"He said the Nine-Tails was sealed in me. That he wanted to release it and destroy the village. He lunged and I… they said they're all dead. Did I kill them?" -Naruto Uzumaki
SARUTOBI
The door closed and Sarutobi let out a weary sigh. Always the same fights with that one, the same arguments. Sometimes in the darker parts of his mind, the Third wondered if Danzo had been right all those years ago.
No, I made my choice and it was your life or theirs.
Reaching into his desk, he retrieved his trusty pipe, one of the few pleasures he had left. A subtle flick of chakra and the room began to fill with sweet smell of his favorite tobacco.
"You can come out now."
Without pause, an ANBU in a dog mask appeared before the Hokages' desk.
"Take off the mask Kakashi. No need to stand on formality tonight."
"I could have left," Kakashi said removing his mask. "It might have made Fugaku more agreeable."
"Doubtful," Sarutobi replied. "What he wants I won't give him and I wanted you to hear so you would understand by decision."
"I'm not getting them am I?"
"No, you're not."
"I understand."
"I hope you do Kakashi," Sarutobi replied. "You are one of my most skilled and loyal shinobi and I hold you in the highest esteem. But politically..." Sarutobi trailed off.
"I'm not very popular." Kakashi finished.
"No you're not," Sarutobi regretfully agreed. "At least not with the clans."
"And Fugaku's other demand? Are you going to give them to Itachi?"
"No," Sarutobi answered firmly. "Despite what Fugaku thinks the Uchiha aren't the only one throwing their weight around right now."
"The Hyuga?"
"Yes, and there is no way they would let one of their own be taught by an Uchiha."
"Still…" Kakashi trailed off.
"You disagree?" Sarutobi asked.
"Not entirely," Kakashi said.
"Kakashi," Sarutobi replied. "You have watched over him his whole life, more so since that night. Speak your mind."
"Obito's gift has giving me some insight into the workings of the Sharingan but to say I understand fully it would be a lie. Maybe Naruto would benefit from someone who is a true master of a dojutsu teaching him."
"Maybe it would help," Sarutobi granted. "Or maybe it wouldn't. There is no guarantee that the two eyes operate the same way."
Kakashi nodded. "Then who? I heard Asuma was interested in taking on a team."
"He is and I feel he will be a wonderful teacher but when it comes to politics he has a tendency to…" Sarutobi paused thinking. "…chose sides when he really shouldn't. Right know the focal point of tension between the Uchiha, Hyuga and me is Naruto."
"Why even put them on the same team then." Kakashi wondered. "Why not split them up."
"No," Sarutobi replied. "We may not like it and Naruto might not even be aware of it at this point but both clans have developed an interest in him. Each views their own dojutsu as the pinnacle of ocular power and now they want to know if Naruto is a threat to that position. I've kept them at a distance till now but he needs to learn to deal with them and this is the most controlled manner I can think off."
"What if they view him as a threat and decided to eliminate him?"
"It wouldn't be the first time a clan has assassinated a potential rival but ironically it's the risk of the Fox escaping that will keep the clans at bay." Sarutobi took a long drag from his pipe before reaching over and pulling a file from his desk. "I have a person in mind to lead his team but I want to make sure the reports from the academy are accurate, and I have a few questions I want answered."
"Ask away."
"Naruto finished in the top three of students graduating this year." Sarutobi began reading from the file. "He was first in ninjutsu and third in taijutsu, which isn't very surprising with a Hyuga and Uchiha in his class, but he was middle of the pack with his genjutsu?"
"He's good at noticing the effects and dispelling but when he tries to cast one himself he struggles." Kakashi explained.
Nodding Sarutobi closed the file and tossed it onto the desk. "Is he still having trouble sleeping?"
"Yes, he tries to hide it but I can tell the difference between someone asleep and someone pretending."
"Still having nightmares?"
"I think so but he shuts down when asked but I think he dreams of that night."
"Inoichi did warn us this would be the likely outcome but then again there wasn't much we could do." Sarutobi sighed. "With any luck he'll form a rivalry with one or both his teammates and it will give himself something to focus on. I've always found a good rivalry brings out the best in people."
"Or the worst," Kakashi added thinking of his own team.
"Which is why a strong jonin is be needed to push it in the right direction, one who cares nothing for politics and won't bend to pressure from the clans."
"And who is that?"
The Third smiled.
NARUTO
In the darkness, he saw them. Broken and twisted by pain, reaching out, their lifeless eyes accusing.
Your fault.
Naruto jolted awake. He could feel his heart racing in his chest as he franticly searched the room for…them. Finding nothing, he let out a low groan.
"Shit," Naruto cursed running his hand through his hair. That had been bad one.
A quick glance at the clock told him it was still early and he had plenty of time before he had to report to the academy. Sighing he tossed away his sweaty blanket and swung his legs out of bed. Light streamed in through a nearby window causing Naruto to squint as he made his way to the bathroom.
Turning on the water as cold as it would go he jumped in the shower. It was always a shock on his hot skin but it would push away the nightmares.
When he was finished washing and drying, he dressed quickly, slipping a pair of goggles over his eyes as he headed for the kitchen not surprised to find a steaming bowl of ramen and a note waiting for him.
'Congratulations and good luck' Naruto read the note, smiling at the crudely drawn dog.
As far back as Naruto could remember the ANBU had been part of his life. Hiding in every shadow; protecting. Him or the village he was never quite sure. Sometimes he pretended that it didn't matter.
Only the ANBU in the dog mask would interact directly with him. The others shied away from him keeping their distance. Sometimes dog-mask helped with training other times he brought Naruto food.
Today it was food.
Inhaling his favorite food Naruto tossed the dirty dishes into the sink and placed the small card in a kitchen side draw already containing a dozen other such notes.
Adjusting his goggles so they were more comfortable Naruto grabbed his equipment pouch, threw on a red bandanna to cover his hair, and headed out the door.
The academy wasn't far but Naruto preferred to avoid the more populated parts of the village and took a more roundabout path that stuck to relative deserted side streets. Without seeing his hair and eyes, it was harder to recognize him but it did happen and with recognition came the rest.
Did they stare because of the fox?
Did they whisper about his eyes?
Did they judge his crimes?
Did it really matter?
Ducking in through a side entrance Naruto made his way to the classroom where team assignments where to be handed out by the academy staff. Finding the room empty, he moved to his normal seat in the back by the window and settled in to wait.
It was almost twenty minutes before more students began to arrive. As they began filtering in some gave him a passing glance but none approached him and Naruto was fine with that, indifference was better than fear.
As the room filled, there was a feeling of excitement in the air. Naruto listened as his former classmates chatted about how happy they were to be free of the academy and starting their careers as ninja. One boy was almost standing on his desk proudly pointing to his new forehead protector and crowing about how his family was going to throw him a huge party to celebrate.
Realizing he still had his new protector in his equipment bag Naruto fished the cold piece of metal out. He stared at the symbol of the Leaf wondering how to wear it. His head already spotted his favorite pair of goggles and he wasn't about to remove them. With a shrug, he decided on just tying it around his right bicep.
"Alright quiet down and take your seats," Iruka Umino yelled entering the room and closing the door behind. Students quickly moved to their seats. "First I want to congratulate you all again for graduating and becoming genin of the Leaf. It has been an honor to teach all of you and I looked for to seeing how far you go." Iruka smiled broadly. "Now for those of you who feel asleep during my lectures genin are typically split into three man teams led by a jonin. Now I'm going to read off the teams," Iruka paused to pull a sheet of paper. "Team one Akari Fujimori, Bo Inaba..."
As Iruka read out the names, Naruto scanned his classmates trying to decide who he wanted to be on a team with. In truth, he didn't know many of them that well only really interacting with during taijutsu practice. He preferred to be alone and with all the rumors about him, he doubted they wanted to be too close.
"Team six will be Naruto Uzumaki," Hearing his name Naruto focused back on Iruka. "Sasuke Uchiha and Neji Hyuga. Team seven will be Ten…"
Naruto could have cursed.
He may not have known who would have made a good teammate for him but he was certain that he wouldn't have picked the two classmates who belonged to clans famous for their dojutsu. Hopefully, the jonin in charge would be less troublesome than those two.
When Iruka finished assigning the teams, he wished them luck one last time before turning to open the classroom door "Ok you can come in no… whoa watch it!" Iruka jumped back almost barreled over by a man in a green jumpsuit.
"Yosh! I am the Leaf's mighty green beast! Team six your with me!"
GUY
It is a beautiful day, Guy thought. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and he had three cute little genin to impart his deep wisdom upon. True they were somewhat quite for his taste but he was sure that they were just feeling intimidated by his presence; he was the famous green beast after all. Who wouldn't be intimidated by him? He just needed to gain their trust.
It had always been a dream of his to teach the next generation and now he had his chance.
"Here we are," Guy said. "Training ground 96, take a good look we'll be spending a lot of time here training. It has everything we'll need: wooded area for stealth training, an open field for sparing and even a stream to take a swim."
Guy ushered the three genin over to a nearby log and bade them to sit.
"My name is Maito Guy jonin of the Hidden Leaf, I love curry and rice, extra spicy, I hate hip unyouthful attitudes and my dream is to turn you three into splendid youthful ninjas. Now it's your turn." Guy raised his hand and pointed. "Introduce yourself your likes, dislikes, and dreams."
"My name is Neji Hyuga, I like watching birds, I hate when a bird is caged. My dream is to break the cages holding them."
Hizashi son all right, but does he know what he is up against?
"Most youthful!" Guy pointed. "Your turn."
"Sasuke Uchiha. I like fire roasted tomatoes and hate clowns. My dream is to become the strongest Uchiha who ever lived."
It seems the rumors are true about Fugaku's second born.
"Most youthful! Now you with the goggles."
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I like ramen and I hate when people stare. My dream I guess is to become a strong ninja." Naruto turned his head refusing to meet his eyes.
It seems I will have to dig deeper with that one.
"Listen up! I have told you about me and you have told me about yourselves but words can never convey to truth of what lies within. To learn the truth of another you must meet them fist to fist. We will spare and you will show me who you really are. Only then will I know if you three deserve to be genin."
"What does that mean?" Sasuke asked. "We already are genin."
"No you are not," Guy watched the varying levels of shock that crossed their faces. "You have graduated the academy but that does not make you genin. Only I can grant you that title. If you do not impress me, I will send you back the academy.
"You may use any ninjutsu, genjutsu, or taijutsu you wish but you must remain in the clearing. We will fight until I am satisfied I have seen who you really are. We will begin now."
Not giving them time to fully processor his words Guy rushed forward barely giving the genin enough time to doge before he slammed his fist through the log they had been sitting on, obliterating it. Neji recovered the fastest attacking Guy's left side.
Neji was fast but Guy was faster.
"Gentle Fist interesting," Guy said slapping away his hand before kicking Neji in the chest sending him flying. Snapping his hand out Guy grabbed a kunai out of the air turning to face the charging Sasuke. Spinning the kunai around in his hand, he struck out at Sasuke with the hilt only to watch his hand pass through his head
A genjutsu!
A trio of shuriken slammed into Guy's side before a log replaced him. He appeared behind Sasuke grabbing him by the collar of his shirt. Sasuke cried out as Guy lifted the boy and tossed him away
The sound of sloshing drew Guy's attention and he looked down at his feet to find them covered in water. Glancing to the right he saw Naruto locked in concentration as he drew water from the nearby stream to flood the area around Guy. Before Guy could ask, what he thought he was doing Naruto began to make several hand seals.
Wait that's…
"Ration: static shock." Electricity raced around Naruto's right hand before he slammed it down onto the wet ground.
Guy jumped back as the ground he was just on became electrified. The moment he landed Neji was on him. Striking fast and furiously Neji pressed him as hard as he could and Guy could not help but smile.
Most youthful.
He had seen enough, but first.
Breaking through Neji's guard Guy slammed his first into his stomach. In a flash, he appeared before Naruto who was in the middle of a new set of hand seals. Grabbing him by his shirt Guy lifted Naruto and threw him into rapidly approaching Sasuke, both boys hit the ground.
"Victory!" Guy held his fist high in the air as his three students groaned around him. Guy waited for the three to collect themselves before giving a big thumbs up. "You all pass."