Welcome back for those of you who are following my story or have favorited it thanks and a shout out to all of you guys as I have now passed 50 follows so I must be doing something right. Also, for those who are wondering about it the version of Fugaku Uchiha in this story is similar to the version of him in Jiraiya's novel from Tsunade's dream during the infinite Tsukuyomi. I hope to have more of you guys send me ideas and reviews this is the fastest I have pumped out chapters for a story so I will do my best to keep it up. Now on with the show.
Naruto and Kōga remained frozen as their mother, who still had a shocked expression on her face looked at the two boys. None of them said a word as the silence went on for what felt like an eternity, but when Kushina saw Naruto about to make a move to run, she immediately acted.
"Naruto Please!" She said, trying to sound as calm as possible, as she began to walk toward the two boys, "Don't run."
Naruto remained standing in place as Kushina continued to approach the two boys. It felt as if it took hours for her to finally be near and knelt down to his and Kōga's level and hugged both of her sons tightly to her before she drew back slightly and put a hand on both of their sholders.
"It's okay... I'm not angry. At either of you. Naruto I promised you that I wouldn't ever hurt you again, and I still intend to keep it." She said smiling at the both of them, "I don't know how you both managed to get summoning contracts but I'm not upset."
She stopped and then placed one hand lightly on Naruto's face to reassure him she meant what she said.
"I know you don't fully trust me or your father yet or even your brothers and sisters for that fact. But I won't throw away the hard work I did to win back your trust, by pressing you." she said, causing the Blonde's eyes to widen.
He could still remember all the good things Kushina and Minato had done to win back their son's trust before this whole debacle with Mizuki.
"We all love you Naruto... " she said hugging both boys close to her again, causing Naruto stiffen just for a second before relaxing, "... And we'll still love you, no matter how hard we'll work to get it back." She whispered in his ear.
As she released the hug Naruto still didn't say anything, but just nodded. Kushina smiled a bit as she looked at her two sons, just as an Anbu member arrived. Kushina informed him that everything was alright and said that she will return the Tower before she ordered Mizuki to be restrained and taken to Ibiki. After that, Kushina along with both of her sons and daughter went back to the Hokage Tower together.
x x x x
Naruto was nervous as he stood in his father's office along with Narumi, Kōga, and his mother. The third hokage was also there and not so surprisingly the two boys surrogate older sister Yūgao who was wearing her ANBU mask and cloak. She had a comforting hand placed on the blonde's shoulder. Naruto had a feeling that he and Kōga would have to explain how they came by their summoning contracts. Sitting behind the desk, Minato gave a sigh as he looked at his son who, although appeared to be calm, was trying to fight off the nervouness he was feeling at being put in the spotlight though he was a bit relieved that it wasn't only him being put on the spot. He was also thankful those old crones, Homura, Koharu, and most of all, Danzō weren't there. They would probably have pressured both boys to reveal everything on how they had gotten the contracts.
Deciding to begin the conversation, Minato spoke up.
"Naruto..." he said, "...I know you've been back for only a few months, and that's probably not enough to earn your full trust back."
Naruto stiffened a bit. "But one thing is for sure. You and Kōga both used summon contracts that haven't been seen in the hidden leaf village or if they have they haven't had a user in a long time." He then took a deep breath and stopped himself, "...I'm not angry… with either of you, neither is anyone else. I know you would probably like to keep whatever it is you know, a secret. But please...when you feel like telling us, don't be afraid to."
He then turned to Narumi, who didn't even bother hiding how nervous she was.
"As for you, young lady..." Minato said in a firm stern tone, "Even though we now know it was Mizuki who was manipulating you thanks to Kōga's summon informing us about what was happening. You should have come to us first. What could have been so important that you would hide this from us?" He asked before continuing, "If you had come to us in the first place we could have prevented a whole lot of undo panic, stress, and worry."
Narumi winced a little at that, but she managed to answer. "He...he had information that I wanted, and said he'd give it to me if I gave him the scroll." she said, causing everyone to raise an eyebrow at that.
"Information? About what, Narumi chan?" said Hiruzen, as the young blond lowered her head down.
"Th... the true cause of why mostly everyone in the village neglected nii chan."
That bit of info sent everyone in the room for a loop.
"What did he tell you, musume?" Minato asked.
Narumi was hesitant at first, but eventually managed to speak it out.
"H-He said that a genjutsu was placed on the village just after we turned six, a…and the plan was for Naruto-nii to despise you and force him away from the village." she said, making the eyes of the two parents and Naruto's to widen in shock. "Of course, the plan backfired due to the fact that somehow the genjutsu didn't affect the whole village and Naruto only went into the Forest of Death to train to get stronger."
As she finished that statement, Naruto began raking his brain for whoever might've gained something out of this whole mess. He was not alone in this as his father and Hiruzen were also searching their minds as well. Who could have placed the genjutsu and for what reason? their suspect list being short to begin with since the list of people who could cast a jutsu on that scale and level who they knew of were few.
This list happened to be composed of Homura, Koharu, Danzō, Orochimaru, or the masked man who caused the Kyuubi to attack the village, twelve years ago. However, three of those names were instantly scratched of the list due to the fact that two of the suspects had let their skills slip as they took more stock in their roles as advisers now a days.
While Orochimaru had once been accused of being traitor, having been arrested after suspicion about what went on in the lab that he operated. After he was taken to Ibiki Morino for interrogation on the scene that was found in his lab. He asked that they have Inochi Yamanaka look through his mind to prove his innocence by reviewing the past few hours of his life. When the truth was reveled, they apologized and released the seals placed on him. During the interrogation, they had found that it was a spy who had gained Oruchimaru's trust by possing as a new apprentice who had framed him. This spy had been stealing information and resources from his lab for Hiruko, a former leaf village shinobi who was banished after his experiments on human test subjects were found out.
After the incident Minato and Jiraiya apologized for their actions, Jiraiya especially. However, Orochimaru brushed them off saying that they were only doing their jobs and that he would have done the same if he had been in their position. Originally he was bitter and angry that his sensei Hiruzen Sarutobi, had chosen Minato to succeed him as the fourth Hokage. But after Hiruzen talked to him about his reasons he grudgingly accepted it. Slowly, he grew to like the Man, thanks in part to Jiraiya forcing him out of his lab to meet with him for a drink from time to time. Now, he was the head of the Torture and Interrogation division and the main consultant when it came to building teams as he oversaw all outgoing genin teams from the Academy and had some insight as to what went on inside of their minds due to his position.
However, Danzō who was the head of the Anbu splinter group known as Root was one of the few people who could have done something this big, he had also been adamant in having Menma, Mito, Naruto and Narumi made into weapons molded for the village. He would have had his operatives watching who entered and exited the village. If Naruto would've left the village his men would've be waiting to snatch him and take him to his base to be brainwashed into only serving him and him alone after all if he could gain a possible seal master who had access to the fox's power and the Uzumaki kekkei genkai the benefits to it would be too good for him to pass up. The other was the masked man who had tried to destroy the village twelve years ago. However, he hadn't been seen since that night.
Naruto choose that moment to speak.
"I... remember something that Mizuki said," he said, getting the others attention, "Something about a 'Mummy' and 'what he said'..."
Minato and Hiruzen's eyes immediately narrowed at that bit of information knowing that Danzō was called that not-so-affectionate nickname by many of the ninja and villagers alike. The young Hokage was about ready to order an investigation on the old bastard and have him squeezed for any information he knew about the genjutsu, until he got a confession from him. He then took a deep mental breath to calm himself down before he made any rash decisions. Knowing that getting angry was not going to help matters.
"Alright," he said as he stood up from the chair. "It has been a hectic night for all of us, so I think it's best we all head home for the night." Minato said.
He then looked to his three present children, "Teams will be assigned in a weeks' time. Be at the academy at ten AM sharp." He said to them as the two sons and daughter stood up along with Kushina as they and Yūgao left the office.
When they were gone, Minato looked to Hiruzen with a serious look.
"I swear Hiruzen," he growled, "Old friend of yours or not, if I find proof that it was him, I'll personally kill the mummy son of a bitch, myself!"
Hiruzen sighing tiredly spoke in a neutral tone. "If Danzō truly is behind the problems that you have had with your son than we must tread lightly Minato." He said, "We need to find some serious incriminating evidence that it was truly him. In order to do that you must read his next move, and when you have him cornered only then do you strike."
Minato nodded at the advice of the former Kage. "I know." He said and gave a tired grin to the old man, "I knew I made the right choice in making you my advisor. Unlike your former teammates, you don't pretend that your actions are for 'The good of the village' when you say those words you truly mean them."
Hiruzen chuckled deeply at that. "Minato, I may love the village like my own family, but there are times when the head of the family has to put their foot down and tell the quarreling members to 'sit down and shut up'." he said humorlessly before he and his successor began to laugh at the truth of it all.
The two men stopped laughing and Hiruzen sighed before lighting his pipe and began to speak again.
"Why don't you go home, Minato?" he said, "The paperwork isn't going anywhere, and you need to be with your family right now. Take the day off tomorrow,"
Minato nodded in agreement at that. "Thank you Hiruzen," he said before looking at the seemingly never-ending pile of paperwork, "I don't know how I would manage if you weren't here to help." He said smiling before he passed the former Kage a small bottle of sake to which the old man nodded his thanks before Minato disappeared in his signature yellow flash.
x x x x
Three days had passed since the whole Mizuki incident and in that time things at the Uzumaki-Namikaze home had gotten back to normal, or as normal as things could get. Naruto and Kōga had decided to tell Minato and Kushina about their summon contracts but only the basics both brothers thought it best to keep somethings to themselves and others secret for as long as they could. This seemed to put most fears to rest and or answer most of the questions had by Minato and Kushina. Things even seemed to get a bit better since Naruto learned that his family had been under a genjutsu this whole time.
While he still hadn't forgiven them fully, he felt that some good faith was earned which had prompted him to tell them about his summon contract that and Kōga had told him it would make things less awkward between Naruto and his parents and in the end he had taken his brothers advice and told them. deciding to try and be a little more open Naruto took his sisters up on an offer of going shopping with them and Kushina for new clothes that week, the girls however came up with the idea as a way to get closer to Naruto and spend some time with him. As they walked the streets of the village they talked about who they hoped to be put on a team with, while Kushina had told them that they needed to be ready to work with anyone because the team placement could put them with anyone in their class. When they finally reached their destination, they stopped in front of a store called Shinobi style with kunai knives as the I's in the sign while a shuriken that was made to look like it was sticking out at an odd angle made the y. A bell tinkled as they entered the store and a women came out from the back and asked if they needed any help. When she saw it was Kushina and her daughters she smiled.
"Well, I'll be if it isn't Kushina I was wondering when you would be back, come to get some ninja gear for your girls?" The women asked seeing Narumi and Mito.
"Nice to see you too Rika and yes were here to get gear for them and Naruto." Kushina said motioning to her son.
The women walked around the counter and walked over to Naruto smiling as she stuck out her hand and said, "It's nice to finally meet you I've been wanting to for a long time."
Naruto took the outstretched hand and shook it replying, "It's nice to meet you too Rika San." He said before her smile turned a bit too mischievous like how Anko's face would get before she would prank Naruto. As she reached up with her other hand and took a small handful of the boys' hair and pulled just enough to make Naruto wince in pain.
Still smiling she spoke in a slightly over sweet voice, "Naruto none of this san business just call me Rika okay?"
Naruto responded with a "slightly pained yes."
At this she let go of his hair and her smile shifted back to genuine as she ruffled his hair and turned back to Kushina. Rika asked if they were looking for anything specific. Kushina smiled and replied, "We need to get clothes for both Naruto and the girls."
Rika caught the fact that she had singled Naruto out by name and that the girls were smiling as they looked over some of the clothes in the store. She smirked inwardly this was all just a ruse to get Naruto to spend time with them outside the home and hopefully bring them closer together. The boy didn't seem to notice this or maybe he did and just didn't mention it out loud. Rika couldn't help but giggle just a bit. She also noticed that Menma and Kōga weren't here with them she was about to ask but before she could Kushina said.
"Menma already went shopping a day or two ago and got some clothes so he doesn't need any, and Kōga told me that he would go shopping with us on another day."
Rika noticed the tone to Kushina's voice and she had been told before by Kushina about how the Uzumaki-Namikaze boys got on and that Naruto and Menma didn't seem to get along well so she decided not to push the topic. Kushina was trying to keep her sons from having a fight and to help bring her estranged son closer together with her and his sisters. Rika had been one of the people who had not been totally affected by the genjutsu, however she had never made an effort to talk to the boy as he had never come in her shop till one day when he was looking in her shop window for a second when she went to ask him if he wanted to come inside and browse the boy was gone. Now having him in her shop she wondered how to get him to open up.
"So, do you have any ideas of what you would like Naruto?" Rika asked looking at the boy.
"I don't really know, what do you suggest?" Naruto commented looking around.
Rika smiled at this and decided to get the girls involved, "I think we need to get you a style all your own, don't you think so you three." Looking at the girls.
Kushina smiled at this as did her two daughters the three looked at the boy and Kushina spoke, "That sounds like a great idea do you have any colors you would like Naruto?"
The boy thought about it for a minute before responding, "I like blue and orange."
Kushina quirked an eyebrow at the color choices but wanted to let him make the choice himself as she remarked, "Any others?"
The boy put his chin in his hand as he thought before he replied "Black."
Rika smiled and answered, "We can work with that but I think it will be easier if we give you some outfit pairings and see what looks the best on you."
After several outfits Naruto walked out with the latest and the girls all gave an answer of approval as Naruto was told to look in a mirror. The boy stood there in an outfit consisting of a Midnight blue almost black in the right light shirt it had an orange Uzumaki spiral the main concession to his color choice of orange with two small orange stripes on the edge of his sleeves, along with a pair of light grey ninja cargo shorts and a pair of shinobi shoes. Naruto had also seen a pair of wrist guards that were dark blue and had a under layer of armor to them he had asked about them and Rika told him that they would go well with the outfit as well as add a layer of protection. All in all, the outfit looked good on him and the girls all gave their approval. After which Kushina paid for Naruto's clothes and the clothes the girls had picked out. After which the foursome went to lunch.
When they arrived at Ichiraku's they found Minato and the other two Uzumaki-Namikaze boys who had just finished ordering lunch. Seeing his wife and the rest of his kids enter he smiled. Letting the four of them get seated and place their orders for lunch. When all was done he finally posed his question.
"So, did you guys have a good time?" He asked smiling at his wife.
"We did and we got Naruto a new look what do you think?" Kushina asked looking at her husband to which Minato looked at his son and had to admit Naruto looked good in his new outfit.
Manma however sniffed and asked, "Why? it's not like Naruto is going to be put on a team."
Both Kushina and Minato looked at their son and told him if he didn't have anything nice to say to keep it to himself. Menma was still of the idea that while his brother had come back he wouldn't be apologizing to his older brother anytime soon, not until Naruto is able to stand as his equal. Though in a small part of Menma's heart, he honestly did want to become close to his brother again but that part was having trouble with the part of him that had been able to take hold thanks to the whole situation that had lead up to this point. Little did he know however that Naruto was already a match for him if not better.
The reason being that Menma was oblivious to this fact was that Naruto had never wanted to stand out at the academy due to the fact that it would raise too many questions that he felt didn't need to be asked not until he was ready to share the answers to them. But with every plan there is always a chance that someone will catch on to what you are doing. And it seemed that Orochimaru had noticed that that something was up. Even before this whole incident with Mizuki.
Flash back
Naruto had gone to Ichiraku's for lunch that day only when he walked up he was met by someone that was a bit too smart to not see a pattern. Orochimaru greeted Naruto and asked if he was getting ramen to which Naruto had nodded. The Snake sage asked if it was okay if he joined him and Naruto said yes as the two entered Ayame saw her favorite blond and smiled greeting the two as they sat Naruto ordered a bowl of Tonkotsu with extra chashu and kakuni while Orochimaru ordered a simple Chicken ramen bowl with Miso. The two sat in silence for a few before it was broken by a question.
"Naruto may I ask you a question?" Orochimaru asked.
Naruto just looked at him for a second before he answered, "And what question might that be?" answering the question with one of his own.
"I know you have only been back a three months but I would like to ask about how things are going at the academy?" The snake sage asked hoping the blond would be up for sharing.
"What about the academy?" Naruto again answered the question with one of his own.
"It's about you more specifically your performance at the academy," Orochimaru stated as he continued, "You seem to be somewhat of an enigma to your instructors as you seem to be the same as any average student who attends the academy."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, "And is that bad?" He asked wondering where his god father was going with this.
"No, many ninja who were average in the academy have gone on to be good shinobi," he said, "But it makes you seem like you are hiding something since many of them think you're holding back when it comes to how you perform."
Naruto just shrugged and looked at the older ninja, "I don't know what to tell you." He said as he got up having finished his food he went to pay but his godfather stopped him and put down money for the both of them.
Flashback end
After this Naruto had put a bit more effort in at the academy which increased his scores a bit but not enough to make much of a difference on his rating. It was just to make it look like he was really just that average. But some of the instructors there still didn't buy it and neither did Orochimaru. Even now going over team assignments with Minato in the Hokages' office he couldn't help but ask himself the question 'Naruto what are you not telling us and why are you trying to hide your real level of skill from us?'
"So, Minato what do you think of these for the potential team builds?" Orochimaru asked, showing Minato a diagram with multiple different team compositions, ranging from tracking, assault, and support. After pointing out the candidates that would only be able to fill one role due to their skill set, then he brought out a chart showing the candidates that could fill multiple roles in a squad.
"So far the teams look great, thank you Orochimaru." Minato expressed his sincere thanks, as squad building in the past was a difficult process of basically putting genin together and seeing if they would work as a team or not. But with Orochimaru offering his insight into the matter, squads that have been assembled in the past couple of years have had a 92.7% rate of successful squad dynamics. "But I am concerned about one thing."
Orochimaru wasn't surprised since he had a sneaking suspicion as to what it was about though. "It's over your children isn't it?" His suspicions were validated when Minato rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.
"You caught me Orochimaru. I wanted to know why Naruto's name isn't on any of the squad suggestions that you showed me." Orochimaru sighed hearing this from Minato as he knew it would be coming.
"Minato, you and I both know that your oldest son was treated like he never existed by both his family and most of the village, myself included. Though we know now that it was due to a genjutsu that no one knew about, it is because of that he doesn't trust many people. He doesn't even fully trust you or your wife right now for that matter." Orochimaru stated, seeing how Minato was about to retort he commented. "Do you know how he performed in the Academy Minato?"
Hearing the question Minato frowned and nodded his head wondering where the sannin was going with this. "I do Orochimaru, from what I hear from practically everyone, he's about as average as they get at the academy. His performance on the written and physical exams bring passable marks, it's actually a surprise that he didn't place higher than he did." Minato said, his voice thick with guilt and shame at that fact. Knowing full well that while his son had trained he didn't have anyone to teach him what he needed. But at the same time, he also wanted to know how is it that if his son was so average than how was Naruto already able to do some of the jutsu he had used and how had someone who seemed to be so unremarkable survived in the forest of death for so long.
"That being said, have you ever seen his actual scores and performance on the written and physical exams?" Seeing Minato shake his head in the negative, Orochimaru took out Naruto's file and handed it to Minato. After taking it and opening, he didn't see what the snake sage was trying to hint at. Though he did frown a bit when he saw how his son did. Seeing that Minato didn't get it, he sigh. "You don't see it do you Minato?" he asked, "isn't it suspicious that his grades aren't more varied? How on every single exam, physical and written, he has managed to score just enough points to put him in the average threshold. That alone warrants suspicion, it's as if he is deliberately trying to make himself look like the most average shinobi in order to conceal his strengths." He paused to let Minato think about it for a second.
Minato thought about it for a second before responding, "Are you sure about this after all we both know that he didn't have any one to train him while he was in the forest of death."
"Now that I'm thinking about it more clearly and looking back at how after I talked to him about it his scores went up but not enough to change his placement, I'm sure that he's intentionally hiding his skills. Though for what reason, I'm not sure." Orochimaru said, his brows furrowed in thought.
Minato just couldn't wrap his mind around why Naruto would intentionally hide his skill if he was as skilled as Orochimaru was making him out to be. "But why hide his skills? I mean I get why he didn't want to tell us about the summon contract and all, but If he has the skill, why doesn't he show them to everyone?" Minato asked only for Orochimaru give a hmm of acknowledgement, "It sounds as if you're making him out to be a prodigy, if he was, he'd be the talk of the village."
"That's why I didn't place him with any of squads that I made Minato. I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but my personal assessment of him is that he's a potential risk. He trusts only a few people in the village and because of that has very little loyalty or love for the village either." As soon as Orochimaru finished his assessment, he was met with an angry and accusatory glare from Minato.
"What are you implying Orochimaru? Are you saying that my son is a potential threat to his squad mates, his sensei, and possibly a threat to the village?" Minato wasn't happy that Orochimaru thought of his son as a threat to the safety of his ninja and village. Menma's comment about how his brother wasent going to be put on a team lingered in his mind. He knew that his son wasn't treated the best due to what had happened, but he wouldn't betray the village, would he? Before the question could be answered Yūgao burst through the door to the office startling the two as they were already on their feet and in a set of combat stances but relaxed only a bit when they saw who it was but the look on the kunoichi's face said that it wasn't good.
"Hokage Sama I need to talk to you now it's about Naruto." Yūgao said making Minato feel chill run down his spine as he hoped that the earlier comment made by Orochimaru had not been an omen.
Flash back
Yūgao had been on her way to give Naruto his present for graduation from the academy. She had found them while looking for a set of gifts for her two surrogate little brothers and thought they would be perfect for Naruto so she purchased the twin Kamas. The pair were one of a kind since they were also chakra blades and the craftsmanship and detail on them was beautiful.
She had already given Kōga his gift earlier which had been a custom wakizashi that was also a chakra blade made by the same smith. And she wanted to make sure Naruto got his present. Heading for the one place she knew he would be since no one else knew where he was at the moment she soon found herself at the special training spot that both Naruto and Kōga used when they wanted to train by themselves, or just be alone. She had found the spot by tracking Kōga from a distance as to not be spotted and or picked up by him with his sensory abilities if he had any. When the boy had stopped he had come to the clearing that she was headed for now she had found Naruto waiting for his brother and the two engaged in training which had provided the perfect cover for her slip away by. Remembering the route to the spot she soon found herself landing in the clearing.
Only when she got there she was greeted by two voices one that she knew to be Naruto's and one that she didn't recognize at all as they talked. She only caught the last bit of the conversation before Naruto had asked for the women he was with to sing. She gave him a look before sighing as she said okay. Yūgao stilled as the women began to sing so beautifully it could have hypnotized anyone who heard her it seemed. As she heard the song, Yūgao could almost have sworn that she heard the music to the song playing as the woman sang.
Hush, child
The darkness will rise from the deep
And carry you down into sleep,
Child, the darkness will rise from the deep
And carry you down into sleep.
Guileless son,
I'll shape your belief,
And you'll always know that your father's a thief,
And you won't understand the cause of your grief,
But you'll always follow the voices beneath.
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty, loyalty,
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty only to me.
Guileless son,
Your spirit will hate her,
The flower who married my brother the traitor,
And you will expose his puppeteer behavior,
For you are the proof of how he betrayed her loyalty.
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty, loyalty,
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty only to me.
Hush, child
The darkness will rise from the deep
And carry you down into sleep,
Child, the darkness will rise from the deep
And carry you down into sleep.
Guileless son,
Each day you grow older,
Each moment I'm watching my vengeance unfold,
For the child of my body, the flesh of my soul,
Will die in returning the birthright he stole.
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty, loyalty,
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty only to me.
Hush, child
The darkness will rise from the deep
And carry you down into sleep,
Child, the darkness will rise from the deep
And carry you down into sleep.
When the song was finished she heard Naruto comment that the women had one of the most beautiful voices that he had ever heard. As said women thanked him for the compliment. Yūgao got close enough to see that Naruto had his head resting on the women's leg as he lay on his side with the two of them sitting next to the stream that wound its way through the area. Not wanting to startle them Yūgao used the Body Flicker Technique to leave and race full speed to get to the Hokage's office.
End Flashback
After reporting about what she had seen it came as a shock when Minato's reaction was a bit underwhelming. Minato took in the knowledge about his son being with someone Yūgao didn't recognize however that song he did recognize it was a lullaby from a story Kushina would read to the kids when they were little it was a fairytale story. Minato also knew that Kushina had hummed and even sang that lullaby to the kids many a night when they couldn't sleep or were scared. If it wasn't his wife who was singing than who was this women? While he was mulling this over Orochimaru thought about what had just been shared and if this women was a treat to the village. Then an idea struck him and he decided to voice it.
"If we have Inoichi take a look at Yūgao's memories we can see who this person is and if your wife or you know her Minato."
"Very well I will get Kushina and bring her here, Yūgao if you would be so kind as to retrieve Inoichi so we can determine what to do about this. Minato said to which Yūgao nodded her head and vanished again using body flicker.
An hour and one mind walk later whoever this women was none of them knew her and that she was someone either Naruto knew well or she was playing him for a fool. However, Minato doubted the second of the two as he knew very well that his son while distant had a way of knowing when and when not to trust someone. Also, Minato felt that if he didn't trust his son it was almost in a way betraying all the work he put into trying to get back his son's trust. After having learned all they could from Yūgao's memory Minato told Inoichi he could go home. Minato offer to take Kushina home but she told him she needed to think and the walk home would help her do just that. Now it was just him Orochimaru and Yūgao in his office.
Seeing that Minato was feeling conflicted on this whole matter not to mention trying to figure out just what his son was doing and who the women was Orochimaru decided to relent. "Minato, I'll assign Naruto to a squad on the condition that…"
Before he could finish his statement Yūgao interrupted saying, "Please Hokage Sama I would like to be the sensi for Naruto's Squad."
Minato and Orochimaru blinked at the sudden outburst but the idea appealed to Minato he had to admit. It would be a way to keep an eye on his son and also help make him feel at ease by being around someone who he knew well. Orochimaru would have preferred to put Anko in charge of Naruto's squad as she would be able to report on his mental state just from observation alone. The only others capable of this were himself, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Ibiki, and Shizune. But he didn't think that they should be removed from their posts for one genin, even if that genin is possibly unstable and the Hokage's son. But he did have to admit the idea of making Yūgao Naruto's team sensi would be beneficial for several reasons.
"I know Naruto better than most in the village and can assess his mental state firsthand I will be able to see if anything is amiss." Yūgao stated pushing for Minato's approval.
"Well, I think it could work if you think it is a good idea." Orochimaru stated.
Minato thought about the situation deeply, on one hand he wanted to trust his instincts that his son wasn't a threat but considering what Orochimaru said about him trusting only a few people in the village was undoubtedly true as he knew the list of people and it was a short one. eventually he had to place his village over his son as much as it pained him to do so but he would do it his way. "Alright Yūgao but I want to make two things clear first there will be no favoritism towards Naruto," Seeing a wry smile on her face as he paused, he could only hope that this decision doesn't come back to bite him in the ass after all Yūgao and Anko were good friends and shared some of the same hobbies and tendencies. "Second if anything is amiss even if it seems trivial don't hesitate to bring it to my attention am I clear?"
That smile never left Yūgao's face as she replied, "100 percent."
"Well now that we have that settled, let's rebuild the squads then. Starting with the ones who have the most flexibility in regard to possible positions." Orochimaru said as he brought out a rooster and proceeded to highlight and circle prime individuals. As they work through the rest of the afternoon Minato along with Orochimaru and Yūgao when asked to give recommendations for Naruto's team reorganized the teams to make for the best pairing that would ensure the highest rate of survival for the young genin.
x x x x
The day of team assignments finally came and Naruto and his siblings arrived at the academy on time as the rest of the students filed in until the whole class was there. A little bit later Iruka walked into the room and got the class to quiet down as their conversations stopped. He began to tell them that they were going to begin their journey on the road to being great Shinobi and Kunoichi.
"Now then team one will be…" And so, the long process of team assignment began.
As this process went on Naruto half listened to Iruka talk while he talked with Kou about who he hoped he would be placed with on a team. Though Kou told him that it wouldn't matter who he got paired with he would have to try and work with them. Even if it was someone he didn't get along with the best.
As Iruka went on he came to the squads that would have the most well rounded genin teams. "Team 7 will consist of: Menma, Mito and Narumi Uzumaki-Namikaze. Your sensei will be Kakashi Hatake " At this statement, many groans and complaints rang out about the newly dubbed 'Strongest Team', 'Team Hokage's Kids'. Though the three siblings named face palmed at the unfortunate luck of having to stick with their siblings even when out on missions, and of having to deal with their perverted and habitually late older brother figure as their sensi.
After quieting down the class once more, Iruka continued. "Team 8 will consist of: Hinata Hyūga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame. Your sensei, Kurenai Yūhi. Team 9 is still in effect from last year. Team 10 will consist of: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Chōji Akimichi. Your sensei, Asuma Sarutobi." At that, Ino practically broke the desk she was at when her head slammed onto it. Complaining about how she was put on the worst possible team, while behind her Shikamaru muttered a quiet "troublesome".
His eyebrow twitching slightly at the rude behavior of his students, Iruka could only sigh before continuing. "Team 11 will consist of: Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Sai Your sensei, Riichi." Though, he was once again interrupted when Sakura rose out of her seat with a shout as she pumped a fist in the air claiming that 'the power of true love prevails over all obstacles', as Sasuke let his head drop.
For the final time, Iruka could only hang his head at his student's behavior before calling out the final team. "The final team will be Team 12, which will consist of: Yakumo Kurama, Kōga, and Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze. Your sensei, Yūgao Uzuki." Iruka then announced that their sensei would be coming to pick them up soon.
That caught Naruto by surprise as he wondered if his dad had done this on purpose to keep an eye on him or was it his dads' way of trying to help him out. Quite seemed to fall over the room as several of the other students looked back at Naruto, before they along with the rest of the students got up and moved to group up with their respective teammates as Iruka left the room conversations broke out among the small groups. As Kōga slid over a seat to sit beside his brother a girl with brown hair braided on one side and light brown eyes approached the two she wore a stylish but functional purple kimono style top that had the sleeve on the left cut short while the sleeve on the right was longer around the shit at her waist was a pink sash and a blue skirt underneath she wore red mesh leggings and a red mesh shirt.
"Hi, I am Yakumo Kurama," she said giving a slight bow as she continued, "It looks like we are going to be teammates."
Naruto and Kōga both nodded and asked her to sit next to them. As she sat down Yakumo couldn't help thinking about Naruto. Did he really go into the forest of death like Narumi and Mito claim he did and if so how had he survived. Also, if Naruto had made it out of that supposed death trap then why was he so average? These thoughts played in her mind as she sat next them as they waited for their sensi to arrive. Being one of the few people who hadn't been affected by the mass genjutsu she had noticed how people just seemed to ignore Naruto even his sisters ignored him even avoided him at times which she thought was weird. When she had asked Narumi why her friend told her that every time she would get close to her brother it was like an overwhelming sense of fear would wash over her. Yakumo had thought she was being absurd but after having seen the way Naruto was treated by the village and his family she was not surprised when Narumi told her that Naruto had ran away. But now that he was back it seemed like what ever had been causing Narumi to feel that sense of fear was gone. Honestly when she had been told that it had been genjutsu many of the pieces that she had been missing had fallen into place and now she knew why things had been so rough for Naruto. She had made a promise when he had gone into the forest that if he ever came back she would befriend him and now being put on his team gave her the opportunity to keep her promise.
After half an hour of waiting most of the teams had been picked up by their sensi and only three teams were left then a women with purple hair stepped through the door. Yūgao smiled as she saw her two surrogate younger brothers and they smiled back. As she took note of who was left she made a mental note that if Kakashi was as late as he normally was she was going to burn his stash of Ichi Ichi paradise books while she made him watch. (At that moment somewhere in the leaf village a certine masked shinobi felt a chill run up his spine as he felt that his beloved book collection was in danger.) With that mental note made she commented for team 12 that she was their sensi and for them to follow her.
As the three got up to follow her Naruto made a shadow clone and gave him a piece of paper and told him to read it when after they left. The rest of his siblings and the others waiting quirked an eyebrow at what that was all about but eventually shrugged and went back to waiting. Yūgao didn't ask what the clone was all about she simply told the three that she had to use the bathroom and went inside when she did she place a sound seal and made a shadow clone who used the transformation jutsu to take the form of a fly as she released the sound seal she flushed the toilet and washed her hands to make it look real. When she walked out the fly left as well as the four of them left the fly made its way to the room where the others were waiting as she entered through the open window above the door only to find the clone setting up an elaborate trap on the door only the clone and the other three Uzumaki-Namikaze kids were left. As Yūgao's clone saw what he was doing she approved and decided to watch the result of Naruto's trap and settled in to wait.
Leading the three out of the school and took them to a local park and sat down on the stone steps that lead to a small pond. Yūgao looked at each of them and said, "Okay I want each of you…" Before she could finish her statement she was tackle hugged to the ground by Naruto as Kōga just smiled as Yakumo never thought she would see Naruto ever show so much emotion. Yūgao smiled as she got up with Naruto still hugging her. "It's good to see you too both of you but you are confusing Yakumo." Yūgao said as she motioned to the confused girl. Naruto scratched the back of his head and moved to sit back down.
"Pardon my Otōto's action but we are close." Yūgao said as she looked at her students. Yakumo was puzzled at the statement as she knew Naruto and Yūgao were not related but let it slide as she recalled how the boy had hugged her, maybe she and he saw each other as family.
"Now as you all already know my name is Yūgao Uzuki and I will be your sensi, now I would like each of you to give your name, likes, dislikes, and goals for the future I will start, as I have already told you my name my likes are moon watching, kenjutsu, my surrogate younger brothers here, and a certain... someone, who I will not tell you about."
Naruto snickered a bit at this, but a small glare from Yūgao shut him up which caused Kōga to smile at his brother's predicament as she continued.
"My dislikes are hypocrites, rapists, sexists, and child abusers. My dreams for the future are to marry that certain someone and training you three into great shinobi." she smiled at the end as she looked at them all. "Now, who wants to go next?" she asked.
Naruto raised his hand only to start before she could say anything. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze My likes are Ramen, training, wolves, and Onēchan, my dislikes are hypocrites, rapists, sexists, child abusers, and Poachers. My dream for the future is to become a strong ninja and to prove I am worth something to the rest of my family."
Yūgao nodded at that knowing fully well that Naruto's resolve was not to be doubted since she also knew where his resolve came from.
Kōga went next as he was next in line of the group. "My name is Kōga Uzumaki-Namikaze My likes are Ramen, training, Onēchan, and Shogi, my dislikes are the same as my brothers. My goal for the future is to become as strong a ninja as I can become and to find a nice girl and start a family someday."
The last part of his statement surprised both Yakumo and Yūgao they would have never thought that the boy would want to start a family.
After Kōga finished Yūgao turned to Yakumo and said, "Looks like you're up tell us about yourself."
At this Yakumo felt like a bug under a microscope but it could have been worse, Yakumo knew that if she froze now it would only show that she was not fit to be a leaf shinobi.
"My name is Yakumo Kurama, my likes are reading, training with my tutor Kurenai-sensei, mochi, and being with my family. I also dislike perverts, rapists, people who mock others for stupid reasons or reasons outside of their control, and people who look down on genjutsu users. My goal is to repay Minato and Kushina-sama for helping me to subdue the Ido that was inside my mind giving me back my life, and to surpass Kurenai-sensei as a genjutsu master."
'Wanting to surpass Kurenai thats a tall order for sure but this girl seems determined as heck.' Yūgao thought as she looked at the girl. After a moment shelooked at the three of them and commented, "Good, very good." she said, before her face turned serious, "Now for you to know something. The graduation test you took last week is not the real graduation test." This caused the trio to blink in surprise.
"What do you mean that it wasn't the real test Onēchan?" Naruto asked confusedat her statement.
"Just like I said the test you all took was not the real test. The real test has a sixty-six percent failing rate, and only three or four teams will pass." She said as she continued. "Now then, I want you three to arrive at training ground 12 tomorrow at seven-thirty AM sharp! Eat light, because if you don't, you'll regret it." They nodded, showing that they understood. "Good then you have the rest of the day to yourselves." She said and disappeared leaving behind a few leaves that were blown away with the breeze.
After Yūgao left the three young shinobi in training looked at each other before Naruto asked, "You two want to get some Ramen or something? We can talk and learn what each of us can each do while we eat."
Yakumo and Kōga both nodded and soon the three of them were off to Ichiraku ramen when they entered the little ramen stand Ayame was putting down the box that she had been moving and turned to see the threesome sit down.
"Naruto it's good to see you I was wondering when you would be back… oh and this must be the rest of your team right?" Ayame asked in her normal bright manner.
"Yup and Onēchan is our sensi." Naruto said as he picked up a menu to see what he wanted to order.
"That's wonderful." She said as she opened the box that she had just set down. "It's good to see you too Kōga how have you been lately?"
Kōga smiled as he replied, "Good, and you?"
Ayame gave him a smile as she said, "Really good since one of my favorite customers has been back." At this the two of them laughed.
"Oh, how rude of me My name is Ayame and what's your name?" She asked as Yakumo looked from Naruto and Kōga to Ayame.
"I'm Yakumo Kurama I take it you all know each other?" She asked as Ayame Nodded an affirmative to her question.
"Yup I've known these two and the rest of their family for a long time since the whole of the Uzumaki-Namikaze clan seems to love ramen." Ayame said as the two boys looked over at her with mock expressions of sarcasm on their faces.
"Now that's just not true Ayame chan we don't love Ramen we just happen to like it a lot." Kōga responded.
Ayame, Naruto, and Kōga cracked up with laughter at the statement and even Yakumo found their laughter infectious as she two joined in their moment of humor. When the four of them finally calmed down Ayame took their orders and served them their food when asked about where her dad was she told them that he was out on a supply run and would be back later. As the trio talked over their bowls they talked about their strengths and weaknesses they also told each other a little bit more about themselves. When all was done and they had finished their ramen and learned a little bit more about each other, as they left the trio said that they would do their best on tomorrows test and headed for home.
Back at the academy Kakashi was merely walking down the hall of the Academy silently reading his newest addition to his library. If one did not know who he was from the many rumors that surrounded him, people would say that he was a shinobi only for the benefits of being one. However, people who knew Kakashi knew that this was one small way of how he honored one of his friend's memories.
Stopping beside the door, Kakashi could feel a small amount of killer intent rolling off all three genin. Wondering what his surrogate siblings had planned to do as punishment because of his tardiness, Kakashi created a shadow clone and had it walk through the door. After the clone disappeared and the memories came back to him, it caused him to flinch as he was now extremely glad that he created said clone. He knew he was late but that was one thing he didn't want to repeat be it memory or for real.
What greeted his sense of sight was a semi war zone as several different types of kunai scattered the lower and upper wall near where the clone had been. Ninja wire also scattered the floor, a little more around the middle of the small pile. Note to self; never piss off I Sensei's kids again…he thought to himself as he remembered how bad it was to have the ninja wire cutting into his genitals as it tied him up in a very painful way. Not only that, but his favorite book had been soaked in what looked like oil. Where had they even gotten the oil from, Kakashi could only guess before a match struck a hard surface before alighting the wire and his favorite book. As Kakashi walked through the door a note was laying on the floor the white-haired ninja bent to pick it up when he turned the note over and read it a chill went down his spine.
Dear Kakashi
If you are reading this message than you used a shadow clone or a substitution to take the fall for my trap like I figured you would. Hope it was a clone so that way you at least know what it felt like since shadow clones transfer memory. This is your only warning before something bad happens to that pile of smut you call a book collection. Try to be on time from now on oh and this is just me telling you what I will do, no telling what Onēchan would do to you so if I don't burn that smut you can bet she will or she will do something much worse.
Sincerely Naruto.
P.S. And don't you bother with some lame excuse about a black cat crossing your path or how you got lost on the road to life on your way to meet your team you are a Jōnin and now a sensi act like it.
At this point two things went through Kakashi's mind as he looked up from the note. One nothing could be worse than having his prized book collection be burned he would rather die than have that happen, two where was Naruto? Looking around the room to see if he could figure out where Naruto was hiding because there was no way he would miss a chance to view his handy work in person. As he looked around said blonds clone in fly form decided to have some fun as he buzzed by Kakashi's ear and landed on the back of his neck only for the clone to be dispelled when Kakashi slapped himself on the back of the neck to try and kill the supposed fly. Yūgao's clone who had also taken a fly form on the other hand flew out the open window and dispelled itself where no one would see it. Kakashi thought that he must have missed and that the fly flew off to somewhere else, looking now to the three genin who were all somewhat amused by their brother's antics even Menma Kakashi told them to meet him on the roof and that he would be waiting be for disappearing in a puff of smoke.
When Naruto got the memory from his clone and the look on Kakashi's face he found he couldn't stop grinning as they continued to walk home. Kōga Notice this and asked, "What's so funny?"
To which Naruto replied, "Nothing I just remembered something that I found funny that's all."
X x x x
When morning came Naruto woke early and got ready for the test that day as he headed for the bathroom while he still had the chance when you live in a house with four other siblings the line for the shower can get long but as luck would have it the Uzumaki-Namikaze estate had three bathrooms two of which were for the kids and the third was the master bath that was off of Minato and Kushina's room. After a quick shower Naruto dressed in his new clothes and head for the kitchen to get something light for breakfast as he entered the kitchen he found Kōga already their eating a small bit of fruit salad and that his brother had made two bowls one of which he pushed over to the seat next to him Naruto smiled and accepted the bowl which he ate with gusto one thing that Naruto knew was that his brother may not have been as good as their mom but he was still pretty good when it came to cooking that is if you could call fruit salad cooking.
After they finished their meal the two boys got the rest of their gear that they would need for the test strapping their kunai pouches and such into place they both headed for the front door only for Kushina to be waiting by it when she saw them she smiled and hugged them as she told them, "Good luck and do your best." With that she stepped back and watched as they walked out the door and headed to training ground 12 along the way Yakumo met up with the two brothers and the trio made their way to the training ground together. When they got to the training ground it happened that they were about twenty minutes early but that didn't bother the three as they knew they were going to be early when they had left for the training ground when they did. Since they had a bit of time to burn Kōga took out a small storage scroll and unsealed a shogi game that was already in progress and sat down with Naruto siting opposite him to finish the match. Yakumo sat down next to them and asked when they had started the game to which Naruto replied, "last night."
While this was going on Yūgao watched from a tree in the forest of the training ground pleased that her team had shown up early it showed that they took this seriously. Having shown up about five minutes before her team Yūgao had wanted to get some peace and quiet to herself but she didn't mind sharing it with the young genin as she wanted to see how they would act without her around. And so far it seemed like her team got on just fine. Little did she know that Naruto had picked up on her chakra when they had arrived there he just didn't tell the others because why spoil the look that he would get from his Onē-chan when he told her he knew where she was the whole time. After twenty minutes had passed Yūgao entered the clearing of the training ground and walked over to her team.
"It's good to see you all hear and early that is also good that means that you take this seriously." Yūgao said as she looked at the three genin.
"Come on Onē-chan you were in the trees the whole time watching us." Naruto stated which made Yūgao and Yakumo blink and stare at him while Kōga just smiled knowing full well that his brother was a sensory type and that compared to Naruto Kōga wouldn't even come close to matching his skill in this field, though he knew how to sense chakra his sensing abilities were not as sharp as Naruto's.
Yūgao was slightly in shock at the fact that Naruto was able to sense her like it was something casual, 'but then again this is Naruto after all. The boy who defies logic', she thought to herself.
"Okay since it seems that everyone is obviously ready to start lets go over the rules." Yūgao said as she pulled two silver bells from her pocket and dangled them in front of her genin.
"The rules to this test are simple all you have to do is get these bells from me before the timer runs out." She stated setting a clock timer on the stump that she stood next to said clock already ticking, "If none of you get a bell by lunch then you will be tied to one of the three stumps while I eat my lunch and after that you will have a second chance to get the bells if you fail then you will be sent back to the academy." Yūgao stated attaching the bells to her belt.
This made Yakumo flinch while Kōga just frowned. Thinking to himself that there were only two bells and that would mean that no matter who got the bells one of them would be going back to the academy which would mean that this test was not truly about the bells. If that was the case then it had to be about something else. Naruto was already thinking the same thing and had already come to the conclusion that the test was about what they could do as team not who got the bells. If that was the case then they needed to work out a plan and fast.
"Oh, and one last thing come at me with everything you have cause if you don't you won't win." Yūgao stated looking the three of them in the eyes, "and the test already started." At this the three genin scattered into the trees.
Once in the trees Naruto and Kōga decided that they needed to meet up with Yakumo but it would be too easy for Yūgao to find them if they grouped up. So, they both made shadow clones and sent them to where they could sense her chakra was coming from. Yakumo was crouched behind a tree that gave her a view of Yūgao that was uninterrupted she needed a plan to get one of the bells from her sensi or she was headed back to the academy, and she had worked too hard for it all to be for nothing. While she had been focused on what was in front of her she missed Naruto and Kōga's clones as they came up behind her. Startling her which caused Yakumo to squeak or that would have been the case if not for the fact that Naruto's clone clamped has hand over her mouth.
"Think you can give a girl a warning next time?" Yakumo asked staring at them like she was going to kill them herself, "I nearly had a heart attack."
"Sorry but this was the easiest way to fill you in on what's up with this test." Kōga's clone stated which made Yakumo frown.
"The test is all about getting the bells." Yakumo claimed like it was so obvious.
"No, the bells may be part of the test, but they aren't the true goal of the test." Naruto's clone stated, "The true test is about working together as a team to get the bells."
"But there are only two bells," Yakumo countered, "So even if we work as a team one of us will be headed back to the academy."
"That's the point of the test the bells are to divide us so we focus more about ourselves than our teammates." Kōga's clone replied.
Yakumo blinked at this and face palmed at the fact that she fell for something as simple as this but that was the whole point the simplest tricks were the ones that worked best.
"Okay so what's the plan then?" Yakumo asked hoping that the brothers had something up their sleeves.
"I think it's time we pull a sneaky fox." Naruto's clone commented to which Yakumo raised an eyebrow while Kōga's clone just chuckled looking at the other clone.
"A sneaky fox?" Yakumo questioned her mind drawing a blank at the phrase.
"Do you really think it will work I mean we haven't pulled one of those in a long time?" Kōga's clone asked to which Naruto just smiled.
"What's a sneaky fox?" Yakumo asked starting to get annoyed.
"That's why I am sure it will work, after all we never really pulled one on Onē-chan." Naruto's clone said still holding his smile.
"Okay that's it what is a sneaky fox?" Yakumo hissed out drawing both of her teammate's attention.
"Have you ever heard the phrase, 'The wolf is in the hen house?' Kōga's clone asked Yakumo.
Yakumo frowned at this after all it was a common saying replying, "Of course who hasn't?"
"Well while the wolf is making a scene out in the hen house as the farmer runs outside the fox sneaks in and steals dinner off the table." Naruto's clone answered.
Yakumo had to admit it was a solid plan but would it work. Their sensi was a Jōnin after all, would she fall for such a simple ploy. If it was that simple than this test wouldn't have such a high failure rate. But if the point of the test was to see if the team could work together than they had already passed the test.
"So, who is the fox and who is the wolf?" Yakumo asked still not sure about how this plan is going to work out.
"The wolf here is as actually two wolves and that is just the start." Naruto's clone said as the trio hatched their plan.
After twenty-five minutes of standing there Yūgao was starting to think that her three students were getting cold feet and were not sure if they should make a move but she knew Naruto better than that he wouldn't run, he would try to find a way to fight back. However, before she could go further down that rabbit hole of thought Yakumo stepped out of the woods alone this of course made Yūgao start to shake her head but stopped when she saw that something was wrong. Yakumo was holding her head in both her hands as she stumbled forward as a purple haze flowed from her mouth as it solidified into a humanoid form. She had read about this Yakumo had a being inside her known as the Ido and it was so strong that the genjutsu it cast could cause real damage.
Yūgao knew she had to act fast if she wanted to protect her student but when she tried to get close she was restrained by a tree that sprang up out of the ground to wrap its limbs around her. Looking on at her student who was about to be killed a piece of information popped into here head that she had read from the girls file about the Ido. The file had said that being had been absorbed by her so that she no longer had to worry about it running rampant anymore so that it couldn't hurt anyone like it tried to do with her parents.
Yūgao now understood what was going on this was a distraction in the form of a genjutsu which she knew how to break out of those. Releasing the genjutsu however brought here back to her senses and also brought her face to face with a small group of Naruto clones running straight at her. This surprised her at the fact that she had not expected Naruto and Yakumo to work together if anything she had thought that the brothers would have teamed up since they knew her fighting style well enough that they could have had a small chance at beating her. She was even more surprised at how fast and strong Naruto had gotten since she had last seen him before he went into training ground 44. The group of clones was actually pressing her hard with their combined attacks and had even gotten in a few good hits 'when did he get so strong?' she thought to herself as Naruto's next strike was blocked.
The one thing that Yūgao knew though was that she was always better at kenjutsu as she cut down clone after clone only for the real Naruto to pull back and run through a set of hand signs for a jutsu. As four of the Naruto clones formed up throwing shuriken at her as the real Naruto Called out, "Wind style Gale palm." A blast of wind shot from his hands which propelled the shuriken even faster to their target. Yūgao would have dodge out of the way of this attack if not for the shout of, "Wind style Great breakthrough." Coming from behind her as a Naruto clone sent a strong gust of wind at her back which sent her hurtling straight towards the oncoming shuriken.
The shuriken impacted with their target only for her to vanish in a puff of smoke. As the real Yūgao came up from the ground next to the clone who had just hit her and cut him down. Turning to Naruto she smiled as she heard a twig break behind her she ducked Yakumo's strike and used the girl's momentum as she grabbed her arm and threw her at Naruto. Naruto raised his hands as Yakumo did a quick flip so her foot was aimed at Naruto's palms which she used as a springboard to propel herself back at her sensi who she locked eyes with for a shot bit as Yūgao leaned back which allowed yakumo to pass straight over and passed her doing a quick roll on the landing to burn off the momentum she came up in a crouch as he long sleeve coming back to reveal Wrist-Mounted Senbon Launcher firring five senbon at Yūgao. As she came up the senbon hit their mark only for it to be a Naruto clone that disappeared in a puff of smoke the real Yūgao stood where the now gone Naruto clone used to be she smiled as she said, "Congratulations to you and Yakumo for coming up with a solid plan but you're going to have to do better than that." As soon as these words left her mouth a smoke bomb hit her from behind and caused her to stumble.
Recovering her balance, she felt a tug at the spot where the bells were located as she darted out of the smoke cloud she looked down to see that both bells were still there but now Kōga was standing with Naruto and Yakumo. Yūgao smiled that the three had worked out this little plan. Yūgao shook her head as she looked at the trio and said, "Well I guess that this means that the three of you can work together that means you…" she trailed off as a small red fox run up to Kōga to have it scurry up his leg and end up sitting on his shoulder with both bells in its mouth. She looked down to see that both bells were missing now. Yūgao blinked as the fox lowered its head as Kōga reached up to take the bells from its mouth nodding at it the little fox jumped down from his shoulder and vanished in a puff of somke. When she saw this, she smiled "Well played well played indeed so, who are you giving the other bell to?" Yūgao questioned. Kōga looked at her than tossed the bells to Naruto and Yakumo who caught them and in turn tossed them back to Yūgao who caught the bells and smiled at this outcome.
"We did this as a team if you send one of us back you send all of us back." Naruto stated as Yakumo and Kōga stepped up to stand next to him showing they agreed with his statement.
"Very well you all pass." Yūgao said making the three teammates smile. "You three are now officially team 12 take the rest of the day off because tomorrow the real training and work starts."
The trio asked Yūgao if she would join them for a meal to commemorate them becoming a team to which she said that she would meet them later for food right now she had to make a report to the Hokage and left using body flicker.
x x x x
Yūgao arrived at the Hokage's office to find several other Jōnin there as well as the Hokage. As she looked around she noticed that Kakashi was not there as the meeting started with each sensi who had been given a team making their report about if their team of genin passed or failed the test they were given. One by one the sensi presented their reports when about half of the sensi had made their reports Kakashi showed up and waved to everyone with a causal "Yo," like he wasn't just showing up a half hour late. Turning to the Hokage he continued "Sorry I'm late I got lost on the road of life." This statement caused everyone, including Minato to face vault.
"Really Kakashi?" Asuma said as he shook his head after getting back to his feet, "That excuse is so old nobody is using it anymore, heck most people don't even remember that one."
Kakashi eye smiled nervously as he scratched behind his head.
"So Kakashi, how did they do?" Minato said with a sigh, while Kakashi gave his report.
"They passed not that I was expecting any other result I mean they are your kids after all." The masked Jōnin said as he eye smiled.
"Team 12 also passed Hokage-sama They were pretty good for a couple of rookies. Their teamwork was well executed but the most surprising thing was Naruto." At that statement, everyone's attention was focused on Yūgao, Minato's eyebrow raised at her statement and asked if she could continue, which she did.
"I knew he was fast but since he came back from the forest of death that kid is faster than ever. And I mean FAST! I'd estimate that in terms of pure speed, he's at least high-Chūnin to low- Jōnin. But that's not all, he hits pretty flippin' hard too." Lifting the sleeves of her shirt, Yūgao showed the light-colored bruises that spotted her arm. "These were from Naruto, I'm not joking when I say he actually pushed me hard, the first move he made was a kick to the head and I'm sure if I hadn't dodged it, I'd be in the hospital with a concussion right now."
At the end of her report, everyone in the room was silent. The supposed most average kid of the Academy managed to actually make the famed sword mistress of the leaf fight him like she meant it, that sent a shock through their systems as well as curiosity as to what else he could have been hiding. Minato knew that he had to get to the bottom of that mystery when he got the chance. Though he doubted he would get very far since Naruto still didn't trust him fully or most of the family for that matter.
"Thank you everyone. For the genin who didn't pass, please notify them that they will be put on reserve until they are placed on a team alright? That's all I have, thank all of you for your reports and meet me tomorrow for your squad's first mission."
And chapter three has come to an end hope you guys are liking the story send me your comments ideas and possible love interests of girls you would like to see try to get Naruto's attention. Please review so I know what you guys are thinking if the follows and like are any indication I must be doing something right. Also Music used in the flashback is Mordred's lullaby if you want to know or look it up.