I'm back! Hope you all have had a wonderful week! I'll start by saying thank you so much for the continuing support that's been shown I can't express enough how grateful I am. Hopefully you will enjoy this chapter, things will start to ramp up action wise after this one. I do have a question if you guys and gals wouldn't mind answering in the comments I'd appreciate it, should I do pairings? Like is that's something you guys really want to see or a take it or leave it kinda thing?
JuanKui- thank you for the kind words, I hope this can continue to be something you enjoy enough to take a break from the real world!
Tetee77515- Thanks so much for sticking around! I'm glad you have enjoyed so far. I agree that we don't see very many stories with Karin being apart of Konoha team, definitely out there but hey what can I say thought it sounded fun. I appreciate you bearing with me in these early stages hopefully the writing will improve with time!
Cam.Katarn- I'm not sure I can directly answer your question as to how strong Kakashi is, in this story he basically went straight from ANBU to teaching Naruto. And as we saw that inspired him to take his training a bit more serious. (Didn't hurt that the Hokage pointed out how he had slacked on his training post ANBU) If I had to give a definitive answer on his strength I would say around pain arc.
Dr1zzy- Much love! Thanks for reading.
GenkaiFan- thanks I'm feeling better each day!
One piecerules100- thanks so much!
The following month went by quickly for Naruto and his squad, Karin joined and thrived almost immediately. Her sensor ability combined with her healing ability made her invaluable to team Gai, but not only was she taking missions with the squad she also spent a lot of her free time with Tsunade and Shizune at the hospital getting real medic training so she didn't have to rely solely on her blood line.
Naruto and Lee spent many days sparing pushing to see which one would drop first, Gai couldn't be a prouder Sensei seeing his team thrive to make each other the best possible versions of themselves. He even started teaching Lee his forbidden technique, while with Naruto he focused on shaping his body, strength, and speed to levels no ninja could hope to imagine unless they too had the stamina of a mighty tailed beast.
Kakashi probably had the most stressful month of anyone, lord third sidelined him for the month. He had Kakashi by his side for the month showing him what he would have the joy of doing till he found his own successor. Kakashi for his part didn't back down though, he knew Lord Third needed a replacement and as much as he hated to admit he was one of the best candidates. With all that said Kakashi still made time to help Sasuke, although reluctantly Sasuke asked to be tutored. While Kakashi knew Sasuke was lost he couldn't help but look at the young boy and see a younger version of himself, he found himself asking more than once how did Minato-Sensei put up with this.
"Again." Kakashi said as he rubbed his visible eye in frustration.
"This is stupid what will climbing a tree possibly help me accomplish?" Sasuke replied as he tried to climb the tree again, only to fail halfway up and flip off.
"It will help with your jutsu the more control you have will help you make your attacks stronger, and also consume less chakra to do so." Kakashi explained.
"He's right ya'know, it seems stupid but I really felt the difference in my wind jutsu when I figured it out." Naruto announced making his presence clear.
"How did your training with Gai go?" Kakashi asked his former protégé.
"I don't know how you can put up with him as a rival." Naruto said rubbing the back of his head.
"You up for a spar Sasuke?" Kakashi asked deciding to give his new pupil something else to put his mind to.
"Hn, as long as the blondie can keep up." Sasuke said with a smirk getting a rise out of Naruto.
The two kids listened to Kakashi breakdown the rules as he does every time he allows them to spar, as soon as he finished they both took off. Sasuke led off with a heel kick trying to end the fight before it even began. Naruto parried and hit Sasuke in the gut with a devastating knee, and then followed up with a flurry of punches which luckily Sasuke was able to recover and dodge. Once Sasuke recover from the gut shot he took off again raging with anger at not being able to lay a finger on his new rival. Once the space closed Naruto quickly dodged a few punches, these spars honestly weren't to fun for him if he hadn't been sparing with Gai and bushy brows for the past month nonstop it might be a challenge but this was almost like Childs play to the Genin. He caught a punch Sasuke threw and quickly put him into an arm-bar making the dark haired kid submit or have a broken arm, but Sasuke knew after there first spar Kakashi wouldn't stop Naruto from snapping an arm if Sasuke was to stubborn to relent. So reluctantly Sasuke had to give in.
"You lasted longer this time Sasuke, you are improving once you unlock your sharingan I'd say you could probably squeak out a win In taijutsu." Kakashi commented.
"I still don't know why you won't let us use ninjitsu?" Sasuke questioned as he rubbed his arm.
"Because I'd slaughter you." Naruto replied getting a glare from Sasuke.
"Calm yourself Sasuke, what do I always tell you? It's ok to start weak it's not ok to stay weak, and your not." Kakashi replied.
"He's right ya'know outside of my team you could take any Genin in Konoha. Plus you are starting at a way higher level than I did you just have to keep training." Naruto said in his way of giving a complement.
"Hn, easy for you to say." Sasuke replied not realizing he just royally fucked up.
"Listen here you pampered shit, I've had to work for every bit of talent I have with no baseline to speak of until the Hokage noticed I was intentionally being trained wrong. So if you want to bitch about not being able to keep up do it to someone who gives a fuck. You won't find one bit of sympathy from me." Naruto replied coldly before storming out.
Kakashi witnessed the little exchange between the two and figured it was time to step in. "He's right ya know, you are starting at a much higher point then he did. Hell you even pick things up quicker than he does, the only thing holding you back right now is impatience. If you weren't to naive to figure out you can't become an S-class ninja overnight you'd realize how far you've come." Kakashi said as he appeared behind the dark haired boy.
"That's what everyone keeps saying, but that still doesn't make me strong enough to take down that bastard!" Sasuke yelled.
"If you keep following the path you are now you never will. You will bite off more than you can chew and die to some random ninja in the battlefield if you keep it up. You are immensely talented but you limit yourself tremendously by trying to do everything so quickly and by yourself. I'm not here to be your father Sasuke I'm here to help you become the best ninja you can be, but that doesn't mean my advice is bad I've been a Jonin since before you were born I've picked up a few things the quicker you take advice from your betters the better off you will be." Kakashi reasoned before heading off to let the boy think about what he's been told.
Naruto couldn't stand Sasuke, at first he thought they might get along with the similarities they shared but he was dead wrong. He couldn't stand that Sasuke expected everything to be handed to him just because of his clan name. Naruto had to fight tooth and nail for everything and he'd be dammed if he let Sasuke complain about not instantly being better than him.
"I won't apologize to him." Naruto said sensing Kakashi behind him.
"No one's asking you to. You are getting better at sensing your surroundings by the way." Kakashi replied deciding to walk beside his pupil.
"I don't see how you can deal with him." Naruto spoke without looking to his former Sensei.
"Believe it or not I was a lot like him when I was young. I guess that's one of the main reasons I'm training him. I know what it's like to see your whole life crumble in front of you without being able to do a damn thing about it." Kakashi replied sorrow evident in his tone.
"Yeah well you turned out ok, hell you are even keeping the hat warm for me." Naruto said with a chuckle.
"True but I also had comrades to pull me from the darkness, he doesn't so I feel obligated to try. And you better hurry up and improve because I have a feeling I won't want to wear that hat for very long." Kakashi jibed back at his young red headed student.
"Yeah yeah, just make sure you try to adjust his attitude and I might try to help him out again. And it's tough to keep improving if you won't let me rank up!" Naruto replied with a sour tone.
" I'll do my best. And I've already told you I want you to take the chunin exams here, it will be the first one I host as Hokage and we need a strong showing. Besides you get chunin rank missions already you should be more grateful." Kakashi said ruffling the kids hair.
"Yeah I got it, make the new Hokage look like a bad ass no problem. But I'll be so damn good you will have to skip the chunin promotion and send me straight to Jonin believe it!" Naruto said with a thumbs up.
"That's a lot of bravado from a kid who sleeps with a frog hat at night." Kakashi replied making steam come from Naruto's ears before disappearing.
"You got this one old man but I'll get you back!" Naruto yelled knowing damn well Kakashi would hear him.
Sasuke thought about Kakashi's words and couldn't help but beat himself up. He didn't like to admit it but he truly appreciated Naruto and Kakashi's help, he just wasn't very good at talking with people and was quick to anger. He could tell he was getting better, but from the memories he had of his older brother he still felt so far and the feeling that made him have was like being helpless 8 year old boy again, and he swore he would never feel that way again.
"Beating your self up will get you no where kid." A tall man with white hair chimed in.
"What the hell do you know old man." Sasuke replied not understanding who was talking.
"A few things, got to be a pretty damn good ninja to make it to my age kid. I watched your little spar with my future pupil you got your ass kicked." The old sage responded getting a grunt from the moody black haired boy.
"Hn, just a minor setback I'll be above him in no time." Sasuke spoke much more confidently than he felt inside.
"If you truly believe that you are dumber than you look. Has no one told you power doesn't grow on trees? Seriously kid, it's obvious your training hard and I commend you for that, but you can't become a force overnight that takes time, good guidance, and a hell of a work ethic. I know that look in your eyes well, never being good enough, always being shown up no matter how hard you try, I'm very familiar with it." Jirayia stated looking over the young Uchiha.
"So I've been told, I'm tired of lectures I just need someone to make me stronger, I'm tired of being weak and useless!" Sasuke shouted letting all the bottled up emotions loose.
"Then listen to the damn lectures you get and they will come a lot less. I've been around the block more times then I can count I know potential when I see it, and you have it in spades, don't let this quest for vengeance block or stunt your growth. Here take this, I'm not around the village much but next time I'm back I'll come and see how your doing with it. If you impress I'll show you a few things." Jirayia said tossing the kid a book before leaving.
'Who the hell was that?' Was Sasuke's first thought as the man vanished, but after gathering himself he glanced at the book the man gave him. 'Beginner and intermediate fire release. Interesting.' Thought Sasuke as thin smirk appeared on the boys face.
"Long time no see, how's it going?" Jirayia asked as he appeared behind the famous copy nin.
"Stressful. I can't believe I let you and Tsunade-Sama talk me into this." Kakashi replied with a sigh.
"You kinda didn't have a choice to be fair. But you were the best choice regardless, I don't know if I ever brought it up, or if Minato mentioned it, but he truly believed in you. Shortly after he took you on as his pupil he told me you were a true genius, and we both know that's real praise coming from him." Jirayia complimented then chuckled at Kakashi's stunned expression.
"I don't understand, sure I'm pretty good but I don't belong in the same sentence as the other Hokage or even the legendary Sannin." Kakashi spoke as his eyes traced the names of the many loved ones that have left.
"That's your problem kid, Kakashi you've been a ninja for 20 years that's a damn impressive feat within itself, not to mention you've been a Jonin for the large majority of that. You are truly one of the best, and beyond that you have a sharp mind, the mind of a good leader if I do say so myself. Sure you might not be Minato on the battlefield, but you have skills that are shaper than his, and vice versa. Look all I'm saying is your fit for the job, you have two Sannin and a man that was Hokage for about 30 or 40 years backing you." Jirayia spoke trying to ease the mind of his pupil's pupil.
"Thanks Jirayia-Sama I appreciate it. Ya know Naruto been asking about you, I think he is gonna try to pry a few new jutsu from you." Kakashi said with a smirk.
"What's new, the day that kid doesn't ask me for some new jutsu is the day he surpasses me. I talked to your new pupil a few minutes ago, kids got a lot of problems but I see the potential. I gave him a book for fire jutsu and told him I'd show him a few things if he impresses me next time I'm around." Jirayia said as the two headed for a local bar for a few drinks.
"Yeah Sasuke reminds me a lot of myself, I've had Naruto train with him a bit and it seems to help sometimes, sometimes it seems to make it worse." Kakashi said at a loss.
"I understand, the snake and I had a very similar relationship when we were growing up. We just have to make sure the new generation doesn't follow our idiotic mistakes. That reminds I've seen a glimpse of the younger generation and I'm impressed, how are we looking with the next couple batches of graduates?" Jirayia commented as they placed there order.
"Well obviously you've seen Naruto, Lee, and Sasuke all three have tremendous potential. Along with that in this past class we have a very talented Hyugga, perhaps he will surpass his uncle and leader of the clan. This year we have the ino-Shika-Cho combo coming out, I have no doubt they will be invaluable to the village." Kakashi spoke proudly as they sipped they're drinks.
"Who will be on Sasuke's team?" Jirayia asked as they're order arrived.
"I'm gonna place him with Neji, the Hyugga prodigy I've told you about, and tenten a very talented weapons expert." Kakashi spoke as he started to eat his meal.
"Hyugga and Uchiha on the same team, I feel bad for the sensei." Jirayia choked out with a laugh.
Naruto was currently dismantling training dummies left and right, some would guess he was angry those guesses would be correct. 'Stupid stuck up Uchiha, try to help then they take it for granted and start bitching about how unfair everything is' Naruto thought as he unleashed a great breakthrough strong enough to pull a fairly large tree out of the ground.
"What did the tree do to you Naruto-Kun?" Hiruzen asked with a bit of a chuckle.
"Sorry for destroying the area Jiji, just trying to blow off some steam." Naruto answered sheepishly.
"That's quite alright, I figured today would be a rather happy day for you." The old Kage spoke a bit confused.
"It is! I'm happy for Sensei truly, it's just something happened earlier that pissed me off, but it's fine I've worked through it, believe it!" Naruto said with a thumbs up.
"I'm glad to hear that, anger is very common hell being angry is natural, just remember to not let it fester that's when it truly becomes dangerous. I won't keep you very long, I just wanted to tell you even though I'm stepping down I'll always be there for you Naruto-Kun." Hiruzen spoke softly as the two walked about.
"I know Jiji! I also know you have a lot of regrets concerning my situation and how you handled it, truth be told I'm still a little bitter about it. But I understand, I don't know that I'll ever be able to forgive you but I truly understand." Naruto said with a bittersweet smile.
"You've grown to be very mature, I'm immensely proud of the young man you are and will be, I know your parents are as well." Hiruzen said with a genuine smile on his face.
"Well I guess we should get going, I don't think Kakashi-Ni will be late to this... hopefully." Naruto finished making both of them laugh a bit.
Konoha was an immensely beautiful place during the spring, colors were plentiful, the breeze felt as if it was the perfect relief of slightly warm day. Today felt special, to be fair it was special, today was the day the fifth Hokage would officially take office. The entirety of the village was crowded in front of the Hokage tower waiting to be addressed.
"People of Konoha, today I will step down for the second and last time! It has been my great honor and privilege to lead and nurture generations of this village, I've seen so much over my 40 years of service and I'm grateful to see a better village now than I did when I took over. Now please don't be sad for my successor will out due me in time I'm sure, it's with great honor I announce Hatake Kakashi as the fifth Hokage of the leaf!" Hiruzen spoke pride lacing every word he spit out. Slowly behind him walked out Kakashi in a the traditional Hokage garb with a black outfit underneath.
"Thank you all for the applause, I take this job with honor and hope! With the help of all you I hope I can take the leaf village to new heights. For those of you who don't know I was a student of the late fourth Hokage, he was a very important person in my life and I swear on my honor and his trust in me to do right by this village! Thank you all!" Kakashi said way less nervous than he truly felt. He figured he did an ok job by the roaring applause of the audience.
A/N- Sorry for the wait on this chapter, at first it was because of Covid, but then writer's block kicked in. I know there is a lot of people who enjoy this story and I'm incredibly thankful! I will not put it on hiatus, but I can't promise any consistent uploading schedule, I'm gonna do my best to put a chapter a week out. Thank you again for reading this is my first fanfic and I'm still trying to learn to be a better writer and storyteller! Peace!