Had to correct some typos and fix a few scenes, I might also rewrite as per my profile notice. Thanks
Chapter one
The village of Konohagakure no Sato could be said to be a peaceful place in the evenings, for it was the hour when couples took walks together, spouses came home to one another and the sun had begun sinking into the sky painting it orange and purple and many other colors in the spectrum. But this evening was not peaceful for some inhabitants of the village or rather one inhabitant of the village who was at the moment running for his dear life.
Uzumaki Naruto, he was many things at the age of seven. A prankster, an idiot(depending on who you asked) but none of those titles followed him around like the one he hated most: demon child.
A great tragedy in the form of a mass of Chakra known as the nine tailed fox or the Kyuubi no Kitsune, struck Konoha it killed thousands of men, women and children and rampaged until it was defeated by Konoha's greatest hero, the Yondaime Hokage. But the beast didn't die, instead it was sealed into the body of a new born. That child was Uzumaki Naruto. While the general hope was that he would be accepted as a hero, Naruto instead grew up scorned by the villagers for doing what they could not, for keeping the Kyuubi at bay. Then thereafter he was referred to as the demon itself who struck out against the village with almost no one wanting to realize the difference.
At this very moment Naruto was running. His feet pounded hard against the cobblestone streets of Konoha as he moved dodging and ducking hard trying to get away from a mob of angry citizens who had made it their sacred duty to beat the tar out of him. His assigned guards were no where to be seen.
'So much for the ANBU elites.' he thought, though he surmised they probably had something against him too. At this point it would be a challenge to name someone who didn't have someone against him.
Naruto ran through Konoha with the mob trailing after him, his legs were tired as he had been running for almost an hour but he couldn't stop now, lest he wants the mob after him to catch up. He followed the shadier streets of Konoha hoping to lose some of his pursuers but soon wound up facing a dead ended alley far from witnesses, not that they would help even if they were there. He was about to turn back when he found his path blocked way angry villagers. Naruto panted and tried to force his way through the crowd but he was thrown back against the wall, hitting it with a solid thump. The blonde nearly blacked out but forced himself to stay awake. Who knows what the mob would do to 'wake him up' Naruto gulped as they rushed at him all at once, they chanted as they hit him, cursing his existence, all the blonde could do was cry out and hope somebody heard.
"Help!" he screamed, only for a foot to stomp his stomach.
"No one is going to help you, can't you see they all want you dead." A civilian said. Naruto coughed up blood and tried to weakly crawl to safety but the mob was having none of that. "Help." Naruto whimpered weakly, he hoped someone or something would come to his rescue, he feared he wouldn't make it this time.
Pink eyes snapped open at the sound of a weak call for help, Suzumebachi nearly cried in joy after years of waiting her new wielder had finally awoken. Another cry for help halted her excitement, her wielder needed her, they needed her help. Determination flashed across her pink eyes. It was time to move. Suzumebachi soon found herself in the sewer that was her wielder's mindscape. 'He must be going through some real problems if his mind's this bad.' The Zanpakuto thought as she flew through her new master's mind. She soon happened upon a giant orange fox with its nine tails waving around sadly as it watched a screen.
"Hey!" Suzumebachi called waving her hand and stinger to get the fox's attention. The creature turned to look at her. Satisfied that she had succeeded in capturing his attention she spoke. "What are you doing in my master's mind? Are you also a Zanpakuto?" she asked. The fox chuckled.
"No I am not a sword spirit, I am the Kyuubi no Kitsune and this child who is your master is my container." The beast explained.
"What is going on with my wielder I heard him call for help." She said remembering why she was there in the first place. The Kyuubi's expression turned grim and he inclined with his head for her to take a look at the screen. Suzumebachi watched with growing horror as her master, the Kyuubi container was assaulted mercilessly while he cried for help. "Why are they doing this?" she asked feeling herself grow angry.
"Because of me." The Kyuubi said remorsefully. Seeing the Zanpakuto's confused stare he continued. "I attacked the village seven years ago, and the only way to stop me was to seal me inside the child that you see before you. The fools of the village saw him as my reincarnation and have treated him like that ever since." The fox explained.
"What did you attack the village?" Suzumebachi asked, trying to keep her anger in check.
"I did not do it freely, a man called Uchiha Madara cornered me and used his dojutsu known as the sharingan on me, I was rendered temporarily insane. In that state I attacked the village." Kyuubi explained sadly.
"What have you been doing in here, why haven't you helped him?" Suzumebachi asked.
"Because of the seal, I cannot do anything but lend him chakra. An energy he cannot control yet." Kyuubi replied. "Only the container can get rid of the seal." He added.
"Well I'm not restricted by some seal." Suzumebachi said with a growl, her reiatsu glowed and soon she found herself in beside her master. She wondered how she was able to freely manifest but she left the thought alone, it's best not to look a gift horse in the mouth. She takes one look at the cowering child and feels anger course through her veins. He was already healing but any more hits and he might not make it.
"What's this a little bug?" One of the villagers sneered. Suzumebachi growled loudly, despite her diminutive height. She was stunned for a moment wondering how he could see her.
"Leave this child alone, he has done nothing to you, he doesn't even fight back and all you do is beat him. You're all just a bunch of cowards!" Suzumebachi screamed.
"Tch what would you know, you're just some fly. Nothing more than a bug to be crushed under our shoes." The man said. Suzumebachi flickered for brief moment. To the civilians it looked like a flicker, but in that moment she had used her shikai move, nigeki kessatsu or death in two steps. The man who spoke was swallowed up by a butterfly shaped crest and had vanished into oblivion.
"Is there anybody else who wants to test me?" she asked, in a sickly sweet voice. The kind that promised pain to anybody who defied her.
The mob cleared faster than Yoruichi using shunpo. Suzumebachi turned to the child who was bleeding out, she could see his wounds closing up and that relieved her because she could not make heads or tails of the medical stuff.
"Thank you fairy-san." The boy said, his voice was hoarse. Probably from all the screaming out loud he did while under punishment. Suzumebachi flew in front of him hovering just above his nose.
"What's your name?" she asked him.
"Uzumaki Naruto." He replied, she nodded as if in approval.
"Well Naruto-kun, I am Suzumebachi and I am your sword." She told him. Naruto gained a confused expression. Suzumebachi flew to a dark corner of the alley and tugged out a sheathed Wakizashi with a yellow hilt, Naruto help her pull it out since he noticed her other hand was encased in a stinger.
"That is my sealed form, I will teach you how to wield me perfectly Naruto-kun." Suzumebachi said to him. "Together we will be strong." She said.
Time skip Three years later Naruto is 10
It had been three years since Naruto had met Suzumebachi and Kyuubi, Naruto was happy to hear that the demon fox was not as bad as everyone made him out to be. He also learned the name of the fox was Kurama. Suzumebachi had been happy that her master had heard her name the very first time she said it, not many Zanpakuto could boast about their masters hearing them immediately they spoke. She wondered why that was, figuring it had something to do with where he was. The more she stuck around the more she noticed that this place was a mixture of Soul Society and the human world.
Her wielder didn't have reiastsu, but he did have something similar, chakra. The new energy coursed through her making her presence stronger in this world than it had been with any of her past masters and mistresses. It made her happy she would be able to assist Naruto. It was sad to say but he didn't have anyone.
She began teaching Naruto everything she knew both her own skills and those of her former mistress or at least gave him the theories. Even though Naruto lacked the reiatsu to pull the techniques with the help of Kurama, they were able to find great chakra substitutes and the rest Naruto developed on his own through a mixture of ingenuity and sheer luck.
Into the beginning of the first year Suzumebachi had taught Naruto speed techniques and substituted shushin for shunpo, his shushin was simple without unnecessary elements like smoke or leaves, it was a teleport technique quite like shunpo. She also taught him to improve his stealth using pranks and bright clothing. Now, even if Naruto wore the sun, no one could spot him even in plain sight. The next years were spent combining all of the above as well as adding kenjutsu to the mix. Naruto still had to use her sealed form after all.
Suzumebachi and Kurama found it funny that after meeting them Naruto had developed an obsession with hornets, bees, foxes and other things that related to the three. His favorite colors were yellow, black and orange and his items and as well as clothes were mostly black and yellow though he still wore a bright orange jumpsuit as it had been a gift from the Hokage.
By the time Naruto had started the academy he was well ahead in what they were going to teach him as well as above his peers. Suzumebachi was disgusted by how lax the academy was, Kurama tried to calm her down stating 'these were peaceful times. Let the children be children.' to which she agreed.
Naruto couldn't help but agree with the fox, still being of a young age he wanted to play and have fun with the other children even though they didn't reciprocate. Suzumebachi and Kurama wanted him to get good grades and for that he had to pay the utmost attention at the academy even if he didn't want to. As a result of that Naruto ended up somewhere around average in the class, it would have been higher but some of the academy instructors were unkind in giving him his marks.
Naruto would usually skip classes to train with his Zanpakuto or the Kyuubi but made up his grades thanks to extra credit work with the academy instructor Umino Iruka who didn't hate him for the Kyuubi and was the only one able to catch Naruto after a successfully pulled prank.
"I think you should keep your skills a secret Kit." Kurama says one evening as Naruto did the dishes before bed. He was standing on a wooden box elbows deep in a sink filled with running water, the conversation came up as he scrubbed a plate clean of food particles.
"Why Kurama-kun?" the ten year old asks a bit disheartened by the statement. Suzumebachi hovers beside him, placing a tiny hand on his shoulder.
"He's right Naruto-kun. The best ninja keep their skills a secret." she winks at him causing Naruto to laugh a bit.
"But Sasuke gets to show off." Naruto whines a bit. Suzumebachi sighs. Taking note of the villager's attitudes towards her charge, she knew his strange abilities would be called into question, they would not stand for it if the demon child was as clever and cunning as the fox he housed.
"It's different for the Uchiha, you know that. You're not like the other children Naruto." Kurama said gently. Naruto's lip wobbled a bit and the beginnings of tears formed around his eyes. He nods.
"I have an idea! We're going to play a game Naruto-kun." Suzumebachi said enthusiastically. Naruto faces her.
"Really?"
"Uh huh, let's see how much of a fox you are!" she said. "We're going to trick the entire village." Naruto scrunches up his face trying to understand.
"That's going to be difficult." he said. "I've never done a prank that impacted the whole village before."
"There's a first time for everything." she said.
So Naruto put up a convincing mask of an empty headed, orange wearing, ramen loving dope. Iruka also helped him hide his test scores and gave fake ones to him in class to further cement the illusion, so far it was only Iruka that knew the true Naruto. A smart diligent young man with a heart of gold and a will of stone or in this case fire.
It was another boring day at the academy, Naruto tried to keep himself awake long enough to hear what Iruka was talking about, he summarized it had something to do with the Shodaime's treaty with Kumogakure. 'A treaty that is no longer valid.' Naruto grumbled under his breath, the stuff in the text books were out dated and Iruka was trying his best to keep the students informed about current events which included the part about the treaty no longer being valid.
"It feels like this class is going to drag on forever." Naruto whined to Suzumebachi who was lounging in his mindscape with Kurama.
"It probably will." The hornet Zanpakuto said nonchalantly. Naruto groaned mentally. After what felt like hours, classes halted for recess and no one was more overjoyed than Naruto. Recess meant silence and no squabbling from all of Sasuke's fangirls. Naruto sat on his wooden swing and rocked back and forth slowly, letting the light breeze blow on him. No one would come to the swing because according to them, he had 'tainted' it. Naruto was just glad he didn't have to share it with annoying eleven year olds. It was bad enough being the youngest in the class, but then his classmates always had to pick on him. It was obvious where they got that attitude from.
It would be two more years before the graduated and became ninja and even then there was a possibility he might fail due to prejudices. Soon Naruto got bored of his swing and walked through the village, he arrived at a well kept garden and smiled, one thing he loved about Konoha was the scenery, it was one of the things that kept him here. Screw the people if anyone hurt his precious flowers he would sting them to death! He smelled them and smiled, no one knew he took particular care of this garden so it would blossom and bloom beautifully. With his visit to the garden done Naruto shushin'ed to the academy, making sure no one saw him, but someone did a certain heir to the Aburame ninja clan. 'Uzumaki Naruto it seems there is more to you than what meets the eye.' He thought.
Naruto was in the woods taking note of the hornet and bee hives, he had cultivated with Suzumebachi's help, they were thriving successfully under his watchful eyes and the eyes of another stranger. Naruto knew someone was also helping him watch after his bees and hornets but no one he knew came to mind. So he just let the person continue, hoping he or she didn't have some ulterior motives.
The blonde was taking notes on the growth of Hive A which he had fed chakra, when he heard a rustle in the bushes. Naruto had his Wakizashi out in an instant, he didn't care what position the ninja or civilian he was about to gut occupied, he would not let them near his hives.
A young boy came out of the bushes, he wore a beige high collared coat with a hood and sunglasses, his pants were maroon in color and he wore dark sunglasses which let no one see his eyes.
"You're from the academy." Naruto stated sheathing his sword. "What's your name?" he asked.
"I am Aburame Shino and I am quite impressed with the colony of bees and hornets you have cultivated." Shino replied in a stoic tone. Naruto felt his cheeks heat up. He coughed lightly into his hand and tried to look dignified.
"Thank you, I assume you are the mysterious helper that tends to them when I am not available?" Naruto asked. Shino nodded. "I am also very impressed with your work, Colony C and D have thrived under your watch I almost thought they were not going to make it." Naruto admitted honestly. Shino nodded again, he was happy to find a kindred spirit in his appreciation of insects.
"You care a lot about these hives don't you?" Shino asked. Naruto smiled, a real smile not the one's he wore to make a fool of himself in class. It was a small smile but it had a huge meaning. Trust.
"Yes I do." The blonde replies. Shino nods.
"Then I would very much like to share my notes and recorded progress with you."
"That would be appreciated."
A friendship formed between the two bug lovers not long after that and every day after the academy classes were over they would go to the garden or look after Naruto's hives. One day while Naruto was staring at the flowers blooming in the garden of the academy Shino asked him a question he wanted to avoid.
"Naruto-kun, I have noticed the hateful looks and stares whenever we walk to the garden, I want to know why that is." Shino said watching some bees pollinate the buttercups he and Naruto had recently planted. Naruto turned to him with a look that said 'You're not going to drop this are you?' Shino responded with a shrug.
"It's just like how most people cannot understand how your clan is host to a swarm of insects. I also am a host to something, but it is loved even less than your kikaichuu." Naruto said watching as a gentle breeze blew through the garden carrying the scent of flowers though the air.
"It's a village secret isn't it?" Shino asked, though it was more than an observation.
"Yes." Naruto replied.
"Whatever it is, I promise I will not hate you." Shino said. Naruto turned to him with an expression of surprise.
"You promise, promise?" He asked, despite his maturity he was still a child. He didn't want to have hope and then have it snatched so cruelly away from him. Shino nods.
"I promise, promise." he said. Naruto launches into a hug, the first they ever shared, he knew Shino didn't like to be touched but he hope the Aburame would allow it this once. Shino matches the hug with one of his own. "I trust you to tell me when you are ready." Shino said adjusting his glasses. Naruto nodded and they turned back to watching the butter cups.
Sunset came once more with its orange-reds and pinkish purples, Naruto remembered when he met Suzumebachi at a time like this. It was his best and worst memory.
"He'd be good for you." Suzumebachi said, she had manifested out of the mindscape and was flying around lazily while Naruto did his academy assignment in his apartment. It was no longer the run down thing it used to be, with the Kyuubi teaching Naruto basic sealing. he blond had enough imagination to assign defense seals all over the building, since he practically owned it anyway. He and Suzumebachi brought back what furniture they could get and also abandoned knick knacks, it was all they could do the make the place feel lived in, money had to be spent on important things like food and clothing as well as ninja supplies for later use.
"Who would Suzume-chan?" Naruto asked.
"Shino duh!" The small Zanpakuto said, Naruto blushed. Kurama chuckled in his mind.
"I agree kit, he would be a fine mate." The fox teased. Naruto did a wonderful impression of a gold fish that evening.
Time skip two years Naruto is 12
The day Naruto and his family were waiting for finally came, the genin exams were finally here and he couldn't wait to take the damn thing already and graduate. There was still that lingering fear he wouldn't pass but at the end of the day Naruto was assured his skills were strong enough to let him through.
"Naruto the genin exams are today." Iruka said as they stopped by Naruto's favorite Ramen stand. The Chūnin had seen how hard the boy was working and found it prudent to reward him in some way. And what better way than to buy Naruto a special treat.
"I know that Iruka-sensei." Naruto said eating his ramen, this was his third bowl already, turns out his training and Kyuubi chakra burned more calories than exercising on fire. Iruka paid for the meal and dragged Naruto from the table before he could add more to the bill. They both began walking to the academy.
"I mean are you going to keep your mask up or are you going to give them all you've got?" the man asked. Naruto shrugged.
"Why? Graduating at the top of the class is just for show."
"I know that, but you deserve not to be underestimated." Iruka said. Naruto smirks.
"You know, when I was younger I didn't want to hide my skills. But now I don't think I'd like it any other way. Let them underestimate me."
The academy doors came into view, Iruka told Naruto get to class while he fetched the papers for the written portion of the exams.
"Are you ready for this?" Naruto asked. Shino pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and Naruto translated that as 'I was born ready.' Naruto giggled and Shino was glad for his high collar because it hid his blush. Naruto was always able to get through his calm facade and Shino didn't know how he did it. "To be truthful I am a little nervous, I have too much chakra for a regular bunshin so I hope my back up plan works." Naruto told him. Shino nodded in understanding. Hinata took a seat beside them the shy Hyuga heiress pushed her thumbs against each other while breathing in deeply. Naruto remembered how he met her, after saving her from a group of bullies, she became one of his friends.
"G-ood morning N-Naruto-kun, Sh-Shino-kun." She greeted quietly. Naruto and Shino tried to help with her speech but it was clear something else caused her to stutter nervously around everyone.
"I guess you're nervous about the exams too." Naruto said knowingly. Hinata nodded. Naruto gave her a grin. "Don't worry Hinata you're one of most clever Kunoichi in our class." Hinata gave a small smile.
"Th-Thank you Naruto-k-kun." Hinata said with her face growing hot.
"Anytime."
The written test was relatively simple, once Naruto had gotten rid of the genjutsu he was sure Mizuki had put there. He was sure he passed with at least an average score. Next came the accuracy throws. Sasuke got 9 out of 10 in his shuriken throws and 10 out of 10 in his kunai throws.
Next came Shikamaru, he got 5 out of 10 Shuriken and 6 out of 10 in his kunai throws, Kiba, Ino and Sakura made 7 out of 10 in both kunai and shuriken throws the rest either made score that had failed them this part of the exam or just enough to help them pass. It was surprisingly Shino, Hinata and Naruto that made 10 out of 10 in that portion in the exam, much to the pride and anger of some of the spectators. Iruka patted Naruto on his back and gave him a secret smile. Naruto returned it. Sasuke and his fangirls of course fumed especially since Naruto was seen as the 'dobe' of the class despite being just average.
"Alright gather round students, this is the taijutsu portion of the exam and the second to the last test before you become genin." Iruka announced. He directed the students to a wide circle and created a simple but durable mud clone. "The objective of this is to see how well you can use the academy taijutsu or your clan taijutsu to dispel this clone or knock it out of the circle. Any and all forms of taijutsu are allowed as well as ninja tools but no ninjutsu is allowed." Iruka said. Mizuki came up and began giving instructions.
"You heard what Iruka said so line up and prepare to battle." He said, he glanced toward Naruto who was simply observing the plum blossoms of the academy's tree. 'I can't believe that brat passed both portions of the exam after I used genjutsu on him. He really is a demon.' Mizuki thought.
Sasuke got into the ring with a blank look, he went into the standard academy taijutsu stance and rushed at the clone of Iruka-sensei. The clone dodged Sasuke's first punch and blocked the round house kick that the Uchiha threw his way. Sasuke jumped back and threw some kunai, while the clone avoided the kunai he didn't notice Sasuke come behind in a chop him at the back of his head. The clone dispelled dissolving into mud.
"Well done Sasuke." Iruka praised writing something down. "Alright then next in line please enter the circle." It was only after Iruka said that, that Naruto moved from watching the plum blossoms, they looked nice this time, he remembered it had been a while since someone watered the tree. He was last in line but that gave him time to think with his two tenants.
"I can't wait to start going on missions." Naruto said to Kurama and Suzumebachi.
"You say that now, one day you'll miss these mellow days." The Kyuubi said sagely. Suzumebachi agreed
"I'm gonna definitely miss these lazy days." she said.
"I just want to get through these exams, Mizuki-sensei has been staring more and more at me since the written exams." Naruto said. He watched some of the civilian born ninja-to-be battle and found them lacking, while the clan children had the advantage of being trained by experienced ninja in their clan, they still weren't better. Only a few exceptions. He watched as Hinata Juken'ed the clone until it dispelled Naruto cheered for her as she walked off blushing. Kiba also used his clan's taijutsu, a combination of his and Akamaru's attacks dispelled the clone after a few minutes.
Naruto cheered for Shino as he entered the circle. Shino got in to a stance, and like Sasuke he charged forward and delivered a sweeping kick to the clone's legs, the clone jumped to avoid Shino but missed the punch that struck him squared in the nose. The clone jumped back and rushed toward Shino who readied himself with a kunai, the clone threw a punch and Shino dodged, kicking the clone's feet from under him the clone dispelled when it hit the ground. Naruto beams at Shino but the blonde could not tell if the other returned it or not.
"Up next is you Naruto." Iruka said, Naruto entered the circle and readied himself for the fight. The clone stared back at him. "Alright, begin."
Naruto's goal was just actually to knock the clone out of the circle, he didn't really want to show off, like Sasuke. He would take the 'Shikamaru' approach and only do enough to pass.
"Here I go." Naruto said to himself as he ran forward, throwing some shuriken as he did so, the clone had no choice but to jump back to avoid the incoming projectiles. Naruto kicked at the clone, once again forcing it to move back. Using his speed to his advantage, Naruto delivered a sweeping kick to the clone who jumped and the a round house kick which knocked the clone out of the circle. Iruka nodded in approval while Mizuki glared at the blonde. "Well done all of you, we only have the ninjutsu portion of the exam before the passing students receive their forehead protectors." Iruka said.
Once the students were back in the class room, Iruka told them that they would be called one by one to take the exam in another room. Naruto sat by Shino wringing his hands nervously, he was just as bad as Hinata.
"I feel there is nothing to worry about Naruto-kun." Shino said resting a hand on the blonde's shoulder. Naruto breathed nervously and continued to do the sitting equivalent of pacing.
"I know, but still it's worrying, I mean this could make or break my ninja career." Naruto said.
"D-don't worry Na-Naruto-kun I'm sure e-everything will g-go smoothly." Hinata said. Naruto calmed down a little at her words.
"Maybe I'M panicking for nothing." He said. Just the Sasuke walked into the room wearing his forehead protector. He looked toward Naruto with a blank stare. Naruto returns it glancing up and down Sasuke's frame. It seemed the exam hadn't fazed him at all.
"What are you staring at dobe?" Sasuke glares.
"Nothing. Good luck on your exam scores." Naruto says amicable. Sasuke gives a confused expression. He doesn't say thanks but proceeds to sit down.
"Uzumaki Naruto." Mizuki said bringing up a file. Naruto nodded. "Please perform Kawarimi." He said. Naruto exchanged himself with a nearby chair perfectly, and since Iruka was right beside him, he could not wrongly fail Naruto. He mentally growled at the thought. "Now henge." He said trying to find fault in the Kyuubi container. Naruto's henge was a perfect copy of the Sandaime Hokage. Mizuki forced a smile, he went on to the next jutsu which was Naruto's worst hoping he would fail. "Please perform a bunshin Naruto." He said with a hidden smirk. Naruto nodded and focused suddenly three replicas of him appeared. "WHAT!" Mizuki shouted, he expected Naruto to fail at this portion of the test but he passed with flying colors.
"Is something wrong Mizuki?" Iruka asked obviously worried by the alarmed shout that had come from his colleague.
"I'm fine." Mizuki lied, Iruka handed Naruto his forehead protector and hugged him.
"I'm so proud of you." Iruka said to the blonde. Naruto smiled before putting the protector around his neck. Mizuki seethed as he watched the two, he was going to use Naruto get the forbidden scroll by telling him it was a makeup exam but the stupid brat passed when he was supposed to be dead last. Mizuki had seen his test scores the ranged from F's to D's to C's there was no way the kid would have passed all the portions of the exam unless he was hiding intelligence from the beginning. And Mizuki refused to acknowledge he had been tricked by the fox kid.
Naruto went back to the classroom, smiling. Shino raised an eyebrow translation: 'Didn't I say you would pass?' Naruto rolled his eyes.
"Yes, yes I should have listened to you, oh great Shino-kun, how could I ever have doubted your wisdom." Naruto said sarcastically, Hinata giggled. Shino shook his head in amusement.
"Congratulations Naruto-kun." Suzumebachi said as she whizzed around the apartment. "I knew you could do it." She said.
"Well it's all thanks to you and Kurama-kun that I passed in the first place." Naruto said setting his school bag on the table. "Thank you, both of you. Without you guys I don't know how I would have made it out of the alley that night, let alone get through the genin exams." Naruto said sincerely. The Kyuubi smiled in his mind and Suzumebachi flew to sit on his shoulder.
"You're welcome Naruto-kun." The hornet Zanpakuto replied.
"Indeed. No one would ever thank the biju in them for anything in their life." Kyuubi said. That night Naruto slept blissfully while Mizuki was caught trying to steal the forbidden scroll which Naruto had learned Kage bunshin from a long time ago.
The next day Naruto had a full western styled meal of eggs, bacon and toast which he was able to shop for thanks to a handy technique called henge. He left his apartment and took the roof tops to the academy, surprising many ninja who knew he was just an academy student. He landed by his usual swing and walked at a leisure pace toward the building. As he approached he could already hear the squabbling fangirls of one Uchiha Sasuke. He entered the class took a seat near Sasuke because his usual seat was occupied. He hoped for a peaceful morning but forsook the wish as soon as he sat down, the classroom filled with screaming brats after all.
"Is it me or do they get louder every time?" Suzumebachi asked.
"I actually think they do." Naruto replied resting his head on the table, he decided to take a light nap but it was disturbed when one Haruno Sakura and her 'rival in love' Yamanaka Ino burst into the classroom head to head and neck to neck.
"Everyone knows Sasuke-kun is mine Ino-pig." Sakura screeched. Ino snorted loudly.
"As if! Sasuke wouldn't want a giant forehead girl like you." Ino retorted, the two continued to scream at the top of their lungs at each other until they noticed Naruto. Naruto stared lazily at them he regarded the two and gauged their skills, Haruno Sakura one of Sasuke's most fanatical fangirls. Naruto for the most part avoided her, her name meant cherry blossom and her hair was the same color but that was where the similarity stopped. Yamanaka Ino, a feisty blond with a degree of ninja training due to her family background, she and Naruto hung out at her family shop due to their mutual love of all things flower related. Ino was about to greet her friend when Sakura spoke.
"And just what do you think you are doing in my seat idiot?" Sakura asked, her eyes blazed in fury and promised pain if she didn't like the answer. If Naruto was a lesser man, he would hightail it out of there, but he wasn't and the rest of the class looked on in anticipation of what would come next.
"I thought you were the top Kunoichi, when a sitting muscle is planted firmly to the surface of an object it is called sitting." Naruto said smirking, some of the class snickered as did Ino who was standing beside Sakura. Even Sasuke cracked a smile before remembered it was unbecoming of the Uchiha clan and frowned. Sakura blushed in embarrassment and turned to use force.
"Naruto you better move or I'll move you!" She hissed in anger. Naruto snorted.
"I'd like to see you try." He said. Sakura made a fist and struck out, Naruto dodged and her knuckles hit the table, hard enough to dent it. She recoiled in pain. "I told you." Naruto sang. Iruka took that moment to come into the class. He took note of the scene, Sakura cradling her hand and glaring holes at Naruto, said blonde ignoring her and Sasuke being...well Sasuke. He sweat dropped.
"Good morning... I suppose I shouldn't call you students anymore because as from today you are all ninja, the future generation of your village and your clans. But beware the life of a ninja is not an easy one. But I wish you all the luck and success a teacher can give." At the end of the short speech he could see some of his students had moist eyes. Cleary he'd touched their hearts and that made Iruka all the more proud. He looks to Naruto who gives him a thumbs up and a grin. Iruka felt himself smile before he began calling out team placements. "Team seven will be Uzumaki Naruto..." Naruto perked up at his name.
"I hope you get teammates you can work with." Kurama said.
"Me too." Suzumebachi added Naruto agreed, he knew he would work with anybody, so long as it wasn't a fangirl.
"Haruno Sakura..." Iruka called out next, Sakura glared at him and he glared back even harsher, why was he stuck with her of all people? Sakura was one of the most intelligent girls in class, no one denied that, but it came with a level of immaturity that was so far, unparalleled. Naruto didn't know if he had the patience to deal with her.
the only thing that would make it worse would be...
"And Uchiha Sasuke." If Naruto had no self control his wail of anguish would have been heard throughout the elemental countries but he did the opposite and remained silent, he had no problem with Sasuke, but he came from another side of immaturity and arrogance Naruto also didn't know if he could deal with. At this point he didn't know who was worse. Sasuke or Sakura? He huffed, no use in crying about it now. He just had to make the best of it. Naruto sent an apologetic look to Shino, he knew the other boy really wanted to be his teammate along with Hinata and Naruto really wanted to be theirs also. But when life gives you lemons... move on.
"See that piggy the power of love triumphs." Sakura said to Ino. Suzumebachi wondered if beating the stuffing out of the pink haired girl would net her some common sense. She decided against it, beating on kids was wrong.
"Team eight will be, Inuzuka Kiba, Hinata Hyuga and Aburame Shino." Iruka announced, Shino gave no visible indicator of his emotions but Naruto knew he was at least relieved to be paired up with Hinata, but their team wouldn't be complete. Akamaru barked and Kiba patted his head while cheering. Hinata shyly looked up at Naruto who smiled at her.
"Team nine still active, and Team ten will be... Akimichi Choji, Nara Shikamaru and Yamanaka Ino." Ino sighed in relief at least she was with two of her childhood friends, Shikamaru muttered about how troublesome it was going to be and Choji ate some potato chips. "We will take a short break and when you return your jounin instructors will return to pick you up." Iruka said. "Once again congratulations." he finishes with a smile.
Shino, Naruto and Hinata sat under the tree with Naruto's swing. Shino and Naruto sat on the grassy floor while Hinata took the swing, they ate the bento boxes they had packed for the day.
"You changed your outfit." Shino said as he ate. Naruto nodded. Gone was the orange monstrosity the Hokage had gifted him, it was replaced with a black muscle shirt, black standard but durable shinobi pants and a black and yellow kimono styled jacket, his shoes were not ninja sandals like the average shinobi, but lightweight boots that stopped at his knees. Hinata had decided not to change her outfit and the only change Shino had made to his own outfit was the removal of the hood, his slightly afro style hair never failed to get Naruto's attention with how poofy it was. The blonde had once remarked he could hide a nest of birds in it.
"Orange would get me killed on a mission and I am not one to boast of my unparalleled stealth skills. I love orange but I think it's also time that I worked on my showing more of my strengths." Naruto explained.
"About time." Hinata said sassily.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, was nothing if not practical and that practicality applied in everything he did. So leading the new jounin of team seven Hatake Kakashi to the house of future student Uzumaki Naruto was one of the most practical things he did, he needed to get Naruto closer to another adult and this was the best idea he could come up with on the fly, after all if you couldn't trust your jounin instructor then who could you trust?
Naruto had started to grow distant from him ever since he was seven. The blond jinchuuriki had disappeared for a while only resurfacing in time for the ninja academy to begin. From then their relationship wained, Naruto began referring to his him as Hokage-sama instead of Ji-ji like he used to. From then on it only grew worse, the paper work he had tripled, there were suddenly matters only he could attend to. He suspected it was a ploy of the council to keep him from the 'demon brat' as they dubbed him. The jounin and the Hokage arrived at Naruto apartment complex. 'It's looking better than before, did Naruto fix it up?' the old man wondered.
Kakashi noticed as they walked up the steps that there were small glows on the floor. He asked the Hokage about them. The old man told him not to worry, that there were seals all over the place placed there for Naruto's protection.
"I see." Was all Kakashi said. They entered the apartment that Naruto lived in and Sarutobi was shocked to see it so clean, the Naruto he knew was messy and couldn't organize himself to save his life. He hoped it was not the Kyuubi influencing the boy he saw as his grandson.
"Hokage-sama if I may..." Kakashi started, when the Hokage gave him the go ahead he continued. "Naruto seems to be more mature than others in his year much like Uchiha Sasuke, it is likely that it is from trauma and we both know Naruto's had a lot of that." Kakashi said. Sarutobi suddenly felt his age. He felt as if all his tries to keep Naruto's innocence failed.
"I'm afraid so Kakashi, I'm afraid so." He said.
Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke sat waiting in their academy classroom for their assigned jounin sensei. All the other students had left with their instructors and here they were stuck with a notorious late comer. Iruka had gone home after flashing them and apologetic smile. It was nearing evening and he had already graduated a class full of genin, there wouldn't be an assignment for him to grade until the next batch of academy students came through the academy doors.
"Where is he!" Sakura asked angrily, despite the fact that Sasuke was here with her she still didn't want to wait hours for a guy who wouldn't show up. Sasuke was also annoyed, he glanced at the clock repeatedly as if looking at it would summon their jounin sensei. The only one who didn't seem to be bothered by this was Naruto who already knew the identity of the person they were waiting for.
The one and only notoriously late jounin of Konoha, Hatake Kakashi. They were probably going to wait longer if he was in a bad mood. He sighed and stood up.
"Where do you think you're going?" Sasuke asked raising an eyebrow. Naruto felt no need to reply him but did so anyway.
"To the academy roof, join me if you want." Naruto said, he knew with Sasuke's pride he would refuse the blonde's invitation. Sasuke gave him the Uchiha prized glare.
"I'll pass, unlike you I want to be here when the jounin gets here." He said. Naruto shrugged.
"Suit yourself, you know where to find me." Naruto said, he shushin'ed to the rooftop and sat down Indian style to enjoy the view.
Sasuke was glowering at everything in sight, while Sakura sat meekly beside him. Where was the Jounin supposed that was supposed to teach them? He growled. Not a moment after a head of gravity defying silver hair poked his head through the classroom door. A chalk duster fell on the jounin's head and Sasuke was amazed because he didn't even see when the blonde set it up. He knew Sakura was too much of a teacher's pet to do it and Naruto already had a reputation for harmless practical jokes. Sasuke felt jealousy bubble with in his chest, why didn't he see it? Didn't the Uchiha have one of the greatest all seeing dojutsu in the elemental nations, even if he didn't have it yet he should have at least noticed the lame prank.
Kakashi simply regarded two of his students with a lazy look.
"My first impression of you both is 'Annoying'" he said, "Meet me on the roof for introductions, I have a feeling your third teammate is already there." Kakashi said and with that he shushin'ed away.
When Sasuke and Sakura got to the roof top, they found Naruto and Kakashi in a staring competition Naruto was holding his own against the Cyclops sensei they had, Sasuke scoffed at having such an unserious instructor and Sakura was just annoyed with Naruto's presence, Sasuke was already paying more attention to him than her.
"Ah, you're finally here." Kakashi said breaking the tie of his and Naruto's staring competition. "We'll finish this later." He whispered to Naruto who nodded. Once the two genin had sat down Kakashi told them to introduce themselves, their likes and their dislikes, their hobbies as well as their hopes, dreams or goals for the future.
"Why don't you go first Sensei." Sakura said. "Show us what you mean." She said.
"Alright, my name is Hatake Kakashi, my likes are none of your business, my dislikes are a lot, my hobbies are...well I don't think I should tell you that and as for future dreams or goals I have none." He said 'All we learned was his name.' Sasuke and Sakura thought gloomily. "Alright you next girlie." Kakashi said.
"My name is Haruno Sakura, I like." At this she glanced at Sasuke with a blush on her cheeks, "I dislike blondes." She said while glaring at Naruto who pretended she didn't exist. "My hobbies are." At this she glanced at Sasuke again with her blush growing darker. "And my dream for the future..." she release a squeal. Kakashi sighed 'Great a fangirl, Rin was at least better than this.' He thought.
"Next is you broody." He said, Sasuke glared. He straightened up and began.
"My name is Uchiha Sasuke, I have very few likes and a lot of dislikes, my hobbies include training and other things, my dream is...No my goal is to kill a certain man." He said darkly. Naruto passed him a worried look while Sakura blushed and muttered how cool Sasuke was. Kakashi sighed once more 'An avenger lucky me.' He thought sarcastically.
"Alright Blondie you're next." Kakashi said. Naruto thought about for a moment then spoke.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto, I like a lot of things as well like my mentors Suzume-chan and Kurama-kun, I dislike most things too and I haven't figured out any dreams or goals." he gives Kakashi a challenging smiles. If the man wouldn't reveal anything, then he wouldn't either. Kakashi smiled under his mask. 'The kid sure grew up in an interesting way, but who is this Suzume and Kurama. I'll have to keep an eye out for them.' Kakashi thought.
"What do you mean survival test, Didn't we do that in the academy?" Sakura asked, Kakashi eye smiled. He had just told them about the extra test which was meant to weed out the weak genin, Sakura didn't take it well.
"The academy exam was just to find out the potential of those who would actually become genin, this is the real test." Kakashi explained. "Only nine out of twenty seven graduates actually become ninja." He said.
"What?!" Sakura asked, it seemed Sasuke and Naruto already knew this. Naruto snickered.
"What's so funny Baka!" Sakura asked glaring, 'Why couldn't he take things seriously, he should have been dead last rather than average, then again I already consider him dead last.' She thought.
"If you're going to be like that then I won't tell you, learn to be a little nicer first." Naruto retorted.
"Whatever." She huffed. Naruto rolled his eyes and waved Sasuke over, the raven raised an eyebrow but leaned in, Naruto whispered something in his ear and his lips twitched in amusement. "What did he say Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked sweetly. Sasuke hn'ed showing he wouldn't tell her anything.
"Meet me at training ground seven at 6:00 am sharp. I suggest you don't eat breakfast, you'll throw up." Kakashi said before he Shushin'ed away. Naruto turned to Sasuke, he wanted to extend a hand of friendship and give Sasuke someone to lean on, Naruto may not have lost an entire clan but he thought about what his life would be like if Suzumebachi or Kurama were taken away from him... and it hurt to think about it, so he could only imagine what Sasuke was going through in his loneliness. And Naruto was no stranger to loneliness if fact they were poker buddies.
"Sasuke." He called as the other boy was about to flee...I mean walk calmly away from Sakura's advances.
"What?" the Uchiha asked finally getting Sakura off him.
"Sometimes I train in training ground twelve and read some technique scrolls, I have a few I've read already and a few I don't have affinities for like fire. You can have some of them if can catch me." Naruto offered, Sasuke looked like he was thinking it over.
"Sasuke doesn't need your help Naruto-baka he can figure stuff out on his own." The pink haired girl hissed.
"I think that is for Sasuke to answer Haruno, please let him answer unless you think him incapable of answering a simple question." Naruto said. That shut Sakura up. Sasuke kept silent. "The invitation is still open Sasuke whenever you need it." Naruto said. He shushin'ed away.
"Ne, Sasuke-kun will you go out with me?" Sakura asked.
"No." Sasuke replied before leaping off the roof. Sakura pouted and went home, Sasuke would be hers eventually.
"What made you want to extend a hand to that guy any way, he reminds me of a kid back in soul society Hyourinmaru's wielder Hitsugaya. I think." Suzumebachi said.
"I remember Sasuke used to be happier before, he would run out to meet his older brother Itachi I think was his name, but after the massacre he didn't smile anymore and I guess I want to see him smile again." Naruto said. He prepared for bed in the darkness of his room while Suzumebachi flittered around casting a soft glow around him, he would work on a way to bring the Kyuubi into the world too, but that would be for another time. And So Uzumaki Naruto went to sleep content.
The next day Naruto woke up bright and early for his official genin exam, he dressed and picked up Suzumebachi's sealed form, today was the day he would show his skill and prove he could be a qualified ninja. Naruto ate his breakfast, disregarding the suggestion his teacher gave him, but what the man didn't know wouldn't hurt him. He also packed a light breakfast for his teammates who no doubt would adhere to the instruction.
Naruto came up and Saw Sasuke and Sakura were already there, he gave a wave and Sakura snarled at him.
"You're late!" she barked. Naruto shook his head, this girl was seriously getting on his last nerve.
"I'll never understand how you got the rank of top kunoichi Haruno, didn't you read up on our sensei?" he asked. She kept silent and a blush of embarrassment crawled unto her face.
"Tell us about him." Sasuke said from under a tree.
"Hatake Kakashi, former ANBU, prodigy son of the legendary white fang Hatake Sakumo, he became chuunin by 6 and is well known for being chronically late." Naruto said. Sasuke considered the information while Sakura glared at him for showing her up in front of Sasuke. "Whenever he says be here at a certain time, he's usually going to be a couple hours late." Naruto added.
"How do you know it wasn't just a fluke." Sakura asked still doubtful of the information she received. The blonde's eyebrow twitched.
"It's on his file." he says patiently.
he tossed them two bento boxes.
"What's this?" Sasuke asked. He opened it and there was some onigiri, sushi and a few sticks of dango. "Breakfast?" he asked in disbelief.
"Naruto! Are you trying to get us in trouble! Sensei said don't eat breakfast and here you are throwing it at our feet." Sakura said. Naruto sighed, he felt his head ache whenever he spoke to her.
"He didn't say 'don't eat' that was your assumption, he said 'I suggest you don't eat' meaning what we are going to be doing is going to be tasking and therefore burn energy. I won't have any of you two without the energy to participate in what is most likely a fight." Naruto said. Sasuke who was impressed with Naruto's reasoning began to eat, Sakura followed Sasuke's example. Once the meal was done Sasuke approached Naruto who was busy with a small and barely growing flower.
"What's up Sasuke?" Naruto asked sealing the plant away in a scroll, he would transplant it later when the plant had grown to be healthy.
"Do you really train in training ground 12?" Sasuke asked. Naruto smiled at him.
"Yes." The blond replied.
"I'll see you there sometime." Sasuke said. Naruto nodded. Naruto mentally cheered, he had just gotten Sasuke to accept his help now if only Sakura could do the same and be less screechy about it.
It took a few hours but Kakashi finally arrived in a plume of smoke, he eye smiled at them hoping they forgave his lateness.
"You're late." Sakura barked at him. Kakashi sheepishly rubbed the back of his head and comes up with what he thinks is a plausible excuse.
"Well you see a black cat crossed my path and I had to take the long way around." Kakashi said.
"Lame." Suzumebachi muttered. Naruto giggled. Kakashi straightened up, a serious look crossed his masked face, he retrieved two bells from a pouch he wore at his side. The bells glinted in the morning sun and jingled slightly with the wind.
"Your task is to catch one of these bells by noon." He said setting a timer on one of the three logs in the training field. "If one of you does not have a bell by noon then you will be tied to a log and the sent back to the academy and if none of you get the bell then you will all fail." Kakashi said. Seriously. Sakura gasped, Sasuke and Naruto's lips tightened.
"But there are only two bells." Sakura said. Kakashi smiled cheerily.
"How observant of you Sakura-chan." He praised sarcastically. "Now, come at me with the intent to kill." Kakashi said.
"But sensei we might hurt you!" Sakura said worried for her teacher.
"I don't think newly minted genin can put a scratch on a jounin Haruno." Naruto said. Sasuke and Sakura quickly hid in the bushes while Naruto was left alone in the clearing with Kakashi.
"You aren't going to fight me all by your lonesome now are you Naruto-kun?" he asked.
"I just thought I'd try my luck." Naruto said.
"Well then by all means try, Naruto-kun." Kakashi said. Naruto nodded and made the hand seals for kage bunshin. Two clones appeared and he gave them their instructions, the clones flew in to the bushes to carry out their tasks. It was then that Kakashi noticed Naruto's Wakizashi, it was strapped to his hip. 'Did Naruto always have a sword?' Kakashi asked himself.
Sasuke watched Naruto as he was left alone in the clearing. 'Does he really think he can take a jounin out on his own?' Sasuke thought.
Sakura had the same thing running through her mind. She snorted. 'What and idiot.' She added in her mind.
"Okay, get ready! Here I go." Naruto said cheerfully he took a stance and vanished, Kakashi felt an attack incoming from behind him, he blocked and was surprised to find it was Naruto. 'Such speed.' The older man thought, Naruto had a serious look on his face as he punched, he missed as Kakashi jumped back. Naruto also jumped back but as soon as his feet touched the ground he vanished again, Kakashi went on guard. His senses screamed 'Above you!' he looked up just in time to see Naruto deliver an axe kick to his head creating a small crater in the ground, but when the dust cleared, there were only some broken logs. Naruto looked around for Kakashi. "Ne, Kakashi-sensei where'd you go." He called out.
Mean while Kakashi hid in a tree trying to catch his breath, he didn't expect his new genin to give him a challenge, but if this kept up he might have to bust out some of his ANBU level moves to beat the kid and boy would that be embarrassing.
Sasuke watched in shock as Naruto chased Kakashi in to hiding. 'Where did he learn to move like that? Was he really hiding his skills at the academy and why?' the last Uchiha thought.
'No way Naruto-baka's that strong.' Sakura thought 'He's supposed to be average and even people don't think he's that high.' She thought in awe.
Naruto sensed out Kakashi's chakra signature and smirked. Kakashi was trying to think up a plan when he heard the sound of a howling wind and crackling lightning. He was forced out of the tree by Naruto and noticed with shock as Naruto's attack collided with the tree. It splintered where he was only moments before. Naruto continued to attack Kakashi who was dodging rather well despite Naruto jounin level speed.
"Hey Sasuke." The Naruto clone called, Sasuke turned to face him wondering why the clone felt solid. "I'm a shadow clone Sasuke, remember Iruka-sensei's clone from the exam?" he asked. Sasuke nodded. "Yeah like that, but I'm not made with mud." The clone explained.
"What are you doing here?" Sasuke asked it, as much as it pained him to admit, approximately three Naruto clones could take Kakashi down and take the bells but here he was talking to him.
"I need your help Sasuke, I can't beat Kakashi without my team." The blonde clone said with a smile. Sasuke nodded.
"What do you need me to do?"
The Naruto clone with Sakura was having less luck, the girl refused to accept that he was strong or smart enough to come up with a plan despite what she just saw.
"Sakura I can't do this without my team! Why are you being so stubborn?" he asked, she glared at him, her green eyes narrowed.
"You just want to hog the spot light, and I'm not going to go along with it." Sakura said.
"But Sasuke is helping me." The clone said. She snorted.
"Sasuke-kun's strong enough to do it on his own, he wouldn't need help from an idiot like you." Sakura said. The Naruto clone sighed and dispelled itself. One teammate was better than none after all.
The real Naruto released his strange technique and Kakashi watched as he flew into the bushes. 'Those techniques must have taken a lot out of him.' Kakashi assumed.
"So what's the plan Naruto?" Sasuke asked. Naruto smirked.
"Don't worry your pretty little head about it, I've got it all figured out." The blonde replied.
"Katon: Goukakyuu no jutsu." Kakashi heard, an impressive fire ball was hurled at him, Kakashi flew back and performed hand seals of his own to combat the fireball.
"Suiton: suijinheki!" he said, shooting water from his mouth to form a weak wall, the fireball collided with it and evaporated the wall, as soon as the mist cleared Kakashi was on his toes again. Naruto came at him with his strange sparking technique. Kakashi dodged but Naruto twisted around and slammed his boot covered feet into Kakashi's face. The older man tasted blood in his mouth and was that teeth he just swallowed? Naruto jumped back before rushing at him again, Sasuke appeared from the other side charging at him. Kakashi did a substitution with Sasuke and the raven haired boy slammed into Naruto instead. While the two rubbed their head trying to get themselves together Kakashi went in search of their third teammate.
"Did it work." Sasuke asked. Naruto held up two bell, they jingled merrily in the slight breeze.
"Hai." The blonde replied with a smile. The two of them heard a girlish scream.
"Looks like he's done with Haruno." Naruto muttered. Sasuke snorted wonder how such a pathetic girl made it to the rank of top kunoichi. "Come on Sasuke we need to get there." But as soon as Naruto said that the bell rang.
"Time's up." Kakashi said with an eye smile, "Since none of you got the bells, I will give you another chance to rest up and tie Sakura to the log." Kakashi said. The girl looked like she wanted to cry. Sasuke rolled his eyes and wondered how he would have passed if not for Naruto.
"Just a minute." Naruto said, He jiggled the two bells in his hand and tossed one to Sasuke who caught it with pride and the other to Sakura who looked surprised.
"B-But I didn't do anything." She said, Sasuke was also giving Naruto a questioning look 'What are you doing?!' and a pleading look 'Stay I want a competent teammate'. Naruto waved them off.
"Another year at the academy doesn't sound too bad. Means I get to hang out more with Kurama-kun and Suzume-chan." Naruto said. He turned to Sasuke.
"Ne Sasuke, get stronger alright, my offer to join in on training still stands." He said. The Raven haired boy nodded still displeased that Naruto had given his rightfully earned bell to Sakura of all people. Kakashi who was still surprised could only stand still as Naruto talked, how had he gotten the bells? He shook off his confusion.
"You three pass." He said seriously. The three genin gaped at him.
"WHAT?!" the genin asked. He chuckled.
"Yes you passed, the true meaning of the test was team work. Because the ninja world is full of harsh decisions and there will be times where you have to make tough choices. But remember though, those who break the rules are trash, those who abandon their comrades are lower than trash. Protect your comrades with your life, they're your family." Kakashi said. He eyed them. Naruto turned to Sasuke and Sakura with a smile on his face. Sasuke smirked and Sakura said nothing.
"Hey Naruto I need to ask you something." Kakashi said.
"Yeah?"
"How did you get the bells?" the jounin asked still perplexed that a genin had managed to out smart him.
"Easy. I hid a clone under the cover of the steam, you wouldn't have noticed because I kicked you in the face but, my clone picked the bells off you when we were fighting." Naruto said as if it was the simplest thing in the world making Kakashi feel twice as foolish.
The Sandaime sat before the jounin he had appointed to led a group of genin, he wanted to know the results of the newly graduated class from the academy. But among all the teams, there was one he wanted to know of in particular.
"Report." He orders.
"Team one fail."
"Team two fail." Other jounin came forward to give their reports and it was not looking good, it was as if the standard of the academy had dropped, finally Kakashi came forward the Sandaime already expected him to fail the team because he had never ever passed a team during his tenure as a jounin.
"Team seven pass." He said, everyone gawked, if the Sandaime was sipping something that moment he would have choked.
"They passed?" he asked. Kakashi nodded. The resident jounin shook themselves out of their stupor and began their reports.
"Team eight pass." Yuhi Kurenai said.
"Team ten pass." Sarutobi Asuma said.
"If that is all there is to report, you are all free to go, Kakashi stay I need to talk to you." The Sandaime said. The jounin bowed and left, leaving only Kakashi in the Hokage's office.
"So they passed?" he asked. Kakashi nodded.
"Uzumaki is exceptionally fast and talented, Sasuke is truly gifted but is stagnating, his avenger mentality is going to be hard to suppress, but I'm sure given enough time with Naruto he will start to become saner." Kakashi said. He sighed. "Sakura, much like her fellow girls in the academy except the Hyuga heiress has a crush on Sasuke, she will only work with him while seeing Naruto as not worth her time, I hope training will help her grow out of it." Kakashi said concluding his report.
"You've got yourself quite a team Kakashi, I only hope you can bring out the best in them." Hiruzen said.
"I'll do my best with those cute little genin." Kakashi said.
Definitions
Zanpakuto: Sword spirit
Nigeki Kessatsu: Suzumebachi's Shikai move that allows her to kill her opponent by striking them twice in the same place with her stinger. They will then be enveloped in a butterfly shaped crest.
Shunpo: Flash step
Shushin: Body flicker
Goukakyuu no jutsu : grand fire ball technique
Suijinheki : Water wall jutsu