Angel Hatake: Hinata did what she thought best to keep Hanabi safe. She still has feelings for him. Don't worry. It will just take a little time for them to show. Can't just hand Naruto the girl. The would make a boring story. ;)

Mundane Beast: You are so right. Danzo did attempt to overplay his hand. And team placement IS up to the Hokage.

Justme78: The story was always meant to be NaruHina. I only meant for the Tenten thing to be a strong friendship, but it started to become a little more like puppy love on top of friendship. As for Karin... You'll just have to wait and see. ;)

Roxxie.88: I was tortured with my decision to change the team, but I always wanted to do an origin story which meant I needed the real team 7. That said... it doesn't mean the teams can't change later. ;)

Fanofthisfiction: Missed your feedback. LoL. Long and short of it is... Naruto is a Chunin of Uzu to solidify his hold on his kingdom there, but is a Konoha genin along with some of the kids that returned with him. The rest will be tested if they want to be shinobi or not 'off camera.'

Take a look at the title of the Last Chapter. "A Touch of Cannon." It is leading the kids back to Konoha... Tsunade is off at the capital dealing with some things and Hiruzen is wearing the hat again until Tsunade returns. So it slightly aligns to cannon for now. I've been waiting a long time for the story to get to this point...

AN: - Chapters: 20 - Reviews: 147 - Favs: 167 - Follows: 207. I didn't know I had over 207 followers! OMword! Thank you all so much! Woo hoo! 147 reviews. 167 followers! I feel like 'I'm in the money!' LoL. I'm even in two C2's! My day is made. Thank you all for your support! :D :)

Chapter 21: Konohamaru, Tora, and an old drunk. Cannon Part 2?

Last Time

"Oi Sasuke! How you been bro!"

"Good. Good to see you home Naruto!"

Sakura was a bit apprehensive as she saw what Naruto pulled when he summoned Kurama, but took in a deep breath and said, "My mother told me to be cautious around you Uzumaki-san...and I find myself in agreement. You are dangerous..." to which Naruto lifted an eyebrow with a mischievous grin. Sakura continued, "That said... I like dangerous. So I will make my own assumptions about you if that's okay with you?"

"Hn," Naruto said, surprising Sasuke and Sakura with his Uchiha like response. "The only reason you are giving me a chance is because you remember the advice from Tenni and me five years ago. You're just trying to play it cool."

Sasuke's eyebrow went up in interest, "What 'u' talking bout' dobe?"

"Quiet baka!" Sakura said as she raced across to the middle part of the room and gently bopped Naruto's head. Naruto didn't even try to dodge as he planned to catch her fist and flip her over, BUT he sensed no malicious intent. She whispered, "Quit it Nakuma!"

Naruto laughed out loud. "Nothing to worry about teme. An inside joke Sakura reminded me of from some years back. Some memory though," Naruto complemented.

After another hour, the three decided a Jonin should be on time and should not be late to meet his students.

Ninja wire, fuin seals, and senbon are not a good combination to allow three twelve year old's bordering on thirteen to have access to... especially at the same time.

END FLASHBACK

Naruto sniffed the air and smiled. It'd been a while, but even with the scent erasers, having trained with Inuzuka Hana for a few months in Uzu made his already Kurama enhanced olfactory senses even better. Naruto was going to enjoy this.

Much to the groups surprise and chagrin, a masked Jonin arrived in a Shunshin. He looked around the room and took note of all of the traps, back up traps and noted that even those had back ups.

A sweet tone arose from the pink haired petite shinobi who stated, "You're our sensei?" To which he simply nodded. "You're late," was her equally sweet reply.

Five minutes later

A person wrapped like a mummy with a hitai-ite over one of his eyes found himself bound, gagged, and his chakra locked so he could not use the escape jutsu.

"Please meet us on the roof in thirty minutes sensei... And please remember not to be late this time." Sakura said as she, Sasuke, and Naruto jumped out of the side window and started walking up the side wall as the seals were only in effect in the room. The Jonin was esteemed, highly skilled and sought after assassin specialist Hatake Kakashi. Kakashi laid out on he ground realized that if he doesn't kill the three kids who pulled this off on him... he may have found the first gennin team he passes and allowed to serve as his personal gennin team.

Currently- Twenty Nine Minutes Later, The Roof of the Academy

A flicker was seen by the three Konoha Genin as their potential sensei deemed them worthy of his presence. Naruto looked at him and stated Honestly, "You really shouldn't have been late to our meeting. Our time is as precious to us as yours likely is to you. I do believe We may end up having long memories for those who waste our time... Right team?"

"Hai," the two others answered noncommittally. The masked ninja could almost be seen gaping. He was sure that Naruto and Sasuke knew each other, but to have the Haruno girl join in too... And she didn't even seem like a fan girl to either of them.

I've hit the jackpot! Kakashi realized. Now how to test them without actually going through the bell test. I am sure they've already figured out ways around these test somehow, though I don't know how they would have learned about it...

"Oi, sensei! If you're wondering, I'd prefer not to do the bell test. Kurama already told me about how my dad did that test and how the Sanin before them did that test. And...Oh holy … Okay. We need to do the bell test. We already know the purpose of it. It's teamwork."

Kakashi's chagrin was showing, but Naruto continued, "But Team seven has always produced legendary teams, or at least one or two of the four squad unit. Let's try to do so again with our team. Starting with the bell test."

"Might help if we got to know our sensei if we are to be a team however. Right sensei?" Sakura asked as silkily sweet as she did in the classroom Kakashi doesn't want to see again for a while.

Kakashi was flabergasted, but opted to play it cool. "Hm? Did you all say something."

Instead of reacting with yells, the teens right/left eye twitched respectively. Kakashi held back his own chuckle. "Let's go through some intros shall we. Likes, dislikes, dreams etc."

"Why don't you give us a demonstration sensei," Sakura again asked with a sweetness that could melt the paint off walls.

"Okay. Name's Hatake Kakashi. I don't really want to tell you my likes and dislikes, and you haven't earned the right to know my dreams yet."

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura looked at each other then nodded.

"Uzumaki Naruto," Sakura said as she pointed to said blonde.

"Haruno Sakura," Sasuke stated as he glanced at the pink haired girl in her slight red leather armored outfit.

"Uchiha Sasuke," Naruto finished as he nodded to the Dark haired boy leaning against the fence

Kakashi waited for more information, but none came after nearly a moment. He already knew what he wanted to from their files, but the files said nothing about such quick bonding skills. But then he remembered the Uchiha already knew Uzumaki and Haruno. And Haruno is getting on with Uzumaki well enough. And they take every chance they get to team up against Kakashi.

'Forget the jackpot. I've won the tripple digit jackpots of teams!' Kakashi celebrated in his mind.

He thought about the test, but realized they'd given him their own test twice now. They were becoming a cohesive team. The bell test wasn't even needed.

"Meet me tomorrow morning in training field eighteen where we will do some training to see where you all stand on your skills. After that, dependent on your performance, we may take on some in village missions. Basically chores, but they are a way to make money until you start higher ranked missions. Plus they help with the villages finances as well. To his surprise, he got a simple answer without complaint.

"Hai sensei," they answered respectfully before he vanished in a swirl of leaves as he again thought, 'Jackpot! I've hit the motherload!'

"Before we go our separate ways, we should probably go train together and find out where we stand as an assault force," Naruto suggested.

Sakura gave him a slightly weary look as she wondered, "What makes you think we are assault oriented?"

Naruto gave a smile, but a rare serious one. "You have clean, polished cuticles which tells me you are a bit of a girly girl, but not so much that you won't get your hands dirty. Maybe some medical training too. Your arms are toned, but not bulky. So you have had some help with taijutsu. Plus you have that look that says you are analyzing everything around you. In detail. That is also the sign of a musician if i'm not mistaken, but I could be wrong. I don't know if the academy stuff here has gotten any better, but Iruka sensei said that it used to be really bad just a few years ago."

Sakura nodded at this. Sasuke waited expectantly to which Naruto made him wait until Sasuke said, "Well?" Naruto had a quick laugh before he replied. "Use your words teme. If you want help, or want people to answer your questions... you need to speak." Sakura covered her mouth to bite back her giggle.

Sasuke wasn't used to not getting what he wanted without asking due to his clan being noble, but he wasn't above anyone else. Or so he thought at least. That is what made him so loved around the village. His clan name didn't make him super arrogant... though moments like these nearly made him revert to his clan's old ways of arrogance, but he shook it off. What would his brother think if he heard that when he returned home from his mission.

"Why was I friends with you again," Sasuke wondered aloud while Naruto just grinned.

The next day Kakashi worked with the team on team building skills for a few hours, but realized that was a waste of time since this team seemed to go together like miso and soup. Cinnamon and Rolls, Ramen and broth.

After a few days of training Naruto met up with some of his people from Uzu who had chosen to become shinobi of Konoha.

Team Yugao, just after there morning training was allowed to break for the day. Idate, Shiho, and a black haired kid with a bowl cut and a black cut off jacket. Looked a little odd to be on a boy, but who was Naruto to judge. Idate found a strength he hadn't had since being assigned to team Yugao. He shouted out to her before she vanished after she collected her training gear.

"Oi. Sensei. This is who I was talking about," Idate yelled. "Yo Naruto-sama!"

Naruto sighed. "You haven't called me that in years Idate. We're more like brothers. No need to be so formal man."

"Come on Naruto. You're messing up my professional appearance in front of my new sensei!"

Said sensei's eyebrow rose slightly in amusement. Shiho and the other teammate walked over. "This is Naruto-SAMA!" The dirty blonde in glasses, Shiho announced, much to her counter blonde's minor annoyance.

"Good to meet you Naruto-san," Yugao offered him her hand. His sense of smell and familiarity spiked. He immediately knelt down respectfully and stated, "I won't say how I know this, but I thank you for helping to protect me before we left on our journey."

Yugao was about to deny it, but Kakashi appeared at the sight of his student knelt down. "He won't let you deny it. His sense of smell almost rivals an Inuzuka's."

Nodding in Understanding, She offered her hand again. Naruto took it this time after she nodded her acceptance of his thanks.

Naruto was then introduced to a pale young man with dead looking eyes who went by the name of Sai.

"Naruto-sama! Did you know we get PAID to do chores? They call them missions! I call them free money! Woo hoo!" Shiho whooped with joy.

Naruto felt slightly guilty, but on Uzu there was no need for money yet. They all worked together to farm, cook, clean and worked more so as a family unit than a village for the most part. "Um... Yeah. It's great. I didn't pay you all before because we worked using a bartering and a family system," he defended.

Shiho just waved him off. "No worries Naruto-sama. You were always fair to us. More so than that mean old Nagato sensei!" to which Naruto paled slightly. He'd nearly forgotten that his uncle was a bit of a brutal taskmaster to all but him and his closest friends.

"Naruto is the one guy we said might be able to take Yugao sensei in swordplay," Shiho informed Yugao and Kakashi. Kakashi's eyebrow rose as he placed his little orange book away and turned to Naruto who had went from a fun loving goof to a shinobi in the blink of an eye. Naruto obviously didn't want this discussed, but if Kakashi was to be a good instructor, he would have to know his student's skill.

"Naruto, how about you demonstrate a little of your Kenjutsu skills for us?" Kakashi prompted. With practiced ease, Naruto declined, "My sword is not for the entertainment of others, or the edification of those wanting to see my techniques. Some are clan specific secrets. But more importantly... when I unsheathe my blade... it's meant to end a life. Please don't ask me to do so unless you are prepared to accept the possibility of me accidentally killing a comrade."

Kakashi and Yugao were taken back by this, but ordered the three genin across the field. Kakashi's face one of concern and inquisition. "You are a shinobi of Konoha Naruto-kun. So your concern is appreciated, but to help us help you and your own team integrate into the most cohesive unit possible I will need to see you at your best... and worst. I need to know I can bring you off of your fighter's high if you begin to lose control. You aren't the only kenjutsu specialist who has gone through this," he said with a quick nod to Yugao who sighed, but nodded. "Myself, Yugao, and Gekko Hayate have had to fight down that killing urge... especially when one we love or care about was in danger."

Naruto gritted his teeth a little and closed his eyes behind his black mask. His eyes once again opened as a battle hardened warrior, "As you wish. But don't say I didn't warn you... Now both of you... come at me."

Ten Minutes Later.

Naruto was laid out on the ground unconscious while the two Jonin sensei looked at each other panting slightly. They wanted to sit on the ground and try to get in more air to their lungs, but refused to let the other students see the exhaustion that nearly overtook them. They re-sheathed their swords, and Kakashi's vanished into what appeared to be an old tattoo. Had the veteran shinobi used ninjutsu on top of their blades, Naruto would have been easily overpowered, despite having the massive chakra reserves and hints of magic training and a decent arsenal of his own jutsu; however, he is still not as experienced a fighter, no matter how gifted he is. These two are the elite of the elite. Had Naruto summoned Kurama however... that might have been a much different story, but even then, it was a very draining experience to do so when bringing out the fully formed tailed beast.

A few minutes later, Naruto was conscious again. He stood and held off the offer of help from Yugao. But that didn't stop her from giving him a small smile. Naruto was a little confused by this, but returned the warm greeting.

"You did well Naruto. Your skills are impressive. Unique too. I recognized Anbu and even a bit of the thought lost Uzushigakure Uzuken style."

Naruto didn't move, but nodded crisply. Naruto didn't realize that Yugao knew of his other home. Yugao fought hard not to chuckle. She didn't want to embarrass the young genin/daimyo. So instead she said, "Kakashi was going to take you to the hospital, but I asked him to leave you here with me as you seemed to be healing super humanly fast anyway. Most likely due to your burden. Anyway, I am getting off track. I wanted to help you finish your training in Kenjutsu. I was trained in Kenjutsu by Uzumaki Kushina in Kenjutsu and a few other arts if interested. It will also help you reign in your... angrier urges."

Naruto's eyes widened and looked as if they would pop out of his head at that.

"I'll take that as a yes then?"

Naruto nodded dumbly before turning back around to realize his friends were still there with their teammate who seemed content to draw in silence.

"I'll work out a schedule with Kakashi then. Congratulatons Naruto-san. I don't normally take students. You will be the first."

Naruto shook off his silence and bowed respectfully as he asked, "Please take care of me sensei."

Kakashi who hadn't really left yet gaped at the amount of respect he showed Yugao vs. the little he'd been shown thus far. If he wanted Naruto's respect, he'd have to beat it into him via training. And through actions on the field of battle.

Two days later-

Naruto, not wanting to get used to living at 'home' was only there to sleep and get dressed and cook breakfast for himself and his tou-san. His cooking was no Ayame, but impressive still for a thirteen year old. Much to Teuchi's pride. Naruto took a long time to decide what he would wear. He was back in Konoha and would stick out like a sore thumb if he wore his Uzu Daimyo robes. He finally settled on his Kyuudo ranger uniform. It was a dark green leather armor with a hood with a long black trench jacket covering it. Many pockets were hidden on the armor, but they were just that... hidden. A few visible seals were on the outside of the armor, but many more placed by Naruto inside of the armor. (Think the Green Arrow armor from season 4 of Arrow). The Uzu swirl found on the back of most chunin and jonin flak jackets/vest miniaturized and on the left side of his left shoulder. He wore black shinobi tabbies with steel toe reinforcement, but padded to ensure the silence of a ranger. Two seals, one on each side where a pocket would normally be which held his kunai in one, his medical herbs and food stuff in the other.

Naruto was set. He walked over and gave his tou-san a quick hug as he said, "I'm off tou-chan. Make sure to give Ayame a ring. Let her know we got back to the leaf safely. You know how worried she gets."

"Who's the father again," Teuchi lightly teased as Naruto closed the door behind him. Teuchi realized that he only had Naruto for a little less than a year before he and Ayame went on their adventure to Uzu. He was kept busy with his businesses, but he thought of his children often. Now Ayame officially moved away from the leaf, and Naruto would surely move into his own place soon. 'What's an old man like me to do?' he wondered solemnly.

Naruto ran around the village a few times, getting his morning laps over with. He thanked Celeste mentally for giving him the ingredients for creating an antiperspirant deoderant. He'd be the richest man alive should he follow his father's idea of splitting people up so that no one person could make it... 'Unless... I use kage bunshin... hehehe.' he thought with a grin until a pang of guilt hit him. He still hadn't been able to contact Celeste again over the last year. He had a bad feeling that some great harm had come to her. While he still planned on finding out what, he still didn't know exactly how to start. He would have to confer with Kurama later.

Naruto arrived a bit earlier to his visit with the old hokage and shot the breeze with old sandaime in the Hokage's main office. Soon after the conversation started a blur was seen blasting past Naruto. Naruto's finely tuned instincts kicked in and he appeared in front of the hokage as a small voice called out, "I've got you now Gra..." before a tanto was at his neck. Fortunately Naruto's arm was caught by the three anbu in the room as well as the old hokage himself. A fourth shinobi arrived in all black, with shades and a bandanna on. He pulled Konohamaru back quickly, and glared daggers at the tanto wielding Naruto. Luck was on the young child's side, Otherwise the young hooligan might have been missing a neck a few short milliseconds later. The sandaime took a breath and waved away his anbu who reluctantly obeyed. Naruto returned his sword to it's sheath slowly.

The little boy had wet his pants slightly, but his pride would not allow him to let this slide. He pointed at Naruto accusingly and screamed, "You tripped me then held a sword to my neck! You made me lose to my Jiji for the title of Hokage. Apologize!" he declared, 'knowing' that finding out the boy was the 'honored' grandson of the sandaime would make this 'nobody' cower. Boy was he mistaken.

Naruto walked over and bopped the little boy on the head. The hokage again had to wave his anbu off much to his own amusement. "I don't care if you were Celeste kami-sama's son. You are rude, and arrogant. I didn't trip you. You tripped over your own feet."

Ebisu, Konohamaru's caretaker raced into the hokage's open office upon seeing Naruto fist pointed down on Konohamaru's capped head. Seeing the little boy in pain, Ebisu went to strike Naruto who gingerly flipped over him, getting his own headache from the days events. "Ebisu who was now in front of Konohamaru in a defensive position stated, "You will stay away from the honored grandson you filth. Your pranks and snark are known far and wide and I will not have you currupting Konohamaru."

Naruto all but ignored Ebisu as he said, "I guess I'll see you jiji. Probably later today after my teams D-rank.

As Ebisu turned to speak to the Hokage, he realized with quite a fright, "Honorable grandson!" He was terrified to have the sandaime see he'd lost his grandson. An elite of his status failing at such a noble position.

"I think Konohamaru may have just left to enlist Naruto as his new sensei," the old Sarutobi said with a wry grin much to Ebisu's chargrin.

"Never!" Ebisu cried out in a flicker of leaves, vanishing and leaving the Anbu to clean up the leaves. They didn't care. Today at least. At least it wasn't a boring day.

A few minutes later, one of the forest covered side streets of Konoha, Naruto rolls his eyes as he points out, "You do realize rocks aren't supposed to be square right?"

"And that's why I want you to be my boss. I want you to train me to be Hokage!"

Normally Naruto would have brushed off such a ridiculous plea from a kid, but was curious as to why the kid wanted the hat. He remembered a lot of the looks he received when he proclaimed it every other day at that age. "Why should I help you train? I have a few reasons for wanting the hat myself. There are some things going on in the village that need to change for the better, but we'll save those for another day. Hit me up with your reasoning."

"I'm seen as 'the honorable grandson' and nothing else. I want to be seen for myself. Not living in my grandfather's shadow. Heck, even my uncle Asuma's shadow. He was one of the twelve shinobi guardians of Kirito-sama," Konohamaru admitted. "Ebisu-sensei says he can show me all the shortcuts to becoming Hokage since he is considered an elite instructor."

That being revealed to Naruto pissed him off. He then stated, "Listen little man. Name's Uzumaki Naruto. Now down to business. There are no secret shortcuts to becoming Hokage. For me... I've been blessed with a gift if you will. A tag team partner and a clan that makes my chakra astronomical in comparison to most... and with time I gained a good bit of control over it. That helped me to speed up my movements, do jutsu's a bit easier, and not get tired so easily... but that still doesn't mean I am a better shinobi than anyone else. It just means I have to work that much harder to keep my chakra control. I have to work that much harder to do simple jutsu which would be easier with someone having smaller reserves. The only way to become hokage will be hard work and a drive like no other around you. Dedication to your arts, and the will to never give up. You will have to be dependable. Those around you will have to know that they can trust in you to try to keep them and their families safe. Can you honestly say that you can do that right now?" Upon Konohamaru's sad shake of his head, Naruto allowed a small smile. "I will train you when I have time. I give you my word, and I never go back on it. That is my nindo, but I already have multiple sensei teaching me. So my time is limited, not to mention missions outside of the village I may start soon. I am very fortunate. I would recommend you talk to your uncle Asuma and your grandfather seriously and convince them to train you. Let them know that you don't plan on graduating with the three jutsu from the academy. You plan on graduating with at least twelve, with two of them being b rank or higher. Will you actually achieve those goals? Who knows, but you set your goals high and never let anyone tell you otherwise, do you hear me?" Naruto asked with the utmost seriousness.

"I do," He replied. "I will earn the right to be called by my name... and perhaps one day... the honor of being called the Hokage."

"Get away from the honorable grandson you heathen!" Ebisu yells out as he attempts to interrupt whatever evil Naruto was putting into Konohamaru's innocent mind. Naruto had however had enough... but so had Konohamaru.

"Ebisu-sensei," Konohamaru yelled out with as much venom as his little voice could muster. "You lied to me!"

"I did no such thing," completely flabbergasted at the thought of such an accusation.

"Naruto-sensei told me there are no shortcuts to becoming Hokage and it takes hard work, de..dedi..dedication, yeah that's it... and the ability to be loved by the people. And... um... Oh yeah. And a willingness to put your life on the line. I remember that from grandpa. The will of fire!"

Ebisu was speechless. He never expected to have something so profound come from the young Sarutobi's mouth. He then remembered the word sensei after Naruto. After a moment's consideration, he decided to take a chance on Naruto. "You will not teach him anything," cutting off any protest either was about to make, "Unless I am present and can watch out for the safety of my ward. I will assist where needed. Let's see just how good of a sensei you will be when you do reach Jonin Uzumaki Naruto."

Naruto simply smirked and started walking away as he stated, "Challenge accepted."

"See you Naruto-nii!" Konohamaru shouted. Naruto called back, "Naruto-nii or Naruto-sensei? Either way, I won't go easy on you in your training."

"Both!" Konohamaru replied with a laugh.

Somewhere in the mountains of Iwa on one of her first infiltration missions after returning to duty in Konoha Mitarashi Anko had a delightful shiver run up her spine and a sadistic smirk appeared on her face. Ironically, the same thing could be said of Ichiraku Ayame in Uzu.

Three hours later, Hokage Office, A very disheveled Sasuke along with Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi stood before the Hokage, Daimyo Kirito's wife, Madam Shijimi and Mizuki. Mizuki sighed when he saw Naruto. Kurama sensed something from Mizuki, but he couldn't tell what exactly. It wasn't hatred, but there was no love lost either.

Ooh. My precious Tora! Oh how mama has missed you. I will give you twice as many hugs to show you how much you were missed. That way you don't keep feeling you need to run off."

Naruto had a thought, "Excuse me your grace... but if I may make an observation?" to which Hiruzen, Mizuki, Kakashi, and Sakura paled, while Sasuke's eye's opened a little wider in curiosity. "I have taken note of the last four times we have caught Tora. He doesn't seem to mind being caught if done gently. I can see you love Tora to pieces, but I believe you may be putting a little too much physical pressure on Tora when showing him affection. He loves you. That much is clear, or else he would fight harder to get away from you now, but he seems content to just slightly whine. The second thing is that I took note of the way Tora moved. Tora is no ordinary cat."

This caught everyone's attention. "The way Tora moves is like that of a chakra enhanced summon animal, from a prestigious summoning clan. I don't know much about summons outside of a little independent study, and a slight connection to the summoning realm via a bloodline I guess you could call it (magic). Sasuke, Sakura, please shut the windows and the door for a moment." Upon a nod from the hokage, they did. "Now please place Tora on the floor." Lady Shijimi did, having retrieved him from Sasuke moments before. "Hello Tora," Naruto said with a small smile. "It would be my greatest honor to meet you."

To everyone's shock, Tora sat before Naruto, then bowed respectfully to Naruto and replied, "The Honor is mine Naruto-sama."

The daimyo's wife fainted, along with Sakura, and even Kakashi dropped his favorite orange book. Mizuki tilted his head like a dog in confusion.

A few minutes later, Lady Shijimi and her now noble friend Tora made their way to the gate to be escorted home by a jonin team.

"So Jiji," Kakashi, Sakura and Sasuke gently popped Naruto. "Show him some respect dobe. Sorry sandaime-sama!" all called in unison except Naruto.

Naruto stood from his forced bow and said, "They are never going to get that while you are a conniving old bastard who's too smart for his own good sometimes... We are still family in all but blood."

Naruto just played his heartstrings like a fiddle, and Sarutobi knew it... but didn't care because he knew deep down Naruto meant every word. "You were saying Naruto?" to which everyone's jaw dropped at how easily the former hokage let Naruto's insolence go.

"We've done plenty of D-ranks. I know the protocol for Konoha. But I have long passed that mark in real experience as a ninja, and my teammates have as well after a few talks with Sasuke about certain... slithery situations. We're easily ready for C-rank, if not low B-rank."

Mizuki was about to interfere when the sandaime looked to Kakashi and asked, "Kakashi?"

"Naruto was trained by Mitarashi Anko, an unnamed Anbu (Tenzo), and at least two members of the long forgotten ranger core (to which Sasuke, Sakura, and Mizuki looked up in confusion). Sasuke has been trained by Uchiha Itachi, and Uchiha Shisui alongside Kato Shizune. Sakura has been trained in the medic and some poison arts by Kato Shizune and was secretly trained by Tsunade-sama until that was released to the public when she temporarily stepped down to work at the capital for these next few months. Their teamwork is scary impressive. Naruto is a Natural leader, with Sasuke a close second. Sakura's analytical prowess would impress a Nara. Given what I have seen over the last few days, they should be chunin already, bordering low jonin."

At this the old Hokage's pipe fell from his mouth and his papers nearly caught on fire and would have should Mizuki not snuffed out the ashes before they caught flame.

A few minutes later the sandaime called for his secretary to send in the client. And older gentleman who smelled of rum. Jack Daniels if the old hokage's nose was anything to go by, and the size of the paper bag holding the bottle the man carried (Sorry if I got that brand wrong. I am not a drinker. LoL).

"These brats are who're supposed to protect me?" the drunkard asked as she swayed side to side.

Naruto wanted to step up but Sakura placed a hand on his shoulder and stepped in front of him. She slammed of her gloved fist into the other. The shock wave knocked the man sober. He then gave a grin. "Oh, I am so getting A class nin for the price of C. Thank you Hokage-SAMA!" the now only half drunk man laughed maniacally. Sakura walked back to her team who all grinned.

To be continued. Probably when I reach 180, or maybe 175 reviews. Not many. I am just setting a goal of when to try to have the next chapter done by. Hopefully less than a month this time. Woo hoo! The next chapter is already done and I am editing it now. Woo Hoo!