SailorStar9: Nya? Chapter 33 goes up and only one review!

Disclaimers: I own nothing, well except the pairing.

Chiyo: Call me old will ya?

CRACK

Kakashi: SPINE!

Itachi: We're supposed to be on now you know...

Kakashi: You are an evil...Evil woman.

SailorStar9: I know, that's why I altered the first chapter of your book just now.

Kakashi: What? (looks back to find the pages are blank, and that the first page is decidedly different from the start) DAMN YO...hey...this is GOOD! Better even!

SailorStar9: And you can't read the rest.

Kakashi:...(turned to stone)...!

Chapter 34: Duel: Japan Vs. Germany

That night, in the team's hotel...

Opponent Number 10, Shester. Genzo jotted down the German team's data. Shester's right kick; attack from the left side if you wanna win him. If there's a leak, kick the ball out.

"If you're going to pull an all-nighter, I brought coffee." Ami pushed her way into his room.

"Thanks." Genzo took the mug from the tray she placed on his table and took a sip. "That hit the spot."

"Need help?" Ami inquired, grinning. At his look, her grin widened, "You forgot who's the better data-gatherer and all-nighter expert here. Besides," she purred, "Two heads are better than one."

Genzo hid a shiver; her playful mood had always turned him on, it did not help any that his night-lamp illuminated the feminine curves of his significant partner's body through her translucent nightwear. Swallowing a nervous gulp, he focused back to his notes. Karl-Heinz Schneider... he paused. I first met Schneider when I came to Berlin.

"Sun to Peacock, anybody home?" Ami joked, bringing Genzo out of memory lane as she dangled a wrapped piece of chocolate in front of him.

"That's..." Genzo looked over her shoulder at the opened Meiji Melty Kisses™ box; one of his few indulgences.

"Not so fast!" Ami pulled back, dropping the chocolate cube back into opened container. "Finish your data-gathering first."

"Spoilsport." Genzo muttered and went back to work, a chuckling Ami sipping her hot cocoa with marshmallows.

It was past midnight before the reunited couple had the chance to enjoy the Japan-imported chocolate cubes together.

The next morning...

"Wakabayashi, is the data ready?" Mikami inquired.

"Yes." Genzo handed the gathered data to the team.

"This is the information collected by Wakabayashi." Mikami stated.

"I took the notes when I was in Germany." Genzo added.

"It's about the German team." Tsubasa beamed.

"Great, it details all the players' good and bad points." Ryo gawked.

"You don't have to remember them all." Ami started. "Just remember your opponent."

"Wakabayashi, there's noting on the goalkeeper." Matsuyama voiced.

"Deuter Müller," Ami started. "The 'Dream Goalkeeper'."

"The 'Dream Goalkeeper'?" Tsubasa echoed.

"I haven't played with him." Genzo nodded. "He is mysterious in Germany."

It's interesting that even Wakabayashi doesn't know about goalkeepers. Hyuuga mused. I don't have the data. I wanna score with my 'Tiger Shot'.

"Listen, let's strive for the final." Mikami declared. "And get the champion, the best in the world. Next is the announcement of the list of players. Forward: Hyuuga, Nita, Sano. Mid-fielder: Oozora, Misaki, Izawa, Sawada. Defender: Matsuyama, Ishizaki, Jito. And the goalkeeper, Wakabayashi. You're the goalkeeper, Wakabayashi Genzo." he confirmed.

"Coach, in this competition..." Genzo voiced.

"Wakabayashi, you'll take over the door of victory." Hyuuga cut in. "I was disappointed with your performance, not just you, all the others. But I know what the coach assigns..."

"Ara, so you heard that." Ami noted, recalling the conversation in Chapter 26.

"When you carry it out, we can quickly grow in a short time." Hyuuga added.

"And Wakashimazu's hand is injured, so he can't play." Matsuyama added. "Now, it's your turn."

"If my hand could move, I wouldn't let you play." Wakashimazu agreed. "But just this once, Wakabayashi."

"Wakabayashi, let's fight together." Tsubasa concurred.

"It's just so easy." Ami grinned at her gaping lover.

"I know." Genzo relented. "I'll play. I will have to take over the championship. We have to win."

"Damn, I'm not selected." Soda cursed.

"That's okay." Ryo assured. "We'll kick for you."

"Let's do it, Captain." Genzo voiced.

"You too, Wakabayashi." Tsubasa took his hand.

"Alright, the Japanese Youth team is moving forward to the championship." Mikami declared.

Later, in the stadium...

The game started with the German team possessing the ball.

"Come on." Shester challenged, as Misaki headed for him. Bypassing Misaki easily, he charged towards Tsubasa, only to have Tsubasa steal his ball.

"Tsubasa." Misaki beamed.

Wakabayashi, you... Schneider realized.

"I'll stop you." Kaltz slide-tackled in.

"Misaki." Tsubasa leapt over and made his pass. "Good work, Misaki." he caught the pass, the 'Golden Combo' penetrating deeper.

"Come on." Müller declared.

That keeper... Tsubasa gaped, recognizing Müller's stance. I haven't seen this kind of keeper. I can't find a chance to shoot. Damn, be brave. "Go!" he fired his shot.

Müller jumped and reached out his hand, grabbing the ball before it dropped.

My 'Drive Shot' was stopped. Tsubasa was stunned.

"Müller is really something." Kaltz noted.

"Right." Schneider agreed. "Let's take a look at the situation now."

Damn... Nita cursed as Müller tossed the ball out. What do you know? Taking Müller's bait, he charged. He can't stop it at this distance. "Okay." he made his shot, only to have Müller intercept the ball.

"How is that possible?" Nita was shocked.

"Okay, whose turn?" Müller threw the ball out.

"Now, I'll show you." Matsuyama took his turn. Tsubasa can not decide to go from the up-right and bottom-left. "'Eagle Shot'!" he fired his shot.

Müller dashed and blocked the shot.

"Okay." Mamoru took the chance and fired his shot.

Müller leapt to catch the ball, just as Hyuuga dashed in. Foot and hand met, with Müller winning the battle of strength.

"Okay." Tsubasa claimed the ball.

"It's so interesting to watch Müller play." Kaltz remarked as he and Shester dashed back to claim the ball. "Don't be too elated." he snapped, Tsubasa having dodged them both and reaching out his leg to trip Tsubasa over.

The whistle sounded, signaling the obvious foul and earning the Japan team a free kick.

"Get out." Müller barked. "I don't need a wall."

How can we shoot through the outstanding keeper? Tsubasa mused, the German team clearing out. If it's the same kind of shot, you can never score.

"Tsubasa, we failed." Hyuuga admitted. "Never mind, you can score."

"Hyuuga, come over." Tsubasa stated, whispering his plan into Hyuuga's ear.

Any counterattack is of no use to me. Müller smirked, adjusting his glove. Shoot, I'll stop it.

"Okay, I see." Hyuuga understood.

"Let's go." Tsubasa gave the cue, both players charging towards the ball. "Go!" he fell over to the ground, giving the ball a kick forward.

As the striker, I'm the only one who can break through. Hyuuga claimed the ball's possession and fired his shot.

Müller knelt down, cushioning the ball's impact with his thighs and stopping the ball right before the goal line.

Could it be... Hyuuga realized. No. "Tsubasa, maybe it will be successful. My 'Thunder Pass' will always score."

"It's coming again." Tsubasa noted.

Jito cut into Müller's pass and handed the ball over to Tsubasa.

If Hyuuga is right, it will work. Tsubasa was confident. "Go!" he fired his shot.

Müller crouched to catch the ball, his attempt causing the ball to bounce out.

Hyuuga is right. Tsubasa noted, as Nita charged.

"Nita, shoot again." Hyuuga barked.

"Yes!" Nita fired his shot, only to have Müller reach behind, blocking out the shot.

"Doesn't he have any weaknesses?" Hyuuga cursed.

"I won't give up." Tsubasa swore. "Maybe he really doesn't. But there's no unbreakable wall."

"Tsubasa." Hyuuga blinked. "You're right."

"Hyuuga!" Tsubasa reclaimed the ball.

Tsubasa, we have the same thought. Hyuuga mused. "Let's go!"

"Okay!" Tsubasa agreed, both players stopping before Müller, legs raised.

"Go!" both players hollered, combining both 'Drive Shot' and 'Tiger Shot' together.

I can catch this. Müller stood firm. It's here. He focused and reached out a hand, stopping the ball.

"Damn." Hyuuga cursed. "I won't give up. I'll bet on my name of the 'Ace Striker'. I will show you"

That's right. Tsubasa agreed. We won't give up.

"Coming." Genzo warned as Müller fired a long-distance shot.

"I won't let you!" Jito fought over the ball with the charging German forward.

"Good!" Schneider stepped forth, claiming the ball in mid-air.

"Come on." Genzo stood his ground. I can see the ball. He noted, as Schneider brought the ball down.

It's going to score, Wakabayashi. Schneider mused and fired his shot.

"Damn!" Genzo cursed, a step behind Schneider and letting the ball fly into the net.

"One point is well enough." Müller declared. "We're destined to win."

"Damn!" Genzo hammered a punch on the grass.

Omake

The Rookie 9 are Special

The Hokage had just dismissed the meeting, and dozens of newly assigned jounin-sensei hurried out of the office, chattering excitedly about their new genin teams.

Three of the jounin, however, tarried behind the others; fake smiles pasted to their faces as they edged past their ebullient colleagues and made their way toward the Hokage's desk. Finally, the office door closed and the voices were silenced.

For about a millisecond.

"Is this some kind of joke?" Kakashi exploded, slamming his new team roster onto the desk.

"This is the 'Special Needs' class! Why the hell are you giving them to me?"

"I have to agree, Dad," said Asuma, shaking his head and scowling as he looked at his own list. "These are the problem kids. They shouldn't even have made it through the Academy. What were you thinking?"

"It's not really my place, Hokage-sama," Kurenai hedged, trying not to lose face in front of her two more-experienced peers. "But these… children do seem to be the… um, 'bottom of the barrel', as it were. Wouldn't it be better if-"

The Hokage released a controlled pulse of Killing Intent that served to remind all three of the jounin just who exactly was wearing the Big Funny Hat.

"Do you think I like this any more than you do?" he growled.

"You're all bright people - or so I keep telling myself," (Kurenai and Asuma both blushed at this - though for entirely different reasons). "You figure it out. These retards are all clan heirs, or the next thing to it. It would be political suicide to fail them. That's why they were given only the simplest, bare-bones training at the Academy, and that's why you will pass their teams."

And while they were at it -since they were so 'bright' and all- maybe they would also figure out how they had gotten on the Hokage's shit-list and stuck with these morons in the first place.

"I don't know if it's inbreeding, or fallout from the Kyuubi attack, or something even more insidious,"" the Hokage continued, suddenly feeling every bit of his seventy-plus years. "But somehow, all of our major clans have been affected - and god help me, they even managed to calf at the same time, too. If our weakness were to ever become public knowledge..."

The room grew chill as each one of them imagined the potential consequences of such a scenario. Not surprisingly, 'Konoha in Flames' seemed to feature prominently in the thoughts of all four.

"But don't worry, it''s not a long-term assignment," the Hokage finally sighed, breaking the moribund silence. "Just babysit them for a couple of months: no real training, and only the lowest D-ranks we can find. Then -when the time is right- I'll cherry-pick an 'appropriate' C-rank; just let the problem take care of itself, and you'll be off the hook."

The three jounin exchanged a knowing look, as though they were privy to an inside-joke. There was a reason the crafty old buzzard was called the 'Professor', after all.

As they were leaving the office, Kurenai stopped Asuma in the hallway.

"I don't get it. If the other kids are all clan heirs, why is Naruto…?" she asked.

Asuma gave her a dubious look. "You know, I was going to buy you dinner first; but let's just go straight to your place and get it over with."

"Okay!" she chirped.

SailorStar9: Because the more I thought about it, the less sense any other explanation made.