Seals of Fate

by GBAboy313

Fate is a strange thing. Two who's fate was supposed to be death and insanity instead were given something new. Let's see how the world changes when Obito and Rin are around to help both their village and raise their sensei's son. Canon pairings, and some others. Rated M for safety later on.

12. Genin

Seals of Fate

Back once more. Happy one year anniversary. Thanks for following me on this so far and I hope you stick around till the end. I bring the first chapter of this year. Hope it doesn't disappoint.

Just wish I could have gotten this one out on the anniversary of Seals. Though Holy Shit I got it done before the end of the month. Hurray. My work hours this week (1/24/2021-1/31/2021) got shifted from 7pm-3am to 11 pm- 7am. Same workdays, Sunday-Thursday an eight hours a day, 5 days a week, but it still is taking some getting used to.

This one is a longer one than last time. It might be the longest one I put up. Or at least one of the longer ones.

I'm trying to get this up on 1/28 at 9:00pm, just an hour before I have to go to work. Chapters are going to be monthly until they aren't. I hope to have chapter 13 done by the end of February but don't count on it.

In response to reviewer Jenuzumaki, Tobi's identity will be revealed in time, hints going forward and left in previous chapters do point to a rather indecisive conclusion which is intentional for reasons. No I haven't forgotten Itachi. Just haven't had him show up in a while, he'll probably show up next chapter or so.

Multiple reviewers have asked me about the masked Uchiha and for now my lips are sealed on his identity. Multiple reviewers have left guesses about who Nanashi might be and all I will say is that it will be revealed in time. Two major hints will be given in this chapter.

A few reviewers have left comments about Kurenai, and we will be getting to her this chapter. She has an arc that will be viewed as we go forward.

Now on with chapter. I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 12

Genin

Land of the Moon

Day of Konoha Ninja Academy graduating class team assignments

There were few nations that could claim complete neutrality in the face of the cold war that had developed between the Five Great Nations and many of the smaller yet powerful Minor Village nations, especially since it seemed to have begun heating up into what would soon be another war.

The Land of Iron could claim it with the large amount of land it controlled, the fairly prosperous civilian sector it boasted, and the power of the Samurai its lands had produced.

The Samurai of Iron were one of the few forces in the Elemental Nations that could truly compare to the Shinobi. Others were students of reclusive disciplines and the Monks of the Path of Peaceful Enlightenment whose various temples were scattered throughout the Elemental Nations, though they were more or less Shinobi of a more enlightened persuasion.

Iron was proud of being home of one of the few still functioning Samurai clan systems that still performed all of the functions Samurai had done before the rise of Shinobi.

Merging chakra molding techniques with Samurai disciplines had yielded a style that was infamous for stopping any attempt at forming the signs needed by a Ninja to form Jutsu.

The only Samurai family outside of the samurai clans of Iron to have been able to not only survive but thrive in the modern Elemental Nations was Iwa's Iwakomu, but that had come at the price of merging its original discipline with the Ninja Arts in such a way that it was a true merger of the two unlike Iron which had only studied Chakra Molding and found ways to incorporate it into their Kenjutsu. That and the Iwakomu only had one left bearing its line.

However the other nation that could claim total neutrality in the face of the war just waiting to break out was The Land of Moon.

Moon shaped country prided itself as a wealthy country that previous rulers put to use by investing in various industries that gradually (though the intent behind these actions was questionable in a sense of was this the plan) built to a resort location with various recreational industries that had followed the large amounts of tourists and vacationers to the moderately sized nation.

Moon's Daimyo following the end of the Second Great Ninja War, the first Daimyo of the Island nation following the reorganization of the government away from a monarchy and into the Daimyo system, had expertly maneuvered into multiple safe travel pacts and alliances with entities that usually would have put you on their shit list just for being allied or having any form of pact with the others. When she was challenged on this by one of the ambassadors, one from Moon's nearby neighbor the Land of Sun, her response was to declare an intent to that Moon be a place where grudges and feuds were left outside and that peaceful recreation could take place without one having to worry about the safety of one's self or their family.

Every single one of the nations she had negotiated with to create the network she had made decided that they more or less desired a true neutral zone and her ideals for Moon was worth preserving.

Though Sun tried to invade Moon and annex it but multiple villages came to Moon's aid and expelled the invaders.

Moot point nowadays considering Moon and Sun had merged.

So the general foreign affairs doctrine that most of the Elemental Nations had come to agree on was 'don't fuck with Moon's neutrality or we'll all gang up on you like we did that one asshole who tried to and then attempted an invasion of Moon and now whose nation, Land of Sun, no longer exists.'

Sounded scary but Sun's caseation of sovereignty was actually due to annexation following a long period of diplomacy between the Moon Daimyo and Sun Daimyo. Ending with a marriage.

Not many conflicts between the Elemental nations could end that easy or like the way this one did but circumstance at play helped.

Moon's large beach side made a wonderful family getaway or a romantic spot for ocean loving couples and had nature trails almost tailor made for explorers of the outdoors.

Moon at one point had a criminal underbelly that thrived on similar recreation tourism with far more predatory practices and less than legitimate in standing. Prostitution, prohibited substances, and far higher stakes gambling than the laws of the nations, the laws agreed upon by all daimyos to apply in all nations, allowed.

It had been a sore point for the nations for years until the current Daimyo, Tsuki Usagi, daughter of the First Daimyo of Moon, took power four years ago.

Her first major act was to have trusted men and women observe and investigate these underground businesses and dens have them determine whether or not a government attempt at legalizing and regulating these enterprises, were feasible and to come up with how.

Her father's more shady ties had definitely aided in carrying out these reforms.

The revenue raked in by the reforms had silenced any opposition to Usagi, both by moral purist who believed such dens should be destroyed and salted and by detractors who saw her as weak and needing to be replaced, there was another member to her family that could replace her but Tsuki Michiru's disposition removed any such notion.

However, others had appreciated the young Daimyo's more shady reforms for other reasons.

Reasons that Jiraiya was currently in Moon and appreciated.

This part of Crescent Moon's entertainment district was home to a particularly famous casino, one Tsunade probably already visited and must have been already pretty drunk when she did so seeing that it was still standing, that had a reputation among those in the know for allowing the employees to practice prostitution. It wasn't illegal, but frowned upon deeply.

That would have set Tsunade off after her luck played out. Anytime Jiraiya told stories about his travels and she was actually listening when he mentioned a Red Light District, he would often make sure to mention it in case he wasn't sure she was paying attention, it would set her off on a ten minute rant about the health hazards of prostitution. Though she would begrudgingly admit that well-regulated instances did eliminate the biggest health concerns, or at least some of them.

Jiraiya had walked in to the establishment and projected an air of admiring the atmosphere, gambling, and the looks and costumes of the staff that helped to sell that his reputation was the reason he was here.

Though one employee who had to be one who actively was a showgirl had on a costume that Nadeshiko village would have frowned upon and then put on an assassin sent to kill the toad sannin. Not that they would but if they tried this would be the look they would give the girl to play on Jiraiya's inclinations, and not that it would work, it would take a fool to think that he couldn't shut off his impulses when the cards were down.

Let's just say that Jiraiya had figured out that there were an astounding amount of fools in the Elemental Nations.

This particular girl caught his eyes not due to her beauty, though she was very much a gem in that regard with certain measures that were rather large for her more athletic body type, but with the muscles that Jiraiya could observe. She was trained, maybe not to a degree that could be considered a kunoichi but she had well-toned muscles that did nothing to detract from her looks and she was obviously trained in base chakra molding, the kind used to enhance muscle output. With her looks, Jiraiya almost thought that she might have been an Uchiha visitor's less than legitimate child or a defector, maybe not to an enemy but one who got tired of the fighting and decided to leave the village behind entirely, or a defector's child. Pale skin, darker colored spikey hair, and black eyes were almost the Uchiha Clan's trademark looks to the point that almost every member had them in some way. It was like the Hyuga and their almost universal pale skin and effeminate looks or the Terumi and their Emerald colored eyes and typically auburn hair, or Iwa's Yogumo clan and the various shades of red or charcoal black hair colors. Or…

Jiraiya's head lowered from that thought for a moment: or the Uzumaki and their various shades of usually bright red hair. Three days ago was the anniversary of Uzushiogakure's destruction and five days from now was the anniversary of him meeting the Ame brats. Two weeks from now would be the anniversary of him leaving them behind.

That moment took his mind out of the moment and that moment ended when a voice snuck up behind him and spoke: "Well hello there, Mister." A deep feminine voice with a playful tone in it.

Jiraiya jumped to find the woman he had been looking at now behind him with an almost natural looking practiced seductive smile.

She knew she caught him but now she was starting to make subtle motions that drew attention to her body and then continued: "I noticed you don't seem to be here for the gambling. I bet your looking for something a little more, active, to play."

Yep she was definitely a prostitute. Either that or she was who he was after. Would have about the right looks for one of Moyo's people considering how much she looked like an Uchiha but she didn't have the facial scar the contact was supposed to have.

Jiraiya decided to take a gamble that this girl was the contact and she had realized he was who she was meeting with and was using her cover to help use his reputation to cover their meeting. If she wasn't then Jiraiya could use this to kill time until the real contact showed up.

Jiraiya nodded and the girl's smile seemed to get brighter as she turned around and began leading him towards a private room.

The distinctive sway of her hips as she walked grabbing his attention and refusing to let go. She had to be doing this on purpose. That was the only way.

Once they reached the room and went inside, Jiraiya could already see the gear stashed away.

"Finally, I can ditch this horrid costume and stop perpetually smiling." The now identified contact said as she made a quick sign to dispel a subtle genjutsu disguising her.

Her looks changed little from the now dispelled disguise other than the scar across her right eye brow now being visible.

Jiraiya was certain that there were no other changes.

"Sorry bout the mess. I've been here for just over a month to make sure that when I leave that no one notices the coincidence of both your arrival and departure as well as mine." The woman stated as she grabbed a bag and dragged it over behind a small privacy foldout.

"It's fine. Some people I've met with had far worse places. Out of curiosity, how long did it take to make the persona you were projecting, er…?"

"Makayu Mai, and a week of observing the girls who work here and figuring out the subtleties of what they do and then how to apply what I observed." Mai answered as she kicked off the shoes she was wearing and then moving behind the privacy barrier.

"That would be impressive, if I didn't know that you cheated using your Sharingan. Still being able to use it like that is impressive in its own way. Most Uchihas don't take up this kind of infiltration work." Jiraiya responded as he heard the rustling of clothes being stripped off and then wrappings being applied afterwards.

"Hmm. Good to know you aren't as impulsive and dimwitted with the opposite sex as your reputation suggests. You actually noticed it. I'm assuming you noticed the Genjutsu as well." Mai responded as she began donning her actual uniform.

"Yeah, though not as easily as I'd like. I assume it was designed so that regulars and anyone who actually knew who was an employee wouldn't question your presence, and keep people out of this room unless you brought them here. I also assume you used another Genjutsu to 'service' clients when you were hired. I also noticed the second layer to the perception genjutstu which I assume is your exit strategy. I assume it is designed to target any who have seen you and make them forget about you and treat you as though you were just part of their imagination once the third part, part not layer, is activated which destroys the field created by the first." Jiraiya answered with decades as a ninja coming to the forefront.

"Right on all accounts." Mai answered with a lightly amused tone and a slight chuckle. Seems some of her own personality was added to complete the persona she projected. After she finished her chuckle, she walked out from behind the barrier wearing a bodysuit with small portions of net weave mail popping out from her sleeves and pant legs, with the longer locks of her hair tied back in a knot, and a bag with the red fabric of her costume in it. "Though about the 'servicing,' I would rather not have to do any such activity if I can help it. I do have someone and my instinct is to at least make the attempt to be loyal, even if there is no shame in doing so if the mission calls for it."

She knelt down to grab the shoes she had worn with it before stuffing it in the bag then tying it shut and then setting it aside on a pre-made array for creating a storage scroll.

"I thought you were going to dispose of the 'Horrid Costume' not keep it." Jiraiya stated amusedly.

"I'm k-keeping it in case I need to fulfil a similar role in the future." She answered almost immediately with a blush coloring her cheeks. Perhaps she was but she had other purposes in mind. Jiraiya chose not to press and push towards more teasing other than his one comment.

"I'm certain it will come in handy for such things." Jiraiya answered both honestly and teasingly. He tried. Honest.

Mai ignored it and began completing her uniform. Donning a flak jacket with a unique design that Jiraiya had come to know as one of three designs used by the Makayu, this one in particular meant for operatives who swapped between open operations, by the definition of open that befitted the Makayu, and covert operations usually meant specifically for setting up their eventual rebellion against Zetsu.

Jiraiya had previously met Kage who wore the version used by exclusively covert operatives, which made sense as according to her, her very existence was unknown to Zetsu and thus she had far more freedom of movement compared to the other Makayu.

Mai donned arm guards which tucked just under the sleeves of her shirt and covered the exposed net mail, pouches for various tools and shuriken and kunai, her boots, her cloak, and finally a holster for a kusarigama which she then grabbed and holstered that looked as though the two ends had been forged at different times. The side that wasn't balanced as though it was meant to be kept in her dominant hand during combat looked as though the original end to the chain had been replaced with an ax that could be dual wielded to increase offensive and defensive capabilities while preserving the twirling mid-range attack motions that the chain of a kusarigama was usually used to provide.

"Sorry about the wait. Didn't feel right to conduct business till I was back in my proper uniform." Mai commented as she took her mask off the stand she had placed it on before moving it and some other things to the storage array and activating it to create the storage scroll.

"I understand. It's probably a sensible thing to do in case you get discovered. Now what did your boss have to pass on to us?" Jiraiya responded getting down to business.

"Starters, Orochimaru is planning an invasion of Konoha."

"That's nothing surprising."

"He is doing so with Pain's blessing, the goal is to destroy the village, he is aware of all four Jinchuriki you possess as well as their identities, he has formed a Hidden Village of sorts in the Land of Rice Paddies called Otogakure and assumed command of the nation almost to the point of the nation being unofficially renamed the Land of Sound, and is planning to launch his invasion during the soon to be here Chunin Exams when he can smuggle in the initial strike force as spectators."

That gave Jiraiya pause. "Ok. We didn't suspect any of that."

Mai nodded: "I figured. We're working on trying to get someone we can trust into his organization, or at least we were. We have a bigger fish to fry at the moment in the form of Kudo."

Jiraiya knew the name from somewhere, but eventually he placed a thought on what it might be. "Is he the lunatic that hijacked Fugaku and forced him to try to kill his family during that invasion of the village?"

"Indeed. We put him in a cell not too long after that but the way we did it involved a Mangekyo hypnosis technique of a similar caliber as Shisui's Kotoatmasukami. Moyo never removed the orders he implanted, and then a few days before I left he broke out. Silently for him and with far less carnage involved than there had any right to be with his lust for killing. He had been catatonic when Moyo-sama wasn't speaking to him, which was one of his orders that we were aware of still being active, but apparently one of his other orders must have somehow overtaken that one's priority over the order that kept him catatonic or the jutsu must have begun decaying and it took out the order that kept him sedated and then activated another order in its place. We have no idea which it was, or order he could have possibly acted on. We have no idea the extent or how well he would be following." Mai explained with a distant look in her eyes towards the end.

Jiraiya knew some specifics about Shisui's unique Mangekyo that if Moyo's was similar then something didn't add up: "Mind telling what the hypothesis for what happened was?"

Mai nodded a bit reluctantly: "Okuninushi's primary distinction is that, and we are basing this on Zetsu's information on an earlier Uchiha who had managed to unlock the Mangekyo with Kotoatmasukami as their unique ability, the jutsu decays at far more accelerated rate with tradeoff being that more suggestions/orders can be placed in a single application and can be altered without having to reapply the hypnosis and trigger the recharge. The theory is that the hypnosis's decay had erased the order that kept Kudo comatose, but kept the one or part of one that kept him somewhat docile when he was active while initiating an order to carry out a mission. What mission it was, that is the question. And if it was one that doesn't need to be carried out any more then we need to find him as soon as possible."

"That could definitely be a problem. I would offer to have a hit put out in the Bingo Book, but that could be asking for trouble." Jiraiya put out there.

"It would probably be for the best if we didn't do that, although I believe the offer is appreciated. I was also told to inform you of the existence of Akatsuki's Nisebi Project." Mai followed up.

Jiraiya ran the name of the project through his head. The name wasn't a modern term in the Elemental Nations, similar to the terms used to refer to Biju and their infamous massive bomb technique and quite a few other things, though for the Biju it was due to any recorded instance of the creatures speaking it was noted that the beasts spoke a dialect that seemed to have been a blending of the old and modern dialects. The old dialect wasn't used much anymore but his research into legends concerning the Sage of Six Paths as he was referred to today, or the Rikkudo Sennin as he was referred to in the old dialect, gave Jiraiya enough insight to pick apart the antiquated term: "Nisebi? As in 'Nise' and 'bi'? As in 'False Tail?' What is it about?" Jiraiya queried.

"I'm afraid we don't know much either. Only that Pain and Zetsu commissioned it from Orochimaru and apparently it has been successful. What Moyo-sama has been able gather about it has been the initial tests have been promising and if it proves successful Pain will be lowering the priority of the Biju captures." Mai stated grimly.

'Oh FUCK!' Jiraiya went wide eyed as the alarms went off in his head and swore internally. With Pain's stated goal, this made no sense, unless Nisebi partially or almost entirely circumvented the need for the Biju or made the capture of their Jinchuriki that much easier. "I know one of you Makayu wouldn't be so vague if you had the details to fill in so I won't demand information you don't have. How long until Akatsuki begins attempting to make captures?"

"Soon. Before the year is over."

"That isn't much but it is more than I can hope for. Now, in the letter I was given, I was told this was an exchange. What do you want in return?" Jiraiya questioned.

"The investigations into Nanashi both with and without Pain's approval have yielded something we don't know what to make of, we know it's a seal but cannot determine the purpose it might serve. Sasori's network couldn't determine anything about it either. We were hoping that you could determine something about its nature." Mai responded while pulling out a scroll.

Jiraiya reached out and was handed the scroll which he then opened up to see the contents. It was a sketch of an array that had been broken down into a matrix and notes on what the various parts might entail. It was a highly complex array that Jiraiya almost mistook for a Biju sealing array until he realized it wasn't made for binding, containing, compressing, and then storing away the chakra constructs; missing key aspects that would identify the matrix shown as such. But it was familiar. The Toad Sage noticed the note that one part of the array was meant for the transport of matter, how and where unclear. It almost looked like…

"I think this is a space-time seal." Jiraiya stated with certainty.

"Really? Like your student's Flying Thunder God technique?" Mai questioned with shock.

Jiraiya half nodded: "Yes and no. Yes in that it is Space-Time teleportation, but the work better resembles Tobirama's version which had a simpler matrix doing the work to accomplish a complex task. I'd say that this was Uzumaki style sealing technique or a derivative of it, but with how archaic some of this work is in the overall matrix construction method, I'm almost certain that this is either based on the Uzumaki style or a more archaic form of it, that or it is an example of the style or a style that the Uzumaki based their style around. Enough about seal style, the size and scale indicated in the notes would suggest it is intended for quite large distance, and possibly many being transported at once. Minato would be able to determine exact values, at least better than I can. I think this is meant to be the control mechanism for a gate for some kind of Bridge connecting two points. This array in particular is akin to being the doors of a gate while wherever it leads serving as the entrance and control means for opening and closing the gate, or the means of barring the gate if you want to go real old fashioned. Though I have to admit this is mostly guess work based on my limited experience with Space-Time techniques and I have even more limited experience with a style that is this archaic and complex at the same time. You found this from investigating Nanashi?"

"Yes, we tracked his movements from the meeting three months ago where he was ordered to stand down and return to his base of operations, to the cave in the northern most part of the Land of Fire where we found this array with no discernible sign of what happened. We will be keeping an eye to see if he comes back through and shows how to activate the array. And we found an identical array from Kage trailing him a year and a half ago to a hidden grotto in an isolated part of Ancestors." Mai stated. "Would you mind adding your own notes to the sketch?"

Jiraiya nodded as he took out a page and began copying down the sketch and pre-made notes before adding his own notes to both his copy and the original sketch. After which he returned the original scroll to Mai, who stashed it in her pouch. "I believe this wraps up our business. I believe it's time for my co-workers to forget about me and move on, as though I were just a figment of their imaginations." The woman stated as she made a Hand seal which activated the third part of her Genjutsu which began demolishing the first layer and then caused the second layer to begin enacting its actual function.

Jiraiya nodded professionally "Yes I believe it does. It has been a pleasure Mai."

Mai hummed and smirked playfully as she began donning her Phoenix mask: "Oh please Jiraiya-san, the pleasure was all mine." She purred and followed with a giggle as she slipped the mask on and secured it before pulling her cloak's hood over her head. The differing behaviors between the meeting and the persona she crafted for lying in wait for him as well as what she showed just now indicated a trend that Jiraiya believed he recognized what it was a part of: she enjoyed playing the role of a teasing seductress, but it wasn't something she could fully embrace as part of her work. Take up for a time as part of a disguise, but ultimately preferring much more straight forward infiltration methods.

Before the two could move to exit the room, a small knock on the door sounded. Both the Konoha Spymaster and the Makayu Kunoichi jumped slightly with how off guard it caught them.

Mai instinctively rose her hand to the handle of her Kusarigama's sickle as she began slowly approaching the door.

Just as she reached it, the knock sounded again but this time it was in a sequence. Varying in the strength and interval between knocks.

Once it finished, Mai relaxed and opened the door.

There stood a young Makayu girl, Jiraiya's observation told him she couldn't be older than 7 years, with a white mask and an eye pattern drawn on it with Red eyes staring out of the eyeholes.

Mai sighed and spoke: "Dammit Hikari-chan. You gave me a heart attack."

"Sorry Mai-nee." The girl, Hikari, responded monotonously. Her voice sounded young.

Everything about her reminded Jiraiya of Itachi. Calm, polite, wise beyond years. If he was drawing that comparison, then it might stand to reason that this girl was a similar case.

"I didn't think you hybrids could have kids." Jiraiya said trying to remind them he was still here.

Mai answered without looking: "We're not really sure. I don't think anyone has made a serious effort to find out. Hikari's birth was a sort of happy accident from Yaku attempting to test an attempt at reverse engineering the jutsu Zetsu uses to order the Makahana to produce new hybrids and control the process, it seemed to have failed initially but Hikari-chan was born soon after. Which reminds me, why are you here?"

Jiraiya felt compelled to ask if Yaku had an art hobby and liked teaching others to paint happy little animals.

Hikari nodded and pulled out a scroll from her cloak. "New orders for you Mai-nee. Arasha-taicho wants you to meet up with Moyo-sama."

Mai read the scroll quickly before stashing it and pulling out the diagram of Nanashi's seal matrix. "Understood. Take this with you back to Ancestors, deliver it to Arasha-taicho, she will understand."

Hikari nodded: "Understood. Safe Travels." Before leaving.

Jiraiya spoke after the girl left: "Kid reminds me of Kage, with her straight to the point attitude."

"Kage and Arasha mentored her. Extensively. I must be off to do as I was told. Safe Travels until we meet again." Mai finished the conversation.

"Until we meet again." Jiraiya finished with a wave and began heading towards Konoha.

Unknown to the others, there had been an eavesdropper on the meeting.

'So Moyo has aligned with Konoha to see his rebellion through. Interesting. Master will wish to know of this. Not bad for a gang of cockroaches…eh, Arasha?'

Xxx

Konoha

With team 7

Well.

When some people got out of bed this morning they probably weren't expecting to find out that the sensei they had been assigned to was a possibly unstable woman who made you think you were dealing with an actual snake.

Some might have preferred the actual snake over Anko.

But that was the lot of the three dubbed team 7.

"Is it sad that I'm half considering ditching to go do something a bit more productive? Or at least something where I'm not likely to get bitten by a snake." Sasuke muttered as the three followed Anko to wherever she was headed. He wasn't exactly wanting a response but would take it.

"I would go see what Konohamaru and the others are up to. You don't have to call me an idiot, I know it would be a waste of time but at least we wouldn't be on edge and I thought I was the only one hearing the hissing." Naruto responded.

The time between the graduation test and the team assignments saw the genin of Team 7 meet the grandson of the third Hokage. A bratty and loud temperament hid what was at the kid's core, a lonely boy who was tired of being stuck in the shadow of his grandfather and wanted nothing more than to separate himself from that.

Naruto being himself, namely lacking any form of respect for anyone unless earned and even then it could be questionable, was able to get that core to peer through just enough for Hinata and Sasuke to see it as well.

Though there was the fact that Ebisu, a Special Jonin, was taken down by Naruto's usage of Sexy Jutsu and later Harem Jutsu that gave Sasuke a headache from sheer annoyance about the fact that it worked and Hinata a blush that took forever to beat down.

Sasuke could only wonder who gave the Blonde Uzumaki the idea to come up with that transformation.

Elsewhere, a certain Uchiha Phantom and Toad Sannin both sneezed.

Back to the current predicament. Namely talking and trying not to find out if the woman had an actual snake on her at the moment.

Hinata was conflicted between keeping an eye for a snake attempting to bite them and actually joining this conversation.

"That wouldn't be too bad of an idea. And you aren't an idiot for thinking of it. We would be helping them. They might think of something the three of us missed, but most importantly I wouldn't feel like I'm being strangled by a snake." Sasuke responded without missing a beat.

"S-Shouldn't we at least give Anko-sensei the benefit of the doubt and give her a chance." Hinata added as they arrived at a restaurant she recognized from going to Ichiraku's. She could have sworn she heard Naruto groan from not being able to go to the Ramen Place.

"Fair enough." Both boys uttered at her statement.

"Hey if you're done gossiping about me behind my back and ready to sit down then come on!" Anko called out to the three kids.

"Yes, sensei."

Anko led them into the dango shop and to a booth. The three looked at her expectantly while Anko began recalling her conversation from the other day.

-x-

Flashback

One week ago

Obito and Anko sat in a stall eating.

Well more accurately they were waiting on the next helping.

Usually the place would be crawling with customers but right now the place was pretty much abandoned.

"Alright so you were wanting to wait and talk about the brats away from prying ears so what do I need to know?" Anko questioned.

"Well for starters: part of the reason we asked you to take up this team was that the prophecy regarding these kids and you and the flames correlated too much to be a coincidence. I took a gamble that the two prophecies were part of the same bigger whole." Obito started before pausing to collect his thoughts.

"Naruto is the Kyubi Jinchuriki in addition to being an Uzumaki. He has massive stamina and chakra reserves, though it does come at the cost of a lot of basic chakra control. We have been teaching him Fuinjutsu but his attention span is something that needs a lot of work when it comes to boring and monotonous tasks so he has been a bit slow on the uptake. You probably haven't seen any of his marks in the academy but they'll probably point to him falling off in book learning but in practical and hands on lessons he excelled. Nothing we didn't know already. We tried working with him as best we could within our schedules, me between everything Hiruzen-sama wanted me to learn and Rin between shifts at the hospital. He's wind affinity if you wanted to know but he does know basic jutsu for all five elements, you know to get him started on learning how to properly mold chakra for those elements. But the most he knows and most advanced jutsus he knows how to do are wind and fire. Fire has developed somewhat as a secondary affinity it seems, probably from attempts to imitate Sasuke or Hinata's more basic fire jutsu. He's loud and can be disrespectful but the best way to get him to follow you to hell and back is make it clear you believe he can do whatever it is you're trying to teach or lead him through. And make sure you mean it and he will follow you on it without question and pull miracles out of his ass to do so. Other than that, he's quite honestly very similar to you so you two should get along well." Obito listed as though it were a file he was reading.

Anko nodded as she began making note of more pertinent information.

Obito moved on "You'll get more on Sasuke from Itachi or Mikoto. They were more involved in his training then Rin or me. He has an Uchiha's Fire Affinity and knows the basic Uchiha fire techniques. I think he might have a secondary affinity towards Lightning with how easy he picked up lightning molding exercises in comparison to Earth, Water, or Wind. Haven't taught him any Lightning beyond supplementary basic jutsu because that is more Kakashi's area and I don't particularly trust him right now. I mean he's like a brother to me and it has nothing to do with some members of the council plus the old fart advisors attempting to coerce Hiruzen-sama into making Kakashi the next Hokage instead of me, who has been training and preparing to take the position for years now. Kakashi acts fine but when the right subject is brought up, or wrong one I suppose, or the closer it gets to October Tenth or a mixture of the two then you see that he's changed and the scary part is, me and Rin have no clue on how deep it goes. We're hoping Kakashi's just after revenge but we don't know if he would allow that desire to warp him. Back to Sasuke, he tends to have a cool head for the most part, though that being said, I think it's pretty clear that Sasuke harbors a pretty powerful grudge against one of the creeps that attacked the village. The one that hijacked his dad and tried to have Fugaku kill his family, Kudo. I get the feeling that if Sasuke saw him again then he would blow his temper and do something phenomenally stupid."

Anko nodded. "Yeah I can see that from the description. Hell, if I saw Orochimaru, nothing would stop me from trying to put him six feet under in a shallow, unmarked grave."

Obito nodded and moved on. "Hinata is the Nibi Jinchurki. She has the basic Hyuga fighting style, except for the more advance techniques like Heavenly Spin or 64 palms. She has Fire Affinity and Nibi enhances it absurdly to the point of generating blue flames at times, and we are trying to teach her to consciously control when she generates them. She does have some chakra control issues but her Gentle Fist training has helped significantly with ironing them out to a minimum. We are certain she has Lightning as a Secondary Affinity with the rate at which she picked up Lightning Release exercises and jutsu that we could teach her. She has confidence issues but we helped her get some of her biggest doubts laid to rest, and you'll probably have to help finish taking care of them though we will still help when we can. Make sure you just steer clear of Gai's team if at all possible. Her cousin Neji is on the team and he is part of her problem. If you want more information on her specifically you will have to talk to her mom. Hitomi-sama is the only person I know of from her clan who was involved in her training. I would suggest try talking to immediate family, but Hiashi has been having serious health problems since that invasion a few years ago, her only living grandparent is currently locked up and has been since before that invasion, I don't know if Hizashi was even involved in training Hinata, and Neji might just give bad information out of spite." Obito finished with distaste in his voice.

Anko scratched her head: "I have been hearing a lot about that Neji kid. Some kind of prodigy with a bad attitude that drives Gai and his teammates to tears trying to deal with it. Apparently chose to study and train in the Gentle Fist rather than anything else like Ninjutsu beside what he needed to graduate, but he's some kind of genius who can pick up anything after watching a demonstration."

Obito nodded: "Yeah, that's him in a nutshell. Though bad attitude doesn't begin to cover it. If you can actually help it, try to keep him away from Hinata."

Obito paused and Anko knew it was to allow her to ask questions before he continued his briefing. The Snake Kunoichi thought for a few moments before something she had seen before hit her.

"Hey wait a second. Rin's a Jinchuriki too and she is able to be a medic. I thought it was supposed to be impossible." Anko stated with realization.

Obito chuckled slightly: "Conventional wisdom says that, but the truth is because Jinchuriki are typically meant to be used as weapons, no one bothers training them for any role outside of being a dedicated attacker. It's kind of a mindset difference between Konoha and most other Hidden Villages that allows Rin to be a dedicated combat medic and a fighter even as a Jinchuriki. Konoha has never fallen into the trap of relying too heavily on Jinchuriki. But some other reasons for Rin's oddity amongst Jinchuriki is just how well her and the Sanbi get along and work together, as well as considering she was quite a bit older than the norm for most Jinchuriki and was already training to be a medic when it was implanted, and thus she had time to get a handle on basic chakra control and had an idea to work with outside of being Jinchuriki. She had to work to get her chakra molded in a way that the toxic component of Biju chakra wasn't present in her medical jutsu, but that is half the battle when working with that volume of chakra output."

Anko hummed in response before another question came to mind: "Can she actually teach medical techniques to those two?"

Obito grimaced slightly: "Maybe…I don't know honestly. Naruto and Hinata both were quite a bit younger than the normal age for Biju implanting. Rin attempted to teach them the basics but I think she was teaching them more out of a desire to try and iron out more of their control issues but I know Rin mentioned that if one of them demonstrated an aptitude towards Medical techniques that she might try to take them on as a student. I think she mentioned Hinata did better than Naruto, but that is probably due to Gentle Fist conditioning and exercises stressing control. This was about 5 or 6 months ago so I don't know if there is more to it than that. It was a busy month and the Hokage had me stick around the office for most of it. I'll ask and see when I think about it."

Anko's smiled teasingly: "Gee, becoming Hokage isn't quite all it cracked up to be, eh?"

Obito shook his head and smiled: "I like a challenge. Even if the office work is boring there is more to the job than just the office work. But anyways, you see the point, right?"

Anko waved a hand dismissively: "Yeah, yeah. Don't place hope for a medic on my team."

"Hinata and Naruto both have shadow clone due to their Jinchuriki chakra reserves giving them control issues due to the Biju being sealed inside of them so early on. Also both have had no contact with their Biju, both beasts having had their minds rendered dormant by the sealing process, according to the Sanbi. Though that will not be the case much longer as we have estimated that the Biju will reawaken soon, as in if they ever suffer the kind of emotional turmoil to draw out a Jinchuriki Chakra Cloak. Both have the Toad Summoning contract due to the Seer Toad's prophecy pushing the Toads towards taking multiple summoners from a single generation. If they are ever captured by those seeking the Biju, we can use that to rescue them via reverse summoning or we can use my Kamui Marker Seal." Obito finished almost attempting to be reassuring.

"The amount of thought put into this makes me wonder if I should be worried." Anko noted with a bit of anxiety.

"You should. We have confirmed that a mercenary group called Akatsuki is out and after all the Jinchuriki. There might be smaller and less powerful or influential groups after them as well but Akatsuki is the largest, metaphorically speaking, and most powerful, both militarily and influentially, that we know of. They were behind that attack four years ago that wiped out the Uchiha." Obito responded.

"Damn. Bet you have a grudge against them for that shit." Anko grimaced.

"Yeah, a little bit. But my grudge is pointed at the one who organized the attack itself, Zetsu. Kakashi has a grudge against one of their members who was here during that attack who had made an attempt to destroy the village even earlier named Tobi." Obito admitted

"What did he do?" Anko wondered, with a small amount of dread.

"He extracted the Kyubi from its previous host, put it under his Mangekyo's power and then sent it on the rampage that was Kyubi Attack."

"…Holy Shit. Anything I should know about Tobi in case I run into him?" Anko added with a bit of worry.

"Almost everything that is pertinent to him has been put in the Bingo Book. He has Kamui but his Mangekyo is the standard version rather than Eternal Mangekyo so we don't know how it will be weaker. We don't think he has the matching eye because he has only demonstrated Kamui phasing and short range Kamui warping. That also means he's down Susanoo-o and whatever Standard Mangekyo technique in the eye he's missing. We're not sure if his Kamui is mapped the same way as mine." Obito added with a bit of anger slipping through his calm.

"Susanoo-o requires two Mangekyo to use right? Couldn't he just steal someone else's to complete his?" Anko wondered in genuine interest.

"Susanoo-o requires two eyes from a matching set. If he doesn't have the matching eye, he can't use Susanoo-o. I think that there was some old legend about an Uchiha who managed to unlock the Mangekyo and utilized Susanoo-o despite having been blinded by some means that I don't think the story mentioned. Problem is that most information regarding the Mangekyo before Madara and Izuna is at best incomplete accounts that have been damaged by time and probably had the facts distorted. Though being able to use Susanoo-o despite losing one or both eyes sounds like something Madara could pull off. Probably would be a feat of adaptive ability that I'm not sure is possible but it would sure be a sight." Obito responded.

"Hmm. Well good to know he doesn't have that. I should be able to stall him till I get help or hold him while the others escape if the cards are down. You seem awfully certain that the brats will pass my test." Anko concluded.

Obito chuckled: "Please. I think we both can admit that you have already decided that they WILL be your team. I think you're gonna use that True Genin Test as a means of testing their skills, probably either survival or combat or both, with that whole kicked back to the academy for failure bit as a means of motivation." He deduced and looked at Anko with a glint that dared her to try and challenge it.

If he was expecting her to, then he had another thing coming: "You're right."

-x-

Back to the present

Anko ended her recollection before placing the order.

'Okay, get to know the kids, spring the surprise, then we do the test after we eat, and move on to some basic exercises with whatever time we have.' Anko laid out to herself. "Alright, brats. I know about you generally from academics and skillset. But I don't know much about you as people. Let's do some introductions. How about I go first and lay out some guidelines so that we have an idea?"

The kids looked between each other and nodded.

Anko smiled: "Alright! You already heard my name, though if ya happened to miss it I'll refresh ya: Its Mitarashi Anko! My likes are spending time with my friends, dango, spiting miserable bastards when I can get away with it and truly hurt them, and training to be the best kunoichi I can be. My dislikes are miserable bastards, including one in particular, traitors, ungrateful bastards, and people who judge others based on appearances or names without bothering to look closer. My hobbies are training and messing with certain people. There are others but those are the most pertinent, and I don't want us to be here all day. My dream is a multi-parter, I want to make sure you guys reach as high as you can with my help, I want to take out a certain bastard who nearly ruined my life or failing that living my life to the best of my ability to show that he failed to destroy me, and I want to join the T&I department. That last bit was a dream of mine for a while, especially after some higher ups there took my side when my life got turned upside down and a lot of people were convinced that I was a traitor or a sleeper."

The kids sat in silence for a moment before Anko broke it: "Alright, now that I've poured out my heart and soul to you brats. Who wants to go next?"

Naruto volunteered: "I'll do it. My name's Uzumaki Naruto. My likes are my friends and family, ramen, and training. My dislikes are the time it take for ramen to cook, bullies, and people who don't give a damn about who their actions hurt. My hobbies… I mean I don't really have any outside my likes. I guess you could say I have a gardening hobby. I have some plants that I take care of and I help my big sister when she decides to do garden work. My dream is to be the Hokage one day, just like my heroes the Fourth Hokage and my big brother Obito."

Anko smiled at the intro: 'Heh him and me are going to be getting along. He does have a bit of a volume problem but so did I when I started out. Heh, still kinda do. He's confident but some of it is put on. Something tells me if his friends are in trouble nothing would be able to stop him from helping them. That bit about bullies and people who don't care about who they hurt sounds like it might have come from that Neji brat. Means I'm going to have to see if I can find a way to put it to rest.' Anko answered: "Nice intro, blondie. I think everyone in the village heard it. Who's next?"

Hinata giggled at Naruto's reaction to the name and the comment that followed.

Sasuke answered "I'll do it. My name's Uchiha Sasuke. My likes are my friends and family and training. My dislikes are monsters who would use someone as a pawn to kill their own family, fangirls, and people who mistreat their family. My hobby is training. My dream is to see my family avenged and safe guard the next generation of my family from any threats who would see us snuffed out."

'Geez, talk about edgy. Though I can understand his hatred of that Kudo character. I'm probably going to have to have a sit down with him and work through that mess. He probably thought he had to grow up fast. With how short and to the point his answers were and adding in everything else, it sounds like a pretty big mess. That kind of baggage plus his Bloodline would be a prime target for Orochimaru. That pale bastard won't get his hands on him if I have anything to say. And it sounds like he's had a run-in with Neji as well. I might need to ask around and see if everyone has a story about him.' Anko thought before responding: "That intro could use some work but it will do I guess. Though could you back off on the edge, I feel like I might get a cut just from talking or touching you. Alright that just leaves you." Anko finished focusing on Hinata.

Naruto laughed at the jab made at Sasuke as the Uchiha scowled slightly at the comment.

Hinata looked nervous before she took a breath and began: "A-alright. M-my name is Hyuga Hinata. M-my likes are my friends and family, e-especially…" Hinata stopped for a moment and looked at Naruto before she blushed madly and shook her head and continued: "…N-never mind. My dislikes are cruel and pointless traditions, especially those that make people bitter and tear families apart, and bullies. M-my hobbies are gardening and spending time with my friends. M-my dream is to be part of the change that ends such traditions and support the dreams of my friends." She ended with her blush returning.

'Grief, she has it bad for Naruto, well at least I can say she's definitely not a fangirl. Thank god for small favors. I hope she can learn to spit it out before it's too late or before she decides he will never return her feelings and end up bottling them up and making herself miserable. Heard too many stories about that shit already, and enough from friends and people I know to know it's a problem. I wonder what traditions she's talking about… no I don't. She's referring to the Caged Bird Seal and probably the main/branch house system. It almost seems like she places the blame for Neji on it. I wonder how much of it is true. She could definitely use a confidence boost or two. Maybe I could help with that.' Anko thought before responding: "Good enough, kid. Alright, now that introductions are out of the way onto team business."

"Such as?" Sasuke questioned with a slight edge.

Anko smirked with a predatory edge that unnerved the three once more: "The True Genin Test. The academy graduation test is to see if you had the minimum needed to be Shinobi. The True Genin Test is to weed out the wastes of space who would throw in the towel when things get tough and see who really has what it takes to be Shinobi. Fail and you go back for another year at the academy."

The responses ranged from an indignant outburst from Naruto, a hardened stare from Sasuke, and Hinata's pale skin becoming even paler and looking like she was about to collapse.

"Oi! Settle down! You'll have a fair shot." Anko stated sternly to get their attention.

The kids nodded and their calm returned.

Anko nodded approvingly. "Alright. Here's what we'll do. We're gonna eat then we going out to the training grounds and have the test. I'm not a fan of wasting time so we'll do it today."

The three voiced acknowledgement.

Anko's smirk turn into a smile that retained the predatory edge: "Excellent. And for what it's worth, I think you'll pass with flying colors. Just don't let that go to your heads. Give it all you got or else it will be something horrible for you."

The kids smirked and nodded as the food arrived.

Anko mentally smiled sincerely at the display. 'Maybe this won't be too bad after all.'

-x-

Team 8

Kurenai sighed wearily.

Things already weren't off to a great start.

Kiba was arguing with Sakura. Sakura was upset about her team placement which contributed to a bad mood and Kiba's personality definitely wasn't helping anything.

But the fear in Yakumo's eyes definitely worsened both Kiba and Sakura's moods and Kurenai's own. The other two were blaming the other for Yakumo's state.

Kurenai knew whose fault it was: it was her fault and hers alone.

That was the one thing she was willing to admit Obito was right about. As much as it sickened her to admit it.

-x-

Flashback.

Kurenai knew her tracking team would be accepted. Team 8 was traditionally a tracking team. The best tracker combinations was Inuzuka, Hyuga, and Aburame combinations due to co-ordination of Bloodline and Clan Ninja Arts.

It was logical.

This whole ceremony was a formality. Everyone knew which team they would be given.

Though Kurenai was caught off guard by Anko and Kagome's presences. What teams would they lead? Kagome had an ambush based style so perhaps an ambush assault team? Anko made a good interrogator and a front line combatant, perhaps a team based around that?

Asuma was a given. Ino-Shika-Cho teams had always been traditionally led by a Sarutobi. Hiruzen-sama hadn't led an incarnation of the team formation but the Sannin were famous for a team dynamic that challenged the infamous combination that pre-dated the village due to those clans' alliance.

Hiruzen smiled at Kurenai but it was a strained smile of someone who dreaded the storm that was about to erupt.

Kurenai could tell something was wrong but she assumed he was dreading having to tell someone else that her team had disrupted their requested team. Probably multiple.

Well might get this over with before the awkward part started,

"Yuhi Kurenai Reporting for Team Assignment." Kurenai stated with attempt to sound not too self-assured.

The Hokage said nothing and handed a note.

Kurenai read through it with her instincts already screaming something was wrong.

Request for Tracker Team denied. Aburame Shino and Hyuga Hinata already assigned to other teams. Inuzuka Kiba assigned to team 8 alongside Haruno Sakura and….

Kurenai stopped reading already and was ready to protest this decision but a glow from the corner of her eyes caught her attention.

It was Obito and his Sharingan was active and in a pattern she hadn't seen.

The world melted away and a nether realm formed around them.

Genjutsu. They were trying to keep her from making a scene. Fat chance of this helping them. Genjutsu was her specialty. She wasn't going to be beaten like this.

"Don't bother. It takes a lot of brute power to break Tsukuyomi's Genjutsu. The kind a perfect Jinchuriki can bring to bear specifically through their Biju." Obito responded.

"And that should mean?" Kurenai wondered as she began trying to gauge the power of the illusion and what would be required to break it for herself.

"You don't have what it takes to break this illusion, and this can last for days from the perspective of those trapped here. You resist what I tell you and I will hold you here till the strain of having those days inserted into your mind will knock you out from information overload, and think of the scene that would create. The Illusion's controller has no such issue to worry about." Obito followed up as if reading Kurenai's thoughts.

"You're not the one being screwed out of the logical team for you to lead." Kurenai bit back.

Obito's eyes widened in disbelief and Kurenai almost thought she had convinced him before his eyes narrowed. "What qualifications do you have to lead a tracker team?! I saw that and had to think long and hard about everything I know about you to make sure I wasn't letting a bias make me think you were unsuited for a tracker team, and the conclusion I came up with is that I wasn't being biased, I literally have no knowledge of any such qualification existing in your repertoire and you have no record of skill that is remotely useful towards tracking. Believe me Kurenai, I believe women can be powerful ninja as much as men, Tsunade-sama and Terumi Mei definitely prove it, but this is not a doubt of your capabilities but rather a questioning of you, maybe, having decided to bite off more than someone of your skills can chew. I don't know if you can use sensor techniques to act as a tracker but the fact of the matter is that you would be better to lead a team that focused on Genjutsu based ambush and did you not see that Yakumo was assigned to you."

'Are they serious?! Wait of course they are! I've been getting shit for that ever since I made what I thought was the right call. She was losing control and suffering personality shifts that were causing damage. But no, Obito has to hold a grudge because I tried to have the mess handled silently rather than report my opinion and observations to anyone who could have helped and have her chakra system shut down. Now they have to screw me over on this and make me take her again.' Kurenai thought bitterly before Obito continued.

"And following up the comment about logical teams, do you remember the team I was assigned to lead? Aburame Torune, Yamanaka Fu, and Shin. Anyone taking them at pure face value would say that the formation was flawed and completely illogical. They would have been judging them on their clan names and Shin's lack of a name beyond what ROOT gave him, rather than the skills and abilities that made them unique. You are pigeon-holing them based on stereotype of their clans instead of trying to see what their actual skills have developed into. I'd say that it would be almost as bad as judging someone based on gender." Obito finished with an accusing edge and that last comment made Kurenai see red.

"Yakumo doesn't need me now she needs other training! And the three I-" Kurenai started but got no further.

"Did you conveniently forget about the fact that you promised to help her achieve her dream?" Obito retorted with a bit of contempt in his voice. Kurenai couldn't even continue her argument with how dry her mouth went. "I made sure you couldn't back out when whatever dropped that THING in her and used that seal to bind it to her." That comment made her wonder just how much of the assignment process he had been part of. "YOU TRIED TO PUSH TO HAVE HER CAPABILITIES SEALED AWAY PERMANENTLY WITHOUT RECOURSE TO RESTORE THEM! YOU BETRAYED HER IN THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL WAY I COULD THINK OF! Those who break the rules are trash, but those who abandon their friends or their comrades are less than that. You abandoned a comrade, so we are less than inclined to actually give you a team, considering we aren't sure if you would stick by them like a sensei should or give up and abandon them like you did Yakumo. You wouldn't even have a team if I hadn't come up with this idea. This is your punishment. We may have her in better condition and her Id or whatever has attached to it and caused it to go berserk like it did may be contained until we figure out how to remove or destroy it, but you have to pay for how you betrayed her and failed her as a teacher. Any damage that remains after you abandoned her and all damage that came about as a result is your fault, and you will own up to it if you expect to have future genin squads and be trusted with high priority missions. And if you even think of sabotaging this team out of spite, so help me whatever god there is as my witness, I will drag you to my seal work area, strap you down to my work table, and personally carry out the exact procedure you attempted to have forced on Yakumo, total and irreversible sealing of her chakra network, done to you. And I will make sure that it will be made as painful as I can manage to make it." Obito finished with contempt oozing out of him and refusing to let her get in another word.

Kurenai understood that Obito was being dead serious at the moment. This wasn't an idle threat, it was a promise to what they saw as a possible unruly child preparing to throw a tantrum and failing that to get their way, spite the parents.

The fact that they had treated her as such was both humiliating and angering. But she knew when to fight something and when to let it go.

She wasn't giving up on that tracker team. But maybe this team could be used to push for a reorganization.

Everyone would thank her later.

Obito spoke with certainty: "I believe I have made my point, we're done here. Release." And the hellscape dissolved back into the Hokage's office barely even a moment later.

Kurenai wanted to publicly protest despite the warning, but something told her it would do no good.

-x-

Back to present

The only thing in the assignments that were stolen from Kurenai that she could take solace in was Hinata, and even that was bittersweet.

Kurenai saw the potential to be the best kunoichi of the generation in the shy Hyuga, and wanted to be the one who taught her how to walk that path.

But Obito and Hiruzen stole that from her. At least the job that should have been Kurenai's was given to Anko. Anko's behavior tended to be borderline unstable at times but she had a strength of will that was unmatched. She had to in order to resist the Cursed Seal and Orochimaru's influence that came with it.

At least Hinata would be learning how to be a great kunoichi from one who had walked the path she was now treading. Though Anko would probably miss-manage her talents and push her towards more combat oriented skills rather than tracking and subduing like Kurenai intended to. The perfect role for Hyuga and their Gentle Fist.

Kurenai did regret that her stewing in her bitterness at the decision had almost cost her the opportunity to learn about the team she had been given. Or more accurately learn more than she already had about the one she didn't know much about: Sakura.

Face value was a mix of uninspiring and impressive that when put together equaled out to just barely above average. She was civilian born, first generation Ninja. Exceptional chakra control, but pitiful reserves. Fangirl who managed kick the worst habits of that particular behavior type during the final Academy year after Tsunade began teaching basic first aid classes and used those to recruit volunteers for the medical program, which Sakura joined. Academically, very intelligent, though her grades in practical applications were far poorer compared to the rest of the class. Only just began proper physical conditioning this year with the kicking of those previously mentioned habits and began actually training outside of Academy hours. That said she almost managed to claim the kunoichi of the year title with her near perfect academic performance alone, only to lose and fall under Yamanaka Ino's similar academic accomplishment supported by a somewhat better practical performance, Fu's middle road academic performance and excellent practical performance, and Hinata's higher end academic performance and decent practical performance.

Average, but she had a chance. Maybe there was something salvageable here.

If anything was going to work with this inherently broken and dysfunctional dynamic, Yakumo's distrust and fear had to be dealt with, Kiba needed to drop the ego and learn to work with others besides Akamaru, and Sakura needed to prove she was serious about being a Shinobi.

'Hmm, perhaps the true genin test could be used to bring them together.' Kurenai thought to herself. She remembered a fellow team from back in her genin days and the arguments and personality conflicts that erupted, but their sensei had used the true genin test to end the infighting when the cards were down and then used initial sessions and missions to smooth over the jagged edges of the dynamic.

Probably drank himself into multiple hangovers trying to deal with the stress and nerves from holding their dysfunctional team together long enough for them to get over their issues and come up with ideas and schemes to solve each issue he recognized. Admirable, considering he was reeling from the loss of half his family early in the Third Great Ninja War.

Unfortunately the man was among the casualties of the invasion four years ago. Kurenai's own team had similar enough personalities that conflicts of personality were rare and they managed to keep from falling apart over the slightest issue. 'There's no way I can come up with something on the fly to start fixing what I can immediately see. I'll need time to plan. I hate having to take a page from Kakashi and Obito, but my failures this past week have forced my hand. I'll have to delay it to tomorrow. Besides, maybe this time could be used to help start getting them to overcome their issues, without me having to pull tests and challenges designed to make them see the failings and attempt to correct them in order to overcome them.'

But the thought of Obito caused Kurenai caused some of that bitter resentment to resurface and spike: 'No. I'm not going to do anything that would be similar to his own improper behavior. I believe I can do this today and use the test to bring them together. I will prove him wrong.' Kurenai thought with determination and spite driving her but a voice in the back of her head doused some of the new flame with the reality of the situation: 'But no matter what, I'll never get the team I wanted to lead.'

Kurenai drew in a breath and began speaking: "I understand that today has been unorthodox from what you expected. Believe me, it is unorthodox from how I planned it, some of which is my fault for refusing to accept a situation that I was responsible for. We'll make introductions, I'll explain the bulk of the situation we're sitting on, we'll eat, and then we go from there."

-x-

Team 10

Asuma supposed it was a stroke of luck when it turned out that Yashiniku Q was a place that all three of his students were familiar with.

Shikamaru seemed mildly enthused, Ino looked alright with it, and Choji looked like his birthday had arrived early.

Well better get the show on the road

"Alright. You three may know each other but I only know you three by what I have heard." Asuma started, "So how about we fix both that and how little you know about me at the same time with introductions."

Shikamaru looked exasperated already. 'I may be a little lazy, but this kid is ridiculous, even for a Nara.' Asuma thought, with the feeling this would be the cause of many headaches to come.

None of the kids volunteered.

Fine then. Asuma could work with it. "Fine, I'll start: I'm Asuma. I like a lot of things, though teaching others has always been something I enjoyed, whether it be teaching something to people older, younger, or the same age as me. I don't like myself and others being compared to standards we can't reach. I especially dislike traitors and those betray the duty they swore to serve. My hobby is shogi, and my dream is to live a good life that I can look back on with little or no regrets and to settle down one day. Any volunteers?"

None would come forward at first but Shikamaru smiled at the shogi mention and had a look of interest form in his eyes while Ino narrowed her eyes and recognized a story behind his listed intense dislike but then had a wide smile form at the end of his stated dream. Great, a gossip hound. Just what he needed.

Choji volunteered before Ino could pounce: "I'm Choji. I like eating and hanging around Shikamaru. I don't like people being picked on for anything, appearance especially. My hobby is eating, but I really don't have a dream."

Asuma smiled: "That's alright kid. Some people need to see the world before they figure out their dream. It was how I found mine."

Ino went next, apparently having put the things that caught her interest on the back burner: "I'm Ino. I like shopping and gossip and hanging with my friends. And especially one in particular." Ino paused with a small blush coloring her cheeks before it faded and she continued: "I dislike… quite a few things. The last few years had me find out a little about something that ended up really ticking me off. I guess what I dislike the worst are old and paranoid attitudes. Flowers and shopping are my hobby and my dream is to have a successful career and improve my clan's techniques the best I can."

Asuma thought for a moment: 'That is a little strange. Her file mentioned she spent time around that Sai kid. Something tells me that they went digging and found some of ROOT's laundry. I can't tell if it is impressive or disturbing if it's true. She's motivated and she's got her head on straight, I can work with it.' "Way to throw me through a loop. I help that dream however I can. Just make sure you don't lose focus on it."

Ino nodded animatedly: "Yes, Sensei!"

Asuma looked over at Shikamaru: "You're the last one. Make it count."

Shikamaru sighed: "Troublesome… I'm Shikamaru. I like… things. Shogi, naps, sleep, and cloud watching come to mind immediately. I dislike a lot of stuff. Troublesome stuff. People who won't let me sleep are the worst. Hobby's shogi and hanging with Choji. My dream is to have an ordinary, average life and career, maybe get married and have a kid and die in my own home."

Asuma just stared: "That has to be one of the most half-assed things I have ever heard."

Ino face palmed and sighed: "Shikamaru, do you ever decide to get off that lazy ass of yours and do something?"

Shikamaru shrugged: "Maybe. Not often."

Asuma cut in before Ino could fire off again because it was giving him flashbacks to his academy days and Anko and quite a few other kids, especially Naras. "That's enough for now. We have the True Genin Test to do after we eat."

The three looked at him and blinked: "Wha…"

Asuma shrugged: "One of the things that Konoha does is that even when you graduate, you're still not officially Ninja, you have to take a test come up with by the sensei to approve the team's formation. We're not allowed to give an actual impossible test with the hope to fail the students unless we feel that they are a bad batch with no hope of ever truly becoming shinobi or need another year at the academy to iron things out. Oh, By the way, that's the price for failure."

Color drained away from their faces, before a look of cold determination began to set in.

Asuma smiled: 'Good. This is going to be easy.' "Alright let's eat, then get to work."

-x-

Team 6

Shino and Sai didn't know what to think of the establishment, a place called Waterfall Paradise (a rather unfortunate name considering the kind of establishment such a moniker made him think of) that Fu and Kagome-sensei had led them to.

Shino was aware of the connection between the two but Sai was not but apparently assumed that the two had already been acquainted and had visited this establishment many times before.

Cups of tea were set out before them by a server. Kagome and Fu quickly took up their cups and began sipping at the steaming liquid.

Fu noticed her teammates' reluctance and tried nudging them along: "Seriously, try the tea. It's great."

"You seem to be well acquainted with both Sensei and this establishment." Sai noted as he attempted to pick up the cup to try to sample the taste.

Fu rolled her eyes as if answering a very obvious question: "Well, yeah, I kinda am. All of us: Kagome-sensei, the owners of this place, and myself are from Taki. They had a pretty similar shop back in Taki. I forget what exactly it was called but it was pretty good."

Shino was aware of Kagome's big sister like mentorship to Fu, but this establishment being a favorite of theirs was news to him. He had heard of the establishment Waterfall Paradise before from family members who gave a positive impression but the best information is usually gathered first hand.

The restaurant decorated its interior in a way to resemble a light forest like those that would be found scattered throughout the Land of Waterfalls, especially near where Takigakure once stood.

Fu's apparent fondness for the place was something Shino took note of along the lines of: 'File that bit of data away for future practical use.' A small heat on his cheeks and smile on his face hidden by his jacket's collar.

The décor wasn't just attempts to imitate the waterfall forests of Taki, it was fairly authentic theming. The plants within the dining area were most likely immigrated in from Taki and those particular forests; and the restaurant had a set up inside to resemble a Waterfall with a machine set up to generate a light waterfall mist.

Shino took a sip of the tea and found the taste to be a unique blend of both sweet and bitter. Almost hard to come up with proper descriptions for such a taste. The sweetness was part of whatever herbal leaf was used for the basis as was the bitterness in all likelihood. It tasted natural and well balanced, not manufactured like so many other teas and especially sweet tastes.

"This is a unique taste. I wonder what primary ingredient they used." Shino mused out loud. Not really expecting an answer.

"They used the herbs of a White Jade bush to make their tea." Fu answered cheerfully.

Sai stopped drinking at that exact moment and lowered his cup cautiously: "I was under the impression that the White Jade's herbs were poisonous if prepared to be used in a tea brew."

Shino, had he been anyone else, probably would have started to panic at that statement but the sensei of the group cut in.

"Normally, yes. However the proper method can remove the toxicity and render it perfectly safe for consumption, without removing the flavor and even enhancing the taste if done perfectly." Kagome answered softly.

"I see. I assume it was done properly if they are willing to serve it out. Never mind then." Sai responded before continuing to consume the beverage.

Kagome-sensei seemed deep in thought as if recalling information for use now.

-x-

Flashback

"What do I need to know about Shino and Sai?" Kagome posited to the chunin in charge of the class, Iruka. Obito was there as well. Information he had from both Torune and Shin on their respective little brother figures would be quite useful.

"Shino is your standard Aburame, with utilization of Kikaichu." Iruka started

"However recent information that Torune was kind enough to share when we were coming up with formations indicates that he contains a unique mutation on the genetic markers that allow Aburame to host various types of Kikaichu. I don't quite understand the extent of what that may entail, but Torune seemed to believe it meant that he would be able to host multiple Aburame insect types, rather than just the various strains of Kikaichu and perhaps even the Rinkaichu like Torune does, in time." Obito added in.

"I see. Very interesting." Kagome added honestly. Torune had demonstrated just how dangerous the rarer Aburame insect strain could be.

Iruka took over the conversation from there. "His biggest weakness from what I understand and have seen is Taijutsu," Made sense, most Aburames tended to function best as mid to long range support. "Though Fu has been working with him to help eliminate the worst of it." That definitely sounded like her, helping others as best she could in an area she excelled in. "He seems to be working on his own unique strains of Kikaichu, maybe trying to expand what kind of support he can be. Most elemental jutsu he worked with when given the chance to were Earth and Water elemental techniques."

Kagome interjected there "I'll have to press him for some information about that. Either that or see if Fu's insatiable curiosity about bugs has led to her already interrogating him for and successfully gaining said information. And considering the primary strengths and weakness of Bug Master styles," A nickname for clans like Aburame and Kamizuru who utilized a bond with insect types to perform most of their clan jutsu. "A focus on elements that counter fire and strengthen both the user and their bug allies is definitely a move I would expect from him based on Fu's description of his mindset. She referred to him as pragmatic."

Iruka nodded: "Yes that is one way to put it. I would label it lethally pragmatic and possibly recommend assistance with dealing with that if I knew he was a possible problem. Missing Nin or the kind who would sacrifice allies for the victory. He knows when to use that pragmatism and when to restrain it."

Kagome nodded "Good."

Iruka started the next part: "Sai is almost the same way mindset wise. Dangerously pragmatic, but knows when to use it and when to hold off. Sai's kind of average to the point of blending in when he doesn't speak though people don't forget he's there when it happens like Shino. His ink constructs are impressive. Hard to believe he came up with it almost on his own."

Obito nodded. "Yep, that's pretty much what I was able to get from Shin on Sai. Though he also has a pretty decent mastery of Shin's Kenjutsu style, along with his unique Beast Imitations and other ideas he came up with."

Kagome thought for a moment before speaking: "I believe this enough to work with. Thank you."

Iruka looked confused: "Don't you want information about Fu?"

"I know enough…" Kagome started but the expressions from Iruka and Obito both made her relent, "…but I could know more."

-x-

Back to present

Kagome shook from her recollection with a single sentence. "Most sensei would ask for introductions as a means to have a framework for what they were dealing with for their students. I think there is some wisdom to it, but I also believe that more is learned through fighting each other and alongside one another than words can express in a similar amount of time." Kagome paused for a moment.

The three kids continued to look at her as if waiting for her to continue her thought and finish the statement.

Kagome grinned internally, 'They know I wasn't finished or that I wasn't letting them ask questions. Good. Better than my own teammates when Hana-sensei pulled this.' An internal grin that turned into a frown with the thought bringing forth a remembrance of how and why they died.

Kagome continued: "We'll eat and then we'll head to the training grounds. We'll learn through both. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Sensei." Three voices parroted.

Xxx

Konoha Training Ground 47

6 hours after team 7 formation and first team meeting

Anko nodded approvingly from her perch as she observed her genin create their third shelter since she began the first half of her test for them.

The first two had been destroyed by Anko, one using a stampede of the forest's animals, the second using one of her snakes to herd them away from the side of the forest they set up on that time.

Kagome and her brats were also doing the test here. Anko knew Kagome had been making trips into the forest starting a few days ago and now she knew why. Setting up her traps, steam geysers, and letting that summon of hers prep the area for its terraformation technique, turning that side of the forest into a rather unique battlefield that Kagome controlled through her summon.

It almost felt like some strange kind of pitfall that had a gravity well dragging you towards the center if you were on the ground, to Anko during her excursion into that area when her curiosity got the better of her.

The reason Anko destroyed their camp the second time and herded them this way was because they were setting up too close to Kagome's area and Anko doubted the Former Taki Jonin would be too happy with them interfering with the test she was running. Anko knew that she would feel the same if Kagome's brats interfered with her test.

The three were checking themselves thoroughly following a run in with the fat leeches that lived in the swamp part of the forest they were currently set up in.

Anko remembered the first time she found one on her and knew just how freaky it felt once you found out what they were.

Their method for locking down the area was a bit rough. That could be excused as a lack of actual experience in the kind of situation that this was simulating. But, the brats also avoided some of the more rookie mistakes when making an improvised camp and some improvised traps and defenses.

Definitely never used any limited supplies to set up a camp with in a situation where they would most likely have to abandon the camp at a moment's notice.

Maybe give them another hour then move this on to the fun part.

"My, my. What a sight, Anko-chan actually enjoying teaching children. Using a sink-or-swim method with the location, don't you agree?" an old voice hissed.

Anko laughed: "Hey Kusahebi. Been a while since you stopped by for a visit. You almost had me thinking you had forgotten about me! Why would you fuck with me like that?!" Anko waxed dramatically, making her voice sound like she was on the edge of shedding tears with her lips quivering from trying not to laugh out loud.

The old snake looked amused: "I always forget your flair for theatrics and then I see why some of the more boisterous of our clan appreciate you so much. But you failed to answer the question."

Anko just nodded: "Yeah, it is a little bit sink-or-swim, but with some of what we're looking at, we might not have time or opportunity to take it too slow for safety."

The old Snake had realization shine in his eyes: "You believe they are the flames. From both Orochi-sama and Gamamaru-dono's visions."

Anko shrugged: "Yeah, kinda. Well some others believe it, don't know that other name but some toad did have a vision about something."

The snake's eyes narrowed slightly: "Interesting. I had heard of the prophecy that Gamamaru gave to Jiraiya years ago recently. Whatever is causing the ancient evil to return, it must be something that has been in motion for quite some time. Perhaps even longer than we were aware of the possibility of the Jyubi or some other evil returning."

Anko barely acknowledged the grass snake like summon as she continued to focus on her students.

The snake smirked before continuing: "Though I must admit that this is a bit surprising Anko-chan. I remembered all the rants you gave about not letting fate rule your life and decisions yet here you are."

Anko's demeanor went from laid back to stiff in a heartbeat as she started glaring at the old snake from the corner of her eye: "Watch it, Gramps. I like you but you're treading… or slithering rather, on real thin ice right now. And for the record I NEVER gave in to fate bullshit, I got suckered into a bet and everything spiraled from there."

Kusahebi began chuckling after the comment had been barked off: "Hehe, somehow I'm not surprised in the slightest by that. It does explain why you don't look somewhat broken about this." The snake went silent for a moment and Anko picked up on the unsaid reason why he was here.

"…You're here about the Cursed Seal, aren't you?" Anko asked though it was more of a statement.

"Yes. Has there been any progress in regards to figuring out how it is made?" the snake questioned.

"A little bit. Whatever is gathering Nature Energy for the seal to use is supposedly human DNA in basis. And Orochimaru combined his own DNA with it to achieve the finished product." Anko parroted off the information that the most recent test run by Tsunade-sama had the Sannin ending the session giving to Anko.

Kusahebi used his tail to imitate the chin scratching pose as he processed: "Very interesting. I hope that if this seal is using the DNA of an actual human that the basis is able to live safely and freely. All that Nature Energy is highly unstable and could result in petrification or imbalanced Sage Mode."

Anko had a few questions from that: "Few questions, First: you know of DNA. How? Second: Petrification? Like what the old man Fence Sitter from Iwa does with Dust Release? And Third: I have heard of Sage Mode but not imbalanced Sage Mode, what is that?"

Kusahebi chuckled and smiled at Anko's line of questioning. "First, I may not look it but I am a trained sage of my clan. Just not the sage or an official sage or in any position similar to the Priestesses. I prefer to be peacekeeper over anything else. It is how I was able to sense that burst of Nature Chakra from your seal when your temper snapped when we first met. Carrying it to my point, all sages become aware of some of life's secrets and hidden concepts in time. If it is a human who holds that power and your former teacher managed to figure out how to extract DNA in such a way that when the Seal is created it continues it Nature Energy gathering then it is safe to assume that they continue to live with this curse of gathering Nature Energy passively until it boils over into an imbalance Sage Mode. Petrification results from absorption of too much Nature Energy in comparison to one's chakra when attempting to mold Nature Chakra. I believe that the technique you are referring to in Onoki-san's repertoire was designed to pull in Nature Energy for that particular effect. I know more from when I witnessed Mu-san do it as well, and what I described is what I observed the Null Man do. Imbalanced Sage Mode is a state that is achieved due to improper molding of Nature Chakra that ends up affecting the Brain's natural chemistry in ways that usually results in heightened aggression among other unsavory side effects. Human Sages who are self-taught without any aid from another who has learned how to properly control and enter Sage Mode, as well as the Cursed Seal Basis or Progenitor in all likely hood, are the most likely to use Imbalanced Sage Mode. Jiraiya-san is an Imperfect Sage, he doesn't balance the Nature Energy and his chakra properly and suffers some slight handicaps as a result as well as partially developing toad traits, but his mind is not affected due to being able to properly mold it somewhat."

Anko hummed in response, never taking her eyes off the students.

Anko continued silently watching the kids work with the old snake making small talk before she finally decided that it was time to move forward.

'They've been at it since one and I think it's about 7 or 8 at night. Probably need to finish this and get them home. I bet their families are starting to wonder.' Anko thought to herself

The old snake sighed: "This seems to be an inopportune time to talk. How about you finish your business and then we'll talk later."

"Sounds good to me." Anko chirped.

"Very Well. You know how to find me." The old snake finished but before vanishing in a puff of smoke, Anko stopped him. "Wait! Could you do me a favor? I need messages delivered to their families. Verbal, and just telling them that the brats are alright and will be home in just over an hour." Anko explained in a hurry to get his attention.

"Yes I believe I can do so." Kusahebi responded.

Anko smiled sincerely: "Thanks Old Man." Before giving directions and means of finding the houses he needed to visit.

The Snake slithered off while Anko quietly began slinking away from her little observation spot to catch the kids off guard.

With the kids, however, they had no knowledge of the visitor who had come and left during the last hour.

The three had been given the instructions survive for however long Anko-sensei felt like, do no permanent harm to animals if you could help it and kill the animals only if it is clear that they aren't going to give up under any circumstances, and always keep an eye out.

Shadow Clones, Byakugan, and Shadow Clones with the Byakugan made this test a joke.

So the kids did things to keep entertained for the moment.

Naruto was working on Wind Molding, trying to get the exercise done faster and easier. He was making slight progress, getting slightly faster and more efficient with each attempt.

Sasuke was running through scenarios in his head about a possible fight with Anko being the finale to this test. If she was going to not hold back or take them somewhat serious than the name of the game wasn't achieving a win or what she considered a win, it was holding her off to the best of their ability and working together to face the onslaught that would ensue. However if she was holding back, it depended on how much whether to determine if the goal was to win or do their best against what she threw at them in that scenario.

Hinata was running through the standard control exercise for learning the Mystic Palm technique, using the technique to heal the damage within a dead fish without causing it to explode messily. Though her current one exploded after 30 seconds, though the gore was far more intact than previous attempts. Didn't stop her yelp of surprise and subsequent depression that had been routine after each failed attempt ever since they had settled in at this location. This was her twelfth try.

Sasuke had asked why she was so intent on learning to be able to use Medical Ninjutsu which Naruto agreed with and her answer was desiring an application of herself and her abilities and gifts that didn't involve hurting and potentially killing, wanting to do something that could heal and soothe.

Couldn't blame that.

Back to the present, Naruto offered some words of encouragement to Hinata that ended her moping and caused her frown to turn into a smile with her cheeks blushing before she let out a soft sigh and followed up with wiping the fish gore off her skin and then almost began pulling out another one to try again with before she went stiff.

Both boys picked up on her tension and noticed her activate her Byakugan.

"What's up, Hinata?"

"What's going on?"

Hinata stuttered slightly: "A-Anko-sensei entered multiple of my clones' visual ranges. Clones who were at different points in the patrol perimeter. Two were solid, as in they were human or human like rather than elemental chakra forced into a human shape."

Sasuke nodded: "She's pulling a multi-pronged attack. The multiple sighting by different clones in the perimeter have to be clones of her, maybe a Shadow Clone with other types of clones for the two . She's going to make us fight her."

"Yeah, but we can take her!" Naruto stated trying to keep morale up.

Hinata nodded: "R-right!"

Sasuke went along: "Maybe but we won't know until we try."

The three waited until Anko dropped down from the upper tree branches and landed on a large tree root that had grown out of the ground to both provide better support the tree in the generally marshy environment of the forest and grown out to become another tree and perhaps even further than that, before going into a lounging position.

"Well, well. I have to say I'm impressed. Not many fresh meat knows some of the lessons you know when it comes to improvise camp building. And not many would think to use clones to help patrol, though to be fair not many of them have Shadow Clones. Though I'm wondering how you knew I was coming so fast." Anko stated to no one in particular.

The Genin kept their mouths shut.

Anko shrugged. "Eh, you two probably have already figured out Shadow Clone's unique memory transfer property. Which means that you already know that I have clones incoming as well and that two of the group are not like the others, myself included in those two. Add her Byakugan to that equation and you have a solid warning system in place."

Anko's previously bored expression became a wicked smirk and she began releasing Killing Intent

The three started sweating slightly.

"Think you can take me and my clones all at once?" Anko asked with a sickeningly sweet tone that did nothing to hide her terrifying presence that was enhanced by her undeniable advantage.

Sasuke and Naruto looked over to Hinata who nodded briefly in response.

Naruto answered. "Hell yeah we can, but you'll be down before the rest get here."

Anko smirk went to psychotic smile: "Oh, We'll see about that. We will see about that indeed. Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!" Anko finished her speech with rapidly formed hand seals that caught the trio of guard before she spat out a fireball that they barely avoided.

The three got their bearings after the fireball and looked over to the tree root only to find Anko gone.

Hinata just barely got out: "Behind!" and lashed out a palm strike towards the oncoming rush that was met with her palm being knocked away and a fist being driven into her gut and forcing air from the Nibi Jinchuriki's lungs.

Anko stood above the Hyuga as she fell to the ground trying to get her breath back. "What's the matter Hinata-chan? Don't know how to take a punch to the gut? Or just haven't built up the pain tolerance to work through it quickly? I hope all those good things I Heard about you and the others don't end up with you three being Paper Tigers. Formidable on paper, folds easily enough in practice."

"Hinata! Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!" Naruto reacted and blew out a gust of wind in the split second Anko was distracted making her taunt.

The Wind hit Anko before she could move out of the way but she was able to mitigate it from knocked off her feet and blown back into something for more actual damage and a few wind cuts, to just blown back a bit but landed on her feet.

Anko's smile took on an angry edge: "That's how Paper Tigers get made, everyone or someone or a few people are so quick to pitch in when it gets tough for them that they can't handle things without help. I won't stand for one staying that way…"

"We'll help her sometimes but she also knows when to fight her battles on her own!" Sasuke yelled as he tried to have shuriken arc around Anko and tangle her in the wire he had attached to them.

Anko waited half a heartbeat before she jumped and avoided the wire.

When she landed behind Sasuke, her smile had lost some of its edge and she nodded in respect: "Good." Before she sprinted at the Uchiha and began attacking him in close range which Sasuke countered to best of his abilities.

At best, he landed a few glancing blows on her and avoided a good chunks of her more powerful packing blows. At worst, he was doing death by a thousand cuts against her and he was doing nearly enough effective blows for it to be viable, he was straining to block when he failed to avoided the power packed blows, and he was being toyed with but it was tiring him out.

Anko taunted cruelly with a low blow to get him to drop his guard. "Come on, I expected some real shit from an Uchiha! If this is what they were all about then maybe the invasion was a blessing in disguise!"

Sasuke went wide eyed before his Sharingan, two tomoes, activated: "I'll make you eat those words."

Anko's smile got wider, "Prove it, Bitch!"

While Sasuke was being singled out by Anko, Hinata had recovered from getting the wind knocked out of her with Naruto nearby to make sure that none of the clones attempted to kick her while she was still down.

"You alright now Hinata?" Naruto asked.

"Y-yes. Th-thank you, Naruto-kun." Hinata replied with reluctance and with her stutter becoming a little worse than usual.

Naruto picked up on it and figured out the cause: "Don't let Anko-sensei get to you. She's trying some of that psychology shit to get in your head and play games with it."

Hinata sniffled slightly: "I-I realize that. D-doesn't mean that there isn't some truth to what she said."

Naruto swallowed slightly: "Yeah I know. I may be a little quick to help you and so is Sasuke but we both let you fight on your own when we believe it is yours to fight or if you have it covered. And sometimes it isn't bad to rely on help to move forward. Hell, I wouldn't be half as far as I am now without help from you and Sasuke and everyone else. We shouldn't be ashamed that we got help, just learn to grow from it. Which you know how to."

Hinata's somewhat sad expression shifted to a pleasant smile: "Thank you. Thank you for believing in me."

Naruto just smiled back: "We've always been friends! I've got your back! Always!"

Hinata hugged him briefly before stepping back with her face glowing light crimson for a moment before settling to slightly red blush on her cheeks that refused to settle. "I-I know."

Naruto's own eyes were wide and his cheeks were burning but before he could say anything, a shout of exertion from Sasuke brought them back to reality.

"He needs help!" Naruto declared while Hinata nodded nervously. "Right" 'What the hell was I thinking doing that? I can't believe I'm still conscious right now after I did that but why did I do that?!'

"Aww. The two lovebirds just had a moment ruined. How Twagic." Anko teased with a large smile as the clones encircled them.

Both Naruto and Hinata's cheeks started burning but Hinata could only mutter while Naruto responded: "SH-SHUT UP, SENSEI!"

Anko shrugged: "Eh, you're not really supposed to have moments like that when you're fighting someone. That's probably a good way to get killed." 'I'm not gonna mention that I let them have it so Hinata could work through what the other one said to her. Probably helped work through one of her issues, maybe raised her confidence a little if what she did is indication.'

"She's solid as well, Naruto-kun. She's either a Shadow clone or the real Anko-sensei. And our clones took down quite a few of her Water and Rock clones." Hinata stated as she settled into her stance.

"That's great. Now we just have to destroy the rest and then we'll have to find out if she's a clone or the original and go from there." Naruto stated with a smile.

"Awwww, How Precious! They think that they can take on Anko-chan! HEHEHAHAHAHA! Get 'em Girls!" Anko stated with a psychotic grin as the clones descended from the branches at the two Jinchuriki.

The brawl between the Snake Mistress's clones and the two genin ensued.

The two already knew that she had made these clone to test them rather than stall or actually fight them.

Hinata aimed her blows at the Rock Clones, aiming to dispel them the more durable clones through disrupting the chakra that sustained them with Gentle Fist strikes, while Naruto engaged with any of the clones that came close to him.

A group of clones rushed the two and Naruto quickly formed seals: "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!" before expelling a gust of wind that blew past the clones and knocked the sturdier ones back with some cuts forming on their surfaces and even dispelling a few of the Rock Clones while the gust of wind shredded the Water Clones.

Anko, or her Shadow Clone, saw this and quickly jumped out of the way. 'Shit, Obito said nothing about the brat being able to make low level, Non-cutting wind techniques able to actually cause cutting with the wind. Good to know. Wonder if it was an accident or just a very recent development? Doesn't matter now, he could break what I had planned! But… that may not be a bad thing. Alright let's see how this goes.'

Anko whistled after she landed and finished her thought: "Impressive. Is that something you already knew how to do or was it a heat of the moment thing?"

Naruto looked confused and Hinata looked amazed before both regained their bearings and Naruto rushed Anko while Hinata destroyed the downed yet still active Rock Clones.

Anko finished that statement a moment before they began the rush and grabbed Naruto's punch and pushed him back. "You know its rude to ignore a superior's question, right? Or do I need to repeat it and say it slow this time?"

Naruto gritted his teeth at the taunt, both clearly stated and implied with context, Anko made this time towards his intelligence but pushed it down and responded, "I didn't know I could do that, it just happened."

Anko nodded, "We'll work on it." 'Not gonna mention that he pulled off a pretty advanced molding technique. Great Breakthrough should not have cutting power to its wind, especially when used by a novice but he has been training for a while and has Wind Affinity. No need to mess him up with explaining that and have him not be able to now that he knows it shouldn't be possible for his skill level.'

Anko made hand seals rapidly and breathed in: "Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!" and breathed out a smaller fireball then she usually put out for this jutsu but Naruto didn't get out of the way and instead began forming a different set of seals. 'Kid, don't you dare try to counter a fire technique with another wind technique no matter which one it is! There is no way you will be able to overpower the elemental disadvantage.'

Fortunately, Anko realized he wasn't forming a Wind Technique and he was going for a more appropriate counter: "Water Release: Water Bullet!" 'Should have guessed he knew that one with Rin around him.'

The two jutsu collided and created steam but Anko didn't allow him to get away from his previous position: "Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!" with three snakes rushing towards the boy with one binding his hands, another his legs, and the third around his chest and pulled him towards Anko.

Naruto struggled and grimaced against the snakes holding him before he noticed something and stopped struggling as intensely and suppressed a smirk except for the faintest quirking of his lips.

Anko noticed this and spoke: "What the hell is so funny brat?!" 'I know that smile, it's the same fucking smirk Obito did right before he conceded to m-SHIT!' "URRK!" Anko groaned after figuring out the shy Hyuga's sneak attack just a moment too late and a Gentle Fist palm strike contacted her shoulder and disrupted her chakra flow, revealing her as a Shadow Clone with the burst of smoke from the clone being dispelled.

'Shit. I knew that was gonna happen if Hinata got those hands of hers on my clones. That clone knew it and still got too focused on Naruto after that display of his. They're going to gang up with Sasuke.'

The two genin nodded and began making their way towards where Anko and Sasuke were.

They found Sasuke struggling against Anko, covered in bruises, some burns, and a few bites. Anko by comparison had no major damage.

"Hinata, is it just me or does something seem strange about this Anko-sensei?" Naruto wondered.

"S-something is off about it. I-I know she is a jonin and there is a massive difference between our strength and hers but you would expect that she would have some damage, like a cut or a burn or bruise. It's almost like…" Hinata trailed off.

Naruto went wide eyed: "This one's a clone too, she had two Shadow Clones attack us and fight smart and cautious to make us think…"

Hinata finished: "…That we were fighting her and one Clone!"

Anko snorted and smiled from her hiding spot at seeing that the trick had been figured out.

Naruto clenched a fist: "Let's take her down and so we can all three take the real one on!"

Hinata nodded: "If she is a clone she shouldn't have the memory transfer go to her, we have the element of surprise."

Naruto just grinned as they began stalking close.

Sasuke was tired and reaching his limit.

He could hold up fairly well against those limitless buckets of stamina he called friends but they weren't significantly stronger than him and Anko had started to stop toying around and started actually attacking him somewhat seriously.

He had to hold out, this was a test of endurance and determination and he was going to make it.

Just out of the corner of his vision he saw Naruto and Hinata creeping towards him and the sensei.

They must have taken down all the other clones; that must have kept them. But there was one Shadow clone in the group, why didn't Anko-sensei look like she… was… expecting…them…Crap.

This one's a Shadow Clone, both solid contacts were Shadow Clones and the other two had already figured it out.

They were using surprise to end this before this clone realized that the other one had been beaten.

Sasuke smirked and fended off the clone's attacks as best he could while foregoing offence entirely until the other two were close enough to capitalize on the opening he was about to make.

They were just about to be close enough when the clone got impatient: "Lights out, Edgy ducky!" and kicked out and overextended.

'Perfect!' Sasuke thought as he ducked the kick and grabbed her extended leg to hold her for even a few seconds.

"The hell are you doing?! SHIT!" The Clone screamed in realization as Naruto grabbed the other leg and compromised her balance while Hinata rushed and aimed straight at the shoulder and thrusted her open palm. Connecting the Gentle Fist strike and disrupting the clone's chakra which dispelled the clone.

The three kids fell down to the ground to rest.

Sasuke spoke up: "We…We need to find Anko-sensei…We need to find the real one and see if we need to do more to prove ourselves or we already did it."

Hinata and Naruto both nodded: "Yeah… we need to find her. Any clue where she might be, Hinata?"

The girl shook her head: "N-no."

Naruto groaned: "Damn." "We'll take a minute and then go find her." Sasuke responded.

"That won't be necessary. I've seen enough." A voice called out from a canopy with a smirk almost audible in her tone.

Anko jumped down and landed in a crouch that she shifted to a reclining position similar to her students. "Ya did good, lot better than I was expecting. The only thing that went wrong on my end was that those Shadow Clones I made apparently had their brains shorted, only reason I can think that it took them that long to figure out those moves you made and why. That's why you have to learn control with that jutsu. Too much or not enough chakra can short out their heads and make them have not enough common sense."

Naruto and Hinata both looked at each other at that statement and nodded. Had to learn to better form clones to keep that from happening.

Hinata spoke up: "Anko-sensei, w-where were you during the exercise?"

Anko chuckled and smiled. "At first I was underground. I knew about where your patrol perimeter was and that you had your clones using their Byakugan. I noticed that you weren't looking at the canopy good but were watching under the ground with how my Rock clones probed under you while some Water clones probed the canopy. Once the clones had started dispelling themselves to warn you and started fighting my some of my other clones, I slipped on through the canopy and got into a nice good seat and watched everything."

Hinata wanted to slap herself for the rookie mistake. Anko kept talking: "Don't blame yourself, at least not entirely. Everything I threw at you plus the forest animals all conditioned you to look underground, in the water, ground level, and in lower trees for those damn leeches. Yeah, you fell for tunnel visioning, but not every opponent you fight is going to be able to or even think to probe like that. That being said, we'll make sure you won't start a bad habit. Understood?"

Hinata nodded with eyes hard with determination.

Anko looked at Naruto: "You didn't do too bad either. You didn't attack many of the Rock clones when I had the ones that survived swarm you two, leaving most of them to Hinata. You mostly attacked Water Clones and some Rock Clones. How?"

Naruto shrugged and smiled: "Rin-nee uses Water Clones a lot. I guess I learned how to tell Water Clones from other types."

Anko's smile left for a moment and hummed in approval: "That's a good skill to have. Better if we can get you where you can determine any type of clone's nature like that. I'll see about improving that. Your style kept my Shadow Clones guessing what you were about to do. Other than that. Not bad. Not bad at all."

Anko turned to Sasuke: "That was some good Taijutsu you used to fight the clone and some impressive Ninjutsu you threw around once the other two got separated from you. At least for a fresh genin your age. Need to work on that actual stamina, you started tiring out way too easily considering how light I had that clone go."

Sasuke huffed but nodded.

Anko stopped focusing on an individual and focused on the group. "There was plenty of room for improvement for each of you. Some things that need to be refined and somethings that need to be taught to get you there. The only real blanket complaint I have is that you guys let my jabs get to you way too easily. In a real fight, the right opponent could take even the slightest openings those made and tear you apart with them, both physically and emotionally." Anko paused and saw the looks of determination burning in each one of the genins' eyes. "And I'll make sure you surpass those failings. Congratulations. You passed. Team 7 is officially formed with my approval."

The three expressed excitement in their own ways. Naruto's loud cheering, Hinata's excited smile, and Sasuke's smirk.

Anko laughed: "OI! Settle down a little! We'll start training tomorrow. I ended up letting the test go a little late. Go home, eat, get rest, and be here ready to roll at 7 tomorrow morning. We have the tradition to do before our first official training session as Team 7 and I want to make sure we avoid… something… if we have time for a mission." Anko said ominously with a little fear evident in her voice.

Naruto smiled: "You mean Tora? I remember Obito-Nii complaining about it."

Anko nodded with tears on her cheeks. "I hate that goddamn cat so much. I swear it cannot be a normal cat! It's been alive too long and is way too slippery. It has to be from the Cat Ninja Clan or something! I know it but I just can't prove it!"

The three sweat dropped at the sensei's antics.

Anko stopped crying and sighed: "Well if we get stuck with it, we'll make the best of it, I suppose. Teams assigned to it get paid more than the usual D-rank pay due to how bad it can be. Still sucks because that bitch bites and scratches like its demon possessed or something."

The three genin started looking nervously at each other. It couldn't be that bad right?

Oh you sweet summer children, what do you know of winter and the cold and fear?

Anko's demeanor went from somber back to chipper: "WELP! I have to go make my report to the Hokage. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

Anko made a hand seal and vanished in a swirl of leaves.

The three genin stared for a moment before Naruto spoke: "What is wrong with her?"

Sasuke shrugged: "Don't know. I have heard about that cat from some others. Her hatred of it is a shared sentiment with a lot of other Ninja here."

Hinata nodded: "S-some of my cousins who have become Genin recently a-also complained about Tora."

Naruto got up before responding: "And Obito-Nii and his students complained about the cat back when they were starting out. I'm starting to have a bad feeling about this."

The other two agreed with the sentiment before getting off the ground and beginning to leave the training ground and head their separate ways.

Meanwhile in the Hokage's office, three of the Jonin-sensei stood in front of the Hokage and his apprentice/unofficial secretary/preferred successor Obito with the Academy Teacher Iruka standing off to the side.

Asuma spoke first: "Team 10 has my approval. There are some issues individually but the kids have some friendship with each other already formed which helped slide into a relatively smooth dynamic for a fresh genin team with a formation built around that dynamic."

Hiruzen nodded, while Iruka spoke: "I'm curious, what did you use for the test?"

Asuma laughed: "Spared with me. Made it clear that just attacking me one at the time wasn't going to work. They had to adapt and work together and co-ordinate."

The room laughed slightly before the meeting continued.

Kurenai spoke next: "Team 8 has my approval. I still continue my protest and accusation, but I will admit there is potential here and I want to see it through. Work is needed and I will put it in as long as they are willing to as well."

Iruka spoke again: "That team had me concerned a bit. I hope you can handle it."

Kurenai sighed at that: "It was challenging but I think I can do the job." Sounding just a bit mopey.

Anko spoke last out of the group: "Team 7 has my approval. They need work that most teams I've seen or heard about need, but they definitely lack some of the worst rookie traits. I'm all in."

Iruka smiled: "I'm glad. I thought that team was imbalance with too many heavy hitters, but I'm glad that it worked out."

Hiruzen nodded. "I concur, Iruka. This is excellent. That's good to hear. Now we just need Kagome's report and then I can call it an evening. You three are dismissed."

Asuma and Kurenai nodded and left the room while Anko stayed behind.

Hiruzen looked at her inquisitively: "Is something wrong?"

Anko shook her head: "No not really. I just need to ask Obito something while I have him here."

Obito smiled a tired grin. "Sure, what do you need?"

Anko spoke: "Did you ever teach Naruto how to mold wind chakra so that low level techniques could cut and shred?"

Obito looked surprise: "No…I didn't. Why?"

Anko answered: "Because he pulled that against come clones I threw at him during the test."

Obito's confusion grew: "I never taught him that molding trick for Wind, and he didn't pull it off in the session we had a few days ago."

Anko's eyes closed in realization: "He doesn't know he just pulled off an advanced Wind technique trick. For now don't tell him then I'll get him to show me what he's doing, iron it out and once he has it down fully, then I'll tell him. Oh and before I forget, Hinata was still attempting to learn Medical jutsu. She was working on dead fish during the survival test I had them do before I had them fight a bunch of clones."

Obito nodded: "Right. I remember her mentioning about wanting a way to help people beyond hurting others. I'm glad she still trying. I bet Rin would be thrilled to hear it; that is if she doesn't already know."

Anko went to leave when the door opened and Kagome limped in with some good bruises visible and the biggest smile Anko had ever seen on the relatively stoic Taki refugee's face. One that Anko knew: Pride in her students.

Obito whistled: "Damn. You look like a stamped ran over you."

Kagome snorted slightly in such a way that it sounded either like a sigh or just a slightly sharp breath. "I feel like it. Fu-chan and the others exceeded my expectations. I got this beating from just how much they exceed what I expected based on the information I gathered. I'm proud of them. They have my approval."

Hiruzen chuckled: "Well that wraps up this night nicely. I believe you might need some medical attention. We have a medic just down the hall. You're dismissed."

Kagome bowed her head: "Thank you." Before limping out to get fixed up.

Anko blinked and shrugged before walking out into the waiting room to see a certain silver haired Jonin sitting down and looking not too hot. "Kakashi? What are you doing here?"

Kakashi looked over at her: "Oh, hey Anko. I was here when you got here. I just got back from a mission, but I feel like I'm about to faint. I might need to go see the medic as well."

Anko nodded slowly: "I can tell. What happened?"

Kakashi sighed: "Bandit problem that turned out to be a new Jashinist Sect. You know, we're having so many bandit tribes and clans form and end up gaining chakra molding capabilities that its starting to hide other problems like Jahinists. Anyways, I killed all of them, but they had some kind of dead man summoning set up. Had to kill those…Things… they summoned. I can't remember the last time I ate. Oh, that's what it is."

Anko grumbled: "I figured. I'm making sure you get something decent. No instant ramen cups or half expired leftovers. I know a place that's opened this late. Most of the food sucks but they have a decent Katsudon. We're going there. I need something to eat as well. Don't you dare try to argue your way out of this dogboy. I will wrap you up with a snake and spoon feed you through a fucking hole in that mask if I have to!"

Kakashi went wide eyed at the aura Anko was projecting and sighed: "Fine. I'm too hungry right now to argue. Plus Katsudon is sounding pretty good right now."

Anko's bright and somewhat teasing smile came out: "Good! It's a date!"

Kakashi looked at her flatly: "No it's not."

Anko's smile never faltered: "Let's see how long you can deny it."

And the two left with food as their goal.

Xxx

Location Unknown

Nanashi growled as he finished venting his anger and his servants began to clean the mess.

'OF COURSE THIS WOULD HAPPEN! WHEN I FIND A WAY TO ACCOMPLISH MY GOALS FASTER AND EASIER, THOSE CONTEMPTIBLE DOGS HAVE TO STAND IN MY WAY AND FIGHT AGAINST MY DESTINY COMING TO FRUITION!' was the thoughts that ran through his head as he sat with one of his servants standing guard behind him.

Nanashi made no action to signal to other servants that he wanted the prisoner brought to him, but they did now.

Pain had promised to give him what he was owed, but Nanashi had no illusion that by the time Pain delivered it, Nanashi would have no chance to defeat Pain.

Pain had far more combat experience, even if he was a corrupt and foolish human. He believed that Peace was possible for humanity. He was wrong, violence had become part of their DNA, and the only way to fix the world was to wipe mankind away, or at least the majority and then rule them with an iron fist to reeducate them.

Though Nanashi had to admit, had Pain managed to recruit him before Zetsu, maybe the Rinnegan bearer might have been able to truly earn Nanashi's loyalty.

Nanashi pushed that thought aside as the prisoner, an older man with no eyes, was dragged into the room.

"I must say Momotaro, nothing you and your ilk have done to my family has irked me as much as what you did. You delayed my plans to obtain the Tenseigan from within a month to however long it takes to acquire a set of Byakugan from the pure line of the clan formed from those Main house and Branch house Families that fled to earth. Why must you oppose the Celestial decree like this?" Nanashi questioned with contempt.

The blind man's face hardened: "Are so touched in the head that you must ask that question, Toneri?" Momotaro posed to Akatasuki's 'No Name' before continuing "Is any concept of others having significance that may take priority over your own so far from your comprehension that you do not realize why I destroyed the Fountain of Hamura? I did it to deny you from gaining the Tenseigan from the wellspring of Hamura-sama's chakra, just like I asked so many of my brethren to destroy their eyes after destroying my own. You have no right to the sacred Tenseigan nor the honored Byakugan Princess. I will deny them to you with my every last breath and my dying curse upon you. How many lives were thrown away when your father abused my trust that I gave him to reconcile our lines and then he still sought to fulfil his vision of wiping out humanity by using both the Tenseigan and that accursed weapon your line has built over generations? I tried to heal the enmity between our families after our armistice and he decided it wasn't enough. Our families' extinction is on his head. The true meaning of the Celestial Decree is to watch over humanity and guide when we can, not destroy it because they don't live up to our lofty expectations. You lust for everything you believe should belong to you. I see that you wish to become like Hagoromo-sama and take both the Rinnegan and Jyubi for yourself. Your greed doesn't just allow you to become like the Moon Sage or the Sun Sage, you want to be both of the Twin Sages at once. Your sloth prevents you from actually putting forth the effort to train so you may take it under your own power, believing that fate will hand you all you desire, and you will pay for it when those who discover you learn of your intentions. You want to be a god, and it is fitting for you hold the entitled arrogance and pride of one. And all the men of the planet below and the Byakugan Princess will reject you like they should for the demon you are and tear you from your throne and cast you into the dust to be punished and held accountable for your atrocities."

Toneri shook his head, "I don't know what I expected from this. Farewell, old man. Go and join your family in hell while I ascend to my rightful place."

The puppet that had become Toneri's proxy, Nanashi, stepped forward and formed chakra into a knife and prepared to slice the blind man's throat.

Momotaro smiled: "You don't know what purpose you serve in all this. Get it over with and be cursed, you insolent whelp! Be cursed for killing your last direct family! Be cursed for defying the Celestial Decree! And be cursed for defying the wills of both Hagoromo-sama and Hamura-sama!"

Toneri nodded and smiled cruelly: "As you wish Momotaro-sama." Spitting out the honorific as if it were poison.

Nanashi slashed open the man's throat and Momotaro bled out whilst suffocating.

Toneri's smile became sincere, yet distinctly unnerving and malicious: "And so it ends. The last of the Main family of Otsutsuki clan born of the line of Hamura has been extinguished with the death of its final leader and now all that remains is the Hyuga of the world below. And by the time I'm done, it will only be me and my bride to be."

Toneri motioned to a servant puppet: "Have him taken away to the crypt and buried. He's still of the clan and deserves burial as such."

As the servant did so, a certain soul entered the realm between life and death. "I did as I was told. I have to trust that Hamura-sama's hope will come to fruition."

"You did well Momotaro-kun, but your role in this has yet to end." A voice called out.

Momotaro turned around "Hamura-sama!"

Hamura, the Moon Sage, nodded: "Indeed I speak to you once more. Once because the waters of the fountain touched you and let a bit of my chakra connect with you and I gave my instructions to you and now once more."

Momotaro nodded: "Indeed. I absorbed the rest of the pond's stockpile of your chakra and then destroyed the pond to prevent Toneri from learning of our gambit. What is my new role, and how can I carry it out if I am no longer among the living?"

Hamura sighed sadly: "I knew it was impossible to ensure you left the Moon alive to deliver my chakra to the Byakugan Princess to begin her awakening of the Tenseigan. Your connection to life would see your chakra detectable to Toneri and thus your journey to the world below would be noticed. Even with my plan in play, I don't know if Toneri could still find you which is why we must take the long route so as to ensure he does not discover our play. My chakra is Yin-Yang release, a slow burn will preserve your connection to life while you wait. Go to the world below and seek out the Island Turtle Genbu, the only of my brother's Four Great Beasts he crafted during the battle with Jyubi to aid us that has not retreated entirely from the world. The final secret the universe has shown me is that the Byakugan Princess will make her way there in the name of seeking the knowledge sequestered away there by my brother. Find it and then hide yourself away until she draws close, and deliver whatever remains of my chakra to her. Even if only a small spark of it remain, that spark shall ignite the fire that will see this evil burned down."

Momotaro nodded grimly: "I desire to reunite with my family. I have waited long, but I'm more than capable of waiting a while longer."

Hamura nodded with some weight removed from his shoulders: "Good. Now return and go forth."

With that Momotaro returned to the living and dug his way out of his grave before using what little chakra he could spare to hide all trace of his continued existence from Toneri's eyes.

One final task before he could join his family.

End Chapter

When I said another hint of Nanashi's identity would be given soon, what I meant was that it would be outright revealed now. Yes, I am a smartass. Hehehe.

The name I used for the Otsutsuki that Toneri executed is from War of the Biju. Is that stealing or is it kosher as long as I don't outright steal his plotline? If it isn't alright then I'm fine with altering the name. Anyways, in canon, the character I'm referring to is the Otsutsuki corpse (? Though a better term for what he was in that movie and is now here is probably a Revenant, though the type he would be is the one revived with a purpose that he desires to carry out rather than the other type of revenant which is being pissed off about his revival and taking it out on the living until he is returned) that gave Hinata the ball of chakra that showed her the vision that causes her to break away from the team and attempt to deal with Toneri and the Moon Weapon herself and then collapsed in the crypt area they found inside the Moon Village in The Last.

Toneri holds the distinction of being one of the very, very few canon character in Naruto that I actively Loathe. Some I don't actively like (Especially some of the Road to Ninja alternate Universe Characters) and others I think are the victims of poor execution but Toneri has to be the one I can say I actually and actively hate, alongside Pre-character development Neji. I actually think the conversation that came up with Toneri's personality and part of his plotline was that someone went: "Hey what's the most obnoxious, hate riling, and egotistical and hypocritical part of Neji's characterization pre-development? Let's take all that, ramp it up, take away any kind of likeable trait there may be and any redeeming quality, give it to a guy with power on par with the Rinnegan, except his disgusting treatment of Hinata will be even more revolting because of some prophecy about her being the Byakugan Princess and Toneri wants her to obey and love him because he wants the prophecy to conform to his wishes and become even more revolting when he finds out she will never love him of her own free will. Got it? We're good." I may hate Toneri but I will at least treat him with some goddamned respect despite this. Though a good bit Momotaro's verbal thrashing of Toneri is my personal thoughts on him.

I guess I should talk a little about Neji. Pre development, I think he is a little shit, who is highly egotistical and at least subconsciously hypocritical. I think his fate mindset (Which I believe is considered as an odd mix of Fatalism and Nihilism, giving in to fate and the idea that there is no point to anything so might as well go with the flow and join the madness) is just a coping mechanism to deal with the shit he's been through that would have developed anyway despite his father's fate. I think it got to the point that he started actually believing it and began taking it out on others while subconsciously beginning to attempt to challenge it. We see in canon Neji using this mindset to justify talking down to, belittling, and in some cases outright viciously beating characters such as Hinata, Naruto, and Rock Lee. His hatred of Hinata is the result of seeing an outlet to put blame to and hope for a reversal of the system the Hyuga clan has in place, by humiliating her and defeating her. Neji realizing that his father rejected the branch house fate of sacrifice for the main house out of duty and choosing to sacrifice himself out of love for his brother and making his fate be his own rather than what the universe had planned allows Neji to begin growing out of this mindset and into a far healthier one, eventually leading himself to sacrifice his life to save Hinata's out of both familial love and penitence for his actions earlier in life, and living up to his father's ideal. Enough about canon Neji, even though that death scene makes me cry every time and Madara and Canon Obito attempting to use it to get Naruto to surrender is one of the few moments from either that I dislike, even though it leads to a really touching scene with Hinata.

Neji's fate mindset is something I feel he would have developed regardless due to the Branch House/ Main House system and the implications at play. Personal feelings over feeling slighted by fate for his natural genius being relegated to Branch house, something that is equivalent to being a servant in a way and expected to throw away your life for the main house out of duty with a kill switch branded on your forehead for if you step out of line, while Hinata who he views as a failure with no natural talent is part of the Main House. Neji will be dealt with in the future and I believe he will be appearing soon.

That is my official origin for Genbu and Turtle Island in this fic. It alongside the other three Cardinal Beasts (Byakko, Suzaku, and Seiryu) were made during the battle with Ten Tails by Hagoromo in his first use of Creation of All Things. Creating actual life based on the four cardinal beasts to aid during the battle once Jyubi's full might had been unleashed and the brothers began faltering. Genbu is the only one who hasn't retreated so far from civilization that his existence is only mentioned in a few legends of the battle between the twin Sages and Kaguya/Jyubi. There is more to them than I have told, but that will be revealed later.

Kurenai's attitude difference between the flashback and the meeting is due to having a week to process and come to terms, somewhat.

Kurenai's character arc and attitude is inspired by Kakashi's from Shinobi's Creed. Anyone familiar with the story basically know that Kakashi felt entitled to be Naruto's sensei due to Minato being his own sensei, to the point of basically saying Anko, who was the sensei to Naruto, Hinata, and Ino; had no business being a jonin-sensei and attempting multiple times to poach Naruto over or force a reassignment. Kurenai's attitude regarding molding Hinata based on her bloodline and clan fighting style is also based on Kakashi's own attitude regarding how Naruto should be molded into a jutsu master based on his jinchuriki/Uzumaki chakra reserves, and Neither have taken into account any of their additional training having already pushed the them away from this, and both view their desired pupil being trained otherwise from how they envision as a criminal waste of the kids' talents. The Primary differences at play is that in between finding out and actual assignments, Kurenai has started to accept it, she isn't happy about it and she is still bitter about it but she has started to accept it, and she will come to terms with everything by the end of the arc that this chapter started. I view it less of copying the plotline and altering it how I desire and more taking notes and applying it to different character with a different mindset and disposition, specifically Kurenai is significantly more mature than canonical Kakashi was at this stage. I would talk more but that would be spoiling what I have planned for Kurenai's arc in these next few chapters. Though Kakashi is kinda of an asshole in that fic, outright calling Anko a traitor for joining the Assassin Cell that had formed in Konoha's forces, Anko is within the right as the head of the cell is one of the few people who actually give her respect and kindness, and treated Naruto the same way (hell if I remember correctly the first thing he did in Konoha was fend off a lynch mob that had attempted to kill both Naruto and Anko consisting of both Drunk and rabble-roused civilians and asshole chunins), alongside everyone he recruits to the cell. Also Anko and Raphael, the head of the cell, actually pitched in and tried to actually help Naruto while he was growing up and yet Kakashi treats them with contempt and he didn't lift a finger to help the kid. Yeah.

I like Kurenai as a character, she isn't my favorite but I like her. I don't think she has qualifications to lead a Tracker team and I think it shows in canon with the somewhat average performance of Team 8 in the chunin exams (Though we don't have any idea of their starting skill level in canon between graduation and the chunin exams). Hinata could be argued that she just had the bad luck of being picked to fight Neji; and while Kiba did manage to somewhat control his fight against Naruto until the blonde got his act together, All of that was while Naruto was under Orochimaru's Five Point Suppression Seal and had his control shot to hell as a result (Hell, why didn't Kakashi take care of removing that alongside placing his seal on Sasuke's curse seal?! Or was that Kishimoto's idea for bringing in Jiraiya). Maybe we just didn't get to see the true extent of Kurenai's tutelage of the canonical team 8, but what we saw wasn't exactly inspiring.

Yes, the name I came up for the Current Moon Daimyo is based on Sailor Moon. I couldn't resist. I used to follow Sailor Moon but an extremely toxic and volatile community drove me away. The only community that has come close to just how bad it got for me is the RWBY community and it is slowly reaching the breaking point with the canon show's declining quality. Back to the chapter, Moon is the same place from the third Naruto movie, Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom. Circumstances from an altered Second Great Shinobi War saw it reorganize from a monarchy into the Daimyo system. Michiru is still around but he is still in his mindset from the movie.

I purposefully didn't identify the Eavesdropper on Jiraiya and Mai, but I left just enough context behind in that one line that if you re-read an early chapter, maybe just a few chapters ago, the eavesdropper's affiliation would be identified from what they thought. Next chapter will see the eavesdropper fully identified and their full affiliation revealed.

The tea talk during team 6's lunch scene, especially with the White Jade Bush, is a reference to Avatar the Last Airbender. The bush was used by Iroh to make Tea in season 2 but he misidentified it as the White Dragon which has no toxicity when made into a Tea, unlike the White Jade which needs to be specially prepared as Kagome states for safe consumption.

Speaking of Avatar, the description of the tree Anko dropped in on her genin from and began talking to them before she began the combat test was inspired by the description of the Ecosystem from the Great Swamp from Season/Book 2 the Book of Earth inhabited by the Swamp Style Waterbenders, 2 of whom speak with Cajun accents in a fantasy world where that area doesn't exist. The entirety of the forest in the Great Swamp is just the center and largest and oldest tree in the swamp's roots spreading out and surfacing and developing into a new tree in the system and then rinse and repeat to form the swamp's forest. The center tree has some form of consciousness that originally tries to convince the Gaang to land in the swamp and visit but they refuse due to Sokka being his usual skeptical self when it comes to the more magical and less common phenomena of the Avatar world; which results in the tree using nature to whip up a tornado that forces them into the forest so it could impart the wisdom it wished to show them. That episode also foreshadowed my personal favorite character in the series, Toph, which was what it wished to show Aang, the one who would teach him Earthbending. While Sokka was given a vision of the deceased Princess Yue trying to teach that even if she is no longer truly amongst the Living, she is also not truly gone either, which one of the Swamp benders explains to him which I believe implies that he also had been drawn to the Swamp to be taught that lesson.

I also had to include that little Song of Fire and Ice reference in there after I had wrote that tempting fate.

Originally this was supposed to be all the True Genin Test in a single chapter but I just couldn't hack it together. I almost didn't get Asuma's introduction together but I got it put together in a way that I liked and could live with. I don't know if I'll include Asuma and Kurenai's tests in a future chapter or a gaiden chapter once I start writing those to fill the gaps between main chapters (that is if we even see them at all), but Kagome's test will be seen next chapter as flashback.

This is the third longest chapter I have written for this fic. At over 24507 words altogether, start to finish plus notes. Chapter 9 is longer with 25367 words and chapter 10 is longer 34654 words. Though the final check before posting altered it to 25205 words

I think that is everything we need to cover so I guess I'll bow out now.

Leave a review, that always helps me improve and I like to discuss to those who are genuinely curious. Please try to be polite and constructive.

That's all for now, so I'd better get going. I'll see you all next time, whatever it will be.

Stay Safe and Stay Healthy:

SEE YA LATER!