Exzavur- thank you for your kind words I appreciate it!
Mscbeauty- thank you as well for the kind words. I've been kicking around some team 9 ideas with Naruto if I go that route I think I have a decent idea for it.
Well it's time for chapter two folks let's get into it.
Naruto was up before the sun itself, while our young redhead was no stranger to early mornings this was different. This is the day he gets to test his skills, he had worked for months till he literally dropped on the ground. And while he knew he was improving Kakashi sensei wasn't exactly someone he could measure his new abilities against. But this, this is where he could prove to his Jiji but even more so than him his sensei. He wanted so bad to show he was a good student.
After eating a few eggs and couple pieces of bacon he was out the door, he knew he probably shouldn't show up early knowing his Sensei's bad habit but he couldn't help it. Naruto took off at a leisure pace knowing he had some time to play with, on his way he couldn't help but think about what Kakashi told him yesterday. 'Sensei once told me I'd normally have the advantage against taijutsu types, but the way he warned me about my opponent must mean he has some serious skill.' Naruto thought till he ran up to a building he hadn't visited in a few weeks.
"Ah Naruto how have you been my boy?" Teuchi asked as he was cleaning the counter of his shop.
"Oh hey sorry I haven't dropped by in a while I've been training a lot and half the time my Sensei carries me home because I kinda pass out." Naruto said rubbing the back of his head while chuckling.
"Hmm well it seems to be working I can tell you have put on a bit of muscle. But you better not forgot about us Ayame-Chan has been worried." Teuchi lectured before smiling at his best customer.
"I'll never forget what you guys have done for me. Well I gotta run don't want to be late see ya later!" Naruto yelled before he took off again.
"How'd you sleep?" Kakashi asked making Naruto jump.
"Gah don't sneak up on me like that sensei!" Naruto chastised making Kakashi chuckle a bit.
"You need to work on your awareness I've been watching you for 15 minutes." Kakashi said as he flipped the page of his favorite book.
"Sorry sensei I'll do better. I slept ok just anxious ya know!" Naruto said with his infamous grin.
"That's normal just remember Gai has been training his pupil longer than I've trained you so losing isn't a bad thing it just means he's been at it longer." Kakashi lectured.
"I understand but I'm kicking his ass anyway!" Naruto said making Kakashi deadpan.
"How YOUTHFUL I promise to do my best as well!" A miniature looking Gai said, as he appeared out of nowhere.
"Seriously Gai you even make him dress like you." Kakashi said bewildered.
"Of course not my rival he just saw how handsome I looked and couldn't resist but to join my YOUTHFUL ways!" Gai said coming in right behind Lee.
"My name is Rock Lee I hope to have a wonderful spare with you!" Lee said as he bowed.
"Uh sure." Naruto said not really knowing what else to do.
"Ok boys this is anything goes just no killing stop whenever your opponent is unconscious or we call it understood." Kakashi said for once not having his book in head. Both pre teens nodded.
"Go." Kakashi yelled.
Without another word both kids took off at speeds impressive for even Genin, meeting in the middle there fist collided neither giving an inch. Lee was the first to back off the stalemate realizing no ground was being made. Naruto took the separation as an opportunity to make a dozen shadow clones, with with no order need they went on the attack all charging at the black haired lad. Lee made quick work just absolutely demolishing them. To Naruto's credit he used the smoke well to get close and land a devastating punch right into Lee's gut making him cringe.
"You have incredible strength Naruto-San." Lee said as he jumped away to catch his breath.
"Thanks! You are fast as hell getting close to you isn't easy." Naruto replied before going in for round two.
Lee knew he couldn't take many more powerful blows from Naruto, it felt like being hit with a sledgehammer. With that in mind Lee disposed of his training weights charged forward as fast as he could. Naruto didn't have a lot of time to process he knew Lee just took off his weights, and he wanted to do the same but Lee was coming way to fast to do it. Quickly making the hand signs "Earth Release Mud Wall" Naruto called, quietly thanking his Sensei for teaching him such a useful jutsu he stripped the weights off, not a moment to soon because as soon as the last set hit the ground Lee burst through the mud wall throwing a brutal roundhouse kick that nearly broke Naruto's arm from blocking.
"Lee is very impressive." Kakashi commented as the two Jonin watched the kids fight.
"Indeed, Naruto-kun looks impressive to have only been under you for a few months. The future is bright." Gai said in an unusually serious tone. Getting a nod from Kakashi.
After trading several blows both kids were exhausted, Lee was sporting a nice shiner on his left eye for a hook just outside his vision. Naruto had a puffy cheek form a kick he was too slow to react to. Both of the Genin hopefuls got to there feet for one last exchange knowing they were both out of energy. Naruto charged holding nothing back knowing this was his last shot, right before fist could meet face Lee ducked with the last bit of energy he had left and swept Naruto's legs from underneath him. Before Lee could try to send a punch or kick, his legs unfortunately gave out on him and he went tumbling down as well both kids sprawled out on there back drained.
"That's match. Good work you two I'm very impressed." Kakashi called as he walked up to the exhausted boys.
"Indeed that was quite the splendid match if I say so myself." Hiruzen said catching Gai off guard.
"Lord Hokage when did you get here?" Gai said dumbfounded.
"Just a moment ago I got word from a shinobi that there was a sparring match between two of my elite Jonins pupils and it peeked my interest." Hiruzen answered with a smile.
"What'd ya think Jiji?" Naruto asked while trying to sit up.
"You have improved very much my boy. The way you used your shadow clones would have made Lord Second smile." Hiruzen replied making Naruto grin from ear to ear.
"Yeah I thought I had him a few times but bushy brows doesn't give up." Naruto said with a laugh.
"Lee it's no small task to keep up with a shinobi of Naruto's stamina, keep training and you will turn out to be a great ninja." The old Kage added.
"Thank you lord Hokage I promise to work as hard as I can!" Lee said with the biggest smile he could muster.
"I'm glad to hear it. Gai, Kakashi I'd like to see you both in my office at 1300. Feed these boys then take them home." Hiruzen ordered getting a nod from both the Jonin.
"Ah thanks for bringing Kakashi with you Gai." Hiruzen said with a chuckle at Kakashi's expense.
"No problem Hokage-Sama, if I may ask why did you call us both in? The spar wasn't a problem was it sir?" Gai asked the question that was on both the Jonins mind.
"Of course not, but it is about the boys. I've been putting thought into the teams for this year's academy class, originally I planned for Neji, Lee, and Tenten to be a support squad. But after watching there spar together I've had second thoughts. Kakashi do you think Naruto needs another year with you?" Hiruzen said straight to the point.
"Selfishly I would say yes just so I could iron out a few more things, but realistically I'd say Naruto is at least mid Genin level now." Kakashi answered truthfully.
"Thank you for your honesty. Gai what are your thoughts?" Hiruzen asked turning his attention fully to the dark haired male.
"While I think Neji, and Tenten could pair fine with Lee I think it would be more ideal to have someone with an affinity for Ninjutsu to balance them out. Naruto and Lee could make for a fearsome assault squad, if paired with a combat medic, or a sensor." Gai said putting his two cents in.
"I like your thought process Gai, off the top of my head I can't think of a medic or a sensor I'd feel comfortable with pairing with your two boys in this batch." Hiruzen pondered aloud.
"If I may interject sir, I think we are all in agreement that both Lee and Naruto are Genin ready. But I'll speak for Gai as well I'm sure he's in the same frame of mind, we both think there is a lot we can still teach the boys. What if for one year Gai, Lee, Naruto, and myself were a four man squad. You said it yourself you didn't have a third for there potential squad, give us a year if we still don't have one they will be well rounded enough to fit in any squad." Kakashi explained making Hiruzen lift a brow.
"It's not a terrible idea but you have to understand you and Gai are responsible for a hefty amount of the A rank missions done in the village." Hiruzen started.
"Excuse me Lord Hokage but I don't think that would be an issue, granted having two fresh Genin can hinder some to a degree. But I don't think there are very many people who could get past me and Kakashi to our kids." Gai said with a hint of pride in his voice.
"I suppose you are correct. If I agree to this these boys better show immense growth." Hiruzen said leaking a bit of his chakra to get his point across.
"Understood sir." Both men said with a salute.
"Ok inform your kids they are official Genin and will be starting missions next week. Gai you can leave, Kakashi I'd like a word." With that Gai gave a curt bow and was off.
"How has your training been?" Hiruzen asked not mincing words.
"Fruitful, although I'd say Gai is more excited about my progress then I am." Kakashi said as a bead of sweat rolled of his head.
"I'm sure he's glad to have a challenge again. Have you gave any thought to my offer?" Hiruzen asked.
"I'm willing to accept as long as I get to finish my training with Naruto first." Kakashi replied reluctantly.
"I can understand that, I know Minato is looking down with a smile on his face at the two of you." Hiruzen replied waving the man off to enjoy his last week of free time.
"Kakashi thought back on everything that unfolded today, he couldn't help but let a smirk come through. While Naruto didn't win the spar the progress he showed was evident. He used his shadow clones well, showed quick thinking using the mud wall when he did, and landed some heavy blows. Which is no easy feat considering Kakashi can relate to fighting an incredible taijutsu user, then he thought about his talk with the Hokage. He knew how short a year could be, but he would make the most of it that he knew for sure. He wondered if Minato Sensei was this happy to have his first student? With that last thought he let unconscious take hold and finally shut down for the night.
Thump thump thump
"I heard you the first time hold on a second!" Naruto yelled groggily as he wiped the sleep from his eyes.
"Morning sunshine how'd you sleep." Kakashi asked letting himself in as Naruto answered the door.
"Sure come in... Like a rock actually I was exhausted I didn't even eat dinner." Naruto answered blandly.
"Well I've got news for you, you won't be going back to the academy ever." Kakashi said seriously.
"What do ya mean??? I wasn't that bad yesterday was i???" Naruto practically screamed.
"Actually I thought you did quite well. And because of that Lord Hokage has decided to make you a Genin now." Kakashi answered with a smirk.
"But I promise I'll do... wait what I'm a Genin!!!" Naruto said after finally gathering what Kakashi just told him.
"Sure are. I got you something here try it on." Kakashi said as he tossed him a headband.
"Thanks Sensei but this one seems a bit beat up shouldn't I get a new one?" Naruto asked confused.
"I guess you could I just figured you might want to use the fourth Hokage's headband. But if that's the case just give it back and I'll get you a new one." Kakashi replied smiling.
"No way! Thank you so much Sensei this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me." Naruto said choking back tears before he tackled his Sensei in a bone crushing hug. Kakashi was caught off guard at first but after a moment ran a hand through Naruto's wild red hair.
"Your welcome but I expect you to make me proud." Kakashi said still ruffling the boys hair.
"I promise." Naruto said finally releasing the silver haired ninja.
"Good, now get dressed we're going to get some breakfast then meet with your new team." Kakashi instructed.
"Bushy brow Sensei and bushy brows is our teammates?" Naruto said confused.
"Yup while it is a little unconventional it isn't permanent. We had a talk with Lord Third and we all agreed that we thought you two would work well together but we couldn't think of a third, so he gave us a year to get some experience under your belt and hopefully find a third teammate for you guys." Kakashi explained.
"Oh but what if they don't find a third for us?" Lee asked a bit of fear leaking through his voice.
"Not a problem my YOUTHFUL pupil by the time you two are done with us you will be able to fit alongside any comrade of the leaf!" Gai declared making Lee's eyes light up.
"Uhh yeah, anyways we decided to trade pupils for the rest of the week and try to see what the other missed while training." Kakashi announced, Naruto just looked at his Sensei with a face that said how could you leave me with this maniac for a week. But to Kakashi's defense he's had to deal with Gai much longer.
"Alright enough talking Lee come with me." Kakashi said then the two made there way out of sight.
"I know we don't know each other very well Naruto-Kun but I must say watching you spar was incredibly YOUTHFUL!" Gai said with a blinding smile and a big thumbs up.
"Thanks Sensei. Um what do you have planned for me?" Naruto asked a bit nervously.
"Tell me Naruto how long have you been using Kakashi's taijutsu style?" Gai asked surprising Naruto that he knew that.
"Uh about four months I guess." Naruto answered truthfully.
"I see. I think Kakashi showed you his as more of an introduction to Taijutsu, I think he would have had you learn another style once you got comfortable with his. So that's what I'll be doing." Gai said uncharacteristically serious.
"Sure thing Sensei which style do you want me to learn?" Naruto asked curiously.
"After your spar with Lee I noticed you favored landing heavy blows rather than wearing your opponent out. With that said I think that makes you a perfect student to learn the strong fist style." Gai said proudly.
"Strong fist? I don't think I've heard of it before." Naruto answered making Gai instantly deflate.
"You wound me Naruto-Kun, Strong fist is the style I created. Although there are different levels of the style I think the basics of it are perfect for you. Now enough talk let's get to it." Gai replied.
"So what exactly will we be doing Kakashi Sensei?" Lee asked as they finally stopped at a training ground a few hundred meters away.
"There's a few things in mind, tell me has Gai showed you how he fights an opponent that is renown for Genjutsu?" Kakashi asked.
"No sir." Lee answered immediately.
"Good we will start there." Kakashi said with an eye smile.
A/N Hey guys bit of a shorter chapter but hope you enjoyed nonetheless. Next chapter we will start with them taking missions. I'll be the first to admit that there team is a little wacky but hey at least you didn't see it coming! Anyways I have a good idea who I want for there 3rd and final Genin teammate, feel free to make guesses but I'm pretty confident no one will get it. Thanks for reading and as always take it easy!