"
Aerth nodded. He walked to clone, dismissed him and freed Hyuuga girl. Naruto immediately rushed to Hinata's side and put arms around her. Sasuke soon joined them.
"You made right decision. Congratulations, you passed the test and now are officially Genins and members of Team Nine." All three of them looked at him with shock. Naruto pointed at him.
"WHAT? But we didn't take the scroll, we failed the mission."
Aerth smiled.
"First, you proven to me that you can put aside silly competitions and work as a team when needed. There is no such things like teams with two or less Genins, all pass or all fails, no exception. I bluffed about judging you. You has no chance in taking this scroll, even being top 3 students, you still are no match for experienced Jounin. Besides, if I want you will not be able to find me even having Hinata here. After this you proven that comrade's life is more important to you than completing the mission. I'm proud. Casualty during mission are sometimes unavoidable, this is part of shinobi's life. However, there is a hell of difference between your comrade falling in battle against more skilled enemy and if you sacrifice him in order to complete mission. Lets say that there will be true enemy instead of me and this wasn't a test, but real mission. You make different decision, Hinata dies, but enemy shinobi still manages to escape. You will not forgive yourself until rest of your life. If you fail a mission, village will probably suffer, but it is nothing comparing to loss of life. Documents, even most important, can be replaced, but people can't. Keep this in mind." He looked at poor girl, who still has trace of tears in eyes.
"Hinata, don't blame yourself. You performed very well, there was nothing that can be done different. You are thinking that you are weak and you should be able to spot me before attack, right?" She nodded. "Well, I can assure you that even your father will not be able to find me there. I'm sorry I used it against you, but I will explain later. Now Team Nine, we starts our first mission tomorrow, today we can go for ramen. My treat." That last sentence was everything that Naruto wanted to hear.
They was sitting in Ichiraku, Naruto happily devouring his fifth bowl, the rest of team satisfied with one. Uzumaki looked at his new sensei.
"Hey, niisan. Why my awesome technique didn't worked on you."
At this words Sasuke groaned, Hinata looked at her boyfriend with curious and Aerth smirked.
"Naruto, I'm married to a very beautiful woman. Your henge was good, but still nothing when comparing to my Yuki-chan. So believe me, I already saw better." Well, not only saw, but I'm not going to tell you this. "And before you come with stupid idea – ever transform into my wife and no ramen for year." It was really funny to see pure horror in Naruto's eyes.
"Um, Aerth-sensei, you promised to explain why my byakugan didn't spot you then."
He nodded.
"Well, it is my special ability, actually my nickname, "Konoha's Wraith" was earned thanks to it. Technically, after using this ability, I enter another dimension. There I'm completely invisible and invincible. Whole dimension is like maze and works like infinite number of "windows". Each window works like Venice's mirror, so I can see what's going on here. Of course I can enter and leave this dimension anytime I wish. Still, when I'm there, I can't affect this world anymore."
He saw that his students are in awe. Sasuke recovered first.
"So this is like Yondaime ultimate technique, Hirashin no jutsu."
"Well, pretty much." Aerth confirmed. "So there is nothing to be ashamed, Hinata. Just opposite, the fact I've used it speaks very high of this team. Actually, I used it only because of your byakugan."
This cheered girl a little.
"B-but I still get myself captured."
Aerth sigh. He must speak to Hiashi about this. He knows how much praise from her father means to Hinata.
"I hate to break it to you, but as kunoichi you will probably be the first target if enemy will intend to capture someone from squad. They always thinks that girls are weaker and therefore will put a less fight." He looked at Naruto and Hinata. "Listen you two, what I will say now is really important and don't take it wrong. I'm really happy about you being together, but if we will go on C-rank and higher rank missions, show your affection to each other as little as possible. If enemies find out that you are more than teammates they will try to use it against you. Just what I've done today, but next time this won't be only exercise. While we are in village, you are free, I don't care." After this Aerth paid the bill and left his team alone, he still has something to do.
Later at night, Hinata was in her room preparing to sleep. She was happy, after Aerth's departure Sasuke left as well, so she spent rest of day with her Naruto-kun. He take her to his favorite spot, on top of Hokage's monument, where they was watched sunset and later stars.. The sight was beautiful and she was really glad that he show it to her. She hoped that Naruto will kiss her there, but nothing happened. They just got back to compound ten minutes ago Hinata was snap out of her thoughts by knock to the door. Her mother entered.
"Hello, my Hinata-chan. How your day was?"
Girl returned smile.
"It was really nice, kaasan. My team passed the test and we are starting first missions tomorrow."
Hannah nodded.
"Yes, I know this. Your sensei was here today. Actually, your father ask me to talk to you."
This words worried Hinata. If Aerth told her father everything, then Hiashi is probably disappointed at her. She will be summoned to his study soon and scolded. She looked at the floor before whispering.
"F-father is disappointed at me."
Hannah hugged her daughter.
"No Hina honey, he isn't. Your sensei told him everything and your father is actually pleased. He knows what Aerth can do and against that move even Hyuuga's are defenseless. Your father wants you to know that you made him proud. So don't feel ashamed."
Hinata smiled. It was first time she makes her father proud. All her doubts vanished and she was looking forward to meet her team tomorrow.
Naruto was about to enter his new home when light chuckle stop him. There stood his niisan, he was obviously waiting.
"Have a good time with Hinata today, Naruto? You two come back rather late."
Naruto felt sudden panic.
"We was only watching sunset and stars from top of Hokage's monument, I swear."
Aerth smirked. Teasing Naruto is just too much fun.
"Relax, if there was anything inappropriate that you two done then right now you will be running for your life with Hiashi and Neji on your heels." He looked seriously at boy. "You remember what I said during lunch?" After receiving a nod, he continued "You must take that words to heart, Naruto. We both know that she is a strong girl, but she still has confidence issue and pressure that is applying on her by the clan doesn't help. So never give our enemies even slightly hint that you are dating, it will put her in greater danger. And never let her feels that she needs protection. Now come on, there is dinner waiting for you. And take a good rest."
Few weeks later Team nine completed their fifty D-rank mission and now they are at Tower, waiting for next assignment. Hokage takes a look on papers before him.
"So, what you want as your next mission? There are request for babysitting or you prefer to paint the front wall?"
Naruto groaned. He is sick because of this stupid missions and he is going to let Hokage know it.
"Hey, Old man, I've enough of this stupid tasks. I want real challenge, go outside the village."
Hinata looked at her boyfriend with worry. Sasuke looks disinterested, though he silently agrees with his teammate. Iruka stood up.
"Show some respect towards Hokage. You are just Gennins, this missions is exactly what you are suppose to do. You must gain experience before you are ready for C-ranks."
Naruto pouts. Hinata giggled at this, she like when he acts like child sometimes.
"Well, I'm sure that now I'm expert painter, but I don't feel like being better shinobi."
Hokage looks at Aerth.
"And what team leader thinks about it?"
"Well, I think they are ready. As I remember, my squad is expected to do great things, I doubt they can do it staying in village."
Hokage nodded. He has something perfect for them – simple escort and bodyguard mission. The best as first C-rank for Gennin team.
"Very well, I have something for you. You will escort a man to his home in Wave Country and guard him until he completes building of the bridge. Now you can meet your client."
A obviously drunk man walked to the room, with bottle in his hand. He has glasses, grey beard and moustache. He wears a simple summer hat that will protect his head from the sun.
"I'm Tazuna, the greatest bridge builder on this world. So my life is in hand of three kids? They aren't looking strong, especially that little girl."
Hinata cast her eyes to the ground and Naruto looked at man with fury.
"What did you say? Apologize to Hinata-chan now or I will kill you."
Aerth put a hand of his student shoulder, partially to calm him down, partially to hold him in place. "No Naruto, we are not going to kill our client. Tazuna-san, my team is the best this village can actually spare. You are obviously in hurry so we will live within one hour. Meet with us at western gate. Team, go home and take your things."
He waits before Naruto, Sasuke and Hinata left and addressed Tazuna.
"Tazuna-san, I must ask you to not insult this girl. She is very strong, actually she is heiress of the strongest clan in this village. Besides, she and blonde boy are dating and I don't know how many time I will manage to stop him from slicing your throat." He knows he probably said too much, but well, Tazuna will find out about their relationship sooner or later.
So this mission comes, lets see what can be changed.