When you have a friend who kept pestering you nonstop about fanfic stories after learning you have a Fanfiction account... *nearly want to kill my friend*

Basically, we've been going on for days about this plot since we're doing it together. My friend is a terrible writing/typing story because they do not have patience for it. I, however, do have patience. So, basically... I'm mostly doing the work while my friend does ideas and such. But we are working together for fun, so why not?

We hope readers like this plot and enjoy it. :)

I don't own NARUTO.

[Konohagakure no Sato]
[Ninja Academy — Night]
[After Genin Exam]

A young man in his early twenties, who is of average height and build. He has brown hair in a ponytail, dark eyes, and a scar that runs across the bridge of his nose. He wears the standard Konoha shinobi attire with hitai-ate, sandals, and a flak jacket. Umino, Iruka the Instructor of Ninja Academy and he is currently sitting on the couch.

Iruka carefully studied the profiles of papers that are neatly organized on the coffee table. His dark orbs examined the profiles, contemplating the teams. He was satisfied with the choices he made so far with the teams. However, there is a problem…

He wasn't sure which Jounin sensei that will take over the teams. He already took care of most of the teams except three teams. 'Team Seven, Team Eight, and Team Ten.' Iruka replayed it over in his mind, trying to figure out what instructor who will take charge of the team.

Iruka crossed his arms as he stared at the profiles of Team Seven. 'Uchiha, Sasuke. Haruno, Sakura. Uzumaki, Naruto.' He hummed, softly. Team Seven always taken by an infamous Copy Cat Ninja—Hatake, Kakashi. 'I think I should just put Team Seven under him.' He decided.

Then he shifted his attention to profiles of Team Eight. 'Inuzuka, Kiba. Hyuuga, Hinata. Aburame, Shino.' He tapping his fingers lightly against his arm for a moment until he remembered. 'That's right… I recalled there was someone who registered to become an instructor. She is new but—' he quickly looks over the names on the list that was provided by the Hokage who wrote down available Jounin who are interested in taking over the Genin team (some are not volunteers, however, Hokage's does whatever he wants).

He found the name and decided that Yuhi, Kurenai will be the Jounin Instructor for Team Eight. Iruka was satisfied with his choice then glanced at the last team. He can't wait to finish this as soon as possible because he is desperate for his bed.

Especially after a long night because of a certain traitor.

Iruka shook the thoughts away then put his focus on the profiles of Team Ten. 'Nara, Shikamaru. Yamanaka, Ino. Akimichi, Choji.' The famous Ino-Shika-Cho team. He frowned when he realized something. 'Team Seven is for Frontline. Team Eight is for Tracking and Locating. And Team Ten… well, they are supposed to be something…' now he has to pay attention to the skills of the students from Team Ten.

He has realized that he was lucky enough to set up three Genins in a team with balance talents and skills. Except for one team—and that is Team Ten. 'But what do they have in common? Ino-san and Shikamaru-san are both almost equal in most of the skills. Choji-san is a bit outsider since he is more of a fighter despite that he doesn't like violence.' Iruka rubbed his chin, thoughtfully.

Iruka couldn't believe that he almost didn't notice his error which was his own mistake. Fortunately, he caught it before he could put the final decision on the Jounin instructor for Team Ten. He did think about using Sarutobi, Asuma as Team Ten's Instructor however… 'Asuma-san is one of the frontline fighters. Good for stalling the enemies too… but I don't think he is the right person for Team Ten.'

The Chunin huffed softly as he reread the profiles of three Genin carefully. 'Ino-san has fifteen points, Shikamaru-san has nineteen points, and Choji-san and thirteen point five points.' He recalled the famous skills each Clan has.

Yamanaka Clan specializes in mind-related techniques.

Nara Clan specializes to manipulate shadows.

Akimichi Clan revolves around the manipulation of their body weight and size.

Iruka sighed heavily. He knew that the older Ino-Shika-Cho is a famous trio, especially when they are part of the Konoha Barrier. However, there is one problem…

Their fathers' skills and talents are beyond and completely different levels. Iruka has faith that the Genins will grow to be strong—just like their fathers.

'But they aren't their fathers.' Iruka realized it then double-checks the talents and skills from the profiles once again. 'Shikamaru-san and Choji-san never really involve fighting since they aren't interested. However, Ino -san has expressed to engage with the action. She has a top rank for Taijutsu skill, above Hinata-san. She is also faster, good stamina, and excellent hand seals. Her strength isn't perfect but she makes it up to other skills.'

The Chunin glanced over at other profiles. 'Shikamaru-san has a high score for Intelligent and his speed is good, a bit below Ino-san's speed. Good dispel the Genjutsu and others. Not strong stamina but manageable.'

And shifted his gaze to the last profile. 'Choji-san has high scores on both Ninjutsu and Strength skill. Good stamina. A bit slow with his hand seals and top-five rank for Taijutsu skill…'

Iruka leaned forward when he realized the Genins' skills are perfect for one thing. 'Stealth and Intelligence Gathering.' He mused, slightly awed as he knew it's not easy to form three Genins in a team for that specific group. Stealth and Intelligence Gathering is one of the hard groups to form because of high risk and challenges in missions when it comes to finding perfect abilities.

However, he has faith that they are fit for such skills. After all, Ino and Shikamaru are both perfect fits for stealth and intelligence while Choji is their buffer. Iruka knew for the fact that Choji will do anything to protect his friends, so it's the perfect role for a kind-hearted rotund ninja.

Iruka grinned with satisfaction and quickly crossed out the "Stalling Team" and wrote down the "Stealth and Intelligence Gathering Team" and added a note about Genin Akimichi being the buffer. He shifted his gaze over the list of Jounin. 'Now… I need to figure out which of them are right for Team Ten…' he quickly mentally crossed out the Jounin names.

It's a good thing there is a small note of skills attached to their names so it's a bit easier for Iruka. A frown appeared on his face when he realized that he rejected them all since none of them are right for Team Ten. 'There has to be someone who is perfect for them.' He mused, then glanced at the clock that is nearly two in the morning. 'Maybe I could hopefully talk with Hokage-sama about this?' Iruka gathered the profiles into one folder and stood up.

He hopes the Hokage is still at his office.

[Hokage Tower — Hokage's Office]

Iruka is relieved that Hokage is still in his office, yet he feels bad for the leader since it's after two in the morning after all. When he arrived at the office and saw the leader of the Konoha is working on paperwork. "Hokage-sama." Iruka bows his head respectfully.

Sandaime the Konohagakure no Sato, Sarutobi, Hiruzen smiles warmly at him. "Chunin Iruka." He greeted the Chunin and spotted a folder. "I assume you are done with the organized teams?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama." Iruka nod his head, step forward, and handed the folder to the Hokage.

Hiruzen grabbed the folder not unkindly, placed it down, and flipped it open. He carefully read each team along with the Jounin instructor. Iruka barely controlled his fidgeted feet when the Third Hokage hummed and nod a few times when he reads the list.

A small smile appeared on Sandaime's face when he saw Team Seven, then to the next team and paused on the last team. He blinked and reread. "Team Ten…" Iruka jerked his head forward attentive. "…why not a Stalling?" he asked, curious.

"I won't deny that they will no doubt be like their fathers who did an amazing job with stalling and barriers. However, they aren't their fathers." Iruka explained. "Ever since I became their Homeroom Instructor, I know what they are like in personality and skills. Choji-san would be excellent for stalling, barrier, or even frontline. However, Shikamaru-san and Choji-san aren't interested in fighting. Ino-san expressed that she could fight willingly. I've been thinking over their skills along with their personalities for a while until I realized that they are perfect for Stealth and Intelligence Gathering."

The Hokage hummed with intrigue. "And why is that?"

"Shikamaru-san has highly intelligence without a doubt. And he also has shadow manipulation skills. Ino-san is fast and agile. Quite flexible too. Also mind-related techniques. Together, both of them have the ability to gather intelligence and be stealthy. Choji-san could be their buffer as I know he will do anything to protect his friends from any danger and enemies." Iruka enlightened.

The sparks appeared in Hokage's eyes with interest and impressed. "It's been a long time since we had a fresh team for Stealth and Intelligence Gathering…" he said, after all, he recalled the last team was Jiraiya who became Jounin Instructor which was years ago. Unfortunately, his former student retired became the solo and secret informant and intelligence gathering.

"And I couldn't find a right Jounin instructor for Team Ten." Iruka added, with guilty and nervousness.

Hiruzen glanced down and read the list of the available Jounin on the list. As much as he wants to place his son to take charge for Team Ten. He knew it wouldn't be wise since it will be waste of time and skills. And he silently agreed with Iruka that none of the Jounin are right for Team Ten.

Expect one certain Jounin popped in his mind. "There is one person who is qualified for Team Ten." Iruka perked up with excitement and relief as the Hokage picked up the brush and dab with ink from the inkpot.

"May I ask, who is this person, sir?" Iruka is curious.

Hiruzen finished wrote the name that will be taking charge of Team Ten. "Shiranui, Genma." He answered, pleased.

Iruka recognized the name with surprise but understanding since he has heard of the man's skills from gossips. 'Well, now we have all teams finished.' He mused, relief, and prepare to leave for his sweet, warm bed.

[Later…]

"You want me to what?" a mid-twenties man who has brown shoulder-length hair with hitai-ate bandana wrapped around his head backward. Sharp yet clear amber eyes, fair skin, and wears a standard Jounin outfit. He has a metal senbon in his mouth. Shiranui, Genma stared blankly at the Hokage who calmly smoking from his pipe.

Sandaime eyeing the Tokubetsu Jounin for a brief moment. "I said that you are now taking over Team Ten as their Jounin-sensei." He repeated, calmly.

Genma twirled his senbon gracefully. "Hokage-sama… I'm not Jounin. I'm Tokubetsu Jounin."

"I am aware of that, Tokujo Shiranui." Hiruzen acknowledged it and watched how Genma was astonished. "However, you are qualified for this team."

The Tokujo Jounin raised his eyebrow in skepticism. He steps forward when the Hokage pushed the folder to him across the desk. Genma flipped the folder open and silently read the document for a moment. Slowly, his amber orbs spark with curiosity and interest as he read it further until he finished it. "Stealth and Intelligence Gathering?" Genma mumbled, surprised.

Shiranui, Genma is one who has highly skills when it comes to stealth and information gathering ever since he was young. He never fails to gather information when it comes to missions and has saved a lot of problems from the shadow. Even ANBU and T&I asked for his assistance a few times a month for years. He wasn't known as Informant Thief for anything as he enjoys steal information whether for fun or for the mission.

"Ino-Shika-Cho?" Genma lifted his amber orbs at the Hokage with incredulity. "They have the skills for it?"

The Hokage nod his head. "Yes. Genin Nara and Genin Yamanaka are both fits for stealth and information gathering. Genin Akimichi will be their buffer." He stated.

Genma hummed intrigued by this newly fresh Genin team. 'Not bad idea… to have a buffer would make the stealth missions rate successful higher…' he mused, impressed with how the team was organized. He has seen the Ino-Shika-Cho team before in many different groups and skills from missions, wars, and battles.

However, he never heard of Ino-Shika-Cho known for being Stealth and Intelligence Gathering, and who knows, they might make it beyond high and powerful than their fathers. Slowly, he nodded his head with interest. Plus, Choza was his former Jounin-sensei when Genma was Genin. A smirk appeared on his face. "If I'm taking brats under my wings, what will happen to my other responsibility?" Genma asked, curious.

"You will be temporarily taken off from ANBU until all members of Team Ten are Chunin. You will receive some side-missions for personal reasons, but it will have to be once a month." Hiruzen explained, calmly while he lowers his pipe.

Genma nodded his head understandingly. "Alright." He accepted to be Team Ten's Jounin. 'This'll be interesting.' He wonders what will it be like to teach freshly Genin brats?

[Ninja Academy — Morning]

Iruka stood beside the teacher's desk with a clipboard in his hands. He smiles at Genin who are listening to him. "—all ninjas. To get here, you faced difficult trials and hardships. But that's nothing. What comes next will be far more difficult. Now you're only Genin, first-level ninjas. All the Genin will be grouped into three-man squads. Each squad will be led by a Jounin, an elite ninja. We want each squad to have a balance of strengths and abilities, so that's how we set them up. I will now announce the teams." Iruka lifted his clipboard and start reading it out loud.

"Team One—" Iruka announced the three-men tea. Among fresh Genins, a cute-looking twelve-year-old girl with platinum-blonde that tied up in a high ponytail, powder-blue eyes, fair flawless skin, and wears her purple Kunoichi attire. Her name is Yamanaka, Ino and she inwardly praying for being part of a team with her crush.

Ino glanced down at her rival and ex-best friend who is sitting in the middle between the Rookie of the Year and Deadlast of the Year. She frowned with envious and irked that her rival stole a spot next to her crush. 'I won't lose to you, Forehead!' she mused, determined.

After a moment, Iruka went continue the list. "Team Seven… Uzumaki, Naruto." A blonde-haired Genin perked up with interest. "…Haruno, Sakura." A pink-haired Genin blinked then dropped her shoulders depressed while Naruto cheered. Ino silently covered her mouth with amusement. "…and Uchiha, Sasuke." Ino halted in shock and disappointment.

Sakura cheered happily as Naruto dropped his head comedic depressed. The pink-haired Genin sat back down, turned halfway, and held up her victory sign with a smug smile. Ino gritted her teeth angrily at her rival.

While Iruka carries on. "Team Eight… Hyuuga, Hinata." The hime-styled hairstyle of dark-navy hair Genin glanced up. "…Inuzuka, Kiba." A hooded with fur and red fangs mark on cheeks Genin smirked widely, showing off his fangs. "…and Aburame, Shino." A high-collared jacket with sunglasses Genin stared blankly.

Sakura continued showing her smug which ticked Ino's off. 'How did you get in his group?!' she doesn't understand why Haruno, Sakura who has no shinobi family background, a clanless civilian girl to be in a team with Uchiha?

Ino silently growled as her hands curled into tight fists at her side. Next to her, is a twelve-year-old boy with black hair that tied up a spiky ponytail, sharp narrow brown eyes, and semi-tan skin. His name is Nara, Shikamaru as he is currently leaned against his palm while staring at her from the corner of his eyes. Shikamaru shifted his gaze to Sakura and Ino then sighed. "I don't get it." He closed his eyes, boredom. "What do you see in a guy like that? He's not so special." He commented, slightly astonished.

The platinum-blonde Genin turned her head to her old childhood friend with a frown. "You are so beyond clueless, Shikamaru. Don't you get it?"

"No, I don't get it, because I'm not a girl." Shikamaru opened his eyes and turned his head to his old childhood friend.

Ino made a face. "Ugh, you're so full of yourself." She turned her head forward and a mocking-sympathy smile appeared on her face. "Jealousy's a terrible thing. I'd hate to be on your team." She hasn't hung out with her two old childhood friends ever since she started to hang out with the different groups when she was eight-year-old. It's been four years since then and Ino doubted that she will hang around with them in the future. 'Childhood friends never really last long once they grow up.' Ino mused, slightly sad.

"—now, Team Ten." A smile appeared on Iruka's face. He was most proud of figure this team out. "Yamanaka, Ino." Ino lifted her powder-blue eyes to her former Instructor with curiosity. "…Nara, Shikamaru." Ino wasn't expected that as Shikamaru mocking smirks at her.

"Did you say something about hating to be on my team?" Shikamaru teased her with a lazy smirk. Ino glares at him with irritation.

Iruka lowered his clipboard. "…and Akimichi, Choji." A rotund Genin with red swirls markings on his cheeks. Choji is munching on his chips calmly.

Ino placed her hands on her head incredulity. 'Ah… food boy too?!' she would never think that she will be placed in a team with her old childhood friends! She truly thought they will be apart and walk down different paths.

Turns out that Fate wouldn't allow that.

"Those are all the teams." Iruka explained, satisfied.

Until Naruto stood on his feet, pointed rudely at Sasuke. "Iruka-sensei! Why does a great ninja like me have to be in the same group with a teme like Sasuke?!" Sakura glares angrily at Naruto.

Iruka sighed, knowingly. "Sasuke-san had the best scores of all the graduating students. Naruto, you had the worst scores." He glanced at his former students, solemnly. "To create a balanced group, we put the best student with the worst student. And each team is equal and balance with skills and talents." He watches tiredly when Naruto is attempting to pick a fight with the Uchiha. He cleared his throat. "After lunch, you'll meet your new Jounin instructor. Until then, class dismissed."

[Later…]

The new Team Ten is resting on the baloney as they are eating their lunches quietly. Shikamaru lazily leaned against the rail while his other leg dangling at the edge of the ledge. Choji is sitting on the ground with his back rest against the wall with an armful of riceballs. Ino leans her backside against the rail across from Choji.

It has been a semi-awkward but quiet atmosphere for a while until Ino lifted her head with a determined glint in her eyes. "Alright." She decided to accept this as her reality. "If we're in the same group, you're going to have to follow my lead. That's the only way it'll work." She said as she turned her stern eyes at the lazy ninja.

"Yeah, yeah." Shikamaru muttered, lazily. He glanced at his old childhood female friend. 'That's the only it'll work 'cause she throws a fit if she doesn't get her way.' Ino had stopped being their best friend ever since she hung out with civilian girls. And honestly, Shikamaru doesn't like this version of Ino at all.

Choji lifted his head with a sweet smile. "Why don't you lead us to some barbecue, Ino?" it's been a long time since the three of them hang out. Choji actually missed the old Ino and he clings to the hope that someday, the real old Ino is still there inside of this version of Ino.

The platinum-blonde facepalm with shoulders slumped. 'Hopeless!' Ino wishes she is in different team than be with them.

Meanwhile, Shikamaru noticed Naruto sneakily heading toward Sasuke who is quietly eating his lunch. "Naruto…" the lazy ninja raised his eyebrow, wondered. Ino turned her head to Nara heir with confusion. She also noticed Naruto as well and watched him with curiosity.

Shikamaru and Ino watched Naruto jumped onto Sasuke into the room and the board shut down the window. There were shouting and noises of fighting inside the room. Ino turned around as she lifted her shaking fist in anger. "Naruto! If you do much as scratch him, you're on my enemy list forever."

After a tense few minutes of waiting, the board was pulled up outward and Sasuke leaped over onto the roof. A smug smirk appeared on Sasuke's face then walk away.

"He beat Naruto without even breaking a sweat." Shikamaru noted.

Ino smirks proudly. "What did you expect? Naruto against my Sasuke-kun? No contest." The lazy ninja rolled his eyes while Choji continued eating his lunch peacefully.

'What a drag.' That was all the lazy ninja thought as he finished his riceball.

[Ninja Academy]

All Genins return to the class after lunch was over. Iruka stood in front of them with a proud smile on his face. "Alright, now the Jounin will be here any minutes. They will call out your team number and you three will follow your Jounin. Understand?" most of the Genins nodded or/and replied as they understood.

Iruka nods his head with satisfaction and not even a couple of minutes later when few Jounin arrived. One by one, they called out the team number and Genin of the three teams stood up and followed their new mentor.

A beautiful woman with black wavy hair, red-ruby eyes, fair skin and wears her Kunoichi attire as she steps inside. Ino was silently awed by Kunoichi's beautiful appearance. "Team Eight, please follow me." She announced, confident and elegant. Team Eight Genins stood up, went to her, and left the class.

After a few minutes later, a man with a senbon walked inside calmly. "Team Ten." He called out, nonchalantly. "Let's go." He jerked his head at the door, disinterested.

Ino stood up along with her new teammates. She flipped her ponytail hair over her shoulder and stride toward her new Instructor with confident yet slight nervousness.

Three Genins followed the Shinobi down the corridor to exist the building and through the gate. Ino glanced over to Shikamaru who is staring at the clouds and Choji who is eating his chip. She mentally sighed at them then turned her powder-blue orbs at their new mentor warily. "…who are you?" Ino decided to ask since her teammates are lazy and uninterested.

However, the Shinobi ignores her which made her vein popped out of her head with irritated. 'How dare he?!' she hisses at him angrily. Shikamaru made sure to keep his distance from Ino, quietly.

After a moment of awkward and tense silence of walking.

When the Shinobi halted suddenly and whirled around. "We're here." The three Genins paused, observed their surroundings as they noticed they are in some kind of old woods. There were even a large tree with old yet study-looking swing, and a river from the distance.

Ino never seen this place before while Shikamaru hummed with half-boredom and half-interested and Choji just relax, eating his favorite snack.

"We're going to do a survival test." A Shinobi blunted, boredom.

The platinum-blonde frowned at him warily. "Survival test?" she placed her hands on her hips. She hasn't forgiven the man who ignores her so rudely when she asked for his name.

"Of the twenty-seven graduates, only nine will actually be accepted as Genin. The other eighteen brats will be weeded out and sent back to the academy or Genin Corps, up to them." He shrugged his shoulders, uncaringly. "In other words, this is a failure or pass test. And the chance that you'll fail is at least sixty-six percentage."

Ino stared at him in shocked while Choji paused and Shikamaru frowned. "Troublesome… I assumed that all of us graduates are just candidates who might become Genin." The shadow-user figured it out with a fact.

The Shinobi raise his eyebrow but nod his head. "Correct. It's up to me to decide whether you pass or fail. And shall we find out?"

"Ehh?" Ino was taken aback.

Shikamaru frowned. "Troublesome… Right now?"

"W-what kind of test?" Choji asked, nervously.

The Shinobi allowed a sharp smirk appeared as dark glint in his eyes.