A/N: Hello again, everyone. We are back with the new chapter of One Year Early. As you know, team-6 has left Konoha for Takigakure. Would it be smooth sailing or would there be trouble? And some more. Also let me just highlight once more that like my other story, Guardian of the Tailed Beasts, I won't be holding back on NaruHina for long and will be getting them together within 3-4 chapters. Anyways, nothing more to say here let's get on to the chapter.
CHAPTER-6: SOME TRAINING EN-ROUTE
*One day after setting out for Taki
As the Team-6 decided to set camp for the night, Shikaku ordered the team to hunt rabbits and his genin complied.
With her Byakugan, Hinata spotted some of them in almost no time and then Naruto charged at their potential dinner. At first it was difficult but it was all over for the rabbits when the orange clad blonde made the cross hand-sign and twenty copies of him appeared. With Hinata's extremely accurate guidance and the overwhelming man (clone) power, the team was grilling three dead rabbits on fire within less than fifteen minutes. To Shikaku's utter satisfaction, he didn't have to lift a finger. The flamboyant blonde caught the rabbits and the shy Hyuuga cooked them.
"Awesome! I hope old man Teuchi won't get pissed off if I say that you cook better than him, Hinata-chan!" the blonde complemented. Hinata's face reddened, it was the first time someone complemented her for her cooking and the fact that the said complement came from the one she loved the most, made it even more special.
"T-Thank you, N-Naruto-kun."
"I have to admit, it is delicious." Shikaku affirmed after taking his first bite.
"T-Thank you, sensei."
Soon the team was ready to call it a night. In order to make them familiar with keeping watch in shifts, Shikaku had Naruto keep watch for the first shift. Hinata would go next and finally he would keep watch for the last shift. Of course, the Jonin commander wouldn't sleep just like that. He discreetly made a shadow clone and had it take cover behind a bush and keep watch on his genin as they kept watch.
As Naruto kept watch for the first shift, at some point his gaze fell on the sleeping form of Hinata. For some moments he just couldn't take his eyes away her. Earlier he had kinda checked her out after they practiced water walking. Now he was flustered by just how cute she looked while sleeping.
'Oh Kami, she looks so beautiful, asleep like that. Like a fairy, innocent and cute.' Then Naruto noticed the slight blush on her round cheeks and the natural pink of her lips and he felt an urge to caress that angelic face, play with her silky hair, and plant a kiss or two on her cute pink lips….
Naruto violently shook his head to drive such thoughts out, but now he had to admit he wanted to be much more than friends with the Hyuuga Princess. He remembered how she stood before him when Mizuki revealed the secret about the Kyuubi, she looked so heroic, so strong in a way that made the blonde feel well and truly safe for the first time, a new degree of safe that he only felt in her presence. He also had begun feeling that with her by his side, he could accomplish anything. She whole-heartedly supported his ambition of becoming Hokage, something that only Iruka-sensei and Jiji had done before. But none of them had ever reassured Naruto in a way that only Hinata could… this new feeling washed over him and left a sense of warmth inside his chest that he had never felt before.
After some minutes of observing the sleeping form of his best friend, Naruto went back to keeping watch, but with a slight red tint on his cheeks as his mind began coming to terms with this new feeling that he had towards Hinata. The clone of Shikaku that was observing them had a smirk on his face.
'Looks like Hiashi has some troublesome times ahead, but I sure can definitely enjoy some budding romance between these two lovebirds' the clone thought to himself.
Naruto's watch went by without incident. Now he had to wake his best friend up for her own watch. At first Naruto thought of just keeping watch for her shift as well, since he just didn't want to wake her up but then he realized the point: such things were necessary for Hinata's growth as a shinobi as well and so if she wished she could stand up to that asshole (fate's bitch) cousin of hers one day, it was necessary that she became better. Thinking this, the blonde went into the tent.
'Wake her up plain and simple' He thought, but how to do so? He started to press her cheeks. 'So soft!' Naruto thought as Hinata moved a little, he then caressed her angelic face a bit, as softly as he could, so that he could take a feel of it.
'Hope she doesn't mind.'
Then he poked her cheek softly again.
"Wakey wakey Hinata, time to keep watch." He whispered in her ear as he poked her a few more times. Finally, the Hyuuga's eye lids opened up gradually. Upon seeing the sleeping beauty get up with a yawn, Naruto was frozen.
'I-I want to see her wake up like that every day … Kami she's so cute…'
"What happened Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked not fully awake from her slumber.
"Time for your shift, Hinata-chan." Naruto replied softly. Then Hinata got fully back to her senses.
"S-Sorry Naruto-kun…I-I fell asleep a bit harder."
"No issues." Naruto said waving his hands. "Just make sure to wash your face, okay?" He said offering his water bottle.
"S-sure." Hinata replied taking the bottle from him and going out. Naruto then got into his own sleeping bag. His mind went into some thoughts.
'Right now, all I know is Shadow-clones. Hinata-chan has helped me a lot with taijutsu and throwing weapons like Kunai and Shuriken but still I am in no way as good as her…. I need to start taking these things seriously, what if someone had attacked while I was keeping watch…someone powerful… would have I been able to hold them off until sensei and Hinata-chan got up and took care of them? Perhaps, but there is a possibility that someone could have got by and taken them out before I could wake them up… No, I need to be stronger… a lot stronger…I can't let anything happen to Hinata-chan, she has already risked her life for me once…Tomorrow I will ask sensei to teach me some jutsu. Right! It's decided.' Naruto thought as sleep overtook him.
*Meanwhile in Sunagakure, the Village Hidden in the Sand*
Three Genin and their sensei stood in attention before the Kazekage.
"Team Baki, your mission is to retrieve this girl from Taki. She is the jinchuuriki of the Nanabi. We believe she can be a fine addition to our arsenal." Rasa the Fourth Kazekage commented, passing photos of a girl dressed in white, with mint green hair.
Temari flinched inwardly.
'Just like Gaara, father is considering this girl as a weapon too…why? Just because they have some Biju sealed in them, should they be treated as weapons? I don't understand how these things work really and I really need to for Gaara's sake…he might be too far gone, but I hope I am not too late in that regard.'
Meanwhile Baki accepted the mission scroll from the Kazekage.
"Team Baki accepts the mission Kazekage-sama. We will do our best." The half-veiled Jonin said. Meanwhile the youngest member of the team, the redheaded boy looked intensely at the photo of their target.
"My child, prove the worth of your existence … let your mother have her blood." A monstrous voice from within the redhead's mind said.
'As you wish mother, I will offer her blood to you and prove my worth in doing so.' The redheaded boy thought back.
*Back with Team-6*
Hinata's watch also went by without incident. When she got back into her tent, she couldn't help look at the sleeping form of the boy she loved so much.
'He looks so cute!' She thought with a blush. Feeling a little bold as Naruto was fast asleep, she quietly approached him and, with the utmost amount of care, touched one of the whisker marks on his cheeks. She always wondered if they were just a part of his skin or if they would feel…different….
Gently she ran her finger over the whisker mark, it didn't feel any different from the rest of his skin. The marks were just there…'Are they because of the fox? …Maybe…but they make him even cuter' Hinata thought with a slight blush and a smile as she continued tracing that whisker mark softly with her thumb.
She totally did not expect Naruto to purr and let out a pleased "hmmmm" sound.
'So, you like being touched like that Naruto-kun…I hope someday I can touch you like that…kiss you there even…when you are awake.' She thought with a blush before retreating to her own sleeping bag.
Then the hidden clone of Shikaku dispersed, having witnessed all the fluffy scenes between his students. The Nara woke up and went to take his watch as, over the horizon, the traces of dawn had begun appearing. He took a glance at his sleeping students.
'I know the Shinobi world is full of harshness, but perhaps budding love like that between these two can be a breath of fresh air in this world of darkness.' The Nara clan head thought with a smirk.
Morning came rather quickly and the Team-6 was soon ready to continue their mission after having the remaining curry Hinata cooked last night as breakfast.
"Hey sensei? I want to learn some new jutsu." Naruto told Shikaku as the team continued towards Taki. The Nara raised an eyebrow.
"And why is that?" He asked, interested to know whether the blonde wanted to learn jutsus for power or something else.
"Because I can protect you guys better with that! I mean, look Hinata-chan has her Jyuuken and Byakugan, you are Jonin but what do I have, I know Shadow clones, transformation, substitution, Hinata-chan has helped me with chakra control, weapons throwing and taijutsu but what if… that's not enough…what if…something bad happens, when you are not around or something…I don't want to be a burden at that time." Naruto explained.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata protested.
"Hinata-chan, I can understand but I have to grow too, or I can't help you put that asshole cousin of yours in place." Naruto retorted.
Now Shikaku was smirking.
"So, you want to grow stronger in order to protect your teammate?"
"Yeah!"
"S-sensei, in that case, teach m-me too, I need to stand up to those who don't like N-Naruto-kun for his… burden" Hinata requested.
"Good! Alright team, we will learn some ninjutsus today then." Shikaku said with a smile.
"But before that we need to determine your elemental affinity." He added.
"Elemental affinity?" Naruto quizzically asked.
"Troublesome, Hinata, can you give us a small revision of the elements?"
"H-Hai. The e-elemental a-affinities a-are w-wind, l-lightning, fire, w-water and earth. All shinobi h-have a p-primary a-affinity due to w-which u-using and learning jutsus o-of the element is e-easier for them. F-for K-Konoha's shinobi, the most common affinity is fire. H-However, o-over the y-years shinobi c-can develop multiple affinities. A-and they can u-use jutsus of elements other than their a-affinities as well, t-though the chakra c-cost is more." The Hyuuga explained with a bit of stuttering.
"Excellent." Shikaku said with an approving nod, then he took out two chakra litmus papers from his pocket and handed it to his students.
"What's this sensei?" Naruto asked.
"This is called the Chakra litmus paper; it is used to determine the elemental affinities of shinobi. Although we don't usually determine the affinities of genin, I am making an exception on the grounds of my own good judgement, even though it is troublesome, since I believe that all genin must be given elemental training. So, channel a bit of chakra into the paper, if it crumbles to dust you have earth, if it burns you have fir…"
"Sensei, mine got cut into two!" Naruto exclaimed before Shikaku could complete his explanation.
"M-Mine g-got w-wrinkled." Hinata said in a soft voice.
'Troublesome overenthusiastic students' Shikaku inwardly groaned.
"Which means Naruto has wind affinity and you have lightning, Hinata. Respectively the rarest and second rarest elements among Konoha's shinobi." Shikaku commented.
"What affinity do you have sensei?" Naruto asked.
"My primary element is earth with a secondary fire and tertiary water affinity. Also, I have a special affinity called the yin-element, which helps me manipulate the shadows. This is like the bloodline of the Nara clan. Yin-element affinity would be found in anyone would natural acclimation towards genjutsu as well."
"Okay…so you have 3 affinities, along with that yin…whatever that is." Naruto said trying to understand.
"Don't worry kid, in time you will also develop multiple affinities with practice." Shikaku reassured.
"Okay!"
"Now, since we already know your affinities, we can start your training." The Nara clan head said, allowing himself to get serious as he took out two scrolls.
"Here, we have some basic jutsus for your affinities, 'Lightning Style: Lightning Balls' for Hinata and 'Wind Style: Drilling Air Bullets' for Naruto." Shikaku described handing the respective scrolls to his students.
"Also, before we get started on the techniques, there are some elemental chakra control exercises which you should do in order to train with the elements better."
"Alright! Throw at us whatever you can sensei!" Naruto exclaimed in his usual excitement.
"Troublesome, pick up some leaves. For Naruto, you have to cut the leaf into two using wind chakra, Hinata has to make her leaf wrinkle. Do it for three hours today and tomorrow you will practice your jutsus. And Naruto, for now no shadow clones. Understood?"
"Yes sensei!" The students acknowledged.
'I am sure these two will go a long way.'
The day passed with the two new genin trying their hardest to complete the exercise and not managing to complete it with Naruto only achieving 10% success and Hinata achieving 20% success, due to her excellent chakra control. Hinata then assisted Naruto with her Byakugan and then Naruto also managed to reach 20% in another hour.
"Ohh…this exercise is damn difficult, right Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked in between his long breaths.
"Y-Yeah, i-it is. I-I hope we can learn o-our jutsus by the t-time the m-mission is c-completed." The Hyuuga replied.
"I agree, that's a good timeline. We will need 10 days to complete the mission. I think that's enough to learn these two jutsus and complete the exercises as well. Just don't overwork yourself." Shikaku said, chirping into their conversation.
*Meanwhile in Konoha*
The academy was bustling as usual. Although with Naruto now gone, the classes had become far quieter for Iruka. Sure, there were no troubles due to the blonde's regular pranks anymore, but the scarred instructor did feel like the class has become a bit less lively.
As usual the class went on. Ino and Sakura kept fawning over Sasuke whenever they could, Choji would keep eating chips whenever Iruka would turn his back. Shikamaru would repeatedly fall asleep, something Iruka had become so used to that he didn't bother calling out the Nara anymore. Shino and Sasuke would always keep to themselves and not talk with anyone. Kiba would sometimes make some noise or keep playing with his dog, Akamaru.
'Naruto, I hope you are doing great and Hinata is keeping you out of trouble. Hopefully you'll also recognize how she feels about you soon. I'm positive her feelings were never a fangirlish crush. And being with her will end your loneliness for good.' Iruka thought to himself before beginning the next lecture.
A messenger slid the class room door opened and handed Iruka a small piece of paper.
Iruka quickly read through and his eyes widened just a tad. He spoke in a low whisper, too low for any of the students to hear: "Two graduate and then two more come to take their place so soon after? Fine, tell them to stay in the hall just outside the class room and I'll come get them when its time, I have an announcement to make first."
The messenger nodded and left the room.
"Hey sensei! I don't see Naruto here anymore. Was that loser expelled or something?" Kiba asked, some students laughed at it as well.
'Well, that makes this easier. Thanks for bringing Naruto up, Kiba.' "No Kiba. He doesn't have to come to class anymore because he has already graduated, together with Hinata. They are now genin and doing missions." Iruka replied with an expressionless face, wishing to see how the entire class (with the exception of Hinata) which had written off the blonde as a failure would take the news.
Iruka was half expecting the silence he got as the class processed what exactly he said.
A pin could drop or an invisible ninja seeking to kidnap jinchuriki could sneak into the room as quietly as they could only to have a panic attack and escape as fast and silently as they could and yet and Iruka was certain everyone would hear it at this moment. (Nice little shout out to how this fic got started)
As expected, a collective gasp was heard.
"THERE IS NO WAY THAT BAKA GRADUATED EARLY!" Sakura screamed.
"That loser must have cheated somehow, it's impossible that he passed on his own!" Kiba exclaimed. Iruka internally grinned.
"No Kiba, Sakura. Naruto didn't cheat. He not only passed but he and Hinata helped in capturing a traitor, so the Hokage made them genin." Iruka replied.
"WHAAT!" Kiba screamed again.
"Can't you be quiet, you are disturbing my sleep, troublesome dog boy." Shikamaru said with a yawn. He already knew what had happened with Naruto and he was actually happy for his friend. Although his mother had admonished him, saying that Shikamaru could have passed together with Naruto and Hinata, a year earlier, but the Nara had no interest in passing early and doing 'troublesome' missions while he could just chill at the academy for one more year.
"Who is their Jonin-sensei?" Sasuke asked, opening his mouth for the first time in the day.
"My old man." Shikamaru replied without opening his eyes.
"Oh, that means they got a jonin sensei as lazy as Shikamaru! Fitting for the loser Naruto is." Sakura commented with a smirk but then said smirk vanished when she saw Iruka looking at her with utter disappointment.
"Troublesome girl, I suggest being careful before insulting my father again." Shikamaru, his laziness now totally vanished from his face, replaced by a look of total seriousness. Ino and Choji were also looking at the pink haired girl with anger.
"Sakura, first of all, it is completely unbecoming of a shinobi in training to insult someone's parent in public. Secondly, Shikamaru's father, Shikaku Nara, is no ordinary man. He is the 15th head of the Nara clan, Konoha's Jonin commander as well as the Hokage's right hand man and advisor. Which effectively makes him the second most powerful man in Konoha, right after the Hokage." Iruka explained with a totally serious voice. Sakura put her head down in shame.
'How did those two losers manage to not only pass one year early but also got themselves the Jonin Commander of all people as sensei while I am here sitting and attending classes and not going after Itachi! Why are these people not letting me have power and giving it to that blonde loser and that weakling Hyuuga instead?' Sasuke thought with an internal snarl and frown and clenched his fists. (You're letting that ego make promises you won't be able to keep)
"Now class if you still have some problems with Naruto and Hinata passing early, you can take it up with the Hokage if you so choose but for now, I suggest settling down. We have two new additions to the class." Iruka stated.
Iruka went to the class room entrance and found the new students waiting patiently.
He beckoned them in.
These two new students were a pair that couldn't be more different.
One was a girl that had brown hair, fair skin just a few tones away from being pale, and brown eyes. Kiba and Akamaru both bristled slightly from her scent, she smelled of cats and loads of them; and that was before getting to the one perched on her shoulder which had fur colored a milky white on the underside with the top being a light shade of purple with occasional dark purple stripes across its topside. Out of all the students in the class already, it was ironically the loner Sasuke who actually knew her. Her appearance drew back memories from days long gone, before madness had taken Itachi and when the Uchiha still stood. Of childhood adventures tracking down cats of great power and importance for the Paw Encyclopedia, including a rather comical incident where Itachi and Sasuke had tracked down Yugito Ni'i and convinced her to let the Nibi out and convinced the Biju to give its paw print.
The other one was a boy with almost chalky pale skin and black hair and eyes. He smiled but there was something distinctly off about it, and not in the same way as Naruto for those who bothered to notice. He clutched a scroll and ink pen and his bag had a notebook in it that was obviously of great personal importance to the boy.
"Class, these are Sai and Tamaki. They are transferring into our class starting today. Skill evaluation has determined that they are of the proper skill and knowledge to be in a class of their age group with no special courses required to bring them up to speed. Please give them help when needed and make them feel welcome." Iruka stated to the class who nodded.
Sai took up the now vacated seat next to Sasuke rather eagerly while Tamaki took a seat that had been vacated by a student washing out and transferring out of the academy.
"And now, back to the lesson." Iruka commented before going back to writing on the board.
With the exception of some murmurs of grumbles, the class went silent, much to Iruka's satisfaction.
A/N: Alright another chapter done here. I hope it was a good read. How did you like the class's reaction to Naruto and Hinata graduating? And we have our new additions. Sai is in the class and it seems that something is brewing regarding Sasuke in the ROOT, well what else to expect from everybody's favorite sharingan obsessed bandaged old man (pun intended, he is one of my most hated characters alongside Toneri.) And it does seem that trouble is on its way for team-6, will they be up to the task? Obviously you will find out in the next couple of chapters. Stay tuned, more will be on the way soon.
See ya all in the next chapter, stay safe. Cheers and peace.
