Edit: as of November 2021.
I altered the job of the crew, and added a few background characters (from different clans). Although they won't play a large role. Then cut out the scene with Jiraiya and his genin. As I'll be separating that into it's own chapter.
John Smith... was an alias... a rather painful one at that. He would rather not get into it. The Instructor might not have been so dismissive in ordering the group out, if he had known it was "Lord Uzumaki" he was talking to.
"I trust you kids have been working on controlling your knew abilities, these past few days?" asked their new Sensei, as they stepped into the open air.
"Of course!" Snapped Rin, angry he would even think they would be slacking off. They weren't Genin!!!
"Good," The man smiled, oblivious, as he walked from the clan's main office. Back down the path the trio came from. Obito expected the man to say he needed to test their abilities, like back when they first became Genin... instead, "We have a few months to get ready for our assignment. We will be spending that time, getting your apprentices ready."
Obito blinked... That might actually be beyond them. They were a bit young to have Genin. They usually led the occasional Chunin team, at this stage of their career, and even those weren't made of the same, consistent, people... Hell Kakashi was Black Ops, so most of his assignments were solo. He'd be horribly unprepared to teach a team of children...
Rin spoke up, "How are you our Sensei, if we each have a team of our own?"
John'Smith smiled, "Think of me more as the Captain of the Ship, with each of you having your own departmen, made up of 2 Chunin and a Genin." Well, that would certainly be easier then a whole team of Genin. The Chunin could even help train them.
Though this guy was becoming a bit rambly in his explanation. "TARDIS crews typically consist of 16 Shinobi, as the Senior Staff and their apprentices, and one non combatant diplomat to handle trade agreements and negotiate jobs off world... that's me," He supplied, as if the kids couldn't figure that out, by his obviously civilian clothes... however strange, they weren't meant for fighting.
The man gave a shrug, "It's just how we Uzumaki do things. I'm also expected to give you practical experience and boss you lot around, as Captain. You might have had the mechanics uploaded into your heads, but you still need enough people to operate everything."
Now it was Kakashi's turn to be suspicious, "How did you know that?"
"We do that with all our Shinobi." The man waved off, "From the moment they become Genin. Though you kids really lucked out, getting trained by Lord Uzumaki, normally it takes several months to safely do all the mental transfers. Makes my job easier, for sure!"
The teenagers looked at each other. Silently, Rin was chosen to ask the obvious.
The girl sighed, "So you're not really our Sensei?"
"Well... not a traditional Sensei." The man admitted. "I mean, technically I'm supposed to be, but you already know the mechanics of all our Jutsus and TARDIS maintenance. Then our whole clan is just as inexperienced with the bloodline trait Lord Uzumaki awakened...
"There are few things I can even teach you, at this stage. At most, you need to spar, in order to master the practical application of our Jutsus. However, as the young lady put it, You aren't Genin." Rin blinked as he spoke, as she was sure, she hadn't said that outloud.
Regardless, the man moved on, before she had a chance to question him. "I doubt I'll need to breathe down your necks for that, and you should be experienced enough to judge for yourselves what is too dangerous, in a good sparring match.
"That leaves only my major role, as Captain of the TARDIS. Like I said, I'm a non combatant. Retired from Shinobi work so I handle the diplomatic side of things now. That's usually reserved for the old, but I got injured awhile back, can't fight as well as I used to."
The teens lowered their heads, all too familiar with the fear that a bad injury could force themselves into retirement.
They weren't aware the man was lying his arse off. Going so far as to break into the Uzumaki records, and giving himself an airproof service record. There were a few thousand Uzumaki, as with most clans. Not everyone knew everyone else, and the few in high enough positions to be aware of him... were already informed he was actually "Lord Uzumaki" and that he wanted to maintain a less flashy persona in their clan, for everyday use... and to keep an eye on the children he brought in.
"What I can teach you is diplomacy. While bossing you and your apprentices around, very bossy me. I'd be more of a Captain, that teaches, then your Sensei. A set up we have for all our younger Jonin. It's just how the Uzumaki do things."
He waved off, "Given we mostly operate through crews on a TARDIS. We even have a council of Admirals, instead of elders. Very military all that... I'm not a fan of that." that could be expected of a non combatant. "Though I do have a treat for you.
"Lord Uzumaki requested your TARDIS, and her crew, be drafted into a new division. Our own kind of clan cooperation project. With a Shinobi team from each clan, as well as a team of apprentices working under you.
"As a result, we will be the lead diplomatic vessel, off world, the 'Flag Ship' as it were. Handling diplomatic ventures to the other planets, and taking on the occasional request their governments make... we're on retainer for most of them. Regardless, and also kinda regarding, we will be needing Shinobi from outside the clan, on our crew. And occasionally be escorting the other clan leaders, to talk with the other planetary leaders.
"Do the other planets have space ships?" Obito wondered. Unfortunately, it was out loud.
"Actually... not so much," the man bashfully admitted. "The Uzumaki Clan is not only the first to discover space travel, on our planet, but in our Mega System."
"Mega System?" Obito eyed. "That's been mentioned before."
Strangely, it was Rin who answered. "That's when multiple stars, each with planets and moons orbiting them, orbit a single massive star. What do you think the Kami festival is about?
"That's when our planet is closest to that colossal star, and you can actually see two suns in the sky. It happens once a year, and the night before is the biggest Festival we have. Hell, our ancestors used to worship that star. Even named it 'Kami'," Their word for 'god'.
"I know that much," Obito sneered... then reluctantly admitted, "I just didn't know why we can only see it once a year..."
"Other Solar systems are in the way." Rin rolled her eyes, "As we are in a mega system. They block our view of it, but once a year. When they line up in just the right way, We get to see it for a solid 42 hours..." She smiled, as she remembered the sight. She might understand the science behind it, but that didn't change the fact it was beautiful.
"All the snow melts in a day." was Kakashi's comment.
John'Smith eyed them. He was aware December 25 was an even bigger deal on this planet then Earth. Though the "Kami Festival" could be compared to Christmas Eve.
The night before was a big party, held throughout the streets. Where friends and family exchanged presents, played games, and got little sleep. Various booths were set out between the streets. Selling food and festival mask. Even many booths hosting the games, or telling stories about the old gods.
The next morning, they found even more presents. Which they believed to be a gift from a benevolent Winter Spirit. They might not believe the star was a god anymore, but they were well aware demons and spirits were real... They even realized they were interdimensional beings, rather then mystical entities.
For however much The Doctor disagreed with their violent culture, and the hoarding of knowledge between the clans. They were remarkably advanced in their understanding of the Universe... that was likely Susan's doing...
"Let's go meet your teams." Their... Captain? Smirked at them. "There waiting for us. Let's give them a greeting they won't soon forget."
Gai was thrilled. No, he was ecstatic! He could feel the power of youth burning within him.
He was one of the Chunin accepted into the Interplanetary Program. He would soon be meeting aliens. Real life Aliens! Not only that, but he was being assigned a new Sensei. Someone new for him to study under, and grow in power. As a Chunin, he was largely bounced between masters. While being expected to work on his own, in order to improve himself.
While he had always been a hard worker, and fanatically dedicated to his training, nothing beat learning from a Sensei.
The others looked just as eager. They would be going into space, after all. Many of them were already here, waiting just inside the Uzumaki compound. Marvelling at all the clan had accomplished in such a short time.
Gai smiled, as one of the Genin walked over. The boy was an Uchiha, based on his jet black eyes and hair, on pale skin... though the symbol of that clan on his clothes might make it more obvious.
Honestly if it wasn't for the band around his arm... Gai wouldn't have been able to tell the scrawny kid was a Genin.
"Good for you, lad," Gai smiled. "Your quite young to already be a Genin. And to be selected for this, you must be top of your class."
The 7 year old calmly looked up at him. His impassive stare was rather unnerving. He wasn't even unleashing any killing intent. It was far colder, more calculating... as if he was cautiously weighing the pros and cons of allowing Gai to live. This was not the stare of an immature Genin... Gai just made a terrible mistake by underestimating this boy.
The boy must have made up his mind, in regards to Gai's life, as he slowly looked away. "If you are startled by the notion of such a young Genin," The boy spoke with a truly indifferent tone. "You might be surprised to hear I'm a Chunin."
Gai just smiled, "That doesn't surprise me at all." He had such a huge smile on his face, "You must have worked quite hard to have achieved so much, so fast."
Itachi glanced at him, without moving his head this time. Not sure if he was being condescended to.
"The fires of youth must burn bright within you." Gai loudly declared, shaking his fist in his face, tears pouring from his eyes. As if he had just seen a truly moving peace of art.
Itachi started weighing the options of killing him again, assuming he was being mocked... then realized the sheer sincerity of the man... and figured it be bad Karma to kill someone who was clearly mentally challenged.
A laugh from behind caught boths attention. "Yeah Itachi! Burn with YOUTH!!!" another Uchiha 7 year old was in hysterics. Thankfully he still managed to walk with grace over to the younger Uchiha. It might be by a few weeks but Itachi was younger then him, by gods!!! Even if he didn't act like it.
"It's not polite to laugh, Shisui," Itachi shamed the other boy.
Regardless, Gai didn't seem offended. "Are you a Chunin as well?" He asked.
Shisui immediately stopped laughing, a blush forming on his pale cheeks, "N-no sir." After the slight stutter, he held himself with dignity, "I'm just a Genin."
Gai nodded, still smiling, "There is no such thing as 'just a Genin'. That's always a grand accomplishment. Especially for one so young. While you should always strive for improvement, you shouldn't forget to take measure of your own accomplishments. I look forward to seeing what you two are capable of."
Shisui gave a light blush... as both young Uchihas eyed the young man, with new eyes. The older teen seemed like a major weirdo... but there was definitely something about him... most Shinobi underestimated the boys, because of their 'youth', but this man saw them as worthy Shinobi... he looked at their age, and easily imagined all of the broken bones, sleepless nights training, sweat, and tears they had endured to become Shinobi, at such a young age. Just having those headbands made them worthy to fight by him.
Both boys smiled at the strange teen, even Itachi had a light smirk.
The moment the last of those chosen stepped inside... the wind picked up. There was a clear groaning, though it was more metallic, like the grinding of gears. It raged through the sky, as a light began to flash about 3 meters from the ground. Slowly a shrine began to fade in and out, just under the ball of light.
A real TARDIS, the advanced travel machine of the Uzumaki... their new home.
There was the sound of something heavy being dropped, and suddenly the shrine was completely solid... The doors swung open, revealing a scrawny man. Dressed completely inappropriately for fighting, and wearing an even bigger smile then Gai.
"Great!!! You're all here." He gleefully skipped out, followed by three other crewmen... including-
"Kakashi!" Gai let out a cry, "My eternal rival." he did a pose. "I look forward to proving myself against you!"
Kakashi casually cleaned out his ear, looking around. Before slowly blinking when his eyes spotted Gai. Not in shock, but sheer untamed boredom. "Oh? Hello Gai. When you get here?"
Gai started wailing. Which got him a weird look from the Uchiha children. They now were regretting giving this man their respect.
"Oh Kakashi!!!" Gai wailed. "That too cool attitude of yours!!! Just you wait." He began shaking his fist. "I'll get you to acknowledge me!!!"
Kakashi slowly looked away from a book, that he appeared to have pulled out while Gai was crying. "I'm sorry, did you say something?"
Gai wailed more.
Obito smiled, "Don't worry, Gai-Kun. Kakashi speaks nothing but his feelings for his eternal rival."
Kakashi did his best not to glare. Instead, he yawned, before going back to his book. Until Obito said, "In fact, I think he has a crush on you."
Kakashi immediately attempted to preform the "Thousand Years of Death" on his oldest friend. Unfortunately Obito just disappeared in a puff of smoke.
He reappeared, leaning on Tobi. "Great to see you!" Obito smiled at his favorite cousin. "Even though, Minato Sensei probably only assigned you to us, because he knew it make me happy."
He could feel Tobi scowl at him, from behind his orange spiral mask. With only his right eye showing.
"At least I'm not a eunuch!" Tobi fired back.
Obito blushed, before yelling, "For the last time! They didn't cut off my balls!!!"
"Prove it!" Tobi dared.
Just as Obito started to undo his pants, Rin appeared. With a kunai at her friend's throat. "Keep. Your Pants. On." She glared.
Obito sweat dropped, "Wouldn't think of it."
Rin sighed, taking her weapon away. "Why are all boys insane?" She sighed. Not really asking.
A few of her fellow women chuckled.
"Alright," The oddly dressed man clapped his hands. "Everyone here should know at least one of the three Jonin. I chose you lot, specifically because of your track records with working with each other.
"Team Rin is made up of the Chunin Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi, with Anko Mitarashi as your Genin.
"Team Kakashi is with the Chunin, Mighty Gai and Yamato, and the Genin, Iruka Umino.
"Team Obito is with Itachi and Tobi Uchiha, all the relation, as the Chunin. Then Shisui, as the Genin.
"The rest of you know who your teens are," The oddly dressed man, smiled at each of the groups of clan Shinobi. "I suggest you start building your houses," He smiled at their confused expressions. "I still need to pick up our first officer. Then, we can start training."